What is the ratio of one time visitors to repeat visitors?

[chirurgeon]

Not sure how we could find this out. Another thread has me wondering, the thread was talking about what you don't spend money for on trips, souvenirs, buffets, parties, etc.

Anyway. If it was only a one time trip, you might splurge for the things that repeat visitors just don't find the value in anymore.

So, does anyone have an idea of the proportion of one time and repeat guests?

Kim

 

[FireDancer]

I doubt anyone would have this info outside of upper management but I would guess that the vast majority of their in-the-park income is from either first time or once every 5-10 year visitors. DVC of course makes them a lot of money but I would bet that even with their growing numbers the non-Disneyphile makes up most of their income.

This is just an educated guess and why on a lot of threads on these boards I think what "we" want and what is best for the bottom line of the parks & resorts division are not really the same. Take park-specific merchandise. I would wager that the money they save with homogenization is more than what they lose from the relatively few of us that don't buy souvenirs anymore because of that homogenization.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I doubt anyone would have this info outside of upper management but I would guess that the vast majority of their in-the-park income is from either first time or once every 5-10 year visitors. DVC of course makes them a lot of money but I would bet that even with their growing numbers the non-Disneyphile makes up most of their income.

This is just an educated guess and why on a lot of threads on these boards I think what "we" want and what is best for the bottom line of the parks & resorts division are not really the same. Take park-specific merchandise. I would wager that the money the save with homogenization is more than what they lose from the relatively few of us that don't buy souvenirs anymore because of that homogenization.

ITA with all of the above. I'm sure the homogenization is saving them. As popular and large as the DIS community is, we are still in the minority. The majority of people want a cheap t-shirt and a keychain. That being said though, I believe there is still a profitable market for better quality, unique items and I don't know why they can't offer at least some of the latter. I used to come back from Disney with 2,3, even 4 nice tshirts, last trip, if I hadn't found the nice one at the Contemporary I wouldn't have bought any.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A couple of years ago I was talking to some high-level managers, specifically asking why they did not do the Haunted Mansion Holiday or Small World Holiday overlays at WDW as they do at DLR. The response was that at DLR about 70% of the Guests are repeat, while at WDW about 70% are first-time visitors and they do not want to have the down-time problem twice a year on the switchovers since for so many people it will be their only visit ever.

 

[timmac]

Just echoing what PPs have said, and going one step further, if that 70% figure is true, of the remaining 30%, I'd bet most of those are in the "once every 5-10 years" category of repeat guests. Though I have no way to confirm, I highly suspect the proportion of visitors who go once every 1-2 years (or more often) is extraordinarily low.

 

[Pipser]

I am one of those who only made my first visit last year at age 32 and even though I would have loved to have gone back again this year, financially I just couldn't. My DGF and I are trying to see how we can make it back again next year but who knows......I would hate to fall into the 5-10 year category though. That would be really depressing

 

[BriarRosie]

Just echoing what PPs have said, and going one step further, if that 70% figure is true, of the remaining 30%, I'd bet most of those are in the "once every 5-10 years" category of repeat guests. Though I have no way to confirm, I highly suspect the proportion of visitors who go once every 1-2 years (or more often) is extraordinarily low.

I disagree. I think the repeat visitors who go every 1-2 years (or more frequently) would be DVC owners. I have only skipped one year (2006) since I started buying my annual pass in 1999. I bought into DVC in 2002, and I go typically at least once a year, sometimes more than that.

Considering how many people own DVC now, I think the repeat visitor count is higher.

 

[DeaverTex]

If you're going to say that most of the people visiting more than once every year or two are DVC owners, then you need to break that out. I can't see DVC for folks who only go once every year or two unless they just have a LOT more money to hand to Disney than I do.

 

[BriarRosie]

If you're going to say that most of the people visiting more than once every year or two are DVC owners, then you need to break that out. I can't see DVC for folks who only go once every year or two unless they just have a LOT more money to hand to Disney than I do.

I can't tell you if you can afford to buy enough points to visit WDW every year. I am just saying that people who have DVC points will be more frequent visitors than non-DVC owners.

 

[disneysteve]

I think the repeat visitors who go every 1-2 years (or more frequently) would be DVC owners.

