another ticket price increase? really?

[surferdave]

Disney hikes theme park prices; cast members demand higher pay

 

[JanaDee]

Also who ever is going to sea world should be ashamed of themselves. Everyone should watch Blackfish on netflix and if you have a heart you never will step foot in that park again. Also everyone here will justify what we like to spend money on until we are blue in the face does not matter if prices go up or down. I am a Disney person and will defend it until I am blue in the face won't step foot in universal expect for once every 5 years. That's me and I am sure everyone posting might have similar feelings either way.

I don't let propaganda decide where my family vacations. I can't wait to take my kids to Sea World in the next couple years.

 

[JanaDee]

Disney hikes theme park prices; cast members demand higher pay

I saw that earlier. You know workers won't get higher pay and will more than likely, mysteriously lose their jobs.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Disney hikes theme park prices; cast members demand higher pay

I think if people thought some of the extra money was going to the workers, people wouldn't have such an issue with it. I know I wouldn't.

 

[JanaDee]

I think if people thought some of the extra money was going to the workers, people wouldn't have such an issue with it. I know I wouldn't.

Great point.

 

[Ofinn]

But again, at least with Universal you are getting MORE each year rather than less.

I agree with you. We have been to Universal three times in the last 4 years and each time there has been a couple new attractions. When we go in August the new Harry Potter area will have opened. I can't think of anything at WDW that has changed except the test track, and star tours redo. I wasn't impressed with the New FL. I'm sure it's great for people with little kids, but not much to offer older kids.

 

[mom2rtk]

But again, at least with Universal you are getting MORE each year rather than less.

That makes all the difference for me. It's going to be a long time before I feel like I'm getting more at Disney since I just don't care about Avatarland. But I'm sure the price hikes will just keep coming.

Or maybe if they go from 3 to 4 FPs I'm supposed to feel like I'm getting "more".

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Great point.

I agree as well. I do know there is a new contract coming up for the WDW union workers.

AKK

 

[Rip]

Well that is highly debatable and everyone has their opinion. The starting point makes a big difference.

I am sure we would not agree and that's ok, to each their own opinion.

AKK

No, it's not debatable and no, the starting point is irrelevant. Disney increases but adds little to nothing every year. Universal has added HP, is about to add another HP, and has added Despicable Me and Transformers just in the past 3 years.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Being that it's the 2nd price hike in a year..(June '13) was the last one....just my opinion...but maybe it was more about not enough notice than the hike itself....
Although with Disney doing a raise 2 x in a year...and breaking the amount of the raise up it doesn't seem so bad to some people...
DH and i are retired but we still spend many days at the World...relaxing, golf,eating at the restaurants.......but we do not buy PH anymore..

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

No, it's not debatable and no, the starting point is irrelevant. Disney increases but adds little to nothing every year. Universal has added HP, is about to add another HP, and has added Despicable Me and Transformers just in the past 3 years.

You are entitled to your opinion! I feel you are wrong.

Disney has added things, some you mentioned, others including a new AK night show, new parade, major refubs the last few years, FL, the mine train, etc, etc.

Facts like the starting point do matter.

Yes Uni has as well, but things like thrill ride Transformers and desc me just don't interest many including my family.


Now I have been polite and respected your opinion, please do the same.

AKK

 

[ucfknight]

No, it's not debatable and no, the starting point is irrelevant. Disney increases but adds little to nothing every year. Universal has added HP, is about to add another HP, and has added Despicable Me and Transformers just in the past 3 years.

Despicable Me wasn't "added". It is just a re-theming and upgrade of a ride that's been there since Universal Studios opened. Just like I wouldn't call Star Tours The Adventures Continues a new ride at DHS.

The first Harry Potter area was mainly just a re-theming of an existing land, including 2 of the 3 rides that are present there. The only added ride is great, though. And the overall theming of the land is wonderful..

The recent new additions to Universal Studios Florida are great to see. Transformers and Diagon Alley show that Comcast is definitely dumping a lot of money into the parks to compete with Disney.

The more competition, the better.

 

[3happydancers]

I think if people thought some of the extra money was going to the workers, people wouldn't have such an issue with it. I know I wouldn't.

