Chance to purchase Disney theme park merchandise at discount may be approaching
Folks, that is a 20% off basically whatever stuff you want to buy. When was the last time you received a discount off anything in the parks? And the offer does not stop there. The more credit you want to purchase the deeper the discount. Do you have a really big family? Going to be there for a while? Perhaps you want to buy an expensive collectable. Then maybe you need $1000 worth of credit, which you can buy for $695. That is 30% off. And keep in mind that according to the report there is no expiration date.
So will this be offered to everyone booking at Walt Disney World? Right now we don’t yet know. But the possibility does seem to be there…
Based on what WDW insiders have told me, this targeted e-mail is something of a test to see what sort of response Guests would have if they were given the opportunity to prepurchase a significantly discounted Walt Disney World Merchandise Credit. And given that the current offer only runs through January 23, 2009 … I’m told that WDW management will first evaluate how this test went before they then decide if this same offer will be made available to other people who purchase Disney World vacation packages.
So when you are sitting in front of the television watching the news, and you hear endlessly depressing reports about the state and future of our economy, just think of the possible benefits that may be around the corner at Walt Disney World. It certainly won’t solve all your economic problems, but it may put a smile on your face knowing you can better afford that Big Fig, Mickey watch, or just an entire double-sized stroller full of Princesses and Buzz Lightyears.
Disney, offer this program to all future Disney World guests and Vacation Club members with reservations. The merchandise will move off the shelves and your guests will be whistling “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” all the way to the cash register.
Brian Rudloff said,
November 18, 2008 @ 7:03 am
Thank you for your lively post about Disney’s new discount merchandise test. There have really been some interesting new Disney developments in response to the country’s economy as of late, starting with the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. Unfortunately, I cannot see this idea being very successful. For one, it appeals only to a limited group of big Disney spenders or collectors who will be purchasing these items whether they have a discount or not. It is just a little bonus for them. These are the people that Disney has chosen as the testees for this experiment, and beyond this group it will be far less popular. Even if guests are willing to spend five hundred dollars on merchandise, they will feel better about it if they spend a little at a time as opposed to one large sum for the credit. On the other hand, it is possible that consumers may react favorably because it could theoretically put an imaginary limit on their spending. They have a specific sum of money allotted for the vacation and their souvenir budget must fit within this frame. Personally, I think the way I would use the credit would be on the collectible Disney artwork that I so covet every visit. Those might not be included in the credit’s usage policy though. The fact, however, is that I am a poor college student, and as much as I would love to buy hundreds of dollars worth of Disney merchandise credit, it is not going to happen. This promotion is not going to effect my Disney consumption in the slightest, perhaps something a little less high roller oriented such as meal coupons would be a more enticing deal to those on a smaller budget. It is interesting that you do point out that there are benefits to be found in this time of economic crisis, which is a point that is often forgotten. There are great deals everywhere, and if you are a die hard Disney collector, this is a dream come true. Discounted merchandise inside the park is a rare phenomenon, indeed. Should this offer open to all Disney visitors, in addition to the select group it is currently servicing, it will be interesting to follow it’s success and see if Universal follows suit with a similar discount.