AP Prices

[mickey7]

Did anyone notice that an annual pass to the 4 parks at WDW in Florida is $611 (when adding taxes) with their increase no blackout dates? We pay $649 for only 2 parks. What is wrong with this picture? This is the cost with their new price increase.

 

[sheetz]

Naturally everything is going to be priced according to what the local market can bear. I believe DLR hotels are a bit more expensive than comparable WDW hotels, too. And of course hotels in Manhattan make Disney hotels look downright cheap. Such is life.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We have just as many attractions in DLR's 2 parks as WDW's 4 parks.

 

[MAH4546]

Posts like these are why we need to make economics a mandatory high school subject.

It's a very simple concept called supply and demand. There is more demand in SoCal, so the pass is priced is higher, because a lower price point would overfill the park.

Demand in Orlando is extremely small - insanely small actually. Most WDW AP holders live in Miami and Tampa, not Orlando. So they have an AP base that is more likely to stay in hotels and spend more money, but they also have to price at a lower, more attractive price point to get them there to visit.

Further, the fact that WDW has four parks and DLR has two is irrelevant. The two DLR parks have roughly the same amount of attractions as the four WDW parks, and you don't have to spend an hour on buses to get between them.

Further, DLR AP holders get better food/merchandise discounts and more AP holder exclusive events, so things aren't always equal.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Posts like these are why we need to make economics a mandatory high school subject.

It's a very simple concept called supply and demand. There is more demand in SoCal, so the pass is priced is higher, because a lower price point would overfill the park.

Demand in Orlando is extremely small - insanely small actually. Most WDW AP holders live in Miami and Tampa, not Orlando. So they have an AP base that is more likely to stay in hotels and spend more money, but they also have to price at a lower, more attractive price point to get them there to visit.

Further, the fact that WDW has four parks and DLR has two is irrelevant. The two DLR parks have roughly the same amount of attractions as the four WDW parks, and you don't have to spend an hour on buses to get between them.

Further, DLR AP holders get better food/merchandise discounts and more AP holder exclusive events, so things aren't always equal.

And that's exactly what the Southern Ca passes, along with the easy no interest payment plans have done, filled the park. Disney HAD to do something about it.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You also have to take into account the difference in the cost of living in each area. Thing in CA just cost more! I found an online calculator and compared costs between Orlando and Orange county. Here is how much higher the COL is in CA:

Groceries will cost: 8%more
Housing will cost: 189%more
Utilities will cost: 5%more
Transportation will cost: 13%more
Healthcare will cost: 16%more

 

[sheetz]

I would say COL has very little to do with pricing; it's about what the market can support. SFMM and KBF are priced at or below other comparable Six Flags/Cedar Fair parks around the country. Universal, Sea World and Legoland in CA are priced lower than their Florida counterparts.

Currently Disneyland has distanced itself from the competition and is perceived to have a very high value among locals. In addition there are a massive number of local households who can afford the prices. This combination is what has given us the situation we have today.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Further, DLR AP holders get better food/merchandise discounts and more AP holder exclusive events, so things aren't always equal.

YES! AP holders get very few food discounts unless they PURCHASE a Tables in Wonderland card.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I would say COL has very little to do with pricing; it's about what the market can support. SFMM and KBF are priced at or below other comparable Six Flags/Cedar Fair parks around the country. Universal, Sea World and Legoland in CA are priced lower than their Florida counterparts.

I think COL does play in to it. Everything is more expensive in the area- Minimum wage is slightly higher, cost of land/ property taxes and other overhead (water, sewer, electric, garbage, etc) are all higher. It all has an impact on the cost of doing business. Heck, look how much higher gas prices are on the west coast are right now compared to the rest of the country. We are a good .50-70 per gallon higher.

I just looked at prices for 1 day gate admission at SFMM and KBF. They are $57-64 per day if you pay at the gate. Plus an extra fee if you want "front of the line" (fast pass). At KBF its an $35-50 additional per day for that option, and $45 for flash pass at SFMM.
Prices at other six flag parks around the country appear to be about $4-6 less per day than they are at SFMM. Yes, I realize they offer less expensive buy in advance/ annual pass options at all the parks mentioned. I just picked one method of admission to compare as I was jumping from site to site.

And I'll add, most of the other parks have much shorter daily hours than DLR. Today for example, KBF is open 10-8 (10 hours). SFMM is open 10:30-8 (9.5 hours).
That is $5.68 per hour for SFMM with out a "flash pass". And KBF is $5.70 per hour for a 1 day pass, without "front of the line". DL is open from 8-12 today (16 hours) $5.43 per hour for one park/ $7.81 for a hopper. And NO charge for fast pass.

 

[sheetz]

I think COL does play in to it. Everything is more expensive in the area- Minimum wage is slightly higher, cost of land/ property taxes and other overhead (water, sewer, electric, garbage, etc) are all higher. It all has an impact on the cost of doing business. Heck, look how much higher gas prices are on the west coast are right now compared to the rest of the country. We are a good .50-70 per gallon higher.

Disagree. People will only pay what they feel the parks are worth. SoCal used to have many more theme parks than it does now but they all went out of business because guests didn't see the value of going.

I just looked at prices for 1 day gate admission at SFMM and KBF. They are $57-64 per day if you pay at the gate.

However, look at the lowest prices available online.

KBF: 36.99
Cedar Point: 44.99
SFMM: 36.99 (3 day advance)
Six Flags Great America (Chicago): 39.99

And why do the Universal, Sea World, and Legoland parks in FL cost more than the ones in CA?

And if COL is so important why is this year the first time ever that DLR passes have cost more than WDW passes? Did expenses in SoCal suddenly leapfrog over FL in the past year?

 

[hlbtimes2]

Disagree. People will only pay what they feel the parks are worth. SoCal used to have many more theme parks than it does now but they all went out of business because guests didn't see the value of going.



However, look at the lowest prices available online.

KBF: 36.99
Cedar Point: 44.99
SFMM: 36.99 (3 day advance)
Six Flags Great America (Chicago): 39.99

And why do the Universal, Sea World, and Legoland parks in FL cost more than the ones in CA?

And if COL is so important why is this year the first time ever that DLR passes have cost more than WDW passes? Did expenses in SoCal suddenly leapfrog over FL in the past year?

Maybe guests didnt feel the other parks were worth it, or perhaps the cost of running was higher than people realize and they could not afford to stay in business.

And, I never said COL was the only factor in why prices went up so high. I said it does play a part. Actually I believe the biggest factor in why prices jumped so high, is because Disney currently has too many AP holders and are intentionaly pricing people out of buying and/ or renewing them. They need to find a way to reduce crowds. From a business stand point, its a good problem to have.