Originally Posted By vbdad55 I have to agree here - I'd be willing to compare money spent on Disney ( ask my wife how many years would be off the mortgage if the 'collectibles' in my house were sold.. and not only have I been a DVC for 15+ years- I have been an AP for that period of time also. Taking a family of 4 to WDW for years and I and the wife have been visitng Disney parks since 1972 regularly. I shudder to think how much I have spent on the mouse -- but you know there are plenty like me --and you don't have to live in Florida. I belong to a Disney collectors group up here for the past 20 years ( am a charter member and officer).. we have some people whose spending makes me look small-- they get private showing and cocktail parties from Disney artists like Dave Pacheco and Bluth etc. when they tour the area...they arranged a private show with people like Jodi Benson -- people like Tim O'day stop by but I have never heard them ask for some sort of recognition of their contribution -- they spend today like there is no recession... so ya, I think you're on your own on this one if trying to create 'one' entitlement ( good choice fo words btw) group...there are plenty of groups one could come up with that rival and surpass spending... would it be nice if they did something - sure, but where is the cutoff point ? How do they gauge it ? who do they piss of in the process ? slippery slope if you ask me
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I could go (well, actually I can't as work calls and will keep be busy for the rest of the day/night) on and on trying to compare who spent what and why that should mean something. I won't. I'll just wrap my thoughts for the day with the simple point that airlines, casinos, hotels, resaturants (in other words, the folks in the hospitality business) all do offer perqs for frequent guests, including freebies. And those perqs go up in value by levels that equate to two things: spending and loyalty. Disney does not. I think they should. Ultimately, it would benefit almost everyone who is bantering with me to some degree. But when you argue against it, rest assured Disney sits back and says 'you know that 20% food discount makes the rubes happy ... are we raising prices by another nine percent this quarter?' I purposely used the term 'entitlement mentality' because I am generally against that mindset as a concept and wanted to get it out there and gone. This isn't about being entitled to anything (I'd say I'm entitled to the same quality product WDW provided me in the 70s, 80s and 90s, but that would open up yet another can of worms!) ... it's simply about rewarding your most loyal (and best spending over time) guests by tossing them a few bones, which only keeps them spending even more. It's smart business. But that's it ... I'll look forward to getting back with y'all later in the week.
Originally Posted By danyoung It's hard to argue with you when I'm happy with the discounts and deals that I get, while you dismiss those benefits as having no value. Seems to come down to the perception that I'm being well taken care of, while you don't think so. Not much left to talk about . . .
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I get offered $100-$125 off my AP each year by DVC - that in turn allows me to purcahse the -20% DDE card - yes the prices are being raised as well but news flash - the prices @ Disney are not rising as fast as prices here inCHicagoland ...therefore I see value. Yes Marriott and Hilton offer me free nights stays for hotel rooms- but only after significant increases in even the basic rooms when you are on the road- trust me there are NO things 'free' from any large corporation. I know a friend who is a Vegas type high roller- when you go to casino's with him- there is no waiting in lines for anything - side door entries, suites etc.. but the guy spends a freakin' fortune.... and loses many times as most people do. You are not buying a commodity in vegas - you are gambling your money..I see that as a difference. $14 to park your car- you can't drive thru a parking lot in downtown Chicago for under $22 for the first 15 minutes.... so sorry I cannot get excited about $14 I don't care where it is. Compare V&A's meal to a similar quality from Charlie trotter - Rick Bayless or any one of maybe 500 restaurants just near downtown Chicago and it seems like a bargain price wise. maybe because it is expensive for Flroida and some other locations your perception is different... the only thing I agree they owe any of us is quality in return for our money because they built their franchise on quality being the separating factor. If it ceases to become so then I view their 'license' to charge more and up the charges often goes away ( or should) --
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Disney is happy you feel that way I am sure. Of course there is the family from some small town in Idaho who has never paid for parking ever and sees that $14.00 as a big expense. All in perspective I guess. And yes $14.00 is expensive in Orlando. The local downtown garages charges $1.00 an hour and the Arena charges $10.00 a night and $7.00 for day events. Then of course the average Orlando resident doesnt go out to Disney very often.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip You don't get much in Vegas unless you are spending $5-$10K in the casino. I play Blackjack, and I would guess over the course of an evening I bet a total of about $5K. Since Blackjack is pretty much a break-even proposition at best, I rarely lose (or win) over a few hundred dollars. What do I get for my efforts? The offer of a few free nights during the slow times in Vegas. Although I appreciate it, I realize that they aren't really giving me a damned thing.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Disney is happy you feel that way I am sure. Of course there is the family from some small town in Idaho who has never paid for parking ever and sees that $14.00 as a big expense but they'd feel like that most places- I suggest they don't go to Chicago - New York- Boston etc... and don't even think of going to say London / Paris/ Vienna and then learn the $ is akin to pesos these days. it's all realtive- but since I'm going to venture more guests roll thru WDW from Chicago than Idaho -- but yes I would feel for them - it would be quite a shock
Originally Posted By mousegeezer You can fit the population of Idaho in one Chicago suburb. But, I sincerely hope that we are not heading to an elitist resort where the Idaho family has no chance of going because of price. I live in a state with a similar population. I would be willing to say that at least half of the states population has never visited and never will visit a Disney Park. Does Disney care? It would just be nice if Disney recognized their faithful by providing service and the same quality that they used to. I spend my money on Disney Vacations because I want to get away from my day to day worries. If the magic stops so will I.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 toally agree with you on the quality and why I go -- but hence the issue - to keep quality it is going to cost $$-- therefore some people will be shut out -- just no way around that - or else sacrifice quality -- catch 22
Originally Posted By vbdad55 btw whether I'd call it elitist or not - a Disney trip is out of the reach of many many people today - and always has been at least a deep save for many others to go
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed, and if it is a choice between raising prices and knocking our socks off or dumbing down product, I would rather save longer to go. Right now, I no longer think they offer the best value (in terms of quality) in family vacations. They are still better than some options out there, but you know when I am turning to Japan to try to find the Disney I fell in love with, there is something wrong somewher.
Originally Posted By Mr X Don't get your hopes up *too* much, Dave. TDR has also seen better days (particularly on the merchandise side, last time at DisneySea was a real shocker...nothing but generic crap).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok, then Disney has gone to the toilet world wide unless we take a cruise?
Originally Posted By Mr X I wouldn't say that TDR is in the toilet necessarily. But don't expect great shopping experiences, I'll say that much.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol, well I knew I would never get clothes in my size. For me, shopping is ok, but it is the attractions, maintenance, cleanliness, shows, spirit of the cast members, streetmousphere and dining that make parks special.
