Weak economy going to affect DW tourism?

[TeddyToo]

How long has it been since you have seen a television ad for WDW? All the advertising is now going to Europe and England (the enchange rate for the English pound is so good right now our English guests basically have the same discounts as castmembers at 50%).

They will not miss us....they will have all NEW guests.

We see them lots here too in Montana...Could be cuz the Disney channel is on. I even stop the TIVO for WDW commercials and wish and dream. Anyone else have to watch the commercial?? For me the economy will do what it does and I will still figure out a way to get a break and be a kid with my kid. In case Santa is reading the DIS...I've been very good this year

 

[pfalcioni]

I think smaller venues will be hit by an ongoing recession, but DW may actually see increases.

Like other's mentioned, people are using charge cards to fund so much more these days - look at the unsecured debit load most folks carry!

Another thing is that when times get tight, everyone still wants to vacation but they look more at 'bang for the buck'. Disney properites offer excellent 'bang for the buck' with tons of opportunities for all family members to have a good time.

'Inclusive' vacations do better during tight times - and with the DDP people pretty much know what they're spending before they go.

It used to be that when times got tight, people chose vacations closer to home, and where they could camp out - so national parks did well. Now that gas is expensive, I'd think this may change.

We used to take at least one motorhome vacation a year, but have switched to one airline vacation (DW) a year, and two motorcycle vacations. The poor motorhome is left in the barn with nowhere to go!

I agree too that with such a soft dollar, and DW being a very safe destination, travellers from outside the US will take advantage (I would!).

So, as much as I'd love to see crowds dwindle and prices drop - I don't think it's going to happen any time soon

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I don't know....call me silly. If someone has an adjustable mortgage..late on payments and deciding to make a mortgage payment or pay for their family health insurance....I'm not sure there IS a way to make it to WDW.

I am fortunate...I will visit WDW again but there are many who are facing financial troubles who will not.....especially now that Disney has become so adept at separating money from it's guests!

Read the papers....there are still tough times ahead in the housing and mortgage markets. For those who lie awake at night wondering how they will make ends meet AND take advantage of their DVC points......my heart breaks for them.

There has to be a percentage of the general disney group that has been affected.....how many will fill the void from Europe....Disney hopes enough so they can continue to raise prices on their park passes, hotels and meals next year.

Let's not forget Disney is now going to charge us different rates during our stay.....no longer one rate based on our arrival date.

My husband and I go less now to WDW.....we have discovered other travel that does not stop your heart every time you open your wallet....but at least we can still travel.

 

[5onadime]

Even if we don't have a recession in 2008, the democrat party candidates are already talking about tax increases so if they win we may be looking at recession in 2009. So imho we will get Disney discounts in either 2008 or 2009, we just have to have patience.

excellent point! REALLY wealthy people don't pay much in taxes anyway. It will effect upper middle class. I am not sure why people who make 100,000.00 are lumped in the same class as people who make 500,000.00. And call it what you want, letting people keep more of THEIR money will help the economy, because they will spend it.

 

[Brad Bishop]

Oh please. Rolling back tax cuts to the wealthy is not a tax increase. It's called being fiscally responsible. Something the Republic Party seemed to forgot was one of their strengths. Grumpy in VA, say hi to Senators Mark Warner (D), Webb (D) and Governor Kaine (D) in 2008 for me please.

Graduated taxes are immoral. They (our mis-representatives from both parties) will do anything -but- decrease spending on their pet pork-projects.

Being fiscally responsible is spending within your means - something our government doesn't do (again, both Reps and Dems).

I've no one to vote for this time around. To me it's the difference between 'Mr. Spendy' and 'Mr. Spendymore' (or Mrs, as the case may be). However is unfolds, they (our mis-reps) are out of control.

 

[G8r4evr]

We saw the little local ads when we were at BWI the last 10 days. I'm talking about the big ad campaigns like earlier this year. Not like the Florida ads but the more general ads to entice people who may not think of WDW as a vacation choice.

