Will room discounts/incentives be more prevalent in 2009?

[durangojim]

Just wondering with the downturn in the economy and the elevated prices of gas and everyday necessities, does anyone think that WDW will be offering more discounts and incentives for people to travel to WDW than they did in 2008. I can remember for the 2-3 following 9/11, there were some great deals to be had, and I wonder if a similar situation will occur next year.

 

[Carolyn1717]

Having just talked with one of my friends over in the res center, I would have to say "yes". They are going to have to do something. The phone lines in the res center are dead and have been for a few weeks already. The travel agents are crying there are hardly any requests coming in at all. Hopefully they come up with some really good specials to get the phones over at Disney ringing again...

 

[DisneyJoe]

Not unless bookings drop off. I believe they are still fairly strong at least into next spring, at least from my point of view.

Those who work at Disney may have a better feel for crowd levels and advance bookings.

 

[Carolyn1717]

If the phones are dead they are not booking. Same thing with the travel agents, if they are not getting requests for even vacation quotes, then they also are still living on bookings made earlier in the year. What they have right now are those who booked in advance of this crunch everyone is under.

 

[Lucky]

Just wondering with the downturn in the economy and the elevated prices of gas and everyday necessities, does anyone think that WDW will be offering more discounts and incentives for people to travel to WDW than they did in 2008. I can remember for the 2-3 following 9/11, there were some great deals to be had, and I wonder if a similar situation will occur next year.

It's possible, but this is different from then. Now their costs are way up for fuel, food and other expenses. After 9/11 they responded to a decline in demand with more discounts. When demand is declining and costs are rising, it may not be as profitable to respond with price cuts. Discounts might be more carefully targeted.

 

[RiversideBunny]

People plan way ahead of time for trips to WDW.
A lot of people who already have rooms and packages booked won't cancel them until the last minute, e.g. 45 days ahead of arrival.

So for December 2008, for instance, a significant bookings drop off may not show up until around November.

 

[shoppingnut]

You never know. Back in 2001 after 9/11 we were coming back in December and I was able to get the GF for about $900 for a week's stay.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

It all depends on room bookings which depend on the economy and the amount of disposable income people have left at the end of each month - this is affected by the housing market, the credit crunch and of course the cost of fuel

 

[durangojim]

You never know. Back in 2001 after 9/11 we were coming back in December and I was able to get the GF for about $900 for a week's stay.

Doubt that will ever happen again. As recently as 2004 we were able to get 2 courtyard view rooms at the WL arring on Christmas day and departing the day after New Years for only $122 a night. It would be nice if deals like that would return.

 

[DDuckFan130]

People plan way ahead of time for trips to WDW.
A lot of people who already have rooms and packages booked won't cancel them until the last minute, e.g. 45 days ahead of arrival.

So for December 2008, for instance, a significant bookings drop off may not show up until around November.

They do? :lol:

We plan a month or 2 (max) in advance :lookaroun

And we always manage to go with the discounts...otherwise we don't go :lol:

 

[krankenstein]

They do? :lol:

We plan a month or 2 (max) in advance :lookaroun

And we always manage to go with the discounts...otherwise we don't go :lol:

Same here! I tend to call once I am sure I can financially afford the trip (usually a month ahead).

I have never had a problem making a reservation either. But, I am pretty flexible with where I stay.

 

[shoppingnut]

Doubt that will ever happen again. As recently as 2004 we were able to get 2 courtyard view rooms at the WL arring on Christmas day and departing the day after New Years for only $122 a night. It would be nice if deals like that would return.

The thing is if they discount the hotel rooms and get you there, you will be spending money for other things tickets, eating, shopping, etc. where they will be making money. The hotel room becomes their loss-leader.

 

[Master Yoda]

Future bookings are way off right now so I would say that some discounts are definitely on the horizon.