Rumor of future discounts

[dclfun]

In the last management shuffle, didn't they appoint a "finance" guy to head up the theme parks division? I think that's where all this is coming from. They used to give us a great experience, now they're looking at the bottom line of everything - running "scenarios", breaking down cost to individual components, etc.

I think the worst thing they did was to create all of these "seasons". We used to pay the same cost for a room every day of the year. Then they started breaking it out into seasons. The 2012 season schedule is ridiculous - plus they added weekday and weekends rates within those seasons. So, a $300 goes up to $600 on a holiday peak season!!! Ridiculous.

I DID send an e-mail to Disney and I broke out the dollars spent. We cancelled our November trip, didn't renew our AP, etc. etc. We don't do Free Dining, we pay for our food so here's what you missed from our cancelling our trip.

My major complaint is the lack of reward for us repeat customers. Bouncebacks should not have blackouts, and AP holders should not need a PIN code to book at a discount, which they did this past year for the first time.

I am most annoyed by people who tell me that discounts are not guaranteed! I'm not stupid and I know that. My frustration is the random discounts, pin codes and blackouts. I'm just asking for access to the discounts based on my repeat business. Not making me wait in line until everyone else has gotten a discount, then I'll get the dregs that are left.

My note to Disney just illustrated the result of their policies. I wasn't whining so I'll ask in advance that people don't give me a hard time about it. Thanks!

This is EXACTLY how I feel. There should be no "random" discounts. They should be available first to repeat guests and/or AP holders, then to the GP. Forget the PIN codes, first of all. How much more do they have to pay their agents to check for the elusive codes over and over again and how much ill will is engendered by those who do not receive one? Just be forthright with offers and publicize them. Repeat Guests get first dibs, then a few days or a week later, open it up to everyone-first come/first served.

 

[havoc315]

Am I missing something with this memory book? I am headed down for free dining and september and thought the memory book was included for free??? Am I wrong????

No, you are required to purchase the memory book, in order to get "free dining."

 

[Amy&Dan]

Many of the Deluxe rooms are still quite affordable by those standards.
What's the off-season rack rate at the Wilderness Lodge? I think it's about $265.... Not cheap, but certainly affordable to someone in the top 5-10% of earners.

As I said... Disney is smart to provide alternatives for just about every budget.

Where it gets super expensive, are the real premium rooms... like club level at the Grand Floridian.... especially during peak periods... which starts at over $1,000 per night.

Now, how many such rooms are there? Not that many. In fact, the 3 monorail deluxe resorts only have less than 3,000 rooms combined. Out of those, how many are deluxe level?

If Disney wants to price those small number of rooms for only the top 1% of earners... They can go ahead and try. And supply and demand, might back them up. Certainly, during the recession, supply and demand did not back them up, so they offered steep discounts.
But if they think supply/demand will support it now... They have every right--- even obligation to their stockholders--- to try.

Okay whatever. Disney has dirt cheap deluxe rooms that my son can pay for with his lawn mowing wages if he can find a way to get there during value season.

Also I said a MODERATE AT THE VERY LEAST should be afforded by someone who makes a really good salary. My husband does, moderate is what we want to book but I am not sure I can swing that if I don't get a discount. I am not the only one that feels this way.

And $265 in value season does me not one bit of good because I can't go then. I belive WL is more like $400 a night when I go in the summer. The "season" thing Disney does along with now charging more for weekends puts me at three different rates for my trip because I have weeknights, weekends, and apparently a new season is rung in during my stay because the nights go up midway through.

My point again, is that if Disney does away with discounts altogether I will not be able to pay the 32% hike last year's vacation will cost me in 2012.

Even with the same discount I had last year, my trip is around 7% more. Not a huge hike a but a hike nonetheless.

I will also say again, I don't believe most of us are worried about those $1,000 per night rooms. And yeah, they could easily get 10K for the castle suite. I think most of us are just talking about the other 99% of rooms at WDW.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

So I heard this second hand, from someone who works within Disney's finance unit. Take with a grain of salt, but it is fairly credible.

