That actually makes pretty good sense for them, for a number of reasons:
1) Only admission is free. They still make bank off souvenirs, food, etc. 2) Very few people are going to take advantage of this offer and then go completely alone. Even if it's just parents escorting their birthday kid in for the freebie, or a pair of girlfriends visiting together, they're only losing half the gate price rather than handing out a true freebie. 3) Birthdays are evenly distributed timewise. They might get more interest from the folks whose birthday just happens to fall on a weekend, but they also may encourage more visits throughout the quieter times of the week, when the opportunity cost of a freebie is lower.
Oh, I totally get how they'll make a profit from it, but since when have they not had all the people they can handle without an offer like this? That's why I think it's a sign of the financial apocalypse. If, say, Six Flags was doing it, I'd just say "Hey, that's cool." But Disney?
no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 07:23 am (UTC)I signed up. :P My birthday's on a Friday next year, mebbe I take PTO and go on a daytrip. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was...four.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 08:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 03:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 11:47 pm (UTC)1) Only admission is free. They still make bank off souvenirs, food, etc.
2) Very few people are going to take advantage of this offer and then go completely alone. Even if it's just parents escorting their birthday kid in for the freebie, or a pair of girlfriends visiting together, they're only losing half the gate price rather than handing out a true freebie.
3) Birthdays are evenly distributed timewise. They might get more interest from the folks whose birthday just happens to fall on a weekend, but they also may encourage more visits throughout the quieter times of the week, when the opportunity cost of a freebie is lower.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 11:52 pm (UTC)