Is Disney positioning itself to truly be a haven for childless millennials?

[2vets]

I'm not sure what draws childless people to go to WDW again and again.

Child-free Gen X-er here. Don’t want to veer off topic, but for me, my parents took my siblings and me to WDW the year it opened and most years after that (my dad had an annual conference held there) until we were teens/in college. I traveled there with grandparents, aunts, uncles. I have deep, distinct happy memories of childhood in certain parts of MK.

WDW isn’t my destination of choice for weeklong or longer trips (we’re big Indopacific travelers), tbh, but I’ve commonly been willing to splurge on a fancy WDW long weekend every year or two if I’m in FL to visit family or for work. Right now, it’s just easier to get to WDW than many other places. And that emotional comfort after the last 18 months - well, it cannot be overstated. And the recent offerings - after hours, bonus hours for deluxe resorts, fireworks parties with bubbly, food and wine af Epcot nearly year-round - well, I am definitely the target audience for those. I don’t think that’s an accident. I’ve been to WDW more and spent/will spend more $ there in 2020-21 than in the 5+ years prior. My upcoming trip is the only undiscounted one, so it isn’t just price increases.

That said, the world will open up again at some point. And I know I will be flying back over the Pacific instead of to Orlando. And WDW would be smart not to alienate those in other demographics, IMO. It might be tough to draw them back after the massive series of recent changes. The short-term strategy might pay off, but long term? We’ll see.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'm not sure what draws childless people to go to WDW again and again.

It's a common misconception that WDW is only for children or people who have children.

 

[HopperFan]

It's a common misconception that WDW is only for children or people who have children.

And this wasn't all started by a Mouse ... it was started by a grown man who loved everything people try to say are just for children. Sure he wanted to do these things with his kids .... but it is quite the extreme - so my take is he wanted to do these things and it worked out well with his kids.

 

[bookgirl]

I think Disney has realized that having someplace that appeals to kids but still has enough adult options for the parents to enjoy and also brings in childless customers is $$$.

Vegas did the same. While Vegas caters to adults they put in enough family/kid friendly stuff that it was a viable option for families. There's been a lot of back and forth about catering to two different demographics but if you find the correct middle ground it will earn you money.

 

[Coconut8473]

Who else besides childless millennials have so much time to plan

There's an old expression, "If you want something done fast, ask a working mother." I'll make the adage more inclusive by changing to "parent" and even omit the "working" part (since anyone with a child is indeed constantly working!), but make no mistake, parents are planners by necessity - we find the time!

 

[Moliphino]

I'm a childless millennial and they're pricing me out, too.

To clarify, it's not so much that I can't afford the rising prices rather the value isn't there anymore. I can go to Europe for less and enjoy it just as much.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Walt wanted a place to take his kids that he could enjoy along with the kids. Which also means that he built a park that adults could enjoy.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I think the question is a little basic, (as always somehow the issue in hand is caused by millennials, what else is new). I believe that Disney understands that they have an audience that will entertain higher prices, and also that it may end up pricing some people out of a Disney vacation, they seem to be attempting to charge more at the parks to drive people who stay outside of their parks away (knowing that that specific group is doing Disney on a budget). Crowding has been an issue for years, and raising prices still guarantees revenue, while it cuts down on guests (potentially). I think that it’s a little simple to think that Disney is specifically catering to millennials. Everyone’s money is green, and like every other business, they cater to the largest stack of cash, not a specific generation, (not saying that millenials don’t have cash, just that they aren’t the only group)

 

[wfjny]

Things to do on trips with the kids:
Hit every park, hit every ride, get back to the hotel, exhausted...
Shower, sleep, wake up, repeat...

Things to do on trips without the kids:
Visit the hotels at Christmas time, also see the parks designs
EPCOT Food & Wine
Go to restaurants like Victoria & Albert's, Le Cellier, Brown Derby, California Grill
See the shows that the kids are sick of seeing (they would rather be on Space Mountain instead of the Carousel of Progress)

 

[luv2cheer92]

Things to do on trips with the kids:
Hit every park, hit every ride, get back to the hotel, exhausted...
Shower, sleep, wake up, repeat...

Things to do on trips without the kids:
Visit the hotels at Christmas time, also see the parks designs
EPCOT Food & Wine
Go to restaurants like Victoria & Albert's, Le Cellier, Brown Derby, California Grill
See the shows that the kids are sick of seeing (they would rather be on Space Mountain instead of the Carousel of Progress)

Ummmm, the first one sounds like me without kids hahaha

 

[Minniesgal]

We are Gen X DVC owners. DVC was bought to travel with kids then to be used as a retirement holiday plan for us as we age. We won’t visit the parks we will golf spa and eat out and maybe a bit of balcony time and shopping. We will still be going

 

[Colson39]

Things to do on trips with the kids:
Hit every park, hit every ride, get back to the hotel, exhausted...
Shower, sleep, wake up, repeat...

