Florida residents unite!

[BlovesC]

I don't really care about FL resident perks, but I would be heartbroken if they stopped the AP resort discounts. I love staying at the resorts, but I would never be willing to pay rack rate.

 

[declansdad]

What about eliminating the non expiration option all together for us Florida residents? They are basically telling us what time year to go and how many days we should staywhen we get there by making our 3&4 day tickets expire within 6 months of first use. No you don't sound harsh but you do sound like a Disney sheep that will follow the corporate muckety mucks without question. I'm not saying I'm entitled to special treatment but it does look pretty obvious that the Disney big shots are really screwing the Fl residents with these new rules. I mean if you're out of state you can still buy 10 day nonexpiration tickets with no block out dates right?

Of course they are telling you when to go, what company doesn't when they provide discounted prices. Airlines, hotels, restaurants, theme parks, tourist attractions all give discounts based on slower than normal times and therefore blackout the dates they know they can sell at normal prices.

 

[declansdad]

Hate to break it to all you "Disney can do no wrongers" but FL Resident discounts have become an industry standard meaning that the only reason they haven't removed them completely is that they would receive an unimaginable amount of negative PR from residents and competitors. Disney should offer a year-round discount for FL Residents. It has been that way for nearly 40 years and that is how it should continue.

No one is forcing you to go to WDW. Do you get this upset when other businesses (business being the key word) raise their prices and complain about it on a discussion board.

 

[Jedana]

We're just not going to Disney anymore. It makes me but I can buy a 2 year platinum pass ($499.99)to the Busch family 9 parks for about the same price as a one year pass to Disney. If I want to do just the 4 parks by us, it's $379.99 for 2 years. (Child's passes are $8 less)


Platinum annual pass has:

Unlimited access to Busch Tampa, Seaworld Orlando, Seaworld San Antonio, Seaworld San Diego, Busch Williamsburg, Sesame Place, Aquatica Orlando, Aquatica San Diego, Adventure Island and Water Country USA. (no blackouts)

Free preferred parking at all; Reserved seating at certain shows

Savings on guest passes, stroller/wheelchair rentals; adventure camps/tours/interaction programs; kennels

Ride again privileges on certain rides

10% off food/merchandise; Discovery Cove; 50% off one single day guest pass at purchase/renewal




I love Disney, but they have priced us out. Guess getting those tour groups are more important than us locals.

 

[kandb]

I know Florida residents don't feel this way (and I am sure if I was a Florida resident, I wouldn't either) but I applaud disney for trying to do something to control the crowds during their busiest times. The Christmas, spring break, presidents week, thanksgiving week busy times are crowd-wise ridiculous IMO. Disney is trying to lessen them by putting restrictions on the people who get the cheapest entrance fees. That is business smart, and let's not forget, disney is a business.

 

[cyb]

andyman8 and cyb don't expect a lot with posts like these, because they sound exactly like, well you fill in the blank.

Whatev, like I said in the title FLORIDA residents unite

 

[larryz]

Move on down to Florida and buy one of the many homes that been foreclosed on

No thanks. I've lived in FL and learned my lesson well.

Folks, take it from someone who used to live there -- the rose has thorns.

That said, FL residents, even with the changes, still get great discounts. They still get a discount on the AP, making it an even better deal, and they live within easy driving distance, meaning they aren't captives of the resort system. I certainly took advantage of the AP discount when I lived there...

 

[4u2nvme2]

I feel sorry for the ones who bought there tickets before the increase without knowing the blackout dates and the expiration of the ticket on 12/18/13 even if you do not use it. I think some people would not have bought them if they new the restrictions. I know I would be upset if I spent money and then was told after the fact that I could not use these tickets when I wanted to. I had planned a trip in October this year and March of next year, but I am now rethinking these trips. I maybe a Florida resident but I always stay on site and eat in Disney a lot. I have a DD in middle school and I am restricted on when we can go. I think it is unfair to say that non Florida residents spend more. I see more and more people bring in food and going out of Disney to eat. There are a lot of threads on how to save money that is why sites like these are so popular. A lot of those transfer companies now give you a stop at the grocery store to pick up food before taking you to Disney. I also thought that this was a venting thread. Venting is a good thing because it allows you to express how you feel and then you can move on from it. I really don't need someone to come on a venting thread and tell me how wrong I am or how lucky I am or that I am acting like a child. You can always go and start your own thread about how not to vent and how to be happy all the time about everything no matter what it is or what it cost you. Plus why are you on this thread any ways? Please respect our opinions. Thank you.

