Future Incentives to Stay on Property

[scottnj1966]

But the watercraft rental is run by an outside vendor.
They have agreed to this?
If so does this mean I can stop hearing that my tables of wonderland discount does not apply because they are a third party?

Thought I'd give a small update on some of the park going-ons. No, I will not be discussing the new Fantasyland plans as all of that is still in-company and being formulated. The only thing I will say about the monorail is that you can expect not to have riders in the front cockpit for at least the next six months. Everything else is being formulated. Now, onto what I can say =)

Refurbishment work on the Polynesian Resort is ahead of schedule, Bay Lake Tower is finished and ready for its grand opening, Kidani Village has been open for some time (and yes, we're getting ready to do more and better pemanent signage at AKL to help with some confusion), and the Grand Floridian is even receiving some exterior work... all in all, it's going to be a very nice few years at Walt Disney World Resort for on-property guests. And I say all of that to get to the tidbit of information, that yes, the company is looking at providing even more incentive for park guests to stay on-property. Some of these incentives include reduced golf rates for guests of Deluxe Resorts, a more casual Wishes Cruise for guests of the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge Resorts, a more casual Illuminations Cruise for guests of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts (Swan and Dolphin are possibilities at this point), and even semi-personalized phone calls / messages from your favorite Disney characters in your room. All of these are still on the table, and they are all in relation to the future rollout of RFID cards.

Also in relation to the way tickets are being upgraded in the future, plans are being made to change the way Options work on tickets. We're currently looking at changing them to a point system where many extra activities take a certain number of points (1-2). Guests would be able to add additional points to their tickets should they need to do so. Some of the categories we're looking at right now are:

Gold (2 Points):
- Walt Disney World Water Parks
- DisneyQuest
- Oak Trail Golf Course
- Moderate Watercraft Rental
- Horseback Riding

Silver (1 Points):
- Walt Disney World Miniature Golf
- Small Watercraft Rental
- Bicycle Rental
- Arcade Freeplay

The goal is to streamline these activities more so that guests are more aware of these opportunities and take advantage of them. It's much more enticing and convenient to participate in many of the extras offered at WDW besides just the theme parks, if they can be bundled on your ticket rather than having to be reserved and purchased separately.

 

[Baums101]

Good to see this, always stay on property for the feeling of always being immersed in Disney magic.

 

[hrcollectibles]

As far as Dining, there are several of the newer restaurants in DTD that arent on the Dining plan so that isnt a win for an onsite guest. I think that having a variety of dining options is great but I wouldnt want to head to DTD first thing in the morning. I prefer either a sit down option at my resort or someplace great in the park that I am heading to in the morning. Belle

I was saying it in more of a tongue in cheek statement. i wasn't aware that some of the Downtown Disney Restaurants weren't on the dining plan. Maybe they should add them. At least Wolfgang Pucks express or Earl of Sandwich.....

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there I was thinking of T Rex and Paradiso 37 specifically. Neither one of those two are on any of the Dining plans. I know two of the Wolfgang Puck restaurants are on the plan as is the Earl of Sandwich. Belle

 

[JamieD]

Incidentially, I think Wolfgang Puck's Express is an excellent use of a CS credit. Especially when you're tired of burgers and pizza. We had no idea it was an option until a cast member named Erik at DHS told us and the food seems more upscale than your typical CS.

 

[worldfanatic]

Hey there I was thinking of T Rex and Paradiso 37 specifically. Neither one of those two are on any of the Dining plans.

There's plenty of us who stay on property and don't use the dining plan.
Personally, I hate what it's done to the accessibility and quality of Disney Dining. Although I understand Disney's reasoning for having it.
As far as I'm concerned, the more non-DDP restaurants, the better.

 

[Brian Noble]

I suspect very few people care about any of these things, or would use them to justify the increased cost of a deluxe resort.

I think if they are marketed as "exclusive", it just could work. I suspect that e.g. the Sunrise Safari helps sell a few extra concierge rooms at AKL...

But, I did notice that all of them are only "incentives" for spending even more money after plunking down for your room. Clever Mouse.

 

[DisneyJoe]

But, I did notice that all of them are only "incentives" for spending even more money after plunking down for your room. Clever Mouse.

I believe the Gold/Silver points were ticket-related and could be used by off-site guests.

 

[wserratore1963]

Thought I'd give a small update on some of the park going-ons. No, I will not be discussing the new Fantasyland plans as all of that is still in-company and being formulated. The only thing I will say about the monorail is that you can expect not to have riders in the front cockpit for at least the next six months. Everything else is being formulated. Now, onto what I can say =)

Refurbishment work on the Polynesian Resort is ahead of schedule, Bay Lake Tower is finished and ready for its grand opening, Kidani Village has been open for some time (and yes, we're getting ready to do more and better pemanent signage at AKL to help with some confusion), and the Grand Floridian is even receiving some exterior work... all in all, it's going to be a very nice few years at Walt Disney World Resort for on-property guests. And I say all of that to get to the tidbit of information, that yes, the company is looking at providing even more incentive for park guests to stay on-property. Some of these incentives include reduced golf rates for guests of Deluxe Resorts, a more casual Wishes Cruise for guests of the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge Resorts, a more casual Illuminations Cruise for guests of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts (Swan and Dolphin are possibilities at this point), and even semi-personalized phone calls / messages from your favorite Disney characters in your room. All of these are still on the table, and they are all in relation to the future rollout of RFID cards.

