Disney's Price Increases are obscene....

[theaslip]

Being local to Orlando - I have kept Annual Passes for my family of 6 for at least 10-years. When visiting the parks, we spend a whole lot more - drinks, food, we somehow manage to buy merchandise on almost every occasion (go figure...)!

The price increases that I read about today are absolutely ludicrous. I enjoy Disney, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the quality of the product has declined since the the early-90's pinnacle. The only thing you know for sure about next year at Disney is that you will pay more and get less (despite slick marketing to the contrary). Of course it's only my opinion, and we all have our own unique value equations, but for me it just doesn't add up. An 11.2% price increase this year AND they no longer offer CHILD 3-9 pricing??? Come on?!? DL in CA raising APs around 30%, and Jay (Disney CFO) suggesting a similar increase next year at WDW? The arrogance is astounding.

Could I afford 6 APs - you betcha! According to my IRS tax return, I guess I am blessed with an income that is greater than 99.2% of the US population, but again, from a value perspective, I think that Disney has surpassed the gouging level.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...-disney-california-adventure-park-price-hikes

Universal hear we come!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Actually you may find aDisney parks prices are the same as universal, since universal raised there rates to wdw levels, and for a lesser park, with the exception of potter.

WDW =4 parks, Uni =2 parks

Not to mention your getting a year of admission for your AP.

But more to your point.......parks prices are alot cheaper then most other entertainment venues today. Especailly when you note that when you buy multi day passes it get cheap in a hurry!

1. A sports event.......easily $30 to $500 for 3 hours of questionable game play.

2. A concert..........easily $100 to hundreds for a few hours.

3. Dinner at a 3, 4 or 5 star...easily more then any park.

4. Nascar.........$50 to over a hundred, for 3 hours.

In any case. I hope you enjoy Universal.


AKK

 

[seashoreCM]

When parks are packed to the hilt it is not unusual for the owners to raise prices.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I know and sadly enough I expect this trend to continue for years and years to come. In spite of all of the high price hikes, Disney continues to enjoy growth every year in park attendance.

~Honestly, based on my tastes and touring styles, the quoted prices I received when planning a trip to Universal was actually higher than Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you also have to blame all of the people who purchased child APs and used them for the perks, solely because a child's pass was so much cheaper.

Between this, and the credit card deposits for meals, and the testing of mug chips, people need to get a clue. Disney is sick of people finding and abusing loopholes in their policies, and are now going to slam a gate down.

I'm sorry a trip to WDW no longer holds any appeal for you. But as another poster pointed out, a trip to Universal is no bargain either.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I think you also have to blame all of the people who purchased child APs and used them for the perks, solely because a child's pass was so much cheaper.

Between this, and the credit card deposits for meals, and the testing of mug chips, people need to get a clue. Disney is sick of people finding and abusing loopholes in their policies, and are now going to slam a gate down.

I'm sorry a trip to WDW no longer holds any appeal for you. But as another poster pointed out, a trip to Universal is no bargain either.

I totally agree!

While this is not the 0nly reson prices are going up, the sad part was so many supported the cheaters....saying if Disney didnt want people to cheat they would find a way to stop it!.....guess what.the proof is coming at us now!

AKK

 

[pgianna]

it's very simple folks, when poeple stop going, they will stop raising ticket prices.

 

[Art 1]

it's very simple folks, when poeple stop going, they will stop raising ticket prices.

And that's been the plan for years. Like with most luxury items. And that's what a trip to WDW is, a luxury item.

 

[Couchy]

I find most entertainment to be expensive everywhere. My DH and I have season tix for our local NHL team. Cheap seats $2550. Oop those same tix would be$$$$ . Most games those tix r $44 or $60. Premium games those tix opp face value r $ 80 and 2 games $100. They change the price depending on the opponent. Anyway add 15 a game for parking and a $4 bottle of water $9 beer and a $5 pretzel and the bare min spent for 3 hours is around $100 for us. If we eat dinner there $120 for 3 hours. Without season tix those prices are $120 to $250 respectively depending on ticket prices for that game..

