Any other passholders annoyed at rumors of possible 60 day blackouts for new attactions?

[Boopuff]

I was upset about the blackout dates as well. Especially since they fall during times we'd travel to the world. So knowing that key dates were blacked out we opted not to re-new our AP.

 

[soniam]

They definitely don't really care about AP people, especially the locals. They don't really spend that much money compared to first timers or infrequent visitors. Locals don't stay in hotels, eat in the resort, or buy souvenirs as often as others. You can always buy a more expensive AP, assuming not all have a blackout. I would not bother getting an AP if they all had blackouts, but I am not local either. I really only do it for the hotel discount, a little bit of a ticket discount, and potential early access to things like runs. It would definitely be an even bigger disadvantage to the locals and offsite AP holders than the ones they already have, like 30 FP+. I don't know if they will do it or not. I seriously can't guess either way what they will do.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I guess that is where I am more affected than most. I am a Florida Resident. But, the way they are speaking is that it would affect any Gold level or lower annual pass. I don't really think being a Florida Resident makes a difference here. And while you are correct, that many times, attractions open in the summer, when they don't, it means being blacked out 3 months in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas, 3 weeks at Spring Break and then another two months during the year for an attraction opening? It makes a person wonder what the point of being a passholder is anymore.

No one but Florida residents can purchase anything below Platinum. If the potential new policy would not affect Platinum or Platinum Plus passes, then it will not affect anyone but Florida residents.

I get that this could be a big negative for Florida residents and that Disney has been reducing the value the resident passes. From a non-resident point of view, those resident passes are quite a steal if you attend Disney regularly. I had a Platinum Pass over the course of the last year and thought that I got a real value for having it. Florida residents can still get a great value out of a Platinum Pass and attend year round, IMO, if the lower level passes have unacceptable blackout dates.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

No one but Florida residents can purchase anything below Platinum. If the potential new policy would not affect Platinum or Platinum Plus passes, then it will not affect anyone but Florida residents.

I get that this could be a big negative for Florida residents and that Disney has been reducing the value the resident passes. From a non-resident point of view, those resident passes are quite a steal if you attend Disney regularly. I had a Platinum Pass over the course of the last year and thought that I got a real value for having it. Florida residents can still get a great value out of a Platinum Pass and attend year round, IMO, if the lower level passes have unacceptable blackout dates.

This really depends on the size of your family and your financial position. Yes, it is a good deal by comparison to buying 1-day tickets all the time, but needless to say, if I wasn't an AP, I wouldn't be going to Disney as often. The issue comes with the suggestion of, "well, if you can't deal with all the blackouts, just pay for a Platinum Pass that won't black you out." We are a family of 4. We make a good living, but Orlando is the #1 city in the country for having the worst rate of pay. With a seasonal, like a silver pass...I am looking at nearly $1700 a year for passes. If I were to upgrade that to the current Platinum pass, the total cost is around $2800 a year. An increase of $1100 a year to avoid balckouts for new attractions??? Who can justify that?? I am sure there are plenty of people out there with gold lined wallets, but I am not one of them.

 

[cmash95]

so new attractions would have to have extra cast members checking everyone's magic band at the enterances for new attractions to make sure that Apers are not allowed on the ride? makes no sense to me. I would rather see special AP previews than try and bad ap's for 60 days and btw DVC members would really love this as many of them have APs

 

[sunshine girl]

I'm out of state so apparently this wouldn't affect me as a platinum passholder. That's good. Because it would be impossible to plan vacations -- I'd have a trip booked 6+ months in advance and then find out later that my AP isn't valid for park entry during my stay due to a new ride opening? That would not work.

I remember when they had AP preview days for big, new rides anyway. For Everest, I got to ride early during an AP preview weekend, and got a free, special pin and lanyard commemorating the event also. Lines were long later in the day but I arrived at rope-drop while lines were shorter, and rode several times that day. It was great. Made me feel very special as a brand-new passholder at the time, and was a great perk. Of ALL my many many Disney experiences since then, I remember this one exceptionally positively. I can't understand why Disney doesn't always do things like this. Their return on investment, in terms of customer loyalty and appreciation, was huge in my case.

Seems like more soft opening opportunities would be wise to help iron out ride issues anyway (to avoid the Frozen opening day/week/month breakdown debacles). And allowing APs preview days may mitigate (to a degree) the influx of APs those first days rides are open. (Or if they do try this blackout thing, it would at least give affected APs a chance to ride!)

 

[DebbieB]

It was a question on a survey, nothing has been announced. My guess is it would be a cheaper level of annual pass. Just like Florida Residents & DVC members have the option of a full year pass or a pass with blackout dates around Easter & Christmas. The full annual pass is $749, with DVC discount $649, with blackout dates around Easter & Christmas $549. Then Florida Residents also have an AP with more blackout dates $389. They also have the option of a weekday pass with blackouts $259. So this would be another level. You can decide if you want to save money with a more restricted pass.

