Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[Figments Friend]

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I would say it is likely Disney just sending out a larger amount of e-mails to past Guests in their accounts.
Like i had mentioned, i have received FOUR PIN e-mails in just this month alone. That has never happened before.

I used to always hear about the *elusive PIN codes* that were so talked about and equated with winning the olympics. Fans would brag about getting them..and what gems of discounts they were able to take advantage of. I did not receive one for ages, and when i finally did start getting them ( about two years ago ) the truly awesome offers had long since dried up and gone the way of the Dodo bird.

Now i receive them once every few months, but have yet to have used one. The offers are now the exact same offers made availible to the general public, so there is no real difference.
Apparently i missed the boat..back when PIN offers were the stuff of legend and held truly worthwhile deals.
Now you are missing out on nothing...as it is the same deal for everyone.

 

[Axle1986]

 

[George]

You no like read words?

 

[Figments Friend]

Time for more Tony Baxter photos then....?

I am always looking for the opportunity to share the love.

 

[Figments Friend]

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Putting the *Baxter* back in the NGE/Baxter thread...with photos..!




Tony with futuristic Mickey and John Hench





Tony with the model for *The Little Mermaid* ride building.
Looking at this, it gives the impression he was personally involved in this project.





Will we see the return of this painting.....?
Absolutely disgraceful what happened to it...but not surprising.
It has been more then a month now, hopefully the replacement is on the way soon....

 

[lazyboy97o]

Tony with the model for *The Little Mermaid* ride building.
Looking at this, it gives the impression he was personally involved in this project.

This is the older, Paris version of the attraction.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Yes, you are observant indeed noticing how the discounts continue but are no ways near as good as before.
It is to be expected if WDW is doing well, and does not need to dangle such deep discount offers. I also took advantage of that past deal, the 4 for 3, and the previous one that involved free Gift Cards.

I will say this though : Even though the offers are still just mostly 20/30% package discounts, the marketing push seems harder this season all of a sudden. I am glad you noticed this too, as i was wondering it it was only in my area. Nice to know it is in other parts of the Northeast as well.

The problem is that now however, the 20/30% discounts mean little.
Has anyone noticed how the room rates were inflated earlier this year ? It was over $100+ starting at just the All Stars, and this was even during non-peak seasons. Must be because of all that new NextGen tech...

Yeah..so, classic Retail trick there .....inflate the usually low room rates and offer a *discount*. Instant profits...and also a convenient way to make it look as if the Company is *growing profits* to the stockholders when in reality they are just up to old marketing tricks again. Sigh....and (yawn)...

The marketing for *Monsterous Summer* discounts is definately up a notch. Marketing is pushing this big time it seems here in the Northeast for this summer.
Besides the constant radio ads i mentioned in my previous post, i have noticed other things.
I have received about four e-mail offers/PINS over the past month as well....which i see as unusual. I cannot recall ever receiving so many in so short a time.
WDW seems to miss me already...and wants me to book another visit immediately....and i was just there in January !
Are they hurting that badly..?
Nah...probably just know i like to visit often and want to try to entice me back again.
Still, i find the sudden push interesting and curious.


Sorry Orlando.....i am off to L.A. and DisneyLand for my next *Disney Park fix*.
I will miss ya though, EPCOT...

Many years ago we paid $125 per night at POP and yes the prices have gone up some but not drastically at the value resorts.

Many travel companies have list prices that are adjusted seasonally but nearly all offer hefty discounts to various members of clubs, credit card holders, etc. Disney is not any different but is more pronounced in their advertising.

Locally, the Embassy Suites charges regular customers $250 a night, with my corp discount $75 but this discount is hidden from all but a few vendors and customers of ours.

 

[Axle1986]

You no like read words?

I like words. I like mouth words.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Many years ago we paid $125 per night at POP and yes the prices have gone up some but not drastically at the value resorts.

Many travel companies have list prices that are adjusted seasonally but nearly all offer hefty discounts to various members of clubs, credit card holders, etc. Disney is not any different but is more pronounced in their advertising.

Locally, the Embassy Suites charges regular customers $250 a night, with my corp discount $75 but this discount is hidden from all but a few vendors and customers of ours.

I agree that prices have not gone up dramatically at the Value Resorts. However, less than 10 years ago, we paid $66/night (with tax) at POP.

In 2011, we paid $143/night for the Dolphin for Thanksgiving week.

In 2012, we twice paid $120/night for a 2-bedroom suite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, essentially on WDW property.

In March 2013, we rented DVC points at $7/point at AKV, which worked out to $273/night for a 2-bedroom villa at a WDW Deluxe Resort. (AKV is really nice!)

There always are bargains to be had but it takes effort and patience to find them.

