Disney's Price Increases are obscene....

[maxiesmom]

So sorry you have not recognized my blatant sarcasm, nor have you read the follow-up posts I made regarding my original post....

Well I would hope you are not being sarcastic, as it goes against the rules of the Disboards. Go look.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Is any of your experience as a business owner? There are a lot of people who have never been responsible for running a business who think they're owed something just because they show up.

This gimme gimme gimme attitude gets tiresome after a while.

Amen. And to the person that asked, I make a payroll every other Friday and have for 20 years. Do you? Until you've stuck your hand out to make the deposit instead of the withdrawal, you don't get it.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I speak from what I've seen in my friends, family and myself. You may be as sarcastic as you want, but my answer to a pp was not meant that way at all - it has proved true. It matters not what you believe or think Even as child on our farm, I can remember my dad raising the pay for those working for us longer - even though their job description/duties remained the same.

That's odd. I was raised on a farm too and still live on it, though I don't tend it anymore, by choice. Where I was raised, all the qualities you pointed out we called "doing your job." Those qualities were EXPECTED of people. That was my point. I didn't mean people didn't and don't get raises for possessing those qualities. I do it myself when I can but it's a BUSINESS decision, not something that should be EXPECTED. That was the point I was trying to make, apparently not very successfully.

The folks that get the biggest raises in my company are the ones that go BEYOND the "call of duty," not the ones that do just what they are expected to do, yet those people don't seem to understand why Joe got a bigger raise than they did. They seem totally blind to the fact that Joe is there every morning when they get there and still there after they leave.

You may GET a raise for the qualities you described, but thinking you're entitled to one is where we disagree.

One of the biggest problems in America today, IMHO, is this sense of entitlement that has been embedded in the minds of the last 3-4 generations. This world (and hence, my company) doesn't owe you crap. You're not special just because you show up most days and do your job.

 

[DisLee]

Yes - I would have renewed - no question. I would have renewed even with an increase - as there has always been an increase. I don't have a preference for Universal - just that the same passes this year will cost me $330.00 more than last year at Disney.

It's funny how a thread like this will quickly turn into something I wouldn't want to step in. All of these responses by people acting smarter than everyone else.


OP, I agree with you. Price increases of this kind will chase away more than just you and me. We live in Florida and we go to WDW twice a year. We WERE thinking about buying AP this year. Not so much now.

I love Disney as much as anyone here. But I cannot make excuses for them if they are wrong. Some of you would allow almost anything to happen and you will still rabidly defend to the end.

For those of you that think $300.00 is a small amount not worth complaining about, go take 300 bucks and throw it out into the street. Ya, that's what I thought.

 

[shalom]

For those of you that think $300.00 is a small amount not worth complaining about, go take 300 bucks and throw it out into the street.

Point is, they aren't throwing their $300 out in the street -- they're using it to get something they value more than the $300. To you, it may be throwing money away -- but it's their money, so what they think is important is what matters.

I am not one who'll pay for Disney tickets "no matter what." Since I am not much of a rides person, I can get my "Disney fix" just visiting the resorts and doing other on-site stuff, all of it way cheaper than a park ticket. I'm still willing to get a regular ticket, but they've already priced themselves out of my range on the annual pass. While from their perspective the per day price is lower, I wouldn't use it often enough to make my price per day low enough. While I might have gone more days with an annual pass that cost less, at that price I'd rather limit myself to the days on a regular ticket. I don't value those extra days enough to pay that price.

Point is, there probably are enough people who do value those days enough to make that price AP profitable to Disney, and more power to those purchasers. If it's worth it to them, if they're willing and able to pay that much, that's their choice. And, if there are enough people who want to buy APs at the new price, why should Disney worry about people like me? Disney and I don't have a personal relationship -- it's a (hopefully cordial) business relationship, and Disney sees me as their customer, not their bestest pal, so I don't expect them to worry about my personal preferences any more than I worry about theirs. It's not like they're coldly leaving me to starve or freeze; they just aren't offering something I want (not need) at a price I can work with.

Disney sets their prices, and I say "yes" or "no." And if someone else says "yes" when I say "no," that doesn't mean they're throwing their money away -- it means they value going to the Disney parks more than I do.

 

[shalom]

All of these responses by people acting smarter than everyone else.

By my reading, the disagreement has nothing to do with I.Q. It's more a disagreement between people who view their relationship with Disney pragmatically, as a business proposition, versus people who want to see their relationship with Disney as a much more personal thing. That's a world view issue, not one of intellectual ability.

