$85 for a ticket, these are the glory days!

[andyman8]

Many of you are completely shocked by the title of this thread, and no I am not being sarcastic. I was reading an article about the June price hikes and in the comments someone asked if Disney would ever lower their prices. Someone answered that by saying no because as long as a "fair" amount of people walk through the gates of their parks it shows people will pay the money. This is the same with their resorts, dining, and merchandise.

So I gave this some thought. Based on the patterns of previous price increases, we have about 5 years until we hit $100 for one day of so called magic and there is nothing any of us can do for the only thing that CAN do something is Disney's biggest competitor Universal. If they kept their prices the same, while Disney raised theirs than more people would want to visit them, and suddenly Disney would notice that they are loosing significant amounts of people to Universal, but that is yet to happen.

And one may ask, what is the cause of all this? No, not inflation for you don't have a relatively flat price for much of the 90's up to 2004, then suddenly go up $40. The answer is Magic Your Way. Since its inception in 2005, prices have gone from $55 to $85. I know Disney would never go back to their $45 pricing but still, I think the highest one should pay for a "magical" day in any theme park in $69, preferably $55. For any CM reading this, I am not criticizing you only your bosses. In fact, I am sure you have to put up will a lot of angry customers about paying an upwards of 5 Grand for a week at Disney, and yet you all keep that wonderful attitude.

My point is Disney will continue to raise their prices, so if you think $85 is bad, just you wait. Sorry for spoiling your Saturday morning, but I just wanted to hear your responses. Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you think anything can be done to stop these unacceptable price hikes? By the way, sorry for rambling.

EDIT: For further clarification, this forum was not meant as a complaint (although re-reading it I feel I could have worded it better), as much as it was to see how fellow DISers felt about price hikes (also to let those who protest for lower ticket prices know that it probably won't happen). Disney has been an avid part of my life, and a place I enjoy going to and will continue to enjoy going to. This was simply a response to complaints I have heard across the Internet. I enjoy hearing everyone's opinions for I think it broadens not only mine but all of ours. I just ask we all respect each other. Thanks! Have a great day!

 

[mesaboy2]

It's called inflation. Been around a while, even before MYW. It's also not a Disney-exclusive.

 

[4 The Love Of Disney]

It's called inflation. Been around a while, even before MYW. It's also not a Disney-exclusive.

Thank you for saying what I wanted to say. With increases of the prices of things like gas, food, employee wages, etc - a company like Disney needs to adjust its ticket prices in order to ensure they remain profitable

 

[4 The Love Of Disney]

It's called inflation. Been around a while, even before MYW. It's also not a Disney-exclusive.

I agree. With increases of the prices of things like gas, food, employee wages, etc - a company like Disney needs to adjust its ticket prices in order to ensure they remain profitable. I think the prices are fair, and when I don't, I just won't go. Just my prerogative, just like its Disney's prerogative to charge what they wish

 

[Alesia]

It's called inflation. Been around a while, even before MYW. It's also not a Disney-exclusive.

Yup. And capitalism. Disney is not a charity, it is a business, and no one should be shocked that they make decisions that benefit their business.

 

[brunette8706]

OP-

I agree whole heartedly. Ticket prices are increasing much faster than the rate of inflation. It's funny that Universal used to have the 99.00 a day ticket PLUS get one day FREE. Disney never did that. Here's a link that gathers the ticket pricing data from WDW vs inflation..............

http://www.studioscentral.com/column/jentasmic/wdw-ticket-prices-vs-inflation

 

[mesaboy2]

I see you edited your post in response, stupid me forgot to quote the original. I'll rephrase. It's also called supply and demand. When the price gets "too high"--whatever that is--attendance will drop and Disney will stop raising prices too much, if they're smart.

I find it hilarious that someone with I'm guessing little to no experience running a theme park thinks they know what the entrance price point should be.

I'd suggest you work on suggesting reasonable prices for us for health care and college tuition first. Solve those, and I'll start to pay attention to you.

 

[Mousemommy1]

No one is forced to go to Disney...so complaining about price is a bit silly. If you don't like it, don't go. Just like some of the PP's noted, it is a business and of course it makes decisions to remain profitable...It is a business that I do not mind giving my money too though, so I do. If you're not happy with the price or product, don't buy. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but seriously, you don't have to go, there are plenty of places on earth to visit.

