DISNEY if you don't want the average Joe to stay at the parks just say so...

[MammaMoe48]

In the end, isn't this all just rumor anyhow? Or is it a done deal?

 

[sam_rogers]

I'm not an expert on currency values, but I thought the US dollar is strong now. If so, it would be more expensive for Europeans and other foreigners to visit the USA because of the exchange rates. Could someone from outside the USA let us know if the currency exchange rate is favorable to the

I'm in England and the past few months have been awful for buying dollars. Recently I've seen it drop to $1.39 to £1. When I've been state side in recent years it's been closer to $1.60 to £1

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Well, they DID just add purple magic bands...

Hahaha I've quickly come to appreciate your sarcastic wit. It gets lost in the debate sometimes.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Well we did 10 days in London over last summer because it was CHEAPER than WDW. We are Marriott Platinum and had enough points for a free room for 10 days and British Airways gives us 10 points/dollar spent on BA travel and other incentives. The Disney credit card is laughably a bad deal. If they gave us 10 points/ WDW travel it would be a different story. No loyalty program to speak of.

 

[ellie05]

Well, they DID just add purple magic bands...

 

[dkrauss]

well, guess what. That's exactly how it worked when Disneyland and Disneyworld opened.
Except top rides are not called A, but E.
that's why headliners are called E-Tickets, because they used to require the use of a "E"
ticket from your ticket book.
it used to cost a A ticket to ride the main street vehicles, a C ticket for Dumbo, Peter Pan, among others

it would be back to the "good old days" where you paid for what you rode. That's how Walt started it. So you might be wrong in saying his dream is dead ... looks like it will pretty much come back to life ...

(not saying it would be good or I would like it, just saying what used to be)

This is a great post because it points to what was........and what many (not on this board) either forgot or never knew. This was how Walt ran things back in the day! How many want to go back to those times?

If WDW went back to the pay per ride method.............Oh boy...............this board would explode! So using the phrase "Walt would be appalled......." is just not valid. You making a supposition based on a complete unknown to justify you're personal feelings.

That's what all this upset is about each of our personal feelings........ It stinks that the price increases move people to the point of not coming to WDW any more or not as often. However, that is how life works in a capitalistic society..............and until it reachs a point of it hurting the bottom line in some drastic way...........they won't stop raising prices.

Doug

 

[prestoncaldwell]

This is a great post because it points to what was........and what many (not on this board) either forgot or never knew. This was how Walt ran things back in the day! How many want to go back to those times?

If WDW went back to the pay per ride method.............Oh boy...............this board would explode! So using the phrase "Walt would be appalled......." is just not valid. You making a supposition based on a complete unknown to justify you're personal feelings.

That's what all this upset is about each of our personal feelings........ It stinks that the price increases move people to the point of not coming to WDW any more or not as often. However, that is how life works in a capitalistic society..............and until it reachs a point of it hurting the bottom line in some drastic way...........they won't stop raising prices.

Doug

I'd be delighted with ticket books, because I'm not a repeat rider, generally, unless I've done everything and the line I want is just ridiculous.

I remember in the 70s when the E-Ticket Matterhorn had a ridiculous 45 minute wait one time I was there (of only 3 times I went in that decade).

 

[hookedonears]

Disney's profits are up, the parks are full, Disney Springs is full, even with all the construction people are flocking to WDW. NOW YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SQUEEZE MORE MONEY....poor.. poor Walt's dream is dead.....

You spent 2 billion on the herder program and with FP+ so you can control people's were about in the parks and they don't even realize that you are doing it . Brought in tier pricing so you can squeeze more money out of you guest on the busy days just because you can. Now you want to charge more as a resort fees, what next charge 20.00 more for the A rides, 10.00 to ride the Monorail, 15.00 to walk down Main street, 5.00 for the ferry. oops better not give you any more ideas.

Just flat out say it..YOU DON'T WANT THE AVERAGE JOE TO GO TO OUR PARKS... don't price them out and make them feel bad because they can't afford to go to Disney anymore ...have the guts and say we don't want you any more, we want people who spends lots more money in our parks. Even through the average Joe was the ones who made you what you are today and that your right as we are only the guest!

