What is Disney Doing Right Now?

[Nancyg56]

After reading all the comments I totally understand most of your points. Disney is changing things, and in my opinion I believe rates will be changing just like the prices of tickets are, not sticking to the status quo of what the prices were in the past. It is their whole new approach that they brought up last year about premium pricing and charging more for tickets at certain times of the year. My job which requires working with the airlines has shown all airlines do this with their ticket prices and bookings. While you may get a good price booking right away when rates are released, that isn't always the case. I understand that most of you veterans see that I am a new poster and can't understand the point of my post, which was to encourage discussion and get different opinions, hence the reason for the title. That was a way to draw discussion and encourage dialogue. Just because I don't post every day doesn't mean I am unfamiliar with Disney or the parks. It's amazing how certain people will defend Disney and their decisions bar none, because they have been going for years and will casually tell everyone they are wrong in their condescending ways. If you don't like the post or the intent I was trying to portray then just move along and don't say anything at all, rather than being petty and condescending with the remarks. Rant over.

People are not condescending. They are simply telling you that you are not correct in what you are saying. WHen the rates are released. They are in place. You may get promotions mailed after the rates are released, but they are promotions, not across the board decreases. The rates are in place until the new rates are released. I did nto look at your post count until you pointed it out.

See this is exactly what I am saying. Everything doesn't stay the same. Things change. While your opinion may be that nothing is changing it most definitely is. I am receiving regular promotional discounts from Disney, as well as probably every other person that regularly visits. This is most definitely something that wasn't done in the past. They are coming every 4 weeks, rather than once or twice a year. If you can't see the writing on the wall regarding changing business practice, well then I don't know how to explain it any better to you. Just look at the traditionally slower times of the year and see how expensive certain resorts are now, much higher than in the past. Sure this has to do with free dining, etc., but Disney is capitalizing on that from people who don't go every year. To say anything less than that is folly. I may be wrong in the original post regarding only a six month booking window, since we always travel in summer and usually check in August for prices and vacation trips. I don't spend all day perusing the Disney boards, but please don't try to justify your condescending attitude regarding your points, either move on or ask clarifying comments, rather than trying to point out you know it all. As a last point Airlines do change prices, just like Disney does, based on availability and time of the year, but you wouldn't know that unless you worked in the industry or followed airfares on a regular basis.

Admin please close this post.

The admin will not close the thread unless it becomes contentious. I doubt that will happen, we all are pretty much on the same page here....which is unusual.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Prices increase every year. This is normal.

Promotions come out at various points. Some are better than others. Some of what I have been mailed are eye-roll worthy.
There are very few "traditionally slow" times left, due to programming changes. Early September, parts of February, some of May, and early December are the closest things to "slow" left. End of January next year won't be at all quiet, given the Pro Bowl.

I keep seeing people insisting that October is slow and I laugh. Not any more.

I wouldn't expect to see promos for next summer until this winter, based on history.

 

[Rockythunder]

Yes it was. I had a folder of promotional mailings I have received from 1988-2008 that my wife made me get rid of while we were Spring Cleaning in April.



We have received 6-8 offers via mail and/or email for the past 8 years or so.



Yup. There is no slow time any longer. WDW has gotten good at drawing guests during slow times with good offers.



Once WDW resort rack rates have been released for the next year, those rates have never changed. Ever.

all good points.

rack rates dont change on a daily basis, but yearly they do. My assumption is though u go to Disney numerous times per year so it's typical u get promos all the time. We r a family that goes every 1 to 2 years and splits our years between Disneyworld and Disneyland. So getting extra promos this year is new for us. I have to give Disney credit for their marketing campaign since they r sending follow up emails letting us know we priced something in our cart and discounts apply during that time, as well as the extra mailers and contacts to encourage rebooking.

Maybe using the word rate vs. price on my part was a bad choice of words, but as anyone can see tiered pricing is already going into effect. Watching the change in prices at AK vs past years shows me that Disney is counting on night hours encouraging more people to stay there with the added benefits they r offering. That's the only explanation I can come up with on that change on why it is now more expensive than recent years. This seems to b consistent in all my searches.

