As the economy continues to struggle, many observers expect the Walt Disney Company to continue to discount the cost of its theme park vacations in 2010. Count me among them. But don't take my word for it. I asked editors at several other websites that cover the theme park industry to offer their predictions, too. And all expect continued discounts from Disney.
Arthur Levine, About.com Guide to Theme Parks:
Unlike Madame Leota, I don't have a crystal ball. But based on this year's plethora of offers, I'd expect Disney to continue making almost anything and everything available to boost attendance and hotel occupancy as long as crummy economic conditions prevail. While I was surprised, given the sour economy, to see Disney stick with its annual August ritual and jack up ticket prices a few days ago, I would not expect them to offer discounted multi-day passes--at least at WDW--beyond the savings built into the existing Magic Your Way program.
Mary Waring, MouseSavers.com:
Unless there is a radical change in the economy by the end of this year, I would expect that next year we'll see the same type of deep discounts we saw this year at Walt Disney World. That means something like the "7 nights for the price of 4" vacation packages in January-June, discounted summer vacation packages, and "free dining" vacation packages in late August through early December.At Disneyland, I would expect to see continuing discounts on tickets for Southern California residents (2fer tickets, $99 specials, etc.), plus the usual vacation package discounts like "everyone gets in for the kids' price" in January-April, "5 nights for the price of 3" in April-September, and "4th night free" in September-December.
Al Lutz, MiceAge:
At Disneyland (with a healthy local visitor base, and busy new attractions schedule) the story there is about how much more they can get out of the customer, so if the numbers hold my thought is that you won't see much of a change or increase in any current discounting.They have a different situation in Walt Disney World. Without a strong base of locals, lots of rooms to fill, and past management slow to schedule new attractions and resistant to upgrade/refurb what they already have; my thought here is that they will have be more aggressive in offering discounts. Expect to see more formerly extra cost options to be free - triggered/increasing as stays are lengthened. I would also expect to see more package deals focused on transportation discounts.
In this unsteady economy everything is subject to change; which is why I haven't done much more than generalize here. But one thing I am sure of is that there is no company more adept at adjusting their plans than Disney, others only wish they had their problems. ;)
Let me throw this question to you now. Of the discounts Disney's run in the past (or have been rumored to run in the future), which one would be most likely to get you to book a vacation visit to the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resorts? You can vote in both polls, but select just one option in each. And if you are not interested, or unable to buy with any discounts, those options are available, too.
Tell us your thoughts, in the comments, about which types of discounts motivate you to book trips, either to Disney theme parks, or anywhere else.
Scheduling note: I've been laid up by a nasty cold here in Orlando, so we've pushed back our trip to SeaWorld to Sunday. I'll file a report, with photos and maybe some video, Sunday night. Thanks for reading.
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Anyway, the 7-for-4 is a good value as it would allow my family to stay on site at a deluxe resort for essentially the same price as a moderate cost us in the good old days. And a week at the Beach Club sounds real nice right now....
As for Disneyland, I will probably hold out for a visit in 2011 or 2012 when Cars Land is complete. As much as I would love to visit my old stomping grounds (I grew up in Simi Valley), it is such an expensive trip that I just can't see making it until most all of the DCA refurb work is complete. Still, the 5-for-3 would probably get me the most bang for my travel dollar.
Anyway, get well soon, Robert, and have fun on Kraken and Manta!
I voted to pay 4 get 7 days at WDW.(I'd take the free food on top of that!)
Didn't I see something on the news yesterday about an annual pass deal at WDW?
As for Disney World, I'd need to buy the 4 get 3 days free in order to go. I'm only planning on staying 7 days there next year as I haven't been back since 97.
A lot of people go for the free dining plan or the hotel deals, but I can eat and sleep inexpensively with a little effort. Using the DIS boards to rent a DVC 2-bedroom suite for our upcoming trip saved us over $1000, and the suite's kitchen allows us to make many of our meals.
I never, however, find great deals on airfare.
Disneyland is in the Los Angeles/Southern Cal area.
WDW is in the Orlando/Central FL area.
Job Market sucks in Florida therefore people are not going to spend money on WDW.
we have visted florida 5 times in past 2 years and am now currently counting down the days till our first trip to disneyland ! so i suppose these offers dont really make to much differance to us, they all seem much more intended for the american's, where the uk is suffering just as much in the down turn, doesnt help that only the most exspensive airlines & travel agents are still going so from our first trip to now on top of the hickes in fuel etc we have to go by the most exspensive operates, so disney needs to be able to help lower your vacation cost more than the food when you arrive, to be honest that just comes out of spending money and goes unnoticed.... unlike the holiday payments !
I also answered 'None' for DL, mostly because of military discount again. However, my husband told me this week that next year, we can have our big vacation out there - and this will be my first time going to DL and California. So, discount or not - we're going and I'll do my best research to get the best deal possible for our family and base our entire trip from that. The planning/research will be a welcome distraction for me, since I'll be deployed to Afghanistan for the first half of 2010. :)
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