Losing cusstomers

[mom2mickeyfan]

Why? They already have the DVCer's accommodations money for the next 40 years. They don't have to work for it anymore. That's why they love the model.

Exactly, as many that have bought into the timeshare model have learned. Once they have you on the hook for those yearly fees, it doesn't matter what they do or don't do for you, within reason, because those fees have to be paid to be paid no matter what.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If they lose the long-time customers that will matter only if nobody steps up to replace them. Not happening yet.

as for DVC should have top shelf perks...keep dreaming.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney wants both long-term customers AND the new customers.

If they lose enough, they will care. I'm not saying that's happening, but I think it's a faulty argument to say others will just replace them.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I completely agree with this. We've been going as a family since 2005 and I also cannot remember not having to plan accommodations and adrs well in advance if I wanted to have/do the things I wanted. AFAIC, the only thing FP+ did as far as planning is add an additional hour at the 60 day mark....no big deal

I planned an anniversary trip for DH and I in 2007. I couldn't plan it far out in advance, because he was deployed and I couldn't plan until we had a definite return date. I think I started being able to book/plan things in late October for a mid-December trip. I was able to get every single ADR we wanted, with very little hassle. Le Cellier, CA Grill during fireworks, a character meal at the GF, etc. We were staying at Shades of Green and had no problems at all getting accommodations. I was even able to book special holiday things like the Christmas Party (wasn't sold out), a sleigh ride at Wilderness Lodge, etc.

I would not expect the same success now if I were trying to plan that same trip in the same timeline.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Not sure I agree here. One of my wife's gripes over the last few years is the amount of refurbs being done (she HATES seeing the skrim on the Castle, Main Street, etc.). I keep telling her it's a necessary evil.

New Fantasyland was a pretty significant change. Haunted Mansion also underwent some big upgrades, and the queues for that, Pooh, and Space Mountain were upgraded.

Upgrades are great, and appreciated - but they aren't *expansions*. WHat they've done in terms of upgrading HM, Pooh and Space hasn't added attraction capacity at all, which is (I think) what the PP was getting at when referencing expansion of the parks. NFL is an expansion, yes, but even that expansion didn't add a lot in terms of attraction capacity (when also taking into account the capacity that was lost when some rides were closed). It added some, yes, I'm not saying it didn't add *any* capacity. But for how large the area is, it didn't add a ton.

Avatarland will help AK, definitely. There's no expansion plans (not updates, new additions) for Epcot and DHS that have been publically announced...Epcot and DHS both desperately need some love. Hopefully they will both get it soon, but I'm not putting any eggs in those baskets until Disney does and goes public.

 

[Cormoran]

Main Street and NFL were upgrades to increase park capacity. Yes there is 7DMT, and Ariel. both new attractions. When I look at what WDW has done compared to Universal in the same time frame, Universal has built a lot more attractions and lands that enhance the guest experience.

IMO WDW is limping along with minimal upgrades. The company's money is being diverted to Shanghai.

 

[Suzanne74]

The dining plan was the end of last minute ADR planning. They pulled you in with a great plan with app, meal, dessert, drink and taxe/tips included. They have gradually taken more away while increasing prices but people love the thought of "all-inclusive" and still pay for it. Problem is that park/hotel capacity is at 85% but there have been no increases in restaurants in parks or hotels. BOG is the only one I can think of.

 

[Cormoran]

The dining plan was the end of last minute ADR planning. They pulled you in with a great plan with app, meal, dessert, drink and taxe/tips included. They have gradually taken more away while increasing prices but people love the thought of "all-inclusive" and still pay for it. Problem is that park/hotel capacity is at 85% but there have been no increases in restaurants in parks or hotels. BOG is the only one I can think of.

Have they announced Free dining for this year?

 

[Angel Ariel]

1.5-2 months out isn't considered last minute planning in many places outside of wdw. At DLR you can't even make reservations until 60 days.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Have they announced Free dining for this year?

No, I don't believe so. And I believe Pete indicated on a recent podcast that there was something that was making him think that it wouldn't be offered this year.

 

[mousehockey37]

No, I don't believe so. And I believe Pete indicated on a recent podcast that there was something that was making him think that it wouldn't be offered this year.

Well, with the off times not necessarily being off times anymore, Disney's problem of keeping the rooms occupied is null. They don't have the need to offer that promotion since the people are showing up anyway (esp. during the fall with MNSSHP and F&W going on).

 

[5kidsmommy]

No, I don't believe so. And I believe Pete indicated on a recent podcast that there was something that was making him think that it wouldn't be offered this year.

That's unfortunate but alas we will probably stick with the dining plan anyhow as this is my first time staying in a hotel instead of the campground and I don't want to worry about budgeting for food, I'd just rather have it included. I was hoping for free dining but I guess all good things come to an end.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That's unfortunate but alas we will probably stick with the dining plan anyhow as this is my first time staying in a hotel instead of the campground and I don't want to worry about budgeting for food, I'd just rather have it included. I was hoping for free dining but I guess all good things come to an end.

I want to be clear - it was a theory of Pete's, not any kind of official acknowledgement that it wouldn't be happening this year. So who knows..maybe you'll be able to use it. We just don't know yet

 

[5kidsmommy]

I want to be clear - it was a theory of Pete's, not any kind of official acknowledgement that it wouldn't be happening this year. So who knows..maybe you'll be able to use it. We just don't know yet

I have already planned on paying for our dining plan so if it ends up being free it's a bonus, a bonus I was hoping for but it won't be a deal breaker if it's not free.

One question, I am new here and since I am new to the dining plan I'd love to read up on the best ways to use it, are there any links or better places to go to find info about it? Thanks in advance.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Back to the original observation, I am a DVC owner, AP Premier holder, and used to go 3-5 times a year (coming from Northern California at that). Never did the dining plan as it didn't fit my needs. The new FP system doesn't fit my style of touring and where I used to get 4-5 rides each morning on TSMM, now I get 2. This new system has made WDW much less attractive to me. This year I am spending more time at DLR and only going once to WDW (for Epcot Food and Wine). So while they haven't "lost" me, WDW has certainly lost a lot of my dollars.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There's a Dining Plan subforum on the Restaurants board -I would check that out for any Dining Plan info you need. I've never used the dining plan, so I have no advice - I hope the forum can help you, though!

 

[Angel Ariel]

As to the OP - we are also heading west to DLR this year instead of going to WDW. That wasn't the original plan, but members members of our family who we thought were going to come with us no longer are, so we changed our plans. When they were coming, going to CA was not an option. We are excited to introduce DD to DLR

We also can't wait to experience the myriad of new (to us and overall) things at DLR - the 60th anniversary parade, fireworks, WOC, Carsland, HM Holiday, the iasw overlay, the entirely re-imagined DCA, Carthay Circle, Fantasy Faire, shows,etc. There's just so much new for us to see - we can't wait!

 

[5kidsmommy]

There's a Dining Plan subforum on the Restaurants board -I would check that out for any Dining Plan info you need. I've never used the dining plan, so I have no advice - I hope the forum can help you, though!

Thank you. I feel like a total newbie. When we go with my husband and boys they want to spend as much time doing rides as possible so we just do QS but my daughter and I want to fully immerse ourselves in the food.

 

[Cormoran]

No, I don't believe so. And I believe Pete indicated on a recent podcast that there was something that was making him think that it wouldn't be offered this year.

Yeah,I heard that. I'm wondering how that will affect their hotel occupancy during slower times. I would guess there will be a significant drop, but I could be totally wrong.

 

[WillAustin]

So while they haven't "lost" me, WDW has certainly lost a lot of my dollars.

They've lost a lot of our dollars too.