When did Disney's "affordable" advertising start?

[Caren]

Got into a discussion about whether or not the Disney ad campaign
promoting WDW as affordable started in response to the current
economic downturn. Personally, I think that ad campaign predates the
downturn. I'm pretty sure the ad where the parents are looking at the
computer while Cinderella's carriage comes down the street is about
three years old. Can anyone help pin it down?

On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
years ago.

--
Caren
TDC Queen of Adventureland

[jt august]

> On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
> fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
> years ago.

Not sure on the ad campaign, but the air lines are hurting for
mismanagement, post 9-11 costs, the fuel spike of this summer, drop in
travelers due to homeland security inconveniences (particularly on
shorter trips) and drop in passengers for already increased prices and
this new fangled "fee for everything they can get away with" feldergarb.

And no doubt, the increase in air fair to Disney isn't helping Disney.

jt

[Caren]

> > On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
> > fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
> > years ago.
>
> Not sure on the ad campaign, but the air lines are hurting for
> mismanagement, post 9-11 costs, the fuel spike of this summer, drop in
> travelers due to homeland security inconveniences (particularly on
> shorter trips) and drop in passengers for already increased prices and
> this new fangled "fee for everything they can get away with" feldergarb.
>
> And no doubt, the increase in air fair to Disney isn't helping Disney.
>

Really. I was looking at around $260 round trip from Pittsburgh plus
luggage fees. With prices like that, the "affordable" Disney family
vacation is suddenly not so affordable. Of course, you could always
drive 16 hours. Ah, family togetherness.

--
Caren
TDC Queen of Adventureland

[Joe]

> Got into a discussion about whether or not the Disney ad campaign
> promoting WDW as affordable started in response to the current
> economic downturn. Personally, I think that ad campaign predates the
> downturn. I'm pretty sure the ad where the parents are looking at the
> computer while Cinderella's carriage comes down the street is about
> three years old. Can anyone help pin it down?
>
> On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
> fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
> years ago.
>
> --
> Caren
> TDC Queen of Adventureland

The family of 4 for $1500 began in late 2005 or early 2006.

It was not earlier than January 2, 2005 as that is when the Magic Your
Way Packages were released.

-Joe

[Joe]

> > Got into a discussion about whether or not the Disney ad campaign
> > promoting WDW as affordable started in response to the current
> > economic downturn. Personally, I think that ad campaign predates the
> > downturn. I'm pretty sure the ad where the parents are looking at the
> > computer while Cinderella's carriage comes down the street is about
> > three years old. Can anyone help pin it down?
>
> > On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
> > fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
> > years ago.
>
> > --
> > Caren
> > TDC Queen of Adventureland
>
> The family of 4 for $1500 began in late 2005 or early 2006.
>
> It was not earlier than January 2, 2005 as that is when the Magic Your
> Way Packages were released.
>
> -Joe

Searched google groups and found a post from Feb 10, 2005 by Derek
Jannsen referencing the new MYW family of 4 for $1500....

[Derek Janssen]

> Got into a discussion about whether or not the Disney ad campaign
> promoting WDW as affordable started in response to the current
> economic downturn. Personally, I think that ad campaign predates the
> downturn. I'm pretty sure the ad where the parents are looking at the
> computer while Cinderella's carriage comes down the street is about
> three years old. Can anyone help pin it down?

Yep:
Disney's "A family can vacation for $1500* [* - If they go for four days
at Pop Century with no park-hopping]!" ads date back to somewhere right
at the end of the Disney Decade, just after the last of the new stuff to
promote had been built, and park travel went mass-market instead of
"luxury"--
Approx. right before the '01 9/11 Crunch, when there was still the push
for discount codes.

Derek Janssen
ejanss1@************

[Derek Janssen]

>>
>>>Got into a discussion about whether or not the Disney ad campaign
>>>promoting WDW as affordable started in response to the current
>>>economic downturn. Personally, I think that ad campaign predates the
>>>downturn. I'm pretty sure the ad where the parents are looking at the
>>>computer while Cinderella's carriage comes down the street is about
>>>three years old. Can anyone help pin it down?
>>
>>>On a related affordability note, I was blown away when I checked air
>>>fares to WDW on line. They're DOUBLE what they were just a couple of
>>>years ago.

Even though gas is back down to double-digit barrels, they say airfares
will still be bluffing their high crisis-fares for a while--
Claiming "Reduced schedules" (= less availability) as an excuse, for
whatever transitional period of time they can get away with it.

>>The family of 4 for $1500 began in late 2005 or early 2006.
>>
>>It was not earlier than January 2, 2005 as that is when the Magic Your
>>Way Packages were released.
>
> Searched google groups and found a post from Feb 10, 2005 by Derek
> Jannsen referencing the new MYW family of 4 for $1500....

Er, oops, sorry, yes-- ^_^
Believe it was to first promote the new MYW ticket pricing that was
cheaper in bulk loads than one-day incriments.

Derek Janssen (leave it to other people to do better research)
ejanss1@************

[Dillon Pyron]

>>Really. I was looking at around $260 round trip from Pittsburgh plus
>>luggage fees. With prices like that, the "affordable" Disney family
>>vacation is suddenly not so affordable. Of course, you could always
>>drive 16 hours. Ah, family togetherness.
>
>If you think that's high you should check out air travel from "small
>town" America.

Tyler, TX to DFW runs around $500 RT (for about 150 miles each way).
But my sister can go TYR to OGG for about $900. Really bizzare
pricing.
--
- dillon I am not invalid

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true.
Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which
will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no
matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.

[Peppermint Patty]

I got us about $165 round trip for early February on SW. I didn't
think that was too bad.

And thank you (I forget who said it) for agreeing with me about
Amtrak. If I had the extra $$$ and time I would love to do it again.
It was so much fun. 24 hours but a private compartment and it was a
blast!

[Caren]

On Dec 29, 3:35*pm, Peppermint Patty <cinderella...**********m> wrote:
> I got us about $165 round trip for early February on SW. *I didn't
> think that was too bad.
>
> And thank you (I forget who said it) for agreeing with me about
> Amtrak. *If I had the extra $$$ and time I would love to do it again.
> It was so much fun. *24 hours but a private compartment and it was a
> blast!

Best I could do on Southwest from Pittsburgh was $195. But to get that
price, I'd have to fly late at night and wouldn't get a direct flight.

Personally, I don't mind the drive to Orlando if I'm by myself so I
can set my own pace. That takes vacation time, though, and that I
don't have. Amtrak is out--too inconvenient from the Burgh.

--
Caren
TDC Queen of Adventureland