Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[TikiRob]

I don't think the no-advance-purchase policy is because they don't know the price in advance. Pretty much everyone knows when the busiest days at WDW are going to be. Instead, I think forcing you to make a same-day decision is a way of discouraging people from buying it. As discussed earlier in the thread, G+ works best for both LL returns and standby when most people don't have it.

Interesting thought. Respectfully, I think the no-advance-purchase policy is because they don't know the price. Right now they are testing the tipping point and guests are selling it out. We thought the cap was $29 and now it is $35. They probably sold so many bundled G+ when it first came out, they reversed course on packaging so they can fluctuate the price even more. I can't see a world in which the "same-day decision" model was established to discourage people from purchasing. If they can set a max when selling tickets, they can do the same for G+ if they wanted to. Universal limits the number of Express passes it sells.

The unmentioned part of this is that Universal includes Unlimited Express Pass for all guests at their Premier Hotels, so you’re able to get that included for your entire party for roughly the cost of a Deluxe at Disney.

That’s a huge difference. We’re definitely bigger Disney fans than Universal, but Unlimited Express as part of your room is a significant margin over Disney’s offering.

I did mention that and I wish they would include it for Deluxe resort guests at WDW. They have the data on Deluxe guests, so including it might not be worthwhile. I'll be curious to see how Express at Universal changes with Epic opening. The survey I received from UOR about Express Pass pricing models included some CRAZY numbers!

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't see a world in which the "same-day decision" model was established to discourage people from purchasing

It is true, they do get more pricing flexibility and learn as they go.

But, forbidding advance purchase is counter to the Disney strategy in most other ways. Usually they try to get you to book as much in advance as possible, for good reason.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/call-disney-cfo-explains-mymagic-225441629.html

(There's an older investor presentation where they go into even more detail about this, but I can't find it at the moment.)

 

[rangerxenos]

Interesting thought. Respectfully, I think the no-advance-purchase policy is because they don't know the price. Right now they are testing the tipping point and guests are selling it out. We thought the cap was $29 and now it is $35. They probably sold so many bundled G+ when it first came out, they reversed course on packaging so they can fluctuate the price even more. I can't see a world in which the "same-day decision" model was established to discourage people from purchasing. If they can set a max when selling tickets, they can do the same for G+ if they wanted to. Universal limits the number of Express passes it sells.


I did mention that and I wish they would include it for Deluxe resort guests at WDW. They have the data on Deluxe guests, so including it might not be worthwhile. I'll be curious to see how Express at Universal changes with Epic opening. The survey I received from UOR about Express Pass pricing models included some CRAZY numbers!

At the very least it should be heavily discounted to Deluxe guests.

 

[persnickity]

I think same-day pricing and purchase for Genie+ is kind of a win-win for them. They can try to squeeze every penny out of same day customers, and they don't sell out in advance at discounted pre-purchase prices. Less people complaining to customer service that it wasn't fair, they didn't even get a chance to purchase.

 

[HokieRaven5]

At the very least it should be heavily discounted to Deluxe guests.

This I could say is something that’s easier for them to do. Give up to 50% (or more) off Genie+ for those with a deluxe reservation could even expand that and offer a percentage off for moderate and value.

I know it’s an easy comparison that’s there, and it may actually be about the same cost to either side, but it is comparing 2,400 deluxe rooms at Uni vs 11,000 deluxe rooms at WDW. That’s a decent difference in the amount of people automatically being given something that’s a revenue generator.

They can and certainly should offer more perks to resort guests beyond just 30 minutes each morning and the 2 extended evening hours to deluxe guests, and hopefully they can get back to doing that.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Full Experience Creating a Custom Action Figure With TRON Identity Program at Magic Kingdom

 

[Moliphino]

At the very least it should be heavily discounted to Deluxe guests.

But aren't deluxe guests the ones most able and willing to pay? Why cut off that money stream?

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1643709946968653824

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1643721810796576768

 

[starlite_]

But aren't deluxe guests the ones most able and willing to pay? Why cut off that money stream?

My thoughts exactly. if a family is staying Deluxe, then they can pay full price for Genie+ .

On that thought, I wonder if Universal needs the incentive to get guests to fill their own Deluxe rooms? We know Disney doesn't.

 

[kat_lh]

My thoughts exactly. if a family is staying Deluxe, then they can pay full price for Genie+ .

On that thought, I wonder if Universal needs the incentive to get guests to fill their own Deluxe rooms? We know Disney doesn't.

Not true at all. We stay deluxe but it’s because we do DVC resale and as a family of five, it’s easier and sometimes cheaper than rooms at other resorts that sleep five. But we won’t pay for G+ for five of us.

 

[disneyfan150]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1643709946968653824

Hmmm, my app has not been updated.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hmmm, my app has not been updated.

I just updated, but it didn’t do it automatically

 

[HokieRaven5]

Tickets Available: Tony Baxter to Discuss Big Thunder Mountain, Journey Into Imagination & EPCOT at Give Kids The World Event This Weekend

Legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter will be at Give Kids the World this weekend to cover some of his most popular projects in a storied career. The Give Kids the World Speaker Series will be split into two days, with different topics on each day. Another popular former Imagineer, Jason Surrell, will moderate the Speaker Series.

