I've been an avid non-local passholder for years. This year, with my pass expiring in October, I'm debating about it. I have to pay for air and hotel, but it's just me so that makes it less of a hit to the wallet than if I were bringing my family. Still, I'm getting older and I can still go to DLR a few times a year without shelling out for an AP (I have the top level and that's probably the only one I'd want). But that also means I wouldn't be going for Christmas season, both Dapper Days, special events, DL's birthday, Adventureland Day, my birthday, or whatever other reasons might bring me multiple times throughout the year. In the long run, I think Disney would lose out.
I keep hoping that things are in flux and Disney is still recovering from post-Covid changes. I know that it is extraordinarily costly to implement the new changes they have in the pipeline, but they're going to have to reach a delicate balance if they want to keep their image and their loyal fans. That's the big IF. They also have to cope with recent increases in wages.
It seems to me that one of Disney's primary strategies for generating more income has been to appeal to the wealthy and wanna-be wealthies (this has spilled over somewhat to the nearby non-Disney establishments). VIP tours, exclusive events, higher-tier status for a cost, more upscale dining, and things of that sort may keep the money flowing but at great cost to the community at large. I think more and more people are seeing their happy place go out of reach.
I hope Disney can find a way to balance their budget and maintain park integrity without sacrificing so many loyal fans in the process.
