January Occupancy WAAAY Down

[MJMcBride]

Not even actually good news for you. When slow the parks and resorts may be cutting back, causing a loss in service for you. Think of this, only twice a week fantasmic shows, cut backs already.

true but reduced crowds do offset that. and I have the fantasmic dinner package for one night

the real problem may be waits for buses that might not come for awhile

 

[Tink rules]

I know nothing about the hospitality industry so bear with me, what dose 4% fill in mean?

thanks

they were down 10% from this time last year and with the specials they were only able to fill in 4% of those rooms - they are still down 6% from last year.

 

[Tink rules]

And that's resort wide... the Deluxes are down even more. People who may have stayed at a deluxe in the past have gone to the Mods, etc. to save money.

 

[Steffiesunshine]

We went mid December 2001 and I've never seen the parks so empty - go figure!

We went down on October 11, 2001 . I really wanted to cancel, but my BF at the time didn't want to, and I didn't want to upset my then 11 yr old son. We stayed off property, I think Travelodge? There was NO ONE in the parks and no one at the motel we were in. It was walk on every ride. I can't imagine how empty the Disney resort hotels could have been at that time.

I don't know if 35% is still correct though. It must have increased. I can tell you I was unable to get many of the ADRs I was looking for.

 

[LVSWL]

So, I have a question. We are going in April, the week before Easter. I know, I know. Peak season and all. Given the economy and everything, what would your best guess be as to how much effect there will be on the crowds during that time. It really seems like Disney is still struggling to pull people in, even offering discounts for those weeks around the holiday. Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.

 

[mitros]

So, I have a question. We are going in April, the week before Easter. I know, I know. Peak season and all. Given the economy and everything, what would your best guess be as to how much effect there will be on the crowds during that time. It really seems like Disney is still struggling to pull people in, even offering discounts for those weeks around the holiday. Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.

I would say that by that time, with all of these offers Disney is putting out there, it will be business as usual for that time of the year, re: busy, busy, busy!

 

[LVSWL]

I would say that by that time, with all of these offers Disney is putting out there, it will be business as usual for that time of the year, re: busy, busy, busy!

 

[Tink rules]

Around any of the holidays it will be crowded - always is... but when kids are off from school is when Disney will be lower than usual.

 

[mitros]

Around any of the holidays it will be crowded - always is... but when kids are off from school is when Disney will be lower than usual.

I believe you are mistaken. When kids are off from school for whatever reason, holidays, weekends, spring breaks, this always impacts Disney crowds in a bad way.

 

[Tink rules]

typo... sorry...

When the kids ARE off from school...

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We are checking in on Saturday. I was wondering if anyone is/was touring the parks this week. What were your observations of the crowds?

 

[14disney]

We were also there in Jan 2001 and it wasn't crowded, we were there in Dec 2005 the week before Christmas and it wasn't crowded and just this past November (9-15th) and we didn't have many waits. Our first park day was the only crowded day, Nov 10th at MGM. Toy Story Mania and Soarin were the most crowded rides. But with fast pass, we never waited anywhere. All great times to go, Dec was my favorite due to the holiday decorations.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I was there from January 4-7th and the crowds were just too much for me. I'm not used to large crowds anymore - I've been spoiled during the past few trips. Waits were usually from 40-80 minutes long (Soarin was 70 minutes at one point on Tuesday and even Spaceship Earth and It's a Small World had a long line!!) Fastpass was really the only way to get the big stuff done. I'll stick to my September trips from now on.

 

[mitros]

I was there from January 4-7th and the crowds were just too much for me. I'm not used to large crowds anymore - I've been spoiled during the past few trips. Waits were usually from 40-80 minutes long (Soarin was 70 minutes at one point on Tuesday and even Spaceship Earth and It's a Small World had a long line!!) Fastpass was really the only way to get the big stuff done. I'll stick to my September trips from now on.

So, would you say the economy has had no effect on Disney at all?

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

So, would you say the economy has had no effect on Disney at all?

I would have to say that the economy has had little impact on the crowds in Disney. Maybe with people in the states it has but it definately has not slowed down the international tourist.

 

[doconeill]

I still believe there will be a delayed effect. People who already had vacations booked and paid for and may be spooked by and not directly affected (i.e. lost jobs, etc.) are likely to still do so, but as has been mentioned advanced bookings going forward are down since people are less likely to book for the future.

DVC members at the parks are also likely to remain somewhat constant - their lodging is already paid for, and to a certain extent they need to use their points or lose them. They can push it off for a bit (which actually could create a booking crunch when things get better).

You need to wait longer than the week after the holidays to start picking up on a perceivable difference. This Spring should be interesting, depending how "successful" the 4/3 program is, plus any other discounts they may offer (AP discounts still haven't opened up yet).

Now, once the direct impact hits, Disney could if it so chooses concentrate guests in ways to give the appearance that it is still busy. I'm not sure of the advantage of doing so myself...

And don't forget that crowd levels are a subjective measure...

 

[mitros]

I still believe there will be a delayed effect. People who already had vacations booked and paid for and may be spooked by and not directly affected (i.e. lost jobs, etc.) are likely to still do so, but as has been mentioned advanced bookings going forward are down since people are less likely to book for the future.

DVC members at the parks are also likely to remain somewhat constant - their lodging is already paid for, and to a certain extent they need to use their points or lose them. They can push it off for a bit (which actually could create a booking crunch when things get better).

You need to wait longer than the week after the holidays to start picking up on a perceivable difference. This Spring should be interesting, depending how "successful" the 4/3 program is, plus any other discounts they may offer (AP discounts still haven't opened up yet).

Now, once the direct impact hits, Disney could if it so chooses concentrate guests in ways to give the appearance that it is still busy. I'm not sure of the advantage of doing so myself...

And don't forget that crowd levels are a subjective measure...

Sorry, I'm still saying you will see NO change in the crowds at Disney, other than up, either this year or next. We will see more and more people going. The DVC is selling SO many ownerships, that any former slow months are being filled up by new DVC members. {January, September and December} December has already proven that, and it looks like January will do the same. We plan on a few day trips, and I will assure you that we WILL see record crowds. I will post as we visit.

 

[ntsammy5]

I'm afraid you're right about that...... November was much more crowded than I expected

 

[tripplanner2]

Anyone have a clue if some type of discount will be offered for after June 27th? I am guessing we have to wait until the current offer period ends.

 

[Tink rules]

They were mentioning on the Podcast that if things don't improve - look for them to offer something.

They have already posted info about the Food and Wine fest and it is WAY early for that... they're trying to get the regulars to book early...

Wonder if they will have free dining for any of it...