How Much Would You Pay

kymom99 · May 27, 2015

So you wouldn't be able to buy tickets ahead and use them whenever anymore? That looks way too complicated to me.

Dizlvr · May 27, 2015

I don't have a problem with tiered tickets, plenty of parks do that and I have in the past paid the fee for no waiting. My problem is that a guaranteed 30 minute wait isn't something I'd consider paying extra for because I wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for a ride anyway. Now, give me a guaranteed 10 minute wait and I'd pay, not sure how much but I'd definitely do it if it was within reason.

CalDisneyMomof2 · May 27, 2015

Marionnette said:
I just wanted to add a perspective on the tiered ticket matrix that is proposed in the survey as viewed by Theme Park Tourist. It includes a screenshot of the possible ticket scheme:
ETA: I had no idea that was a "banned" website. Sorry. Do a google search for the article.

Here's a screenshot of the proposed ticket scheme from Turkey Leg Jeff's Twitter account:

This looks pretty similar to what almost ALL major professional sport's teams utilize in their ticketing sales. My husband works for an MLB team that utilizes this strategy. It's called "dynamic pricing". It's used when teams play big names like the Yankees, Red Sox or Dodgers. Prices of tickets fluctuate according to the demand. And also like sports, if you get season tickets (or in this case, annual passes) you don't worry about fluctuating prices since you paid up front.

Marionnette · May 27, 2015

Dizlvr said:
I don't have a problem with tiered tickets, plenty of parks do that and I have in the past paid the fee for no waiting. My problem is that a guaranteed 30 minute wait isn't something I'd consider paying extra for because I wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for a ride anyway. Now, give me a guaranteed 10 minute wait and I'd pay, not sure how much but I'd definitely do it if it was within reason.

Parks that do tiered ticketing are not multi-day parks (same logic applies to sporting events and concerts). Their visitors are there for a day or two, while Disney's customers typically visit for around a week. The proposed ticket system has higher ticket prices on weekends than during the week, which means anyone visiting a park on a Saturday or Sunday (and in some cases also on a Friday or Monday) or arriving in one "season" but extending their visit into a premium "season" will have to bump their ticket purchase up to the next level for all days on their passes. An of course, with no more "no-expiry" option, you couldn't save those premium-level park days for another visit, while using a bronze-level ticket for the remainder of the week.

Turk February · May 27, 2015

Disney already has tiered hotel prices depending on what time of year you visit. Tiered or "dynamic" pricing for tickets isn't too surprising.

Dizlvr · May 27, 2015

Turk February said:
Disney already has tiered hotel prices depending on what time of year you visit. Tiered or "dynamic" pricing for tickets isn't too surprising.

Exactly

Marionnette said:
Parks that do tiered ticketing are not multi-day parks (same logic applies to sporting events and concerts). Their visitors are there for a day or two, while Disney's customers typically visit for around a week. The proposed ticket system has higher ticket prices on weekends than during the week, which means anyone visiting a park on a Saturday or Sunday (and in some cases also on a Friday or Monday) or arriving in one "season" but extending their visit into a premium "season" will have to bump their ticket purchase up to the next level for all days on their passes. An of course, with no more "no-expiry" option, you couldn't save those premium-level park days for another visit, while using a bronze-level ticket for the remainder of the week.

Still doesn't change the fact that I would pay more to be guaranteed not to have to wait more than 10 minutes in line. Just because I may visit MK 2 or 3 times in a week doesn't mean I'd be willing to spend hours in line on each of those days.
Those other parks have dynamic pricing as well, the cost for no waiting was more during Spring Break than other times of the year.

SandyinMonterey · May 27, 2015

Thank you for posting this. I haven't heard of the survey. Isn't Universal already doing something similar? Our family is pretty much done with the parks right now. Our last trip to DL this year and WDW last year has made that decision for us. We are changing direction (slightly) and trying a Disney Cruise next year. The year after that, probably Aulani. We're DVC Members so they already got our money but the increase in park tickets and increasing crowd levels has made a park vacation not so enjoyable. So, my answer would be zero!