I have friends who are cm's and honestly, if the recent increase was going to them, I'd be all for it. CM's work very hard, for very little; put into stressful situations like the fast pass thing with little support and training from WDW. Then some wonder why the CM's are frustrated (not that they should be disrespectful of customers). I can understand where they are coming from.

 

[Rip]

You are entitled to your opinion! I feel you are wrong.

Disney has added things, some you mentioned, others including a new AK night show, new parade, major refubs the last few years, FL, the mine train, etc, etc.

Facts like the starting point do matter.

Yes Uni has as well, but things like thrill ride Transformers and desc me just don't interest many including my family.


Now I have been polite and respected your opinion, please do the same.

AKK

No, the starting point is irrelevant. You were already getting "X" for a lower price, now you're getting the same "X" (and actually, for most people less "X" since now we can't ride the same number of the rides we want to ride per day thanks to them limiting FP+) but for a higher price. Disney has added very little, and what little they have added doesn't justify the continued price hikes now multiple times per year. Not only that, but what they have added is more than offset for the overwhelming majority of folks by effectively limiting the rides I can do on a given day.

I'm not being impolite at all, I'm pointing out that it is an objectively provable fact that you get less at Disney than you did last year, etc. etc. but for an ever increasing cost. At Universal, you are getting more to help justify the increased cost.

 

[hsmamato2]

I agree,the more competition,the better. I like the new stuff at Universal,and I hope that one day they will grasp the 'immersion experience' thing that Disney does so well..... (FWIW,I think a lot of Uni attractions are far superior to what Disney currently offers, but they haven't stepped up enough to compete with that 'magic place' feeling)
And I agree that Disney is hiking prices everywhere,and not providing much. They are currently running on 'nostlgia' -come on,look at the ads,look at what's offered....it's all the oldies but goodies.
No new rides or attractions (mine train? what's that? it's taking a L-O-N-G time.....)
I love Disney. I love the nostalgia,and the 'immersion' in the whole fantasy of fun..... but I disagree with price hiking and keeping stuff the same for YEARS.
Universal got some things right- a construction timetable that doesn't cause visitors to give up and lose interest,for one thing. They are coming up on Disney and fast IMHO.
To those who say' oh,just live with it'...well, come on! that's absurd- i don't mind paying for great experiences but I do mind overpaying.

 

[Rip]

Despicable Me wasn't "added". It is just a re-theming and upgrade of a ride that's been there since Universal Studios opened. Just like I wouldn't call Star Tours The Adventures Continues a new ride at DHS.

Key word - upgrade . And it is a major upgrade, and it is an effective addition given that Jimmy Neutron wasn't very popular particularly with adults and anyone over the age of 5. If that is the argument one wants to take then Disney hasn't added anything. FL was just an expansion that took the place of an existing area. 7 Dwarves is taking the place of Barnstormer, you get an additional Dumbo but you lose Snow White. The type of upgrading that went into Despicable Me is vastly different that replacing the screens on Star Tours - that's on par with what they did with Spiderman, which I also don't consider an addition.

The first Harry Potter area was mainly just a re-theming of an existing land, including 2 of the 3 rides that are present there. The only added ride is great, though. And the overall theming of the land is wonderful..

True, but they did add one major attraction, and that is a big addition in and of itself.

The recent new additions to Universal Studios Florida are great to see. Transformers and Diagon Alley show that Comcast is definitely dumping a lot of money into the parks to compete with Disney.

The more competition, the better.

Yep, I agree, and I suspect that Comcast's unsuccessful attempt to buy Disney years ago may have played a role in all that.

 

[hsmamato2]

No...Disney has *promised* lots of new stuff..... but it hasn't happened yet. Nothing big anyway.... and they have removed things and privileges. Not saying I hate them or won't go anymore, but it is not a great overall plan to keep people coming.....