 

[WDSearcher]

Yes - I would have renewed - no question. I would have renewed even with an increase - as there has always been an increase. I don't have a preference for Universal - just that the same passes this year will cost me $330.00 more than last year at Disney. Disney (IMO) is by no means "bad" but the quality of the product has incrementally and steadily diminished over the years in my mind.

Universal passes were $169 last year - and $169 this year.

I hear all the talk about building new attractions and resorts - yeah, yeah. Read the 10-Q from the TWDC. This is a year they are enjoying record PROFITS - driven largely by theme park attendance and performance at the resorts. Another poster stated it was more likely due to entertainment performance, but that is not accurate according to TWDC's quarterly earnings statements.

My whole original point (lost long ago!) was that when you diminish a product and simultaneously raise the price to a point that I no longer feel good about spending money on - I'm out. I like Disney better than Universal, but Universal will have to do! My opinion is clearly in the minority on this board, and I certainly respect everyone else's viewpoint - as we all have different preferences and priorities. This is was only mine. Never realized sharing it would be so polarizing......<sigh>

Well, doesn't it kind of figure that you'd be in the minority here? It's a board of Disney FANS, after all, many of whom have not reached that monetary breaking point yet. What they get from Disney may be far harder to define on a cost basis than what you're seeking. Again ... doesn't make you "right" or "wrong", but if you truly were looking for support of your ideas, there are lots of other places online where you could find it.

Even if you had worded your initial post differently, you'd have gotten different responses. Clearly, people picked up on the whole "percentile" piece more than you'd anticipated. Simply thinking about your audience and wording that one sentence differently would have gotten you a different type of discussion. (Hindsight being 20/20 and all. )

Thank you for answering my question. My point in asking was to try and feel out what "value" meant in your original post. It kind of confuses me that you say you like Disney better, but "Universal will have to do", as if you're settling for something you don't like. You could decide not to purchase Universal passes, which would give you plenty of extra cash for Disney, or you could purchase shorter range tickets for both Universal and Disney, stay within your original "theme park ticket" budget and get both. Chances are that, even though you have an annual pass, you don't go every single day. Would a seasonal pass to either park get you just as much for less money? Maybe. But you seem very set on APs or nothing, and not considering other options (based on what you've written here anyway) -- many of which are available to you. You could probably quite happily have both Universal and Disney for less than you are paying now, if you just looked at and priced out all the alternatives. Lord knows that both parks present plenty of ticket options.

At any rate ... I'm sorry that you feel Disney no longer has value. In my personal opinion, I think that the new Fantasyland is going to blow people away with the artistry and storytelling there, I love what I've seen of the Art of Animation resort, and I've enjoyed all of the new "little things" (interactive queues, the mini-Highland Games to celebrate 'Brave', the switchover from Kim Possible to Perry at Epcot, the new Sundowner Celebration at DAK, etc) Disney has popping up all the time. Maybe there will be a point in the future when that value returns for you.

 

[WDSearcher]

Maybe, if there was an in-depth training program. But based on what I've seen and heard, Disney quit doing the long version long ago, and now new employees get a half day or so...

And apparently, you're good until you screw up, then you're fired, and the next CP or person in line from Central Casting shows up to take your place.

There's really no incentive to give raises even tho' I personally believe Theme Parks and Resorts performance was good enough last year to merit them.

Guess they can't find money for employees after paying executive bonuses...bonuses paid to executives to reward them for "directing" all that good CM performance...

As someone who actually works inside WDW, many of the front-line CMs are in positions that are regulated by a union. Whether they pay union dues or not, those CMs get the benefits of those agreements. Those agreements have mandated raises that actually have little or nothing to do with performance. So ... fear not. CMs are getting salary bumps as dictated in their collective bargaining agreements. And they get them even if they don't earn them (although, IMO, the vast majority of them do).

For those of us NOT on the union rolls, raises have been pretty consistent, even in the lean years when the parks were more empty than full. During many of those years, upper management was put under a salary freeze in order to allow mid-managers and others in lower positions to receive their annual merits. So ... all of this martyring of the poor lowly-paid Disney CM is kind of misplaced. The part-time people and seasonal cast are probably the ones getting the worst deal. But that's kind of true of part-time and seasonal work throughout the industry. Which is why part-timers are sought.

And for the record, because of the union representation, it's very much NOT a case of "You're good until you screw up, then you're fired". Most departments have a "three strikes, you're out" rule, but I would wager that's true of just about any business out there, isn't it? How many times should someone be allowed to screw up and still be given a raise?

