Should Disney offer " Frequent Guest" Perks?

[sbkline]

The original purpose of those buttons were to be conversation starters between Cast Members and Guests and to make the connection between the 2 people deeper and more interactive. When you put on those buttons it is at the "digression of the CM that see you" to make magical moments happen. That is why you get free desserts, fastpasses things like that. It just happens to be who you're talking to and the connection to them that you make. Any guest can get those magical moments. It does not just happen because you have one of those buttons on. A CM is allowed to make a magical moment for any guest at any time but generally do it when they feel it is warranted.

Once again, our son did not wear a birthday button. They knew it was his birthday because when we booked our trip over the phone, and made our reservations, we were asked by the CM on the phone if we were celebrating anything. I said that it will be our son's birthday, so it was keyed into the computer. So when we ate at the restaraunts, it showed up on our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday. And once again, my point is that my son got a free dessert while the child at the table next to us did not. I don't see how that's any different from me getting a free dessert for frequent visits, while the first time visitors at the table next to us do not. In either case, one person is getting something for free (regardless of the occassion), while most of the other guests are not.

 

[sbkline]

And Disney does offer frequent visitor discounts to guests in the form of Annual Passholders, DVC, Florida Resident Discounts, etc. There are lots of discounts of those groups of people who in general are the ones that visit Disney World multiple times a year. Beyond that, you should just be happy to be able to afford to go to the most magical place on earth so many times. That in and of itself should be worth its weight in gold.

Don't get me wrong, I really couldn't care less if they offer frequent visitor perks or not. Like you said, I'm just happy to be able to go every year. But since the question was asked as to whether we think they should do this or not, my answer to the question is, "yes, I think they should". If they don't, that's fine, too. It's not that big a deal to me. I'm just giving my "vote" since the question was asked.

 

[heliumalias]

And once again, my point is that my son got a free dessert while the child at the table next to us did not. I don't see how that's any different from me getting a free dessert for frequent visits, while the first time visitors at the table next to us do not. In either case, one person is getting something for free (regardless of the occassion), while most of the other guests are not.

The difference is the occasion! What time of year is it when people deserve to have things revolve around them (if only for a moment)? The answer is special occasions. Disney's magic is all about celebrating the special. I have never been able to celebrate a birthday at Disney so unlike the rest of family I've never had a birthday cake or similar. Am I annoyed with Disney? No, because it's not my birthday.

I have spent my entire life visiting Disney and while it is physically impossible for me to visit as many times a year as many people on this board the majority of both the non-Disney and Disney worlds would consider me to be a frequent visitor. I am perfectly content with the discounts Disney does offer to people like me, for example DVC and annual passes (with associated discounts). Those 2 things save my family a lot of money each year and have allowed us to stay in resorts and visit more frequently than we otherwise probably wouldn't have.

As frequent visitors we also know the Orlando area far better than people that have visited less often. You said a discounted/free meal would be nice. My family gets our "discounted" meal by not eating on property because we know where to go to get a similar meal.

As people have already said there's little business sense in Disney offering frequent visitor discounts. The majority of people visiting the Orlando area as tourists do so to visit Disney World. Their brand is their USP. Whether they stay on or off property most people are still spending a fair amount of money visiting Disney. Who spends the most? I would imagine its fairly split across the board. The reason hotel chains (which the Swan and Dolphin is part of) offer frequent stay discounts is because they want to encourage brand loyalty, same goes for airlines. Disney don't need to do that.

It seems to me that the frequent visitors I have met all know ways to make their stay cheaper or how to get the most out of the system that Disney has in place. Isn't that enough?

 

[fosse76]

This whole thread just screams "entitlement". Disney is a business. Airlines and hotels are a dime a dozen that, in general, don't offer anything exclusive that other airlines or hotels don't offer. They have frequent flier miles and rewards programs to create a brand loyalty and incentive to coninue to use their services. While there ARE other theme parks and amusement parks, Disney is unique and offers a very unique experience. You can't get those experiences elsewhere, so such a rewards program isn't needed. If you want to experience Disney you have to go to Disney. If you want to go to LA, there are dozens of airlines that can get you there.

 

[Chef Mickey]

This whole thread just screams "entitlement". Disney is a business. Airlines and hotels are a dime a dozen that, in general, don't offer anything exclusive that other airlines or hotels don't offer. They have frequent flier miles and rewards programs to create a brand loyalty and incentive to coninue to use their services. While there ARE other theme parks and amusement parks, Disney is unique and offers a very unique experience. You can't get those experiences elsewhere, so such a rewards program isn't needed. If you want to experience Disney you have to go to Disney. If you want to go to LA, there are dozens of airlines that can get you there.

It's not entitlement. Any rewards program is designed to make more profits in the end. You get rewarded, you spend more, you go more, you are happier and spend more, and the cycle continues.

Rewards programs are necessary to compete with other vacation spots competing for your business. I'm sure Disney has thought of this, but hasn't designed something profitable or suitable in the current environment.

 

[jakeman]

It's not entitlement. Any rewards program is designed to make more profits in the end. You get rewarded, you spend more, you go more, you are happier and spend more, and the cycle continues.

Rewards programs are necessary to compete with other vacation spots competing for your business. I'm sure Disney has thought of this, but hasn't designed something profitable or suitable in the current environment.

Don't you think that Disney has more than likely looked at most of the angles on a frequent rewards program?

