Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
You DON'T want to buy an intentionally faded $40 Daisy Duck sweater, Hanna Montanna compilation CD or $15 Jonas Brothers pin?!
What kind of Disney fan are you!
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What is this economic down turn you speak of?
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You DON'T want to buy an intentionally faded $40 Daisy Duck sweater, Hanna Montanna compilation CD or $15 Jonas Brothers pin?!
What kind of Disney fan are you!
DisneyDellsDude
New Member
Too bad WDW's merch has been slowly being killed of uniqueness except for a few rare cases.Visitors NOT buying park merchandise will continue to be an issue, BUT visitors still want the WDW atmosphere that allows them to ESCAPE their daily problems. Duckberg
jt04
Well-Known Member
Too bad WDW's merch has been slowly being killed of uniqueness except for a few rare cases.
If you want "uniqueness" check out the D23 offerings. I think Disney is getting much better at offering Limited Edition unique items. If I buy someting on that price scale of the high end stuff, I see it as an investment anyway. That should be the goal, items from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. Then everyone's happy.
Let me help you all understand Disney's definition of an economic downturn...
One poster hit the nail on the head with his posting about, "in-park spending is down".
Disney IS filling up the park. No doubt. But Disney doesn't care too much about that. They care about food and beverage and merchandise sales. THAT is the bread and butter and "profit" money that Disney takes home everyday.
Unfortunately Disney for FAR too long has counted on people spending money INSIDE the theme park. It used to be about the rides and attractions, but I feel as if that has taken a back seat. More now than EVER, guests are paying $70+ to enter the Disney Shopping Mall.
Gate admission is NOT ENOUGH for Disney. Their profit margins are defined by in park spending. And because they've made that the center of their business (greed)...when that part declines, so does the entire profit.
Disney needs to realize...they CAN force guests to pay to enter the park. But there is no way they can force them to purchase anything once they are inside.
I see more guests than ever sitting on the bench eating their sandwiches that they brought. And more empty stores than ever before.
One poster hit the nail on the head with his posting about, "in-park spending is down".
Disney IS filling up the park. No doubt. But Disney doesn't care too much about that. They care about food and beverage and merchandise sales. THAT is the bread and butter and "profit" money that Disney takes home everyday.
Unfortunately Disney for FAR too long has counted on people spending money INSIDE the theme park. It used to be about the rides and attractions, but I feel as if that has taken a back seat. More now than EVER, guests are paying $70+ to enter the Disney Shopping Mall.
Gate admission is NOT ENOUGH for Disney. Their profit margins are defined by in park spending. And because they've made that the center of their business (greed)...when that part declines, so does the entire profit.
Disney needs to realize...they CAN force guests to pay to enter the park. But there is no way they can force them to purchase anything once they are inside.
I see more guests than ever sitting on the bench eating their sandwiches that they brought. And more empty stores than ever before.
TinkerBelle8878
Well-Known Member
With the lack of merchandise variety and the menu homoginization for at least the QS restaurants, it really shouldn't surprise management. But maybe it will be a wake up call for them. I found many of the self service food items (Poptarts, yogurts, etc.) prices to be unbelievably marked up. People would be better off getting a fridge (either in a swap, buying or having it already in room at non Values) and utilizing that. And they know it.
People will use whatever deals and codes to stay at the hotels and go to the parks instead of going elsewhere but they'll hold tight to their money once on property unless there's something they really want to buy.
As for the D23 items, I'm sure they're lovely but you're certainly paying for that privledge.
People will use whatever deals and codes to stay at the hotels and go to the parks instead of going elsewhere but they'll hold tight to their money once on property unless there's something they really want to buy.
As for the D23 items, I'm sure they're lovely but you're certainly paying for that privledge.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Therein lies the key.
Duckberg
Active Member
same merchandise EVERYWHERE
Years ago you would find different items in different parts of WDW. Now its the same you can get it anywhere stuff :hurl: throughout the park. Hollywood Studios with the great Art Deco facades could use some unique deco style merchandise unique to HS. Duckberg :brick:
Years ago you would find different
items in different parts of WDW. Now its the same you can get it anywhere stuff :hurl: throughout the park. Hollywood Studios with the great Art Deco facades could use some unique deco style merchandise unique to HS. Duckberg :brick:
TTATraveler
Active Member
This is so true. As a local, I used to go to the parks sometimes just to walk around and grab a bite to eat. Since that bite to eat usually costs more than $10 at a quick service restaurant, I usually eat before I go now. Not only have the food prices gone up at a quick service, but portion sizes remained the same, and in some cases, food quality has gone down. Those evil whole wheat buns they use have absolutely no taste to them and instantly fall apart upon touching them.