Guys the only way to be heard by Disney is too stop going to the parks, to their movies, stop watching ABC, tsn or anything that has the Disney name, it's time to be heard!!!! ( They know that's never going to happen )

Disney does need to make a profit but how much is the answer?????

IT'S UP TO YOU

An earlier poster hit the nail on the head, Disney is not for the average. Average Joe's don't go to Disney, they go to Six Flags. And there's nothing wrong with that. I grew up going to Six Flags.

 

[Shanti]

The general consensus seems to be that even if Disney continues to raise prices people will still fill the parks. I used to agree with because I thought I would be one of those people. I never thought I would say enough is enough but the number of price increases in the last week alone is ridiculous. In truth, I would be okay with them if there was an increased return of investment but all reports have recently indicated a steep decline.

I agree. For me it's even more about the cuts they're making to park hours & services than it is about the price hikes. If it cost a lot but the experience felt worth every penny, I'd gladly accept it (and I used to).

But seeing them shorten park hours in peak season, gut EMH, reduce CM staffing/training, reduce character appearances, reduce resort pool hours, chop down woods outside Wilderness Lodge to build overpriced bungalows, ban towel animals, etc., etc. The whole thing just feels less magical and I'm less inclined to want to spend real money there.

 

[mshanson3121]

OP, be prepared for some people to tell you that it doesn't matter what Disney does because crowds will only get bigger. I'm personally glad that everyone is so rich because apparently there is no limit to any of this according to some people.

I understand your frustration but to me it's not just about how much a person can afford but also diminishing returns. For us they are beyond what we'll accept but that line is different for everyone of course.

Yes, I see some people talk about their trip budgets, staying at this resort or that, complaining that they can't go 2 or 3x a year this year... and... yeah, I'll admit, sometimes I roll my eyes, lol. I can't even begin to DREAM of a budget like that. And don't get me wrong, I realize we're blessed to have been able to afford one trip, but that was only through about 8 years of savings and a generous gift. Next year's trip, IF, it happens will be thanks to tight saving this year, skipping any vacation this year, and a generous income tax return next year. And right now, we're on the very threshold of not going back due to pricing. We've pretty well taken all the measures possible to cut costs on our trip (stay off site, travel with others to share the cost of lodging, make/pack our own food, buy discount tickets, drive to Disney etc...), not much else we can do to make it cheaper. In contrast, we could go to two smaller, but very nice, clean theme parks that are closer, that the kids love, spend 3-4 days there, plus a few more days in a beautiful cottage on a lake with swimming, river tubing etc..., do some beautiful sight seeing... for about 1/3 of the cost of Disney. *sigh* What the heck is it about the World, anyways?

At any rate, at the end of the day, we're all complaining about minor first world problems, aren't we?

 

[mshanson3121]

This idea that it's a place that everyone should be able to afford to go every year is just not realistic. It's a one-of-a-kind vacation destination. You have to pay to play.

I think that feeling stems from the fact that what you just said, is what Walt wanted. While yes, realistically it was not affordable to everyone, it was definitely affordable to more people back then, than it is today. Walt wanted it available for most, for families to have an affordable place to come enjoy themselves together. He most definitely wanted it available for ALL of the middle class. Which unfortunately, is definitely fading from reality.

Also, the "pay to play" is over used. There are many other quality destinations, places etc... that are less expensive. Disney is increasing their prices at a rate that far exceeds others, inflation etc... They're being greedy, plain and simple, especially when you look at how attractions, quality, service are being cut. I really don't think everyone is complaining because they feel entitled to Disney (oh maybe some so), but I really think the majority are complaining because of a) the destruction of Walt's vision and b) the greed that Disney is displaying.

 

[mshanson3121]

In the end, isn't this all just rumor anyhow? Or is it a done deal?

As many others have said before: Disney doesn't even remotely discuss finances, unless they're planning something.

Remember the survey about tiered pricing? So yeah, you might as well accept it's a done deal. Whether it's 6 months from now, or 12 months from now, it'll happen.

 

[Mickey's Apprentice]

As many others have said, it's called capitalism. They'll keep charging until people quit paying it.

I don't mind what they are charging as long as I'm getting a good product/service.

