Article on WDW considering a "demand pricing plan"

[lockedoutlogic]

I know .. I was just dreaming .. but there ARE limits to how many tickets they sell. They can't have 200,000 people trying to enter Magic Kingdom on one day.

So don't they limit tickets now already now?
They close the Magic Kingdom on days when it reaches "capacity". Essentially, limiting who can get into the park for a while. There is a limit to the number of people they allow in the park.

And they limit it as well with the two holiday parties.
There is only a set number of party tickets sold per night, thus limiting how many guests are riding rides and participating in the extra party stuff during those party events.

What's to say they do another 24 hour MK day and make it a hard-ticket event? $210 per ticket, limited number of tickets sold (which makes it a hot item and ensures they sell out), but you can party 24 hours long. Why wouldn't they do that if they think they can make money on it? The rest of the resort guests just simply plan on going to one of the other three parks those days.

Right...they do limit attendance on most days...actually they don't...it's about 20% of the calendar year...

And actually...then don't limit it all...they get people to pay twice
By having a truncated day at full price and back it up with a a ridiculous per hour charge party using the same park overhead costs...

So that doesn't hold.

They'll never limite attendance...whether it's December 31
Or September 9...

If they should fill up...they just send you to Epcot for a few hours and laugh their way to the SunTrust.

 

[epcotty]

I always say the only way it's worth it to go to a Halloween/Christmas party is if you're there 4-midnight and that's the only time you're in a park that day (unless you have an AP of course)

 

[tlmadden73]

Right...they do limit attendance on most days...actually they don't...it's about 20% of the calendar year...

And actually...then don't limit it all...they get people to pay twice
By having a truncated day at full price and back it up with a a ridiculous per hour charge party using the same park overhead costs...

So that doesn't hold.

They'll never limite attendance...whether it's December 31
Or September 9...

If they should fill up...they just send you to Epcot for a few hours and laugh their way to the SunTrust.

The parties ARE limited. They "sell out" .. so that tells me they only sell X tickets to the night parties. Thus they limit how many people are in the parks that night (plus because people don't want to go to a park with shortened hours MK is less crowded during those days usually). So to me .. party days are already doing what I suggest. There are a bunch of people paying a premium (paying to go to the park twice) to have the park less crowded that day AND experience a special event.

I think we are on the same page though .. we both know Disney is trying to make a profit.

So, my point is that if people are willing to pay twice to go to MK in one day,... if they thought if guests would pay a premium price to have the park "less crowded" by limiting tickets on a certain day, they would. I'm not saying they would "limit tickets" to be kind or benevolent to their guests to make it less crowded for the guest experience, but they would do it if it would make them more money. They would just have to do the math.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That's apple to oranges...

The parties are not a typical operational day and that's the jump you're making - incorrectly.

They could charge $250 a day for a "premium" day if people will pay it and they still won't limit sales. They'll say their research shows its "working" without denying anyone magic.

What will happen is this: they'll charge slightly more for May 18th as a "gold" day and charge a lot more on May 25th - Memorial Day. There will be no limits on ticket sales or elaborate disclaimers at the website talking about the "premium" schedule and restrictions.

It would be complicated enough...with higher ticket zones.

What are the parks there for? It's not to cash in tickets (that's overhead costs)...it's to get you to spend a ton on other stuff in shops. How do you do that more effectively? Pack the place...force more people into the shops.

People limits aren't going to happen without massive increases and travel shifts that would cause breakdown of their current infrastructure first anyway.

Not happening. Just not

 

[epcotty]

We shouldn't say what "will happen", we don't know what will happen. We don't know if anything's been decided yet regarding it or what the decision will be. In the meantime those against tiered pricing should go to the corporate site and send an email (I already did this months ago). Hopefully this can influence their decision.

As for forcing people into shops, I don't think that many people would buy more stuff just because it's too busy to do attractions. They would still try to do what they can and just do whatever shopping they would've done anyway. And that would also deter people from coming back if they felt they had to be in stores more

 

[rteetz]

We shouldn't say what "will happen", we don't know what will happen. We don't know if anything's been decided yet regarding it or what the decision will be. In the meantime those against tiered pricing should go to the corporate site and send an email (I already did this months ago). Hopefully this can influence their decision.

As for forcing people into shops, I don't think that many people would buy more stuff just because it's too busy to do attractions. They would still try to do what they can and just do whatever shopping they would've done anyway. And that would also deter people from coming back if they felt they had to be in stores more

I know this isn't the best mentality to have been sending emails has never really influenced Disney what so ever. People have created hundreds of petitions to save this and that but those have never worked either. You know what will work? Speaking with your wallet.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If they should fill up...they just send you to Epcot for a few hours and laugh their way to the SunTrust.