We haven't seen a WDW ad in so many months in Maryland....I cannot remember!

My husband works with the ABC bureau in London daily and apparently they are SICK of WDW ads.....and they are CASTMEMBERS at ABC!

Interesting...I see Disney commercials ALL the time here in Florida. I just assumed these ads were running nationally.

 

[minnie61650]

Interesting...I see Disney commercials ALL the time here in Florida. I just assumed these ads were running nationally.

I see the Disney commercials in Michigan almost as much as we do when we are staying in Florida. I guess maybe because I watch TV during prime time when the Disney commercials are more likely to air.

BTW
Michigan and Ohio have had really tough times the last couple of years. It seems like we (Michigan and Ohio) are usually the first states to feel a downturn in economy. The rest of the country seems to lag a couple of years behind us.

Over 700,000 homes in the tri-county Detroit area have gone into foreclosures in he last of couple of years. Thankfully for us we have a 15 year fixed rate and we are not affected. Our mortgage will be paid off within 2 years and barring any catastrophes we will be able continue our vacations without any changes.

 

[eliza61]

How long has it been since you have seen a television ad for WDW? All the advertising is now going to Europe and England (the enchange rate for the English pound is so good right now our English guests basically have the same discounts as castmembers at 50%).

They will not miss us....they will have all NEW guests.

We see them all the time in NJ also. Especially the one with the 2 pretty kids sleeping while cinderella's couch is coming down the street and mom and dad are on the computer saying how affordable a vacation to disney can be.

 

[safetymom]

I travel around the country and I have seen Disney commercials every where I have been.

 

[peyjax]

There was an article that was on here a few weeks ago that talked about the weakening economy and disney. If I recall correctly it mentioned that Disney would be ok, but they suspected the biggest problems to be with the parks. Disney's reply was that they are targeting Europe where the dollar goes further and they are going to rely on loyal vactioners who let nothing get in the way of thier Disney vacation. I know that the economy is going to get worse than normal, but why is it always around this time of the year I seem to hear that the economy is going down hill? It seems to me every few years they predict it getting really bad. Maybe some veterans of the dis boards can enlighten us as to whether this discussion comes up frequently on these boards and if it has indeed had an affect on Disney???

 

[spiceycat]

the terrorism attack on 9/11 definitely hurt WDW - it took it years to recover - wasn't until 2004/2005 that it had recovered.

the other recession not so bad - because Disney is international. US citizens made not have the money - but China and Asia - do.

the China Disneyland is not as big as WDW.

WDW is definitely advertising in Ala too. guess local includes Al, Ga and assuming Mis? maybe anyone who can drive to WDW in one day.

 

[eliza61]

If I recall correctly it mentioned that Disney would be ok, but they suspected the biggest problems to be with the parks. Disney's reply was that they are targeting Europe where the dollar goes further and they are going to rely on loyal vactioners who let nothing get in the way of thier Disney vacation. I know that the economy is going to get worse than normal, but why is it always around this time of the year I seem to hear that the economy is going down hill? It seems to me every few years they predict it getting really bad. Maybe some veterans of the dis boards can enlighten us as to whether this discussion comes up frequently on these boards and if it has indeed had an affect on Disney???

It does come up every year or so, some times you will see it in conjunction with the yearly price increase forums. I think since Disney is already a "sock to your wallet" whenever some thing happens to the economy (whether rate increases, gas/airline increases or whatever) there's discussion. I think disney is aware of these concerns, that's why you have advertisments touting how really affordable Disney can be. Don't know how much of an affect it has on them though, they are a profitable business. They know how much the public will bear (or maybe bare, as in I'm gonna have to strip naked to afford this trip! )

 

[CTDis4]

The U.S. dollar is weak and will not buy too many vacations overseas for us...the Euro is strong so it will go much farther for the guest to the U.S....so U.S. Citizens will travel in the states and so will those from coutries out of the states...so my call is the travel industry in the U.S. may be okay and Disney may have larger crowds. Who knows?