Originally Posted By MPierce >> I think the whole idea is to bring in new customers, from previously untapped demographics, especially people who would never set foot in a Disney themepark (and they are legion). << That's what they would like to see happen. I just don't think it will though. It's just my opinion that they will attract far more exisiting Disney fans, than non-fans.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Of course it will. Disney has an enviable customer base, however how can the company grow if it doesn't indoctrinate untapped consumers in new markets? This is the whole reason for expanding Disneyland, developing a cruise line, building two resorts in China, and buying asset heavy brands like Marvel.
Originally Posted By MPierce Yes it needs to grow, and expand it's fan base if it intends to continue to prosper. I am just of the opinion that far more people are drawned to the Parks, and then become Disney fans. Thus wanting to experience other offerings by Disney. Rather than the other way around.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I don't know that I would describe all the people who visit Disney parks as "fans". Plenty, if not most, people visit Disney parks as a fun activity but aren't necessarily obsessed with them like some of us are. Of the millions of visitors who go to DLR, WDW, DLPR, HKDL, and TDLR most of them are going to visit a Disney park once a few times in their life. I imagine that in that same way Disney is looking to attract customers to their new hotel property in Hawaii.
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^ I agree. I just think that more people will visit the Parks, and become fans of Disney, and vacation with Disney's other offerings. Rather than the number of non-Disney fans deciding to stay with Disney in Hawaii or take a Disney cruise, and then decide to visit the Parks because of that experience.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Yep. The theme park resorts are much bigger draws. Therefore, they are going to get more attention from both fans and average vacationers than a hotel on an island in the middle of the Pacific.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I think the vast majority of people going to any other offerings from Disney are most likely already Disney fans.>> Conversation just had on the way back from the mall ... is Disney actually growing its P&R business in meaningful ways? Or is it just taking advantage of people with emotional disorders (like us!) who keep returning hoping things will suddenly be like the 70s, 80s or 90s again and first-timers who don't know any better?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Trip report from our 3 week trip to Europe is on the DLP boards and the Colloseo stuff will be going up this week. Three week 'holidays'?!??! I hate Europeans. Even my friends ;-)
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Conversation just had on the way back from the mall ... is Disney actually growing its P&R business in meaningful ways? Or is it just taking advantage of people with emotional disorders (like us!) who keep returning hoping things will suddenly be like the 70s, 80s or 90s again and first-timers who don't know any better?" I think it's a whole lot of both. Expanding into main land China with an elaborate new theme park resort and building a resort hotel in Hawaii is an obvious effort to infiltrate a fresh new market. On the other hand rehabbing the Disneyland Hotel with retro park features is nothing more than a ploy to indulge the fan base.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Three week 'holidays'?!??! I hate Europeans. Even my friends ;-)<<< Need to sort out our Netherlands adventure for the summer including The Efteling. Off to Legoland for the boy's birthday in a fortnight. We opted to stay in Europe for a reason. Vacations....
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I must confess, in my more Disney obsessed days I would probably not have considered Hawaii for a vacation, but Aulani would have made me try it out. But I really do think Aulani is shooting more for the Disney die hards and the Asian market. I think many non Disney fans would prefer to opt for Marriott, or Hilton or Four Seasons. Because you know that is the price range non owners will likely be paying. Even if we do go (which is tempting), we would likely stay 2 nights with the mouse and a week with Marriott in the larger units.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I can't imagine going to Hawaii just to stay at a Disney resort hotel.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am not talking about just staying on resort, we never do that. But the Disney element would have been the cherry on top.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<I can't imagine going to Hawaii just to stay at a Disney resort hotel. >> I can't imagine staying at a Disney resort hotel!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Three week 'holidays'?!??! I hate Europeans. Even my friends ;-)<< Its even worse than that. Go to any American workplace during flu season. It'll be full of people who are coughing and wheezing because they don't want to waste their precious PTO on sick days. I personally know someone who kept going to work sick until she had to be hospitalized for pneumonia.
Originally Posted By fkurucz "We opted to stay in Europe for a reason." It used to be that in the US the bargain was: You'll get less paid time off You'll have to pay twice for your healthcare than what you would pay in other countries You'll put in longer hours But you will be paid better. The last part if the bargain seems to have fallen off the wagon. In my case, having only 3 weeks of PTO doesn't matter that much, as we don't have any cash to spare at this time for a proper family vacation (a kid in college will do that). In fact, these days I know very few families who take a proper vacation, one that doesn't involve staying at grandma's house or something like that.
Originally Posted By mstaft I've been to Ko O'lina where Aulani is located. It's gorgeous as is- even before the Disney Co stepped in. Hope they do it well. It's a beautiful piece of land, and it would be a shame if they do not create something spectacular to match. Mark InsightsandSounds.blogspot.com
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I am not talking about just staying on resort, we never do that." OK. "But the Disney element would have been the cherry on top." You said that in your "Disney obsessed days" the Aulani would have made a trip to Hawaii tempting. I guess I took that to mean that without the Aulani Hawaii wouldn't have necessarily been on your family's radar as a vacation destination.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <<I can't imagine going to Hawaii just to stay at a Disney resort hotel. >> "I can't imagine staying at a Disney resort hotel!" Staying at a Disney theme park hotel is an indulgence for sure. I can honestly say that I've never regretted do it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>You said that in your "Disney obsessed days" the Aulani would have made a trip to Hawaii tempting. I guess I took that to mean that without the Aulani Hawaii wouldn't have necessarily been on your family's radar as a vacation destination.<<< Ya, we are not really beach people, well not so much in the past. For me, in Ko Olina - a day by the pool, a trip to the Cultural Centre and visiting the USS Arizona, and we'd probably be done. Though the volcanoes on the other islands would be cool, it would probably be expensive to island hop. So ya, Disney would have been the cherry on top. Now that we own with Marriott and could probably get two weeks for our Paris unit, it is tempting to go for a week and tack on a couple of days and then use the other week at Newport Coast or Tahoe. Then it is more real for us. But ya, in my Disney completist obsessed days, I would want to do it.
