Ticket Price Increases for Disneyland Announced

[bumbershoot]

Actually, the problem is fewer people coming in from out of town means more money is needed per person.

The parks are busier than ever, but a good chunk are passholders, hence why the major increase there. Many passholders do not spend much money in the park, my recommendatio

So then they don't have longer tickets, like 10 days, and they don't have no-expiration, so those of us who like to stay longer are FORCED to buy APs, and then there are 3 more AP holders, and then.....

Whoever is thinking of these ticket schemes, while "blaming" AP holders for overcrowding and lines and not buying things etc, is NOT thinking it through.

I guess after our July trip, we'll be sticking with WDW for a while.

They'll be going up too.

Sorry but it IS worth it if you go enough times!


But I dont get people who buy Premium passes but then only go a few times a year anyway?

Going enough times is easy if you live close. If you don't, you get hotel, air, transportation to and from two airports, food costs, tips, souvenirs, and all the other little things. It *adds up*.

We haven't gotten a Premium, since we've been able to schedule around the Deluxe's blackout dates (having a blackout on our travel day isn't a hardship), but the ONLY thing we think of when buying an AP is "how many trips do we have planned, and if you add up the tickets for those trips is it more or less than getting an AP". That's IT. Anything else is a bonus.




Mary, I got the email you sent out earlier today, and appreciated it!

We're still "safe" because we have APs (me through early December, hubby and son through early Feb), but after that...we might be in Darph's world of "I'm just not sure it's worth THAT amount of money". Glad we didn't buy DVC for Disneyland!

 

[Disney Dreams]

So to be clear as a NEW AP holder: I buy the Deluxe tomorrow it will not expire until I use it on the first day. We are not sure if we will visit DL in Oct or will it expire next May? Thanks for your help...we were leaning towards getting APs anyway...this price increase has just made it more urgent to save $$.

Not quite. If you buy an AP VOUCHER it begins on the date of activation. If you buy an AP, it begins immediately.

So I'm a newbie, been lurking for a couple of weeks. I'm so glad I saw this!

We were going to go Sunday and buy the SoCal Select APs there, since I could use it on Sunday on the day I bought them even though it's a blockout day. Now I'm wondering if I buy the Select voucher tonight and not activate it til Sunday, can I use them on a blockout day or will I have to buy thos extra blockout day tickets?

If not, I'll be buying the SoCal AP with Sundays included since it is the same price now as the Select will be on Sunday.

This sucks!

Welcome out of lurking.

Okay, follow me here. If you buy an AP on a blockout day, you can get an Exception Pass that admits you on the day you purchased your AP even though that day is blocked out. When you purchase your AP you need to let the CM know you want to go into the Parks on that day.

If you buy a VOUCHER instead of the actual AP, I am not sure if you can enter on a blockout day because you are not buying the actual AP. I would call and ask on this one.

Regarding the passports expiration dates:

I purchased my passes online on June 10, 2011 and did not use the passports until June 15/16. My passports expire on June 10, 2012.

I believed that the passports would not become "activated", until used, but for me that is not true.

I'm just stating my own experience, I'm not sure if this is an error.

If you purchased the PASS, yes, it expires one year from date of purchase. If you purchased the VOUCHER, it would have expired one year from date of activation.

I have read before of this error. From my understanding from many sources including directly from the statements on the vouchers we will be activating next month - it is SUPPOSED to be from first day of USE not purchase. However I have seen in threads where the system automatically used the purchase date instead. It is best to double check your passports before leaving the ticket booth , it could be a technical error.

Here is the exact wording from my Premium Annual Pass Email Voucher -

What was described by the above poster was not an error. If what was purchased was the PASS, it --- well, read my comment to the quote one up from here.

Ok so just to be clear before I buy NEW APs...

I have a Premium AP that expires in July, to lock in I can go to the website and purchase NEW ones without a problem?

If yes, then I have 1 year to enter the parks with my ticket, or until Dec 31/12 to not be charged the increase?

