Disney YES in 2013, I say NO

[eliza61]

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.


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.

See IMO, that's a case of semantics, hike or end of a break, what's the end result? I pay more. What part should I be happy with?

 

[GaDisneyFreak]

So if you do pay for the tickets with a prepaid Visa or Master card, like the ones at the Walmart checkout, there really is no way they can charge you the regular price of the tickets, right? If someone, or myself were to do this, I would most certain make the class date after I had used my tickets up. It sounds bad, but whatever. Disney has to do what they have to do and so do I.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

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.

If i perceive a price to offer value for money, then no, it doesn't bother me. You're still getting something for free (the classes). In addition, on top of receiving a service for free (which you are free to not take advantage of), you are getting an another discount on something additional. sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

So if I said I'd give you a brand new crisp $100 bill for $50 every month for a year, and then the next year I raised it to $75, you'd complain?

Not sure why everyone is saying it's 'human nature'. Not my nature, and last I checked, pretty sure I'm human.....

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

See IMO, that's a case of semantics, hike or end of a break, what's the end result? I pay more. What part should I be happy with?

I am honestly curious - so every single time you pay on cent more - no matter if the product has improved, or your cost of living has improved - you would complain? So if I pay more for the car i have to buy tomorrow compared to the 10 year old one I lost due to Sandy, I should complain, even though my pay has increased and the standard features on the EXACT SAME CAR have increased? Talk about wanting something for nothing.

 

[wgeo]

So if you do pay for the tickets with a prepaid Visa or Master card, like the ones at the Walmart checkout, there really is no way they can charge you the regular price of the tickets, right? If someone, or myself were to do this, I would most certain make the class date after I had used my tickets up. It sounds bad, but whatever. Disney has to do what they have to do and so do I.

So Disney has decided to raise their price on a product they offer and you don't like that decision so you are going to "do what you have to do" and lie and steal money from them? I'm not sure why this is ok, and I'm certain that it's not OK to try to discuss ways to scam from Disney on the Disboards.

I will not lie cheat or steal just to go to Disney. If I think the prices are too high then we won't go, I am not going to teach my kids that behavior like that is ok. Just because Disney is a large company does not make it ok to steal from them.

FWIW we've done YES 2 years in a row and have loved it both times, not sure if we would do it again because I'm not sure if the cost savings/vs. time used would be worth it to us anymore, we'll have to see when it comes time to plan another trip.

 

[pigletto]

If i perceive a price to offer value for money, then no, it doesn't bother me. You're still getting something for free (the classes). In addition, on top of receiving a service for free (which you are free to not take advantage of), you are getting an another discount on something additional. sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

So if I said I'd give you a brand new crisp $100 bill for $50 every month for a year, and then the next year I raised it to $75, you'd complain?

Not sure why everyone is saying it's 'human nature'. Not my nature, and last I checked, pretty sure I'm human.....

The class isn't free. The cost of the class is a line item on the receipt or at least it was when we went. It is built into the ticket but it is a charge. It isn't charity as in your example. You are still paying for something.
Now to be fair I also think it's ridiculous to scam them and not show up for the class. That's tacky. Some people are ok with tacky I guess.

People do however have a right to decide if something is worth it to them, or not be happy with the price increase. It doesn't change anything, they cost what they cost. But do you expect people to not decide for themselves if it's worth it to do anymore? They're grown ups, spending their own money. I fail to understand why it bothers you so much.

And with that I am done with this particular thread because I wasn't planning on getting the tickets anyway being an AP holder, and I'm not particularly interested in the 15 page debate this will become.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

The class isn't free. The cost of the class is a line item on the receipt or at least it was when we went. It is built into the ticket but it is a charge. It isn't charity as in your example. You are still paying for something.
Now to be fair I also think it's ridiculous to scam them and not show up for the class. That's tacky. Some people are ok with tacky I guess.

People do however have a right to decide if something is worth it to them, or not be happy with the price increase. It doesn't change anything, they cost what they cost. But do you expect people to not decide for themselves if it's worth it to do anymore? They're grown ups, spending their own money. I fail to understand why it bothers you so much.

And with that I am done with this particular thread because I wasn't planning on getting the tickets anyway being an AP holder, and I'm not particularly interested in the 15 page debate this will become.

