Florida residents unite!

[ConvenientTruth]

Not sure how to take this thread....Non-resident's jealousy vs. resident's entitlement...

I'm a Florida Resident and have been an PAP holder for several years and have used those room discounts significantly more then the FL resident discounts. While the shaft to FL residents is upsetting, I'm more bothered by the increase in the price for the passes (especially for children). Making the price of the children's PAP the same as the adult (when every other tickets option available has a lower children's price) is disturbing.

 

[andyman8]

I really don't really get the point of this thread, anyone. CYB started it, so FL Residents to vent about the price increase, then non-residents came on and started bashing (yes it is clearly bashing; telling them to stay home; comparing their situation to Olive Garden, calling them crybabies, entitled, and such) their opinions. It is 100% alright to disagree and state your opinion, but to insult other posters is wrong.

This is America and we have freedom to form an opinion and not be judged. I've made my position clear, but I am not snob or snoot. I simply value loyalty to an extremely high degree.

By the way, Budmonster, I misunderstood. Thank your for some comic relief!

 

[declansdad]

Not sure how to take this thread....Non-resident's jealousy vs. resident's entitlement...

I'm a Florida Resident and have been an PAP holder for several years and have used those room discounts significantly more then the FL resident discounts. While the shaft to FL residents is upsetting, I'm more bothered by the increase in the price for the passes (especially for children). Making the price of the children's PAP the same as the adult (when every other tickets option available has a lower children's price) is disturbing.

I'm certainly not jealous; I think it is hillarious that people complain that they don't receive enough of a discount when there is no requirement for the company to give one in the first place.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

I'm certainly not jealous; I think it is hillarious that people complain that they don't receive enough of a discount when there is no requirement for the company to give one in the first place.

Why is it funny that people don't like a change to something they have had for years?

I understand, but it is a perk that residents have enjoyed for years and have taken advantage of. By in large, residents go to WDW more then out of state guests and it was Disney's way of rewarding them. Would I stop going if they ended resident discounts? No, but I may make on less trip a year as a result...I believe others may do the same or make more trips to Universal (which also offers resident discounts)...

 

[andyman8]

Why is it funny that people don't like a change to something they have had for years?

I understand, but it is a perk that residents have enjoyed for years and have taken advantage of. By in large, residents go to WDW more then out of state guests and it was Disney's way of rewarding them. Would I stop going if they ended resident discounts? No, but I may make on less trip a year as a result...I believe others may do the same or make more trips to Universal (which also offers resident discounts)...

 

[cyb]

Can't Fl residents buy any of the tickets that us non-Fl residents can? I did not know that Disney prevented Fl residents from buying these tickets?

I tried to do just that yesterday on their website and once I logged in it took me directly to the Florida resident tickets and would not allow me to buy general public tickets.

 

[cyb]

I encourage all Florida residents to write to Disney and tell them how much this change sucks. I sent my letter out, and if you would like to use it and modify it for yourself, I'd be happy to PM it to you.

We need to let Disney how we feel about these changes!

I don't know if you guys have noticed at the end of spaceship earth, where the globe shows where guests are visiting from- but Florida is always lit up like a Christmas tree! We are a huge demographic for the parks, and our dollars will count if we go elsewhere.

Isent a letter yesterday, pm me your letter and I'll send another.

 

[Hannathy]

Why is it funny that people don't like a change to something they have had for years?

I understand, but it is a perk that residents have enjoyed for years and have taken advantage of. By in large, residents go to WDW more then out of state guests and it was Disney's way of rewarding them. Would I stop going if they ended resident discounts? No, but I may make on less trip a year as a result...I believe others may do the same or make more trips to Universal (which also offers resident discounts)...

They don't care how often you go, they care about how much stuff you buy in the park. They don't make their money off of admissions, they make it off of food and "junk". Florida residents obviously buy less money making stuff.

