In the case of annual passes, it absolutely is. They used to offer a combination Disneyland/WDW annual pass that was quite cheap for local residents; it's gone now. The Disneyland pass for local residents? Also gone. Deep discounts on annual passes for Florida residents -- gone. They were seeing people getting ridiculously cheap passes and camping out at the parks. That was crowding the park, irritating guests, and not improving profits.
Adventures by Disney and Walt Disney World are not the same experience. Nor are they marketed as the same. They are 2 entirely different divisions of Disney.
The company doesn't see it that way. They take a much more holistic approach to all parts of the vacation aspect whether it's ABD, DCL or the theme park division. They are well aware of how the name gets them in the door with people and they also know how they can cross market all of the products. I'm not sure if you've ever done anything with ABD but once you're on the list you're on the list for everything including the movie club.
It has nothing to do with email lists. Disney doesn't see anyone as only interested in this part of their company and not another. They absolutely see European river cruises as competition to the parks and every other aspect of their company. It's why they offer new things and look to buy companies that offer things they don't because they want to build a new captive customer.
I agree that all of those things resulted in lost attendance numbers but I can't help but think their ultimate hope was that people would simply pay more. It's kind of like ice cream where you used to get a half gallon for a set price and then it became 1.5 quarts for the same price and then it was 1.5 quarts for more money. You hope you have a product addictive enough that people just pay and a lot of them did. They also lifted blackout dates throughout the year which would lead me to believe that even if their intention was to reduce attendance they may have done a better job than they hoped.
It doesn't strike you the least bit odd that you're arguing that theme parks and European River Cruises don't have cross appeal when the discussion about European River Cruises came up in a thread about theme parks?
Then I can't help but wonder if they didn't do too good a job since they lifted blackout dates and started offering the 4 day 4 park ticket.
Did you read the post? @Otterhead said her parents. No, I don't think European River Cruises and Walt Disney World share the same core demographic. Not only do I not think that, it's also a fact that they don't.
Actually, I thought it was a darn fine sarcastic response...
Agreed. The only thing bringing us back the last few times we've gone to WDW is nostalgia for better experiences in the past. That can only last so long without Disney bringing something of those previous experiences back. Unfortunately, that is not the direction the company has been oriented toward for years now.
Is it a fact simply because you said so? I'm curious if otterhead's parents have ever been to Disney.
No it's a fact. If you're bored, and since you're obviously really stuck on the subject, please research it.
I hope your parents enjoy their cruise. Maybe while they are on it they can run a poll and see how many people still visit Disney.No it's a fact. If you're bored, and since you're obviously really stuck on the subject, please research it.
Here's a tip of what to do first though- Google "core demographic" and "target market".
You seem to be very confused about what those terms mean. Happy reading
My friends and I have gone every year, sometimes twice, since 2004 or so. Some of that has been with DVC points, some just at value resorts. Especially with DVC, we thought of it as a pretty cheap vacation. But as ticket prices and meal plan costs have gone up, it's less so. This last trip was really the turning point to it being an extraordinarily pricey place to spend a week. We've decided to spend time traveling overseas instead, and wait until Star Wars land opens before returning, fearing both burnout and empty wallets.
Are you the DVC member? I'm always curious if "home resort" plays a part in opting out sometimes. I know people at certain spots will go just for the ambience of the hotel even if they decide not to go to the parks.
No, I have family members who are members, but because of health issues aren't often able to travel, so we've been using their points to help them out. Their home resort is Saratoga Springs, which isn't exactly my favorite; the distance from the parks, lack of atmosphere, and long bus trips don't endear me to the place. But we've been able to use their points at AKL and that was really nice. And the Treehouses are terrific (though pricey).
The new Disney Springs doesn't make Saratoga Springs more exciting?