 

[Johndoodle]

I feel sorry for the ones who bought there tickets before the increase without knowing the blackout dates and the expiration of the ticket on 12/18/13 even if you do not use it. I think some people would not have bought them if they new the restrictions. I know I would be upset if I spent money and then was told after the fact that I could not use these tickets when I wanted to. I had planned a trip in October this year and March of next year, but I am now rethinking these trips. I maybe a Florida resident but I always stay on site and eat in Disney a lot. I have a DD in middle school and I am restricted on when we can go. I think it is unfair to say that non Florida residents spend more. I see more and more people bring in food and going out of Disney to eat. There are a lot of threads on how to save money that is why sites like these are so popular. A lot of those transfer companies now give you a stop at the grocery store to pick up food before taking you to Disney. I also thought that this was a venting thread. Venting is a good thing because it allows you to express how you feel and then you can move on from it. I really don't need someone to come on a venting thread and tell me how wrong I am or how lucky I am or that I am acting like a child. You can always go and start your own thread about how not to vent and how to be happy all the time about everything no matter what it is or what it cost you. Plus why are you on this thread any ways? Please respect our opinions. Thank you.

So tell us how much you spent at Disney in a year?

 

[vicki_c]

I feel sorry for the ones who bought there tickets before the increase without knowing the blackout dates and the expiration of the ticket on 12/18/13 even if you do not use it. I think some people would not have bought them if they new the restrictions. I know I would be upset if I spent money and then was told after the fact that I could not use these tickets when I wanted to.

This doesn't make any sense though - tickets purchased PRIOR to the changes would not have their entitlements changed. Only tickets purchased after the announcement are affected. Everyone has the same opportunity to research the rules before they purchase and decide if it works for them or not. They are not retroactively changing tickets that people already have, are they? (Someone tell me if that's the case and I will shut up - but I don't think it is.)

 

[cyb]

We're just not going to Disney anymore. It makes me but I can buy a 2 year platinum pass ($499.99)to the Busch family 9 parks for about the same price as a one year pass to Disney. If I want to do just the 4 parks by us, it's $379.99 for 2 years. (Child's passes are $8 less)


Platinum annual pass has:

Unlimited access to Busch Tampa, Seaworld Orlando, Seaworld San Antonio, Seaworld San Diego, Busch Williamsburg, Sesame Place, Aquatica Orlando, Aquatica San Diego, Adventure Island and Water Country USA. (no blackouts)

Free preferred parking at all; Reserved seating at certain shows

Savings on guest passes, stroller/wheelchair rentals; adventure camps/tours/interaction programs; kennels

Ride again privileges on certain rides

10% off food/merchandise; Discovery Cove; 50% off one single day guest pass at purchase/renewal




I love Disney, but they have priced us out. Guess getting those tour groups are more important than us locals.

My sister said the same thing, she bought the fun pass at Busch Gardens, it's so much cheaper to go there. I haven't been in a few years maybe it's time for another visit. I have only been to Universal once so I don't have an opinion on that theme park.

 

[chartle]

How much money do you spent in a year at Disney?

So tell us how much you spent at Disney in a year?

So its a I spend more money than you so I should get more discounts than you issue. Because that always is a convincing argument.

ETA: Wait people may take this one of two ways depending on where you live.

 

[cheerbaybee]

So tell us how much you spent at Disney in a year?

