Is Universal Orlando Repeating Disney World's Mistake?

Allen Conway

Allen Conway

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Just read the article below and I'm not sure about Universal, but I think jacking up the prices especially on the annual passes was a stinker move by Disney. Maybe a 5-8% increase, but doing large increases and restructuring the 'names' of the passes as essentially a marketing move really didn't do anything cool, but lessen the $$ in our pockets.

Is Universal Orlando Repeating Disney World's Mistake?
 
Honestly the fool makes it sound like APs were the whole problem for Disney attendance decreasing when there is no way we can prove that. It could've been just regular park tickets that decreased. I also think by just looking at prices the universal APs aren't that expensive. Yes they are costly but now high enough that would turn me away. I've never owned an annual pass though. WDW APs also didn't increase nearly as much as Disneyland APs did.
 
Honestly I trust Motley Fool as much as I trust Fox News, in other words if I see a story from either of them I avoid it like the plague. I saw Orlando Sentinel post something similar which I posted on the other thread talking about Disneys changes. If universal is doing the same it's going to piss off a lot more people because I think universal is more APers than travelers but definitely not to the scale of Disneyland. And if the opposite is true than definitely not to the scale of World.
 
I personally believe it is a mistake. I'm not talking about this particular price increase in APs but the overall price increase in the Orlando theme parks. Every time it's becoming more and more expensive to plan a trip to Orlando, while other beautiful destinations around the world at half the price are gaining popularity. Price increases are clearly not the sole reason behind the lower attendance numbers, but I do think that the industry pricing as a whole will have negative effects in the long term for the Orlando area.
 


luisov said:
I personally believe it is a mistake. I'm not talking about this particular price increase in APs but the overall price increase in the Orlando theme parks. Every time it's becoming more and more expensive to plan a trip to Orlando, while other beautiful destinations around the world at half the price are gaining popularity. Price increases are clearly not the sole reason behind the lower attendance numbers, but I do think that the industry pricing as a whole will have negative effects in the long term for the Orlando area.
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Things aren't going to change until a recession happens.
 
PuppyJonathan said:
Honestly I trust Motley Fool as much as I trust CNN, in other words if I see a story from either of them I avoid it like the plague. I saw Orlando Sentinel post something similar which I posted on the other thread talking about Disneys changes. If universal is doing the same it's going to piss off a lot more people because I think universal is more APers than travelers but definitely not to the scale of Disneyland. And if the opposite is true than definitely not to the scale of World.
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you.
 


Doug M said:
Not really allowed to post political stuff on this forum so it was a backhanded way to point it out.
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If this is the case then why did you try to "fix" my original post? There was no political connotations other than mentioning "Fox News" and "I don't trust it." How politics were gathered from that you had to have looked too deep into it. And if so how is your backhanded way of informing me anymore correct?
 
How much are they increasing it? I know they're introducing a high up tier with blackout dates. And before this an AP there was kind of cheap, 330 (I believe what I saw) is cheap considering it's like 150 for a 1 day 2-park ticket. If universal is mostly like what I said before this its going to heavily affect attendance there
 
PuppyJonathan said:
How much are they increasing it?
Click to expand...

According to the article:

"The price for the cheapest Disney World annual pass with year-round access soared 23%."

I know as a AP the prices have climbed a bit. Yes there are certainly still much more reasonable than for those that have to buy individual tickets, but still comparatively to what APs have cost over the last few years they have gone up by a good amount. I remember paying high $200s for seasonal blackout passes, and now the 'Silver' is around $415. Parking is now included, but the work around for that in the past was buying (1) premium pass and the rest regular. A 9 year old doesn't need a pass with free parking ;)

I don't mind WDW raising prices to remain as a premium experience park. In the past my wife and I had season passes at one of the old Paramount owned theme parks and the season passes were prices at a point (roughly $79 for the season), that just about anyone would buy and go to the parks. This included droves of kids loitering in the park in masses acting like idiots and really detracting from the experience. I don't see as much of that at WDW because based on the price point, you really have to want to be there to spend that kind of money.
 
