Florida residents unite!

[andyman8]

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!

It is hard to understand the circumstance when you are not an FL Resident.

First of all, complaining is not comparable to a two-yearold's tantrum, so you may want to apologize to CYB for that.

Secondly, FL Residents, often, build in those discounts (which have been around for many years) into their budgets and suddenly changing it results in a lot of outrage, for humans don't do well with change. Not to mention, all of the dates they are offering are inconvenient to most people. It really is hard to understand when you live in New Hampshire.

 

[maccalovah]

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!

 

[andyman8]

All people should keep in mind that this forum is for Disney fans and the Disney obsessed, thus most people believe that "Disney can do no wrong" because they like it so much, which is alright, but I find the need to point out that out of the twenty-three FL Residents I spoke to this weekend, none of them liked the new policy.

 

[JCH]

As a Florida resident, I wasn't too upset by the changes. The only I can see that would really cause anger is that child AP are now the same price as an adult.


As far as other increases, one day is up $5, 3-4 days by $20, seasonal pass $30, and AP $36. These do not seem like astronomical price increases, especially given for APs we have the option of spreading the cost over 12 months that non-residents to not. If paying $30 a month for unlimited visits to Disney instead of $27 breaks your budget, you probably should skip it, anyway.

As far as black out dates, I totally understand it. You have so many people paying higher prices during that time, so the parks are full. It's on the verge of uncomfortable and chaotic for many people, so I can understand the need to try to lessen the crowd a bit. This is why I only buy the seasonal pass. I always stay on site (I do runDisney), or go with an AP holder friend, so I don't worry about parking, and you would almost have to pay me to go during those black out dates! I hate crowds.

I'm not trying to drink the Disney Kool-Aid. At the same time, it is a competitive market. If Disney isn't working, Universal and Busch Gardens/SeaWorld are cheaper for FL residents.

Bottom line: if you want to go during peak season, you pay the same peak prices as everyone else. But we are lucky enough for the discounts during non-peak times.

 

[cyb]

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!

This is a vent meant for Florida residents, you don't have to agree with my post or judge it either.

 

[NHKristy76]

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).

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

So because you have TWO children who want to go to Disney you are entitled to a discount? You want Disney to offer you discounts because you prefer their park to other BORING parks available in the area?

Can you even reflect on your statements and realize how insane it sounds?

Stay home and leave room in the parks for the rest of us who gladly pay the fees for the better park!

 

[chartle]

This is a vent meant for Florida residents, you don't have to agree with my post or judge it either.

But you posted it on a board where the majority of people are not FL residents so keep that asbestos underwear on.

 

[NHKristy76]

As a Florida resident, I wasn't too upset by the changes. The only I can see that would really cause anger is that child AP are now the same price as an adult.


As far as other increases, one day is up $5, 3-4 days by $20, seasonal pass $30, and AP $36. These do not seem like astronomical price increases, especially given for APs we have the option of spreading the cost over 12 months that non-residents to not. If paying $30 a month for unlimited visits to Disney instead of $27 breaks your budget, you probably should skip it, anyway.

As far as black out dates, I totally understand it. You have so many people paying higher prices during that time, so the parks are full. It's on the verge of uncomfortable and chaotic for many people, so I can understand the need to try to lessen the crowd a bit. This is why I only buy the seasonal pass. I always stay on site (I do runDisney), or go with an AP holder friend, so I don't worry about parking, and you would almost have to pay me to go during those black out dates! I hate crowds.

I'm not trying to drink the Disney Kool-Aid. At the same time, it is a competitive market. If Disney isn't working, Universal and Busch Gardens/SeaWorld are cheaper for FL residents.

Bottom line: if you want to go during peak season, you pay the same peak prices as everyone else. But we are lucky enough for the discounts during non-peak times.

AMEN! I think it would be really difficult for people to pay the adult rate for a child's annual pass.

Your bottom line is SPOT ON!

 

[Fruto76]

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

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!

If you think FL residents don't spend as much as out of state visitors do, you may be wrong! We live an hour from WDW and try to spend a long weekend each month on property mostly in a deluxe. We do not use the dp, rather TIW and always book at least one table service meal per visit. The kids always get a souvenir or participate in a rec activity while there. I'm pretty sure we equal the $ amount spent on a typical 1 week vacation package for out of staters. And I would guess there are plenty of other families like ours. Don't try to make this a thread about out of staters spend more, it's not always true.

NHkristy...no one expected sympathy from someone who resides in NH. I'm guessing that's why the OP titled this FL residents unite. Just saying!

 

[vicki_c]

All people should keep in mind that this forum is for Disney fans and the Disney obsessed, thus most people believe that "Disney can do no wrong" because they like it so much, which is alright, but I find the need to point out that out of the twenty-three FL Residents I spoke to this weekend, none of them liked the new policy.

I think you're stating the obvious - I wouldn't like it either if I still lived in FL. That's not the same as what *some* people here are saying - which is more of an explanation of why they are doing it and why it makes sense - at least that was my intent.

I don't think explaining the rationale behind it is the same as saying Disney can do no wrong. From a stockholder / business perspective, it seems like they are doing the right thing to me though (without inside knowledge of their decision making process), but that will remain to be seen given future parks' earning numbers and such. Maybe it will backfire.

I'm sure if I still lived in FL, I would also be unhappy, and I would also not choose to quit going to Disney, but would deal with the changes or pay the higher prices for less restricted tickets. And tighten the budget somewhere else.

 

[maccalovah]

If paying $30 a month for unlimited visits to Disney instead of $27 breaks your budget, you probably should skip it, anyway.



you would almost have to pay me to go during those black out dates! I hate crowds.

