WDW considering implementing a tiered ticket price system

[crazy4wdw]

There's a very interesting article posted today over on WDWMagic. It seems that people are receiving survey's from WDW regarding a proposed tiered ticket system where the ticket price will vary depending on the days of your visit. Is another price increase coming?

"We are testing a number of different ways that theme park tickets could be priced. One idea is to have Walt Disney World®Resort theme park ticket prices based on the specific day of week or time of year that you visit.

In this scenario, ticket pricing is divided into different seasons: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Please review the calendar and indicate, specifically for the trip where you were intercepted at Disney's Hollywood Studios® on September 3, how many of your total Disney theme park days on that trip would have been Gold, Silver, and/or Bronze."

Link: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/interesting-disney-parks-survey-question-i-got-today.899893/

 

[crazy4wdw]

More info on the "rumor" regarding ticket prices:

Using a Gold, Silver and Bronze tiering system, the calendar year is split into three tiers, each with their own price.

• Gold tickets are valid any day of the year.
• Silver tickets are valid most days of the year except for peak and holiday weeks.
• Bronze tickets are valid only during off-peak weekdays.
• Multi-day tickets crossing two or more seasons must be purchased at the highest season’s price.
• Guests visiting on a day that is currently blocked out on their ticket can upgrade to a higher-season ticket.

 

[Reddog1134]

I just want to say that Disney puts lots of things in surveys that never see the light of day.

So, there is no reason for anyone to get upset at this point.

 

[rteetz]

Here is a photo of calendar

 

[cranbiz]

They have done that with the FL resident AP's. I had a weekday only pass for a while. It was significantly cheaper and for the most part, why would I want to go to WDW on a weekend day or a holiday?

I know that many visiting guests want weekends but then again, arrive on a Sunday, have a Bronze pass and spend 5 weekdays in the parks go home on the weekend.

 

[rteetz]

They have done that with the FL resident AP's. I had a weekday only pass for a while. It was significantly cheaper and for the most part, why would I want to go to WDW on a weekend day or a holiday?

I know that many visiting guests want weekends but then again, arrive on a Sunday, have a Bronze pass and spend 5 weekdays in the parks go home on the weekend.

Some don't have a choice to go on a bronze time frame. I don't think this will be implemented anytime soon but possibly in the future.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This *Possible* new system would be good or bad depending on the actual ticket costs. The devil will be in the ointment/details!

AKK

 

[smiths02]

They have done that with the FL resident AP's. I had a weekday only pass for a while. It was significantly cheaper and for the most part, why would I want to go to WDW on a weekend day or a holiday?

I know that many visiting guests want weekends but then again, arrive on a Sunday, have a Bronze pass and spend 5 weekdays in the parks go home on the weekend.

I think it is needlessly complicated.
I can also only go when it is silver and gold, so if Universal isn't upcharging their tickets. I will spend 5 days in the parks on silver and then switch to Universal.
I think it would do the opposite of keeping people at Disney. You just said yourself, spend 5 days and go home. Don't they want people to stay up to 10 days?

 

[rteetz]

I think it is needlessly complicated.
I can also only go when it is silver and gold, so if Universal isn't upcharging their tickets. I will spend 5 days in the parks on silver and then switch to Universal.
I think it would do the opposite of keeping people at Disney. You just said yourself, spend 5 days and go home. Don't they want people to stay up to 10 days?

I find that when people are spending 10,000 on a vacation an added 50 dollars doesn't mean much. I also think Disney feels that they would not be driving people away because attendance keeps going up.

 

[smiths02]

Also, can you imagine the complaints? People being denied entry because they didn't understand which ticket to buy or having to pay more at the gate. People want their vacation to be uncomplicated, hence things like DDP
On the other hand, Disney could just upsell everyone to Gold Park Hopper so the person doesn't have to "worry" about it. (Even if you are going in September and you don't park hop)

 

[smiths02]

I find that when people are spending 10,000 on a vacation an added 50 dollars doesn't mean much. I also think Disney feels that they would not be driving people away because attendance keeps going up.

Then just raise ticket prices across the board, if people don't mind paying more

 

[smiths02]

I find that when people are spending 10,000 on a vacation an added 50 dollars doesn't mean much. I also think Disney feels that they would not be driving people away because attendance keeps going up.

But if I'm already in Orlando and I have a week or so vacation, with the pricing structure now, I'm going to Disney the whole time (9 day tickets). If I knew that I could just get 5 day at bronze/silver vs getting 9 day at gold for several hundred dollars more, I might do other things in Orlando (including eating and shopping), like Universal, so Disney does lose some money.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think for most people, these price differentials will just go over their heads when they book their trips.

It's probably brilliant really, in an evil genius kind of way.

And is it any worse than charging a premium for a character buffet on the high-crowd days? Or doubling the price of a dessert party? Etc Etc Etc...

 

[rteetz]

Then just raise ticket prices across the board, if people don't mind paying more

They are trying to get more out of people at times that people are going to come anyways. The summer is always going to be busier as well as holidays. But the first week in September is going to have less people. This also has to do with crowd control since I think they've noticed FP+ isn't controlling as much as they want.

 

[rteetz]

But if I'm already in Orlando and I have a week or so vacation, with the pricing structure now, I'm going to Disney the whole time (9 day tickets). If I knew that I could just get 5 day at bronze/silver vs getting 9 day at gold for several hundred dollars more, I might do other things in Orlando (including eating and shopping), like Universal, so Disney does lose some money.

I understand your point and agree but not everybody does that.

 

[rteetz]

I think for most people, these price differentials will just go over their heads when they book their trips.

It's probably brilliant really, in an evil genius kind of way.

And is it any worse than charging a premium for a character buffet on the high-crowd days? Or doubling the price of a dessert party? Etc Etc Etc...

Bingo if people are going to keep buying these ridiculous parties and stuff why wouldn't they pay for tiered tickets.

It's worth noting in this thread that the tiers would be 105 for bronze, 115 for silver and 125 for gold.

 

[smiths02]

They are trying to get more out of people at times that people are going to come anyways. The summer is always going to be busier as well as holidays. But the first week in September is going to have less people. This also has to do with crowd control since I think they've noticed FP+ isn't controlling as much as they want.

Agreed, but I think a seasonal upcharge is less complicated then this weekend thing.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Folks are bringing up what is clearly the most important point to me..................Is WDW getting to complicated to plan!?????

AKK

 

[cranbiz]

I agree that it won't work for some. I had not seen the calendar prior to my post. It's not the same as the FL AP calendar.

It will, still work for some. What is going to happen here is, guests buy the minimum level ticket that works for them and then goes to SeaWorld, Universal or Busch Gardens with their remaining days. Disney leaves money on the table.

 

[smiths02]

Bingo if people are going to keep buying these ridiculous parties and stuff why wouldn't they pay for tiered tickets.

It's worth noting in this thread that the tiers would be 105 for bronze, 115 for silver and 125 for gold.

I agree. Like I said, I think it looks complicated, but so does the DDP. Disney will just try to sell you gold park hoppers no matter when you go so that "everything is taken care of" BUT when they list prices, they can advertise the bronze tickets as the price.

ETA: Or maybe if you buy the tickets as a on-site package, then you get the gold and don't have to worry about it?