On Friday, April 7th, Surrell and Baxter will discuss the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. Baxter will discuss the attraction from the first Blue Sky concept to the opening of the attraction.
On Saturday, April 8th, Surrell and Baxter will delve into the creation of Journey Into Imagination and other EPCOT stories.
There are various ticket options, and tickets are still available! Tickets start at $35 per day or $60 for both days. VIP packages are also still available that allow you to meet Tony Baxter, hors d’oeuvres, photo ops, and reserved seating for the presentation.

Buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/give-kids-the-world-presents-tony-baxter-tickets-524707814197

 

[HokieRaven5]

TRON Identity Program Experience Officially Opens, More Reservation Availability Released

While there was cautious optimism that the TRON Identity Program experience would open today, reservations were blocked out through early May. Once Cast Members were able to confirm that the experience would open today, more reservations were loaded into the system. When checking the availability this afternoon, reservations are essentially wide open starting tomorrow. Morning availability seems to be more popular than afternoon or evening, but there will certainly not be difficulty in securing a reservation anytime soon.

In addition to widespread availability, Cast Members have told us that they will accept walkups as well when there is an opening.

 

[rlk]

Tickets Available: Tony Baxter to Discuss Big Thunder Mountain, Journey Into Imagination & EPCOT at Give Kids The World Event This Weekend

Legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter will be at Give Kids the World this weekend to cover some of his most popular projects in a storied career. The Give Kids the World Speaker Series will be split into two days, with different topics on each day. Another popular former Imagineer, Jason Surrell, will moderate the Speaker Series.

On Friday, April 7th, Surrell and Baxter will discuss the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. Baxter will discuss the attraction from the first Blue Sky concept to the opening of the attraction.
On Saturday, April 8th, Surrell and Baxter will delve into the creation of Journey Into Imagination and other EPCOT stories.
There are various ticket options, and tickets are still available! Tickets start at $35 per day or $60 for both days. VIP packages are also still available that allow you to meet Tony Baxter, hors d’oeuvres, photo ops, and reserved seating for the presentation.

Buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/give-kids-the-world-presents-tony-baxter-tickets-524707814197

My husband and I were in the Figment line right behind Tony Baxter during Epcot's 40th Anniversary and heard him telling the group he was with some behind the scene story. My husband was talking to me and I kept shushing him so I could try to hear what Tony was saying.

 

[Tigger's ally]

My husband and I were in the Figment line right behind Tony Baxter during Epcot's 40th Anniversary and heard him telling the group he was with some behind the scene story. My husband was talking to me and I kept shushing him so I could try to hear what Tony was saying.

Us husbands always get Shushed! We have no disney voice.....

 

[Sweettears]

Us husbands always get Shushed! We have no disney voice.....

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Not true at all. We stay deluxe but it’s because we do DVC resale and as a family of five, it’s easier and sometimes cheaper than rooms at other resorts that sleep five. But we won’t pay for G+ for five of us.

Us deluxe guests already get extra evening hours M and W. I don't think they should further stratify on-site guests.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney World to Resume Selling Annual Passes April 20th and April 13th (DVC)

Disney fans, we heard you loud and clear! Wherever you can find us, you’ve been asking about Walt Disney World Annual Passes. It’s great to see how many Disney fans are interested in becoming a Passholder and making memories time and time again in our theme parks. If you’ve been one of the many fans asking about Annual Passes, then we’ve got great news for you.

New sales of the Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Pirate Pass will resume and can be purchased online beginning on April 20! Please know, as we look to provide a great experience for our Passholders, the quantity of passes will be limited and passes, or a pass type, may become unavailable for purchase at any time.*

For eligible DVC Members, we’ve got great news for you too, as you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the DVC Disney Sorcerer Pass online beginning April 13 as part of your Membership Magic benefits.**

We are so grateful for our Passholders who have a deep, strong connection to Walt Disney World, and we are looking forward to welcoming more of you to the Annual Passholder family, just in time to experience the feelings of a Disney Thrill this spring and summer.

It’s an incredible time to be a part of the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder program as we’ve taken the feedback we received from Annual Passholders and are making exciting changes. Passholders now receive access to select Disney PhotoPass benefits (age restrictions apply) and, beginning April 18, Annual Passholders can visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates continue to apply. Passholders, if you’re planning on visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios any time soon, I recommend you try out the new Disney PhotoPass Muppet*Vision 3D Lens – it’s a lot of fun!

These updates will help Passholders enjoy some of our newest Walt Disney World experiences. We’re celebrating the return of the “Happily Ever After” nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park, the world’s first Toy Story-themed table-service restaurant Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened just a few weeks ago and Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana is coming later this year to EPCOT. This month, we’ll also commemorate the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, home to one of my favorite lands, Pandora – The World of Avatar.

For the latest news, current Annual Passholders can check out The Passholder Buzz available on the My Disney Experience app. To learn more about renewal and pass upgrade options, visit DisneyWorld.com/AnnualPass.

*Passes are subject to the Walt Disney World® Resort Annual Pass Terms and Conditions. All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

**To purchase the Disney Sorcerer Pass, Disney Vacation Club Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit – these offers are subject to availability, change or termination and may require a fee. General terms & conditions of the program are in the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.