Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
Maybe you cracked the code on child rearing but I haven't figured out how to fall asleep on a beach with a 7- and 2-year-old present.
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Len Testa - “Disney positions itself as the all-American vacation. The irony is that most Americans can’t afford it.”
- Thread starter Disstevefan1
- Start date
People are still traveling and spending money....just at other places.
Disney has NOT helped themselves by continuing to ignore this or offer token promotions that really don't mean much.
Things like the following are all flawed approaches:
Free dining for kids.
AP Room and General discounts that don't include Friday and Saturday nights (most expensive and most in demand).
Ticket promotions that aren't applicable to most guests.
Free waterpark admission that is virtually unusable unless you arrive before 10AM at MCO.
AP Purchase discounts that don't apply to renewals.
They still don't get people have moved on from the nickel and dining that the company continues to inflict on guests.
There's a reason why Disney and Vegas are both struggling right now, it's because they've taken the same flawed approach as to dealing with the general public. They've so focused on thinking that every guest will be a big spender, they lost track of the normies and loyal guests (pass holders) that provided stability and consistency.
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LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
This is an exaggeration. We landed around 2 pm recently. By 4 pm, we were in Typhoon Lagoon and got to enjoy two hours there. Sure, many won’t be able to benefit from it, but it’s a nice perk if the timing works out.
I'm glad you enjoyed less than 2 hours in Typhoon lagoon. For most people it is not something they can take advantage of.
I guess people just like to settle for mediocre.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
Two hours (not less than—we were there until closing) after a tiring journey was all we needed, plus it was a free perk, so why would we complain? And it’s not settling; it’s benefitting from something we were in a position to take up. There’ll be other trips when, either because of arrival time or weather, we won’t be so fortunate, and that’s OK. I don’t regard the perk as an enticement in itself, just a nice bonus that doesn’t cost me anything.
Minnesota disney fan
Well-Known Member
and like me too. We are retired and are well able to afford a trip to Disney at these prices. However, there's no way I am wasting my money for a poor return on investment, at least to me! I know there are those who continue to go and see the value in it, and that's great. I'm glad they continue to enjoy Disney. For us, we spend our money elsewhere. We used to be the disney fanatics whom all our friends/family thought was crazy for our love of Disney and our frequent trips. We are probably one of the "ones" they want to continue spending at Disney, but our last trip of 2020 was our last, which is sad, as we made a lot of wonderful memories on our trips to WDW with kids and grandkids.
jah4955
Well-Known Member
Thanks for getting my back @Sirwalterraleigh . Most of my life I went to the theme parks 2-3 times every year (even had an early version of AP one year), and with a couple exceptions, stayed at a Disney resort every time since 2001. I realize that although that's a lot of money over time, I also realize that entitles me to nothing, and I always deeply appreciated the "freebies." I was previously referring to them for the occasions when I only had a couple hours to spend because I was "passing through" to/from other destinations. Sometimes I would park at Disney Springs, sometimes I would park at the resorts--no problems. I always assumed that they assumed I would at least be spending money on food and souvenirs (and they would be right--I at least did the former). But lately, the last several times I tried Disney Springs it was too crowded plus I was turned-away when trying to park at the resorts (they said I needed a reservation--maybe also because they were too crowded??). There are other reasons why I'm convinced it's more trouble than it's worth, but these are just some reasons for one person's opinion.
JMcMahonEsq
Well-Known Member
Which has nothing to do with what he was posting about. Transportation, visiting the lobbies? Disney springs?
jah4955
Well-Known Member
"nickeling and diming" certainly has been playing part in souring my desire to visit in recent years, and I'm grateful they backtracked such absurdities such as paying extra to park at a hotel you are already staying at or paying extra to have housekeeping while staying more than one night. But I'm still perturbed by things such as the LLs or whatever it's called now. I understand why they do it (Defunctland has a very-detailed history that explains "how we got here"), but even if I was a millionaire I wouldn't do it out of principle. I realize it's not an exact match, but it seems like the 21st century equivalent of "A-E" tickets, even though I had already paid a hefty sum for admission.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Mentality is the frequent complaint we see and hear over and over again…
When something has a perception…it’s not realistic for you to expect a consumer to start picking apart every detail in search of “what still doesn’t suck”…the brain doesn’t really work that way
JMcMahonEsq
Well-Known Member
What are you talking about?
He got on a message board to complain about 3 very specific things, none of which are subject to the nickle and diming he is complaining about.
It’s very realistic to expect someone who has a complaint, to articulate what it is. If your going to complain and your reasoning is “I can’t explain it, it’s just a feeling” then there is no substance and nothing to listen to
jah4955
Well-Known Member
I did not complain about any of the 3 free things. I'm happy about the 3 things. I was trying to explain how other "costs" besides money can make otherwise good things less appealing. For example, if someone refuses to wait in a line for more than 20 minutes, a 30 minute wait is too much of a "cost" for them, even if everyone else is perfectly fine waiting 30 minutes. In the context of this forum, the excessive crowds is one example of how things became too much of a "cost" for me to be able to enjoy the otherwise "free" offerings.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Do you even read?
Or live in a world without perception/nuance?
They’re developing a perception of bad value and that doesn’t stay “contained” to specific fine details.
It’s only been 5 years of these types of threads…you been busy?
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Habit mostly
Are we pretending that frequent customer base wasn’t developed intentionally over many decades and that’s core to their business?
I can assure you it was…on purpose…
Disney 101
That’s what they’re jeopardizing with these tactics now
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AidenRodriguez731
Well-Known Member
I became a Disney fan right as most of the changes were developing (first trip I believe in 2016, then yearly from there except for 2020 and 2022)
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Buddy, you were -5 to -30 when the philosophy I’m talking about was developed. Not everyone was
Some things are real…not “legend”
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
That doesn’t make sense to me. Why would you repeatedly spend money going somewhere you didn’t enjoy? That should be a very easy habit to break.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It doesn’t make sense to you because I never said I didn’t enjoy it.
I find aspects that I enjoy and others not as much. That’s life
My complaint is and always will be until changes is the strategic direction…or lack thereof…they have taken for approximately 15 years is not a positive path. It sacrifices quality and consistency for exploitation. Bad management.
What has saved them to this point is that the bones of the place are really good…built to last. Silly to test them but they are
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LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
You said you find it tolerable, which hardly suggests enjoyment. I took you at your word, but based on your clarification, I can only assume that a lot of the displeasure you express here is hyperbolic.
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
We really liked Geo-82 - really nice cocktails, really good service, and absolute ton of nods to Spaceship Earth, viewing of a fireworks show, etc
But an every trip thing but a nice thing to have available that took over a private lounge so was available space prior