I disagree. I think DVC owners represent a pretty small percentage of repeat visitors. We go annually and don't own DVC. Before our daughter was in school, we used to go twice a year and once she is on her own in a few years, I'm sure my wife and I will resume more frequent visits. And I know plenty of people just like us, none of whom own DVC.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree with DisneySteve.

I just looked in the AAA Florida Tourbook and the seven DVC locations on WDW total 3,661 units. I will make the rash assumption that all of these units have been sold. As a general rule timeshare companies will only sell 50 weeks per year, to allow for unit maintenance and downtime.

The minimum points purchase Disney allows is for an "average week" worth of points, so effectively 183,050 unit-weeks have been sold.

Again, making a rash assumption that a lot of people make more than minimum purchases, once could say that the average DVC owner has two unit-weeks. This would come to 91,525 owners. When you compare this with the 17+ Million visitors to MK alone it is a very insignificant number.

(And don't forget people can trade out their points for other, non-Disney locations.)

 

[disneysteve]

(And don't forget people can trade out their points for other, non-Disney locations.)

And other Disney locations - California, Hilton Head, Vero Beach and soon Hawaii. And can't you also use points toward cruises and maybe ABD trips?

 

[OKW Lover]

I disagree. I think the repeat visitors who go every 1-2 years (or more frequently) would be DVC owners. I have only skipped one year (2006) since I started buying my annual pass in 1999. I bought into DVC in 2002, and I go typically at least once a year, sometimes more than that.

Considering how many people own DVC now, I think the repeat visitor count is higher.

And where were you in 2006? [stamping foot] we missed you!

No doubt most of the regulars on this section of the DIS are in the very frequent visitor category, with annual trips or more frequently. But of course we aren't indicative of the overall population.

 

[DeaverTex]

I can't tell you if you can afford to buy enough points to visit WDW every year. I am just saying that people who have DVC points will be more frequent visitors than non-DVC owners.

Certainly they're more frequent visitors. I just think that they're either more frequent than once every year or two, OR they're willing to commit more of their disposable income to DVC than I am. That's all I was saying.

At the current $101 per point with a 150 point minimum, nope. That's $15K at a whack, which would get Mrs. Tex and I to the World for 15 years assuming one trip every other year.

 

[disneysteve]

At the current $101 per point with a 150 point minimum, nope. That's $15K at a whack, which would get Mrs. Tex and I to the World for 15 years assuming one trip every other year.

Don't forget the annual fees. That's what kills the deal (in case the upfront cost doesn't kill it already).

We just rented a beautiful 3-bedroom, 3-bath house for 2 weeks for $89/night. 15K would let us stay there for 169 nights or 24 weeks and those rental prices haven't changed in years thanks to the overabundant supply in the area.

 

[DisneyKevin]

When I was a pin trader, there was talk about why Disney didnt cater more to the pin trading community.

I was told that the "one and done" visitor so vastly outnumbers the loyal fan base that almost everything Disney does is geared toward that group.

Dont get me wrong....Disney wants your dollars as much as theirs, but the diehard fan is a drop in the bucket compared to the vary casual visitor.

 

[k5jm]

If you're going to say that most of the people visiting more than once every year or two are DVC owners, then you need to break that out.

DVC owners are probably the majority of return customers in a single years time. No break-out needed.

I am the exception to the rule. We have been about 3 to 4 times a year for the past 4 years and we are not owners (yet).

I can't see DVC for folks who only go once every year or two unless they just have a LOT more money to hand to Disney than I do.

???? I can see it.

 

[BriarRosie]

I disagree. I think DVC owners represent a pretty small percentage of repeat visitors. We go annually and don't own DVC. Before our daughter was in school, we used to go twice a year and once she is on her own in a few years, I'm sure my wife and I will resume more frequent visits. And I know plenty of people just like us, none of whom own DVC.

I went to WDW every 5 years for a while, and then it shortened to the point where I was going just about every year. Some years, more than once. It was at that time I decided to join DVC.

I never said it was exclusive that guests who were repeat visitors were only DVC members. But I'd like to think all DVC members go once every 1-2 years, or their purchase wouldn't make much sense to me.

