There is some precedent...
I know that Tokyo Disneyland has been open for over 24 hours for New Year's and back in the 80's, Disneyland was open for Star Tours for well over 24 hours IIRC
I knew about the Star Tours (was it 72 hours) but not about TD. What I was glad he posted was the times it would be open, which we were all speculating how it could be open for exactly 24 hours.
With the 6 to 6 time, not sure if I'm still going to make a special trip down for it. I have no problem staying awake, and I have an AP, so I literally was going to fly down, do the event, and fly home. But with the 6AM thing, I'd have to get there the night before - which means a hotel, a rental car, etc. If it had been 9am to 9am the next day (which would have meant they still would be open that next day), I could have done it just for the price of a plane ticket.
I'm still thinking about it, though.
They sure did fail on this announcement...
HATER!!
Two problems with this thought pattern.
1. This promotion sucks and does nothing to entice new people to Disney.
2. AP and DVC people account for more and more of Disney's bottom line. We are the ones who kept Disney Parks churning during the Great Recession. Keep treating us poorly and you will see how their non-engagement policy with these groups goes for them. AP and DVC people are not guarantees and they can stop buying and attending and they can sell their contract out from under Disney. DVC has been the driving force behind the theme parks for the past ten years and becomes more and more important. Taking these groups for granted could be the biggest blunder Disney makes EVER! Even as the national economic fortunes turn north, I can see Disney's fortunes turn south because they turned their backs on their two biggest sources of revenue: DVC members and Annual Passholders.
First, though, I didn't say it was my personal opinion, but the thought process behind the decision that I am assuming.
That said...while it's undoubtable DVC shares have been part of the backbone financially, thing is - you guys are captive. If you get sick of Disney, your only option out is to sell your DVC to someone else (and Disney can probably charge them more in fees, etc. as new people, from my limited understanding). So to Disney, if it's your family that owns it, or another, they probably don't care very much financially.
With AP holders, again a captive audience in many ways - though of course I agree in some ways we spend more money, in other ways, an AP holder is probably savvy enough to know all the tricks and discounts and such. I think the last time we heard numbers (someone please correct me if I am wrong, like I have to ask, LOL) of AP's were in the mid-six figures, something like a half a million AP's. When you compare that to the number of total guests, it's not a huge percentage. (They have much more of an impact at Disneyland because the sheer number is so much higher.)
So while I agree they should court us more, what we really are asking for is more of a "rewards" program for being loyal, and they don't seem to need that to keep our loyalty, and they know it.
I understand and agree with what you wrote. But how difficult is it for Disney to make AP holders and DVC'ers feel a little appreciated *after* we're shelled out a good chunk of change? The discounts you receive as a DVC member are fairly pathetic, IMHO. Too specialized and/or aimed at a specific niche. Would Disney go out of business if they offered DVC members a discounted dining plan? They give free dining to people who spend far less than a DVC member has.
Ultimately, what's worse for Disney - giving AP/DVC people a deal here and there, or continuing to take them for granted and having DVC people casually mention to those people walking away from a DVC booth that it's not worth it?
I totally understand that. They are MUCH nicer to AP holders than the used to be, though, I can say. I went a few years without one, and boy it's different now. The merchandise discount is awesome. Before you just got a discount at a few table service restaurants (mostly in World Showcase) and that was mostly it.
With DVC, again, though - it's a win win for Disney no matter what. DVC owners are locked in for 50+ years, so if they revolt, the only thing they can do is resell their membership to someone else. Either way, Disney is gettin' paid.
That said, that's what I am assuming the thought process is - not what I think is "right".
Marketing doesn't even think about DVC/AP holders, though, I'm afraid. The reason, say, a local convenience store gives people "coffee cards" (get your card punched each time you buy a coffee, ten punches gets you a free one, for example), is to build your loyalty. So you keep going to that one. Most of us only are able to visit one Disney resort regularly, and it's not like we can visit some place else instead (like you could at a local convenience store). I mean, there is Universal, and many of us enjoy them as well - but it's not some place you can spend a full week at, and they don't have the Haunted Mansion.
It would sure be nice if they did reward us, though. :sohappy:
