Brilliant Marketing, Disney!

[FayeW]

I don't know how I feel about these new ticket prices, they make it so easy to just spend your whole vacation at Disney, and not see the other area attractions. On our first visit, we spent 2 days at MK, 2 at SW, and 5 at US/IOA. We fell in love with US/IOA and their tickets are so affordable ( 5 days for $95., plus buy 4 tickets/ get 5 if you order through MC online) that we have said we can't imagine going back to Orlando and NOT going to these wonderful parks. Now we are planning a trip for Oct/Nov, and buying 7 day tickets (with hopping and magic plus features) is only $13. more than buying 4 day, and that is the total difference for ALL 4 of us! We were planning on spending the majority of our time at WDW, to see the parks we missed the first time, but with a difference of $3.25 per person to add an extra 3 days, how could I justify an extra $400 for US?? I guess I'll just have to plan ANOTHER trip in a couple of years to go back to the "other" parks.

 

[disneysteve]

I agree that it is a great business move. Make staying longer more affordable. Also make it a great deal to buy a long ticket and come back for a second trip later. We will save several hundred dollars with the new tickets, so I certainly won't complain.

 

[j's m]

This is our problem, too. We have gone every November for Jersey Week for the last five years. This year, we were planning to spend 2 days at Universal, since I've finally convinced DS10 that it's not the scary. But how do I justify the extra cost?

My DH insists we stay at a Disney hotel, he doesn't like surprises. But the new tickets also punish those of us that STAY at WDW and just want a short side trip to another park. Don't they realize we are not abandoning them, but just want a little extra?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I don't understand how it's "punishing".... ???

I do agree that it's great marketing. I had planned on just taking a short trip with the kids in June using leftover days and plusses on old park hoppers. Now I'm thinking more along the lines of a 10 day trip, buying 10 day nonexpiring tickets, plan another trip for next summer with the leftover days, do the dining plan on this trip, etc. LOL

 

[HB2K]

I don't know about punishing you, but Disney definitly is fighting to keep the Orlando business to themselves. I was going to try and sneak in a day at IOA this trip, but when weighing the cost of three tickets (two adults, one child and one free infant) vs. a $11 upgrade for three more Disney days, it just doesn't make sense.

Smart move Disney.

 

[disneysteve]

I also don't see the punishment aspect. We usually do 5 days at Disney. We will still do 5 days at Disney. But with the new 10-day tickets, we'll use half one trip and half a year later. But we'll save hundreds in the process. Buy your ticket, use as many days as you want and save the rest of the days for another time.

 

[Jalva22]

Disney didn't get where they are without being pretty savvy on the business end. Our arrival day will now be spent at the MK instead of Sea World.... and I'm not complaining a bit!

 

[LoveToDisney]

Plus, starting in May, the transfer from the airport is free with Magical Express so less rental cars means less people with easy access to other theme parks. Putting the new tickets and the free transfer together really add up the dollars when you are comparing to US/IOA.

Already the new MYW tickets have made an impact on US/IOA because they have a comparison for a 5 day trip on their website, showing how they are more cost effective for a shorter trip versus Disney.

 

[lemondog]

My problem with it is that for each day longer you stay, you are paying hotel costs. If you are staying on property, that can add up. So a family like us, who likes to spend our $$ on a nicer resort with fewer days in the parks, ends up basically getting the shaft. We are not saving ANY money anymore by getting the 4day vs. the 7day tix. And this is what Disney is planning on. So now families like us look at the new packages and go..."well, if it's only $10 more pp to stay 3 extra days, let's do it!" Meanwhile, Disney is getting 3 more nights of revenue from you staying in their hotel, eating their food, and buying their expensive souvenirs. You are right, Disney is brilliant.

 

[LoveToDisney]

My problem with it is that for each day longer you stay, you are paying hotel costs. If you are staying on property, that can add up. So a family like us, who likes to spend our $$ on a nicer resort with fewer days in the parks, ends up basically getting the shaft. We are not saving ANY money anymore by getting the 4day vs. the 7day tix. And this is what Disney is planning on. So now families like us look at the new packages and go..."well, if it's only $10 more pp to stay 3 extra days, let's do it!" Meanwhile, Disney is getting 3 more nights of revenue from you staying in their hotel, eating their food, and buying their expensive souvenirs. You are right, Disney is brilliant.

You are right on target! And the target! Disney knows how to make money!

 

[FayeW]

My problem with it is that for each day longer you stay, you are paying hotel costs. If you are staying on property, that can add up. So a family like us, who likes to spend our $$ on a nicer resort with fewer days in the parks, ends up basically getting the shaft. We are not saving ANY money anymore by getting the 4day vs. the 7day tix. And this is what Disney is planning on. So now families like us look at the new packages and go..."well, if it's only $10 more pp to stay 3 extra days, let's do it!" Meanwhile, Disney is getting 3 more nights of revenue from you staying in their hotel, eating their food, and buying their expensive souvenirs. You are right, Disney is brilliant.

