What happens if/when ? ? ? WDW bookings continue to drop

[Kid_@_50]

What happens if/when

- More and more people continue to defer vacations
- More and more DVC owners bank their points

What type of discounts will WDW offer and when might they offer them?

I really need some sort of significant discount in order to "afford" a trip to WDW for later this year (after 4/3 expires).

This may sound "mean" but does it help to make a statement if I book a vacation package, pay the $200 deposit, then cancel it more than 45 days before my arrival (and get my deposit back).

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Since WDW has not faced a protracted recession before, I am betting that they don't know, themselves, what they will do. There are limits to how much they can reduce prices and still make a profit, but they can't close the parks, either...

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

I think the discounts offered this year are absolutely the most aggressive Disney has ever been to get people in there. Between the 4/3 deal, the 40% off codes and 40% off for military families for the entire year are really great. I would imagine that the free dining will become available for general public by next month because they have also offered free dining pins to some folks as well. I received one of those but had already booked my free dining bounceback trip when I was there last Sept. I do not know how much more they can offer and discount and still make a profit. They have made adjustments, such as serving only dinner at Garden Grill, having Fantasmic! only 2 and now 3 nights per week instead of 7, and now I have heard that Boatwrights will not be serving breakfast anymore, not for sure on this one but read it recently and not sure of the dates for when this will start either. So they are absolutely feeling it and adjusting accordingly I think. There is also a hiring freeze at Disney World as well. There will be discounts for sure, although in what capacity is anybody's guess, just a matter of what they will be towards the later part of the year.

 

[2manypets]

IIRC, they closed down POR and a value resort after 9/11. They're cutting little things now and offering huge discounts. I'm hoping they continue the 4/7 deal through the rest of the year.

About the booking now, cancel later: I've got a ressie booked and have already paid down a third of it, but if Disney doesn't come up with a good enough deal or I don't feel secure financially I will most definitely cancel our vacation.

 

[enchantingodin]

There have been some ponderings that they could possibly offer a gift card along with free dining. Since they did offer one for the 4/3 on certain dates. That would totally make me go - not that I need much of a push.

 

[n2mm]

Keep in mind what we'll see is resorts close, shows cancelled, park times decrease, restraurants close, attractions become closed several days a week. Of yes, this happened in 2001. We were there when shows would alternate -- 3 days a week they would run the little mermaid, then on the other days beauty and the beast was shown. So yes, we might see more discounts, but we will also see less services, shorter hours, less CMs to make your trip magical. I would rather pay a fair price and get better services. Yes we'll see discounts, no doubt. But we'll also see lots of posts of folks complaining about the closings and lack of service too.

 

[nooneshome]

Booking drops = more discounts

More discounts = more trips for family

more trips for family = happy family

happy family = happy dad

we like happy dad!!

 

[DJFan88]

I won't complain -- I'd rather they do what they have to do than close the whole part altogether! I know that sounds extreme.

 

[DCDisney]

IIRC, they closed down POR and a value resort after 9/11.

We went after 9/11 and the discounts were pretty similar to what has been offered this year. They didn't close all of any resort but they did close a few buildings of POR during the week in Jan but on the weekends they re-opened. We were at PO-FQ and the bus driver explained it to us when we couldn't understand why we were randomly skipping stops. I think it was the same at All Stars Music where certain buildings weren't being used.

I hope they don't continue cutting back services. I know this Jan there were many reports of long waits even though there weren't huge numbers of people because they were running lower capacity on rides and in QS places. The difference of just 1 CM on each ride slows it all down so much.

 

[disneyfan2]

I think you will have to deal with extra discount but less services and hours. They have already cut back on CM's so it only goes to say that they will continue but offer less shows services, and hours. So with all the discounts, more people will be able to continue to go but i don't think it will mean significant change in crowds, but definetly change in shows etc. They already cancelled the P&P parties this year.

 

[JoanneNC]

I think it comes down to "be careful what you ask/wish for"
Deeper Discounts = Deeper Cuts

 

[MoonFaerie]

I hope they don't have to cut more shows/attractions/CMs/etc. If they cut too much, we'll cancel our trip. I'm not spending $5000+ for limited hours and limited magic.

 

[ckdsnynt]

I hope they don't have to cut more shows/attractions/CMs/etc. If they cut too much, we'll cancel our trip. I'm not spending $5000+ for limited hours and limited magic.

