Disney YES in 2013, I say NO

[GaDisneyFreak]

After the dramatic price increases for the YES tickets next year, I do believe it will be a no go for us. I was seriously considering doing it to save some money, but making one or both of my girls take a 3-HOUR class is a bit much to save just a little. I may reconsider, but I doubt it right now. Would'nt a time share presentation be somewhat shorter? I also think that this major increase in price may have some backlash, with fewer classes being signed up for. Just look at how many discounts that DCL is having to offer now that they out priced them selves for the market.

 

[Burnedout]

Or it means that they will have people who actually want to attend sign up and attend. They "sell out" and then the classes had no shows. Disney doesn't owe anyone a discount.

 

[GaDisneyFreak]

Or it means that they will have people who actually want to attend sign up and attend. They "sell out" and then the classes had no shows. Disney doesn't owe anyone a discount.

Thats true. They will have one or the other. I would never have thought about being a no show until now. I will admit I am/was thinking about signing up, getting the discount, whats left of it, and scheduling a class on a day after we have used up all of our tickets, ( I guess a class for the very end of the trip) and then not showing up. I would'nt care or not if Disney blacklisted me against those classes anymore, as hey, theres no big discount. But if there was still a big discount, then no, there is no way I would want to be blacklisted. I would possibly want to do it again in the future. Three hours is just way to long for most kids anyway. I would also make sure and pay for the ticket packages with one of those pre-paid Visa or Mastercard you can get at the check out line at Walmart, so they could'nt place a charge on it for not showing.

 

[wiigirl]

Or it means that they will have people who actually want to attend sign up and attend. They "sell out" and then the classes had no shows. Disney doesn't owe anyone a discount.

interesting....

 

[la79al]

Thats true. They will have one or the other. I would never have thought about being a no show until now. I will admit I am/was thinking about signing up, getting the discount, whats left of it, and scheduling a class on a day after we have used up all of our tickets, ( I guess a class for the very end of the trip) and then not showing up. I would'nt care or not if Disney blacklisted me against those classes anymore, as hey, theres no big discount. But if there was still a big discount, then no, there is no way I would want to be blacklisted. I would possibly want to do it again in the future. Three hours is just way to long for most kids anyway. I would also make sure and pay for the ticket packages with one of those pre-paid Visa or Mastercard you can get at the check out line at Walmart, so they could'nt place a charge on it for not showing.

Gosh, I wonder why they changed the prices

 

[pigletto]

While I think that if you sign up you should go and not take the discount and opportunity from someone else who wants it, I HIGHLY doubt the increase in prices is to combat no shows. It is most likely like every other price increase in the Disney universe and profit driven because that's what they are in business for. There's been high demand and they know they can get more.. period.

We went to Ocean Discoveries and got the discounted tickets in August of 2011. It was cute, but a little boring and the material was very basic and my kids would have learned more on their own. My understanding is that they changed the class and the ages after that, but to be honest, if it weren't for the discount I would not have been pleased paying for that class. The leader actually said to my 12 year old "This is going to be really too young for you" and made her his helper.

They can do whatever they want with the prices and their tickets, but I doubt it is something we will do again.

 

[RitaE]

I can think of few things more miserable than trying to conduct an educational class at Disney to a bunch of kids who are only there because Mom wanted a ticket discount.

 

[Disney Addicted]

After the dramatic price increases for the YES tickets next year

What are the prices then for 2013? I thought an 8-day WP&M was $220.

Just checked my spreadsheet. I had $235 each for the 8-day premium. Now to figure out if the price changed or not.

 

[maxiesmom]

I can think of few things more miserable than trying to conduct an educational class at Disney to a bunch of kids who are only there because Mom wanted a ticket discount.

Sounds like another perk done in by abuse.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I will admit I am/was thinking about signing up, getting the discount, whats left of it, and scheduling a class on a day after we have used up all of our tickets, ( I guess a class for the very end of the trip) and then not showing up. I would'nt care or not if Disney blacklisted me against those classes anymore, as hey, theres no big discount.

Wow, way to teach your kids a lesson about ethics and integrity.

Three hours is just way to long for most kids anyway.

I don't know about your kids, but having spent some time with the YES program, I would guess that at least 90% of the kids I taught had absolutely no problems with the 3 hour timeframe.

 

[pigletto]

I can think of few things more miserable than trying to conduct an educational class at Disney to a bunch of kids who are only there because Mom wanted a ticket discount.

My kids were there for the experience and are inquisitive, polite and still had a nice time. I merely stated that the particular program we took was not very good. My dd still helped the teacher hand out all materials, explain the games to the kids and clean up etc. They were attentive and kind, I would expect nothing less from them anywhere... ever. The discount was a very nice bonus. I just didn't find it to be something we would do again. Again, might have just been the class we were in.

 

[GaDisneyFreak]

Well one of my girls, the oldest one would probably like one of the animal behavior ones pretty well and shes older and would be ok with 3-hours. But, I am not sure how she would like giving up 3 hours of vacation time for it. I still may consider it and do it legit. But I don't think they raised the prices to combat no shows. I think it all about more money. I just wonder though, have they had a big percent of no shows in the past?

