I'm surprised it's legal to offer discounts to a geographical area. Has it ever been challenged?

[aboveH20]

From time to time when I look at the Special Offers section I see discounts available only to residents of Florida. I'm surprised it's legal to "discriminate" based on geographical area. Has any one ever tried to challenge that?

Have residents of Alaska ever been offered a discount? Seems like they could really use one. And, a couple of winters ago when Boston kept getting hammered with one huge snow storm after another, seemed like they would have appreciated a Get Out of Town discount.

Obviously residents of Florida can take advantage of all of the other "everyone" discounts. Is it a psychological thing to get them to book?

Just curious

 

[NotUrsula]

OK, I'll bite, though I know this is probably a tongue-in-cheek post.

Yes, it's perfectly legal. The terms are clear, and there is no bait and switch in terms of the eligible population for the offer.

As to the reason to give discounts to in-state residents, that's beyond simple. It is to give them a good impression of the company and get them to visit and spend money on property, because they are in a better position than most out-of-state guests to just decide to visit on a whim. Just gin the car and spend an evening or a weekend without having to plan or take off work; they could go to a restaurant or a sports stadium to spend their "fun" budget, but Disney prefers that they spend their money with WDW.

 

[TinkAgainU]

OK, I'll bite, though I know this is probably a tongue-in-cheek post.

Yes, it's perfectly legal. The terms are clear, and there is no bait and switch in terms of the eligible population for the offer.

As to the reason to give discounts to in-state residents, that's beyond simple. It is to give them a good impression of the company and get them to visit and spend money on property, because they are in a better position than most out-of-state guests to just decide to visit on a whim. Just gin the car and spend an evening or a weekend without having to plan or take off work; they could go to a restaurant or a sports stadium to spend their "fun" budget, but Disney prefers that they spend their money with WDW.

Weirdly, this is likely the reason California still requires Reservations. They seem to have a disproportionate number of locals in the park and perhaps feel out of town guests typically spend more per person.

 

[Goldelpack]

1. SPECIAL OFFERS are not required by law. Restrictions on SPECIAL OFFERS would be solved by not having any SPECIAL OFFERS.
2. Virtually all, if not all, SPECIAL OFFERS have an asterisk and mention *restrictions apply; *not available for humans, or *see very small fine print in a color you can hardly see.
3. I can relate to the need for SPECIAL OFFERS after a hard snow-storm. Especially when you realize that you have no idea where the snow shovel you purchased last storm, or the one from 2 storms ago, or 3 storms ago.. are all missing. A good dose of DISNEY would be awesome.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Business cannot discriminate against national origin, sex, religion, color or race, that's it. Local discounts are everywhere, Golf courses, restaurants, car dealerships and on and on. Where I live, the majority of the restaurants and other businesses offer 10-15% off for Military personnel. Plus, every time there is a FL discount there is also a public discount, If you want a special discount, then get a Disney Visa or buy DVC. Should we challenge that too?

 

[HopperFan]

From time to time when I look at the Special Offers section I see discounts available only to residents of Florida. I'm surprised it's legal to "discriminate" based on geographical area. Has any one ever tried to challenge that?

Yeah, every single business out there can and some do offer discounts or deals to a select group of people .... Disney has offered Florida & Georgia discounts for decades since they are the closest and the cost to get to Disney is minimal. We are more likely to book an unplanned visit because we don't have to spend on plane tickets etc. Why do Military or Teachers or First Responders or Seniors get deals the rest of us can't?? I don't think you'd find a lawyer that would bother with it.

Have residents of Alaska ever been offered a discount? Seems like they could really use one. And, a couple of winters ago when Boston kept getting hammered with one huge snow storm after another, seemed like they would have appreciated a Get Out of Town discount.

Obviously residents of Florida can take advantage of all of the other "everyone" discounts. Is it a psychological thing to get them to book?

Just curious

Honestly Disney might be less likely to offer discounts to folks who really want to get away from snow ... they might be the easiest to entice to come.

AND they can get discounts, Free Dining, Disney+, Disney Visa, Holiday Discounts, Special Package with Tickets, Stay 5 Nights for Discount .... plenty of discounts for EVERYONE.

I just looked and there are currently 3 room and 2 ticket discounts that anyone can get.

 

[georgina]

Yep. Lots of places have senior citizen discounts also!

