I've changed my opinion on park ticket prices

[kniquy]

My family also sees the value in the park tickets. Certainly they are expensive especially when you have to buy for 5 people (child discount is a joke really). OP is correct to see the value in what is provided each day that you are in the park. The number of shows you can watch, the rides and just that ambiance is part of it all. You are also paying for the CM's there to help make the day run smoothly from the grounds keepers to the CM's at the restaurants each person has a roll to make sure things run smoothly. You get better value out of staying longer/getting more park days - so when you do that and you can get your daily park ticket down to essentially $80 per day -- it really isn't that bad.

Everything in life is getting expensive. We used to be able to do our grocery shopping, just a few years ago and spend under $200, now if we leave there under $300 I am happy.

DH and I went to see Phil Collins - a bucket list performer for my husband - so to get pretty decent seats we spent over $600 for the 2 of us. I guess there is a line for everyone - where they put a "is it really worth it" label on something. We continue to feel WDW trips are worth it for our family so we fork out the $$ to do it, but we are thankful that we have DVC otherwise making these trips as often as we have would just not happen for our family.

 

[Chuck S]

Travel and entertainment is pretty expensive anywhere, unless you are a local and there is special pricing for locals. I am grateful that the San ANtonio Zoo offers an annual pass for less than $40...but then again, it is a relatively small (but nice) zoo compared to San Diego or Animal Kingdom. And parking is still free, but they are adding a parking garage, so that may change.

 

[jlwhitney]

I get what you are saying, but I think it would still be nice for them to offer discounts every once in while (to make it more affordable for the average family.) Disney is for families and kids. I think everything Disney is overpriced.

Problem is once they start offering discounts people expect them (rich or not) and wait for it.

Sure prices are high but the market can sustain them right now. Things will change
Like always has the economy goes up and down.

Right now Disney is an a period of great growth. Back when economy was low, it was much cheaper to go but there was nothing new for years.

 

[kboo]

What changed my thoughts. I recently went to a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden with my son. Tickets were $175 each. A steak sandwich and a beer was $31. The game was about 2 1/2 hours long.

Next weekend my wife and I are going to see To kill a mockingbird on Broadway. Tickets are selling for $300. The play is also 2 1/2 hours long.

Enjoy! I saw it in previews when it was 3 hours long. More for the money, I suppose?

I am not American. It amazes me what Americans will pay for stuff in good economy times. From park tickets to concert tickets to Broadway shows. ...
I am not sure why such a discrepancy exists, but it is marked when we from Europe come over there.

I don't know about the sporting events, but as I understand it, the arts are better subsidized in the UK. (I wish that were the case here). And several years ago, when we went, you could get good seats with headliners on the same day - shows that would have been sold out in NYC for months. Not sure why.

On the "bright" side -- restaurant prices are so high in NYC that when we get TS at WDW, the prices actually seem reasonable. And I'm not even talking about a high end restaurant; even our local diners, which are good, are pricey for a family of 4.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've been in the OP's camp for a while now. My season tickets to Michigan (football) have gone up faster than inflation; I'm now paying roughly $1K for a pair of tickets in the corner of the stadium for six games, and that's after the faculty/staff discount. Two days of deep offseason skiing in N. Michigan (which is not "real" skiing by most definitions) set me back $160 just for lift tickets and ski rentals, and that was only after a Black Friday sale on a pre-season pass.

I would never pay that much for a sporting event or a play.

And lots of people would never pay what Disney is charging for a day at the theme park. But, the sporting events and plays sell out, and Disney's parks are full.

 

[Wakey]

Enjoy! I saw it in previews when it was 3 hours long. More for the money, I suppose?



I don't know about the sporting events, but as I understand it, the arts are better subsidized in the UK. (I wish that were the case here). And several years ago, when we went, you could get good seats with headliners on the same day - shows that would have been sold out in NYC for months. Not sure why.

On the "bright" side -- restaurant prices are so high in NYC that when we get TS at WDW, the prices actually seem reasonable. And I'm not even talking about a high end restaurant; even our local diners, which are good, are pricey for a family of 4.

West End shows and sporting events are not subsidised, they are private enterprises. We don’t subsidise much in the U.K., most arts subsidies seem to come from National Lottery money.

Agree with you about restaurant prices in NYC, almost makes London and Dublin seem reasonable (almost).