luisov said:
I personally believe it is a mistake. I'm not talking about this particular price increase in APs but the overall price increase in the Orlando theme parks. Every time it's becoming more and more expensive to plan a trip to Orlando, while other beautiful destinations around the world at half the price are gaining popularity. Price increases are clearly not the sole reason behind the lower attendance numbers, but I do think that the industry pricing as a whole will have negative effects in the long term for the Orlando area.
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Price increases are a tactic in multiple fronts...

For one...they keep Wall Street off big shot bob's back because they can post higher profits on less people. Boy...the street LOVES that. Nothing looks good to the bloodsucking vultures...err, I mean, "financial industry"...like selling old things for more money. Bread and circuses for everyone!!

Second...less raw numbers decreases the staffing burden. And Disney HATES to have employees. They always did...always did in Florida...and that's gonna get worse.
Especially when you've got people in charge who are into "IP" and think the product sells itself. Why spend more on quality in 3 dimensions when you have the golden goose churning out character containing eggs?

There are other angles/possibilities too...
Without getting too wordy - they have pushed the upfront cost of vacation club too far...sales figures have not been as good these last few years...so they could in a weird way use the discounts on tickets to encourage new sales. How easy would it be to take discounts (now only to direct contract sales - that's important) and use them as a wrench to twist people's arms on really exhorbinant contracts? Very easy.

The fool is harsh on Disney...like me...but they usually have a bit of common sense as the basis. Do they go too far? Often yes...they do...but not quite like the cable news comparison...where they literally make it up as they go and put earmuffs on as they talk. I doubt the motley fool has scumbags and predators calling the shots either - something that has bend proven 1000% by the other "example".
 
Allen Conway said:
According to the article:

"The price for the cheapest Disney World annual pass with year-round access soared 23%."

I know as a AP the prices have climbed a bit. Yes there are certainly still much more reasonable than for those that have to buy individual tickets, but still comparatively to what APs have cost over the last few years they have gone up by a good amount. I remember paying high $200s for seasonal blackout passes, and now the 'Silver' is around $415. Parking is now included, but the work around for that in the past was buying (1) premium pass and the rest regular. A 9 year old doesn't need a pass with free parking ;)

I don't mind WDW raising prices to remain as a premium experience park. In the past my wife and I had season passes at one of the old Paramount owned theme parks and the season passes were prices at a point (roughly $79 for the season), that just about anyone would buy and go to the parks. This included droves of kids loitering in the park in masses acting like idiots and really detracting from the experience. I don't see as much of that at WDW because based on the price point, you really have to want to be there to spend that kind of money.
Click to expand...

You describe the "six flags effect" and I agree...there is a downside to such a policy of "buy one day...get the whole year for pennies more"

I wouldn't want the Disney prices to be anywhere near that cheap...because while I value the local resident segment...I don't want it becoming a cheap "go to" spot for a large passholders base. That would flood weekends and make the overall experience bad.

But...20% is not a reasonable increase after relentless increases on EVERYTHING. Especially when...again...they are doing it on really old parks that have seen a lot of neglect. The fact they are building stuff for the next few years should not be a financial gain for NOW.

Disney customers don't do themselves any favors - the Cali segment held the line and got a major upgrade to California adventure. Bravo...

Now the pendulum has swung...they are beating them away from the place...and they are swallowing relentless price increases. Own worst enemies.
 
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I said on another thread (I'm a poet and don't know it!) that I'm glad to see APs rise in price. #1 - As said above, all APs do is make weekends at WDW unbearable. #2 - Why should someone pay so much less than I do to enjoy the same experiences? It's just not right. They're still too cheap in my opinion.

