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

[DCLMP]

I agree it is far from normal but unfortunately it is a new normal. We are making blocks(reservations)for all of 2022 and the rates are the same price as we are selling them now. It's crazy!

Is it the new normal? I don't think so. It's no more normal than the deflation we had a decade ago. This too shall pass. If it doesn't we're all in for a world of hurt.

 

[DCLMP]

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

It is what draws a lot of people. I wouldn't say it's a misconception. There are always going to be exceptions.

 

[DCLMP]

Ummmm, the first one sounds like me without kids hahaha

I was thinking the second one sounds like me with kids. None of us are park commandos.

 

[dez1978]

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!

YES!!!! Gen Y (isn't that the late x early M one?) with 2 elementary age kids. Full time job, kids both in sports at diff times and places. Believe me, if I wanna do something, I'll find the time to plan lol. I'm the only one that plans anything in our house (it seems) but I def do all the travel planning, DH is just along for the ride, or to pay for things he says lol. I love to do it so I find the time.

 

[GatorChris]

If you were asking specifically about Disneyland, I'd say YES! Whenever we go, it's a ton of Millenials with their APs showing up every single evening. Dining lines become insane, as does just moving around the park. It takes some of the magic out of it at times. Don't know how it is now in Orlando, but used to, it seemed like it was all families back in the 2002-2012 decade we went there.

 

[jknc]

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.

Service and perhaps attractions? How many years ago did Ellen’s close?

True, there’s new nighttime entertainment coming in addition to $114 dessert parties, a steakhouse @ Contemporary and a $395 dining experience for a family of 5 in “Space”.

 

[jknc]

At what point does Disney implement a new AP called Magic Vlogger that’s priced according to how many YouTube subscribers they have?

 

[luv2cheer92]

If you were asking specifically about Disneyland, I'd say YES! Whenever we go, it's a ton of Millenials with their APs showing up every single evening. Dining lines become insane, as does just moving around the park. It takes some of the magic out of it at times. Don't know how it is now in Orlando, but used to, it seemed like it was all families back in the 2002-2012 decade we went there.

Maybe I'm reading your post wrong, but are you saying its the millennials themselves that make it less magical (I hope not)? Or just that there are more people in general? I still go with my family a lot (my parents/fellow millennial siblings), so thats still a family.

 

[Allison]

There are lots of families with the disposable income to do the things you mention.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Just so people know
Generation X = People born 1961 to 1981
Generation Y / Millennials = People born 1981 to 1996
Generation Z = People born 1996 to now

Sorry, born in 1961, definitely a Boomer. I had 35 kids in my first grade class - there's your post war "Baby Boom" still happening. I understand that your argument is that various people use various dates, but this is the first I've heard that I've been re-cast as a Gen X. My mother was born in 1926, for heaven's sakes! I doubt many Gen Xers have 95 year old parents.

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.

Most businesses would rather have $10,000 than $1,000, which is the figure you get with your second scenario. (100 x 100) Perhaps you meant to say that businesses would prefer one person spending $1,000 over 10 people spending $100, or 100 people spending $10?

 

[jknc]

How much would you pay for a ticket to MK if they only allowed people 21+ to enter? No children allowed. All day.

 

[shh]

How much would you pay for a ticket to MK if they only allowed people 21+ to enter? No children allowed. All day.

I could go pretty high if they would convert a few turkey leg booths into beer stands for the night...and maybe sell a rum chaser with those frozen dole whips.

Okay - cue the folks who despise alcohol sales anywhere on WDW - (Remember...it's just for ONE night guys! )

 

[DCLMP]

YES!!!! Gen Y (isn't that the late x early M one?) with 2 elementary age kids. Full time job, kids both in sports at diff times and places. Believe me, if I wanna do something, I'll find the time to plan lol. I'm the only one that plans anything in our house (it seems) but I def do all the travel planning, DH is just along for the ride, or to pay for things he says lol. I love to do it so I find the time.

