How much would you pay for a SWL ride?

[TheMaxRebo]

The only thing I would pay $100+ to ride once is the plane to Orlando. The numbers thrown around in here for a single ride are mind blowing to me. $400 for a family of 4 to wait *less* for one ride.

If we can’t book a FP+ for our first visit, whenever that may be, we’ll wait until next time. The top I would pay per ride on top of park admission, maybe $5-10 per person if that, is so low Disney wouldn’t even waste time implementing it. We don’t even go nearly as frequently as some, but at the end of the day Disney is so much more than a single ride.

Which makes sense - but what about for people for whom there is no next visit or at least it will be many years down the road? Or for people that aren’t Disney people any only going for Star Wars?

And if getting on the rides is a FP us of the rip and the lines are 4-6 hours long then you are paying your entire park ticket just to ride two rides vs paying a bit more and getting on these rides and being able to do rest of the park

Obviously for everyone they have to determine what $ they have and value of time vs $ (if you have more time - this trip or future trips, then spending extra $ to save time is less valuable).

 

[Tiki Birdland]

the thought of adding another $800 about makes me tear up

Really know where you're coming from. We're a family of 5 that cancelled our every-other-year trip this year due to the all the price increases. Last time, we moved from doing deluxe to doing value. Good for Disney that there are plenty of takers at just about any price. The middle class will be left behind on soon too.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The fact that these numbers are mind blowing and the fact so many people will pay those prices is exactly why Disney WILL DO THIS.

There are lots people who go to Disney with it being the only time they will go or the only time they can go with no certain date of ever going again. For this reason those people will pay and Disney knows that.

I don’t know when our first family trip will be post SWGE opening - but I do know that when we go getting to experience GE as fully as possible will be a priority - so if we have to spend $ to enable this we will do it. But it won’t be extra $ spent it will just come out of other areas of spending - shorten our trip, stay off site vs on, cut back on dining/souvenir/etc $

 

[Gryhndmom]

For DH and I it could be a maybe we would do this extra FP if we are guaranteed to get on the ride with a less than 30 min wait. And as others have said...if this is the only time your family might be at Disney for years it just might be worth it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Which makes sense - but what about for people for whom there is no next visit or at least it will be many years down the road? Or for people that aren’t Disney people any only going for Star Wars?

And if getting on the rides is a FP us of the rip and the lines are 4-6 hours long then you are paying your entire park ticket just to ride two rides vs paying a bit more and getting on these rides and being able to do rest of the park

Obviously for everyone they have to determine what $ they have and value of time vs $ (if you have more time - this trip or future trips, then spending extra $ to save time is less valuable).

That's going to vary a lot though. If the reason they're doing only one lifetime trip is because of the cost, they might be stretching it just to go even without the up charge.

 

[Nancyg56]

I don’t know when our first family trip will be post SWGE opening - but I do know that when we go getting to experience GE as fully as possible will be a priority - so if we have to spend $ to enable this we will do it. But it won’t be extra $ spent it will just come out of other areas of spending - shorten our trip, stay off site vs on, cut back on dining/souvenir/etc $

I agree that families have a finite budget for vacation, and Disney is included in the mix. This is why I believe that rather than charging for FP per se, Disney will add "events" that are either before or after hours, perhaps special dining packages that include a "guided' walk into the entrance line of GE attractions, or as a proven winner for FEA, an dessert party with line access.

I think that losing good will by selling FP is not in WDW interest, especially given that they can have some kind of crowd control if they corral guests into a party, specific queue or after hours. Why waste good will when for most families, spending for a FP will reduce spending elsewhere and will not accomplish increased revenue. I firmly believe it would have the opposite impact. For instance, if I know that for a fee I have access to an attraction or "perk that is not available for a fee, I might consider the purchase. but I would drastically reduce my budget for food, lodging or souvenirs. My total budget would remain the same, however I would leave with a pretty bad opinion of Disney. For my family, the upcharges really are a choice, and we generally choose not to make the purchases as we prefer to use that portion of our budget upgrading lodging or dining. If I now need to purchase FP for attractions, I am not going to look at my WDW trip in the same light. My vacation spending is the same per person, just abut anywhere we choose to go. If I need to compromise my level of vacation I will likely choose elsewhere.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Really know where you're coming from. We're a family of 5 that cancelled our every-other-year trip this year due to the all the price increases. Last time, we moved from doing deluxe to doing value. Good for Disney that there are plenty of takers at just about any price. The middle class will be left behind on soon too.