Don't forget, they might give you a free QS meal for your troubles!

 

[3DisneyFanz]

We shouldn't say what "will happen", we don't know what will happen. We don't know if anything's been decided yet regarding it or what the decision will be. In the meantime those against tiered pricing should go to the corporate site and send an email (I already did this months ago). Hopefully this can influence their decision.

As for forcing people into shops, I don't think that many people would buy more stuff just because it's too busy to do attractions. They would still try to do what they can and just do whatever shopping they would've done anyway. And that would also deter people from coming back if they felt they had to be in stores more

What's in the stores worth buying anymore anyway? Every store has the same 5 things and it's all getting more poorly made each year. Merchandising used to be a great part of visiting Disney as every land had special merchandise and the was actually Disney World, MK, EPCOT, MGM and AK merchandise rather than the generic Disney Parks crap that is there now.

 

[rteetz]

What's in the stores worth buying anymore anyway? Every store has the same 5 things and it's all getting more poorly made each year. Merchandising used to be a great part of visiting Disney as every land had special merchandise and the was actually Disney World, MK, EPCOT, MGM and AK merchandise rather than the generic Disney Parks crap that is there now.

I can honestly say that I really didn't buy anything in the parks this year. I did buy the you are here Starbucks mugs but those aren't really parks merch that's a Starbucks thing. Most of my purchases came at the runDisney expo where I think they do have some good stuff.

 

[JenLT]

What's in the stores worth buying anymore anyway? Every store has the same 5 things and it's all getting more poorly made each year. Merchandising used to be a great part of visiting Disney as every land had special merchandise and the was actually Disney World, MK, EPCOT, MGM and AK merchandise rather than the generic Disney Parks crap that is there now.

I think that has to end up hurting sales. I wish it was unique items in each land or park. I always tell my daughter when she wants something to wait and see if that's what she wants because we'll see it again and again. If they had different things in each place, I'd end up buying her stuff from all of them. Lol. I guess it saves me money.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I can honestly say that I really didn't buy anything in the parks this year. I did buy the you are here Starbucks mugs but those aren't really parks merch that's a Starbucks thing. Most of my purchases came at the runDisney expo where I think they do have some good stuff.

I can't Justify the higher prices for the champion merch.

It's literally the highest price for the cheapest stuff.

If they had Nike or under armor or a similar look/feel it would be more enticing.

The Starbucks are cool because they were spearheaded by Starbucks and not the Disney wing of the junk making army.

They look good and are actually really good use items that have held up well.

I got the Epcot and the Florida one last year and will probably add one or two next time back.

 

[Planogirl]

I like to shop and I like to buy souvenirs but I buy very little at the Disney parks nowadays. I try to get a stuffed animal or mug each time we go but the clothing is so flimsy and generic that I just can't see spending the money.

I like the Starbucks cups too.

 

[rteetz]

I can't Justify the higher prices for the champion merch.

It's literally the highest price for the cheapest stuff.

If they had Nike or under armor or a similar look/feel it would be more enticing.

The Starbucks are cool because they were spearheaded by Starbucks and not the Disney wing of the junk making army.

They look good and are actually really good use items that have held up well.

I got the Epcot and the Florida one last year and will probably add one or two next time back.

I didn't buy any champion stuff except for the WDW Half "I did it" shirt because it was my first half marathon. Otherwise I bought the new balance dumbo shoes, magnet, race pins, and a jacket. I feel if it were Nike or under armour is would cost even more than it does already.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I didn't buy any champion stuff except for the WDW Half "I did it" shirt because it was my first half marathon. Otherwise I bought the new balance dumbo shoes, magnet, race pins, and a jacket. I feel if it were Nike or under armour is would cost even more than it does already.

No doubt...my view is usually since you're usually paying a 30% overcharge anyway...might as well binge and get the stuff you want.

The Tommy bahama camps they started selling at the poly are $150...that's the standard issue $118 shirt

It is what it is

 

[sachilles]

Probably the only reason the tiered pricing hasn't been implemented yet is due to systematic limitations.
Currently the tickets when bought don't have a concrete expiration date, they just have date range. So they have x number of uses within a date range.
In order to vary the price matrix and allow that flexibility is a bit of pain in the keester. It can be done, but you need to do certain things to prepare for it, which will change some of the fundamental ways they do gate control. One change we've already seen is the elimination of the no expiration ticket.
The tough part is dealing with black out dates, if you have the cheaper ticket. If you extend someone a 7 day slow time ticket, and their first 6 days fall on the slow period, yet the 7th day falls in the holiday expensive time, you simply deny access unless and upgrade fee is charged. However, you customer service issue becomes what if they don't want to upgrade? They can use that 7th day the next time it's slow which will be more than a week later. So you need to set an expiration date for X number of days from purchase, or X number of days from first use.
It is completely doable, but is a pain. The question is, will it make them more money or not.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think that has to end up hurting sales. I wish it was unique items in each land or park. I always tell my daughter when she wants something to wait and see if that's what she wants because we'll see it again and again. If they had different things in each place, I'd end up buying her stuff from all of them. Lol. I guess it saves me money.

