Special offers/discounts for fall?

[Raya]

We're going slightly crazy not having a Disney trip on the horizon. Does it make sense to book now or is there an expectation that Disney will release discounts or special offers to get folks back to the park this fall? I recognize this is wild speculation and no one has a crystal ball.

 

[Gehrig1B]

You can book now and apply the promotion when it becomes available (if applicable to your booking). If not you can always book with the promotion and cancel your previous booking. We are booked for Christmas.

 

[rwdavis2]

Think of it this way, IF WDW limits the number of park guests when they first reopen there is no need discount anything. They offer discounts to fill up the hotels and parks. That's the last thing they want now, IMHO.

I think there is enough pent up demand so Disney won't worry about attracting enough guests.

 

[MomOTwins]

Think of it this way, IF WDW limits the number of park guests when they first reopen there is no need discount anything. They offer discounts to fill up the hotels and parks. That's the last thing they want now, IMHO.

I think there is enough pent up demand so Disney won't worry about attracting enough guests.

I agree--the anticipated capacity limits mean if you don't book now you might not get in. Book now, modify later if/when discounts are released.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The OP is asking for fall, not June. It is unlikely that capacity limits will still be in place in Florida then.

WDW absolutely needs money and undoubtedly wants to fill up its hotels. If they did still want to keep park numbers limited, the most lucrative way would be by limiting it to resort guests or at least giving them first priority. Resorts are where WDW gets the biggest part of its income. That's why there over a dozen resorts and only 4 parks.

 

[MomOTwins]

The OP is asking for fall, not June. It is unlikely that capacity limits will still be in place in Florida then.

WDW absolutely needs money and undoubtedly wants to fill up its hotels. If they did still want to keep park numbers limited, the most lucrative way would be by limiting it to resort guests or at least giving them first priority. Resorts are where WDW gets the biggest part of its income. That's why there over a dozen resorts and only 4 parks.

I am aware OP was asking for fall, and I don’t think anyone knows how long capacity limits will be in place. Given that, I think there is no downside and potentially a lot of upside in locking in a reservation now. We saw this happen with the 4-park magic tickets—people waited to buy thinking they would be available for purchase through September, and Disney just pulled them.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

During the earning call yesterday, Chapek said they expect parks to be at capacity (whatever that capacity happens to be) for a long time due to pent up demand. I seriously doubt there will be any great offers anytime the rest of 2020 at a minimum.

 

[wilkydelts]

During the earning call yesterday, Chapek said they expect parks to be at capacity (whatever that capacity happens to be) for a long time due to pent up demand. I seriously doubt there will be any great offers anytime the rest of 2020 at a minimum.

I disagree that conference call was for investors so every thing was rainbows, unicorns, and positivity as much as possible to keep faith. People’s declined economic situations as well as for many they will not be able to have time off following all this current time off will dramatically decrease attendance. To what degree is yet to be determined. Will that result in good deals, who knows but to expect “full capacity level demand” is fairy tale talk.

 

[Heather07438]

There really isn't anything to lose by booking a trip months away because you can still cancel and get back the deposit. You can always re-book a new offer. Flexibility is one of the bigger advantages to booking a WDW package.

It's uncertain how this plays out. Among them but not limited to, could be business as usual come fall. Could be closed. Could be F&W operates under reduced capacity and is somehow limited. Having a reservation could be an advantage, who knows. There's no risk in booking at this point but potentially be a risk not booking (even if it's ever so small).

 

[ExtraMagic]

You can book now and apply the promotion when it becomes available (if applicable to your booking). If not you can always book with the promotion and cancel your previous booking. We are booked for Christmas.

Gehrig1B - Off topic, but I LOVE your Disney trip list in your signature! I'm going to try put a list together for my family!

 

[stfxkid]

During the earning call yesterday, Chapek said they expect parks to be at capacity (whatever that capacity happens to be) for a long time due to pent up demand. I seriously doubt there will be any great offers anytime the rest of 2020 at a minimum.

That is what they call in the investing world a forward looking statement. It essentially means they can say anything.

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/app/uploads/2020/05/q2-fy20-earnings.pdf
Certain statements and information in this communication may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements such as business positioning or prospects, estimates and timing of expense and other statements that are not historical in nature. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, integration initiatives and timing of synergy realization) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including:

• changes in domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences;
• adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
• health concerns;
• international, regulatory, political, or military developments;
• technological developments; and
• labor markets and activities;

each such risk includes the impacts of, and is amplified by, COVID-19 and related mitigation efforts.

Such developments may affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect:
• the performance of the Company’s theatrical and home entertainment releases;
• the advertising market for broadcast and cable television programming;
• demand for our products and services;
• construction;
• expenses of providing medical and pension benefits;
• income tax expense;
• performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products; and
• achievement of anticipated benefits of the TFCF transaction.