Are Disney prices too high?

[Planogirl]

Two words: RIDE RATIONING

Yes! Plus a tired, stale Epcot. AK seems to be going somewhere at least and I know that DHS will someday.

 

[wilkeliza]

Two words: RIDE RATIONING

I've rode the same amount each trip. Only place there is less to do for us right now is DHS but as I said previously if it is that bad for an individual they can choose not to go to that park and save a days money on passes. We go because we like the shows there and can still make a full day of that park. Nobody is saying you can't get into the stand by line so I'm not 100% sure how they are rationing rides.

 

[Planogirl]

I've rode the same amount each trip. Only place there is less to do for us right now is DHS but as I said previously if it is that bad for an individual they can choose not to go to that park and save a days money on passes. We go because we like the shows there and can still make a full day of that park. Nobody is saying you can't get into the stand by line so I'm not 100% sure how they are rationing rides.

FP+ and Tiering.

 

[wilkeliza]

FP+ and Tiering.

That doesn't stop you from getting in any ride line though? I use to only be able to get one fast pass for most of the tiered parks any way because unless you got up super early you weren't getting a TSMM fast pass or a Test Track/Soarin fp. I actually like the new system as I can sleep in, have a relaxed breakfast, and then head to a park knowing I'll get to ride the ride I want to then standby the others.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You pay for what you value. Some folks will find value in the listed items even at the current prices. Some will not. And most places I've been, $10-15 is pretty ballpark for alcoholic beverages, except New York and London where they were more like $14-18.

 

[Planogirl]

That doesn't stop you from getting in any ride line though? I use to only be able to get one fast pass for most of the tiered parks any way because unless you got up super early you weren't getting a TSMM fast pass or a Test Track/Soarin fp. I actually like the new system as I can sleep in, have a relaxed breakfast, and then head to a park knowing I'll get to ride the ride I want to then standby the others.

I am sincerely glad that it works for you. People vary as to whether they like the system or not, that it clear enough. And you could always get into any ride line and wait.

 

[WIcruizer]

This isn't unique to WDW. Try comparing a DCL cruise to other cruise lines. We love DCL, but refuse to pay $2,000- $3,000 more. But we don't sit back and say "DCL should be cheaper." It's not. People are obviously willing to pay a much higher price, we're not.

Same way with WDW. We could go to Universal or lots of other places instead of WDW, but we think it's worth the price. I don't know why WDW seems to be considered by some to be any different than other products and services. It's supply & demand. The process at WDW are neither too high or too low, they are the price.

They may be rationing rides, you may perceive the experience has declined, etc. Oh well, they still have record attendance.

 

[momof2n2]

I've rode the same amount each trip. Only place there is less to do for us right now is DHS but as I said previously if it is that bad for an individual they can choose not to go to that park and save a days money on passes. We go because we like the shows there and can still make a full day of that park. Nobody is saying you can't get into the stand by line so I'm not 100% sure how they are rationing rides.

Then your ROI has not declined. For my family, less than 3 rides on TSMM will equal a lesser experience.

That doesn't stop you from getting in any ride line though? I use to only be able to get one fast pass for most of the tiered parks any way because unless you got up super early you weren't getting a TSMM fast pass or a Test Track/Soarin fp. I actually like the new system as I can sleep in, have a relaxed breakfast, and then head to a park knowing I'll get to ride the ride I want to then standby the others.

I would never, ever dream of sleeping in on any vacation. If I am spending $505.12 a day (for a family of 8 to get 5 day tix) and visiting a park that is open for X hours, I am not going to be in that park for less than X hours.

I am sincerely glad that it works for you. People vary as to whether they like the system or not, that it clear enough. And you could always get into any ride line and wait.

Exactly this. And I answered OP question. For us it has gotten "too expensive". I expect our upcoming trip will be our last for at least 5 years.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just wanted to add I do believe Disney can improve some services but at the same time I don't think it has gotten as doom and gloom as some people think.

 

[anniemae]

I think the more people complain about the prices, the "worn out" hotels, the bland theme park experience etc. the more busy it gets! Its crazy when you read how disappointed people are in the prices and the way the parks are outdated etc. the more people go to disney. Not sure what has driven up attendance, I'm sure the free dining, the other discounts and special events have increased attendance, but I just wonder if there will be a breaking point and attendance drops. Then they will drop prices. I kind of doubt it because the more "stuff" the build i.e. avatar land, new disney springs, the more people will go. It just seems that it is more crowded than every before, and the more they raise the prices the more people go.

 

[GPC0321]

FP+ and Tiering.

I think of these as crowd rationing instead of ride rationing.
And is it really more crowded now? Based on the actual number of people walking through the parks, or wait times at rides? 25-30 years ago I remember waiting an hour for Peter Pan. 17 years ago I remember the mass exodus after Fantasmic! being a nightmare to deal with (and this was during a very low crowd time when we were walking onto headliners in MK).
I think perhaps people have less patience now. I see some say they refuse to wait more than 25 minutes for any ride! Well, ha! I wouldn't have ridden a doggone thing when I was a kid if my family had been of that mindset. Waiting in lines was just part of the experience of visiting any theme park, especially the biggest and most popular one on the planet.

We have become an "instant gratification" species that has little tolerance for waiting for what we want. And our children are even worse. They are not taught patience nor expected to have any, hence the elaborate queues we now see that are meant to keep them entertained while they wait. Those kind of improvements to placate impatient guests cost money.

 

[GaryDis]

Business 101:

I'm sorry, but as long as the hotels, resorts, and parks are full or making money hand over fist, there is no such thing as "prices too high".

