Why such the "push" for WDW?

[NWPrincess]

I actually think they are pushing Disneyland more than they did in my opinion.

When I was planning my 2006 vacation to WDW and DL, I of course ordered the free vacation video. 90% of the video was filled with WDW stuff. In order to get to the short DL section, it was hidden in a tiny menu screen.

I recently received the 2008 video. Now, at the beginning you get a choice of DL or WDW at the first menu screen which directs you from there. The DL section is now longer and more in sync with the WDW one. I know its subtle, but it's also telling in my opinion of a shift in Disney marketing.

 

[PSWGal]

I too think that WDW can generate a lot more $$$$ for Disney. There are a lot of properties owned by WDW at which to stay. Advantages for staying on property are more significant there; extra magic hours, dining plan, transportation. At DLR, you drive to the resort and if you want to park hop, just walk across the promenade. Even if you're at a local off-property hotel, motel, or timeshare, you're still within walking distance to both parks.

 

[keeperofzoo]

I figured it was because they would make more $$$$ but just something I noticed and wondered if anyone else noticed too.

I don't like those combined commercials either. I find it interesting to get other people's take on things.

 

[Jozymouse]

To me it only makes sense to push WDW more, more hotels owned by disney, more theme parks, water parks, bigger downtown disney. Much more cash flow! Also have people coming for the week just for disney, where as at DL people come for a couple days there and then usually another couple of days other places.

I also think with the economy they are pushing the "affordable" vacation.

I think you are dead on with the promotion of the "affordable" WDW vacation. I also think that they are focusing on the hassle free vacation as in: you can easily spend a week-10 days at the parks + waterparks, you dont need a car since you dont really need to move around, you have the magical express and the bus transportation and you can stay on site for $79 a night, so its basically an "all inclusive" without the food ...mind you they do have the "free dining" promotion once a year. Also, here in Montreal, we can get pretty good deals on flights ($220 CAD taxes in) during the off season so its pretty sweet. I never see any promotion for Disneyland here but ALOT for Disney World. That being said, I CANT wait to visit Disneyland in Dec 2008!!!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Disneyland is more of a local park. They don't need to advertise to the world at large to fill that park.

Also have others have said, for WDW, they can sell the whole enchilada, lodging, dining (complete with a dining plan), waterparks, dinner shows, even cruises and trips to the beach (they have the Vero Beach resort and are happy to find a way to put you up there). They even came up with a free shuttle system to get you to and from the airport so that you never need or want to venture off the expansive WDW property.

At DL they do advertise some but of course the DL guest will likely only want to stay a 2 or 3 days, will probably want to stay offsite to save money and with a bunch of motels and restaurants within walking distance, Disney knows full well, they can reel guests in to play at the parks but beyond that its a whole different scenario over WDW.

I am betting that once they have finished with the DCA remodel and also if they keep DCL ships in California year round, then they will start to sell more in the way of packages than they do now. And I do find that they do sell DL more now than they used to. They are adding some DVC units at GCH, they sell and promote DVC all over Disneyland and DCA, and as another poster noticed, the 2008 planning DVD had much more of a Disneyland section on it than before. You also see DL advertised in AAA magazines and other websites. They don't do as much national tv advertising for sure though.