The hype of attractions and restaurants

[Virtucomp]

My Wife and I are going in September and when I was making our FP+ reservations I almost booked A&E meet and greet just because I could get it. I'm glad I didn't cause we really had no reason to take a spot away from some 4yr old girl. But the Idea that I could get something that everyone else wanted almost made me take the reservation.

I also have a kind of bucket list of things to do at Disney and I hate to see items not checked.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'd rather wait in line to meet the people who actually made the movie. Like the character animators or the director. Now that would be worth something!

Your kids wouldn't buy into that one, though. They wouldn't even be wearing a costume!! Just boring old people.

I'm glad I didn't cause we really had no reason to take a spot away from some 4yr old girl.

This thread alone indicates that there is no guarantee that the spot you did not take would go to a 4 year old girl or even to a child of any sex or age. They don't restrict the booking to children or adults accompanied by children. There are adults who want to meet the princesses for whatever reason. For that reason I never understood when folks justify it to themselves like this. But if you don't have any interest in following through and actually meeting the princesses then why book it?

I agree that if you actually want to meet them, book it. Even if it's just so you can grab a selfie for your facebook to make your friends jealous.

Heck somebody mentioned Peter Pan. I have booked FP's for Peter Pan because I have to book 3 and I just like to say I rode it without waiting in line for an hour. I haven't thought that by booking it I would be denying a ride with less wait to a child. If that were the case I'd never book anything.

 

[minnie mum]

It's called marketing. It's why consumers consume stuff they don't need. When done properly, it creates desire where there wouldn't have been one otherwise. It makes people feel as if their lives would be better if they aquired/used a product/service, and conversely that they will be lacking something if they don't. E.G - upgrading iPhones yearly. In your case, something that was originally either slightly or not at all desirable has become more desirable from sheer exposure to "hype" (aka marketing). These boards are definitely indirect marketing for Disney.

Exactly. Marketing plus the herd instinct. The "Everybody Wants This So I Need It Too" response is positively Pavlovian. If Hype didn't work then all those marketing and PR people would all be unemployed. I guess I'm just cynical in my old age. If something doesn't really appeal to me (whether its the newest I phone or the Super fun time premium deluxe VIP Frozen all-inclusive experience of a lifetime) I pass in favour of something that holds personal appeal for me. And my way is usually cheaper and takes less time.

 

[FLchick415]

FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. I think a lot of people suffer from it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Exactly. Marketing plus the herd instinct.

Yup. Specifically wrt marketing I think that SCARCITY figures in heavily... "EVERYONE wants this... And it's SO RARE... If I can get it, I almost HAVE TO!"

I couldn't care less about getting this sort of thing just for the sake of it... Just because I can. In fact, when something becomes a CRAZE, I'm probably LESS likely to be interested!! FAD ALERT!!

In the case of Frozen, I saw the film several weeks before it came out, and it struck me as a terrific movie that was going to be a hit for the music alone. Posted it to Facebook and urged friends to see it when it came out. As for the A&E M&G, DD7 is DYING to meet them... So I booked it.

 

[chuss]

I see people who never/rarely eat breakfast at home waking up 90 minutes early so they can go sit down at some character buffet at 8:45 am, missing some of the best park time of the day just so they can eat at a "character breakfast" when a lunch makes much more sense for their schedule, family and is a better value. People don't know why they do it, they just do it because everybody else does it.

I think this is an excellent point. No way am I risking waking up sleeping children to go to an early breakfast character buffet. Much rather do a lunch. I get the idea of getting in the park early, but that extra time for the kids to sleep is worth its weight in gold!

 

[katt789]

I definitely feel that to a point, I mean, being Canadian, I probably would have skipped past Le Cellier when there's so many other choices in WS, but because I'd heard all the things about it, we went there.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

The funny thing about the marketing point is, it is not coming from Disney itself. In the 6 months leading up to our trip there has been only one Disney related TV commercial and it is solely focusing on SDMT. I found out about the A&E craze on this site, I found out about CRT from an aunt, I found out about BOG from a friend's FB page. Disney didnt generate any of this. Perhaps the most brilliant marketing strategy ever was "Give our guests the great experiences and let them be our marketers for us."

 

[Frozen2014]

We're doign CRT because hey, it's the castle and seems magical to do on our first trip. But if you didn't like it, I don't understand why you would go back. Likewise, if you have no interest in A&E, then why waste a FP...esp when it is sought after by so many and is very hard to get. I actually don't quite get your post.

 

[brerrabbit]

Here is the way I see it. It is all about what stage of life, parenthood, and attitude is. We have been going to WDW for a long time now and our kids are grown (29 and 24) and we continue to go just DW and I. Early on with the kids it was all about doing as much as they wanted to do when we were there. As they got older their preferences cahnged. They went form character M&G's to certain rides, to thrill rides, to better resturants, to finally a little lack of interest in general. Now my son is getting married (29) and he and his bride are going to WDW on their honeymoon. His bride has never gone. It will be great for her, but also give him a completely renewed interest in everything. He gets to be her tour guide through a whole new experience. He gets to discover all the changes that have occured since his last visit 9 years ago. They will book FP's and ADR's and they will form their own opinions and experiences. They will have kids and take them to WDW and go through all the phases we went through with them. Hopefully we get to go on those trips in the future as well and enjoy it as they form their shared experiences and be a part of it with them. To me that's what WDW is all about.