That's a good point- I wouldn't be caught dead at any of the parks during the most crowded times of the year anyways, so I don't think I would have been affected by this change...you may find this to be true of many FL residents...

Unrelated to your post, but I must say I find the anger from non-residents slightly amusing...

 

[Johndoodle]

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?

Well yes it is and it is very important to Disney to whom they give discounts.
They give really great discounts to those coming from other continents.
I get a big discount on tickets and room. And yes we can stack up discounts.

 

[NHKristy76]

But you posted it on a board where the majority of people are not FL residents so keep that asbestos underwear on.

I just can't wrap my head around people being angry that they aren't getting enough of a discount....

It's like being mad that I once had a coupon for 35% off my meal at Olive Garden but now I only have a 20% off coupon. Should I write a letter because I'm being robbed of the additional 15%?

And cyb, you posted on a discussion board where I am also a member. So I'm free to comment as I see fit.

 

[vicki_c]

If you think FL residents don't spend as much as out of state visitors do, you may be wrong! We live an hour from WDW and try to spend a long weekend each month on property mostly in a deluxe. We do not use the dp, rather TIW and always book at least one table service meal per visit. The kids always get a souvenir or participate in a rec activity while there. I'm pretty sure we equal the $ amount spent on a typical 1 week vacation package for out of staters. And I would guess there are plenty of other families like ours. Don't try to make this a thread about out of staters spend more, it's not always true.

Well until someone can come here and post Disney's financial data on the spending of in-state vs. out-of-state visitors, I don't think anyone will be feel that either side can truly prove their point. But I think your family is truly an exception to the typical local visitor. If Disney was making lots of money on local visitors, they wouldn't be making these changes. They're not just out to mess with FL residents just for the heck of it.

Of course it's not ALWAYS true that non-locals spend more, but it's probably true most of the time.

 

[andyman8]

So because you have TWO children who want to go to Disney you are entitled to a discount? You want Disney to offer you discounts because you prefer their park to other BORING parks available in the area?

Can you even reflect on your statements and realize how insane it sounds?

Stay home and leave room in the parks for the rest of us who gladly pay the fees for the better park!

Well, just because you consider the other parks boring does not mean that everyone else does. I have spoken to many people who prefer UOR over Disney. In fact, most middle/high schoolers prefer UOR over Disney, and, may I ask, have you been to any other parks in Orlando or are you to "hypnotized" by Disney to not leave their property.

Also, I was responding to your comment. You said "no one is forcing you to go to Disney" but when I answer we WANT to go you call me insane. I think it is obvious that you are intent on stirring up trouble with some of your comments.

 

[Johndoodle]

I just can't wrap my head around people being angry that they aren't getting enough of a discount....

It's like being mad that I once had a coupon for 35% off my meal at Olive Garden but now I only have a 20% off coupon. Should I write a letter because I'm being robbed of the additional 15%?

And cyb, you posted on a discussion board where I am also a member. So I'm free to comment as I see fit.

O I love the Olive Garden but always forget to use my AAA discount.

 

[kaligal]

I'm surprised nobody has brought up what the new FP thing may do.

I hope Disney is raising their employees' salaries at least as much as they raise the tickets.

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!

As a non-resident, OP wasn't asking for your sympathy.

Frankly, their post was more mature and reasonable than yours.

It was also nicer.

 

[andyman8]

I don't think explaining the rationale behind it is the same as saying Disney can do no wrong. From a stockholder / business perspective, it seems like they are doing the right thing to me though (without inside knowledge of their decision making process), but that will remain to be seen given future parks' earning numbers and such. Maybe it will backfire.

But when you find a way to "justify" everything Disney does, you are, in essence, suggesting that there is nothing they can do to upset you (except close it). Therefore, they are, in essence, saying "Disney can do no wrong."

I, too, wonder if this will backfire. In many ways, I hope it does. It did on UOR. I saw recent statistics about three weeks ago suggesting that in 2011, after they implemented blackout dates, they saw a 34% decrease in FL Resident ticket sales. That is large number for a theme park in one year. You'll notice UOR has begun offering promos to FL Residents, again, like the buy two get the the third day free.

 

[NHKristy76]

Well, just because you consider the other parks boring does not mean that everyone else does. I have spoken to many people who prefer UOR over Disney. In fact, most middle/high schoolers prefer UOR over Disney, and, may I ask, have you been to any other parks in Orlando or are you to "hypnotized" by Disney to not leave their property.

Also, I was responding to your comment. You said "no one is forcing you to go to Disney" but when I answer we WANT to go you call me insane. I think it is obvious that you are intent on stirring up trouble with some of your comments.

Now things are getting downright confusing... I never said that the other parks were boring, I was quoting what YOU said. I also never said that "no one is forcing you to go to Disney."

Oh and I didn't say you were insane either. I said the argument that you posted was insane... This is the section of your post that I was referring to...

"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). "

 

[Fruto76]

Well until someone can come here and post Disney's financial data on the spending of in-state vs. out-of-state visitors, I don't think anyone will be feel that either side can truly prove their point. But I think your family is truly an exception to the typical local visitor. If Disney was making lots of money on local visitors, they wouldn't be making these changes. They're not just out to mess with FL residents just for the heck of it.

Of course it's not ALWAYS true that non-locals spend more, but it's probably true most of the time.

I do not believe they are trying to mess with anyone. Nor did I try to provide any statistics regarding the spending habits of local and non-locals. Just trying let a previous poster know that it is possible for locals to spend the same amount as non locals in a years time. That's all.