Things to do on trips without the kids:
Visit the hotels at Christmas time, also see the parks designs
EPCOT Food & Wine
Go to restaurants like Victoria & Albert's, Le Cellier, Brown Derby, California Grill
See the shows that the kids are sick of seeing (they would rather be on Space Mountain instead of the Carousel of Progress)

Ummmm, the first one sounds like me without kids hahaha

I was going to say, BOTH of those sound like us WITH kids...lol

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Walt wanted a place to take his kids that he could enjoy along with the kids. Which also means that he built a park that adults could enjoy.

I completely agree with you about your point on Walt , I would just say that he never said it was a place for everyone with their kids, there has always been a price of entry that inevitably prices certain groups out, happens with every business, and I think a lot of people overlook that

 

[jknc]

Gut reaction: Who cares? If WDW isn't for you right now, then don't go. There's a whole big world out there to explore.

My 2nd take on this:

• go to DL instead.
• lack of character meet & greets won't be like that forever. I've never cared for the WDW method of character meet & greets, where you practically needed a FP in order to not wait in a 45 min line just to get an autograph and take a picture. DL's pre-COVID character stuff was handled better.
• you don't HAVE to do the overpriced dining experiences.
• Planning doesn't HAVE to be complex. In fact, with the elimination of FP+ and booking FP 60 days beforehand, I'd argue that it makes planning easier.
• plenty of families still go to WDW. You just might not necessarily see them plastering themselves all over Youtube like all of the childless WDW Youtubers do.
• our family saves all year in order to be able to go on a Disney trip, whether it be WDW or DL. But we go to DL more often because it's physically closer (6.5 hr drive compared to all day plane ride).

Gut reply:
I care.

 

[DLgal]

Who else besides childless millennials have so much time to plan, available disposable income and appetite for wine to visit?

Older adults whose kids are grown and out of the house. Or, even just adults in general who have grandparents to leave the kids with.

I don't understand this idea that millennials are just all rolling in tons of disposable income. It's not true.

 

[epcotized]

I hope it's not just a generational bias. Disney made resort areas available for their DVC corporation. They were willing to take a lot of money from Boomers knowing they would not get younger. It would be disappointing if the approach is "thanks for your money but we have had enough of you. If you do not like it than sell your DVC ownership. We will buy it at a discount and sell it to the next generation at a profit then eventually do the same to them. Who's the next generation? Step right up."

I tend to think it is more of an approach to get money from somewhat higher income people for now and others who are willing to spend more than a budget would allow.

 

[CBMom01]

Child-free Gen X-er here. Don’t want to veer off topic, but for me, my parents took my siblings and me to WDW the year it opened and most years after that (my dad had an annual conference held there) until we were teens/in college. I traveled there with grandparents, aunts, uncles. I have deep, distinct happy memories of childhood in certain parts of MK.

WDW isn’t my destination of choice for weeklong or longer trips (we’re big Indopacific travelers), tbh, but I’ve commonly been willing to splurge on a fancy WDW long weekend every year or two if I’m in FL to visit family or for work. Right now, it’s just easier to get to WDW than many other places. And that emotional comfort after the last 18 months - well, it cannot be overstated. And the recent offerings - after hours, bonus hours for deluxe resorts, fireworks parties with bubbly, food and wine af Epcot nearly year-round - well, I am definitely the target audience for those. I don’t think that’s an accident. I’ve been to WDW more and spent/will spend more $ there in 2020-21 than in the 5+ years prior. My upcoming trip is the only undiscounted one, so it isn’t just price increases.

That said, the world will open up again at some point. And I know I will be flying back over the Pacific instead of to Orlando. And WDW would be smart not to alienate those in other demographics, IMO. It might be tough to draw them back after the massive series of recent changes. The short-term strategy might pay off, but long term? We’ll see.

Totally agree about the ease and familiar comfort right now

 

[queenadnama]

Millennial here ('93) and childfree for life. I've been saying for the last three years how Disney feels less geared towards families with children and more towards those who have DINK/SINK lifestyles or retirees who want to simply dine and drink.

While this is amazing for me, I feel terrible for my friends and family who are having little ones now who will not likely experience the same Disney trips I had when I was a kid with my mom.

 

[CBMom01]

Also, won’t every business choose 1 person who spends $1,000 over 100 who spend $100? If they can push the higher per guest margin, they’re obligated to.

My only complaint is that they’re doing it without upping the level of customer service.

 

[VandVsmama]

Gut reply:
I care.

Disney is still a great vacation destination for people who aren't childless millennials.