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

[PetLoopers]

pffft. thumbs down.

Well said. Life isn't fun if everyone agrees with you.

Not sure what exactly you disagree with, but I'm just saying it might be wise to appease the masses for awhile. Let them simmer down, quit protesting, let the economy recover a little and then start gouging them again. Or, corporations can just keep piling on the atm fees, the baggage fees, the debit card fees, the fee payment processing fees and reward their CEOs for it. Short term profit is more fun than long term stability anyway.

 

[larryz]

Well I find it ironic that your 29 million dollar man paid the actor who you think is making obscene money. I will stand by my opinion,29 million is too much.Lets not muddy the water further!

Two points.

To be fair to Iger, his salary is only 2.5 million a year. "Only." As in, "Hey, that's only six times more than the President makes, so that's fair..." The rest of his compensation comes from bonuses, stock options, and the two cents he gets for every Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar that sells in the parks. (Just kidding -- about the ice cream bars...)

Depp, if I remember correctly, works for a percentage of the net profits on the films. I don't know the exact number, but when your film grosses a billion or two, it doesn't have to be very high to make a lot of money on it.

Ticket prices -- they're going up. Executive pay is going up. Depp's percentage may not be going up, but his payments are.

A key thing to remember about shareholder meetings -- the vast majority of Disney stock is held by non-human entities, like institutions, mutual funds, etc. And they frankly don't give a Remy's rear about executive pay as long as their dividend stays steady or goes up. Such Disney is famous for.

Those of us holding the odd share lots, we don't like it, but there isn't a Goofy thing we can do about it.

 

[jayandstacey]

And only 19% of said shareholders voted against the executive pay. It's up for a vote every year now.

As the PP said, they were using the word private in the sense that it's not a taxpayer owned company such as the Postal Service, etc. All private companies are owned by shareholders. Some private companies are required to be registered and thus are referred to as "public". So yes it's possible to be "private" (i.e. not owned by the government) and "public" (i.e. enough shareholders to require registration on a stock exchange and be subject to such regulation) at the same time.

To concur and clarify:

There are two sectors: Public Sector and Private Sector. Private sector are companies and people, while Public Sector is governmental. Disney is a Private Sector company.

Within the Private Sector, there are two ownership options: a company may be publicly held (ownership shares are traded in an open market) or privately held (ownership shares are not traded in an open market). Disney is a Publicly held company.

So Disney is a publicly held company in the Private Sector.

 

[jayandstacey]

Well said. Life isn't fun if everyone agrees with you.

Not sure what exactly you disagree with, but I'm just saying it might be wise to appease the masses for awhile. Let them simmer down, quit protesting, let the economy recover a little and then start gouging them again. Or, corporations can just keep piling on the atm fees, the baggage fees, the debit card fees, the fee payment processing fees and reward their CEOs for it. Short term profit is more fun than long term stability anyway.

The challenge is this:

While a handful are protesting, there doesn't seem to be anyone actually 'voting with their feet' and slowing consumption. Slower consumption would cause less sales, thus less profits, thus force companies to react.

To react before then is to risk losing ground to competitors (assuming they aren't making such moves). If a company, for instance, decides to lower fees and in turn lower saleries, it loses employees to companies paying 'full' wages. If it charges lower fees but returns less to the shareholders, they will sell the stock and devalue the company as they exchange the stock for other companies paying 'full' dividends or experiencing full stock price appreciation.

The issue is the protests aren't speaking a language that companies understand or percieve as actionable.

 

[jayandstacey]

Back on topic:

I showed a few weeks ago in another thread how clearly:
- Disney ticket price increases have far outpaced the inflation rate, and
- Disney hasn't yet found the maximal price - so the increases will continue.

 

[DopeysGal82]

I can't believe I read all that!
AH!

Ok, so my comment on the OP

1) It's really hard to compare based on a single-day ticket since most tickets are multi-day passes so most people don't nearly pay $85 a day realistically. yes, there are the odd uneducated tourists who think WDW is like any other theme park and walk up to the gate to buy admission, but I think most people either call the 800# or do some research and end up with multi-day tickets and pay in the neighborhood of $50/day.

2) I am kind of upset about prices going up and it does FAR outpace inflation. When we bought out first AP in 2004 I think it was just above $400. With tax, our APs this year were close to $600 :-O. Before MYW, APs became "worth it" at 8 days, now it's much harder to make that calculation. I think it's like 14 days now. I also feel Disney doesn't do as much for Passholders as I wish they would BUT I can see why they don't as the average passholder spends less per trip than the once in a lifetime vacationer.

3) I can't stand MYW. I'm always helping people plan their trips and no one understands them. It's no confusing. They rolled it out as being a way to SAVE money when really it costs so much more. I feel like the old tickets were easier to understand and were fair, but I do understand what they're trying to do in terms of keeping people OP.

4) Of course they have a right to charge as much as they want and make a profit. keep in mind though that when you're thinking about overall company profit and CEO salary, that theme parks are just one small piece of the Disney pie. They'll charge what they have to to keep the Thme Parks division profitable, but don't think that Iger's salary is dependent on how many churros you buy. I think it has a lot to do with supply and demand and also the costs of keeping a theme park running. Disney is very good at responding to changes in demand by running promotions such as free dining or kids stay and play free. They're in tune with the market. They aren't going to have empty parks.