 

[GoingSince1990]

I've always been convinced that even a one-day pass to a Disney park is one of the best bargains around. Just Googling around to get a random point of comparison, a 1-day ticket to the Wisconsin State Fair is $14, and an unlimited rides wristband is $40, so a total of $54. And the cheapest 1-day pass to Magic Kingdom is $109, so about double. And without any disrespect to the Wisconsin State Fair, would anyone seriously argue that a day at the Magic Kingdom is not at least twice as much fun? And of course when you start looking at how rapidly the per-day price for Disney goes down with multiday passes, it becomes even more of a bargain.

http://wistatefair.com/fair/goride-wristbands/

 

[siren0119]

I would never pay that much for a sporting event or a play.

Neither would I, but that means we do not go see major sports teams or shows in Boston or Providence. We go to farm league sports and local community theater productions (even those run $25-30 per seat). There just aren't many options for less expensive viewing of MAJOR events and when you factor in we are a family of 4 going out, it narrows down our options even more. TL: DR, my kids won't ever see the Boston Bruins play but we might be able to take in a Providence Bruins game once or twice a year.

I am not American. It amazes me what Americans will pay for stuff in good economy times. From park tickets to concert tickets to Broadway shows. For example you can go and see most West End shows for around $100 max in London (Hamilton more expensive, it’s about $250). Last one I saw was Dreamgirls at the Savoy theatre, think it was about £75 (if in London, highly recommended). One of the richest sports league in the World, the football (soccer to you lot) English Premier Leaugue, where teams have wage bills alone in some cases of £250m ($330m pa), has an average ticket price of £31 (1.32 to dollar so $41 including VAT at 20%) and people here moan about that !
I am not sure why such a discrepancy exists, but it is marked when we from Europe come over there.

Probably because America is a capitalistic society. Anything of value (material value, intrinsic value, emotional value) comes with a price tag. if someone can make money off of it they will, and experience has proven that we will pay through the nose for entertainment/escape LOL

 

[kboo]

West End shows and sporting events are not subsidised, they are private enterprises. We don’t subsidise much in the U.K., most arts subsidies seem to come from National Lottery money.

Is there any part of the process that is subsidized? Otherwise how do all the parties make money on the shows? I have a few friends who have produced some plays and shows, and only the super big shows make money. And the few friends/acquaintances who are mostly/exclusively in theater (as opposed to film stars dropping in to guest star) are not exactly rolling in $$.

Probably because America is a capitalistic society. Anything of value (material value, intrinsic value, emotional value) comes with a price tag. if someone can make money off of it they will, and experience has proven that we will pay through the nose for entertainment/escape LOL

^^^ yep.

 

[DSLRuser]

The rate of new attractions added is dismal compared to the 80s, 90s and early 2000s

I would say 2001 to 2014 were absolutely bare in terms of upgrades and enhancements. After they brought Animal Kingdom on line and scrambled to deal with a park that had not a lot to do in it, they were hit by the recession after 9-11-2001. Then just as things were starting to recover, the 2008 recession hit. nothing new and exciting happened in those 13 years.

and on top of that there has been a decline in maintenance and customer service.

Cast members are just not as appreciated by management and therefore it shows in the lack of guest interaction / hospitality.

the vast majority of long-time visitors would agree it's gone downhill under Iger while simultaneously getting 2x more expensive.

totally agree here. Our Disney fandom started in spring of 1993. During the Michael Eisner years, innovation and customer service were priorities. you could stroll along Epcot and not find a dead leaf on the sidewalk, much less trash. Iger took a more hard core cut cost, maximize profit approach and it was felt in general park maintenance. Certain attractions have been broken for years.

 

[DSLRuser]

One of the richest sports league in the World, the football (soccer to you lot) English Premier Leaugue, where teams have wage bills alone in some cases of £250m ($330m pa), has an average ticket price of £31 (1.32 to dollar so $41 including VAT at 20%) and people here moan about that !
I am not sure why such a discrepancy exists, but it is marked when we from Europe come over there.

our Major sports leagues don't sell advertising on the players backs (yet) and legalized betting has not taken complete hold (yet).

 

[Wakey]

our Major sports leagues don't sell advertising on the players backs (yet) and legalized betting has not taken complete hold (yet).

Yes that is true- but you have constant advertisements in the games ono TV. We have them before and at half time only (45 mins in) in case of soccer. I am surprised you do not have sponsors on the shirts- why is that out of interest? The leagues / teams are often sponsored by betting companies (including my beloved Leeds United), but don't make money by taking a share of the betting itself.