Over the last 6-8 years, Disney has not increased prices at WDW resorts, especially the Value Resorts, as drastically as tickets, food, or merchandise. They have to compete with offsite accommodations. Still, a room in mid-July at POP is $141/night even with the summer discount. Any way you slice it, that's a lot to pay for essentially a small motel room.

A garden view room at the Grand Floridian for that same mid-July week is $408/night with summer discount, which should be enough to make most people gag. I'm sure people enjoy it but my idea of a vacation is not to cram into a single room with my spouse and two children, certainly not at $408/night.

My point is, even with "discounts", WDW rooms are really really expensive for what you get.

 

[Nemo14]

I agree that prices have not gone up dramatically at the Value Resorts. However, less than 10 years ago, we paid $59/night at POP.

My point is, even with "discounts", WDW rooms are really really expensive for what you get.

I totally agree. Next week, we are staying in a 3 BR, 2BA condo waterside with private hot tub, fully equipped kitchen, laundry, etc. and renting a full-size car for less per day than a value resort at WDW. Even factoring in the parking fees per day if we went to the parks every day (which we definitely won't) we're still saving a substantial amount of money.

 

[luv]

I totally agree. Next week, we are staying in a 3 BR, 2BA condo waterside with private hot tub, fully equipped kitchen, laundry, etc. and renting a full-size car for less per day than a value resort at WDW. Even factoring in the parking fees per day if we went to the parks every day (which we definitely won't) we're still saving a substantial amount of money.

Yup!

I seriously kick myself over all the money I gave Disney for their rooms before figuring out that offsite is both cheaper and better.

Disney just charges way too much for single, small rooms in what are, honestly, motels with food courts.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

In the spirit of @ParentsOf4 .
http://bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-3...iple-of-workers-skirts-law-as-sec-delays.html

 

[Lee]

Yup!

I seriously kick myself over all the money I gave Disney for their rooms before figuring out that offsite is both cheaper and better.

Disney just charges way too much for single, small rooms in what are, honestly, motels with food courts.

Me, too.
Nowadays, it's Hotwire city for me. Gets me somewhere like the Rosen Shingle Creek for about $75 max.
Why would I ever pay more than that just to be inside the purple gates at a "Value" Disney resort?

 

[jt04]

Me, too.
Nowadays, it's Hotwire city for me. Gets me somewhere like the Rosen Shingle Creek for about $75 max.
Why would I ever pay more than that just to be inside the purple gates at a "Value" Disney resort?

This is why 'value added' will be a part of NextGen. On site guests will be given enough benefits to make it worth while to stay on property. The more you stay the more perks most likely.

Solved.

 

[Lee]

This is why 'value added' will be a part of NextGen. On site guests will be given enough benefits to make it worth while to stay on property. The more you stay the more perks most likely.

Solved.

And I will continue to say "No, thanks." I refuse to be be a part of that sort of extortion.
"Stay in our overpriced hotels or suffer the consequence!"

 

[MattM]

This is why 'value added' will be a part of NextGen. On site guests will be given enough benefits to make it worth while to stay on property. The more you stay the more perks most likely.

Solved.

You mean just like Marriott Rewards/HHonors/Priority Club programs?

 

[jt04]

And I will continue to say "No, thanks." I refuse to be be a part of that sort of extortion.
"Stay in our overpriced hotels or suffer the consequence!"

In my transportation plan one of the consequences is you would not even have access to the monorails. They would be for on-site guests and AP holders only. Someday I will detail my property wide transportation ideas.

 

[jt04]

You mean just like Marriott Rewards/HHonors/Priority Club programs?

Yes, this. And much much more.

 

[jt04]

And I will continue to say "No, thanks." I refuse to be be a part of that sort of extortion.
"Stay in our overpriced hotels or suffer the consequence!"

It won't be "overpriced" given enough benefits.

 

[luv]

Me, too.
Nowadays, it's Hotwire city for me. Gets me somewhere like the Rosen Shingle Creek for about $75 max.
Why would I ever pay more than that just to be inside the purple gates at a "Value" Disney resort?

I have stayed at Shingle Creek. It reminds me quite a bit of PBH in the halls and the rooms aren't totally dissimilar, either.

It's much nicer than the Disney hotels...and much cheaper. I frequently recommend it to people who are going to WDW, Uni and Sea World, but don't want to stay at Uni or Dianey!

But I'm more of a condo girl, myself. I like all that space. Makes a vacation SO much more relaxing. Never realized how much better a vacation is in a condo until I stayed in one.

If Disney had a system like Uni's, I could see that really sucking people into the hotels. But this "Schedule your ride times" thing...I don't know. I think it might drag a few who stay offsite back to Disney hotels, but I don't see it being wildly popular, especially as time goes by and people point out the flaws.

We shall see, though!