 

[Hopefully]

See this is exactly what I am saying. Everything doesn't stay the same. Things change. While your opinion may be that nothing is changing it most definitely is. I am receiving regular promotional discounts from Disney, as well as probably every other person that regularly visits. This is most definitely something that wasn't done in the past. They are coming every 4 weeks, rather than once or twice a year. If you can't see the writing on the wall regarding changing business practice, well then I don't know how to explain it any better to you. Just look at the traditionally slower times of the year and see how expensive certain resorts are now, much higher than in the past. Sure this has to do with free dining, etc., but Disney is capitalizing on that from people who don't go every year. To say anything less than that is folly. I may be wrong in the original post regarding only a six month booking window, since we always travel in summer and usually check in August for prices and vacation trips. I don't spend all day perusing the Disney boards, but please don't try to justify your condescending attitude regarding your points, either move on or ask clarifying comments, rather than trying to point out you know it all. As a last point Airlines do change prices, just like Disney does, based on availability and time of the year, but you wouldn't know that unless you worked in the industry or followed airfares on a regular basis.

Admin please close this post.

Who is condescending here? As you said, no need for that

 

[AngiTN]

Just to mention, pointing our your errors is not condescending. There is a lot to complain about in regards to what Disney is doing these days. But the resort rates and the way they release rates and promotions just isn't one of them. It's one area where they are remaining very consistent. Other than offering fewer rooms for discounts

all good points.

rack rates dont change on a daily basis, but yearly they do. My assumption is though u go to Disney numerous times per year so it's typical u get promos all the time. We r a family that goes every 1 to 2 years and splits our years between Disneyworld and Disneyland. So getting extra promos this year is new for us. I have to give Disney credit for their marketing campaign since they r sending follow up emails letting us know we priced something in our cart and discounts apply during that time, as well as the extra mailers and contacts to encourage rebooking.

Maybe using the word rate vs. price on my part was a bad choice of words, but as anyone can see tiered pricing is already going into effect. Watching the change in prices at AK vs past years shows me that Disney is counting on night hours encouraging more people to stay there with the added benefits they r offering. That's the only explanation I can come up with on that change on why it is now more expensive than recent years. This seems to b consistent in all my searches.

Promos are for everyone, not specific people. How often you go has nothing at all to do with getting them. They are announced by Disney for the general public. And as mentioned in the thread already, Disney has very few days where there is not a promo available for that date at some point during the year. Think of them as sales that are in apply to any trip booked during a specified start date and and end date and apply to specific check in dates. They have been doing promos like this for at least 5 years.

PIN codes are different and are issued to specific people and are different than general public promotions mentioned above. No one knows how those are issued. It's not based on how often you go, or don't go. It's more random than that. My personal theory is it's based on your zip code. If they want to increase attendance from specific areas of the country they issue PIN codes if your zip code is in that area

I think you may be talking about a combination of ticket prices and resort rates. Maybe that's where people are confused? You posted in Resort area so I think everyone though you were talking about resort prices only. They have always been tiered. There is no change in regards to this.

Oh, and AK doesn't have pricing that different. Only MK does, it's a little more than a single day at the other parks. A ticket for 1 day at AK, HS and Epcot costs the same no matter what park you attend. What varies is what day you want to go but that's it. If you get 2+ days then all 4 parks are the same price since you get to pick what park you attend. So yes, ticket prices are up but not at AK specifically. Night time events at AK also don't change ticket prices.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Problem solved. Go every year and then book bounce back every year.

I went to Disney in 2014 & 2015 and have yet to get a bounce back offer...but even if I do get a bounce back offer isnt that only good for the current year? We like to go to Disney every year and are planning on going again in 2017, if I do get a bounce back offer though will I be able to book 2018 with them?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I went to Disney in 2014 & 2015 and have yet to get a bounce back offer...but even if I do get a bounce back offer isnt that only good for the current year? We like to go to Disney every year and are planning on going again in 2017, if I do get a bounce back offer though will I be able to book 2018 with them?

You can only book bounceback while ON PROPERTY on your prior trip.

Have to call while in your room.

 

[AngiTN]

I went to Disney in 2014 & 2015 and have yet to get a bounce back offer...but even if I do get a bounce back offer isnt that only good for the current year? We like to go to Disney every year and are planning on going again in 2017, if I do get a bounce back offer though will I be able to book 2018 with them?