The kids were disappointed but there really isn't anything I can do about it this year. It's a goal for me next year especially since DS16 will be graduating high school and it may well be our last vacation as a family of 4. I feel awful because I can't afford to take them this year. I guess I'll take the opportunity to teach them a lesson in economics.

 

[Nancyg56]

The kids were disappointed but there really isn't anything I can do about it this year. It's a goal for me next year especially since DS16 will be graduating high school and it may well be our last vacation as a family of 4. I feel awful because I can't afford to take them this year. I guess I'll take the opportunity to teach them a lesson in economics.

It is a lesson, but no fun. We had to cancel one after my DH lost a great deal of work on Dr appointments, etc. He could not take time off after having just returned.
We also have a tentative trip planned in December, and I feel terrible having an "up in the air" trip, however as much as I would like to make it a promise, I am not sure our finances will allow for this one.

Look at next year as your goal. The reason we cannot promise that trip in December is that we have a trip for my DGD graduation scheduled. We have not told her yet because you just never know.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree that families have a finite budget for vacation, and Disney is included in the mix. This is why I believe that rather than charging for FP per se, Disney will add "events" that are either before or after hours, perhaps special dining packages that include a "guided' walk into the entrance line of GE attractions, or as a proven winner for FEA, an dessert party with line access.

I think that losing good will by selling FP is not in WDW interest, especially given that they can have some kind of crowd control if they corral guests into a party, specific queue or after hours. Why waste good will when for most families, spending for a FP will reduce spending elsewhere and will not accomplish increased revenue. I firmly believe it would have the opposite impact. For instance, if I know that for a fee I have access to an attraction or "perk that is not available for a fee, I might consider the purchase. but I would drastically reduce my budget for food, lodging or souvenirs. My total budget would remain the same, however I would leave with a pretty bad opinion of Disney. For my family, the upcharges really are a choice, and we generally choose not to make the purchases as we prefer to use that portion of our budget upgrading lodging or dining. If I now need to purchase FP for attractions, I am not going to look at my WDW trip in the same light. My vacation spending is the same per person, just abut anywhere we choose to go. If I need to compromise my level of vacation I will likely choose elsewhere.

I 100% agree and am actually hoping for hard ticket events that not only let you get on both rides but enable experiencing the Land itself with low(er) crowds

I'd prefer that and then save money elsehwere (stay off site, etc.) rather than tryig to get a FP for one of the rides and dealing with hoards of people

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That's going to vary a lot though. If the reason they're doing only one lifetime trip is because of the cost, they might be stretching it just to go even without the up charge.

that's true - but if feels like Disney is catering to the people that go "all out" for one trip rather than go every year and try to do it more cheaply knowing they will be back. definitely that is painting with broad strokes though

 

[disneyseniors]

How much would I pay to ride SWrides? Not a penny!

 

[disneyseniors]

I think it's sad that so many people are willing to pay just whatever. I think the price of tickets is high enough that it should cover whatever is in the parks, without having to pay an upgrade to avoid the pauper's 6 hour line. All along we've been writing off big price increases on tickets, switch to day centric pricing on tickets, a 50% increase in MaxPass.... to the fact that SWL was coming. Now it appears they might need more. Honestly, I'm close to being done with all of it. I really hope this is wrong.

Us two, mom2rtk: My husband and I are taking a break from WDW for a while, and who knows, maybe forever. We'll see.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Us two, mom2rtk: My husband and I are taking a break from WDW for a while, and who knows, maybe forever. We'll see.

In the same boat. Went from multiple trips a year to once every few years and absolutely see us moving completely away from Disney very soon. I'd like to take my daughter while she's still into princesses but after that, I think we are out when it comes to parks and rides.

Last year my wife and I made a trip out for a few days without the kids just to use some banked DVC points and it was the best trip we've ever had! No dinner reservations, no rides, not a single park! We went resort hopping, hung out at the pool, slept in, and relaxed with a drink at most of the resorts I'd never been to. It was incredible.