While the OP was indeed phrased as a critique of Disney's business decision, I believe that in general when people ask whether the "prices are too high", they're not asking for a business analysis from Disney's perspective; they're asking for opinions from a consumer perspective, with the understanding that different people will place different values on various products and services.

This sort of discussion gives people more ways to look at questions like deluxe vs moderate vs value vs offsite, or QS vs TS vs Signature, or even WDW vs NYC vs National Parks. It's too easy to fall into the trap of "that's what we did last time, so of course we have to do it again" without revisiting the cost-benefit analysis.

 

[flicx]

Please do me a favor then. When the prices start coming down, make a post about it so we know!

It would be a minor miracle to see Disney lower a price. In the history of Disneyworld, ticket prices have never dropped. Hotels have been a straight up trend too. In the real world things go up and down, gas , groceries, airfare etc. Not at Disney though.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Yes. After we went in 2011, I couldn't wait to go back so we have been saving and saving and saving and saving. Now we are planning a trip for Feb/March 2016, and I'm finally at that point. We were even fortunate enough to get a Cast Member Family & Friends discount from a friend, and I still feel like it's too expensive. We've already promised the kids and our youngest was only 2.5 last time we stayed, so we are going to do it, but I told my DH last night that I can't imagine staying for a week or more ever again. That doesn't bother him. My parents winter in FL near Orlando so I'm sure we will take an occasional day trip, once the new parts open up we'll take a couple days to see them but probably won't stay onsite or if we do just a couple nights at a value. My boys are getting older. We had a great trip to USO last December and it was so much cheaper there, even staying on site. We also love to cruise so from now on when I'm looking for a week trip we will probably look at a cruise.

 

[Bluegrrl]

You are right. Disney has never ever gone down. I don't even think they would know how to! Sometimes I feel like a frog in a slow boiling pot. I don't realize how hot I am until I'm cooked!

 

[momof2n2]

I think of these as crowd rationing instead of ride rationing.
And is it really more crowded now? Based on the actual number of people walking through the parks, or wait times at rides? 25-30 years ago I remember waiting an hour for Peter Pan. 17 years ago I remember the mass exodus after Fantasmic! being a nightmare to deal with (and this was during a very low crowd time when we were walking onto headliners in MK).
I think perhaps people have less patience now. I see some say they refuse to wait more than 25 minutes for any ride! Well, ha! I wouldn't have ridden a doggone thing when I was a kid if my family had been of that mindset. Waiting in lines was just part of the experience of visiting any theme park, especially the biggest and most popular one on the planet.

We have become an "instant gratification" species that has little tolerance for waiting for what we want. And our children are even worse. They are not taught patience nor expected to have any, hence the elaborate queues we now see that are meant to keep them entertained while they wait. Those kind of improvements to placate impatient guests cost money.

Maybe I'd agree with you if WDW hadn't once offered the amazing virtual queuing that had been FP. They fixed something that wasn't broken.

I've only ever waited an hour once for anything - Splash Mtn Easter week 1999. Any other time we fell into the 25 min max category thanks to FP.

 

[Bluegrrl]

While waiting in line for Dumbo was a right of passage (IMO), having to reserve rides in advance (or being giving the "amazing ability to do so) is horrible. No matter how you spin that, fixing something that wasn't broken is a dumb business move - especially given Disney's lack of IT.

Thanks Iger.

 

[brunette8706]

While the OP was indeed phrased as a critique of Disney's business decision, I believe that in general when people ask whether the "prices are too high", they're not asking for a business analysis from Disney's perspective; they're asking for opinions from a consumer perspective, with the understanding that different people will place different values on various products and services.

This sort of discussion gives people more ways to look at questions like deluxe vs moderate vs value vs offsite, or QS vs TS vs Signature, or even WDW vs NYC vs National Parks. It's too easy to fall into the trap of "that's what we did last time, so of course we have to do it again" without revisiting the cost-benefit analysis.

Great point. I concur with your sentiments completely.

 

[DiannaVM]

Yes, I think you are very right on that. I for one have realized that my patience has gone down considerably and I wonder how I ever managed waiting for anything without a smartphone or tablet in my hand.

You know, Disney as a brand is much more expensive than say Universal or Sea World (I am comparing theme parks within the Orlando region) but the experience is not the same. Unfortunately plenty of us want to experience the Disney magic and as a result will have to put up with crowds at the parks and paying premium prices for products and services at said parks (after all Disney is still a business, and as many businesses do, they will milk it for all they can). I can't exactly blame them for it.

And as far as FP+ is concerned. I was glad that this was now a free service available to everyone, HOWEVER, I am a stickler for having things planned out and when they dont turn out I get frustrated. That said, I know there is no law that says you MUST use your FP+ and all that but it makes it difficult to just "wing it" when you are already planning your day around them. Especially when you are booking FPs for attractions you really want to go on but rather not wait in standby line for (like SDMT or Splash Mountain). I don't know, I just sort of feel like its an unnecessary way to complicate my vacation even further.

 

[GreatLakes]

You are right. Disney has never ever gone down. I don't even think they would know how to! Sometimes I feel like a frog in a slow boiling pot. I don't realize how hot I am until I'm cooked!

They might not have lowered prices but they have offered discounts and deals that make the actual price you pay lower then they published price. This is what you'll almost certainly see when the economy makes it's next "correction".

All the back and forth in this threads and others like it is interesting and offers a lot of perspectives but often the opinions lack the most important perspective, that of Disney the profit making public company. They have a lot of data on us thanks to MyMagic+ and are using it. They know what they are attempting to accomplish with their pricing. It very well might be pricing a certain segment of their customers out of the market but that isn't a mistake, that is a plan.

As with all business if they overplay their hand there will be push-back and an adjustment.