I agree with DisneySteve.

I just looked in the AAA Florida Tourbook and the seven DVC locations on WDW total 3,661 units. I will make the rash assumption that all of these units have been sold. As a general rule timeshare companies will only sell 50 weeks per year, to allow for unit maintenance and downtime.

The minimum points purchase Disney allows is for an "average week" worth of points, so effectively 183,050 unit-weeks have been sold.

Again, making a rash assumption that a lot of people make more than minimum purchases, once could say that the average DVC owner has two unit-weeks. This would come to 91,525 owners. When you compare this with the 17+ Million visitors to MK alone it is a very insignificant number.

(And don't forget people can trade out their points for other, non-Disney locations.)

I think if someone bought a LOT of points, they could swap out for non-Disney locations. I am a minimum contract buyer, and there's no way I could swap my points for a cruise or ABD unless I banked and borrowed both sets of points, which IMHO, is not the best value use of my points. So all of my trips were Disney related since I bought in.

And other Disney locations - California, Hilton Head, Vero Beach and soon Hawaii. And can't you also use points toward cruises and maybe ABD trips?

I've only used my points once for a Disneyland trip, but I've also used them for a WDW trip. So I did get in a repeat visit to WDW that year.

And where were you in 2006? [stamping foot] we missed you!

No doubt most of the regulars on this section of the DIS are in the very frequent visitor category, with annual trips or more frequently. But of course we aren't indicative of the overall population.

2006 was an expensive year for me! I couldn't justify the expense for airfare and meals. The good news was that I banked all my points and got a 1-BR unit for a 2007 visit.

Certainly they're more frequent visitors. I just think that they're either more frequent than once every year or two, OR they're willing to commit more of their disposable income to DVC than I am. That's all I was saying.

At the current $101 per point with a 150 point minimum, nope. That's $15K at a whack, which would get Mrs. Tex and I to the World for 15 years assuming one trip every other year.

When I bought DVC, I bought 150 points minimum, and it was $75/point. They offered an incentive of $5/point or a 5 night stay at OKW. Of course I took the discounted price of $70/point. So my output was $10,500 plus dues. I had been staying on property and not renting a car, as a solo.

Because I had been going at least once a year, I figured my output would be the equivalent of paying Value resort prices for Deluxe resort accommodations. That was a selling point for me. It didn't hurt that I could book 11 months out at Beach Club Villas for the Food and Wine Festival! And between the DVC discount on my annual pass and Disney Visa rewards points, my biggest expenses are airfare and food.

I think it worked out great for me as a single person with no kids, but I know other singles who don't think DVC is right for them. To each his/her own.

 

[DeaverTex]

k5jmh: Argh. It sounds like you're saying that the folks who repeat within a year's time are most likely DVC members. I'm not prepared to say either way on that, but it would make sense. DVC members have a great incentive to go to Disney parks/resorts.

While I don't doubt that there DVC members who only visit once every couple of years, I just don't believe that could be all that typical. But then again, an acquaintance of mine dropped a pocketful of change to go to the ISS, too. Folks spend their cash the way they want to, and that's the truth.

So far, most of what I've said has been misinterpreted -- none of it maliciously or rudely, either! -- so I think I'll just cut my losses and lurk for the remaining life of this thread.

Have a magical day, y'all!

 

[disneysteve]

If it was only a one time trip, you might splurge for the things that repeat visitors just don't find the value in anymore.

We veered off into a DVC debate but getting back to the original point, yes, I think first-timers are much more likely to do a lot of the special things and more costly things and buy more souvenirs than the frequent repeat visitor.

I think many younger adults take their first trip, or their first trip since they were children, when they have kids of their own. Since that demographic is always growing and replenishing, I'd think that a high percentage of guests fall into that group. Unlike most of us here, the general population still sees Disney World as a place to take your kids. And when they do take their kids, the go all out - t-shirts, souvenirs, character meals, photos, etc.

Also, I think first-timers are far more likely to stay onsite. They don't know the lay of the land and aren't as comfortable or confident choosing an offsite hotel and commuting to Disney property, so that is also an advantage to Disney with first-timers.