It is public knowledge that Disney wants to wean the public off discounts.
Their finance team has apparently been running models of various scenarios but all scenarios involve a dramatic scaling back of discounts.
Within the assumptions they are working with, are that Disney value resorts are already a better value than off-site hotels, even at rack rate, when Disney-provided transportation is factored in.
Supposedly, there has been intense scrutiny of free dining discounts, especially at value hotels -- For a family of 4, who is paying around $95 for a room, why give a $140 "discount" in the form of free dining. Disney executives are supposedly confident that when those prospective guests look at off-site comparisons, they will find that staying onsite at Disney is still econimically attractive.

While Disney knows that their deluxe resorts are priced far above the competition, they are concerned about undercutting themselves--- giving discounts to people who are willing to pay full price. They also see questions about the valuation of American currency, and are finding international guests more attractive for the deluxe resorts. Their models are suggesting that they will only have a small drop off in occupancy without American public discounts, which they can fill up with targeted discounting (PINs, international discounts, military discounts).

They are also looking closely at the "psychology" of the pricing. For example, in the past, they made the 4th+ days of their tickets ultra cheap, to change the psychology of the Disney traveler -- to expect a week long Disney experience, instead of a 2 day experience. They believe they were successful, so they are now raising the ticket prices on those 4+ days.
Similarly, they are worried they may have gone too far in creating expectations of discounts with the public. And they really want to be able to charge full price when they open the Fantasy Land expansion. So, they are considering whether it is worthwhile to go through a bit of short-term pain, to wean the public off discounts. Accept lower occupancy temporarily, with the hope that the public will start booking again, after they realize discounts aren't coming.

Finally, *if* they do offer discounts.... they are examining newly packaged discounts that will not actually cut significantly into revenue, and will continue to change buying habits. The "memory package" was a partial roll-out of this philosophy -- Encouraging people to buy the Photo Books, in the hopes that they will like them and continue to buy them in the future. They have also examined discounts that require purchase of Park Hoppers, Water Park tickets.

Anyway, take all this with a grain of salt.

Um, yes, I will most definitely be taking this post and all of your other posts in this thread with a grain of salt. I've seen your posts on discounts in the recent past and now you just happen to get some inside info from "someone" inside Disney's finance unit? What a coincidence.

 

[jcemom]

Whether it's true or not, I still think it's been a very interesting discussion! I like reading all the different opinions.

 

[havoc315]

Um, yes, I will most definitely be taking this post and all of your other posts in this thread with a grain of salt. I've seen your posts on discounts in the recent past and now you just happen to get some inside info from "someone" inside Disney's finance unit? What a coincidence.

Lol. That's right. You believe all Disney corporate statements are lies, and contrary to all evidence - including the memories package - you refuse to believe there is any ongoing reduction in discounts.

Not a single person has suggested that all discounts will disappear. It's simply indisputable, that current discounts are reduced from where they were 1-2 years ago.

 

[keishashadow]

I agree with much of this post. Discounting/marketing promotions are based on a cost/benefit analysis. If the economics work, they will still be offered. If not, they won't.

It may be true that Disney is trying to wean the public off of expecting a discount, but that does not mean they will not offer one if they see they have excess hotel capacity.

!

not necessarily...WDW hotels have been popping up on several 'opague' booking sites. Nothing i've seen in range of 40% but less than rack. A savvy consumer can easily figure out what hotel they're bidding on/purchasing. Unfortunately, dining pkg is off the table when going this route. imo it's the out for WDW to respond to disgruntled guests who find out what the guy in the next room paid.

There are resorts in the world you wouldn't be able to afford on a $150k income, but the Disney Deluxe resorts aren't even close to being at that level. Thats why they are overpriced.

true, the resorts are lovely, but certainly not what i'd term a true deluxe, but they have a big fat amenity...WDW!Many rooms w/a bird's eye of view of MK to boot

This is EXACTLY how I feel. There should be no "random" discounts. They should be available first to repeat guests and/or AP holders, then to the GP. Forget the PIN codes, first of all. How much more do they have to pay their agents to check for the elusive codes over and over again and how much ill will is engendered by those who do not receive one? Just be forthright with offers and publicize them. Repeat Guests get first dibs, then a few days or a week later, open it up to everyone-first come/first served.

jhmo, but these folks (me included) are the ones they know they 'own', we return faithfully and disney is willing to take a chance we'll be back as long as we get some perceived 'deal' to justify a return visit.