I had already decided we were going to take 2 trips, one this December, and one next October, but had I not had that completely in my head, I may have thought twice about buying APs. The rates are high and the Pin code rates are lower right now.

Another thing I don't think anyone has brought up is that people CONSTANTLY complain that the parks are going "downhill", that monorails don't run as often, paint is chipped, AAs are down (hello Disco yeti), rides are in bad need of refurbishment, etc. Well these things cost money. The company isn't going to constantly dump money from other parts of the corporation into Theme Parks to keep them up, they have to be profitable on their own. At some people there will be a trade off. Either you can accept deteriorating quality for lower prices, or you're willing to pay more for a superior experience (the latter was Walt Disney's philosophy). Now, we can argue a few things..one the price is going up and the quality is going down, and that is not acceptable. You can argue that they're putting profit ahead of guest experience. At some point though, that balance will shift and people won't be willing to pay the extra money to come to Disney World.

Maybe my price perceptions are skewed having lived in NYC my entire life, but I don't feel "bilked" by Disney. I feel that in general the prices are fair or close to fair. Most of my nights at POP are costing $66. $66 for a room I know will be clean and comfortable with direct bus service to all of the attractions at the most popular vacation destination in the world? With free airport pickup?
With my 2 trips, it will be under $40 a day for admission to Disney world. Under $40? I can ride unlimited rides. Next month I get to watch the Candlelight Processional..I don't need to pay extra for that incredible show. I don't have to pay extra to meet Mickey Mouse, or to watch the amazing parades and fireworks shows which can't even compare to anything at another park or at home (with the exception of the Macy's T-day parade and the 4th of July fireworks). That's not half bad.

You can't compare a Motel 6 in some podunk roadside town and a boardwalk amusement park to Disney. It's just not the same thing, and the prices have been going up there, too. If people get prioces out of Disney, they will continue to respond with discounts. Sure the ticket may be $50 a day, and maybe you are paying $82 for your value hotel, but FREE dining? That's an amazing deal.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

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!

~OMG, I just read about the price increase on another board and had a flashback about this thread. You were spot on with this post!!! MK is now at $95 bucks for day one -- ouch. Next year, tickets will be at or over a cool C note.

 

[4 The Love Of Disney]

I can't believe I read all that!
AH!

Ok, so my comment on the OP

1) It's really hard to compare based on a single-day ticket since most tickets are multi-day passes so most people don't nearly pay $85 a day realistically. yes, there are the odd uneducated tourists who think WDW is like any other theme park and walk up to the gate to buy admission, but I think most people either call the 800# or do some research and end up with multi-day tickets and pay in the neighborhood of $50/day.

2) I am kind of upset about prices going up and it does FAR outpace inflation. When we bought out first AP in 2004 I think it was just above $400. With tax, our APs this year were close to $600 :-O. Before MYW, APs became "worth it" at 8 days, now it's much harder to make that calculation. I think it's like 14 days now. I also feel Disney doesn't do as much for Passholders as I wish they would BUT I can see why they don't as the average passholder spends less per trip than the once in a lifetime vacationer.

3) I can't stand MYW. I'm always helping people plan their trips and no one understands them. It's no confusing. They rolled it out as being a way to SAVE money when really it costs so much more. I feel like the old tickets were easier to understand and were fair, but I do understand what they're trying to do in terms of keeping people OP.

4) Of course they have a right to charge as much as they want and make a profit. keep in mind though that when you're thinking about overall company profit and CEO salary, that theme parks are just one small piece of the Disney pie. They'll charge what they have to to keep the Thme Parks division profitable, but don't think that Iger's salary is dependent on how many churros you buy. I think it has a lot to do with supply and demand and also the costs of keeping a theme park running. Disney is very good at responding to changes in demand by running promotions such as free dining or kids stay and play free. They're in tune with the market. They aren't going to have empty parks.

I had already decided we were going to take 2 trips, one this December, and one next October, but had I not had that completely in my head, I may have thought twice about buying APs. The rates are high and the Pin code rates are lower right now.

Another thing I don't think anyone has brought up is that people CONSTANTLY complain that the parks are going "downhill", that monorails don't run as often, paint is chipped, AAs are down (hello Disco yeti), rides are in bad need of refurbishment, etc. Well these things cost money. The company isn't going to constantly dump money from other parts of the corporation into Theme Parks to keep them up, they have to be profitable on their own. At some people there will be a trade off. Either you can accept deteriorating quality for lower prices, or you're willing to pay more for a superior experience (the latter was Walt Disney's philosophy). Now, we can argue a few things..one the price is going up and the quality is going down, and that is not acceptable. You can argue that they're putting profit ahead of guest experience. At some point though, that balance will shift and people won't be willing to pay the extra money to come to Disney World.