We're the exception...not the rule.

They stripped all the good stuff out systematically 15 or more years ago...it doesn't seem to matter.

When you cater to one timers...that's an acceptable strategy.

Now it's evolved a bit...they Sprinkle in specialty stuff occasionally in small batches...such as your small world, haunted mansion, resort items...but that's just the hook stuff. And of course it's way higher price.

I knew it was over when I walked into days of Christmas and they had the baby simbas wrapped in blankets hanging on racks...
Cause nothing says "happy Kwanzaa" like plushes.

If that didn't kill it...the plush invasions into much of the world showcase stores did. I actually think they HAD to get more outside stuff there. Went backwards a little.

Days of Christmas used to be maybe the coolest store on earth...it was incredible. Now i hope they get rid of it and put a gap in there or something...it's sad.

 

[MommaBerd]

Thread drift here, but regarding Parks merchandise, I typically am not a souvenir buyer. But when DH surprised me with a trip to DLR for our anniversary in October, I *really* wanted a Diamond Celebration ornament. First, there were VERY few to be found. And then, the quality was horrible. I was so disappointed. I realized the validity to @lockedoutlogic 's rants on merchandise. So, we brought home some of the nice cardboard coasters from our room and I'm going to make ornaments from them.
But to add insult to injury (in a way), when I was decorating our Christmas tree I pulled out a "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" ornament that I purchased when I worked at The Disney Store in the 90s. It was very well made of clear glass - flat "carved" image, not round. And I realized again how far the quality has fallen.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Probably the only reason the tiered pricing hasn't been implemented yet is due to systematic limitations.
Currently the tickets when bought don't have a concrete expiration date, they just have date range. So they have x number of uses within a date range.
In order to vary the price matrix and allow that flexibility is a bit of pain in the keester. It can be done, but you need to do certain things to prepare for it, which will change some of the fundamental ways they do gate control. One change we've already seen is the elimination of the no expiration ticket.
The tough part is dealing with black out dates, if you have the cheaper ticket. If you extend someone a 7 day slow time ticket, and their first 6 days fall on the slow period, yet the 7th day falls in the holiday expensive time, you simply deny access unless and upgrade fee is charged. However, you customer service issue becomes what if they don't want to upgrade? They can use that 7th day the next time it's slow which will be more than a week later. So you need to set an expiration date for X number of days from purchase, or X number of days from first use.
It is completely doable, but is a pain. The question is, will it make them more money or not.

The only way to do the system you describe is hard reservations. And in sure that's what they want...but I don't think even they think they can sell it.

Also...what do you do about park hopping? Eliminate it?

I think we'll see more "blocks" of prices and you'll be locked into one price or another based on policy - whatever they decide.

What was donkey worthy was trying to charge more for every weekend day like a DVC point chart...that's crazy.

Just too far. The increase and revenue probably doesn't cover the logistics of it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Thread drift here, but regarding Parks merchandise, I typically am not a souvenir buyer. But when DH surprised me with a trip to DLR for our anniversary in October, I *really* wanted a Diamond Celebration ornament. First, there were VERY few to be found. And then, the quality was horrible. I was so disappointed. I realized the validity to @lockedoutlogic 's rants on merchandise. So, we brought home some of the nice cardboard coasters from our room and I'm going to make ornaments from them.
But to add insult to injury (in a way), when I was decorating our Christmas tree I pulled out a "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" ornament that I purchased when I worked at The Disney Store in the 90s. It was very well made of clear glass - flat "carved" image, not round. And I realized again how far the quality has fallen.

Most of my rants hit home eventually...I'm not making this stuff up...

Speaking of ornaments...the Christopher radkos sell for hundreds on resale markets...
But they couldn't bother to give up an extra couple bucks and keep them in the stores, huh?

Some 25 year old geek with no life experience determined that the numbers "didn't work out"?

That's so low rent.

 

[sachilles]

Park hopping is only an issue if the tiered pricing is gate specific. Even that I don't see how that is a system limitation.

I use to do a lot of this gate control stuff in a previous career. I don't miss it. Often Marketing/management want to implement a perfectly reasonable new idea, only to find that an old idea they implemented years ago, is at odds with what they want to create now. Gate control is very logic based, and marketing almost never is.