 

[DebbieB]

No one but Florida residents can purchase anything below Platinum. If the potential new policy would not affect Platinum or Platinum Plus passes, then it will not affect anyone but Florida residents.

I get that this could be a big negative for Florida residents and that Disney has been reducing the value the resident passes. From a non-resident point of view, those resident passes are quite a steal if you attend Disney regularly. I had a Platinum Pass over the course of the last year and thought that I got a real value for having it. Florida residents can still get a great value out of a Platinum Pass and attend year round, IMO, if the lower level passes have unacceptable blackout dates.

DVC members can buy Gold. $549 plus tax.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

It was a question on a survey, nothing has been announced. My guess is it would be a cheaper level of annual pass. Just like Florida Residents & DVC members have the option of a full year pass or a pass with blackout dates around Easter & Christmas. The full annual pass is $749, with DVC discount $649, with blackout dates around Easter & Christmas $549. Then Florida Residents also have an AP with more blackout dates $389. They also have the option of a weekday pass with blackouts $259. So this would be another level. You can decide if you want to save money with a more restricted pass.

This I could live with much better than lowering the value of an existing pass without a discount to the price.

 

[Accident]

I am just curious if I am the only one out there who feels like Disney doesn't give a crap about their most loyal customer base, the APs!? We already get the short end of the stick on so many things, but they keep raising the prices and taking away benefits. Sorry....I love Disney A LOT....but they are starting to grate on my last nerve with this stuff. Anyone else have these feelings?

I'm reserving my anger until the actual list of passes comes out. I can think of many people that would benefit from a lower cost live far enough away that a blockout on a new thing isn't in the way of how they visit the parks.. What if the price doesn't change for someone that is willing to take the blockout of attractions and they don't come that close to something opening... Also what is the blockout? are we talking you can't come to food and wine for the first 60 days (that would suck) or are we talking you need to wait 60 days to get into pandora? maybe it's 60 days for attractions and 2 weeks for other things.. Now if they run out of free things like prints and tumblers before I get to go, that's not cool of them...

This might actually allow me to keep a better pass when I have to renew next year if they have an interesting structure where I can save some money but take a small blockout hit..

There is so many ways this could go, including many good ways...

NOw if these new "passholder benefits" means surprise, we're not making enough money non-blockout attraction dates then shame on disney...

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

This I could live with much better than lowering the value of an existing pass without a discount to the price.

I don't think Disney could make changes to an existing pass that negatively affect passholders. The changes, I imagine, would come upon renewal. Probably some sort of grandfather system, if they decide to implement this.

This really depends on the size of your family and your financial position. Yes, it is a good deal by comparison to buying 1-day tickets all the time, but needless to say, if I wasn't an AP, I wouldn't be going to Disney as often. The issue comes with the suggestion of, "well, if you can't deal with all the blackouts, just pay for a Platinum Pass that won't black you out." We are a family of 4. We make a good living, but Orlando is the #1 city in the country for having the worst rate of pay. With a seasonal, like a silver pass...I am looking at nearly $1700 a year for passes. If I were to upgrade that to the current Platinum pass, the total cost is around $2800 a year. An increase of $1100 a year to avoid balckouts for new attractions??? Who can justify that?? I am sure there are plenty of people out there with gold lined wallets, but I am not one of them.

I understand that Platinum passes for a family of four are expensive, but they are still a good value for what you get. At least it is an option for Florida residents to purchase a discounted pass with blackout dates. I would like that choice. Out of staters like me must go with Platinum or nothing. You can still choose to go with the cheaper passes. It would be nice if Disney would offer the blackout date passes to everyone.

 

[Dean Marino]

Well, we have Platinum passes - no restrictions.

So just tell me what the NEW "no Restriction" pass is. Come on, raise the price, choke up the data.....

 

[Accident]

I wanted to mention 1 more thing.. if it's really a 60 day restriction and this comes out in oct, we're looking at a for summer pandora opening in my mind... What else is coming that one would want the crowds to spread out over more time in the next year? If I purchased a non-restricted pass, there better be something big that is a restriction or I want some money back.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

the only thing they accomplished with their stupid blackouts is to take a DVC family who routinely bought annual passes here, and turn them into ones who do not anymore

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I wanted to mention 1 more thing.. if it's really a 60 day restriction and this comes out in oct, we're looking at a for summer pandora opening in my mind... What else is coming that one would want the crowds to spread out over more time in the next year? If I purchased a non-restricted pass, there better be something big that is a restriction or I want some money back.

You won't get it and they don't care.

Here's the reality: they don't get the ancillary spending per gate entry from AP holders that they do from the one timers (which includes the "only 681 days till we're in the World again!!" Signature folks...sorry)...and they have now decided that they aren't gonna tolerate it anymore.

So what do they do? Increase passes dramatically...then limit access to try and force more costly purchases.