I think we've been led to believe that we NEED to do all the things to have a good time, and that is absolutely false. I'm at the point where I'm starting to see the parks as tourist traps and the value had dropped so significantly much that I don't recommend Disney for a first timer anymore.

 

[Spridell]

I 100% agree and am actually hoping for hard ticket events that not only let you get on both rides but enable experiencing the Land itself with low(er) crowds

I'd prefer that and then save money elsehwere (stay off site, etc.) rather than tryig to get a FP for one of the rides and dealing with hoards of people

I see them doing HARD EVENTS and CHARGE FOR FP+.

The hard events they have are very few and far between and I would imagine will sell out within minutes for SWGE. In order for them to do these hard events they sometimes have to close the park early or open it up early and by doing
that less people can come in per day.

They will have a computer algorithm make up some program that will allow the normal free FP+ and PAID FP+ to co exist with one in another.

Now, whether people like that or not, well that is why there are these boards.........

 

[evlaina]

That's going to vary a lot though. If the reason they're doing only one lifetime trip is because of the cost, they might be stretching it just to go even without the up charge.

I think the opposite - that people go all out and spare no expense on a "once in a lifetime" trip. Our first trip was just this past December. We stayed Deluxe for 9 days with deluxe dining, did EMM at both TSL and Fantasyland, the Star Wars Guided Tour, MVMCP, 2 dessert parties, and the Fantasmic dessert thing, because we didn't know if we would want to or be able to go anytime soon. Little did I know we would quickly become obsessed and book another trip a couple weeks after coming home...so much for once in a lifetime!

I recognize WDW as a business and something that brings our family joy and entertainment, so I have no problems with what they charge for most things. If we can't afford something, we don't get upset about it, we'll just do something else. Paid FastPasses, EMM, or VIP tours for SW:GE are high up on the value charts for my husband and I because we don't want to wait in line. Value differs from person to person.

 

[evlaina]

Now, whether people like that or not, well that is why there are these boards.........

And that's part of the fun, no matter how you feel about it...the conversations on boards like this!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the opposite - that people go all out and spare no expense on a "once in a lifetime" trip. Our first trip was just this past December. We stayed Deluxe for 9 days with deluxe dining, did EMM at both TSL and Fantasyland, the Star Wars Guided Tour, MVMCP, 2 dessert parties, and the Fantasmic dessert thing, because we didn't know if we would want to or be able to go anytime soon. Little did I know we would quickly become obsessed and book another trip a couple weeks after coming home...so much for once in a lifetime!

I recognize WDW as a business and something that brings our family joy and entertainment, so I have no problems with what they charge for most things. If we can't afford something, we don't get upset about it, we'll just do something else. Paid FastPasses, EMM, or VIP tours for SW:GE are high up on the value charts for my husband and I because we don't want to wait in line. Value differs from person to person.

If people don't have the $$$, they don't have the $$$. Just a basic trip without extras is stretching some budgets.

 

[Spridell]

If people don't have the $$$, they don't have the $$$. Just a basic trip without extras is stretching some budgets.

Which is why Disney caters to those who have $$$ and want the best of the best and they cater to those who just want a basic trip.

Remember one of the top restaurants in the WORLD is in Disney World with V&A so they have something for everyone.

 

[mom2rtk]

Which is why Disney caters to those who have $$$ and want the best of the best and they cater to those who just want a basic trip.

Remember one of the top restaurants in the WORLD is in Disney World with V&A so they have something for everyone.

I get that. I'm just saying that some here forget that for many people, even the basic trip to Disney is a splurge. Disney needs customers from all over the spectrum. Requiring payment for FPs just because they can runs the risk of alienating a large portion of their customer base. It's not as easy as saying they should just pay up to make that one trip special. Some are maxing out just to get there.

 

[evlaina]

If people don't have the $$$, they don't have the $$$. Just a basic trip without extras is stretching some budgets.

Oh I understand, it took me 35 years to have enough money to go! But when I hear "once in a lifetime" trip it makes me think "go all out!"

And because not everyone can pay for extras, free Fastpasses still exist. Like another commenter said, there is something for everyone, spending extra just gets you more, like it does anywhere.