 

[Rip]

I agree,the more competition,the better. I like the new stuff at Universal,and I hope that one day they will grasp the 'immersion experience' thing that Disney does so well..... (FWIW,I think a lot of Uni attractions are far superior to what Disney currently offers, but they haven't stepped up enough to compete with that 'magic place' feeling)
And I agree that Disney is hiking prices everywhere,and not providing much. They are currently running on 'nostlgia' -come on,look at the ads,look at what's offered....it's all the oldies but goodies.
No new rides or attractions (mine train? what's that? it's taking a L-O-N-G time.....)
I love Disney. I love the nostalgia,and the 'immersion' in the whole fantasy of fun..... but I disagree with price hiking and keeping stuff the same for YEARS.
Universal got some things right- a construction timetable that doesn't cause visitors to give up and lose interest,for one thing. They are coming up on Disney and fast IMHO.
To those who say' oh,just live with it'...well, come on! that's absurd- i don't mind paying for great experiences but I do mind overpaying.

I actually happen to think IoA does a great job with the immersive experience. Each individual "island" (and of course the HP section) is wonderfully themed IMO.

I don't think it's quite possible to do the same with the studios simply because of the nature of it's intended entertainment value. You're supposed to "live the movies", so I don't think that really lends itself to being in an entirely different "world" as you do with Disney, plus the nostalgic value with Disney that you mention kind of perpetuates itself. Those are characters that everyone knows and grew up on, even if they have never set foot in a Disney park.

 

[ucfknight]

Key word - upgrade . And it is a major upgrade, and it is an effective addition given that Jimmy Neutron wasn't very popular particularly with adults and anyone over the age of 5. If that is the argument one wants to take then Disney hasn't added anything. FL was just an expansion that took the place of an existing area. 7 Dwarves is taking the place of Barnstormer, you get an additional Dumbo but you lose Snow White.

Despicable Me re-uses the same ride vehicles that have been in use in the same building since 1990 when the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera opened. I don't see how that's analogous to New Fantasyland, which features brand new rides the Journey of the Little Mermaid or the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Both are new rides in completely new buildings that don't re-use any ride elements previously at the Magic Kingdom.

BTW, the 7 Dwarfs isn't taking the place of the Barnstormer. That ride still exists and will continue to exist.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

No, the starting point is irrelevant. You were already getting "X" for a lower price, now you're getting the same "X" (and actually, for most people less "X" since now we can't ride the same number of the rides we want to ride per day thanks to them limiting FP+) but for a higher price. Disney has added very little, and what little they have added doesn't justify the continued price hikes now multiple times per year. Not only that, but what they have added is more than offset for the overwhelming majority of folks by effectively limiting the rides I can do on a given day.

I'm not being impolite at all, I'm pointing out that it is an objectively provable fact that you get less at Disney than you did last year, etc. etc. but for an ever increasing cost. At Universal, you are getting more to help justify the increased cost.

There have been many addition and improves, many of which I just added. The Magic of Disney is not just e ride and thrill rides, that is not Disney.

I will grant you the new FP+ still needs the kinks worked out, but at least were not paying for express pass at high dollar amounts and higher yet at holiday times


As shown here:


QUOTE=faneuil;50798218]It's $136.32 for a one day, two park ticket at Universal. that's with tax.
Then, if you want their express pass, it depends on the day how much it'll cost you:

Non-Peak, per day: Adult $179.99 / Child $168.99
Standard, per day: Adult $204.99 / Child $193.99
Peak, per day: Adult $219.99 / Child $208.99
Holiday, per day: Adult $229.99 / Child $219.99

All of those prices are pre-tax.[/QUOTE]
Those lower noted prices are admission and express pass costs.

And yes, you can get around them to a good degree if your willing to buy multi day, stay at a UNI hotel and /or a annual pass. That is fi your staying all these extra days.

Lets not forget all the extras of WDW, of just being on property, even just to visit. The many choices in the 16 hotels, unique theming, golf courses, 4 parks, 2 water parks, campground, boats, monorails, balloon rides, horse back and many, many other smaller attractions. Many of these attractions, hotel restaurants, are free to explore and try, and are covered partially by parks ticket.

I don't see much less at WDW. Some minor thing get changed and people don't mention the new things.

So the price increase all of $4.O0.. is well justified.

I never said the big price increases already at Uni and those coming like the16% on the 1 day, 2 park, wont justified, but as a whole UNI is getting expensive. Like the New 50's hotel, which no longer includes express pass for their guests.

As I have pointed out before, All companies will charge what people feel the value is.

AKK

AKK