TIW is probably largely locals but parking and APs affect everyone. Most people I know with APs are not Florida residents (who pay different prices anyway). And most guests stay offsite so parking fees definitely affect them.
It doesn't particularly bother me when prices go up. What does bother me is the rate at which they go up. Raising parking from $17 to $20 is a 17.6% hike. I can't believe the cost of operating a parking lot has increased that much. I'm sure the CMs working in the lot haven't gotten a 17.6% raise (I know I sure haven't).
As for the APs, it bothers me when they increase the price of something and try to justify it by adding some feature that most people probably don't want or need. Quite honestly, I'm not even entirely sure what PhotoPass is. I mean, I know it has something to do with the photos that are taken of you in the park but it's not something I've ever used in any way. The fact that I'm now going to pay more for an AP to get that included is just a waste to me. I'd rather see the ticket prices lower and keep the a la carte services separate. People who want them can buy them. People who don't want them aren't stuck paying for them.
Pete has said numerous times not to complain if you aren't prepared to stop paying the price. So far, we're not at that point yet so I'm not going to fuss too much. I've said before, the one thing that might make me stop going is FP+, not the ticket prices. Our next trip is in November. I'll see what I think after that.
Personally, I'm a family with no children, so the photo pass photographers are awesome for us. We can get a photo of both of us together that isn't a selfie, without having to trust a stranger to help
Ok they may not be the most artistic photos, but I couldn't take an artistic photo if I tried.
If I want artistic, I'll look on google images for one.
Different families have different needs.
If I were an AP holder, I'd love to have photo pass included, being able to use it for the whole year when it's $160 at best to use it for a limited amount of time, seems like the increase would pay for itself if this is something you'd use
'Most' ride photos - no, but those have never been much of an interest to us. We were always able to get photos of our children on rides. We have been to Disney too many years to count (since year after MK opened in '71) so take just a few important (to us) ones now.
I'm not sure if there is a difference between what photos are included with the new AP, but when I bought it, it included all ride photos and videos
While I agree with your thought, I'm curious, if this is true, why Disney would mess with its most ardent supporters? Is it about them knowing those who visit the most can just "take it"? Seems like a strange strategy to me..........but its the same deal the cable companies use...........the long standing customer never gets in on the new deals, they're only to draw new folks. The problem the cable companies have now is there is competition now...........so that strategy can be beat (I've done it twice to FIOS). Is the competition of US enough to impact Disney?
Doug
Because they know that the local AP holders aren't the ones spending buckets on their afternoon at the parks.
For the most part, they're not spending as much on Merch and food as the family that Coke once every year or two and stay for a full 7-14 days. That's presumably 3 meals a day for a week or two, merchandise that you buy because let's be honest, when you're on a trip, you're looser with your spending (well I am anyway)
You'll buy the snacks because why not?! You're on vacation!
They see the value of this at WDW vs the local AP holder
DLR, not so much, they're, as Pete says, a locals park.
I don't think that Disney understands basic economics and consumer behavior. If the prices in one area go up, then people will cut back in other areas in order to make up the difference. Disney might increase profits in one area, and lose profits in another. As a local, I will not be renewing my TIW. With the $150 savings I can afford to pay for the now much higher priced AP. Without TIW I will probably go out to eat at other Orlando area restaurants over the next year. The whole point of TIW was to encourage locals to eat on Disney property. I believe that the main motivation behind the AP price increase is crowd control. I think this is misguided because locals only make up a small percentage of the crowds. This might make a small dent in the crowd levels during the blackout periods, but at the expense of insulting your most loyal guests. Things may turn out to be business as usual, and it may take a few years for the effects of this to trickle down, but I believe that Disney is hurting themselves in the long run with such dramatic increases.
As Steve said, just because you need to cut back, doesn't mean it will be on your trip.
We save, we might not buy those cute jeans, or go out drinking for an afternoon for no reason, just to have the opportunity to do so on our trip.
Just because it's a trip to Disney, doesn't mean you're putting "Disney first", you're putting your vacation first. It just happens that the vacay is to Disney.
At least Disney hasn't gone this route. They set a flat price and that's it, every day for every guest. It doesn't matter if it is Christmas morning or the hottest day of the summer, the price is the same. I like that. I hate the places that set the price based on perceived demand for season and special events.
You mean how Disney has different prices for different days of
MNSSHP and
MVMCP?
Or universal's express pass?