I always wondered why disney (CRO) doesn't target DVC owners. Many of us are old peeps have vacation weeks to burn & grand children to spoil. Majority of us have APs and visit as long as our points hold upbut if they dangle FDP even with a tix purchase i'm there...it's that word free lol. True we don't spend as much on souvineers, etc. but we do spend $, especially if bringing down kiddies.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Lol. That's right. You believe all Disney corporate statements are lies, and contrary to all evidence - including the memories package - you refuse to believe there is any ongoing reduction in discounts.

Not a single person has suggested that all discounts will disappear. It's simply indisputable, that current discounts are reduced from where they were 1-2 years ago.

I've decided not to stir this pot.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Okay whatever. Disney has dirt cheap deluxe rooms that my son can pay for with his lawn mowing wages if he can find a way to get there during value season.

Also I said a MODERATE AT THE VERY LEAST should be afforded by someone who makes a really good salary. My husband does, moderate is what we want to book but I am not sure I can swing that if I don't get a discount. I am not the only one that feels this way.

And $265 in value season does me not one bit of good because I can't go then. I belive WL is more like $400 a night when I go in the summer. The "season" thing Disney does along with now charging more for weekends puts me at three different rates for my trip because I have weeknights, weekends, and apparently a new season is rung in during my stay because the nights go up midway through.

My point again, is that if Disney does away with discounts altogether I will not be able to pay the 32% hike last year's vacation will cost me in 2012.

Even with the same discount I had last year, my trip is around 7% more. Not a huge hike a but a hike nonetheless.

I will also say again, I don't believe most of us are worried about those $1,000 per night rooms. And yeah, they could easily get 10K for the castle suite. I think most of us are just talking about the other 99% of rooms at WDW.

You can't argue with him, he knows everything about Disney and Disney discounts, he is, afterall, a stockholder.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Princess Tiffany .... I just wanted to say thank you. I've seen a lot of your posts on various threads and always appreciate all your helpful advise and the time you take to answer everyones questions.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Princess Tiffany .... I just wanted to say thank you. I've seen a lot of your posts on various threads and always appreciate all your helpful advise and the time you take to answer everyones questions.

Thanks, Grumpy Grandma! That was so sweet, you don't seem Grumpy at all.

 

[saskdw]

I've decided not to stir this pot.

You should have decided that before your first post in this thread.

 

[disneyforme33]

Well this is a very interesting post as well as responses. I love Disney and have enjoyed many trips over the last 16 years. We have visited Disney at least once a year every year. There were a few years where we thought we would try something else but then Disney offered a great promotion like free dining or 40% of room rate and we ended up back at Disney. We are a family of 5 and have always stayed in Deluxe mostly Poly sometimes Beach Club. Once we get to Disney we always spend extra money when we are there. My husband golfs, we shop in the parks, buy extra apps at dinner, go to the spa etc. We are always amazed how much are bill is at the end of the tip. My point of all this is I would probably never pay full price for the Poly. We would look at a cruise or all inclusive or staying off site. Its not that I feel entitled to a discount but I don't think full price is worth it. For example we are going down Christmas week this year and the Poly is around $650.00 a night. Right now we are booked at a Marriott timeshare. If I stay offsite I will probably spend alot less money in Disney as well. I'm not sure their strategy will work to their benefit if others feel the same way.

 

[dis_guy]

This has been a very interesting discussion. I can't claim to have read every post, but I read many of them.

I'm not very attached to discounts. I've gotten a few pins, and yes, we went when we might otherwise have not gone. We've never been able to use free dining so I don't really care about that.

What I feel is that all those various unpredictable discounts could just go away and I wouldn't care that much.

The one promotion Disney should keep is the bounceback for guests staying onsite. If nothing else, offering guests currently at the resort a discount if they're willing to book right now just makes sense to me to promote loyalty with your customers. And no blackout dates allowed. You should be able to book one year plus a week in advance. I'd be fine if it was a room only discount for 20% for values, 30% for mods, and 40% for deluxes.

As far as Disney relying on "foreign" visitors, this should come as no surprise to Disney fans. Remember how hard the company was hit in WW2 when that European income dried up? Yes, Disneyworld is an American icon but that doesn't mean that those of us in other countries don't love it just as much. Our airfare alone costs almost as much as a week at a mod with DDP and Parkhoppers does. So far we've been fortunate enough to afford it, but it does take sacrifices.