Also in relation to the way tickets are being upgraded in the future, plans are being made to change the way Options work on tickets. We're currently looking at changing them to a point system where many extra activities take a certain number of points (1-2). Guests would be able to add additional points to their tickets should they need to do so. Some of the categories we're looking at right now are:

Gold (2 Points):
- Walt Disney World Water Parks
- DisneyQuest
- Oak Trail Golf Course
- Moderate Watercraft Rental
- Horseback Riding

Silver (1 Points):
- Walt Disney World Miniature Golf
- Small Watercraft Rental
- Bicycle Rental
- Arcade Freeplay

The goal is to streamline these activities more so that guests are more aware of these opportunities and take advantage of them. It's much more enticing and convenient to participate in many of the extras offered at WDW besides just the theme parks, if they can be bundled on your ticket rather than having to be reserved and purchased separately.

I like the sound of that

 

[Brian Noble]

I believe the Gold/Silver points were ticket-related and could be used by off-site guests.

I was talking about these bits:

Some of these incentives include reduced golf rates for guests of Deluxe Resorts, a more casual Wishes Cruise for guests of the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge Resorts, a more casual Illuminations Cruise for guests of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts (Swan and Dolphin are possibilities at this point), and even semi-personalized phone calls / messages from your favorite Disney characters in your room. All of these are still on the table, and they are all in relation to the future rollout of RFID cards.

 

[wannabeBelle]

There's plenty of us who stay on property and don't use the dining plan.
Personally, I hate what it's done to the accessibility and quality of Disney Dining. Although I understand Disney's reasoning for having it.
As far as I'm concerned, the more non-DDP restaurants, the better.

Hi there, This isnt quite where I was going with this honestly. The sit down restaurants have become progressively more and more popular. I believe it is because of the Dining plans, but whatever the reason is it is irrelevant. The bottom line is that it has become a great deal harder to get into table service dining restaurants now than it ever has been in the past. I think that opening up more venues for people to choose from will help with that, regardless of if it is additional meals for existing venues or building new venues. Belle

 

[lentesta]

I think if they are marketed as "exclusive", it just could work. I suspect that e.g. the Sunrise Safari helps sell a few extra concierge rooms at AKL...

But, I did notice that all of them are only "incentives" for spending even more money after plunking down for your room. Clever Mouse.

Good point. If you consider these additional activities as ways to spread guests out across the WDW property, thus keeping them onsite vs. offsite, it kinda makes sense. Do I think any of these are compelling? No.

 

[Brian Noble]

Me either, but then again I seem to be mostly immune to pixie dust addiction, 'cause they'd have to have attractive pool attedants peeling me grapes before I thought about paying the sorts of prices those properties command.

 

[LowesChevy]

I will always want to stay on property-it is just so much easier for us to get around and enjoy our trip. However some people need an extra incentive for spending more money for lodging on property. Some people are content with driving to the parks, paying for parking, not having as much down time, renting a car etc., even if it does save them money on their rooms.

As far as the new DVC resort on the monorail line...even though it is small and there is not much land, I feel the South Wing at the Contemporary is a goner. Perhaps the Polynesian there will be some rennovations to the Tangoeroa Terrace building.

 

[Brian Noble]

Some people are content with driving to the parks, paying for parking, not having as much down time, renting a car etc., even if it does save them money on their rooms.

Having done both onsite stays and off, I can tell you that it is possible to pay for a 2BR condo, rental car, gas, and theme park parking for a little bit less than it costs to get a single Moderate room. And, that condo can be close enough to the parks that you spend about as much time getting back and forth driving as you would riding Disney buses, if you compare door-to-turnstile times.

In fact, driving might be a little faster in total---depending on how much you are visiting MK vs. the other parks.

I enjoy my onsite stays when I can get them via an RCI exchange. But, when I can't, well, Bonnet Creek is no sacrifice.
http://www.yesterland.com/bonnet.html

 

[Susan Savia]

Still not enticed to stay onsite.

 

[durangojim]

I think I'd be the most happy if they did what Universal does by letting guests who are staying on site bypass the lines or at least access the FP lines whenever they want. Due to the amount of guests staying on property, I know that is unlikely though.

 

[hemloc]

What was it P.T. Barnum said once??? I'm convinced he could definitely see the future and was clearly speaking about teh interwebs:shrug:...

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

I don't know if what any of the OP said is true but I can say this: I was just at WDW for 10 days and there are way too many burned out light bulbs around the parks. Before doing all the rumored stuff buy a case of bulbs and get cracking!

 

[DisneyJunkie]

The only thing I will say about the monorail is that you can expect not to have riders in the front cockpit for at least the next six months.

That's really no big loss, considering the fact that the bad smell on the monorails is only amplified about 200x more in that very front cockpit section. P-U!