First, I am curious about what you said - that the class is a line item in the ticket. So the ticket is more expensive if you take a class than if you do not? BC if so I have misunderstood the situation.

and actually i totally agree with the rest of your post. People deciding whether or not something is worth it to them, and then deciding whether or not to purchase it, is completely in line with my way of thinking

and it doesn't 'bother me so much', or at least any more than my post 'bothered' you enough to post, KWIM? i just was curious about why exactly people thought getting something for a discount - albeit a lesser discount - was an injustice worthy of boycotting Disney.

 

[Colleen27]

I am honestly curious - so every single time you pay on cent more - no matter if the product has improved, or your cost of living has improved - you would complain? So if I pay more for the car i have to buy tomorrow compared to the 10 year old one I lost due to Sandy, I should complain, even though my pay has increased and the standard features on the EXACT SAME CAR have increased? Talk about wanting something for nothing.

Apples to oranges. The classes haven't changed, and for many of us neither has our income. We're not talking a brand-new car compared to a decade-old one. The exact same product that we enjoyed in Jan 2012 costs several hundred dollars more for Jan 2013.

 

[Colleen27]

First, I am curious about what you said - that the class is a line item in the ticket. So the ticket is more expensive if you take a class than if you do not? BC if so I have misunderstood the situation.
.

For adults/chaperons, yes. The ticket for the (mandatory) chaperon costs more than a ticket for an adult not attending the class. For kids, one class is built into the price of the ticket as a condition of participation and additional classes cost $34 a piece (up from $26 for this year).

BTW, I didn't read any posters as boycotting Disney over this - they're (we're) just not doing the classes at the current price. The thing is, the classes run at times of year when deep package discounts, most notably free dining, have historically been offered so taking the class is a case of foregoing one discount to use another. With the change to the pricing structure there's far less benefit in choosing YES over a package discount from WDTC or a room-only offer and more flexible tickets from Undercover Tourist. At 2012 pricing, it would make sense to do a class even as an AP holder because the discount on the kids' tickets would cancel out the waste of my ticket; at 2013 pricing that isn't the case so we will, somewhat sadly, cross the class off our possibilities list and use other discount options instead.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Apples to oranges. The classes haven't changed, and for many of us neither has our income. We're not talking a brand-new car compared to a decade-old one. The exact same product that we enjoyed in Jan 2012 costs several hundred dollars more for Jan 2013.[/QUO

but it's still LESS than it was in 2011 or whenever YES was first introduced, right? That's why I'm confused. And the post I quoted by Eliza implied that when she pays more, no matter the situation, she's unhappy. Hence my example.

at the end of the day, we all get to choose what it worth our money and time - that is the beauty of capitalism. Very grateful that we all get to exercise that choice as we see fit . My choice will be to sign my daughter up for any class that is available and interesting to her at that time. Not to sign her up bc there is a discount, for which I will pay with pre paid untraceable cards, scheduled in the furture, so that when we do not show up they can't attribute to me

 

[Colleen27]

but it's still LESS than it was in 2011 or whenever YES was first introduced, right? That's why I'm confused.

I don't think it is. IIRC (and I might not, to be honest year-to-year price comparisons aren't my forte because I have a lousy memory) YES tickets have gone up a little bit every year just like regular tickets do. We looked into the program in 2011 and couldn't make the dates work for us, did an individual enrollment program and a group program in 2012, and were hoping to do another in 2013. We might still if my (non-AP) DH can join us for our August trip, but right now the planning is that it'll just be me and the girls so the price increase takes it off the table.

 

[maxiesmom]

So if you do pay for the tickets with a prepaid Visa or Master card, like the ones at the Walmart checkout, there really is no way they can charge you the regular price of the tickets, right? If someone, or myself were to do this, I would most certain make the class date after I had used my tickets up. It sounds bad, but whatever. Disney has to do what they have to do and so do I.

And I'm betting it is this exact behavior that Disney is trying to prevent.

If someone can't afford to go to Disney without scamming somehow, they shouldn't go. That behavior is no different than posting you need money to save your house, and then spend that money on a trip.

 

[Burnedout]

And I'm betting it is this exact behavior that Disney is trying to prevent.

If someone can't afford to go to Disney without scamming somehow, they shouldn't go. That behavior is no different than posting you need money to save your house, and then spend that money on a trip.

No kidding!! It takes some nerve. And people like that have ruined it for everyone else and could care less. That is terrible!!!!

 

[GaDisneyFreak]

I just don't believe that Disney had that high of a no show rate before. People would not want to get black listed because they would like to receive this most wonderful discount in the future as well. Now with this, I am sure I am not the only one debating doing this. IMHO, this all boils down to making more money and not preventing people from scamming the system.