Marionnette · May 27, 2015

Dizlvr said:
Exactly

Still doesn't change the fact that I would pay more to be guaranteed not to have to wait more than 10 minutes in line. Just because I may visit MK 2 or 3 times in a week doesn't mean I'd be willing to spend hours in line on each of those days.
Those other parks have dynamic pricing as well, the cost for no waiting was more during Spring Break than other times of the year.

But the base price of the tickets didn't change at those parks.

And IIRC, the OP's question was what you would be willing to pay to guarantee a wait of less than 30 minutes, not 10. While I might be willing to consider paying a premium to guarantee my wait did not exceed 10 minutes, I wouldn't spend a dime for a guarantee of "29 minutes or less".

Pesky · May 27, 2015

Nothing. I try to structure our trips so we aren't waiting in line and we leave and go relax when it gets really crowded. That's just not where I'd choose to spend my hard-saved money.

Dizlvr · May 27, 2015

Marionnette said:
But the base price of the tickets didn't change at those parks.

And IIRC, the OP's question was what you would be willing to pay to guarantee a wait of less than 30 minutes, not 10. While I might be willing to consider paying a premium to guarantee my wait did not exceed 10 minutes, I wouldn't spend a dime for a guarantee of "29 minutes or less".

I know what the OP asked, and I answered. I said I wouldn't pay for a guaranteed 30 minute wait, but I would for 10.

Still, don't have problem with tiered pricing no matter what wait they say, its okay that you do and that others don't

If there are those willing, and can afford to pay, good for them and good for the company making the profit.

Marionnette · May 27, 2015

Dizlvr said:
I know what the OP asked, and I answered. I said I wouldn't pay for a guaranteed 30 minute wait, but I would for 10.

Still, don't have problem with tiered pricing no matter what wait they say, its okay that you do and that others don't If there are those willing, and can afford to pay, good for them and good for the company making the profit.

My problem isn't with the price nor the profiting. My issue is with the level of complexity this adds to ticket purchases. Wasn't it confusing enough with hopping/WPF&M/(and the now-defunct) no-expiry combinations? Why add unnecessary difficulty when raising the prices across the board could result in the same level of profit?

Dizlvr · May 27, 2015

Marionnette said:
My problem isn't with the price nor the profiting. My issue is with the level of complexity this adds to ticket purchases. Wasn't it confusing enough with hopping/WPF&M/(and the now-defunct) no-expiry combinations? Why add unnecessary difficulty when raising the prices across the board could result in the same level of profit?

I definitely don't disagree with that!

Turk February · May 27, 2015

It should also be mentioned that getting Fastpass+ for free is an amazing thing that not enough people acknowledge. Six Flags and Universal charge for something that Disney gives away to its guests. To me it's incredible that this hasn't changed after all these years of price increases.

MomToOne · May 27, 2015

Marionnette said:
Why add unnecessary difficulty when raising the prices across the board could result in the same level of profit?

Because they are trying to drive price-sensitive business (people who won't go if they increase all ticket prices) to the less crowded days, where they have the capacity, while keeping room available on the weekends for the people that are wiling to pay more. It's pretty traditional revenue management. It maximizes profits all-around. It's similar to the way hotels manage things.

But it's just another survey. I've heard of lots of them over the years, most amount to nothing in the end, or it takes years and years for something to come of them.

Tardisblue · May 27, 2015

Marionnette said:
My problem isn't with the price nor the profiting. My issue is with the level of complexity this adds to ticket purchases. Wasn't it confusing enough with hopping/WPF&M/(and the now-defunct) no-expiry combinations? Why add unnecessary difficulty when raising the prices across the board could result in the same level of profit?

Valid point. It is a tad cumbersome and this increases the level of complexity. There are some interesting comments that have been made. Who knows if or when this may happen, but I doubt there would be the same sort of emotion shown for Universal doing this. I would say most of us feel we "own" a part of Disney in some way. It's been a part of our lives since many of us were kids, so when the parks and resorts bump up prices it feels like betrayal on some level. If there were a guarantee that the overall service and experience would improve, I'd be willing to pay more. Nobody is forcing me to vacation at WDW. If it gets too high, I'll cut back and go less often. Haven't quite hit that magic number yet, but my elasticity is beginning to wane.

