Is Disney feeling the Economic Crunch? About This Page:

[MickeyWatch]

It will be interesting to see if the crowds are any less when we visit WDW in November. We usually visit WDW the same week every year (school break), so we will be able to compare wait lines, etc. from past years.

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

I agree that the extra discounts and promotions seem to indicate they are feeling the crunch. Unfortunately none of those discounts have worked in our favor for our December trip so we'll more than likely be cutting back in certain areas. We have the dining plan and are doing two park days and one MVMCP. Up until a month or so ago I thought I'd add in an extra--like a second night at MVMCP, maybe adding hoppers so we could do DHS and AK in one day or another character meal, OOP. But now it's doubtful--that's just another $100 to $200 we can't spare. And sadly I don't think we'll be getting the Photopass CD this time either. We're really tightening our belt because who knows what next year will bring. But boy I'm thankful we can still go, even if some of the extras are out.

[arroyosluvdisney]

we are cutting as much as we can with out cutting everything and making life unbearable for me i am pre planning on everything i will be able to book 2010 trip in august so my goal now is to put so much away and by then have all the trip money saved and then food and spending i will start in aug 09 so hope it works i am trying to see expenses before they come if u know what i mean even if we dont go to movies or out to eat as much preparing helps

[scottjs]

At least Disney is still in business!!! I heard that they closed allready the new amusement park in North Carolina that was based largely on Lead Zepplin songs!!! The park was only open for five months. It might open up again in the spring time!! Sad times we live in!!

[Tigger1221]

I would think they are feeling it as well, and sadly it is now not jus the US that is feeling that crunch.
Honestly if I had gotten a decent bonus at work, my surprise trip would not have happened. Our '09 trip was originally booked at AKL concierge, but I talked it over with DH and we both decided that as long at we got to go, it did not matter where we stayed so I dropped it down to POR. The one thing we did do is go for the dining plan. That way our meals are more or less paid for up front, and that is one less thing we have to worry about.

[WDWPatsFan]

The one thing I've noticed in OK is that we are kinda nsulated from a lot of this. Our gas is the lowest in the nation at 2.86/gal which seems to have helped with consumer spending.

I work retail too, our budgets aren't as high, and our available $$ to spend on labor has been cut a bit (but it always happens this time of year) but people here are still spending money.

The 2 things that are directly affecting me (which isn't too bad b/c I do no even look at these accounts) are my 401k losses, and my stocks have gone down. But I'm still young, and it'll all rebound. I don't plan on using that money for a good 35 more years.

[mousestruck]

I can't imagine that any business is unaffected by this economy. I'm sure that Disney is feeling the pinch, as more people will have to postpone vacations and focus on the necessities instead. We are still going next month, but will certainly curb our spending a bit more than usual.

[Minnie Lor]

I think the impact on Disney will show up next year. Alot of people have already planned and some even have paid for their trip this year. People will back off a bit next year unless we have a major turn around.

Yes, I think we'll see reduced park hours and reduced hours for rides. This happened following 9/11.

[belleandmaddysmom]

I was thinking the same thing with all the promotions going on right now.

I have to admit that I am secretly wishing for a bounceback offer this year!
We'll see...

[omd]

I would think they are feeling the crunch, but in speaking to the CM that make the ADR's they say that they are still booking and are busy. It will be interesting to see how crowded it is on our December trip as compared to the same time last year.

[Lemap760]

I think they are searching for more business. I just got an email today for another free dining offer for Visa cardmembers. The free dining was in the November time period. I don't remember seeing those dates before.

[bsblady01]

we are still planning our trip for next dec but it will be our last big family trip for a few years. people will still go but they might not go for a long a period of time and they might stay in a less expensive hotel and not buy as much stuff as they would have in years past.

[ilovedisney247]

There are already some other Disney budget cuts that are being implemented in the parks . . . fewer showings of Fantasmic during slower times, more hard ticket nights, which means closing the MK early for regular guests, live entertainment cuts at the Studios and Epcot. The people who sit in the Disney boardroom are protecting their investors to the best of their ability. I think they are doing a fairly good job, although I don't know about the person who greenlighted Beverly Hills Chihuahua

[notjustamom]

I can't imagine that any business is unaffected by this economy.

Actually my parents have a retail business (home wine & beermaking) and when the economy goes down their business always goes up. We have a friend who has a pet store and he does better with a slower economy. I guess people around here love to drink and love their pets!!

[Cornergirl44]

We are planning a trip for Jan 2009 and would LOVE to see Disney offer free dining. Has anyone ever seen this before in January