DVC Mike: A) "Do the recent changes in the types and pricing of Walt Disney World Annual Passes matter to you? B) Will it result in any changes to your vacation plans? C) If you previously purchased the regular Annual Pass, in the future will you be purchasing the Gold (with blackout dates) or Platinum AP - or perhaps none at all?"
A) Yes. While some point out that change is inevitable--a point with which I totally agree--it's difficult to reason one's way around the fact that Disney has upped the ante on pricing even more of late. This is the second price gou--umm--increase in eight months. Most expect price increases yearly, but Disney's a) went for two in less than a year and b) both, as with prior increases, outstrip inflation. Perhaps those who never go during the blackout periods and want the Photopass option are only moderately affected. Fair enough. However, there are a great many who do travel during some blackout periods and who have no interest in more Photopass pictures. Virtually unspoken here is the hot rumor about tiered pricing for crowded times, an idea that's just too prime for Disney to pass on. When those who don't buy APs are then forced to pay more to come in the summer, or spring break, or Christmas, will it matter to me? Yes. They'll be forced to pay more, especially if they can only come during the high traffic times.
B) Yes. We've already cancelled plans for a trip next summer and are reconsidering plans for late next fall, too. I know. We're only one small grain of salt to Disney. That, too, is a fair statement. Still, the blatant money grabs have finally affected the way we will vacation. Here's the thing: the new pricing will likely do nothing to deter overcrowded parks, and I suspect Disney knows it. The only thing that will help is more stuff to visit and spread out the crowds, and those plans are years away. We are pre-paying for the new Toys/Star Wars/Avatar lands attractions.
C) No. Neither one. Nor the TiW card. We'll enjoy parks less (thus spending less), cook in our room more, and split more meals at Disney restaurants. In the end, we can control what we spend, and we will.
Bill
