AP sales…

[Sandisw]

IMHO there should be ONE annual pass:
A full park hopper
It includes water parks, photo pass
It includes theme park parking and resort parking
Same discounts we have now
Tables in Wonderland
No blockout dates,
Park hopping is allowed after 11 a.m.
Park entry at any park after 11 a.m. without clicking into first park
No tiers — just one level,
No residency categories, or DVC membership blue card restrictions
No monthly payment plan
First come first serve — no separate buckets
Guaranteed renewable annually at new rates for 10 years
$3,000 per year for everyone — not free up to age 3

Let’s I hope we can find a better compromise if going to one type with no qualifications.

 

[RoseGold]

Pretty sure that's the Golden Oaks/Club 33 pass, and it costs a lot more than 3K.

 

[Nursemanit]

Almost all DVC Members who want an AP would be satisfied with an AP valid only on the days they have an on-site reservation. That product doesn't need to be exclusive to DVC. My guess is that there would be quite a few non-Florida, non-DVC Members who would be happy with that product, too.

I have to agree - I could even go further and say that a blanket 20% discount to DVC members on tickets for the length of your DVC stay would be an awesome benefit that would benefit both the 100 point " go every 2 years" right up to the 1000 point go 3 x a year members. Most of us working members who have 1 week of vacation to spend in the parks did not benefit from an annual pass in the old system but would benefit from a discount.

I see from the business side that there is no real reason to offer annual passes that can be used 200 days a year for $800.

 

[RivShore]

So are the WDW parks less crowded? It doesn't feel that way to me, but that's just my own opinion and experience. I realize that's not everyone's experience. For reference, I've been in December 2021, March 2022, and May 2022.

Yes, thru most of the summer it has felt like spring break every day but I think that slowly began to change as some crowd eaters have come back on-line. And the crowds in general were noticeably less the last few weeks.

 

[Nursemanit]

crowd eaters have come back on-line.

This is a great point - I am one of the ones who go to Muppets 3d, Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, It's tough to be a bug every visit - It really does help crowds and provides some much-needed AC for me in Aug/Sept.

I would love to see some broadway quality shows come to WDW - Lion King or Newsies would take hundreds out of the park for hours - Disney Springs needs more than just Cirque

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I see from the business side that there is no real reason to offer annual passes that can be used 200 days a year for $800.

I think the image of the Florida resident who is a local going 200 or 300 days a year is a myth. I do not know anybody who does that. Quite frankly, I think SandiSW spends more days in the park per year than I do. The truth of it is the first year attendance is pretty high. By the second year it is maybe half of that. By the third year the local is more drawn to the parks by seasonal changes and events. I got my annual pass at the beginning of March and I have not entered a park yet this year. It has been a hot summer.

 

[Nursemanit]

I think the image of the Florida resident who is a local going 200 or 300 days a year is a myth. I do not know anybody who does that. Quite frankly, I think SandiSW spends more days in the park per year than I do. The truth of it is the first year attendance is pretty high. By the second year it is maybe half of that. By the third year the local is more drawn to the parks by seasonal changes and events. I got my annual pass at the beginning of March and I have not entered a park yet this year. It has been a hot summer.

Every blogger on Youtube - LOL

I have family in the area since before 1971 and they don't get annual passes or have any interest - they also want a Florida resident single day discount on light days as they won't go near the parks when they are crowded.

 

[npatellye]

I think the image of the Florida resident who is a local going 200 or 300 days a year is a myth. I do not know anybody who does that.

I have friends who live in Winter Garden, ChampionsGate, Clermont, Celebration, and Kissimmee who go at least 1-2 times a week during the school year. When their kids have half days or days off, they go to the parks. If there’s a week with no half days or days off, they often go after school one day and one day on the weekend. They go at least 2-3 times a week during school breaks and the summer. And some of them grew up going as often when they were children themselves and now they take their own kids that often, even with park reservations. Heck, most of them also make it a point to go to the parks for anniversaries, birthdays, and any other reason. Two of them even had birthday parties for their kids there this year: they invited parents to bring their kids to join them for lunch and rides. They covered the cost of food but not park admission since everyone they invited had an AP of some sort. Maybe my perspective is skewed because the families I know in the area have at least 1 elementary school aged child, and they all have at least 1 other child between elementary school and middle school.