 

[rachel09985]

Im not sure where the comparisons with Universal are coming in. A one day ticket to Universal is $85...the same exact price.

 

[chartle]

Is the thread that I can complaint about food and everything else going up? Bagels that I paid 1.50 for 6 months ago are now 2.50.

Oh I'm sorry that's thread 12A.

 

[brunette8706]

Im not sure where the comparisons with Universal are coming in. A one day ticket to Universal is $85...the same exact price.

*
Universal tickets are discounted more than Disney. They are now priced at $120 for a 2 DAY TICKET for an adult PLUS $150 coupon book for discounts on their various restaurants PLUS some of their restaurants KIDS EAT FREE. That is my comparison. People are saying that Disney is going up the same as inflation which is not true. Disney is a business yes, I'm all for Capitalism, but there will soon be a breaking point for Disney in my humble opinion.

Not sure why the OP has to be attacked for posting HIS opinion.

Universal's ticket pricing link.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

 

[chartle]

*
Universal tickets are discounted more than Disney. They are now priced at $120 for a 2 DAY TICKET for an adult PLUS $150 coupon book for discounts on their various restaurants PLUS some of their restaurants KIDS EAT FREE. That is my comparison. People are saying that Disney is going up the same as inflation which is not true. Disney is a business yes, I'm all for Capitalism, but there will soon be a breaking point for Disney in my humble opinion.

Not sure why the OP has to be attacked for posting HIS opinion.

Universal's ticket pricing link.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

This is because US is the Wendy's to WDW's McDonald's. They price their product to draw people from WDW. (Sorry couldn't come up with a better company comparison).

Just as WDW prices their product to keep you OP for that 4th and 5th day.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And using the one-day ticket is not accurate. Most people use multi-day tickets. A five-day adult base ticket is only $50.20 per day.

I just did a quick calculation based on where I work, which is the Guest Services area at Typhoon Lagoon. Based on what I know of Disney pay, for an average winter day, when we are only open for Guests for seven hours, our staffing requirements (greeters, ticket sellers, Guest Services) it will take about 40 one-day tickets to cover the direct payroll costs (not including the employer share of benefits). But most people don't come into the water parks with one-day tickets; they tend to mostly have MYW tickets with the WPF&M option or some level of AP which allows them into the Park.

Then consider that we have over 100 lifeguards and/or slide operators on duty at all times, as well as custodial. (I am not counting merchandise or food service people in this equation.) And then the cost of all the gas we use to keep the water temperatures at about 80 as well as the electricity to operate all the pumps. And I have seen days when we have had fewer than 500 Guests and sold almost no one-day tickets, but have had to have full staffing for safety reasons.

 

[chalee94]

Do you think anything can be done to stop these unacceptable price hikes?

if the price hikes are truly "unacceptable" to you, then don't go. (if enough people don't go, the price hikes will stop.)

if the price hikes are still within the range that you are willing to pay, don't be a whiner.

it's really that simple.

 

[Terkina]

we as a consumer has a lot of power. The only way to tell Disney that it is to expensive going there is to stop going.
If everyone that thinks Disney is too expensive stopped going or started to rent rooms off site, the price sooner or later will go down.

 

[rachel09985]

*
Universal tickets are discounted more than Disney. They are now priced at $120 for a 2 DAY TICKET for an adult PLUS $150 coupon book for discounts on their various restaurants PLUS some of their restaurants KIDS EAT FREE. That is my comparison. People are saying that Disney is going up the same as inflation which is not true. Disney is a business yes, I'm all for Capitalism, but there will soon be a breaking point for Disney in my humble opinion.

Not sure why the OP has to be attacked for posting HIS opinion.

Universal's ticket pricing link.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

Yeah, I know I was just on that site. I definitely was not attacking someone by any means... I do not think that there will be a breaking point, unless they were like $200 plus per day! You also have to factor in the amount of vacations people take per year now compared to the 1970s/1980s. The standard of living has increased dramatically which means more vacations for families. Today is normal for families to take a couple vacations per year. I think the ticket prices have increased at the same rate that families are spending their disposable income on vacations! There will come a day when that rate does not keep increasing and Disney will not increase their tickets by that much.