For us, it's still cheaper than vacationing in many other places we could go to.

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

Definitely interesting following this discussion. For grins and giggles, I went ahead and priced a package at Universal Studios. It was $1400 less than the last time I priced Disney Trip at a moderate resort. Granted, there was only a Breakfast at Three Broomsticks and only two day tickets, but you can probably pretty well guess where my business is going to go next time.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Definitely interesting following this discussion. For grins and giggles, I went ahead and priced a package at Universal Studios. It was $1400 less than the last time I priced Disney Trip at a moderate resort. Granted, there was only a Breakfast at Three Broomsticks and only two day tickets, but you can probably pretty well guess where my business is going to go next time.

NO!!! Say it isn't so!!

That being said, enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go!

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

NO!!! Say it isn't so!!

That being said, enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go!

It is so! And I love Disney! We used to live within a nice driving distance of Disney Land and have many fond memories. Having said that, I just priced as close to apples to apples comparison between the two resorts. Five days, four nights, three day base tickets and no dining. Breakfast at Three Broomsticks still included. Hotel is off site but comparable quality to a mod (Coco Key although there are several in the same price range to choose from). Total cost of Universal after taxes is $989.02. Total cost for Disney Mod is $1649.98. Disney's Magical Express and internal bus system is not worth $660.96. I'd love to share in whatever the executives at Disney are smoking.
Now, if you throw in free dining or a nice hotel discount, then Disney's cooking with Crisco. Having said that, next time we'll rent a condo for a week, get one or two days to Disney, a day at Universal and visit Kennedy Space Center. Maybe take an airboat tour, too.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I'm planning for a 2012 trip to WDW and would love to stay Deluxe so I'm hoping for discounts as much as anyone. We are not doing any vacations this year and my DH just decided last minute that we should go to Baltimore's Inner Harbor this coming weekend for a short family getaway since we have nothing big planned. I just spent $391 for 1 night at the Renaissance Harborplace and once I get there I will have to pay $28/day for self park or $40/day for valet. Just got me thinking that Disney isn't the only killing us with these outrageous hotel rates!

 

[nrpofp]

This has been a very interesting discussion. I can't claim to have read every post, but I read many of them.

I'm not very attached to discounts. I've gotten a few pins, and yes, we went when we might otherwise have not gone. We've never been able to use free dining so I don't really care about that.

What I feel is that all those various unpredictable discounts could just go away and I wouldn't care that much.

The one promotion Disney should keep is the bounceback for guests staying onsite. If nothing else, offering guests currently at the resort a discount if they're willing to book right now just makes sense to me to promote loyalty with your customers. And no blackout dates allowed. You should be able to book one year plus a week in advance. I'd be fine if it was a room only discount for 20% for values, 30% for mods, and 40% for deluxes.

As far as Disney relying on "foreign" visitors, this should come as no surprise to Disney fans. Remember how hard the company was hit in WW2 when that European income dried up? Yes, Disneyworld is an American icon but that doesn't mean that those of us in other countries don't love it just as much. Our airfare alone costs almost as much as a week at a mod with DDP and Parkhoppers does. So far we've been fortunate enough to afford it, but it does take sacrifices.

For us, it's still cheaper than vacationing in many other places we could go to.

Yes that is a very good idea. Give people a discount for booking next years trip while they are at the resort.

 

[nrpofp]

It is so! And I love Disney! We used to live within a nice driving distance of Disney Land and have many fond memories. Having said that, I just priced as close to apples to apples comparison between the two resorts. Five days, four nights, three day base tickets and no dining. Breakfast at Three Broomsticks still included. Hotel is off site but comparable quality to a mod (Coco Key although there are several in the same price range to choose from). Total cost of Universal after taxes is $989.02. Total cost for Disney Mod is $1649.98. Disney's Magical Express and internal bus system is not worth $660.96. I'd love to share in whatever the executives at Disney are smoking.
Now, if you throw in free dining or a nice hotel discount, then Disney's cooking with Crisco. Having said that, next time we'll rent a condo for a week, get one or two days to Disney, a day at Universal and visit Kennedy Space Center. Maybe take an airboat tour, too.

A better comparison would be to price out a disney deluxe with a Universal deluxe. Universals rack rates are 150-300 less than the rack rates of disney.