what would attendance be without free dining?

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

I was just thinking...Disney has had free dining from August to September in the last several years. Now they offered it for many other non-peak times this year (hence my trip this week). So what would attendance be without free dining?

I planned my trip only a month in advance and was able to get prime dinner ADRs at my favorite TS restaurants. The only one I struggled with was Le Cellier. Due to faithfully checking I got dinner the night we arrive.

So considering that, I think the resort will be pretty slow when I'm there.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

one need only look around-- I heard a figure the other day about how many NFL games this year were not sell outs ( and that is a once a week venue for 50K for 8-10 weeks only..

discretionary income is gone for almost everyone ( In my state the A-hull governor thought a 66% increase in state income tax swouldn't hurt anyone and the ruling brown shirt party here passed it by 1 vote- all theirs) - so I am not traveling this year for instance either.

I sure hope something really gets better soon ( instead of just being told we are turning the corner when we're not) - or else all venues are going to be in major trouble.

 

Originally Posted By sjhym333

I think free dining is one of those things that might push some people who are on the fence about a trip, but I dont think it is the driving force for people to decide to vacaction at WDW. I think the combination of the economy and the lack of any major attractions opening at WDW are contributing to decreased attendance.

I have to say that Universal has been very busy even on this usually off-season period and on my last 2 plane trips back to Orlando from NYC, I overheard several families talk about their planned vacation at the Universal resort. I had not heard that before. Usually I hear about their upcoming Disney trip. I suspect that the majority of guests are not rabid die-hard Disney fans, but people who want to experience the parks a couple of times over the years. They are not overly loyal to Disney, so when something more appealing shows up they have no problems of jumping ship to something different.

 

Originally Posted By Blufusion05

I rather go to Chili's or Outback than dine at Disney.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORGOCH: Heck! I knows some folks that'd rather eat at McDonald's than eat at a Dizzy theme park!!

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>I rather go to Chili's or Outback than dine at Disney.<<<

On early nights, like when DHS isn't running Fant!, that's exactly what we do. What a concept... feeling full from a meal when vacationing in Disney...

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

Yes I'm sure the current state of this crappy economy has a lot to do with attendance. I fear losing my job. If I have to find a new one I'm sure it won't be easy.

Wow I'm surprised some people find Disney dining that bad! I love Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Le Cellier, Coral Reef and a few other must eats like Boma. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

Now I took my parents to 'Ohana back in 2004. They want to go again because they loved it. I warned them I felt the quality has gone way down @ 'Ohana. But we will see what they think in a week or so.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

A lot less than it is now. Seriously, free dining draws crazy crowds.

 

Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt

Our last trip was '08. More than I could ever eat & all our meals were fab. No surprise Le Cellier was a tough book, excellent meal!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Agreed, Le Cellier is excellent. And there are a few other excellent ones out their too.

I also found besides the food and ambience being excellent at Le Cellier, I swear they have the friendliest cast members too.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

I don't think attendance is going to be an issue this week beyond the bloggers and travel agents in for the Dream launch and they will be busy mostly on the ship. A friend was at MK Friday and told me it was pretty empty.

The economy still sucks (despite what any talking heads on CNBC and FOX or politicians will say ... there is no such thing as a 'jobless recovery' ... and this nation can't live on $3 a gallon gas).

Oh, and it's good to see you back in the LP (before I forget), L. and hope you have a great trip!

As to your main point, I'm sure the resorts would be struggling even worse without the free dining, but at some point it doesn't even matter ... was talking with a friend the other day about all of the amazing deals going on in Las Vegas right now and he said simply 'if you have no money, it doesn't matter if they're giving rooms away for $1 a night' ... the same is true with WDW.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<I also found besides the food and ambience being excellent at Le Cellier, I swear they have the friendliest cast members too.>>

Agreed.

It's the Canadian in them.

 

Originally Posted By avimagine

^ It's an act Canadians are not friendly. Trust me I know.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<Wow I'm surprised some people find Disney dining that bad! I love Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Le Cellier, Coral Reef and a few other must eats like Boma. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.>>

I dunno if folks find it bad. I think Disney dining has fallen some the past 3-4 years, but I think the quality of the food is quite good at most table serves and some QSRs too.

I enjoy all of the above, but can say that Coral Reef and Boma have both dropped some. CR hasn't changed much of late, but is vastly different than what it was when it opened and was a real seafood restaurant with a multi-page menu and food flown in daily.

Biggest changes with Boma I noticed (was last there in May) was the missing prime rib, fewer salads and they had gone to the generic Disney fast food fries. Oh, and they also did away with cloth napkins. Maybe a small thing to some, but if you're charging over $30 a head for a buffet at a high end location, you shouldn't be using paper napkins (also, not very green).

<<Now I took my parents to 'Ohana back in 2004. They want to go again because they loved it. I warned them I felt the quality has gone way down @ 'Ohana. But we will see what they think in a week or so.>>

'Ohana has been up and down. Last time I was there in 2009 it was much better than it had been of late, but not as good as years ago.

BTW, when will you be at Da World? I am heading up soon (not sure when yet, but may be up sometime next week).

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

>>>and this nation can't live on $3 a gallon gas<<<

If only, with the latest tax hikes were are paying $8 a gallon here. Thankfully our cars are more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Now if more US motors could be too. The US being the biggest polluter after China is not something to be proud of.

 

Originally Posted By avimagine

^^ Largest home of the Prius is the US. It's the single most environmentally friendly car out there. Who needs a G-Wiz?

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<It's an act Canadians are not friendly. Trust me I know.>>

Funny, every time I've dealt with them they've been awesome.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>>>and this nation can't live on $3 a gallon gas<<<

<<If only, with the latest tax hikes were are paying $8 a gallon here. Thankfully our cars are more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Now if more US motors could be too. The US being the biggest polluter after China is not something to be proud of.>>

We've had this discussion before, though (and not sure we should here but ...) people in the UK don't drive like they do in car mad USA. And folks over there also don't have to deal with many costs you do here (from health care to leaving college already six figures in debt).

But the bottom line is our economy can't sustain itself with gas at that level. Worse, it's all Wall Street speculation. Oil used to be tied to simple supply and demand with things like weather, instability in producing regions etc being the only causes for spikes. Now, it is all about what price Wall Street wants to see it at. When I hear talking heads saying $5 or $6 gas is on the way, I see things collapsing in this country in a way never seen before. ... And no seems to care.

~Got pixie dust?~

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

Hey Spirit I will be @ the world Jan 21 to Jan 30. My email is my LP username @ gmail.com. If you email me I can give you my cell number.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

>>>^^ Largest home of the Prius is the US<<<

Which is somewhat amusing given the fuel efficiency is not that great on long hauls. Great for the Eastern Seaboard, Chicago or San Francisco though.