I am not sure if this is correct. Last time there was an increase, DH's AP was a certain number of days away from expiring (more than 60 I think - but not sure on my memory on that) and we were told that even if his pass expired, if he renewed within X number of days of the expired pass it would bridge to his old expiration date. I cannot remember the number of days, which is crucial to your scenario. I would call and ask.

- Dreams

 

[Jen&Trenton]

I am not sure if this is correct. Last time there was an increase, DH's AP was a certain number of days away from expiring (more than 60 I think - but not sure on my memory on that) and we were told that even if his pass expired, if he renewed within X number of days of the expired pass it would bridge to his old expiration date. I cannot remember the number of days, which is crucial to your scenario. I would call and ask.

- Dreams

Thanks Dreams - I just tried to call but couldn't get through. Maybe there's a number to call internationally that is open 24 hours? I'm in the middle east right now...

 

[fctiger]

So then they don't have longer tickets, like 10 days, and they don't have no-expiration, so those of us who like to stay longer are FORCED to buy APs, and then there are 3 more AP holders, and then.....

Going enough times is easy if you live close. If you don't, you get hotel, air, transportation to and from two airports, food costs, tips, souvenirs, and all the other little things. It *adds up*.

We haven't gotten a Premium, since we've been able to schedule around the Deluxe's blackout dates (having a blackout on our travel day isn't a hardship), but the ONLY thing we think of when buying an AP is "how many trips do we have planned, and if you add up the tickets for those trips is it more or less than getting an AP". That's IT. Anything else is a bonus.

No I get all of that completely! Yeah the resort do make people buy Aps if they want more than just a few days basically! Trust me I understand. But the AP is meant for people who generally go to the park monthly or every few months minimum and USUALLY live close! I have an AP, only 3 in my life but because I live 30 mins away. If I lived outside of an hour, I doubt I would go more than 2-3 times a year tops, so I wouldnt get one.

My only point is Aps are designed for people who like and CAN go often! I do wish DLR had something more in the middle between multiday passes and APs. Like something where you can buy days in bulk like 10-20 days, used anytime just within a year! I think people would love those and it would cut down people who only buy APs because there isnt any other choice if they want to go more than 3 days a year and dont want to do it within 2 weeks!

 

[Astylla]

Dreams - You are right , oops! That's what I get for posting after a nightmarish shift at the hotel..sorry about any confusion I may have caused there ><

Since we are on the payment plan in CA we did indeed get the vouchers that have to be activated hence why the wording is such. My apologies for confusing the above posters !

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks Dreams - I just tried to call but couldn't get through. Maybe there's a number to call internationally that is open 24 hours? I'm in the middle east right now...

There is no 24 hour line. You can send an email from this page, but since you need an answer before Sunday (in USA), I don't know if they will get back to you in time. I have no idea what the response rate is.

I *think* the phone lines open at 8am Pacific time (it is 2am right now). They might be earlier, but I don't know as I have never called that early.

...But the AP is meant for people who generally go to the park monthly or every few months minimum and USUALLY live close! ... If I lived outside of an hour, I doubt I would go more than 2-3 times a year tops, so I wouldnt get one.

My only point is Aps are designed for people who like and CAN go often! I do wish DLR had something more in the middle between multiday passes and APs...

I respectfully, completely disagree with you.

The are a LOT of AP holders who don't even live in CA, muchless within an hour of the Resort. If someone goes to the Parks 5 individual days, spaced out, in one year --- they are better off getting a Premium Annual pass. It's even sooner if you consider the parking and accompanying discounts. We have friends who live in AZ. They come to So Cal several times a year. They always plan one extra day to spend a day at Disney. They are a perfect example. They do not live locally, but they would be crazy not to have an AP, mathematically. There are endless people in their situation.

Locals and AP holders are not synonymous.

Dreams - You are right , oops! That's what I get for posting after a nightmarish shift at the hotel..sorry about any confusion I may have caused there ><

Since we are on the payment plan in CA we did indeed get the vouchers that have to be activated hence why the wording is such. My apologies for confusing the above posters !

Eh, happens to the best of us. Sleep deprivation can do fun things.