I'll fool them, I'll stay offsite!! Ha Ha Ha, that'll teach them to give me a bargain I can't pass up!

 

[HayGan]

My problem with it is that for each day longer you stay, you are paying hotel costs. If you are staying on property, that can add up. So a family like us, who likes to spend our $$ on a nicer resort with fewer days in the parks, ends up basically getting the shaft. We are not saving ANY money anymore by getting the 4day vs. the 7day tix. And this is what Disney is planning on. So now families like us look at the new packages and go..."well, if it's only $10 more pp to stay 3 extra days, let's do it!" Meanwhile, Disney is getting 3 more nights of revenue from you staying in their hotel, eating their food, and buying their expensive souvenirs. You are right, Disney is brilliant.

You are saving money if you buy the 7 - 10 day tickets and split you it into 2 stays. Our package only includes 4 days on-site at the Poly. We purchased 10 day no exp MYW passes and we will use 5 days this year and 5 days next year. I don't have to stay on-site next year (but I probably will.) The great thing is that you are not dictated as to when you have to use your remaining days (like an AP).

To each their own but I think the 7-10 day passes are a GREAT deal!!!

 

[NMW]

Staying onsite isn't an issue for us because we own DVC. However we were thinking about doing SeaWorld on our next trip and now, we are definately not going anywhere else except the Disney parks. Disney IS brilliant. They will not gain any extra hotel revanue from us but, they will gain the money we will spend in THEIR restaurants, the junk my kids will buy in THEIR parks etc. Plus with the free Magical Express starting in May less people will rent cars and be able to leave the property. In our case, we were going to use a limo service so we could stop at the store for soda, water, beer and snacks. Now we will probably use the magical Express and buy that stuff at our resort. They really are BRILLIANT.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Ya know...since the cost difference is SO LOW you could still go over to Universal like you would have if you couldn't have gotten into the parks...

It remains to be seen how brilliant this is... people might start doing my touring plan...one year at WDW the other year still in Orlando but not at WDW.

 

[LoveToDisney]

One other thing to keep in mind...US/IOA doesn't usually stay open late because they want to encourage revenue in their City Walk area. So, many times we have gone to US/IOA until 7ish when they are closing and then head over to finish the day at Epcot or MK since they are usually open later than that. With APs to both, we enjoy both WDW and US/IOA.
The question is now with the Magical Express, will we continue to rent a car and get the AP for US/IOA.....hmmmmm...probably so when we take the teens, but not so sure if it's just a couples trip. The Magical Express has been certainly another push for the Disney side. I would really miss the Mummy ride though....such hard choices!!

 

[FayeW]

I told my husband about the discussion I started and ended with "so how could we justify paying an additional $400. to go to US"

His response: "Easy". I said "Huh??" and he said "I'm going to Universal."

That settles that.

doubletrouble_vb & LoveToDisney, I never looked at it that, you're saying that if we were only going to buy 4 day tickets to WDW, and spend the additional to go to Universal anyway, just don't think about the extra days at Disney, and not worry about what I could save by changing my plans. Or, I could buy them for the additional $13. and enjoy parades,fireworks, etc after US closes. If it only cost a $1. or so per person,per day, might as well take advantage of the extra time. Good thinking!

 

[disneysteve]

Or, I could buy them for the additional $13. and enjoy parades,fireworks, etc after US closes. If it only cost a $1. or so per person,per day, might as well take advantage of the extra time. Good thinking!

Or you could buy the extra days with the non-expiring option and save the unused days for a future visit. It is now much cheaper to buy a 10-day ticket than 2 5-day tickets.

 

[FayeW]

Yes, disneysteve, I've been giving some thought to that also. I know in the long run it would save us lots of money, and I probably will buy a 10 day non-expiring ticket for my son ( he will be 9 this trip). Adding both the non-expiring tickets and the US/IOA tickets will make an expensive trip this time, and as yet we don't have any plans to back a third time ( but if I bought the tickets I guess it would guarantee a return trip, wouldn't it!)

 

[MrsPete]

You're absolutely right. The Disney execs know that IF they ever let us leave their property to go to a different park, we'll also eat, shop, and sleep in other locations -- all of which doesn't help their bottom line.

You can "win" by realizing their game and making rational decisions rather than just "going with the flow".

 

[canwegosoon]

Disneysteve is right...plus don't for get about the possibility of adding the Plusses...especially if you are getting the non-exp. passes. A friend is going for 10 days with us in March...Differrence is they are staying off site for 6 day (so they are doing other things and 1-2 days at the parks, the other 4 onsite they will be doing 3 days hopping and 1 plus) They have 5 days and 4 plusses left for future trips. Like getting 2.5 trips for the price of one, in their case.

I think the marketing is great too...passes, meal plan w/full price(AAA) rooms...Disney should be making the money this year.
IS this a poss. indication to buy stock

Lots of options to personalize a trip to your needs.