Here's the part where you blame California...they held the line on DCA and caused Disney to do something substantial...but then swallowed huge price increase after and won't stay away.

I saw somebody the other day talking about the electrical parade being "enough of a draw" to ride out until Star Wars opens...with exclusive merchandise...

Really? The electrical parade?

Enough for $450 hotel rooms and $125 tickets and $1050 annual passes?

That's all it takes.

The CEO continues to look for ways to boost stock price so he can bail out...and the park patrons are getting abused...but they find reasons to line up for more. Have to break the circle.

 

[newdeal]

the only thing they accomplished with their stupid blackouts is to take a DVC family who routinely bought annual passes here, and turn them into ones who do not anymore

ditto on that

 

[lockedoutlogic]

ditto on that

They don't believe that...while they've probably calculated that some will go that route...they feel the majority will swallow it and push their outlay to Disney up that year and every following.

They know their adversary well. And remember: it's all about "premium", "luxury", and "exclusive" now...
...after all, you can make reservations for space mountain...and not stand in line with the peasants

 

[shh]

I just bought a Fla resident weekday pass last month for Dec trip. I wouldn't be thrilled, but would be ok if they changed the game later and decided to bar lower level FL APs from seeing a specific new attraction for first month or two. I can always see them on the next trip and don't mind waiting.

I'd be very bummed if they barred lower level APs from visiting an entire park for 1-2 more months on top of regular summer and holiday blackouts just because 1 new attraction opened - I'd likely just go back to buying Fla park hoppers instead. It would be such a stupid move on their part as well- most of us are still spending plenty on food and drinks - why give up that incremental revenue?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I just bought a Fla resident weekday pass last month for Dec trip. I wouldn't be thrilled, but would be ok if they changed the game later and decided to bar lower level FL APs from seeing a specific new attraction for first month or two. I can always see them on the next trip and don't mind waiting.

I'd be very bummed if they barred lower level APs from visiting an entire park for 1-2 more months on top of regular summer and holiday blackouts just because 1 new attraction opened - I'd likely just go back to buying Fla park hoppers instead. It would be such a stupid move on their part as well- most of us are still spending plenty on food and drinks - why give up that incremental revenue?

Because the profits are in the gift shops...always have been.

It's probably not as bad as it once was...as they have doubled the price of food and drink and nobody batted an eyelash in 10 years...but the profit is still heavily in Chinese junk.

Even with overpriced rooms, upsells for everything short of "exclusive bathroom access", and price gouging on food (that's a national trend...not just Disney)...

It is what it is.

 

[grnflash]

You won't get it and they don't care.

Here's the reality: they don't get the ancillary spending per gate entry from AP holders that they do from the one timers (which includes the "only 681 days till we're in the World again!!" Signature folks...sorry)...and they have now decided that they aren't gonna tolerate it anymore.

So what do they do? Increase passes dramatically...then limit access to try and force more costly purchases.

Here's the part where you blame California...they held the line on DCA and caused Disney to do something substantial...but then swallowed huge price increase after and won't stay away.

I saw somebody the other day talking about the electrical parade being "enough of a draw" to ride out until Star Wars opens...with exclusive merchandise...

Really? The electrical parade?

Enough for $450 hotel rooms and $125 tickets and $1050 annual passes?

That's all it takes.

The CEO continues to look for ways to boost stock price so he can bail out...and the park patrons are getting abused...but they find reasons to line up for more. Have to break the circle.

Sorry but no, you didn't see that and are misrepresenting my earlier post (rumors board...attendance/performance.)

MSEP is a brilliant move to increase local AP visits at DL. And they'll market to them when the river attractions reopen. And again when F! goes live. That'll be a really big deal, DL'ers looooove their F!. I wouldn't be surprised if they did AP showings.

I could have gone on in that post about other ways DL will market to AP's (the 100's of thousands that live in SoCal), but I didn't since it didn't seem neccessary to draw the point out further. The point of the post being about DL's inherent flexibility to market smaller stuff to get the AP's in more frequently, in order to weather attendance declines until new stuff opens. Such as AP days going on this month, there will be more, count on it. Blah, blah, blah....the point is that DL can capture loads of visits with relatively minimal efforts. It's a drive over after work, not a vacation. Money is still spent in the parks, everyone's happy.

And no, MSEP isn't enough to get us Califonians into DL at $450 a room, $125 a day, $1050 a year. It would take a lot more than that. That's cause most of us don't stay in the hotel most of our visits, certainly not for a week. Most of us still don't have the $1,000+ passes, even though those numbers have climbed. And while plenty of locals do visit DL as day guests, that's not what was being discussed. MSEP though IS enough to get lots of us excited to drive in more frequently. As is F!. And for true locals (which I'm not), even the river.

As to the topic of this thread though, I'm not worried at all about this happening at DL. I mean, who would be in the parks if they added 2 months to the blackouts? If this doesn't happen at either park though, please be sure to thank California