Yesterday a CM told me . . .

[MrsPete]

I called WDW DINE yesterday to change a dinner reservation (we're going the first week in June), and in the process of our conversation a CM named Elton said something odd to me. He commented that reservations are going to be hard to get because it's going to be CROWDED at WDW this summer.

Does that strike anyone else as odd? I thought travel was down. I know that I had no trouble whatsoever getting the hotel and dinner reservations that I wanted.

 

[sanilacjack]

I think this could be a very true statement. 1. Most Floridians and people from warm climate states usually take their major trip to WDW in the summer time. They handle the weather better than us northerners. 2. I think alot of people put off their major trip at spring break because of war. Now that that is winding down, people are starting to think about travel. I know ourselves, we have a trip to OHIO in June, going to the UP of Mich twice and will be in Chicago in Aug. Of course, I would trade all for Disney, but that trip will come in Dec.
Smart thinkin' getting PS!!
-Kim

 

[Safari Steve]

I thought travel was down.

Travel has been down for the past couple of years. Many, however, believe that the industry is going to have an upturn this summer (especially since the combat portion of the War in Iraq didn't drag on). Elton may have made an overstatement about you having a hard time getting PSes, but I'm hoping that the predictions are correct.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Or maybe since everyone seems to be worried about tourism (espcially at disney it seems), the CMs have been instructed to tell people that they expect a busy season to reassure them?

 

[Safari Steve]

No, all signs are pointing to a better summer season. BTW, click the "Profile" button at the bottom of one of my posts.

 

[CarolA]

Actually I saw an article that said that airlines have experienced a big upswing in travel bookings since the war started winding down so this could be true.

 

[sm4987]

I had no problems changing or adding my PS. Believe me I changed a lot. I just sometimes think that the CM's are making conversation and stating their opinions.

 

[Kallison]

Hey I just spoke to Elton this AM! Very nice friendly CM - commented on our resort choice. It's amazing the difference in friendliness you get in CM's. I've been calling every am and have gotten some cranky ones, but Elton was fun.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I'll tell you what. I believe the CM.

Most ppl tend to travel when their kids are out of school(hence summer trips). And for many of us it has been a hard winter, with lots of snow. We need a change of location, and some good old fashioned fun. If i weren't getting married in October, you'd be seeing me on the first flight right after school ended this year. Cause I NEED a DW trip LOL.

And I don't know about anybody else, but around my area it really seems like things are looking up. I see more ppl all the time in the malls these days, with quite a few shopping bags. I think the economy is going to take an upturn shortly. If it hasn't already.


Maureen

 

[Meagansmom]

I guess we couldn't pass up the specials that are offered. We are probably some of the ones that are making plans at the last minute. We usually go to WDW every other year. We decided at the last minute to go this year. The funny thing is, the other day I called to make some ps's. I could have got just about anything including the princess breakfasts. I did make one of them. Everything I wanted, at the times I wanted, I got and I made a bunch. I am only 40 days away from arrival. There must not be too many making ps's for that time. We are there June 10-17.

I also had no problem making our hotel reservations. 2 rooms at Port Orleans - Riverside. That even includes part of it closed. I agree, I think it depends on who you talk to.

Anyway, we will still enjoy every part of it. That's why we go to Disney!!!

 

[cinmell]

I read last week that airline bookings are up and that summer travel is exptected to be very good this summer!

 

[miko]

Central Florida Tourism has targeted states within a day or less drive with some special focus the last month or so. I think travel will be near normal (pre-9/11) this summer and June thru August typically are one of the most crowded (and hot) at WDW.

 

[Grumpy92]

Disney has really been going after those in states that are nearby. As people do want to travel but not at great distances, many want to avoid the air choosing to drive to their destination.
With this in mind as well as the great Fla Res specials out there I have a feeling summer will almost be as busy as usual.

 

[Ned Land]

Lets put this in perspective. The crowds may be up compared to where they have been lately; however, no way the crowds will be anywhere close to where they were in 1999 and 2000. People are still struggling financially from the recession, unemployment is still on the higher sife, and the SARS scare will hurt international travel.

 

[eeyore0062]

There are many in the military that will be home this summer, and deserve a vacation, so that may positively affect tourism in Central Florida. Also, the terror alert is back down to yellow, and the war didn't drag on, which is a blessing.

I forsee an upswing in tourism and visits to WDW this summer as well. Look what happened after Desert Storm. WDW had some of its best years of attendence.

Hopefully that also means more job availability at WDW, too!

 

[Minniespal]

Perhaps they know something that the rest of us doesnt.

 

[Commando]

Here are my 2 cents.....for what they're worth:

This summer crowd will certainly be busier than say this past fall or this spring, but I think attendance will be, in general, down from past years. Disney justed posted the park hours/events for July 2003, and they look mostly to be shorter/fewer than in years past. Just my observations.

 

[Ned Land]

I think Commando hit it on the head.

Want to know how busy things are? Check out park hours and the types of packages/prices available.

When Future World is open past 6pm I will believe it is very busy. Or when the great codes and packages end in the middle of summer.

 

[raidermatt]

Park hours aren't a good way to compare crowd sizes from different years because the hours have been on a consistent downswing for at least 5 years now regardless of whether attendance is trending up or down.

On Disney's quarterly earnings call, Michael Eisner stated that the "Intent to visit within the next 12 months" rating for Disney parks was at its highest level since Disney began tracking that number 5 years ago.

So its very possible that there is genuine hope within Disney that crowds will trend up very quickly. So the CM probably wasn't just blowing smoke but was passing on "the buzz".

 

[joyful]

Now seeing all the buzz about the Fairy Tale Package, he was probably eluding to this promotion. It looks like prices are so good this summer, this will definitely boost attendance!