Once again, Universal proves that they are second tier. Disney raised prices to increase profits and to decrease crowds. They said on the front end that they hoped to moderate the crowds a bit. Now Universal acts, once again, just to keep up with Disney. Disney did "X" so Universal must do it too. They don't want to be seen as the "cheaper alternative." I have no idea why not, but they don't. THE LAST THING Universal wants to do is decrease crowds, yet they do this anyway. Here's a real opportunity for them to make up ground vs. Disney attendance wise, but for appearances they must raise prices to keep pace. NUTS.
 
Allen Conway said:
According to the article:

"The price for the cheapest Disney World annual pass with year-round access soared 23%."

I know as a AP the prices have climbed a bit. Yes there are certainly still much more reasonable than for those that have to buy individual tickets, but still comparatively to what APs have cost over the last few years they have gone up by a good amount. I remember paying high $200s for seasonal blackout passes, and now the 'Silver' is around $415. Parking is now included, but the work around for that in the past was buying (1) premium pass and the rest regular. A 9 year old doesn't need a pass with free parking ;)

I don't mind WDW raising prices to remain as a premium experience park. In the past my wife and I had season passes at one of the old Paramount owned theme parks and the season passes were prices at a point (roughly $79 for the season), that just about anyone would buy and go to the parks. This included droves of kids loitering in the park in masses acting like idiots and really detracting from the experience. I don't see as much of that at WDW because based on the price point, you really have to want to be there to spend that kind of money.
Click to expand...

The quote regarding disney annual passes isn't quite right. Currently there are only two annual passes offered (to non-DVC and non-FL residents). Neither have blackout days. In October the Annual Pass (no blackout days) was renamed to the Platinum Pass (no blackout days) and the price increased $90 (from $659 to $749).

I'm guessing they are referring to the Florida resident passes. They introduced Silver and Gold, both of which DO have blackout days. So perhaps from a Florida resident standpoint (although I don't have historical prices), the statement was true. However, not stating that it was exclusive to Florida residents is misleading.
 
Whatsthegoodword said:
I said on another thread (I'm a poet and don't know it!) that I'm glad to see APs rise in price. #1 - As said above, all APs do is make weekends at WDW unbearable. #2 - Why should someone pay so much less than I do to enjoy the same experiences? It's just not right. They're still too cheap in my opinion.

Once again, Universal proves that they are second tier. Disney raised prices to increase profits and to decrease crowds. They said on the front end that they hoped to moderate the crowds a bit. Now Universal acts, once again, just to keep up with Disney. Disney did "X" so Universal must do it too. They don't want to be seen as the "cheaper alternative." I have no idea why not, but they don't. THE LAST THING Universal wants to do is decrease crowds, yet they do this anyway. Here's a real opportunity for them to make up ground vs. Disney attendance wise, but for appearances they must raise prices to keep pace. NUTS.
Click to expand...

Huh?

Just to clarify...you aren't using any thing I typed to justify this Disney apologist nonsense, are you?
 
Whatsthegoodword said:
Huh? I wasn't responding to you; merely offering my opinion. ...and you call it "nonsense." You're such a big internet bully.
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I think "nonsense" is polite...

You twisted some of the discussion into a slight at universal...which, I'm sorry, has been run WAY more effectively than WDW for the last 10 years or so...

...and excuses for really bad corporate smokescreens on egregious cash grabs...

Then said that APs make the parks "intolerable"...which is completely incorrect.
 
Whatsthegoodword said:
#1 - As said above, all APs do is make weekends at WDW unbearable. #2 - Why should someone pay so much less than I do to enjoy the same experiences? It's just not right. They're still too cheap in my opinion.
Click to expand...

That's actually who I am - a Florida Resident AP holder ;) Yes we do go on the weekends and might spend less overall on tickets/admission per day via an AP. However, we also spend a lot more at Disney Springs, souvenirs, food, long weekend visits at Disney hotels, etc. on a routine basis that makes Disney a bunch of $$ as compared to the person that might only come once every year or 2.
 
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