The other side of it is that as DW and I experience WDW we no longer feel rushed, or disappointed if we don't see and do all the "hot" things on a trip because we know we will be coming back again. Our pace has slowed and we take the time to enjoy an evening stroll around the World Showcase with a beer and a frozen Grande Marnier. We stop and listen to the bands, watch the shows and just enjoy the gardens, and the decor.

I think what you want to see and do is driven by where you are in the process and whether or not you feel like you will be returning again in the future.

 

[Laura's Dad]

I would have to agree with BrerRabbit. When my daughter was 8 years old it was hugely important to be dialing the telephone at EXACTLY the correct time in order to get a breakfast reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. This was during a time when they were being snapped up and "sold". I guess that we were just lucky as we were able to do it three different times when my daughter was younger. It was important to us to get character autographs of every character that we could. I remember one day at the Animal Kingdom that I call "The Quest for Flik" and my wife continuously trying to find out where he would be. We also did the same one time for Jiminy Cricket.

Now that our daughter is finishing college, we have decided to go back in November. She still wants to do some of our "old" favorites (Mama Melrose's, Fantasmic, Beaches and Cream) but we do not feel the compulsion to try to get an Anna and Elsa Fast Pass at the 60 day mark. I do not, however, begrudge those that do. 15 years ago it was us doing the same thing for something different. Do I "get" Frozen? No, not really. However I know that it is extremely popular (the song found its way on to the Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Stone Mountain where we live) and do not have a problem with the popularity.

I think that sometimes we overdo and overplan (GUILTY) because we want the best experience we can have on our Disney vacations for our hard-earned money. Sometimes this is counter to what a vacation is supposed to be. One of the things my wife has made it clear that we will not do is be rushed and not enjoy things. I can remember one time that I talked to one of my co-workers that was not a Disney planner about her upcoming vacation. She said "I just want to go and have FUN" Isn't this the point?????

That being said, we read on Josh's website that it is possible to get a picture with all Seven Dwarves during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party. He recommended that you line up at 5:45 pm in order to reduce the wait for when the party starts at 8. She is considering doing this as it would make for a great picture...............

 

[Cirlonde]

OP, I know exactly what you're talking about! I felt this same way about the fall free dining offer. I got so worked up about it and was so thrilled when I finally got through (after waiting on hold for hours)! Then once the forum-driven hype wore off and people weren't all talking about their efforts to get free dining, I actually thought about mine and my husband's eating habits and realized that we were being ridiculous! There's absolutely no way we would eat enough to make use of the deluxe dining plan, but we would have felt obligated to eat table service once a day in order to take advantage of the dining plan. Which meant that due to tips, we'd most likely end up spending MORE money on food WITH the dining plan than WITHOUT. Not to mention all the time we would have wasted sitting at a table when we'd rather be touring. Silly me...finally came to my senses and switched to the room only discount, which was much more practical for our situation.

I think there's some definite validity in the "herd mentality" theory. If the majority of people say a thing is good, and say it loud enough and often enough, then it becomes everyone's "truth". I had a high school English teacher who used to quote Mark Twain and say "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." That doesn't mean the majority is always wrong, just that we should stop and evaluate our reasons for following that majority. So good on you for doing that!!

 

[Amirah95]

Here's the thing: I have no desire to meet Anna & Elsa, I don't like meet and greets that much and I don't care for Frozen. Also, we've dined at places like CRT and Le Cellier and while they're fine, there are plenty of other places I prefer.

But I want to get FPs and ADRs for these things/places.

Is it just because people keep talking about it? Is it because they're harder to get so I want to see if I can get them? Is the mere hype of it making me want them? I probably won't because it'll take the place of someone dying to do it, but the temptation is interesting.

Am I the only one who feels that way? Like if no one talked about Le Cellier, would anyone even care if they got in or not?

ETA: I don't book popular things for fun, I book them because I want them but I'm just curious if maybe I want them because they're so popular and if anyone else feels this way.

If no one cared about Le Cellier then The DH would not be pestering me to plan for us to try it out next time we're at Epcot. It's really affecting my touring plans in a negative way too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have said exactly this several times here. And Le Cellier is a great example.

It used to be a good restaurant, one of many in Epcot. Decent food, decent prices (for Disney). Always well patronized, but DR's were relatively available. Then, somewhere along the way, people started to think and say it was actually better than it was. People listened, figured it was true, and HAD to go to see what it was all about. Then more people, and then the feeding frenzy starts. People just HAVE to go there or they are nobodies. Disney sees what's going on, filling the place, packed every hour it is open, DR's hard to come by, almost like the castle breakfast frenzy. Disney hits paydirt. $$$$

Disney sees they can actually lower the quality of the dining experience and people will still come, because people just HAVE to go there, it is THE place to go. Disney sees they can raise the price, thereby even justifying making it a 2 credit restaurant for those that have a dining plan or 'free' dining. People just keep coming, DIsney raises the prices to about $100 per person for out of pocket and maintains the 2 credit, along with even lower quality.