 

[WDSearcher]

Point is, they aren't throwing their $300 out in the street -- they're using it to get something they value more than the $300. To you, it may be throwing money away -- but it's their money, so what they think is important is what matters.

I am not one who'll pay for Disney tickets "no matter what." Since I am not much of a rides person, I can get my "Disney fix" just visiting the resorts and doing other on-site stuff, all of it way cheaper than a park ticket. I'm still willing to get a regular ticket, but they've already priced themselves out of my range on the annual pass. While from their perspective the per day price is lower, I wouldn't use it often enough to make my price per day low enough. While I might have gone more days with an annual pass that cost less, at that price I'd rather limit myself to the days on a regular ticket. I don't value those extra days enough to pay that price.

Point is, there probably are enough people who do value those days enough to make that price AP profitable to Disney, and more power to those purchasers. If it's worth it to them, if they're willing and able to pay that much, that's their choice. And, if there are enough people who want to buy APs at the new price, why should Disney worry about people like me? Disney and I don't have a personal relationship -- it's a (hopefully cordial) business relationship, and Disney sees me as their customer, not their bestest pal, so I don't expect them to worry about my personal preferences any more than I worry about theirs. It's not like they're coldly leaving me to starve or freeze; they just aren't offering something I want (not need) at a price I can work with.

Disney sets their prices, and I say "yes" or "no." And if someone else says "yes" when I say "no," that doesn't mean they're throwing their money away -- it means they value going to the Disney parks more than I do.

Nicely said -- thank you!

I was about to respond to the "throwing money in the street" comment, but you said it better than I could have, I think. And it saved me all that typing.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Amen. And to the person that asked, I make a payroll every other Friday and have for 20 years. Do you? Until you've stuck your hand out to make the deposit instead of the withdrawal, you don't get it.

By my reading, the disagreement has nothing to do with I.Q. It's more a disagreement between people who view their relationship with Disney pragmatically, as a business proposition, versus people who want to see their relationship with Disney as a much more personal thing. That's a world view issue, not one of intellectual ability.

Some of us do wish, Disney valued a loyal customer (yes, I do see the irony). We've visited the Parks frequently for over 30 years. We have DVC and APs. Every Christmas we purchased Hummel ornaments. We took our DDs and DGDs to Der Teddybear for an Engel Puppen...except the youngest (they are no longer sold at WDW. ). Our boys saved every penny to spend in the Magic Shop. It was nice to do the "same things" with each generation. I loved the nostalgia. At least, Dole Whios are still there..for now.

Disney's target is the infrequent guest, that grabs the huge discount, visits every 5-10 years and doesn't notice or care about the decline. Iger reminds me of Jack Frost (The Santa Clause 3)

 

[shalom]

During many of those years, upper management was put under a salary freeze in order to allow mid-managers and others in lower positions to receive their annual merits.

That's good to hear.

I worked as a temp for about a decade, and it's true you tend to get the short end of the stick financially, but for me there were other benefits (it gave me a lot of flexibility a regular job wouldn't have, for starts). There are pros and cons to every job; the salary isn't the whole story.

Some of us do wish, Disney valued a loyal customer (yes, I do see the irony).

I admit that I really appreciate all the "magic" Disney does, from small things like gifting a child who dropped their ice cream with another one, to big things like the celebration for Ben on his 2000th ride through Snow White's Scary Adventure, neither of which is something I expect from a purely business relationship (although other companies do some of it). But I guess I tend to see that as corporate allowing individuals to do terrific things, rather than it being corporate philosophy, if you see the difference. They'll work with it, but not initiate. So ultimately, what makes Disney so extraordinary is the extraordinary individuals who work there and believe in doing that sort of thing. The current Powers The Be may or may not trend that way (and heaven knows, sometimes they are very much NOT!).

When Disney stops drawing in so many excellent and caring individuals is when Disney will truly have lost Walt's legacy.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

For those of you that think $300.00 is a small amount not worth complaining about, go take 300 bucks and throw it out into the street.

I just did this at lunch and it caused an 8 car pileup.

Last time I listen to you.

 

[TDC Nala]

Every time Disney raises prices there are some who say it's the last straw and say they're going somewhere else, usually Universal. They are generally very vocal because they WANT to go to Disney but they apparently feel like Disney has cheated them by raising the price enough that they no longer want to pay it.

There's lots of others who are going to buy that annual pass anyway, I'm one. I don't have kids and the increase is not all that much for me.

There are people with kids who are going to keep buying APs too. I'm betting there isn't going to be a huge downturn in WDW attendance. Not this time.