This isnt what the thread is about. This is not a judgement. Why is this thread turning out this way. I don't understand. Is this just the anger towards the florida residents?

 

[vicki_c]

So its a I spend more money than you so I should get more discounts than you issue. Because that always is a convincing argument.

I hear the message you are giving regarding elitist type attitudes - but that is actually how it works to Disney - if you are a population that spends more and adds to the bottom line, they will court you. Chartle - don't you usually make those kinds of logical arguments yourself here?

 

[cyb]

This doesn't make any sense though - tickets purchased PRIOR to the changes would not have their entitlements changed. Only tickets purchased after the announcement are affected. Everyone has the same opportunity to research the rules before they purchase and decide if it works for them or not. They are not retroactively changing tickets that people already have, are they? (Someone tell me if that's the case and I will shut up - but I don't think it is.)

No, just the ones bought on June 3rd or after. I talked to a cast member and she told me if I bought tickets before the increase the old rules and regulations apply and they do not expire.

 

[cyb]

Is this just the anger towards the florida residents?

Sounds that way.

 

[NHKristy76]

I'm not saying I couldn't buy a non resident ticket all if I want to pay full price (which I obviously don't) I'm saying is Disney is becoming controlling over us Florida residents telling us when we can go by blocking out dates if we choose to buy a Florida resident ticket.

Waaaaaa! Disney is telling me they will only give me a discount on days that are convenient for them! Waaaaaa! I want a discount when I want it! Waaaaaa!


Honestly, you'd think you were a two year old throwing a temper tantrum! Disney isn't telling you when to go. They are telling you when they are going to offer you a special incentive to go. So, either go or don't but you won't find any sympathy here!

 

[vicki_c]

No, just the ones bought on June 3rd or after. I talked to a cast member and she told me if I bought tickets before the increase the old rules and regulations apply and they do not expire.

Thank you! If what the other poster said was true, I was thinking I should fly down and join you guys in solidarity! LOL.

And I do feel for the impact this has to FL residents' wallets or forcing you to change what you have been doing. I just tend to look at it more pragmatically and not as a personal affront. Best idea though is to vote with your wallet and if it impacts Disney enough, they will consider changing it. They are all about the bottom line. If there are no impacts to the bottom line from the changes, you can bet they will continue to make changes that benefit the company until they find the point that it DOES impact them.

 

[andyman8]

No one is forcing you to go to WDW. Do you get this upset when other businesses (business being the key word) raise their prices and complain about it on a discussion board.

That is the most common yet irrelevant argument I hear on these boards. Disney, in many ways, is a monopoly. Not only is there no other place quite like it (theme parks or any other vacation) When it raises its prices, Universal does, too. On the other hand, SeaWorld is a boring one-day trip but something I'll definitely consider. Not to mention, I have heard in the next several years, Legoland will be moving to that $89 a day pricing structure due to its popularity. Disney "controls" its best competitor, Universal, because when WDW raises prices UOR does, too. It's the equivalent of a monopoly.

Not to mention, I have too kids who really want to go and no vacation can compare to WDW, apparently.

Also, in many respects, it IS an issue of "entitlement" (as some DISers call it). For forty years it has been this way and Disney feels the need to change it, now. FL Residents may not be the No. 1 source of revenue now, but WDW MAY not have been here, today, if it wasn't for FL Residents who visited in in the '70s. Remember that Orlando International Airport didn't open until '74 and there were only two major roads in by Orlando (Turnpike and I-4). WDW was very inaccessible.

It is more of an issue of "screwing" loyal customers.

 

[chartle]

I hear the message you are giving regarding elitist type attitudes - but that is actually how it works to Disney - if you are a population that spends more and adds to the bottom line, they will court you. Chartle - don't you usually make those kinds of logical arguments yourself here?

Kind of worded it wrong.

This is more to the issue that Disney doesn't market to groups that visit often, they don't have to.

Many here ask why don't I get pins (aka discounts) I go all the time Discounts are given to those they are trying to get to go. Not those that are already planning to go.