Intersting article about Disney in the Sentinel

[Nayan]

I no longer visit the parks, but there are locals who do and some were not happy with the questions asked:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...ls-passholders-discontent-20160826-story.html

 

[rteetz]

Well part of it mentions a survey which Disney does a lot of surveys.

I mean if you are worried about pricing and what you get for the price you pay don't pay it that will send a message to Disney that people are not happy.

 

[loves to dive]

Disney sends out surveys all the time, through the years I've been asked all sorts of questions, I'm guessing 99% of them never came to anything. I'm an AP holder but not a Florida resident so I don't have the blackout dates. I do think it's a little strange but I guess if you want a discount that's what you have to be willing to do, personally, I'd just pay the regular price. You still get a discount when you renew.

 

[DanBoris]

"The Disney survey asked what he would do if his pass blocked access a couple of months after the opening of a new attraction, parade or show at a theme park. Would he pay additional admission to get an early peek?"

Guess it's a good thing that scenario would almost never come up at WDW.

 

[scrapquitler]

Well, if you don't want blackout dates, then there's a simple solution: don't buy the discounted annual pass that has blackout dates. There's nothing prohibiting a Florida Resident from buying a full price pass like I have to buy. I hold an AP and live in CT. I'd be happy to buy the discounted pass with blackout dates if it were available to me.

 

[wilkeliza]

Isn't the SoCal annual pass blacked out much much more often then the FL annual pass is? Maybe they were just seeing if something like that would work in FL.

 

[rteetz]

Isn't the SoCal annual pass blacked out much much more often then the FL annual pass is? Maybe they were just seeing if something like that would work in FL.

Yes I believe it is.

 

[Micca]

Disney is looking for more ways to extract money from people. That's neither here nor there, that's what businesses do, especially big public corporations. As a hunch, I'd wager that locals aren't the cash cows for WDW that out of town tourists are. Locals are probably less likely to spend big bucks on food, merch, tours, extra events like dessert and holiday parties. Folks who travel long distances would be more prone to splurge while locals can always return "next weekend."

I envision a scenario where someone at Team Disney has been designated to increase spending by locals. They're testing the waters.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Well, if you don't want blackout dates, then there's a simple solution: don't buy the discounted annual pass that has blackout dates. There's nothing prohibiting a Florida Resident from buying a full price pass like I have to buy. I hold an AP and live in CT. I'd be happy to buy the discounted pass with blackout dates if it were available to me.

While I agree, the question seemed to be focused on all APs, not FL discounted APs, and the blackouts were for newly opened rides. So we should at least consider the possibility that they are considering these blackouts for all AP holders. My wife and I have APs, and we would no longer consider them if they came with this restriction.

 

[wilkeliza]

It would be odd to do it based on new rides. APs use to get early access to new rides so to black out their passes during the period right after opening would be a slap in the face. It would their bottom line rather then help it and locals would revolt. Imagine spending $800 on an annual pass just to find out you couldn't go to DAK for 3 months after Avatar. If there are additional black outs it would have to be put on the lowest level of AP and not across all APs.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It would be odd to do it based on new rides. APs use to get early access to new rides so to black out their passes during the period right after opening would be a slap in the face. It would their bottom line rather then help it and locals would revolt. Imagine spending $800 on an annual pass just to find out you couldn't go to DAK for 3 months after Avatar. If there are additional black outs it would have to be put on the lowest level of AP and not across all APs.

Again, I agree, but Disney has been doing a lot of things that don't make a heck of a lot of sense to their patrons for a while now. In theory, this makes a whole lot of sense if it is limited to only FL resident APs. It would keep the locals off of the new attractions when the rides are most crowded - when they first open. But if they let them in the park, they can't really keep them off of the rides. They could eliminate FP+ for these folks for these rides, but locals would just arrive early and get in line right away to get around that. The only way that they could keep them off of these rides is to keep them out of the parks altogether, and can you imagine the backlash?

 

[wilkeliza]

Again, I agree, but Disney has been doing a lot of things that don't make a heck of a lot of sense to their patrons for a while now. In theory, this makes a whole lot of sense if it is limited to only FL resident APs. It would keep the locals off of the new attractions when the rides are most crowded - when they first open. But if they let them in the park, they can't really keep them off of the rides. They could eliminate FP+ for these folks for these rides, but locals would just arrive early and get in line right away to get around that. The only way that they could keep them off of these rides is to keep them out of the parks altogether, and can you imagine the backlash?