 

[andyman8]

I tried to do just that yesterday on their website and once I logged in it took me directly to the Florida resident tickets and would not allow me to buy general public tickets.

Happens to me, too. What you need to do is clear your browser's "cookies." Depending on the browser, it can be more difficult. It is always easier to call.

 

[Lucia_27]

I tried to do just that yesterday on their website and once I logged in it took me directly to the Florida resident tickets and would not allow me to buy general public tickets.

I just posted a question in on the Theme Parks Attractions thread on this...

If FL residents cannot buy MYW tickets, then it's more than just not getting a discount. It's being told that unless you buy the AP or a combination of single day/3-day/4-day tickets, FL residents are not welcome at the parks during the blackout dates.

This is the bigger deal for many families in FL.

 

[Hannathy]

Florida residents are welcome to buy as many full price tickets as they would want!!! Walk up to the window and buy away! As long as you have cash or a good credit card Disney doesn't care where you live.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

They don't care how often you go, they care about how much stuff you buy in the park. They don't make their money off of admissions, they make it off of food and "junk". Florida residents obviously buy less money making stuff.

Interesting...So you're saying Florida Residents don't spend cash at the parks...or on merchandise?

Lets look at it this way....

I go to Disney 6 times a year for at least 3 nights, (excluding day trips) stay at a resort, go to the parks daily. While at the parks I eat Disney food, buy Disney Drinks, and will get my children a Disney item. At Christmas time I drive the two hours to go shopping at Downtown Disney for specific Disney items. DO out of state residents do this? Can they take a trip to Disney to just shop? Most likely not....it would make no sense to, but as a Florida Resident I can and I do, it is why Disney had these discounts, they understood that instate guest would go there more then once and while they may not spend as much as an out of state guest in one visit, they will more then make up for that through multiple visits....so explain to me how Disney isn't making money off of me and other Florida residents?

 

[declansdad]

Why is it funny that people don't like a change to something they have had for years?

I understand, but it is a perk that residents have enjoyed for years and have taken advantage of. By in large, residents go to WDW more then out of state guests and it was Disney's way of rewarding them. Would I stop going if they ended resident discounts? No, but I may make on less trip a year as a result...I believe others may do the same or make more trips to Universal (which also offers resident discounts)...

Nothing has ended, it has just been reduced.

 

[cyb]

Happens to me, too. What you need to do is clear your browser's "cookies." Depending on the browser, it can be more difficult. It is always easier to call.

I did that but when I login they have my address stored in my profile so it takes me directly to Fl resident tickets. You have to login to buy anything from the Disney website. Oh well they have themselves covered I guess. I bought a couple multiple day non expiration tickets on Saturday and I still have six days left on my current ticket so I'm set for a couple years.

 

[andyman8]

Nothing has ended, it has just been reduced.

Actually, the 1, 5, 6, and 7 Day ticket discounts have "ended." The no expiration option for FL Residents has "ended," and the freedom to use your FL ticket as you wish has "ended." The only thing that hasn't "ended" is the discount itself, as it is minimally available.

 

[vicki_c]

Interesting...So you're saying Florida Residents don't spend cash at the parks...or on merchandise?

Lets look at it this way....

I go to Disney 6 times a year for at least 3 nights, (excluding day trips) stay at a resort, go to the parks daily. While at the parks I eat Disney food, buy Disney Drinks, and will get my children a Disney item. At Christmas time I drive the two hours to go shopping at Downtown Disney for specific Disney items. DO out of state residents do this? Can they take a trip to Disney to just shop? Most likely not....it would make no sense to, but as a Florida Resident I can and I do, it is why Disney had these discounts, they understood that instate guest would go there more then once and while they may not spend as much as an out of state guest in one visit, they will more then make up for that through multiple visits....so explain to me how Disney isn't making money off of me and other Florida residents?

