Two Words....

[Tinkerdreams]

What Recession??? If there is one, Disney isn't feeling it.

We were at WDW Dec 5 - 14. Had a wonderful trip. Stayed at SSR room 2725. Room was clean and our groceries and OL were there when we arrived.

The parks were busy. I was under the impression that these 2 weeks were slower than other times but wait times tended to be anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes long.

The gift shops and Downtown Disney were very busy and people were making a lot of purchases (including me)

The weather was perfect. A couple of cold nights but overall very enjoyable. Just made our reservations for July. Only 7 months to go....

 

[tjkraz]

What Recession??? If there is one, Disney isn't feeling it.

The drop-off is supposed to occur after the holidays. Advance reservations for 2009 were only a fraction of what they have been in the past (although Disney's promotions are reportedly helping.)

Park hours and events remained largely intact thru 2008 with the cuts beginning next year.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

 

[Disneypirate85]

I concur, Most of these trips were scheduled, and paid for, prior to the big drop.
Next quarter is looking a little rough
Nothing that won't be weathered tho

 

[Starr W.]

I just called yesterday for ADR's for our MLK trip. Now while we skipped any character meals, got my exact times I wanted on the restaurants I wanted.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just called yesterday for ADR's for our MLK trip. Now while we skipped any character meals, got my exact times I wanted on the restaurants I wanted.

Wow, I thought they weren't taking any ADR's? Well, let me just try! Thanks Starr! What number did you call? Well I called, only taking reservations thru March.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Orlando airport reported 11% fewer flights in November from a year ago. So, things are not as they could be.

Bobbi

PS. I think they are still not making dining reservations beyond March 22nd. Good luck as you try for January.

 

[tjkraz]

Orlando airport reported 11% fewer flights in November from a year ago. So, things are not as they could be.

Sheer volume of flights may not have any bearing on Disney traffic, though. Holiday leisure travel (people visiting relatives/going home for the holidays) would be a lot easier to cancel or postpone than a family vacation that has been months in the making.

Wow, I thought they weren't taking any ADR's? Well, let me just try! Thanks Starr! What number did you call? Well I called, only taking reservations thru March.

I guess that explains why Starr was able to get her bookings for MKL holiday in January.

 

[Starr W.]

Wow, I thought they weren't taking any ADR's? Well, let me just try! Thanks Starr! What number did you call? Well I called, only taking reservations thru March.

I'm going in January, so was able to get what I wanted at 30 days out. I called the regular dining line. WDW-Dine

 

[disney junky]

I have heard insiders reporting that retail sales within parks is way down.

 

[janni518]

What Recession??? If there is one, Disney isn't feeling it.

We were at WDW Dec 5 - 14. Had a wonderful trip. Stayed at SSR room 2725. Room was clean and our groceries and OL were there when we arrived.

The parks were busy. I was under the impression that these 2 weeks were slower than other times but wait times tended to be anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes long.

The gift shops and Downtown Disney were very busy and people were making a lot of purchases (including me)

The weather was perfect. A couple of cold nights but overall very enjoyable. Just made our reservations for July. Only 7 months to go....

Holiday shopping could account for some of that, but good to hear.

 

[dizzneebabe]

What Recession??? If there is one, Disney isn't feeling it.

We were at WDW Dec 5 - 14. Had a wonderful trip. Stayed at SSR room 2725. Room was clean and our groceries and OL were there when we arrived.

The parks were busy. I was under the impression that these 2 weeks were slower than other times but wait times tended to be anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes long.

The gift shops and Downtown Disney were very busy and people were making a lot of purchases (including me)

The weather was perfect. A couple of cold nights but overall very enjoyable. Just made our reservations for July. Only 7 months to go....

Sounds just like my trip! We were there Dec. 5th-13th. Stayed at AKV and loved it! I agree, it was much busier in the afternoons/evenings than I expected, but still very manageable!!! We're back in July at Kidani, too!

 

[disneynutz]

in tough times people tend to do things to make themselves feel better. Attendance at Disney is still pretty busy but revenue per Guest is way down.

I just read a report that alcohol sales have increased across the U.S..

 

[Laneychris]

It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming year.

 

[cpdwiz]

What Recession??? If there is one, Disney isn't feeling it.

We were at WDW Dec 5 - 14. Had a wonderful trip. Stayed at SSR room 2725. Room was clean and our groceries and OL were there when we arrived.

The parks were busy. I was under the impression that these 2 weeks were slower than other times but wait times tended to be anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes long.

The gift shops and Downtown Disney were very busy and people were making a lot of purchases (including me)

The weather was perfect. A couple of cold nights but overall very enjoyable. Just made our reservations for July. Only 7 months to go....

Dec 1st-9th, and it was mobbed everywhere...Did you find the busses overpacked? We were in Congress Park........

 

[LIFERBABE]

I went to the bank yesterday and one of the tellers was all decked out in Mickey Gear and had a big plastic Disney Bag passing out gifts to her coworkers.

I commented on her Eeyore jacket and she said she just got back, I told her we leave next week and she said they had alot of good sales!

I cant wait!

We have a bartending side business, and I am soooooo ready for a vacation. These people are partying like it's 1999! The other night I got a Vera Wang Crystal bowl for a tip!

I think the gas prices are really helping too. It is so nice not to have to spend $100 to fill up every week.

 

[Sammie]

As TJ stated it is too early to see the impact the Recession will have on Disney. The crowds that are there now are a large percent DVC which is not going to be as affected as nonDVC, and the parks are filled with groups who already had prepaid trips or locals.

Bookings are way down for next year, which is why Disney released the 4/3 deal. Believe if bookings were normal Disney would not be giving away 3 nights. Disney has cut back the Flower Power series. Disney has cut out over time in certain areas and made some layoffs.

Time will tell how hard they will be hit. When 500,000 people lose their jobs in Nov. there is bound to be some effect.

 

[disneynutz]

Last month when we were their we found out that Disney has reduced their holiday decoration staff and contracted back past employees.

The Front Desk Staff at BWVs were working overtime and floating from resort to resort due to staff cutbacks. They were also told to expect layoffs after the holidays.

All we can do is wait and see.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

As TJ stated it is too early to see the impact the Recession will have on Disney. The crowds that are there now are a large percent DVC which is not going to be as affected as nonDVC, and the parks are filled with groups who already had prepaid trips or locals.

Bookings are way down for next year, which is why Disney released the 4/3 deal. Believe if bookings were normal Disney would not be giving away 3 nights. Disney has cut back the Flower Power series. Disney has cut out over time and made some layoffs.

Time will tell how hard they will be hit. When 500,000 people lose their jobs in Nov. there is bound to be some effect.

Oh no, not the flower power series!! Will there be less concerts, flowers around the parks? This is actually my favorite festival......

 

[aurorafan]

Last month when we were their we found out that Disney has reduced their holiday decoration staff and contracted back past employees.

The Front Desk Staff at BWVs were working overtime and floating from resort to resort due to staff cutbacks. They were also told to expect layoffs after the holidays.

All we can do is wait and see.

I've never been there at Christmas, but based on the pictures I'd seen here and elsewhere I thought it looked a little less decorated than the pictures. The reduction in staff would explain it. It was still gorgeous--I especially loved the tree and gingerbread house at the GF and the tree at AKL, but the parks (with the exception of MK) didn't seem as decorated as I was expecting.

Hopefully we'll be able to go back at this time in a few years--I'll be interested to see what it looks like then .

 

[Sammie]

Oh no, not the flower power series!! Will there be less concerts, flowers around the parks? This is actually my favorite festival......

there are going to be fewer concerts, they have only scheduled 3 days, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.