Disney Parks Announcements - Let The Memories Begin!

[princessgirls]

Got my "Offical" e-mail from Disney Parks announcing the Making Memories promo this morning.

LAME LAME LAME

I can't believe they thought this was a GREAT promo.

Julie

[DizneyRox]

Got my "Offical" e-mail from Disney Parks announcing the Making Memories promo this morning.

LAME LAME LAME

I can't believe they thought this was a GREAT promo.

Julie

Oh, i didn't even notice, mine got caught in my lame filter! Those g-mail filters really work!

[Stickey]

This promotion has no relevance. It appears that Disney is trying to tap into the current trend of exhibitionism, as evidenced by Facebook, Twitter, AI, and many other reality tv shows.

I disagree with the theory that first-time visitors are more profitable to Disney. How many first-timers stay at deluxes? Some may splurge in pursuit of a once in a lifetime experience, while many others will attempt to take advantage of the most "affordable" trip package. In contrast, repeat visitors will often seek to stay at many different WDW resorts, especially in the deluxe category. Return visits, even with a discount, are good for Disney's bottom line. In our experience, average spending on dining and merchandise usually exceeds our first trip expenditures.

[Ian]

I disagree with the theory that first-time visitors are more profitable to Disney. How many first-timers stay at deluxes? Some may splurge in pursuit of a once in a lifetime experience, while many others will attempt to take advantage of the most "affordable" trip package. In contrast, repeat visitors will often seek to stay at many different WDW resorts, especially in the deluxe category. Return visits, even with a discount, are good for Disney's bottom line. In our experience, average spending on dining and merchandise usually exceeds our first trip expenditures.

I'm not sure you aren't right, but I can tell you for certain that Disney doesn't agree with you.

All of their research and data seems to support the fact that first-timers spend a significant amount more on average than repeat guests do.

Again ... I think Disney feels like they've already got the repeat guests. It's not so much that they don't like your money, they just don't feel the need to spend marketing dollars against you. They focus almost all of their marketing efforts against attracting more of the high-margin newbies.

I'm not trying to imply that Disney doesn't think they make money off of repeat guests. I'm saying they don't feel the need to "work you" to keep you coming back.

[Scar]

I just noticed Disney (I assume) bought banner ads at the top of the Accomodations forum here.

I wonder if they'll run in this forum.

[Coleby]

I just noticed Disney (I assume) bought banner ads at the top of the Accomodations forum here.

I wonder if they'll run in this forum.

I would have to say yes....since I see them

[brad192]

I've had kind of a change of heart about this promotion. I still think that Disney handled the marketing of this the wrong way - building up all the anticipation & then announcing a Power Point presentation on the castle, but after visiting the website...

I honestly have to say I like seeing all the pictures/videos that people have uploaded. Some of them are downright misty-eyed moments (I especially liked the pic of the golden retriever service dog with Pluto). In a way, it's kind of like reading the trip reports here at Intercot. You get to visit Disney vicariously through other people, and get a little Disney "fix".

I still think the slideshows at the parks are a bad idea, and I'd never waste my precious park time to stop & watch, but the promo just might be a success.

[Ian]

I've had kind of a change of heart about this promotion. I still think that Disney handled the marketing of this the wrong way - building up all the anticipation & then announcing a Power Point presentation on the castle, but after visiting the website...

I actually agree completely. In fact, I talked about this very thing in our very first INTERCOT Insider Live podcast (coming soon ... shameless plug!).

I think Disney just did themselves a disservice by making such a big deal out of it and getting people's hopes up. It really was a marketing disaster if you ask me. So much hype over so little, especially when you consider how hungry the Disney community is for information and detail about the changes to the FLE.

But the site is cute, the stories are all touching and fun, and yeah it has a definite Trip Report flavor to it which I like.

I think the one thing I still find a bit distasteful about it is the potential use of your photos and videos in promotional materials. As someone who works in marketing and frequently buys stock photography, runs video and photo shoots for clients, etc. this sort of seems like a way to cheap out on procuring assets for marketing to me.

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES WITH US!! SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF YOUR SPECIAL TIMES IN WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!*

*ps we're going to use them promotionally and get free marketing out of your memories.

[BrerGnat]

I think the one thing I still find a bit distasteful about it is the potential use of your photos and videos in promotional materials. As someone who works in marketing and frequently buys stock photography, runs video and photo shoots for clients, etc. this sort of seems like a way to cheap out on procuring assets for marketing to me.

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES WITH US!! SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF YOUR SPECIAL TIMES IN WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!*

*ps we're going to use them promotionally and get free marketing out of your memories.

This is the only thing keeping me from submitting stuff, to be honest. I mean, I think the website/commercial idea is cool (although, let's be real...who still watches commercials these days? I don't...) Anyway, I think my kids would get a kick out of seeing themselves on t.v., but I'm not so sure I'd get a kick out of seeing it 5, 10, 15 years from now...

What' s funny is how they are going after (via email) the AP holders. I got an email yesterday that said, and I quote "We bet you have lots of great memories of your visits to the Disneyland Resort to share, annual passholder." It's like...hey you...you come all the time, you've gotta have SOMETHING we can use for our ads...

It made me laugh...

[Jeany031]

I love this idea!

[crltkcagle]

I have uploaded 15 memories so far! I think its a great idea! I haven't seen them on the main page yet but they are there if I click on my memories. I do enjoy seeing all the different pictures. And the little jingle in the background is just perfect!

[brad192]

Someone official from Intercot should upload our 10th anniversary group photo with a short story about us! Granted, it's a HUGE file, but the exposure would be cool! Just a thought...

[AgentP]

Okay, at first I did not like the new promotion at all. I thought it was not creative and sort of tacky. But I just saw my first commercial on TV featuring the home videos and I got tears in my eyes So I think it will be effective, I'm just not sure I'm comfortable enough to share my own videos, but I'm paranoid like that.

[Gator]

I think it's great! I'm finally gonna get to take my mom and dad to WDW, and I can't wait until I suprise them with the news. Can't wait.

[Jeany031]

Thanks for the info!