You can only book bounceback while ON PROPERTY on your prior trip.

Have to call while in your room.

And what return travel dates varies by when you go.
If you go after June/July then you can book for the following year.
If you go from Jan to June/July (whenever new rates come out) you can only book for that year.
At least I think that's how it works. Someone correct me if I'm wrong and you can book BB for the next year even if the dates on the current BB promo are only for the current year

 

[Shellyb84]

I went to Disney in 2014 & 2015 and have yet to get a bounce back offer...but even if I do get a bounce back offer isnt that only good for the current year? We like to go to Disney every year and are planning on going again in 2017, if I do get a bounce back offer though will I be able to book 2018 with them?

We were there last weekend and the bounce back offer we got was only good through the end of this year.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

And what return travel dates varies by when you go.
If you go after June/July then you can book for the following year.
If you go from Jan to June/July (whenever new rates come out) you can only book for that year.
At least I think that's how it works. Someone correct me if I'm wrong and you can book BB for the next year even if the dates on the current BB promo are only for the current year

Oh ok, well that would make sense then, because we always go march/april, which would be why we are never offered a BB for the following year, lol

 

[AngiTN]

Oh ok, well that would make sense then, because we always go march/april, which would be why we are never offered a BB for the following year, lol

If it helps, I've not found the rates to be better. They'll include some rooms/resorts that may not be included in the GP discounts but when I've priced them out they didn't beat the deal I already found.

 

[bumbershoot]

While your opinion may be that nothing is changing it most definitely is.

Your OP was about how far out you can book. NOTHING has changed with that. You can bring up *other* things as much as you would like, but your OP was about that one thing. And you weren't correct on it. Nothing has changed with that.

I am receiving regular promotional discounts from Disney, as well as probably every other person that regularly visits.

Many others have received discounts over the years. Many. I haven't; never have, and am still not getting them.

I may be wrong in the original post regarding only a six month booking window

And that's what your OP was about.

As a last point Airlines do change prices, just like Disney does, based on availability and time of the year

Angi wasn't saying airlines don't change pricing. She was saying that Disney doesn't change room pricing once it's released. Which is different than airlines.

I think you may be talking about a combination of ticket prices and resort rates. Maybe that's where people are confused? You posted in Resort area so I think everyone though you were talking about resort prices only. They have always been tiered. There is no change in regards to this.

Definitely possible.

I went to Disney in 2014 & 2015 and have yet to get a bounce back offer...but even if I do get a bounce back offer isnt that only good for the current year? We like to go to Disney every year and are planning on going again in 2017, if I do get a bounce back offer though will I be able to book 2018 with them?

You aren't sent a BB offer. It's in your room if the housekeeper remembers to put the papers in there. If not, ask at the front desk, or look in the resort offers board (can't remember its name) for the phone number to call once in your room to find out.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Bounce backs aren't always better rates, but they often cover more options and give you a guaranteed discount well in advance of the public offers.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

My assumption is though u go to Disney numerous times per year so it's typical u get promos all the time.

That'd be an incorrect assumption. As a frequent visitor, it appears I get targeted promos at a much lower rate than infrequent visitors. It will just depend on how those promotions are targeted. There are usually eventually promos that are open to anybody, with some restrictions as to resort or resort type. But it's far too early to see any of these these for 2017 yet. Especially summer 2017.

Tiered pricing at resorts has been around a long time, it is not new. (They were not always tiered at the level they are now - there used to be only three "seasons" and weekdays cost the same as weekends). The reason prices are higher is that prices go up each year. And people pay them. They will continue to go up as long as they sell. park ticket pricing does not have anything to do with resort pricing.

If the point of the OP is "Disney changes things, so it will probably change the way resorts are booked" we don't have any idea whether they will or not.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Our yearly bounce back has netted us FD at a Mod which is always a good deal.

 

[Nancyg56]

Our yearly bounce back has netted us FD at a Mod which is always a good deal.

I have gotten RO discounts as well as FD offers on my BB. I have a RO in place now, and needed to book another room, so I jumped on the FD offer when it came out. I do wish the RO plus free hoppers was in play.....