JohnDaleswife · May 27, 2015

Alesia said:
No. It's just that I don't care that it's greed. Disney is a business, not a charity or a public service. They have a right to charge whatever they want and I have a right to either pay it or not. That's how capitalism works.

If the price gets beyond what I feel it's worth, then I just won't go. It's not that big of a deal.

Ok, I get that. And do agree with it for the most part, except it just irks me to no end how they want to continue to raise prices, but then again that is capitalism. I wonder how long it will be before they charge seasonally for parking at the parks and the resorts? Or a seasonal upcharge on all dining, including the counter service locations, charge for MExpress or to use the bathrooms in the parks?

Well maybe not the latter, but you get my point.

I also feel as though the tickets will come with a expiration date as well in the future. No more buying tickets to use the following year or years to come. Buy them in 2016, must use them in 2016.

nalajms · May 27, 2015

Turk February said:
Six Flags and Universal charge for something that Disney gives away to its guests. To me it's incredible that this hasn't changed after all these years of price increases.

Agree, fastpasses are great. But you really can't throw 6 Flags in there. I bought season pass for my family of 4 for $200!!! Added in 2 adult seasonal dining + a free refillable mug for an additional $220. At $420 total, that doesn't even cover my WDW AP

Tack on $70+ each for the flashpass and you're closer to WDW prices.

Marionnette · May 27, 2015

Tardisblue said:
Valid point. It is a tad cumbersome and this increases the level of complexity. There are some interesting comments that have been made. Who knows if or when this may happen, but I doubt there would be the same sort of emotion shown for Universal doing this. I would say most of us feel we "own" a part of Disney in some way. It's been a part of our lives since many of us were kids, so when the parks and resorts bump up prices it feels like betrayal on some level. If there were a guarantee that the overall service and experience would improve, I'd be willing to pay more. Nobody is forcing me to vacation at WDW. If it gets too high, I'll cut back and go less often. Haven't quite hit that magic number yet, but my elasticity is beginning to wane.

I couldn't agree more! I'm beginning to think that renting out my DVC points in the future will be a better choice for us. I can think of countless all-inclusive destinations and cruises that are more appealing than waiting 30 minutes in the Florida heat to see an inert Yeti, a bad screen on Soarin' or inoperable animatronics on Splash.

Jess_S · May 27, 2015

I don't think I fully understand the ticket matrix, but my reaction is:

If tickets cost more at certain times of the year, then I would look at the overall price of the vacation as I do now and decide if it was worth it to me.
If there was an extra charge for a shorter wait, that would rub me the wrong way. I would not be willing to pay the amount and I would not be willing to visit the park and wait behind those who have paid. I know that other parks charge for their fastpass equivalent and I haven't visited those parks since the buy your way to the front of the line idea was introduced (lest anyone thinks I'm expecting better behavior from Disney than others).

Turk February · May 27, 2015

nalajms said:
Agree, fastpasses are great. But you really can't throw 6 Flags in there. I bought season pass for my family of 4 for $200!!! Added in 2 adult seasonal dining + a free refillable mug for an additional $220. At $420 total, that doesn't even cover my WDW AP

Tack on $70+ each for the flashpass and you're closer to WDW prices.

Fair enough. It's impossible to compare a Six Flags seasonal pass with a WDW AP since you're paying for 2 vastly different experiences.

Speaking strictly for Fastpasses though, Disney gives away 3 rides plus however many more you can fit into a day, vs Six Flags who charges $45/$70/$110 per person (for Great Adventure) for different tiered versions of their system.

And yes, I know you can argue that Six Flags costs $68 and MK is $100 so perhaps what I perceive as "free" is really built into the ticket price already but then we'd have to get into theme parks vs amusement parks, overall experience, and the level of quality and value at each, etc.

How Much Would You Pay

How much more would you pay PER DAY to guarantee no wait times more than 30 minutes?

$25

$50

$75

$100

Zero - this is a greedy ploy

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