So many interesting and helpful replies, thanks very much to everyone contributing to this posting.
It is of merit to note that those stating that by supporting the company still, (by purchasing at least the 5 day park hopper pass), that Disney may not get the point of changing current ticketing methods if they don't feel the monetary loss.
On the other hand, with all of us being such hardcore Disney fans, it's clear that so many of us would still keep going. myself included. That being said, there are many people who are not such diehard Disney fans who will simply look elsewhere if they can't take the week long vacation with more days at
Disneyland.
Valid point too, where it was mentioned that Disneyland has touted itself as a vacation spot - Disneyland RESORT do they not call it? What resort tries to limit their guests to only 5 days? Is it possible they simply are at an all time ticket sales high, and do not wish to accommodate more guests in their theme parks?
I also agree with the poster who mentioned it would be great if a newspaper or magazine could write an article about this new ticketing procedure. It would perhaps help to prompt Disneyland to be a little bit more understanding of their guests park hopper passes needs.
My reply from Disneyland, in answer to my email was fairly neutral I feel, so yet another excellent idea from the poster who requested to Disneyland that their comments be logged as a formal complaint. On the other hand, it looks like my remarks were forwarded to a leadership team, so that was good.
This is the reply I had received:
Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort.
We appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with us about
the discontinued ticket media. As you are aware, our goal is to provide
the finest service and accommodations. Please be assured we take your
comments very seriously. Your remarks have been forwarded to the
necessary leadership team so they are aware of your feedback.
Again, thank you for contacting us. Comments such as yours are welcomed
in that they assist us in evaluating our operation and our success in
generating happiness for our Guests. We hope you will have the
opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and that our
attractions and entertainment will delight you in every way.
Sincerely,
******* **********
DISNEYLAND® Resort
Guest Experience Services
And yes, to the poster who mentioned the annual pass blackout dates - for those of us who may go to Disneyland fewer than say, 14 days or so during the year, due to long distance travel, it is more beneficial for us to have say, 2 passes valid for up to 7 days each, etc. so that there are no blackout dates. Because it would less than 4% of the year (365 day pass, using 14 days) this is another reason I am rationalizing that blackout dates and upgrading to annual passes don't work for the long distance Disney fans.
This is really interesting to me, how many of you wrote in, or will write in, to let Disneyland know how dissatisfied with this new ticket policy, and hopefully with enough correspondence from those here on the boards, we can encourage Disneyland to find a way to prevent fraudulent ticket use, as well as resolve this issue to our satisfaction.
I will write again to Disneyland Resort with a link to this thread, and see what sort of response I receive when someone from Disneyland reads it.
Thanks for all of the input. Everyone's posts are excellent!
One more thought... Though I see the point that a 10 year old is most certainly taking up just as much space on the ride as an adult... it is nice for the adults paying for the trip to get a bit of a break in the ticket price for child's pricing since they pay for themselves too, to be able to take their child(ren) into the park, and spend so much money on the entire trip in the parks. Hotels usually offer for children to stay for free, of course I am not asking for Disneyland to offer free park stays for children, but in my opinion, 12 or 13 years and up would be more suitable to be considered an adult in terms of payment for a ticket, with perhaps even a 'junior pricing' for the non-toddlers, implemented. A 3-tier pricing structure would not be that difficult to implement.
Edited to add: I just emailed a response to the customer service rep. who had initially responded to my concerns. I directed them to this post in my response, so they know that so many others are also disappointed in the new 5 day maximum Park Hopper ticket policy.