I agree. I would rather have less or no discount, go every other year or once a year with great service and smaller lines, more shows, than go every year or twice a year with super discounts but fewer shows, more crowds (due to discounts), longer lines and less service. There is a point at which the value doesn't mean much if the service isn't up to par and the waits are extensive. But that is just me; that's my opinion based on my situation. I'm sure there are others that prefer the discount all things considered and that's fine; that's their opinion based on their situation. Everyone has to gauge for themselves what is best for them.

 

[Andrea]

Does anyone know how to get the discounts yet ???

 

[msteddom]

We went after 9/11 and the discounts were pretty similar to what has been offered this year. They didn't close all of any resort but they did close a few buildings of POR during the week in Jan but on the weekends they re-opened. We were at PO-FQ and the bus driver explained it to us when we couldn't understand why we were randomly skipping stops. I think it was the same at All Stars Music where certain buildings weren't being used.

I hope they don't continue cutting back services. I know this Jan there were many reports of long waits even though there weren't huge numbers of people because they were running lower capacity on rides and in QS places. The difference of just 1 CM on each ride slows it all down so much.

POFQ was shut down for quite a while in 2002, they ended up refurbishing it, but it was shuttered due to low occupancy. That was where I originally wanted to stay on my first trip, but I ended up at POR instead.

Melissa

 

[n2mm]

POFQ was shut down for quite a while in 2002, they ended up refurbishing it, but it was shuttered due to low occupancy. That was where I originally wanted to stay on my first trip, but I ended up at POR instead.

Melissa

I agree, it was closed. I believe that's when we lost Bonfamilles permanently. They closed it with the FQ and then never reopenned it! It was a sad day for our family.

 

[skater]

There have been some ponderings that they could possibly offer a gift card along with free dining. Since they did offer one for the 4/3 on certain dates. That would totally make me go - not that I need much of a push.

The offer of a gift card would force me to re-book. We currently have the BB offer for free dining - but a gift card would be nicer .

 

[enchantingodin]

The offer of a gift card would force me to re-book. We currently have the BB offer for free dining - but a gift card would be nicer .

Free money is free money. Wouldn't it be totally NICE!

MY guess (and I admit the is ONLY a guess) is that the FD pin codes that went around about a month or so ago were a way to gauge how many people would 'bite' after FD for the normal fall release. It wouldn't surprise me if they offered a gift card in the weeks where the fewest people booked to go. Makes good business sense to dangle a little something extra for the dates that are slowest. I'd love it because I could not only pay for the tips at my TS meals but also get some pin buying on.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I hope they don't have to cut more shows/attractions/CMs/etc. If they cut too much, we'll cancel our trip. I'm not spending $5000+ for limited hours and limited magic.

I know what you mean. Everywhere I turn people are cutting back and saying you should save your money, it's only going to get worse, and here we are with a 4000. vacation booked for Oct. I have said it once and I will say it again, if we can't get some kind of discount, we won't be going. It's not fair to offer all of these incentives for winter, spring & all summer long, and nothing for the fall. I know it's a little early for them, but you would think that they would come out with something soon so that people could plan better. A 40% off code, or free dining even, could make or break a vacation right now.

For me, I would love to see them for the first time ever, extend free dining for Oct. I don't understand why they wont do this. My grip with going during Oct is the MNSSHP being hosted three nights of our vacation. We never go because it's expensive for a family of five, so we plan around them, but it also keeps us out of MK for three nights. If they offered free dining, it would be so nice, I would even forget I was missing anything.

 

[skater]

I know what you mean. Everywhere I turn people are cutting back and saying you should save your money, it's only going to get worse, and here we are with a 4000. vacation booked for Oct. I have said it once and I will say it again, if we can't get some kind of discount, we won't be going. It's not fair to offer all of these incentives for winter, spring & all summer long, and nothing for the fall. I know it's a little early for them, but you would think that they would come out with something soon so that people could plan better. A 40% off code, or free dining even, could make or break a vacation right now.

For me, I would love to see them for the first time ever, extend free dining for Oct. I don't understand why they wont do this. My grip with going during Oct is the MNSSHP being hosted three nights of our vacation. We never go because it's expensive for a family of five, so we plan around them, but it also keeps us out of MK for three nights. If they offered free dining, it would be so nice, I would even forget I was missing anything.

I agree about the 3 nights per week. Its hard to work around it.