hodad
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2015
I just saw this WSJ article and thought, "hmm, what would disboards thing?" Sorry if this was covered in another thread.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-looks-at-cheaper-off-peak-tickets-for-theme-parks-2015-10-05
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-looks-at-cheaper-off-peak-tickets-for-theme-parks-2015-10-05
Nikole Zivalich uses her annual pass to go to Disneyland more than 15 times a year, but has long stayed away on Saturdays, which are almost always jam-packed with visitors.
Now, however, she also doesn’t go within a week of any major holiday and is wary of Sundays, Fridays and Mondays. On one recent visit Main Street was so clogged that she was funneled by security behind the scenes, where she walked by dumpsters and the plywood backs of facades.
“I remember being bummed I had to see a nonmagical part of Disneyland,” said the 28-year-old television producer.
Maintaining the magic at its theme parks is becoming increasingly challenging for Walt Disney Co. DIS, +0.87% amid crowds drawn by new attractions, an improving economy and the popularity of franchises like “Frozen” and “Star Wars.” Both Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., have posted record attendance for each of the past three fiscal years, as well as for the spring quarter that ended in June.
As a result, for the first time in the 60 years since Disneyland opened, Disney is considering switching to demand-based pricing at its domestic parks, where tickets would cost less or provide added benefits on slower days, and cost extra or come with more restrictions on dates when there tend to be too many people.
“We have to look at ways to spread out our attendance throughout the year so we can accommodate demand and avoid bursting at the seams,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek.
Now, however, she also doesn’t go within a week of any major holiday and is wary of Sundays, Fridays and Mondays. On one recent visit Main Street was so clogged that she was funneled by security behind the scenes, where she walked by dumpsters and the plywood backs of facades.
“I remember being bummed I had to see a nonmagical part of Disneyland,” said the 28-year-old television producer.
Maintaining the magic at its theme parks is becoming increasingly challenging for Walt Disney Co. DIS, +0.87% amid crowds drawn by new attractions, an improving economy and the popularity of franchises like “Frozen” and “Star Wars.” Both Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., have posted record attendance for each of the past three fiscal years, as well as for the spring quarter that ended in June.
As a result, for the first time in the 60 years since Disneyland opened, Disney is considering switching to demand-based pricing at its domestic parks, where tickets would cost less or provide added benefits on slower days, and cost extra or come with more restrictions on dates when there tend to be too many people.
“We have to look at ways to spread out our attendance throughout the year so we can accommodate demand and avoid bursting at the seams,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek.
