AP Point System??

[Disneyland Daddy]

What do you all think about the idea of a 'point' system with AP's? Every time you use your AP(entrance, purchase of some item(s)) , you notch up a point amount of some sort. Entrance would be a flat point amount but the amount of point you acquire for purchase would vary according to the amount of your purchase. Hence, bigger purchase, bigger points.

When you get to a certain level, you can use it to 'cash out' on a purchase or you can use it to help in the renewal of your AP the next year.

Any thoughts?

[pineapplewhipaddict]

Sounds like an awesome idea to me! This would also encourage some APs (who refuse to spend any money in the park) to buy a few things...as for the fanatics that spend loads of money in the park, they're a great source of revenue to Disney, so it's a nice way of showing appreciation to keep them coming back.

[CrystalCastle]

I think it's a great idea. I'd have a lot of points!

[cal4iri]

Sounds like an awesome idea to me! This would also encourage some APs (who refuse to spend any money in the park) to buy a few things...as for the fanatics that spend loads of money in the park, they're a great source of revenue to Disney, so it's a nice way of showing appreciation to keep them coming back.

I like the idea but that's a great point!! It would push some APers to buy some stuff while they're there. Good thinking.

[Disneyland Daddy]

Sounds like an awesome idea to me! This would also encourage some APs (who refuse to spend any money in the park) to buy a few things...as for the fanatics that spend loads of money in the park, they're a great source of revenue to Disney, so it's a nice way of showing appreciation to keep them coming back.

I think it's a great idea. I'd have a lot of points!

I like the idea but that's a great point!! It would push some APers to buy some stuff while they're there. Good thinking.

Points taken (HA HA ). But we'd have all kinds of points, really. I think it would be a great idea.

[Coheteboy]

It totally would be great to have a point system based on how many dollars you spend on food and merchandise. An Annual Pass and a Rewards Card all rolled up into one!

It would be a nice way for Disney to keep track of how much APers are actually spending and also a great way to see who their most loyal spenders and perhaps where they shop the most, great marketing tool for Disney to see WHERE the APs buys the most merchandise.

The APers who spend the most money can therefore save the most on renewing annual passes or whatever. I think that would be rad.

Maybe upon entering the park, you are given a coupon for your prize. Who knows... maybe it's the "ultimate fast pass", maybe a free churro. Who knows. I think that would be better than having to spend $25 on a meal to get a free pin. Some of us just don't spend that much on food!

[cal4iri]

I buy a lot of stuff online but I don't remember there being a way to use our pass for a discount that way. That would be nice too.
I would have got a lot of points for the 7' Jack I just bought!!!

[Saddlesore Swanson]

Personally, I'd like to reward APers for not coming to the Park.



But seriously, though, I think that earning points for food and merchandise purchases makes great sense. But for just coming through the turnstiles, not so much.

[kronos]

I love this idea, as much as I go, I would love to have some sort of renewal discount or cash back type thing on how many points you have.

[Disneyland Daddy]

I mean - Grocery stores do it. Certain Vons have gas stations. If have a Vons Club Card and you spend $50 at one shopping time, you get a 10cent discount on gasoline - in comparison to the usual 3 cent.

Vitamin Shoppe keeps tally of all my expenditures at their store as well. I figure Disney could do the same.

[sediment]

I'd replaced the whole AP Program with a Frequent Buyer Program. If you buy enough stuff, then admission is free. Basically, people would be paying for admission for the next year with the goods they buy this year.

It would be easy enough to implement:
1. Announce that AP's will no longer be sold, effective immediately.
2. Announce that AP's will no longer be renewed, effective one year after the announcement.
3. Gather the amount of sales by each AP'er. (The issue regarding the accounting of families' having AP's has been noted.)
4. Those exceeding some sales minus cost of goods sold threshold will get a free pass for themselves and two-three others. Another, higher threshold could be reached and more "others" will be allowed entry.

I've discussed this idea before. Seems similar, but a little more severe, than your plan. Casinos operate the same way, giving away free hotel rooms and meals for bigger gamblers.

[bee1000]

As a marketing-type person: You would have to weigh that idea against two things:

1. Will you get non-spenders to start spending, or will you just end up rewarding people who are spending money with you already?

2. Points are a liability. Tracking them is expensive, and having them on the books can lead to issues down the road (unless they expire). The program needs to increase spending enough to cover not only the cost of the rewards, but also the development and maintenance of the program.

The biggest benefits:
1. If such a program could convince people who were on the fence about renewing to hang in there for another year.

2. Disney would be tracking every AP's spending throughout the park and throughout year. They would know exactly what they buy, when they buy it, etc. That would be incredibly valuable since 3 of the 4 APs are designed to get people to go to the parks when Disney wants them there.

[Mommakat]

I'm one of those AP's who make Disney very happy! We (family of 5) never bring in our own food or drinks. We eat one or two meals, usually one snack each, water bottle or soda and some kind of treat from the candy store to take home. Sometimes one of our kids will spend their own money to buy a souvenir. And we go once or twice a month.

[Experiment626]

The points thing sounds similiar to Chase's Disney credit card. You get Disney Reward Dollars that you can use for vacations, dvds, etc. But you need to accumulate 1000's and 1000's of points to buy a vacation, lol. But I do like your idea. Would be neat if they could put the Chase credit card and tie it with AP's. You wouldn't have to get the credit card if you didn't want to, but for those who have it already (like me) could use it to their advantage with their AP.

[SCUBAbe]

it would sure push them to visit more often....