 

[North of Mouse]

Every time Disney raises prices there are some who say it's the last straw and say they're going somewhere else, usually Universal. They are generally very vocal because they WANT to go to Disney but they apparently feel like Disney has cheated them by raising the price enough that they no longer want to pay it.

There's lots of others who are going to buy that annual pass anyway, I'm one. I don't have kids and the increase is not all that much for me.

There are people with kids who are going to keep buying APs too. I'm betting there isn't going to be a huge downturn in WDW attendance. Not this time.

Ditto, no complaints here - our choice - our $$'s - totally enjoyed - well spent = very happy

 

[amycishere]

Florida Resident prices are changing drastically as well as they are doing away with no expiration. So the 7 day park hopper with no expiration is going from $462 to about $562(will become non-Florida resident) but wegot them before they went up through AAA.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Florida Resident prices are changing drastically as well as they are doing away with no expiration. So the 7 day park hopper with no expiration is going from $462 to about $562(will become non-Florida resident) but wegot them before they went up through AAA.

We have DVC, so our accommodations are set. Otherwise..$6000. Airfare for 6..around $2400. Now, 7 day hopper passes will run, more than $2200. So, almost $11,000 for a week at WDW, not including food, souvenirs, etc. That's pretty steep for anybody. We can spend 2 weeks in Europe or most anywhere else for less.

Its getting harder to feel the "magic" or see the "value".

 

[kadesha]

We have DVC, so our accommodations are set. Otherwise..$6000. Airfare for 6..around $2400. Now, 7 day hopper passes will run, more than $2200. So, almost $11,000 for a week at WDW, not including food, souvenirs, etc. That's pretty steep for anybody. We can spend 2 weeks in Europe or most anywhere else for less.

Its getting harder to feel the "magic" or see the "value".

A little planning and thriftiness will prevent this. We just spent 12 days at WDW for 2900. Granted it's 9 day base tickets, 11 nights at a value resort, and a free dining code. So if you're willing to give in on some of the extras and are flexible with dates so you can get a discount, it can still be affordable.

 

[larryz]

So ... fear not. CMs are getting salary bumps as dictated in their collective bargaining agreements. And they get them even if they don't earn them (although, IMO, the vast majority of them do).

That's my general impression (if I didn't make it clear earlier).

So ... all of this martyring of the poor lowly-paid Disney CM is kind of misplaced. The part-time people and seasonal cast are probably the ones getting the worst deal. But that's kind of true of part-time and seasonal work throughout the industry. Which is why part-timers are sought.

A $.25 per hour raise hardly keeps up with inflation, even at 3 percent a year. But I'm happy if you're happy.

And for the record, because of the union representation, it's very much NOT a case of "You're good until you screw up, then you're fired".

That's good to hear -- I was under the impression that CMs were scared to death about guest complaints due to adverse consequences.

How many times should someone be allowed to screw up and still be given a raise?

Well, not that I'd complain if I thought someone would get fired over it. But I'd say that's one of the "it depends" answers. If the mistake cost a lot of money (either in damage or guest recovery), I'd say zero. If it's relatively minor stuff, and not repetitive (the same mistake over and over), I'd say two or three times.

But raises, regular or not, have to paid for from somewhere. Admission price increases are one easy source...

 

[TLSnell1981]

A little planning and thriftiness will prevent this. We just spent 12 days at WDW for 2900. Granted it's 9 day base tickets, 11 nights at a value resort, and a free dining code. So if you're willing to give in on some of the extras and are flexible with dates so you can get a discount, it can still be affordable.

I'm comparing, how we've vacationed for years. We fly, driving isnt practical for us, and I can't control airfare, We usually need two rooms, so a 2 bedroom villa is our choice.

The ability to afford, the vacation is one thing. The insane increases...an entirely different animal. We are paying more for less...and it's tough to swallow.

 

[Missymouse18]

We LOVE the magic and that feeling that we can get ONLY at WDW, so a price increase will not keep us away - we will just work harder and put more into our vacation fund and less in our "weekly entertainment" fund if necessary. A PP stated that people who find loop holes to pay less really hits home with me. It makes me FUME when I see people bring their resort mugs into the parks and make multiple trips to the soda fountain, or worse yet, bring their own from home and refill them. I totally understand refilling a water bottle or other container with water, but not ripping them off by refilling with soda in anything other than the cup the restaurant gives you. When other people do things like this we all end up paying for it some way or another; i.e.: park ticket increases.
I love my annual Disney fix and if I have my way I will keep getting "fixed" for many years.