Also, you have to keep in mind the influx of foreigners who are coming to Disney World each year. Now that rate keeps increasing every year substantially! I have a feeling that is why Disney can keep raising their prices higher than inflation. Each year more and more out of country visitors come, which is why Disney keeps raising their prices. I feel like I am in a different country at Disney now, which isn't a bad thing, but it didn't use to be like that. Disney is tapping into new markets and with that, it means higher ticket prices because the demand is increasing with the new markets they are entering.

Now, if ticket prices were $200 plus per day I probabaly wouldn't go. But most people who go to Disney use Magic per Way tickets so their price per day is low. I know I would never buy a one day ticket at Disney and thats why they can keep their one day ticket so high. I wonder what percentage of people in any given day are on a one day ticket? Probabaly not much... At Universal that percentage would be much higher. I agree about Universal having more discounts but most people are still only going there for one day!

I am definitely not attacking anyone, just stating my opinions and what I think.

 

[andyman8]

For further clarification, this forum was not meant as a complaint (although re-reading it I feel I could have worded it better), as much as it was to see how fellow DISers felt about price hikes (also to let those who protest for lower ticket prices know that it probably won't happen). Disney has been an avid part of my life, and a place I enjoy going to and will continue to enjoy going to. This was simply a response to complaints I have heard across the Internet. I enjoy hearing everyone's opinions for I think it broadens not only mine but all of ours. I just ask we all respect each other. Thanks! Have a great day!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

If you don't think that Disney is worth what they charge, then don't go. The surest way to keep prices from increasing is to vote with your wallet. As Disney isn't suffering, as far as I know, a major exodus in attendance then people must find that the experience is worth the cost. Peoples' budgets don't tend to change in significant amounts, so Disney won't be losing money, people will just have to adjust where their money goes.

All that said, since my Disney trips are already bare bones as it is, if the price increases keep up, I won't be able to frequent the parks as I currently do. Still, considering there are many people who will spend their entire lives without the chance to visit I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given.

 

[brunette8706]

Yeah, I know I was just on that site. I definitely was not attacking someone by any means... I do not think that there will be a breaking point, unless they were like $200 plus per day! You also have to factor in the amount of vacations people take per year now compared to the 1970s/1980s. The standard of living has increased dramatically which means more vacations for families. Today is normal for families to take a couple vacations per year. I think the ticket prices have increased at the same rate that families are spending their disposable income on vacations! There will come a day when that rate does not keep increasing and Disney will not increase their tickets by that much.

Also, you have to keep in mind the influx of foreigners who are coming to Disney World each year. Now that rate keeps increasing every year substantially! I have a feeling that is why Disney can keep raising their prices higher than inflation. Each year more and more out of country visitors come, which is why Disney keeps raising their prices. I feel like I am in a different country at Disney now, which isn't a bad thing, but it didn't use to be like that. Disney is tapping into new markets and with that, it means higher ticket prices because the demand is increasing with the new markets they are entering.

Now, if ticket prices were $200 plus per day I probabaly wouldn't go. But most people who go to Disney use Magic per Way tickets so their price per day is low. I know I would never buy a one day ticket at Disney and thats why they can keep their one day ticket so high. I wonder what percentage of people in any given day are on a one day ticket? Probabaly not much... At Universal that percentage would be much higher. I agree about Universal having more discounts but most people are still only going there for one day!

I am definitely not attacking anyone, just stating my opinions and what I think.

*
Hi Rachel! No you were NOT attacking the OP but there are a few here on this thread that are. Sorry for misconstruing my initial reply to you. brunette

 

[rachel09985]

For further clarification, this forum was not meant as a complaint (although re-reading it I feel I could have worded it better), as much as it was to see how fellow DISers felt about price hikes (also to let those who protest for lower ticket prices know that it probably won't happen). Disney has been an avid part of my life, and a place I enjoy going to and will continue to enjoy going to. This was simply a response to complaints I have heard across the Internet. I enjoy hearing everyone's opinions for I think it broadens not only mine but all of ours. I just ask we all respect each other. Thanks! Have a great day!

In the words of Facebook, I like this! Great response =)