 

[fla4fun]

I would say most of the special offers are to specific groups, whether they are Fla residents, Disney VISA, passholders, etc. Most of the time, these are groups you can join if you’re willing to, although it can be pricey (both moving or buying an AP). I have also seen offers in the past for Georgia residents, although it has been a while. The Disney accountants figure out which demographic isn’t spending the way Disney thinks they should, and so they dangle a little carrot to entice them. If there aren’t any offers you like on the website, you can always check third parties like Costco or OTAs for discounted rates. I have used them when their rates beat Disney’s special offers.

 

[SL6827]

Georgia resident discounts??? Don't remember this.

 

[HopperFan]

Georgia resident discounts??? Don't remember this.

Yeah they were very common, we used to use those and AAA often. There was even a AAA/Disney Visitor Center in Ocala you could stop and get some last minute discounts too.

LOTS of the offsite hotels will still offer Georgia Resident discounts.

The Disney Springs hotels offer it ~ https://disneyspringshotels.com/special-offers/

 

[elvispursley]

Here in Hawaii we have kamaina discounts for locals in many places, including Aulani. Not sure why there are those claiming it’s illegal Many states have resident-only discounts.

 

[dansdad]

Here in Hawaii we have kamaina discounts for locals in many places, including Aulani. Not sure why there are those claiming it’s illegal Many states have resident-only discounts.

The OP stated they are surprised that it is legal. Nobody on this thread have claimed it's illegal.

 

[Anthony1971]

State and City universities offer huge tuition discounts for in state residents. You can 100% target advertise. Facebook and Twitter does exactly this and there are discounts offered with both even offering there own checkout which is responsible for collecting and paying sales tax where the vendor receives the item cost only commission billed separately.

 

[val1234]

I had to read this post twice like huh!! I am new Florida resident after traveling to Disney once yearly from cold New York utilizing whatever GP discount available for us. Now as a Florida resident I have been to Disney 3 times in the last 6 months happily taking advantage of my new resident status with Disney being a 90 minute drive away so no plane ticket needed. Thank you very much Disney!

 

[Sykes]

Business cannot discriminate against national origin, sex, religion, color or race, that's it.

Even sex isn't a federally protected class when it comes to public accommodations. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects race, color, religion, or national origin in public accommodations, but sex is only federally protected when it comes to employment, education, and a few other specific situations. There are a patchwork of state laws that extend public accommodation protections to sex, gender, sexual orientation, etc., but in many places businesses are free to discriminate on sex. And in some industries it's super common--for example, almost all night clubs in Las Vegas charge a lower admission fee to women.

Not all discrimination is illegal.

 

[aboveH20]

Interesting replies, thank you all for taking the time. So bottom line, it probably hasn't been challenged because a lawyer would know there is no case. Part of my brain still can't get over, if Disney wants to fill hotel rooms, why do they care if they're getting their bookings from Saratoga or Sarasota.

OK, I'll bite, though I know this is probably a tongue-in-cheek post.

Yes, it's perfectly legal. The terms are clear, and there is no bait and switch in terms of the eligible population for the offer.

As to the reason to give discounts to in-state residents, that's beyond simple. It is to give them a good impression of the company and get them to visit and spend money on property, because they are in a better position than most out-of-state guests to just decide to visit on a whim. Just gin the car and spend an evening or a weekend without having to plan or take off work; they could go to a restaurant or a sports stadium to spend their "fun" budget, but Disney prefers that they spend their money with WDW.

I suppose you're right that "locals" spend more money on food and stuff, figuring they didn't have to pay airfare, etc.

Even sex isn't a federally protected class when it comes to public accommodations. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects race, color, religion, or national origin in public accommodations, but sex is only federally protected when it comes to employment, education, and a few other specific situations. There are a patchwork of state laws that extend public accommodation protections to sex, gender, sexual orientation, etc., but in many places businesses are free to discriminate on sex. And in some industries it's super common--for example, almost all night clubs in Las Vegas charge a lower admission fee to women.

Not all discrimination is illegal.

And although I've never taken advantage of the "opportunity," toplessness is legal in New York -- wherever one sex can go topless so can the other, and I'm pretty sure "Ladies Night" at bars are not legal here.

A discount I do understand is military. If there's ever a "Big Disturbance" at WDW I would like to think half of the guests have military training