I still think your assumptions are wrong. Disney has mountains of data on who spends what in the parks. If FL residents visiting were spending the amounts Disney would like them to, they wouldn't be making some of these changes. I said earlier that pricing changes are usually made to change behavior. If the changes are discouraging FL residents from coming to the parks (maybe not altogether, but at particular times for example) or encouraging FL residents to somehow change their vacation patterns to stay on-site more, eat on-site more, buy an AP, etc., that is what Disney wants.

You can't rely on your anecdotal evidence or mine (which I posted earlier in the thread about when I was a FL resident) as to who spends what. But I think you can infer the information by the changes Disney is making in the ticket structures.

So FL residents can be mad - I take no issue with that at all like some others apparently do - but I think Disney knows exactly what it is doing and it's all very intentional to change the behavior of FL residents.

 

[Hannathy]

Interesting...So you're saying Florida Residents don't spend cash at the parks...or on merchandise?

Lets look at it this way....

I go to Disney 6 times a year for at least 3 nights, (excluding day trips) stay at a resort, go to the parks daily. While at the parks I eat Disney food, buy Disney Drinks, and will get my children a Disney item. At Christmas time I drive the two hours to go shopping at Downtown Disney for specific Disney items. DO out of state residents do this? Can they take a trip to Disney to just shop? Most likely not....it would make no sense to, but as a Florida Resident I can and I do, it is why Disney had these discounts, they understood that instate guest would go there more then once and while they may not spend as much as an out of state guest in one visit, they will more then make up for that through multiple visits....so explain to me how Disney isn't making money off of me and other Florida residents?

Statistically I would say no you don't. And Disney must agree and they have the numbers. You may may, but most residents if they are going a couple time a year don't buy as many souvenirs, or spend as much on food, especially those making day trips. Many on here have even said as much.

If they didn't make the money on food and "stuff" why is it cheaper to go each day you stay at Disney after the first few? The money at almost any park/event isn't in the admissions it is in the other things.

 

[andyman8]

Statistically I would say no you don't. And Disney must agree and they have the numbers. You may may, but most residents if they are going a couple time a year don't buy as many souvenirs, or spend as much on food, especially those making day trips. Many on here have even said as much.

If they didn't make the money on food and "stuff" why is it cheaper to go each day you stay at Disney after the first few? The money at almost any park/event isn't in the admissions it is in the other things.

First of all, this is based all on ASSUMPTION.

Most FL Residents do (I know many) go to Disney once or twice a year like out-of-staters. They do exactly what the rest do. They stay on property, eat their food, buy their merchandise, and such. There is only a small "handful" of people who go on day trips and such. Remember that FL is a large state. Many folks in my area (WPB) and folks from Miami, Ft. L, Naples, Pensacola, and Tallahassee don't own APs. One of the biggest misconceptions about FL is we spend all our time at WDW. This is, simply, not the case.

The point of this new ticket structure is not to "shun" FL Residents, but to simply encourage them to spend more on an AP because not many are.

At the same time, one could argue that many out-of-staters are first-time visitors and will leave the compounds of Disney to experience UOR, SeaWorld, and other attractions. The argument could really

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Where is this evidence that Disney has that shows Florida Residents spend less?

Easiest way to explain....Disney is going to move away from the Resident Discounts....it has nothing to do with how much a resident spends or doesn't spend and everything to do with the fact that they can.

 

[Hannathy]

My friend, this time is closer than it may appear. I encourage you to take a close look at those blackout dates. Anytime of the year when I have the opportunity to travel is "blocked." Mind you, I will have a freshmen and sophomore in high school, next year, so pulling them out of school for a Disney trip is ludicrous. Really, they are not giving us ANY discount unless we come during the less popular times of the year when, quite frankly, we are busy.

Which is the only times Disney needed Residents to come! When it is busy they don't need to give discounts. They only need to give discounts when it isn't busy.

No one is forcing you to use a discount. You can pay what everyone else pays anytime you feel like it. I don't know a business anywhere that gives a discount they don't need to!! Disney is a business, a business in business to make money.