Movie cost for two are about $40 for tix , popcorn, soda
Count fair is easily over $100 for admission, couple rides, food, etc

WDW is not cheap but I think there is value per hour

 

[MelissathePooh]

And that's been the plan for years. Like with most luxury items. And that's what a trip to WDW is, a luxury item.

Somehow though - they have convinced us its a value though Overall I guess it can be.

We have AP's to both Universal and Disney. While there isn't as much at Universal - they defninitely are able to give the nod to onsite guests. We stayed at HRH for less than $200 a night - a much nicer hotel than anything at Disney. Their version of the meal plan is an excellent deal. Their food is far superior, IMHO. FOTL - unbeatable.

Of course - Disney can't do that. Too many people. But yes the increase is ridiculous when you think back to a 1 day park pass was $55 not that long ago. I think the 1 day ticket at Universal is too much too though. The whole point is to get people to stay longer though.

For the record - just because I'm more critical of Disney these days doesn't mean I don't still appreciate the magic and greatness of Disney, just that I'm disappointed in the complete and blatant focus on profit. I know its a business, but its a monster these days.

 

[Johndoodle]

I think you also have to blame all of the people who purchased child APs and used them for the perks, solely because a child's pass was so much cheaper.

Between this, and the credit card deposits for meals, and the testing of mug chips, people need to get a clue. Disney is sick of people finding and abusing loopholes in their policies, and are now going to slam a gate down.

I'm sorry a trip to WDW no longer holds any appeal for you. But as another poster pointed out, a trip to Universal is no bargain either.

I think letting all ages pay income will be the next step. The abuse of smuggling in children as under three is also something Disney will stop sooner or later. (I personal think sooner)

 

[ModernArtist]

Could I afford 6 APs - you betcha! According to my IRS tax return, I guess I am blessed with an income that is greater than 99.2% of the US population,

Well aren't you special.

 

[Hopefully]

Being local to Orlando - I have kept Annual Passes for my family of 6 for at least 10-years. When visiting the parks, we spend a whole lot more - drinks, food, we somehow manage to buy merchandise on almost every occasion (go figure...)!

The price increases that I read about today are absolutely ludicrous. I enjoy Disney, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the quality of the product has declined since the the early-90's pinnacle. The only thing you know for sure about next year at Disney is that you will pay more and get less (despite slick marketing to the contrary). Of course it's only my opinion, and we all have our own unique value equations, but for me it just doesn't add up. An 11.2% price increase this year AND they no longer offer CHILD 3-9 pricing??? Come on?!? DL in CA raising APs around 30%, and Jay (Disney CFO) suggesting a similar increase next year at WDW? The arrogance is astounding.


Could I afford 6 APs - you betcha! According to my IRS tax return, I guess I am blessed with an income that is greater than 99.2% of the US population, but again, from a value perspective, I think that Disney has surpassed the gouging level.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...-disney-california-adventure-park-price-hikes

Universal hear we come!

The one day ticket price for Universal is within $ 1- $2 or Disney. How is that Better?

 

[tstidm1]

I am a huge animation fan from anywhere. A local Japanese animation convention (Otakon) is a better buy than Disney at $70 for all three days. I don't go to Disney because it's cheaper than Otakon. I go to Disney over Otakon because I get to do things that I wouldn't do at Otakon. I can't go on over 50 rides, see four different 3D movies, see three nighttime fireworks events, eat around the world during Food and Wine or the numerous other things that Disney offers. I won't be going for another 18 months for time and money reasons, but I still want to get back there sooner than later. There are discounts to make it easier on things. You have to look and see whether they work for your family.