As for the merchandise, those prices have gone up a lot too. T-shirt prices are overpriced and the quality of most shirts leave little to be desired. They are very thin and wash like garbage. I think people generally don't mind spending a couple extra bucks for quality, but spending extra bucks for crap turns a lot of people away.
With all the money spent on park admission and hotels, I can certainly see why spending money on merchandise and food to some extent has taken a back seat.
DisneyDellsDude
New Member
I meant more in the parks - and how you can buy Magic Kingdom items in Epcot, Frontierland stuff in Tomorrowland, and almost everything at the World of Disney Store. This goes akin to having Space Mountain's shop sell but one or two pins related to Space Mountain and that is it.If you want "uniqueness" check out the D23 offerings. I think Disney is getting much better at offering Limited Edition unique items. If I buy someting on that price scale of the high end stuff, I see it as an investment anyway. That should be the goal, items from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. Then everyone's happy.
Plus Emporium has been transformed into a mini World of Disney Store - and that's on Main Street USA. Like the Walmart in my local neighborhood I guess.
SirGoofy
Member
I meant more in the parks - and how you can buy Magic Kingdom items in Epcot, Frontierland stuff in Tomorrowland, and almost everything at the World of Disney Store. This goes akin to having Space Mountain's shop sell but one or two pins related to Space Mountain and that is it.
Plus Emporium has been transformed into a mini World of Disney Store - and that's on Main Street USA. Like the Walmart in my local neighborhood I guess.
Not to mention classic attractions like Jungle Cruise and BTM have no merch, and The Haunted Mansion has 2 shirts that were released fairly recently.
it's not 1 or 2 nights... it's been consistent... I'm at the parks at LEAST twice a week and I have been watching crowds levels grow graduallly (exponentially) since school let out..
I'm not a moron, I know 1 or 2 days doesn't make a difference.. But the crowds have been heavy for a few weeks now... and it doesn't seem to be letting-up with the July 4th weekend coming up
The Conundrum
New Member
So then since the economy isn't affecting WDW in the slightest when can we expect to see all these new ride announcements that are supposedly coming "when the economy recovers"?
i didn't say purchasing was ok, I just said attendance looks fine right now..
Hey, it's good to see you still suck at being positive though! Thanks for posting again!
brucie
Active Member
nope your good. have been 3 times during this time, only the restaurants are busy
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
As I've said, I really haven't been compelled by many of the merchandise offerings. I'd like subtle, attraction specific shirts (an emblem of the attraction logo, and that's it). And an increase in the art of disney reproductions. I've given up hope on the Soarin' themed car air fresheners.
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
I hope for smaller crowds in October, but with the Food and Wine Festival going on, I doubt it...
Montyboy
New Member
It's a gradual exponential growth - what does that mean?
I have several friends who work at WDW, they have told me it is busy. MK has been wall to wall for several weeks now.
One works at the Food DC and they are working everyone full time. 40 hrs a week. Even the PT.
Another friend works at the Comm. Center. They stay busy answering calls from guests until almost 1 am.
As a local I know when to go to the Parks, MK, Epcot, HS, & AK....After Aug 24th. That is when school reopens. Also anytime after Labor Day.
Another friend works at the New Target on US 192 & SR 429. their business is way up, due to people down here on vacation. Why would anyone spend big money at WDW for T-Shirts and alike when they can get them at Target and Wal-Mart, for even less.:shrug:
One works at the Food DC and they are working everyone full time. 40 hrs a week. Even the PT.
Another friend works at the Comm. Center. They stay busy answering calls from guests until almost 1 am.
As a local I know when to go to the Parks, MK, Epcot, HS, & AK....After Aug 24th. That is when school reopens. Also anytime after Labor Day.
Another friend works at the New Target on US 192 & SR 429. their business is way up, due to people down here on vacation. Why would anyone spend big money at WDW for T-Shirts and alike when they can get them at Target and Wal-Mart, for even less.:shrug:
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
You know, like jumbo shrimp or approximately equal.