 

[Sandisw]

I have friends who live in Winter Garden, ChampionsGate, Clermont, Celebration, and Kissimmee who go at least 1-2 times a week during the school year. When their kids have half days or days off, they go to the parks. If there’s a week with no half days or days off, they often go after school one day and one day on the weekend. They go at least 2-3 times a week during school breaks and the summer. And some of them grew up going as often when they were children themselves and now they take their own kids that often, even with park reservations. Heck, most of them also make it a point to go to the parks for anniversaries, birthdays, and any other reason. Two of them even had birthday parties for their kids there this year: they invited parents to bring their kids to join them for lunch and rides. They covered the cost of food but not park admission since everyone they invited had an AP of some sort. Maybe my perspective is skewed because the families I know in the area have at least 1 elementary school aged child, and they all have at least 1 other child between elementary school and middle school.

I know people who also visit regularly who live within the area, or close to it. So, just like DVC owners have a wide range of days per year we visit...I am typically there for 25 to 30 days a year, and most days do hit the park at least for a few hours...but sometimes, we have done resort only trips...I know plenty of DVC owners who don't need or use an AP.

I imagine it is the same for FL residents...some use it a lot and some don't use it that much at all, but the price compared to day tickets makes it a no brainer to keep an AP so that if you do get the urge to go, you can.

I think what we are learning is that the notion of multi day tickets and APs as the only two choices doesn't really work to meet everyone's needs. If they don't want to do the AP's any longer then I agree, give us discounted tickets or come up with the onsite pass that really does fit DVC owners much better.

 

[MalorieA]

I know people who also visit regularly who live within the area, or close to it. So, just like DVC owners have a wide range of days per year we visit...I am typically there for 25 to 30 days a year, and most days do hit the park at least for a few hours...but sometimes, we have done resort only trips...I know plenty of DVC owners who don't need or use an AP.

I imagine it is the same for FL residents...some use it a lot and some don't use it that much at all, but the price compared to day tickets makes it a no brainer to keep an AP so that if you do get the urge to go, you can.

I think what we are learning is that the notion of multi day tickets and APs as the only two choices doesn't really work to meet everyone's needs. If they don't want to do the AP's any longer then I agree, give us discounted tickets or come up with the onsite pass that really does fit DVC owners much better.

So is it Bill that should be trying to stand up for us? Or who do you think I should be writing to? Any input on that would be greatly appreciated. I can make a good case

 

[Sandisw]

So is it Bill that should be trying to stand up for us? Or who do you think I should be writing to? Any input on that would be greatly appreciated. I can make a good case

DPEP is in charge of APs and not DVC.

So, that is who I would write to..Josh D’Amaro, as they make the decisions regarding sales of the AP.

That means no other division, including DVC has enough power to change things unless DPEP wants them changed. And it’s clear they, and the higher ups don’t want to sell APs.

Obviously it doesn’t hurt to email Bill but in the end, it’s not up to him and since DVC can’t sell them on their own, we are stuck.

Even though I have my AP, I have written a few times to DVC saying that I think they should be working harder to get us a discount in tickets as a temporary solution until APs are on sale again.

IMO, that has a better chance of happening since tickets are available!

 

[MalorieA]

DPEP is in charge of APs and not DVC.

So, that is who I would write to..Josh D’Amaro, as they make the decisions regarding sales of the AP.

That means no other division, including DVC has enough power to change things unless DPEP wants them changed. And it’s clear they, and the higher ups don’t want to sell APs.

Obviously it doesn’t hurt to email Bill but in the end, it’s not up to him and since DVC can’t sell them on their own, we are stuck.

Even though I have my AP, I have written a few times to DVC saying that I think they should be working harder to get us a discount in tickets as a temporary solution until APs are on sale again.

IMO, that has a better chance of happening since tickets are available!

Thanks, you’re the best!

 

[Miffy]

We do know, based on what was shared is that they are saying attendance is down, so somehow there are less people

I haven’t run into higher crowds in all the times I have visited…been 8 times this last year..but we also don’t do a ton of rides either so have been strategic in not waiting too long.

Walking around though, it has not seemed crazy when we were there. DHS has always been crazy and it was when we visited but can’t say it was worse than before.

It certainly is a unique approach in what they are doing and for those of us who have been through changes, we can see it. But, for those new families? They simply have no frame of reference and that is what they count on.

It does stink for those who are DVC who are really more than multi ticket guests but not the same as your FL resident, especially those local.

But, unfortunately, they have not yet come out with a product for us that works into their plan. And we all know here they could….make it a pass that works when you use your membership staying on site.

My guess is they have not because they simply dont want to deal with the backlash that would create amongst other groups.

I guess we've been there at different times, @Sandisw, since it has seemed crazy to us while walking around--on more than one occasion. We actually fled Epcot after having lunch the last two times we were there since it was impossibly crowded.

