another ticket price increase? really?

[TinkerBelle_325]

I can afford AP's. I can afford to go three times a year stay Club level and mix in a couple of cruises. It's reached the point where I don't think its' worth the cost. I'm glad there are people out there like yourself that support the cost increases and will continue to go. That's great more power to you. The only reason we are going this year is because I got a great deal on the BC 198.00 a night plus discounted tickets. I really hadn't planned on going back for a few years. I'm not saying I won't go to Disney again, but they have lost a very lucrative frequent flyer. They haven't added any new rides. In fact a lot of the rides are starting to look tired and old. Most of the resorts need a refurb. I can afford Disney, but my kids are getting older, and they actually prefer Universal. I feel like I get more for my money at Universal despite there only being 2 parks. The 2 parks at Universal have more rides that my kids like than all four parks at WDW combined.

Good for you that you can afford AP, club level stays, cruises etc. Not sure where it was necessary to point that out?

I was simply pointing out the basic business rationale behind Disney NOT offering discounted tickets. Again, it is simple: They don't need to because there is general and increasing demand for their product. Annual passholders really aren't going to account for much in terms of revenue in ticket sales - the margins are MUCH higher on single and short stay passes.

It is great that you like Universal and it suits your family's needs better as your children get older. I never accused you of being one of the "I'm never returning to Disney" people. I am simply pointing out that affordability is not in the equation. They give discounts on rooms & food frequently because the demand isn't as strong there. Disney resorts generally sit at 70 - 85% occupancy. They don't need to give discounts on ticket because theme park attendance demand is steady and/or increasing.

 

[ucfknight]

The only reason we are going this year is because I got a great deal on the BC 198.00 a night plus discounted tickets.

Um... didn't you just say:

I have never seen WDW offer any deals or specials on tickets.

 

[Ofinn]

Given the price you quoted for 4 Universal Power Passes, I could only assume you lived in Florida. The non-resident price on the Universal site is listed as $199.99 each plus tax. So $842 total. The only way to get down to the $765 you quoted right now is to be a Florida resident.

Besides, someone living 2,500+ miles away isn't really the target audience of an annual pass program.

I bought discounted tickets that were good until May 14. They gave me the full value therefore my total price came out to 765.00.

 

[Ofinn]

Um... didn't you just say:

It's a conference rate. Offered through a travel agency for the last 2 weeks of August. Not the greatest time to go, and not something Disney offered me by all means.

 

[Ofinn]

Good for you that you can afford AP, club level stays, cruises etc. Not sure where it was necessary to point that out?

I was simply pointing out the basic business rationale behind Disney NOT offering discounted tickets. Again, it is simple: They don't need to because there is general and increasing demand for their product. Annual passholders really aren't going to account for much in terms of revenue in ticket sales - the margins are MUCH higher on single and short stay passes.

It is great that you like Universal and it suits your family's needs better as your children get older. I never accused you of being one of the "I'm never returning to Disney" people. I am simply pointing out that affordability is not in the equation. They give discounts on rooms & food frequently because the demand isn't as strong there. Disney resorts generally sit at 70 - 85% occupancy. They don't need to give discounts on ticket because theme park attendance demand is steady and/or increasing.

I mentioned it just to point out that not everyone complaining about the price increases can't afford it.

 

[sfromma]

A single-day ski lift ticket can top out close to $90 (most resorts close at 4 pm), yet we and thousands of others ski for one simple reason - we love it. Just the same, we will stomach the swollen Disney park prices. It's all relative.

 

[dwheaton]

I grow weary of all the comparisons to the price of other things. If it costs $500 to go to concert, does that mean Disney should raise their prices that far? The fact is that Disney markets itself as a great place to take a family and pushes towards middle-class people. In an economy that's still not great, they continue to raise ticket prices multiple times a year.

I totally understand why they're doing it. People like me (and many others) are willing to pay more because we love the parks so much. Like any business, they'll keep raising prices until it reaches a point where demand decreases.

What bugs me is that the increases don't go along with many new offerings at ALL the parks. Yes, there is New Fantasyland and Avatar, but there should be truly exciting new attractions to go along with the higher ticket prices. At least Bruce Springsteen usually tours with new albums.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I grow weary of all the comparisons to the price of other things. If it costs $500 to go to concert, does that mean Disney should raise their prices that far? The fact is that Disney markets itself as a great place to take a family and pushes towards middle-class people. In an economy that's still not great, they continue to raise ticket prices multiple times a year.

I totally understand why they're doing it. People like me (and many others) are willing to pay more because we love the parks so much. Like any business, they'll keep raising prices until it reaches a point where demand decreases.

What bugs me is that the increases don't go along with many new offerings at ALL the parks. Yes, there is New Fantasyland and Avatar, but there should be truly exciting new attractions to go along with the higher ticket prices. At least Bruce Springsteen usually tours with new albums.

Not to mention, I still have a Pearl Jam concert shirt that I got at their concert at the Fabulous Fox Theater () in 1993 hanging in my closet. I think I paid $15 for it. Today most concert shirts go for around $40-$50 and the quality is crap. My shirt still looks brand new after 21 years. It's not that I have an issue investing in one these days, it's the quality of the product I have an issue with.

 

[wdwfreak]

Not to mention, I still have a Pearl Jam concert shirt that I got at their concert at the Fabulous Fox Theater () in 1993 hanging in my closet. I think I paid $15 for it. Today most concert shirts go for around $40-$50 and the quality is crap. My shirt still looks brand new after 21 years. It's not that I have an issue investing in one these days, it's the quality of the product I have an issue with.

