Idea for a new AP type

[zavandor]

Currently new AP are not sold because of park capacity. In California they've even cancelled/suspended the AP programme completely.
So I got an idea for a new AP type that could benefit mostly DVC members: an AP that can be used only when holding a hotel reservation.
It would be self limiting, because there are only so many rooms available, so it shouldn't cause problems with park capacity.
Maybe members are currently taking fewer trips because buying tickets for each stay can be too expensive and the experience is limited in so many ways it may not be worth it. This way they'd push people to use their points without adding extra strain on park pass bookings for AP spots, mostly used by locals.
Is it a crazy idea?

 

[Henwen88]

Currently new AP are not sold because of park capacity. In California they've even cancelled/suspended the AP programme completely.
So I got an idea for a new AP type that could benefit mostly DVC members: an AP that can be used only when holding a hotel reservation.
It would be self limiting, because there are only so many rooms available, so it shouldn't cause problems with park capacity.
Maybe members are currently taking fewer trips because buying tickets for each stay can be too expensive and the experience is limited in so many ways it may not be worth it. This way they'd push people to use their points without adding extra strain on park pass bookings for AP spots, mostly used by locals.
Is it a crazy idea?

I'd buy that. We usually like to hit a few rides or have a meal, then enjoy the resort. However, without much resort 'stuff' to do, we will have more park time this year.

The day ticket prices are painful, and we are slowly getting to end of the no-expire ones

Once those are gone, I don't think I can stomach the going prices (for the limited hours/offerings). We booked our summer trip for VGC, so crossing fingers that opens up soon!

 

[lovin'fl]

They should do a DVC member only pass. That would A) increase DVC room bookings and B) increase DVC sales. And C) would not mess with park capacity too much. But out of personal interest, I'd like it to be usable whether or not you stay in DVC. We could book a week at DVC and use the AP and then another week off site and still use the AP...that would be good for us as we are looking to buy a place down there.

 

[Sandisw]

I think it’s a great idea but doesn’t need to be marketed just to those who are DVC. There are plenty of cash guests who go multiple times a year who may find it beneficial.

The issue is pricing and I’d venture idea have been discussed at Disney and that might be the sticking point.

On the other hand, sell at the same price but call it Resort AP which requires an onsite stay for unlimited use.

They could sell you the card, and then every trip you go to guest services, they verify the stay, and activate a length of stay ticket.

 

[kanerf]

How about a 15, 30, 45 and 60 day pass all priced in such a way that they come out cheaper than the regular ticket prices. You buy the pass based on how many park days you expect to use. A 30 day means 30 days in the park at any time during the year.

 

[lovin'fl]

How about a 15, 30, 45 and 60 day pass all priced in such a way that they come out cheaper than the regular ticket prices. You buy the pass based on how many park days you expect to use. A 30 day means 30 days in the park at any time during the year.

Kinda like the old non expiry. I LOVED those. And would LOVE a 30 day punch ticket. Say $1400 for 30 days. They could even put a 5 year expiration on it. Another thing to fill more dining seats and get other restaurants opened...they could sell a park ticket/dining plan combo. Like $100 a day and you get 1TS (so $3K for 30 days). The CS seems to be doing just fine. So just offer park entry and a TS meal. I suppose if you bought 30 days, you could get a punch for 30 park days and a punch for 30 TS and not have to use them on same days. Could do 30 park punches and like 15 TS meals instead of 30 (for like $2250).

 

[Lisse24]

How about a 15, 30, 45 and 60 day pass all priced in such a way that they come out cheaper than the regular ticket prices. You buy the pass based on how many park days you expect to use. A 30 day means 30 days in the park at any time during the year.

This is really what I want. I only get 10 - 15 park days a year. Just let me buy a ticket with that many days, then use them when I have time to go.

 

[zavandor]

How about a 15, 30, 45 and 60 day pass all priced in such a way that they come out cheaper than the regular ticket prices. You buy the pass based on how many park days you expect to use. A 30 day means 30 days in the park at any time during the year.

They are probably thinking to something like this for DLR. The problem is at the moment they wouldn't be able to sell it, because after buying it people might not be able to use it because of park capacity and park pass availability.
Instead resort rooms are limited, so it should be manageable in the current situation.

 

[Lisse24]

They are probably thinking to something like this for DLR. The problem is at the moment they wouldn't be able to sell it, because after buying it people might not be able to use it because of park capacity and park pass availability.
Instead resort rooms are limited, so it should be manageable in the current situation.

See, I view tickets like this as having less of those issues than APs. APs come with a lot of entitlement in regards to access. A limited entry pass such as this wouldn't come with any more of a guarantee to park access than a ticket would. Especially if its non-expiring, not getting immediate access to the park on your preferred day isn't a big issue, because you can just save your days and use them down the line.