Hope you get to catch up on some sleep soon.

- Dreams

 

[Disney Dreams]

Nothing to see... moving right along.

And a smile for your time.

 

[fctiger]

I respectfully, completely disagree with you.

The are a LOT of AP holders who don't even live in CA, muchless within an hour of the Resort. If someone goes to the Parks 5 individual days, spaced out, in one year --- they are better off getting a Premium Annual pass. It's even sooner if you consider the parking and accompanying discounts. We have friends who live in AZ. They come to So Cal several times a year. They always plan one extra day to spend a day at Disney. They are a perfect example. They do not live locally, but they would be crazy not to have an AP, mathematically. There are endless people in their situation.

Locals and AP holders are not synonymous.

Again, I get all of that trust me! I have friends who live on other continents who have APs! My very first AP I wasnt even living in America at the time myself! But I only bought it because I was back visiting in L.A. and it made more sense to buy it as I was going to be at the resort for about a week and the Deluxe pass at the time was the SAME price as a 5 day pass (wow remember THOSE days lol) and I was coming back again before the end of the year anyway and used it some more! I wouldve been nuts not to, so I'm not remotely suggesting only people who live close to the park are the only people who buy them, not at all!

But my point, my REAL point is most people who buy them and lives far away is because they usually think they can come out ahead if they know they are going to go to the park at least twice in the year! And thats fine, but APs in general are designed for people who likes to go to the parks often. Sure anyone can buy them, but the idea is if you are buying a Deluxe pass where you have 320 days to use it, then you most likely you are going to go a few times a month! If you know you are only going to go maybe 8-10 days a year, then in general there is no reason to buy a pass with all that time on it unless you feel thats the only option. And thats my beef with it since its more for convience than anything if you live far away and I get that completely! And my point is they shouldnt HAVE to buy an AP just so they can justify going to the resort just twice a year! But they feel like they are forced to as the other poster said and thats what bothers me about it! There should be more ticketing options out there! More flexibility in how you can use them, etc! My issues arent with the people who buy them certainly, its with Disney for not giving them any more choices when they can give SO much more!

Thats why I do wish Disney would make something more in the middle where people dont have to feel they need to buy a Deluxe or Premium pass if they want to do 2 or 3 vacations in the year but dont want to keep buying 3 day passes everytime OR buy an AP and just try to get all of their money out of it.

But I suspect thats basically the point. They WANT people to buy those APs as much as possible, even if they end up using them less time than they are worth. One of my best friends who is from Texas and ALSO has a PAP, buys one practically every year but is lucky if he actually makes it out twice a year to use it! He only used it for a week last year! I suspect that happens to many out there who buys them, but then plans or life changes on them.

 

[Oakley7]

Yes. I've done this myself several times to avoid price increases.

There are two questions unanswered right now because DL has recently changed its online AP system:

1. Are the regular APs sold online "pre-activated" (and thus expire a year from the date of purchase), or are they activated when you take them to the park? I don't know for sure, and for that reason I recommend buying the "gift voucher" option just to be safe. Then take the voucher to DL and exchange it for a new AP whenever you are ready to start using your new AP.

2. Most sources are telling me the AP vouchers can be exchanged for a year without paying an upcharge. One source says the upcharge applies after the end of the calendar year.

Both are fairly minor issues. If I had an AP expiring in August and definitely wanted to "renew" it, I would buy a "gift voucher" for a new pass now, before the price goes up. Losing the renewal discount is nothing compared with these AP price increases!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

APs (and any ticket) are not activated until you use them for the first time.

Vouchers are good for 1year from purchase. The calendar year has nothing to do with them

 

[nannyz]

Just bought our 6-day hoppers. Now I don't feel so bad that this was going to be our last trip for a while.

 

[nunzia]

Sorry but it IS worth it if you go enough times! People only see the sticker price, which is a shock, but if you are already going once a month for a year you will already pay for the pass on your 5-6th trip alone and thats for the premium. If its for the other passes, its only 3-5 visits.

So no it IS worth it if you use it! And when you think about the discounts (and free parking with the premium) you still save waaaay more in the end, even with the steep up charges.