I don't agree with fosse about 99% of the time, but in this case he is right. A rewards program isn't needed, because frankly the incentive should already be there for you to go to Disney.

It doesn't matter about the "current environment"; it's about money.

I find it amusing that Disney is devilishly clever at making money on one hand, until they aren't offering a service one would pay for, then they are wholly incompetent at running a business and can't see the nose on their face.

If there was a profit in it, Disney would have done it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Don't you think that Disney has more than likely looked at most of the angles on a frequent rewards program?

I don't agree with fosse about 99% of the time, but in this case he is right. A rewards program isn't needed, because frankly the incentive should already be there for you to go to Disney.

It doesn't matter about the "current environment"; it's about money.

I find it amusing that Disney is devilishly clever at making money on one hand, until they aren't offering a service one would pay for, then they are wholly incompetent at running a business and can't see the nose on their face.

If there was a profit in it, Disney would have done it.

My main point was that rewards programs end up making more bottom line for the company providing them.

 

[jakeman]

My main point was that rewards programs end up making more bottom line for the company providing them.

In some cases yes.

In other cases no.

I would think that Disney would know if it would benefit them.

Since they haven't pursued them I would assume that it doesn't benefit Disney.

 

[LSonDubz]

I think they should have something as well. Univesal hotels have rewards (under lowe's). I've spent well over $40k alone on hotel rooms over the past 5 yrs., not counting tickets/food/etc. It would be nice to get something back.

Add me to the "have never gotten a pin code" crew

 

[Chef Mickey]

In some cases yes.

In other cases no.

I would think that Disney would know if it would benefit them.

Since they haven't pursued them I would assume that it doesn't benefit Disney.

We are both assuming and neither of us really know.

 

[GenerationX]

I didn't start getting Pin Codes until we had to cancel one of our trips.

The frequent guest perk we get is our knowledge of the parks, options, and FastPass. WDW veterans waste less time.

 

[jakeman]

We are both assuming and neither of us really know.

True, but circumstantial evidence points my way rather than yours (no offense).

I would see that the dialing back of perks for passholders and DVC over the years is an indication that they don't produce any increase revenue (i.e. you get the annual pass for Disney, not for the free Coke in the lounge).

 

[captainkidd]

I think so. Just about every other industry that you spend money on does it, so why not Disney? Retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres. I'll say one thing - The places that do offer rewards, I spend a heck of a lot more money at.

 

[thewhitequeen]

No. Enough with the discounts.

 

[CP_alum08]

Sometimes I wonder if they see how many trips we've all made and just KNOW we're going back - no need to give anything special since they know we're hooked!

Exactly! This is exactly why they don't. They, Disney, knows you will come back regardless of how much prices go up every year, so what is it to them to offer you discounts? They would be much better off (company wise) to offer first time guests discounts to get them to become repeat costumers.

For example, if they offered people who have stayed 25 times or more 30% off their entire stay from then on they would loose a considerable amount of money. If they offered first time guests 30% off their stay and 25% off their second stay they have a much better chance of them coming a third time and paying full price and so forth.

Yes it would be awesome if they did, but don't hold your breath.

 

[thewhitequeen]

I didn't start getting Pin Codes until we had to cancel one of our trips.

The frequent guest perk we get is our knowledge of the parks, options, and FastPass. WDW veterans waste less time.

You are pretty much guaranteed to receive a pin code if you cancel.

 

[captainkidd]

Exactly! This is exactly why they don't. They, Disney, knows you will come back regardless of how much prices go up every year, so what is it to them to offer you discounts? They would be much better off (company wise) to offer first time guests discounts to get them to become repeat costumers.

For example, if they offered people who have stayed 25 times or more 30% off their entire stay from then on they would loose a considerable amount of money. If they offered first time guests 30% off their stay and 25% off their second stay they have a much better chance of them coming a third time and paying full price and so forth.

Yes it would be awesome if they did, but don't hold your breath.

I think Disney will be in for a rude awakening. We're going this summer, but we won't be back until at least 2013. The resort prices are getting outrageous. I'd rather skip going than stay off-site.

 

[thewhitequeen]

I'm hearing Disneyland customer service/parks in general are much cleaner and nicer these days than Disneyworld. It will be interesting to see if this is true.

 

[fosse76]

I think so. Just about every other industry that you spend money on does it, so why not Disney? Retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres. I'll say one thing - The places that do offer rewards, I spend a heck of a lot more money at.

As I said, Disney is a wholly unique experience that can't be replicated anywhere else. If I see a Kenneth Cole shirt I like, there are dozens of stores I can go to if I want to buy it. If I want to see Pirates of the Carribbean 4, there are several competeing theater chains that will be showing it. Those rewards programs are designed to make money by rewarding frequent customers, who can easily go to their competitor. These rewards programs will entice them to go back to their store or their movie theater.

However, if I want to ride Expedition Everest, I can only ride it DAK. If I want to see the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, I can only see it at DHS. Disney isn't competing in the same way as a movie theater or an airline or a retail store. It's competing for vacation dollars, and the only way to do that is to offer a superior product. That's the only incentive Disney needs to provide.

 

[Lucky]

If you go all the time anyway, you're the last person they need to offer incentives to.

It would be nice to show some loyalty to their most loyal guests, but I wouldn't hold my breath, unless the stockholders decide they don't really care about making money after all.