Many travel companies and tour operators are struggling to come up with creative marketing strategies in a tough economy. Trust Walt Disney World to come up with one of the more original, and clever, ideas.
The idea is simple. For anyone booking a Walt Disney World resort package before December 23, they or their travel agent can schedule a call on Christmas, from Mickey Mouse, telling their family or children about the upcoming visit.
The call can be scheduled within a two hour window on Christmas Day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in U.S. time zones. For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, Mickey will wish them “Happy Holidays.” And for those who might be out for the day, the Mouse can also handle answering machines.
The call does require booking a package; simply buying Disney tickets won’t work. Also, travel agents and travelers alike must call by December 23 at 9 p.m. EST to sign up (Christmas Eve is too late).
This year, families who might have scheduled a Disney trip plus more presents might be cutting the other gifts back. So it’s a nice way to make the vacation special before it starts — especially with younger children. My son is 19 now, but there were a few years at least where seeing Mickey was a major highlight of any Disney visit.
And considering that one of the major drawbacks to a Walt Disney World vacation is the cost, one more bit of Christmas cheer. The Mickey call is free for anyone booking one of Disney’s vacation packages.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The brilliance of the greedy rodent can never be overlooked! A robo-call is a no brainer and costs them next to nothing.
Bah humbug, John F!
I think it is a great idea regardless of the cost or effort.
Is the promise of a phone call enough to make you purchase a Disney package? Of course not. if you are going to buy one you will; the call from Mickey is just a bonus and kids will LOVE it!
You are both right. I used to live in Orlando and Disney is great at coming up with ways to make money….a few years back they offered free airport transfers to resort guests, which of course meant that without cars, people would be more likely to eat at Disney restaurants.
But I must say, they do deliver a good experience, and these personalized albeit robo-calls are just going to make some kids’ Christmases. And the memories with Mickey Mouse are just generally a lot cuter than watching your kids play video games…..
Well, we booked a trip as a surprise for our 3 young grandsons, along with their other set of grandparents. Signing up for the call is the icing on the cake…can’t wait until they find out they are going. They don’t need anymore trucks or cars, but a call from and a visit to “The Mouse” will be remembered forever. Thanks, Disney…you do it right.
Very cool, and you are right. Memories last a lot longer than toys. And Mickey is almost as special to children as Santa Claus. Maybe more so. What a great present and what great grandparents you are.