 

[Burnedout]

I just don't believe that Disney had that high of a no show rate before. People would not want to get black listed because they would like to receive this most wonderful discount in the future as well. Now with this, I am sure I am not the only one debating doing this. IMHO, this all boils down to making more money and not preventing people from scamming the system.

Lol, you are sitting there planning this and then say you don't believe people are doing it? Really?? You are the cause of the issue.

 

[eliza61]

I am honestly curious - so every single time you pay on cent more - no matter if the product has improved, or your cost of living has improved - you would complain? So if I pay more for the car i have to buy tomorrow compared to the 10 year old one I lost due to Sandy, I should complain, even though my pay has increased and the standard features on the EXACT SAME CAR have increased? Talk about wanting something for nothing.

1) we are not talking about 10 years ago. Disney's prices on their ddp plan and park tickets have been consistently going up annually.

2) a vast majority of folks pay HAVE not gone up. have you hung around here long? many folks will tell you that it's been years since they've gotten a raise and many folks raises are not keeping up with the cost of living.

Exactly what product has improved? lets see gas has gone up, what exactly has "improved" about it? Has the volume I get for the increase cost increased?

Let's see ddp. cost more you get less. when it first came out, it included the tip and appertizer and the menus were more extensive.

Cost of yes tickets, what has improved? what "more" are you getting?
exactly what has improved?


Let see here in NJ.
Property taxes have gone up over 17% in less than 10 years. can't call that a "living" improvement.
Health care cost on average have increased 7% (nationwide). average raise increase is projected to be ~3-4% not a major improvement there.
I have college tuition, totally agree that is a personal choice but I'll throw that in as well. That's been doing hte double digit dance for a few years now.

Our definition of "improvement" is vastly different. Now don't get me wrong, I don't walk around with a "woe is me" attitude (or at least I try not to) but the fact that the same
gallon of ice cream now cost 20% more and it's not even a full gallon anymore definitely doesn't make me happy when I'm in the super market.

Now I am in no way advocating "cheating" the system and really I don't have a pony in this race, as I've never used the YES program but sorry yep, I do reserve the right to complain
when I feel like I'm getting less for more money. Generally though I show my displeasure by doing business else where. When the ddp became a rip off for me, I wrote a nice
letter to disney explaining my displeasure and I give disney restaurants very little of my money.

 

[nunzia]

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.

 

[Deb & Bill]

1) we are not talking about 10 years ago. Disney's prices on their ddp plan and park tickets have been consistently going up annually.

2) a vast majority of folks pay HAVE not gone up. have you hung around here long? many folks will tell you that it's been years since they've gotten a raise and many folks raises are not keeping up with the cost of living.

Exactly what product has improved? lets see gas has gone up, what exactly has "improved" about it? Has the volume I get for the increase cost increased?

Let's see ddp. cost more you get less. when it first came out, it included the tip and appertizer and the menus were more extensive.

Cost of yes tickets, what has improved? what "more" are you getting?
exactly what has improved?


Let see here in NJ.
Property taxes have gone up over 17% in less than 10 years. can't call that a "living" improvement.
Health care cost on average have increased 7% (nationwide). average raise increase is projected to be ~3-4% not a major improvement there.
I have college tuition, totally agree that is a personal choice but I'll throw that in as well. That's been doing hte double digit dance for a few years now.

Our definition of "improvement" is vastly different. Now don't get me wrong, I don't walk around with a "woe is me" attitude (or at least I try not to) but the fact that the same
gallon of ice cream now cost 20% more and it's not even a full gallon anymore definitely doesn't make me happy when I'm in the super market.

Now I am in no way advocating "cheating" the system and really I don't have a pony in this race, as I've never used the YES program but sorry yep, I do reserve the right to complain
when I feel like I'm getting less for more money. Generally though I show my displeasure by doing business else where. When the ddp became a rip off for me, I wrote a nice
letter to disney explaining my displeasure and I give disney restaurants very little of my money.

Prices don't only go up because of a new and improved product. Sometimes the cost of implementing the product or making the product goes up -like salaries, utilities, etc - so the increase cost of making the product goes up. Same for Disney. The increased cost of labor makes the price go up. Increases in health care costs are affecting a lot of businesses.

The DDP is just like heroin. The pusher gets you hooked when he is pricing it lower. Then raises the price when you want more of it because you are hooked. You just have to say "No" sometimes.