 

[aoconnor]

I would say 2001 to 2014 were absolutely bare in terms of upgrades and enhancements. After they brought Animal Kingdom on line and scrambled to deal with a park that had not a lot to do in it, they were hit by the recession after 9-11-2001. Then just as things were starting to recover, the 2008 recession hit. nothing new and exciting happened in those 13 years.

There were a few in 03-06 - Mission Space, Soarin, Expedition Everest. Once Iger took over in 2005 it was all but cut off for a decade until he decided to have this recent spurt of meaningful investment (Pandora, SWL, Tron, Mickey, Ratatouille, etc). Better late than never but should have been done all along to increase capacity with the surging crowds.

 

[Wakey]

Is there any part of the process that is subsidized? Otherwise how do all the parties make money on the shows? I have a few friends who have produced some plays and shows, and only the super big shows make money. And the few friends/acquaintances who are mostly/exclusively in theater (as opposed to film stars dropping in to guest star) are not exactly rolling in $$.


^^^ yep.

I think they make good money on half the US cost basically. They are some of the best shows in the World, and they are always doing well (well most are). I just think its a case of they charge what they can get away with and in US they charge a lot more- on Broadway at least.

 

[Wakey]

Just looking now in West End. 9-5 (Dolly Parton) is from £20 to £100. Lion King from 50 to 100, book of Mormon from £25 to about £100, School of Rock is £18.50 (about $22!) to about £50. The new Disney one - Mary Poppins is £37.50 to £127. Harry Potter is £20 to £100 ish. Theatres are generally larger in West End over Broadway, so that may have something to do with it. The Harry Potter tickets in NYC go up to $500 and look to be twice as expensive. Basically I think they just charge what they can get away with - you guys are being ripped off I am afraid because people will pay it. That's why when I was last in NYC I quickly decided I wasn't going to a show! Great deal for when you guys come over here though- especially with the exchange rate as its been. Make hay whilst the sun shines if you are planning a trip.

 

[igrsod]

So my thoughts on park tickets have recently taken an about face. I had taken the thought that Disney was now only for the rich. I saw Disney filling its pockets with cash as park goers passed through the turnstiles each day. I empathized with the frustration of large families not being able to afford even one days park admission.

So while much of the above still holds true, I am OK with park ticket prices.

What changed my thoughts. I recently went to a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden with my son. Tickets were $175 each. A steak sandwich and a beer was $31. The game was about 2 1/2 hours long.

Next weekend my wife and I are going to see To kill a mockingbird on Broadway. Tickets are selling for $300. The play is also 2 1/2 hours long.

Keeping in mind that a Disney tickets gives you a full day of rides, shows, and entertainment, it is actually a bargain compared to the above.

Just my thoughts.

I agree with you 100%.

 

[kboo]

Great deal for when you guys come over here though- especially with the exchange rate as its been. Make hay whilst the sun shines if you are planning a trip.

All of my NYer friends (including myself, before kids) used to work in at least one show while in London. I guess the problem here is that we've got tourists from all over the country (and world, just not Londoners!) trying to see a "Broadway show" when they're here in NYC.

 

[sharkyandbones]

It really is astounding what folks are willing to pay for entertainment, even in a "good" economy. As mentioned, sporting events, amusement parks, etc. all cost a pretty penny. I try my best to make Disney an affordable vacation but that is becoming more and more difficult. Granted, traveling from NY we're automatically incurring a travel expense that many others don't. But it makes me wonder, do people just put everything on credit and not worry about it?

 

[Wakey]

All of my NYer friends (including myself, before kids) used to work in at least one show while in London. I guess the problem here is that we've got tourists from all over the country (and world, just not Londoners!) trying to see a "Broadway show" when they're here in NYC.

London has the same though. London gets more tourists than NYC.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2018-9

You used to work in London shows? What do you do?

 

[kboo]

London has the same though. London gets more tourists than NYC.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2018-9

You used to work in London shows? What do you do?

I just realized my poor word choice makes it seem like I worked in London shows. I meant, whenever my friends or I used to go to London (for work, or whatever), we would try to fit at least one show in, in part because it was easier and cheaper to get tickets! Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I do know a few people "in the business" - but in my usual clueless fashion, I met them in other respects* and then later found out they were Broadway and theater bigwigs. We've occasionally gotten comp tickets here and there, but mostly we have paid our way.

*Years ago, I met a Tony winner at the dog park because our dogs were friends. No clue.