 

[Maleficent53]

To the OP - while I agree that the yearly price increases are a pain in the *** I think the value is still better than most other entertainment venues. I haven't been to a football game in 20 years because it's obscene the price they get for tickets (add on $30 for parking, 8 for a beer or gross hotdog). Baseball is better because I can sit in nosebleed seats for a reasonable price, but the players look like ants! We saw Cirque Michael Jackson (2hrs at $150 per ticket) but I only did that because my DD gave me a ticket for birthday/mothers day/Christmas.... And I won't even mention what I might drop in a local casino!

We are buying APs for the first time this year because we think we will visit 2X, maybe 3X in the next year. Our AP cost goes up "only"10.6%. FL AP up 11.2% to $299. If you go one day each month your cost is only $25 per day! Still a very reasonable amount to pay for an entire day of entertainment. If I get 12 days out of my AP I am paying double what you are paying and I will consider it money well spent.

We all have to justify what is important enough to spend money on in this tight economy. Disney, as a corporation, needs to make enough money to cover their expenses and still have something left over to keep their stockholders happy. Since you say you are blessed with income higher than 99% of us, I assume you understand the concept of profit margins.

If you feel Disney is now too expensive to justify your financial support, vote with your wallet and spend your money elsewhere.

 

[ScrappinGran]

I am not surprised, but it will NOT prevent me from GOING and ENJOYING my Disney vacations. Is it expensive, yes. But as other posters have pointed out, try going to the movies, a sporting event, or even our local County Fairs. Never mind the increased costs of gasoline and food. I plan and budget all year, sometimes longer for our trips. I EXPECT price increases and factor them into my budgeting. The trips are our luxury, our escape, our happiness ( besides our camera hobby, now THERE are some $$$ ), and we will still be drinking the Kool Aid for a long time. I find the enjoyment, the feeling of truly being in another world, the smiles on my grandchildren's faces worth every penny. And I am sure Disney is counting on just that!

 

[Phatoomch]

Everything is expensive now, not just Disney

My daughter is on summer vacation and me & daddy have planned/done a few fun days. Examples:

Zoo: 2 adults, 1 child admission $75 Food (can't take your own) $30 Extra drinks 7.50 Total $112.50

Six Flags: 2 adults 1 child $150 Food $40 Extra drinks $12 Total $202

Movies: 3 tix for RealD movie $30 popcorn & drinks $37 Total $67

Mommy/Daughter day at mall: Lunch and few little purchases at Disney Shop, Claires etc. Minimum $50 if I am strict lol

Day at Mountasia Crazy gold/go karts etc 2 adults 1 child $70 Food & drink $30 Total $100

For five days of fun in my local area I am looking at at least $531.50

Oh and not to mention the Justin Bieber concert next year that I had to book the other week ... in order to guarantee seats I had to join the fan club $99 + 2 tix & parking $345!!! New total $876.50

So, yeah, Disney is expensive but so is everything else and we do not get the magic or fulfilment and could no way spend 12 hours at any of those above events.

 

[rgf207]

As others have said, they only way Disney will stop raising prices is if people stop going. That's not going to happen so the prices will continue to rise.

We have DVC so the increase in ticket prices really isn't an issue with our vacation since our room cost has been paid for already. We did buy our tickets before the increase though

 

[mossy1]

I think it comes down to your personal price per day and if that number is something you find acceptable. I am upgrading to AP next week but we also have 2 more trips planned so I will have a total of about 25- 30 park days over the course of next year. So even if I estimate at the low end at 24.50 per day that seems reasonable to me. Much smaller local parks are even 16 -20 dollars per day in my area.

 

[EpcotQueen]

We have been annual passholders since the early 90's and feel the price is worth it. That being said....don't know how long we can bear the increases. The thing that amazes me the most with the new pricing rules is the elimination of the child rates. If the issue was abuse of privileges, then require an adult pass to get the discounts and follow through with policing it. We have booked using annual pass discounts through the years and NOT ONCE were we asked to present our annual pass at check-in. My 2 cents.....