Yeah. The fact anyone put it in a survey makes them even more tone deaf.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

"The Disney survey asked what he would do if his pass blocked access a couple of months after the opening of a new attraction, parade or show at a theme park. Would he pay additional admission to get an early peek?"

Guess it's a good thing that scenario would almost never come up at WDW.

...that's so well played...bravo

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It would be odd to do it based on new rides. APs use to get early access to new rides so to black out their passes during the period right after opening would be a slap in the face. It would their bottom line rather then help it and locals would revolt. Imagine spending $800 on an annual pass just to find out you couldn't go to DAK for 3 months after Avatar. If there are additional black outs it would have to be put on the lowest level of AP and not across all APs.

They're thinking Star Wars...this one is as telegraphed as they come...

They want to have maximum rooms/space available for Star Wars fans on pilgrimage because they know they'll make a heck of a lot more off them In high profit areas than AP holders...
...maybe sell some timeshares while they're at it?

I agree that it's likely nothing will ever come of it...but Disneyland had provided them a new model.

I've been looking around the Disneyland discussions (have a wedding in Santa Barbara)...and Disney really has got a hook in them...they jacked the annual passes...blackout a lot of dates...and they're still beating them away.

As much as Eisner alienated them...Iger has then like bugs drawn to a light and he's shaking the money out of them.

This WDW survey hints at a more Disneyland model or system: more blackouts, premium passes that don't give you full access, ridiculously expensive ones that do...so is the look of things.

And officially: there will be no backlash at WDW. WDW customers don't do that...they are transient or blinded to how bad the vendor/customer arrangement is for them right now...they've swallowed every slap in the face with a wet fish and will ask for more. Why would that change?

 

[scrapquitler]

Again, I agree, but Disney has been doing a lot of things that don't make a heck of a lot of sense to their patrons for a while now. In theory, this makes a whole lot of sense if it is limited to only FL resident APs. It would keep the locals off of the new attractions when the rides are most crowded - when they first open. But if they let them in the park, they can't really keep them off of the rides. They could eliminate FP+ for these folks for these rides, but locals would just arrive early and get in line right away to get around that. The only way that they could keep them off of these rides is to keep them out of the parks altogether, and can you imagine the backlash?

Well I did read a thing the other day that Costco in Southern California is now selling a Disney California Adventure (only) annual pass. So yeah, they could make an AP that restricts park entrance. I can see them declaring"no Florida Resident Passholder allowed in Hollywood Studios during the blackout dates XYZ thru XYZ." And probably those who really wanted to visit HS to see the new Star Wars stuff would buy the upgraded version of the pass that the rest of us have no choice but to buy.

They could also restrict a passholder from riding a specific ride if they wanted to. They already have the handheld scanners that they use during evening EMH to restrict non-resort guests. It wouldn't be that difficult for them to hand scan every guest getting in line for a brand new ride.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Disney is looking for more ways to extract money from people. That's neither here nor there, that's what businesses do, especially big public corporations. As a hunch, I'd wager that locals aren't the cash cows for WDW that out of town tourists are. Locals are probably less likely to spend big bucks on food, merch, tours, extra events like dessert and holiday parties. Folks who travel long distances would be more prone to splurge while locals can always return "next weekend."

I envision a scenario where someone at Team Disney has been designated to increase spending by locals. They're testing the waters.

Of course locals don't spend as much on food, merchandise, and dessert parties...

All those things are horribly overpriced CRAP for the quality they've set as "good enough" and the locals know better!!!

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Disney is looking for more ways to extract money from people. That's neither here nor there, that's what businesses do, especially big public corporations. As a hunch, I'd wager that locals aren't the cash cows for WDW that out of town tourists are. Locals are probably less likely to spend big bucks on food, merch, tours, extra events like dessert and holiday parties. Folks who travel long distances would be more prone to splurge while locals can always return "next weekend."

I envision a scenario where someone at Team Disney has been designated to increase spending by locals. They're testing the waters.

