Is Disney feeling the Economic Crunch? About This Page:

[Aubree's Travel]

What I am seeing from a travel agent standpoint is this-

People who had already done a deposit etc on their trips are not cancelling.

Many who I have been working on quotes for have come back and asked for cheaper options, some saying they are putting their plans on hold until the economy sorts itself out.

Those who have been feeling the crunch all year are booking more in the budget to moderate range, where before they may have booked in deluxe. That is the trend I am seeing, and wisely so! It is a concern for everyone, and we need to make our dollars stretch...but I am kind of a cheapskate by nature, so I always feel that way!

[Angela531]

I can only imagine that Disney is feeling the crunch. We live close to Great America Six Flags in IL, and this is the first year I have seen them offer the kind of deals they did this season (everyone got in for a Child Ticket price). I am only hoping that the Disney deals work in our favor for 12/09 vacation. We have also cut back as much as possible, not eating out (when we do, rarely, it is at lower cost places like TGIF), and not renting/going out to movies (we are checking them out at the library now). We have been living on only my DH's income, while I stay home with the children, but in order to keep our vacation to the level we would like (and it has certainly been scaled back) I am now looking to pick up a PT job (10-15 hrs on weekends). I sure hope we can come out of this, but I think in order to do so, everyone will need to start having a cash only mindset...no more living on credit, if the money is not there then we will have to save until it is, and forget "keeping up w/the Jones". Sad but true.

[MickeyWatch]

When I was a child we took a lot of great family vacations (Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean and Disney ). My dad told us "don't expect to inherit anything from us when we die, we're spending it all now." That is sort of my philosophy too; we are enjoying our vacations with our daughter now and not putting much money aside for her college. The best memories I have from childhood are from famiy vacations and I want my daughter to have similar memories.

[Ransom]

Originally Posted by Aubree's Travel

What I am seeing from a travel agent standpoint is this-

People who had already done a deposit etc on their trips are not cancelling.

Many who I have been working on quotes for have come back and asked for cheaper options, some saying they are putting their plans on hold until the economy sorts itself out.

Those who have been feeling the crunch all year are booking more in the budget to moderate range, where before they may have booked in deluxe. That is the trend I am seeing, and wisely so! It is a concern for everyone, and we need to make our dollars stretch...but I am kind of a cheapskate by nature, so I always feel that way!

Thank you for sharing your insight.

[Melissa1214]

I think those who aren't feeling the crunch are few and far between. My dh works in the automotive industry and it is quite likely that his company will start moving the parts of the business handled here overseas or to other areas. That would mean a move for us or him losing his job. I lost my job on October 1st due to downsizing and I know the company I worked for is planning to cut 40-45% more, about 1000 people. The chances of me getting another job are pretty slim and unemployment isn't even close to what I was making, it's about 50%. My severance is paying for our trip next month and the rest will be put towards Christmas and bills. After that, we don't know when vacations will be. It all depends on dh's job.

[oldmom]

i've lost more than i care to think about, but hopefully have 9 years to get it back. all i can do is hold tight and wait for the bounce back.

[Lemap760]

Originally Posted by cgai729

what are the exact dates? I have not gotten one and I am a disney card visa holder. Just wondering.... thanks

I don't remember exactly. I deleted the email since I couldn't use the promotion.
Sorry.

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by Melissa1214

I think those who aren't feeling the crunch are few and far between. My dh works in the automotive industry and it is quite likely that his company will start moving the parts of the business handled here overseas or to other areas. That would mean a move for us or him losing his job. I lost my job on October 1st due to downsizing and I know the company I worked for is planning to cut 40-45% more, about 1000 people. The chances of me getting another job are pretty slim and unemployment isn't even close to what I was making, it's about 50%. My severance is paying for our trip next month and the rest will be put towards Christmas and bills. After that, we don't know when vacations will be. It all depends on dh's job.

I'm so sorry, Melissa. I've been where you are back in the early 90's. Both my new husband and I got laid off at Christmas and we had just bought a house. It was hard but in the end it worked out even though it took 6-9 months. Several times in my life I've been in a real financial bind. So I can empathize with your worry and concern. Sending and a

[Sue M.]

Canadians have been feeling the crunch too. Our dollar is now at $0.84 so things will be allot more expensive for us going to WDW. I hope our dollar rises before our Jan trip. I am cutting back as well. Maybe not buying the hopper, & not doing the DDP this time. There are plenty of good CS places to grab a bite, maybe going to 1 or 2 TS. We'll only be there 4 or 5 nights.

[LouigiAnne]

I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this forum but as far as Disney feeling the economic pinch> I was just returned 10/19 from our trip.We stayed at the Pop & it was packed, Also the parks were really full on some day's and not as bad on other's. I believe everyone is cutting out the extras like hopper's and the shopping as most of the store's at the park's were kind empty. And we saw and heard allot of foreigner's. We live here in Fla. and we were really surprised at a lot of the business's near by Disney are closed> [Kissimmee area]. We also were in Sea World and UNIVERSAL Studios and they both were a little slower. And everyone has the meal deals pay 1 price eat all day {not WDW}, as well as some price discounts. Sea world adults ticket same price as child, and Universal was offering extra day added with ticket price. LouigiAnne

[Minnie Lor]

I just got back from WDW and I didn't see anyone slowing down on their purchases. We were at Food and Wine over 4 days and people were buying samples left and right. The stores were busy as well. This is a slightly slower time of year so the lines to rides and shows were not a problem. We had ADR's to several table service restaurants and we would not have gotten in with out them.

[JerseyDad]

...the ONLY reason that we'll be going anywhere (in less than 4 days) this year is that a deposit was given for the "second" portion of the trip. We (wife and I) will be at POP on Nov 1st & 2nd...and then off to Tampa for a cruise where we'll catch up with our 12 yr old daughter who's traveling Fla. with her close friends. Had it not been for the already-paid-required-deposit on the cruise...I'd have opted out of any vacation this year. The way that the economy has tanked over the past three months....has got me scared to death about any major expenditures.

...not sure that everyone feels the same as I do since most people we know will be in WDW this coming week (Jersey Week). But I think that this economic situation will get much worse before it will start to rebound. Only bright spot I see is that gas (around here) is down to $2.29/gal (cash)...............