Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=74722" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Walt Disney World Free Dining Extended Through December 21st</b></a> <p>Just heard the following nears from our travel partners MouseEarVacations.com</p> <p><i>Catch this before it disappears! FREE Dining at Walt Disney World Resort – now extended select nights through Dec. 21, 2010!</i></p> <p><i><font size="2" color="#000000" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Don’t miss the chance to experience all the fun and excitement the seasons bring; including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!<br /><br /> Booking and Travel Window: <br /> Booking Window: May 3 – Aug. 14, 2010 <br /> Travel Window: Valid for stays most nights Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010, Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 - Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 andDec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010 <br /><br /> Sample Pricing: <br /> $1,843 for a family of four, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Moderate Resort. That’s like paying $77 per person, per day! <br /><br /> $1,440 for a family of four, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort. That’s like paying $60 per person, per day!</font></i></p> <p><i><font size="2" color="#000000" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></font></i></p>
Originally Posted By dshyates My guess is rolling out a high milage used parade didn't really drive up attendance like they were hopeing.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Yep, dialing down the discounting my arse! In the past week I've gotten offers for 40% off stays at both DL and DLP resorts, including NOW in peak summer season. And WDW discounts pile up link junk mail on the table. They can't fill their rooms any other way because they've conditioned guests to expect the deals. And no way will TDO allow for say a 55% occupancy level at rack rate (or close) versus say an 88% occupancy level (where 75% of the guests are staying at large discounts). Dumb business ... and the Walmarting continues.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 The parks seemed pretty crowded but not jammed this past week and the rain stunk. Lots of people left early. They scheduled 9 & 10:30 Fantasmics on the first. Five minutes into the 9 the skies let loose and they cancelled the show. We went to the 10:30 and despite so many people leaving the park, only three sections were empty.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I don't know what they are offering for "free" meals. But we just did the quick service plan. Stupid stupid stupid. I'll never do that again. The first day we ate at the Castle next day the Luau. Also did Biergarten, Rose & crown, Yak &Yeti, Kona for breakfast, Kona sushi. We really wasted our qs meals. I think we had fifteen left. The snack part was good though.
Originally Posted By MPierce Mr Iger has merely decided that he wants to share the joy of WDW with as many people as possible, while keeping it affordable. The Mouse is just looking out after us. Now could somebody please tell me when the next price hikes, and round of discounts go into effect?
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>They can't fill their rooms any other way because they've conditioned guests to expect the deals.<< Exactly what I was saying on the DL AP thread. Its the same with cars. Customers have been trained that if they wait that they will be rewarded with huge discounts.
Originally Posted By MagentaPanther Iger and Co. are running scared because of the Harry Potter attraction at Universal. As well they might be. I'll be heading to Florida this October, but I'll be visiting Harry's kingdom, not Mickey's...
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer So far, it seems there is an effect...Our crowd levels are low, Uni's are consistently high. Hopefully they dislike that...and act on that.
Originally Posted By -em >>So far, it seems there is an effect...Our crowd levels are low, Uni's are consistently high. << I was amazed when I hit Universal last night how many people were there (okay to be honest it was 8:45 PM when I arrived so Uni was starting to dump with IoA being open till 10) but City Walk seemed busy with lines for each restaurant etc. I didn't make it into the park beyond Hulk but that was posted at 10 min but was really about 25... and when I was leaving there was about as many coming to City Walk as was leaving the park... Anyway back to Free Dining- I was AMAZED when they didn't ban the 40% lunch Cast deal for Free Dining and there hasn't been a mention on re-arranging the other 30/40/50% cast discounts due to extended free dining... -em
Originally Posted By MousDad >>So far, it seems there is an effect...Our crowd levels are low, Uni's are consistently high.<< My prediction is Disney will stubbornly keep its "ride out the storm" mentality, insist that FLE will adequately counter when it opens, and basically do nothing else to challenge Uni.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I hope not. There are signs that they want to "build up the armada", so to speak. I think you know what I am referring to.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros ...hmmm...that makes me think that either they are finally adding Spain to the World Showcase (unlikely), or they will just be focusing on the cruise line for a while, and hope that the new ships encourage folks to stop by WDW at the beginning/end of their trip. Making WDW a secondary destination really doesn't sound like a good long-term plan to me, but it wouldn't really surprise me much.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Hah, Armada is misleading, but they are doing that, I have heard tell of a new NEW ship. But I wasn't referring to that either. LOL.