And so it goes, it is self fulfilling. I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I have said exactly this several times here. And Le Cellier is a great example.

It used to be a good restaurant, one of many in Epcot. Decent food, decent prices (for Disney). Always well patronized, but DR's were relatively available. Then, somewhere along the way, people started to think and say it was actually better than it was. People listened, figured it was true, and HAD to go to see what it was all about. Then more people, and then the feeding frenzy starts. People just HAVE to go there or they are nobodies. Disney sees what's going on, filling the place, packed every hour it is open, DR's hard to come by, almost like the castle breakfast frenzy. Disney hits paydirt. $$$$

Disney sees they can actually lower the quality of the dining experience and people will still come, because people just HAVE to go there, it is THE place to go. Disney sees they can raise the price, thereby even justifying making it a 2 credit restaurant for those that have a dining plan or 'free' dining. People just keep coming, DIsney raises the prices to about $100 per person for out of pocket and maintains the 2 credit, along with even lower quality.

And so it goes, it is self fulfilling. I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years.

Well the blowback is clearly happening here now. I leave in less than 2 weeks and just checked, Le Cellier has dinner ADRs available for 5 out of 6 nights I'll be there. Hopefully this continues to other things that are quality which Disney decides will remain popular even if they take away all the quality from them. I feel the most recent menu changes may be the straw that broke the diners' back.

 

[Planogirl]

I have said exactly this several times here. And Le Cellier is a great example.

It used to be a good restaurant, one of many in Epcot. Decent food, decent prices (for Disney). Always well patronized, but DR's were relatively available. Then, somewhere along the way, people started to think and say it was actually better than it was. People listened, figured it was true, and HAD to go to see what it was all about. Then more people, and then the feeding frenzy starts. People just HAVE to go there or they are nobodies. Disney sees what's going on, filling the place, packed every hour it is open, DR's hard to come by, almost like the castle breakfast frenzy. Disney hits paydirt. $$$$

Disney sees they can actually lower the quality of the dining experience and people will still come, because people just HAVE to go there, it is THE place to go. Disney sees they can raise the price, thereby even justifying making it a 2 credit restaurant for those that have a dining plan or 'free' dining. People just keep coming, DIsney raises the prices to about $100 per person for out of pocket and maintains the 2 credit, along with even lower quality.

And so it goes, it is self fulfilling. I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years.

Well said. I feel that draw to Le Cellier and a few other places and I think that you've just described why. I manage to resist but I really don't want to.

 

[mare1203]

I know exactly how you feel! I have no desire to meet Anna & Elsa, and yet, I found myself logging on to the app just to see if I could snag it when my 60 days came up (I couldn't). I didn't even bother making other FP+'s because I knew I could get everything else at another time.

The same thing happens when I am perusing the dining site and see a 7:30 p.m. Ohana or Cali Grill or something else equally hard to get. I come really close to booking it and then I'm like, what are you doing? You don't even want to eat there this trip! So silly.

It's almost the thrill of just seeing it's available and I could have it! Not sure if it's group think or wanting what everyone else wants. Probably a mixture of a lot of things.

 

[LadyRayado]

Do I immediately get banned from disboards if I admit this is how I feel about TSMM? I booked FPs in March, but this time around didn't even bother. After all the hype and popularity, we all walked off the ride and just kinda at each other.

 

[Mikie]

FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. I think a lot of people suffer from it.

. I have this affliction!

Unfortunately, my detox regimen requires me to limit my DIS activity sometimes when the condition flares up

 

[kbelle8995]

I have said exactly this several times here. And Le Cellier is a great example.

It used to be a good restaurant, one of many in Epcot. Decent food, decent prices (for Disney). Always well patronized, but DR's were relatively available. Then, somewhere along the way, people started to think and say it was actually better than it was. People listened, figured it was true, and HAD to go to see what it was all about. Then more people, and then the feeding frenzy starts. People just HAVE to go there or they are nobodies. Disney sees what's going on, filling the place, packed every hour it is open, DR's hard to come by, almost like the castle breakfast frenzy. Disney hits paydirt. $$$$

Disney sees they can actually lower the quality of the dining experience and people will still come, because people just HAVE to go there, it is THE place to go. Disney sees they can raise the price, thereby even justifying making it a 2 credit restaurant for those that have a dining plan or 'free' dining. People just keep coming, DIsney raises the prices to about $100 per person for out of pocket and maintains the 2 credit, along with even lower quality.

And so it goes, it is self fulfilling. I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years.

For me it went down when they went to the All day Dinner menu. They lost some people over that I think. Also it's partially us and partially Disney pushes that stuff.

Don't forget to book those FP. Don't forget to get those ADRs. Hey don't forget the premium packages so you can get your seats reserved. I go to what I want and don't do thing I don't care about