Demand pricing. WSJ article any thoughts

[maxaroni]

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/disney-parks-consider-demand-pricing-173513067.html

 

[RedAngie]

I have no objection to pricing tiers for theme park tickets. Just like with the hotels: value, standard, and premium seasons.

I'm just surprised they haven't implemented such pricing strategies a long time ago, like some sports teams do for certain dates or opponents. The Halloween and Christmas parties already have variable pricing.

I mentioned this several years ago and got my head torn off. But I'm willing to be ripped to shreds again.

Vacation packages booked in advance for certain dates, (mid summer, spring break, Xmas thru New Year's, etc.) would have higher prices for the theme park tickets. So would walk-up tickets purchased at the gate during those times.

The way to avoid it would be to purchase tickets separately in advance. I WOULD object if such tickets were subject to a surcharge when used at busy times, however.

 

[bbjunkie]

My problem with it is it penalizes people that can only travel during those times; teachers and school-aged children in particular. There is a reason it is more crowded at those times, and Disney has already implemented strategies to increase attendance at their slow times. (Free dining, discounted room rates, etc.). Charging more for tickets during the "prime times" isn't going to change park attendance, it's just going to force the people that can only go at those times to pay more. They will still only be able to go during peak season; it's not as if suddenly their tickets when they are available to go will be $15 more so school will close in October so they can go to Disney when it's cheaper. So, I suppose they will do it, and they will increase their profits, but it isn't going to noticeably change their park attendance distribution.

 

[mesaboy2]

Because Disney ticket pricing isn't complicated enough.

 

[GotLabradors]

I'm waiting for them to tie the number of FP+ you initially get to the tier resort you choose. Deluxes get 10/day. Mods get 7/day. Values get 3/day.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Because Disney ticket pricing isn't complicated enough.

amen

 

[Tiffany]

I'm waiting for them to tie the number of FP+ you initially get to the tier resort you choose. Deluxes get 10/day. Mods get 7/day. Values get 3/day.

I am as well. I can definitely see that coming along with being able to book FP+s and ADRs farther out.

 

[RedAngie]

I'm waiting for them to tie the number of FP+ you initially get to the tier resort you choose. Deluxes get 10/day. Mods get 7/day. Values get 3/day.

That would be fine, as long as they charge Deluxe hotel guests $150 per day to enter the parks, moderates $125, and values $100.

 

[phillymummer]

I am as well. I can definitely see that coming along with being able to book FP+s and ADRs farther out.

Oh please no! 180 days is already too far out!!!

 

[HeidiGW]

They know it is not going to change "distribution," it is an excuse to charge more and increase profit margins. It follows the past years's logic....

 

[hoosll]

Still trying to pay off its magical new FP system.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

They already have a solution for this - discounted dining and resort rates. They have begun to reduce those discounts, so this comes off as a bit disingenuous. The total cost of a trip is what families consider - not just one aspect. The total cost of trips during the off season have been rising at a higher rate than any other time of the year as discounts are decreased.

 

[maxaroni]

WDW is, IMO, getting complicated. However, if we(or anyone), chooses to go you do the research and decide how to make it work for your families wants, needs or desires. DH and I usually vacationed when we wanted, spring or summer for the most part. Once we had DS we started going in September as the weather was still warm and prices were lower. Once DS was school she, we traveled in the summer but the end of the summer and some prices for lodging was lower. However, prices for activities were not reduced for the most part. IMO, there are so many factors that goes into choosing a vacation spot for most people. However, for us we pick where we may want to go and if the price is satisfactory we will go. We now travel in September as DS is out of college and working forging his own way. My point is that if we want to travel to WDW and it fits to our schedule and price we will go. We will not look at the calendar to choose based on cost of tickets. If we needed to go in the summer we would go - not based on ticket price. Not sure if that makes any sense or not.

I guess bottom line is that I can see where WDW is coming from but not sure it will change much in the long run as far as crowds.

 

[phillymummer]

My problem with it is it penalizes people that can only travel during those times; teachers and school-aged children in particular. There is a reason it is more crowded at those times, and Disney has already implemented strategies to increase attendance at their slow times. (Free dining, discounted room rates, etc.). Charging more for tickets during the "prime times" isn't going to change park attendance, it's just going to force the people that can only go at those times to pay more. They will still only be able to go during peak season; it's not as if suddenly their tickets when they are available to go will be $15 more so school will close in October so they can go to Disney when it's cheaper. So, I suppose they will do it, and they will increase their profits, but it isn't going to noticeably change their park attendance distribution.

THIS! I can't go to my principal and ask for a week off during a "non-peak" time because Disney doesn't want to "burst at the seams" anymore during summers and holidays. Ridiculous.

 

[GotLabradors]

THIS! I can't go to my principal and ask for a week off during a "non-peak" time because Disney doesn't want to "burst at the seams" anymore during summers and holidays. Ridiculous.

Really? My principal was really excited for me and signed my leave request before the school year even started. My kids' schools gave us no problems either. They just asked that I send in written documentation of the absence before we left.

 

[Boski]

That would be fine, as long as they charge Deluxe hotel guests $150 per day to enter the parks, moderates $125, and values $100.

I think they were implying that there would tiered FP+s because those staying at a deluxe were already paying a premium for the room.

 

[mrsR123]

Still trying to pay off its magical new FP system.

A friend, who still comes around here sometimes, posted on another board that "Star Wars lands don't build themselves..."

 

[epcotty]

I do suspect this would be the last straw for lots of people who would decide there's no way to get a reasonable price anymore at all, and attendance in Universal would increase more (I suspect they wouldn't be so dumb as to follow suit). Especially among all the people who can't go whenever they like. I don't think the attendance trend would continue as much even if left alone. A lot of people go because at present it's still possible to get decent ticket prices if you buy enough days, if that were to change I think many would go elsewhere (especially if they feel the value isn't there or it's just too expensive now). People on these boards have mentioned that people have been saving during the recession, and now spending their vacation dollars. As for bursting at the seams, I recall reading on this board that attendance levels were just as high in 1991 (when they had 3 parks). They didn't then feel the need to explore extreme options. Don't they realize they've far outpaced inflation already? Iger's legacy is apparently that it's now the cold company who no longer cares about the customer at all, at least not from the corporate standpoint

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

While I am frustrated with the price increases and lower discounts, I can't blame Disney in any way. They are in the business of making money.

After seeing the September crowds two weeks ago, it is obvious that demand is up. Way up. With no added supply, the only thing that can occur is a steep increase in prices.

I teach, too, and it is frustrating to me that prices are higher during the weeks when I can travel, but on the bright side, maybe the new pricing structure will serve to limit crowds during these high seasons.

There is only so much of Disney to go around. They have to limit who gets in one way or another. Cost is the most fair way to do it.

 

[Jfsag123]

I think they were implying that there would tiered FP+s because those staying at a deluxe were already paying a premium for the room.

And I think the poster you were quoting was implying that increased park benefits based on your resort level is a bad idea. Paying a premium for your room does get you something extra - a premium room. Everyone pays the same for park tickets and so should be eligible for the same experience with that ticket. WDW does have a history of differentiating between on and offsite guest ticket perks (EMH, FP booking times), but, up to this point has not really done so between different resort levels of onsite guests, outside of CL benefits. While we stay deluxe via rented DVC points and so would likely benefit from tiered FP levels, I hope they don't decide to go this route.