I think it would also be interesting to see something more akin to a subscription plan. Every month you buy (1, 2, or 3 days) at a discounted rate. These could be converted into regular entry tickets. End your subscription and lose your remaining days. I've seen similar proposals with points, but I'm always a fan of keeping things as simple as possible.

 

[Raemama]

This is really what I want. I only get 10 - 15 park days a year. Just let me buy a ticket with that many days, then use them when I have time to go.

Same here... we’re planning what we’re calling our “extravaganza” for late this year, and we’ll be there for 13 days. We will NOT be paying the exorbitant price for two separate ticket packages, so WDW will be missing out on us going into the parks for three of those days. We’ll just hang around our resort and eat leftovers and spend less money. Their loss, but I also would like to be able to pop into a park if I’d like to.

We’re also planning for a couple of shorter DVC stays in the next 18 month period, but won’t be going to the parks unless they bring back AP or a way for us to at least have some cost savings on tickets.

They’ve really made it hard for new DVC owners to want to go repeatedly to WDW. Here we come Vero Beach.

 

[CarolynFH]

As someone who owns other timeshares and therefore stays offsite as well as on, an AP that only covered DVC stays wouldn't do much for me. We stay offsite when we don't have enough DVC points and like the free park parking that an AP gives us. That shouldn't prevent DVC from offering an onsite-only pass, though, as long as we still have opportunity to buy a stay-anywhere AP (at a higher price, of course).

 

[BillPA]

If we can dream, how about a Grand Parent's ticket. Let's you in the park, but limits the ride options. At 70+ I don't do many rides anymore, not the E ticket type. Mostly the kids rides and meet and great with the grand kids.

 

[Donna M]

If we can dream, how about a Grand Parent's ticket. Let's you in the park, but limits the ride options. At 70+ I don't do many rides anymore, not the E ticket type. Mostly the kids rides and meet and great with the grand kids.

I really like this idea. I´m sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy going into the parks just to walk around and go to a restaurant and the stores. I´m not into the E ticket rides anymore either

 

[sethschroeder]

Also wish they had a combo worked out with Tickets and Dining Plan where its 1TS and 1/2 Snacks bundled with Tickets for DVC that might be of interest as well. They could even do 1CS and 1/2 Snacks as well.

Not saying we would do it but I think if they had a combo like that you might get more DVC members to buy in to the Dining Plan. (yes I know DP is down right now)

It would fit well for those who make/have food back at their room in the evening or for breakfast.

 

[Evita_W]

Here's another alternative, allow the prepurchase of say anywhere from 10 to 1,000+ days with no expiration date at a discounted rate with the provision that you must be using DVC points to use them? This would give Disney some much needed immediate cash flow while at the same time providing a good value for DVC members.

 

[keishashadow]

Their loss, but I also would like to be able to pop into a park if I’d like to.

Lots of fun things to do outside the Disney bubble .

an AP that only covered DVC stays wouldn't do much for me. We stay offsite when we don't have enough DVC points and like the free park parking that an AP gives us.

same! Even before this year it was difficult if not impossible to book even a
Shorter impromptu trip in a studio

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't think Disney is looking for a reason to increase attendance demand (or, equivalently, decrease the per-capita revenue of the parks) anytime soon.

 

[PurdueTodd]

Any rumors as to when new ap’s will be available?? Summer maybe??

 

[Sandisw]

Any rumors as to when new ap’s will be available?? Summer maybe??

No rumors at this point. It would be awesome to see summer, but I have a feeling it is all going to depend on where we are with the pandemic and when they can increase capacity.

I do think the return of park hopping was a good step and my guess would be is that if they get through the spring and it seems to be going well, it will increase that summer date,

One thing I think would be great is that for any onsite guests in 2021...including DVC..should be allowed to convert a multiday ticket, even if used up, to apply toward a new AP if sales happen with a start date the same as the ticket,

 

[PurdueTodd]

No rumors at this point. It would be awesome to see summer, but I have a feeling it is all going to depend on where we are with the pandemic and when they can increase capacity.

I do think the return of park hopping was a good step and my guess would be is that if they get through the spring and it seems to be going well, it will increase that summer date,

One thing I think would be great is that for any onsite guests in 2021...including DVC..should be allowed to convert a multiday ticket, even if used up, to apply toward a new AP if sales happen with a start date the same as the ticket,

We’re going two times this year. We have tickets for our October trip. I want to upgrade to so when available. I don’t want to buy tickets for our December trip because you cannot combine two sets for an upgrade. The park reservation system is what puts a damper everything. MK has no availability for oct 1st. I’m assuming days after will start filling quickly. So with our October trip, bought tickets made reservations to the parks we want, no issues......but, as summer tools around and people start filling those winter trip reservations, I’ll have no choice but to buy more tickets. The cost for my two trips are going to exceed the AP price.....
Keeping fingers crossed.
I read somewhere that Disney is planning on Halloween and Christmas parties this year too