 

[Colleen27]

The changes make it a no-go for us too. Without a 1-day ticket option for passholders and with the much higher prices for chaperoning adults I just can't justify it. For us there was no coercion involved - my daughter loved the classes she took, and would like to take others in the future. But I just can't see the sense in it when my next trip with her is at a time when free dining has historically been offered - between giving up the package discount and needing to buy a $250+ ticket that I won't use and can't save, it just comes at too high of a cost.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Found the prices and wow... that went from a $637 savings to $298.

With the savings, I had convinced hubby to stay at Bonnet Creek this time. I really want the extra space! Oh well, now to input the change into my spreadsheet and see how this affects us. I just may not tell him about the increase.

So glad I read this thread!

 

[fostrmom2mny]

My foster daughter was too old to attend classes, and she was really interested in the one wth the Manatees. We had (work) a conference there this year and my work partner brought her grandson and she moved over to WDW Resort for a few nights with them and got to attend as the adult. They both really enjoyed it, and the young man's grandmother was so thankful as she didn't have the energy level to keep up with her son and my daughter

They looked at the 3-hour class as being an adventure that not everyone gets to be a part of. I haven't seen the increase in prices, but we are already planning on dong this with our granddaughters when we take them in a few years.

 

[blessedby3]

Found the prices and wow... that went from a $637 savings to $298.

With the savings, I had convinced hubby to stay at Bonnet Creek this time. I really want the extra space! Oh well, now to input the change into my spreadsheet and see how this affects us. I just may not tell him about the increase.

So glad I read this thread!

My dd did a YES class in October and liked it. DH did too
We stayed at Bonnet Creek and I just want to say that you will love all that space! It was our first time staying there and it wont be our last.
Unfortunately with the YES changes, it looks like DD took her first and last class. Its just so much money to me to have tickets that you cant change. The discount isnt enough to warrent going that route.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Found the prices and wow... that went from a $637 savings to $298.

With the savings, I had convinced hubby to stay at Bonnet Creek this time. I really want the extra space! Oh well, now to input the change into my spreadsheet and see how this affects us. I just may not tell him about the increase.

So glad I read this thread!

Admittedly, I have never done a YES class for my kids, so maybe I misunderstand the situation. The classes themselves are free, right? and on top of that there is a discount on the theme park tickets? So people are complaining that Disney offers FREE educational/interesting classes and discounted tickets, bc the discount itself has decreased?

Please correct me if I'm wrong but if not color me

 

[Colleen27]

Admittedly, I have never done a YES class for my kids, so maybe I misunderstand the situation. The classes themselves are free, right? and on top of that there is a discount on the theme park tickets? So people are complaining that Disney offers FREE educational/interesting classes and discounted tickets, bc the discount itself has decreased?

Basically yes. It is human nature to complain when one gets used to things being a certain way (deeply discounted tickets) and that changes, much like people complaining about free dining not being offered for Jan/Feb for the first time in several years, about the overall scaling back of discounts while rack rates continue to increase sharply each year, the end of child's pricing for APs, etc. And in this case, the perception that people breaking rules/taking advantage of the program are all or part of the cause of the change makes it more annoying to people who did follow the rules.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Basically yes. It is human nature to complain when one gets used to things being a certain way (deeply discounted tickets) and that changes, much like people complaining about free dining not being offered for Jan/Feb for the first time in several years, about the overall scaling back of discounts while rack rates continue to increase sharply each year, the end of child's pricing for APs, etc. And in this case, the perception that people breaking rules/taking advantage of the program are all or part of the cause of the change makes it more annoying to people who did follow the rules.

Thanks for answering my question. I think many people would have been excited (or at least I would have been) if Disney offered great classes for kids for no charge WITHOUT offering a discount, but I understand how ppl get conditioned to a situation that, when changed to their detriment, they see as a penalty rather than a lesseing of a discount.

My company faces the same thing - about 10 years ago, the Christmas/NYE holiday schedule worked out that by giving everyone an extra 2 or 3 days off (which 90% of the employees took off anyway), gave everyone a 10-ish day break. It was perceived as a wonderful, amazing gift. I turned to my co worker and told them, the Company just ensured this will happen for the foreseeable future, no matter the calendar, because NOT doing it will look like they are taking something away.

Same thing will happen when the Social Security tax rate reverts to its normal rate (6.2 on the first $113k or so) on Jan 1. Many will try to paint it as a 'tax hike' instead of the end of a tax break.

 

[eliza61]

Admittedly, I have never done a YES class for my kids, so maybe I misunderstand the situation. The classes themselves are free, right? and on top of that there is a discount on the theme park tickets? So people are complaining that Disney offers FREE educational/interesting classes and discounted tickets, bc the discount itself has decreased?

Please correct me if I'm wrong but if not color me

Nope, folks are complaining because prices are going up. Now maybe that sort of thing doesn't bother you but I totally admit, yes I grouse when I pay more and get less. Whether that's the price of eggs, gas or Disney tickets, I hate price increases. Human nature.