I will admit when I went to Disney last month, it was way overcrowded and my family didn't get to do as much as we'd like to unlike in years past.

We actually like to ride the rides so it's disappointing that you pay all that money and get to ride 5-6 rides in the whole day. At DHS, rode 6 rides and was at the park all day. Rode TSM and got to ride Aerosmith once and was in line for an hour and then it broke down. Ended up standing in line for 2 and 1/2 hours for that one. That's a lot of time just wasted.

DISNEY needs either to open up another park in South America or just open up another park in Orlando to spread more people out. The local Floridians who have season passes told me the same thing that it keeps getting worse every year and it's just not worth the money as it has been in years' past.


So in summation:
Jack up the prices if you want, but still make it a worthwhile experience.

 

[Misha72683]

I wanted to go to Disney as a child, but I don't think I ever asked, I knew it was impossible. Same with my husband. We can only afford it because vacations/experiences are our priority and we're willing to sacrifice in other areas and even then, it'll be every 2-3 years and our only vacayion (though we still do local day trips).

 

[mom2rtk]

DISNEY needs either to open up another park in South America or just open up another park in Orlando to spread more people out. The local Floridians who have season passes told me the same thing that it keeps getting worse every year and it's just not worth the money as it has been in years' past.

I have a hunch if Disney had any plans of opening another park in FL any time in the next decade, they would not have announced plans to put SW Land in DHS.

 

[quagmire0]

It's not really even about just one price hike here or there. It's the overall sense of where things are headed. Disney didn't used to nickle and dime you. It wasn't 'all inclusive' necessarily, but you felt like that money you were dishing out for a room or tickets was worth it for all the 'perks'. Now they want to charge you more for those perks, on top of higher prices. Now they want to charge you depending on what time of year it is. Next they'll want to charge you for better parking, park transportation, etc. All these things that were 'features' that you were willing to subsidize with your expensive tickets or stay at an onsite hotel are being taken out and slapped with a separate price tag. It's no good and it makes Disney feel like a carnival or two-bit tourist trap.

 

[larryz]

I have a hunch if Disney had any plans of opening another park in FL any time in the next decade, they would not have announced plans to put SW Land in DHS.

I think, in South America, Brasil or Argentina would work out quite well...

 

[nilla]

Well, they DID just add purple magic bands...

That's big for me. Seriously.

You don't understand. Purple magic bands. Finally!

 

[Bluegrrl]

Agree with others - maybe what they NEEDED to do was open a park in Brazil, not two in Asia that are 763 miles apart from each other. Or around $200/$619 round trip. (Please correct any math errors, but you guys get the drift of it, right?)

 

[Davey Jones II]

There's obviously no connection whatsoever between a survey and the outcome.

IMHO Disney isn't telling the "average Joe" (or repeat guest) they want us to stay away. They're just saying they couldn't care less if we visit. They've been marketing to the "once in a lifetime trip"/new guest crowd for awhile--the ones who don't know any better or don't care.

They figure they don't have to do anything special to get the return guests because we have pixie dust in our eyes and we'll return no matter what. And even if we don't return, they figure they'll make it up in newbie volume, along with increased profits from reducing expenses/services and raising prices.

Average Joes? IMHO you can sum up their view of Average Joes in 1 word: "Whatever."

The average joe makes up most of their loyal, repeat business. It is sheer hubris to take your best customers for granted, or risk pissing them off. Of course, this company is so successful that hubris in inevitable. A little humility and gratitude would do them a world of good.

Personally, I understand the price increases. That's another thing that is inevitable, given the crowds hitting the parks all year long. How else can you keep the crowding from getting even worse?

But cutting the quality of food while charging more and more for it...cutting staff and hours of operation during boom times...overseeing a decline in service at their overpriced resorts...adding umpteen upcharge special events, so that we really have to pay for the best spots for the parade or fireworks...it all gets increasingly ridiculous.

Normally, these are the actions of a company that is struggling and in survival mode. But Disney isn't struggling, it's booming. At least, the parks division sure is. So the company has apparently decided to compensate for their overseas blunders and declining media profits by squeezing their guests and workforce for every possible last dime. Peter is getting mugged to pay Paul.

The whole thing is pretty shameful and disgusting.