I don't think WDW requires much planning. International trips are what takes planning. I worked full time and have two kids and I love planning.

All this talk about Millenials what about Zoomers?........ Now there's an interesting generation and that's all I will say about that.

 

[katyringo]

This thread has given me a chuckle..

I already commented but I juuussst have to comment again on the notion of folks not realizing what draws childless people to the parks..

millennial trauma…..

I’m only kinda joking… Millennial mom of 2. My kids have been to Disney multiple times.. I didn’t go for the first time until 2017 as a 29 year old. After dreaming about it my whole life.. it lived up to all of it and more.. I’m now planning my first solo trip.

I’ll never understand why people care so much about what makes someone else happy. I’m a busy mom, I’m working on my doctorate, professional to a fault.. and I love to go to Disney mouse ears and all.

Disney is literally therapeutic to me (don’t worry I go to real therapy). It’s healthy escapism and good golly in our world now that’s more important than ever.

 

[DCLMP]

This thread has given me a chuckle..

I already commented but I juuussst have to comment again on the notion of folks not realizing what draws childless people to the parks..

millennial trauma…..

I’m only kinda joking… Millennial mom of 2. My kids have been to Disney multiple times.. I didn’t go for the first time until 2017 as a 29 year old. After dreaming about it my whole life.. it lived up to all of it and more.. I’m now planning my first solo trip.

I’ll never understand why people care so much about what makes someone else happy. I’m a busy mom, I’m working on my doctorate, professional to a fault.. and I love to go to Disney mouse ears and all.

Disney is literally therapeutic to me (don’t worry I go to real therapy). It’s healthy escapism and good golly in our world now that’s more important than ever.

I don't think people care that much about what makes other people happy. It's just interesting to hear what makes other people happy.

 

[Timandalicia]

Greetings,

With the increased admission costs, added planning complexities, new overpriced dining “experiences”, lack of character greets is Disney finally turning into what they’ve always wanted to be?

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

I’m a childful Gen Xer. Bring on the wine list!

 

[Dakota731]

I think they are targeting everyone! Different ad campaigns that I see cater to different demographics. A commercial recently aired was about grandparents bringing their grandkids to Disney, and those people are boomers. So I think they couldn’t care less what year you were born as long as you come and spend money.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I think they are targeting everyone! Different ad campaigns that I see cater to different demographics. A commercial recently aired was about grandparents bringing their grandkids to Disney, and those people are boomers. So I think they couldn’t care less what year you were born as long as you come and spend money.

I agree, I also think the ads change depending on time of year, I assume during back to school they would target a different group, then if it was summer vacation, the only thing I believe Disney cares about is how green your money is

 

[bookgirl]

Sorry, born in 1961, definitely a Boomer. I had 35 kids in my first grade class - there's your post war "Baby Boom" still happening. I understand that your argument is that various people use various dates, but this is the first I've heard that I've been re-cast as a Gen X. My mother was born in 1926, for heaven's sakes! I doubt many Gen Xers have 95 year old parents.

Yeah I never heard of that age definition either. I wouldn't have called you GenX


Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. They're currently between 57-75 years old (71.6 million in the U.S.) Gen X: Gen X was born between 1965 and 1979/80 and is currently between 41-56 years old (65.2 million people in the U.S.) Gen Y: Gen Y, or Millennials, were born between 1981 and 1994/6.

I'll go with PEW



My brother (1963) is a Boomer and I (1966) am GenX...... which he likes to remind me often, very often. HAHAHAHAHA

Jokes on him, I don't want to be a Boomer, I like being GenX.

PS My mom is about to turn 78. She is not Silent. She is very vocal about stuff..... I took her on her first trip to Disney (Disneyland 1999 and Disney World 2009 to Present). I have no kids of my own and I plan all the trips.

 

[jknc]

I’m happy folks found some humor in this thread. That was my intent.

I genuinely laughed out loud when I started it knowing some wouldn’t fully understand the sarcasm.

Cheers!