Usually I don't like when people try to point fingers at the business side at Disney but I read this and agreed with it because I've seen it too. They really don't bend too far backwards for APs and Florida Residents because they get out-proportioned by the people there for the "once in a lifetime" trip. I know the other Orlando area parks do bend over for frequents and to be perfectly honest when I went there it felt awkward. Case in point I was at LEGOLAND Florida for my first time in March 2014. I only had an Annual Pass because we already had another trip there planned thanks to the college program and the fact that the annual pass was only like 20 dollars more than a standard one day ticket. But it was "Lego Movie Weekend" whenever I went and seeing how much they changed this park that I never stepped foot in before was bizarre. How they handled events as just another day was weird to me since A. I was used to Disney where the events are very different from normal operations and 2. It didn't seemed aimed towards travelers like me at all. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the event it just seemed to bizarre to not see the park on a normal day. Anyways, my Aunt and Uncle live in the Orlando area and they honestly only do Downtown Disney for the restaurants/pins. I don't think they do the parks often. I had the chance to live down there 12 years ago and honestly I can't help but picture myself not splurging only because I would've lived so close it wouldn't have been worth it. Someone said people like these are the reason why construction is so slow because they know the next time people may come will be a while so they don't have to rush it. I don't know whether or not this is true I'm just saying it just to put it out there. I am interested in seeing how they appeal to locals though, and excited that I'm finally of age to participate in surveys

 

[writerguyfl]

So yeah, they could make an AP that restricts park entrance. I can see them declaring"no Florida Resident Passholder allowed in Hollywood Studios during the blackout dates XYZ thru XYZ." And probably those who really wanted to visit HS to see the new Star Wars stuff would buy the upgraded version of the pass that the rest of us have no choice but to buy.

Some of Universal Orlando's Florida Resident passes have different blockout dates for each of their parks. During Spring Break this year, "Power Pass" holders could not visit either part. But during the first part of July, they could visit Universal Studios but couldn't enter Islands of Adventure.

So, having Disney restrict access to 1 of 4 parks for FL resident passholders wouldn't be anything revolutionary. (And, it would be a smart business decision.)

 

[tony67]

Some of Universal Orlando's Florida Resident passes have different blockout dates for each of their parks. During Spring Break this year, "Power Pass" holders could not visit either part. But during the first part of July, they could visit Universal Studios but couldn't enter Islands of Adventure.

So, having Disney restrict access to 1 of 4 parks for FL resident passholders wouldn't be anything revolutionary. (And, it would be a smart business decision.)

I agree with you - I guess the difference is that Universal had that pretty early on and although the price has doubled over the last 10 years it may not seem as bad. Disney has given less for more year after year..and overall the new rides have been lackluster at best. I am not a HP fan, but Universal did a great job with that and even as a non-fan I enjoy it - so the increase in the price can be quantified to many and not just look like a money grab.

Disney has really upped the prices of these passes to a point where people are frustrated - and with the introduction of magic bands it seems to be worse for the locals - my boss lives in the area and in talking with him they can't just do an impromptu trip top Disney anymore - you really need to know 30 days in advance to book tickets - and even at that point it is only what is left after the people staying on property have booked at 60 days. At least with Universal he knows if he goes Monday - Thursday it's pretty doable - even with all the express pass hotel guests. Universal also seems to give better deals to passholders on special tickets like HHN and has what seems like far more availability for APH rate rooms.

Finally, since Disney is the "big dog" they are always going to get hit harder by the press and fans for any changes IMO

 

[johnnyr]

I am not a Florida resident but I am a AP holder. Looks like DIsney is yet again looking to take more perks away from it's local and loyal customer base. Only this time, the numbers are starting to tell the story. It was noticeably less crowded this summer while the price for everything continues to skyrocket. I think they may have finally pushed things a little too far. There were some reports here that I read last year about Disney discouraging the purchasing of AP's by charging more and I thought no way why would they do that? Don't they want repeat business? But in this report, it is exactly what they were doing and then have the audacity to ask it's loyal customer base to pay yet more for something already included. It's not surprising they are losing a lot of business to Universal. I have to admit as a loyal Disney customer for many years, I feel the value of a Disney World vacation has diminished greatly. I too no longer give Disney all of my vacation dollars when visiting the Orlando area. I still like visiting Disney World, but for them to keep me in their parks and on their property longer, they need to stop taking everything away, charging additional fees, and nickle and diming every aspect of the experience.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...ls-passholders-discontent-20160826-story.html