Now if you buy a pass and goes very few times a year then no its not worth it. But I dont get people who buy Premium passes but then only go a few times a year anyway?

I get the Deluxe and only go twice a year for the most part and it is worth it. As long as it is less than double whatever the price would be for tickets two different times it works for me. My DH is only going once so I'll let his AP expire and just buy him a 5 day hopper today before prices go up. My AP doesn't expire until September and I've just gotten confused reading all this about how to get around paying the increase so will just pay the new price. I'm not surprised at all...the massive AP holders, especially in the California categories, really do crowd the parks and that will only get worse with CarsLand opeing, so I don't blame them for trying to ease the crowding a bit along with increasing revenue.

 

[OctoberDisney]

Not quite. If you buy an AP VOUCHER it begins on the date of activation. If you buy an AP, it begins immediately.


If you purchased the PASS, yes, it expires one year from date of purchase. If you purchased the VOUCHER, it would have expired one year from date of activation.


What was described by the above poster was not an error. If what was purchased was the PASS, it --- well, read my comment to the quote one up from here.


- Dreams

I purchased passes online NOT vouchers. On my confirmation email AND on each ticket that we turn in to exchange for our APs, it says "expires one year after FIRST ENTRY". It doesn't say 1 year from date of purchase.

 

[cmwade77]

So to be clear as a NEW AP holder: I buy the Deluxe tomorrow it will not expire until I use it on the first day. We are not sure if we will visit DL in Oct or will it expire next May? Thanks for your help...we were leaning towards getting APs anyway...this price increase has just made it more urgent to save $$.

You need to buy the gift voucher and must redeem it within 1 year; however, the annual pass will expire 1 year from the date you redeem the voucher, so if you go in October, it will expire 1 year from then.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Ok, now I'm confused. I can't decide if I should buy the gift vouchers or not. We are going in July and plan to go July 2013. We can't have the APs expire in May. Is there a downside to buying the vouchers?

 

[NStramler]

Ok, now I'm confused. I can't decide if I should buy the gift vouchers or not. We are going in July and plan to go July 2013. We can't have the APs expire in May. Is there a downside to buying the vouchers?

The passes expire 1 year from the first day you use them, not a year from the day you buy them. Meaning, next July you would need to come earlier than you do this year because they will expire 1 year from the day that you first use them. Example: you use the pass July 10, 2012... it will expire July 10, 2013

 

[kelmac284]

I think this is really sad. I think Walt would be distressed if he knew that they are soon going to make it SO expensive that a lot of people won't be able to afford it. I know for me I had a Deluxe AP since 06 and then it just got to be so expensive that I let it expire a year ago. Then when they came out with the monthly payments I decided to get a premiere for this year because we were making 3 trips. I am GLAD I did and glad that we will GET those trips because they literally are making it to where we will not be able to even afford parkhoppers anymore.

I am on a very limited income and with the economy am lucky to have a job at all but have not had a raise in 10 years. My ex husband not only had no raises but took a 10/hr pay CUT and that is when he is not laid off. To me the economy has not rebounded at all and yet EVERYTHING is going up. Gas, airfare, everything. I honestly don't see how people can afford to do anything. I guess like a lot of stuff only the rich will be able to go pretty soon. So sad!

 

[lwilkison]

Sorry, didn't see there was already a thread

There are a few threads! No worries! We are all thinking the same thing!

 

[Meriweather]

Just got home from a vacation and saw this.
Just bought our Deluxes.....we go in Dec.

 

[sierranevada]

Again - a big THANK YOU to this thread! I am going with a group of friends in July - 11 people total and 2 have passes. So between the 9 PH tickets we have to buy, we saved about $360! Plus I am going to buy my premium voucher since mine expires in Aug and I will be going back in Sept. Another $150 saved!!

 

[jumparound]

Are you a California resident? You could use the monthly payment plan.

I am, and am thinking about just buying passes right now and canceling the 3 day park hoppers I already bought. Does anyone know how much it costs to cancel ticket purchases through getawaytoday?