I was at that show. I should've bought a shirt.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I was at that show. I should've bought a shirt.

Only one the best concerts EVER!! When Eddie passed the candle from the front row all the way to the back of the lower level I got to actually pass it to the row behind us. Ahhhh....the good ole days.

 

[over50visits]

“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.”

Savings!!! Great. I think I will buy extra tickets I don't need, because that way I will save even more! The more you spend the more you save!

Honestly, they should say increasing costs demand increasing ticket prices. Ticket prices go up every year, of course. C'est la vie. To pretend like a higher price results in more savings is cynical at best and disingenuous at worst.

I don't deny prices go up on everything (except computers I guess). But I hate being treated to newspeak telling me how much I save. DDP is another example, they have convinced so many people that they are "saving."

 

[raidermatt]

The reason Disney doesn't offer deals for tickets is because they don't have to.


It is a simple exercise in supply and demand: Disney Parks annual attendance in Florida (in total) is almost 4 times that of Universal, almost 10 times that of Sea World and 12 times that of Busch Gardens.

There is more demand for Disney Parks therefore they can (and do) charge more.

Any price differences are minimal, and if history means anything, Universal will quickly raise their prices to be very close to or equal to those of Disney. In fact, Universal has even been first to pull the increase trigger in recent years.

It's true that Disney offers minimal deals on tickets. Locals and DVC members can get discounts, but generally, there's not much out there. But that's not because Disney doesn't have to discount, it's simply because Disney chooses to discount elsewhere, like room rates and food, and maintain their price integrity in tickets. These other discounts translate into increased attendance without having to actually offer more ticket deals.

 

[MinnieIV]

Undercover Tourists official website now reflects the price increase (did not this morning), however using the mousesavers newsletter I was able to still purchase with the old price. $15 per ticket is still $30 saved, and a souvenir, or a meal.

 

[Sphinx610]

UT is still offering tix at the old price bf the increase via mousesavers link. I just bought my tix for a family of 4 and saved $133& change over what Disney site wanted. Thanks Mousesavers! These prices are getting ridic. It's kinda sad bc I see ppl getting totally priced out. We save for 2 yrs and ask for Disney gift certs to finance our trips! Seems kinda far from the original vision... I get the reasons, but it's still kind of sad. Should it really be such a pricey privilege just to walk in the gates of the MK? Ugh... Makes it harder and harder to make a case for a yearly trip! (Obviously, since we are still going 2 yrs apart.)

 

[Networth]

Another reason I am glad I'm a born and raised Floridian.

 

[ArwenMarie]

They give discounts on rooms & food frequently because the demand isn't as strong there. Disney resorts generally sit at 70 - 85% occupancy. They don't need to give discounts on ticket because theme park attendance demand is steady and/or increasing.

Exactly. We all complain about the crowds at the parks, but you can pretty much get any room you want.

 

[Ofinn]

Any price differences are minimal, and if history means anything, Universal will quickly raise their prices to be very close to or equal to those of Disney. In fact, Universal has even been first to pull the increase trigger in recent years.

It's true that Disney offers minimal deals on tickets. Locals and DVC members can get discounts, but generally, there's not much out there. But that's not because Disney doesn't have to discount, it's simply because Disney chooses to discount elsewhere, like room rates and food, and maintain their price integrity in tickets. These other discounts translate into increased attendance without having to actually offer more ticket deals.

No one would stay in the resorts if they weren't discounted. They have overinflated the prices to a ridiculous amount. 500.00 rack rate then they give you a 30% discount which cuts the price to 350.00 which makes people feel like they are getting a great deal. The only food discount you can get on food is with a TIW card. The dining plan is not a discount. I paid 525.00 for a four 3 day tickets to Universal. The same tickets at WDW would cost 1160.00. More than double. I think Universal has a long way to go to catch up to Disney in terms of prices.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This maybe in response to the recent price increases at UNI and the UNI price increases expected this summer.

WDW offers over all much more.

AKK[/QUOTE

The difference is at Uni we are getting more than in past visits with money spent on new attractions and paying for more if prices do go up again. At WDW we will be paying more and getting less -less fps, less ride times, etc than past visits. The only thing I feel like I am getting more of is more time having to plan every aspect of my trip months in advance. I am just surprised at the timing of this announcement.

They have messed up by not doing more building, I hope with the news of all the new attractions, both already being built and to be built its a sign Iger has been woken up!.

You get the FP's if you pay for them or stay at their deluxe resorts.

Over all WDW has more and frankly their attractions have a following because of the high quality, so old is good as well.

UNI is like any company increasing prices, all prices, because the market will pay for it, just like at Disney.

AKK

 

[Laketravis]

Only one the best concerts EVER!! When Eddie passed the candle from the front row all the way to the back of the lower level I got to actually pass it to the row behind us. Ahhhh....the good ole days.

Ahhhhhhh.............yes. In a previous life my company was headline sponsor for a concert at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas - Ted Nugent, Bad Company, and Foreigner performed in the same night. They all signed that t-shirt.

Back on point, though - sometimes the strategy is to raise prices so that the discounts are more attractive.

 

[StarWarsJez]

Two price rises in a single year is pretty mercenary of Disney but doesn't surprise me in the slightest. If they felt they could double prices over the next five years and get away with it they would.

After all they need to keep the markets happy after blowing so much cash on Magicband,