BTW, I am not a DVC owner. Just to make that clear. I'm an out-of-state AP holder who always stays onsite.

And, to be clear, there are times of the year--like our upcoming December trip--where I expect it to be at least somewhat crowded-seeming, but I have yet to experience it feeling like there are a lower number of park guests since the park reservation system was put in place. In fact, it's felt like quite the opposite to me, that there are now more people at WDW than ever. I guess one of the reasons for this is that the parks haven't been fully staffed since reopening, and I wonder if they ever will be again since this new system seems to be to Disney's financial advantage.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think the image of the Florida resident who is a local going 200 or 300 days a year is a myth. I do not know anybody who does that. Quite frankly, I think SandiSW spends more days in the park per year than I do. The truth of it is the first year attendance is pretty high. By the second year it is maybe half of that. By the third year the local is more drawn to the parks by seasonal changes and events. I got my annual pass at the beginning of March and I have not entered a park yet this year. It has been a hot summer.

I don’t think there is any set pattern for locals.
My last AP was an Epcot after 4 pass, and it was primarily for F&W Festival. We did sprinkle in a few generic Epcot trips throughout the year.
Regardless, we always spent lots of money. Sometimes on the booths, and often at one of the restaurants for dinner.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

They really need to make an exception for DVC.

People keep saying this, but they really don’t, unfortunately. Riviera and GFV are apparently selling like hotcakes despite AP’s being unavailable for 2.5 years. Granted, I believe some are still buying on the false promise of being able to buy a Sorceror’s Pass eventually, but as long as they are selling DVC at a brisk clip they have no incentive to offer current blue card holders anything.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Almost all DVC Members who want an AP would be satisfied with an AP valid only on the days they have an on-site reservation. That product doesn't need to be exclusive to DVC. My guess is that there would be quite a few non-Florida, non-DVC Members who would be happy with that product, too.

For the same reason that there are now very few to no resort perks currently, I don’t see them offering this. As long as they are selling out their resorts they aren’t going to add resort perks.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

$3,000 per year for everyone — not free up to age 3

Careful, Chapek might hear you.

 

[Sandisw]

I guess we've been there at different times, @Sandisw, since it has seemed crazy to us while walking around--on more than one occasion. We actually fled Epcot after having lunch the last two times we were there since it was impossibly crowded.

BTW, I am not a DVC owner. Just to make that clear. I'm an out-of-state AP holder who always stays onsite.

And, to be clear, there are times of the year--like our upcoming December trip--where I expect it to be at least somewhat crowded-seeming, but I have yet to experience it feeling like there are a lower number of park guests since the park reservation system was put in place. In fact, it's felt like quite the opposite to me, that there are now more people at WDW than ever. I guess one of the reasons for this is that the parks haven't been fully staffed since reopening, and I wonder if they ever will be again since this new system seems to be to Disney's financial advantage.

With the college program back in gear and other things, hopefully staffing will return as well!

 

[Miffy]

IMHO there should be ONE annual pass:
A full park hopper
It includes water parks, photo pass
It includes theme park parking and resort parking
Same discounts we have now
Tables in Wonderland
No blockout dates,
Park hopping is allowed after 11 a.m.
Park entry at any park after 11 a.m. without clicking into first park
No tiers — just one level,
No residency categories, or DVC membership blue card restrictions
No monthly payment plan
First come first serve — no separate buckets
Up to 14 reservation holds
Guaranteed renewable annually at new rates for 10 years
$3,000 per year for everyone — not free up to age 3

@Ms Bibbidi, do you mean this? I can't tell, but it seems like you might. This would certainly limit the number of AP holders. They'd definitely lose me.

If you're being sarcastic, then you've low-balled the price. $5,000 is more like it. In fact, if they were really serious about limiting attendance, they could raise the price of a one-day pass to a flat $1,000 per person, regardless of age. That would definitely uncrowd the parks.

 

[jo-jo]

@Ms Bibbidi, do you mean this? I can't tell, but it seems like you might. This would certainly limit the number of AP holders. They'd definitely lose me.

If you're being sarcastic, then you've low-balled the price. $5,000 is more like it. In fact, if they were really serious about limiting attendance, they could raise the price of a one-day pass to a flat $1,000 per person, regardless of age. That would definitely uncrowd the parks.

What would happen to crowds if Disney went back to having hours to midnight and EMH until 2 am as normal, not a day here or there?

I remember 30 odd years ago, during the summer open until midnight with the two parades and the fireworks in between.