Maybe my price perceptions are skewed having lived in NYC my entire life, but I don't feel "bilked" by Disney. I feel that in general the prices are fair or close to fair. Most of my nights at POP are costing $66. $66 for a room I know will be clean and comfortable with direct bus service to all of the attractions at the most popular vacation destination in the world? With free airport pickup?
With my 2 trips, it will be under $40 a day for admission to Disney world. Under $40? I can ride unlimited rides. Next month I get to watch the Candlelight Processional..I don't need to pay extra for that incredible show. I don't have to pay extra to meet Mickey Mouse, or to watch the amazing parades and fireworks shows which can't even compare to anything at another park or at home (with the exception of the Macy's T-day parade and the 4th of July fireworks). That's not half bad.

You can't compare a Motel 6 in some podunk roadside town and a boardwalk amusement park to Disney. It's just not the same thing, and the prices have been going up there, too. If people get prioces out of Disney, they will continue to respond with discounts. Sure the ticket may be $50 a day, and maybe you are paying $82 for your value hotel, but FREE dining? That's an amazing deal.

Well said!

 

[kbelle8995]

While certain guest may say that there is still value. I am seeing a lot more people bringing food into the park. I am seeing less guests with the large souvenir bags.

I'm eating off property more and making cuts in spending when I can. I know some who don't buy souvenirs at all.

And I see a lot more people looking for discounts and Disney offering more discounts on rooms for Floridians. And more guest looking for FREE DDP.

I did "downsize" my ticket as well. And I don't think I'm alone.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

While I realize this is a zombie thread resurrected from beyond, I read the first post and must say: It doesn't matter to me what Universal does with their ticket pricing. I went there for a couple of days years ago, not long after Islands of Adventure opened, and wasn't impressed. Sure, they have awesome roller coasters, but the entire time I was comparing it (unfavorably) to Disney. Since then I haven't had any desire to go over to the dark side during any of my visits to Orlando. I just like Disney.

That being said, I have certainly cut back on the frequency of visits, and as the prices continue to go up and up, much faster than my salary does, my visits will become even less frequent until they finally stop.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

~OMG, I just read about the price increase on another board and had a flashback about this thread. You were spot on with this post!!! MK is now at $95 bucks for day one -- ouch. Next year, tickets will be at or over a cool C note.

actually $101.18

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I expect Disney prices to reach epic proportions across the board. It's quite obvious when I take into account Disney's Dream & Fantasy Ships - Fantasyland Expansion - Avatarland - Disneyland's Cars Land - Animation Resort - Aulani - NextGen and I'm pretty sure there will be a few more radical changes in the future.

Simply put, be prepared to pay more.

~LOL. I saw the headlines today and immediately thought of the DIS and this thread -- I had yet another DIS flashback! I don't like this trend!

~Disney Ticket Price Hike~

By Desiree Stennett, Orlando Sentinel

February 23, 2014

Starting today, Disney's Magic Kingdom guests will have to fork over a few extra dollars for single-day park admission.

The tickets will cost $99 for adults and children 10 and up.

This $4 price hike keeps Magic Kingdom the most expensive Disney park.

A one-day ticket for Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will go from $90 to $94.

"Our pricing reflects the high quality and breadth of experiences we offer and our ongoing commitment to investing in our parks," Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius said Saturday. "We offer a variety of ticket options that provide a great value, and find that most guests select multi-day tickets that offer additional savings."

This is the second price hike in less than a year.

Universal Orlando also raised its prices last summer. A one-day, one-park ticket is $92.

For a full listing of Disney ticket prices go to disneyworld.com/tickets. New ticket prices will be reflected on Sunday.

dstennett@tribune.com or 407-420-5447

~Anyway, the OP was right -- $85 tickets used to be the "glory days." This price increase trend was been going strong for a long time! We all saw this day coming and now it's finally here. Seriously, Disney -- how high can you go???

 

[Networth]

Supply & Demand. In 10 years people will be wishing 1 day tickets were $100. If the crowd levels continue to rise so will the prices.

 

[rajahfan7]

*sigh* when I saw that my 2002 said $45 I almost cried

 

[elainesj]

OK - I know this is a seriously old post...but somehow it popped up in my "Watched Threads" and given the latest price increase - we are now living in the future where tickets have now crossed the $100 mark.

 

[DisneyFive]

This thread is like a time capsule.

Dan

 

[Tropical Wilds]

 

[Texas Crude]

In all seriousness, I wish that over Christmas break Disney had 2 or 3 "Special Pricing" days when they jacked the price up to $400 a ticket. I'd gladly spend an extra thousand or two to spend Christmas day at a half-capacity Magic Kingdom and they'd make a fortune!

For all the complaints about pricing, Disney obviously hasn't gone far enough because there are still plenty of days when they literally have to close the parks because too many people want to pay their "outrageous" prices. You're right on one thing though, prices will never go down and if they did all we'd hear are complaints about park closures and even longer lines.

"Nobody ever goes there anymore. It's too crowded".

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

This will be the cost of next year's MVMCP & MNSSHP tickets.

 

[kandb]

I wonder if the reason Disney is getting rid of the non-expiration tickets is because they know the prices are going to go up steadily? They do not want people to hold onto non-expiring
tickets when they will be charging much higher prices in the future, unless the economy crashes.