Just Back from OKW, Disney are you listening?

[alsipd]

The wife and I just got back from 5 days at Old Key West. The resort was a beautiful as always. Rode the new ferry to DD on this first day in service and was impressed. It is not like the Boardwalk ferry to EPCOT; soft seats and no diesel fumes. They must have heard this board asking not to ruin the charm of the old ferry.
Now for the soapbox. I spent all of my park time at Universal since their annual pass is 169.00 plus tax and I got a second year free...Two Years for $169.00... Are you listening to your target audience Disney, no time in your parks; lots of time in your competitors!!!!
No meals purchased at Disney either..... only at Universal or off-site. Disney Parks and Entertainment are pricing themselves out of my money. I hate to do this, but enough is enough. We DVC members need, no DESERVE, a much better discount on "real" park passes and also on food; otherwise I will continue to patronize elsewhere. Your competition is trying real hard to steal your business..... and are succeeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chuck S]

Why would you expect Disney to sell annual passes cheaper than a 4 Day Park Hopper? If you go to the park 8 or more days per year, an AP is the way to go. And while you and your family may be perfectly happy going to Universal, and eating off-site...that is not why most of us take our vacation time and go to Florida to stay at DVC. Would I like to see a DVC discount on APs at least equal to the old Disney Club discount? Absolutely... but for us, just because Universal is cheaper, it is like comparing apples to oranges. Your local Six Flags surely offers season passes in the $40 to $70 range, that is a lot cheaper than Disney, and a LOT closer...I've been to SF Fiesta Texas twice in my life. I never plan to buy a season pass there.

Besides, why do we DVC members "DESERVE" a super deal on park passes, we already have a super deal on on-site accomodations...of course, I guess I could spend three or 4 times the amount I spend on annual dues to spend the same amount of time in a delux room instead of a 1 bedroom.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I don't think we should defend Disney on this one. They need tokeep their eyes on demand. I believe they will see that as time passes DVC members will utilize parks in more the same way as Fl residents. Especially those members who like hanging out at OKW.

To keep frequent visitors returning to their parks they will need to offer more competet6ive pricing -- at least for families like mine. Our 2005 trip will include Universal and Sea World.

 

[Chuck S]

So should Disney sell their annual passes for the same amount as Universal...2 parks versus 4 parks?

Disney FL APs (without black out dates) are about $320.
Non-FL APs...$403 new about 10% off for renewals.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just my .02 worth but....it would be nice to have APs a little cheaper than what they are now. Maybe they could do a different AP for DVC that doesn't entitle you to room discounts? Or maybe one that gives you the water parks/DD for the same price as a 'regular' AP? Not a lot, just a little something. Do we deserve it? Probably not. But, it's nice to say 'what if'.

 

[Chuck S]

goofy4tink, that makes sense, since most DVCers would not have any reason to use the room discounts...although some do to stay the weekends.

 

[kathleena]

Universal = 2 parks and I think no parades or fireworks. maybe fireworks, not sure

Disney = 4 parks, 3 day parades, 1 night parade, 2 fireworks, 1 Fantasmic

Universal = geared to older kids, and adults that like action rides

Disney = more of something for everyone, easier to take the whole family to

I could go on.

I'm satisfied with what Disney offers, but I would like to see a DVC discount on the APs.

 

[bellenbeast]

I agree completely that Disney needs to give DVCers a better deal on park ticket prices.

 

[Bexx]

Discounts for DVCers would be very nice - WDW is a pretty pricey place to visit. Love the place though, so I'm not overly complaining, I just won't be spending all my time there in future visits.

At the risk of sounding totally naive, could someone please explain to me why a park hopper ticket at DL, is so much cheaper than at WDW? I realise that there are more parks and water parks etc at WDW, but a person can only be in one place at any given time!?!

Thanks for the report alsipd - good to hear they have nice soft seats on the DD ferry.

 

[jctwizzer]

IMHO, only somebody who's in deep doo doo has to make offers like the ones at Universal. Evidently they are unable to attract enough customers, and based on news articles that seems to be the case. So, if Disney is listening, they're smiling broadly!! Further, Disney's prices aren't significantly different than we we joined DVC.......we knew what they were then and joined voluntarily. We still love it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that DVC members need a better discount on APs, but I think comparing the experience of Universal to WDW is like comparing apples and oranges. It just does NOT compare. Like someone else said, WDW has more parks and things for EVERYONE, not just the thrill seakers. We have not felt the restaurants were that horribly priced at Disney. We love the Disney restaurants.

 

[vogel642]

WELL FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE DEFENDING DISNEY, IT AS ADMIRABLE BUT A LOSING ARGUMENT. WE AS DVC MEMBERS HAVE COMMITTED TO DISNEY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND FOR THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER US A BETTER DISCOUNT THAN THE ONE THEY GIVE US ON UPH TICKETS. I AM A NEW DVC MEMBER AND WILL BE STAYING AT SSR IN JULY BUT HAVE BEEN GOING TO DISNEY FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS NOW. WE PLAN ON MAKING TWO MAYBE THREE TRIPS TO DISNEY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR SO I AM GOING TO BUY ANNUAL PASSESS FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY FOR A TOTAL PRICE OF 1,500.00 USC. IN ORDER TO GET OUR MONIES WORTH OUT OF THOSE TICKETS WE HAVE TO GO THE PARKS FOR MORE THAN 8 TIMES. NOT FOR NOTHING BUT I COULD GET A 5 OR 6 DAY PARK HOPPER TICKET AND ANNUAL PASSES TO UNIVERSAL. SO DISNEY YOU BETTER DO SOMETHING IN THE NEAR FUTURE BECAUSE I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE AND MORE OF YOUR BUSINESS GOING ELSEWHERE.

 

[umbluegray]

Universal = 2 parks and I think no parades or fireworks. maybe fireworks, not sure

Disney = 4 parks, 3 day parades, 1 night parade, 2 fireworks, 1 Fantasmic

Universal = geared to older kids, and adults that like action rides

Disney = more of something for everyone, easier to take the whole family to

I could go on.

I'm satisfied with what Disney offers, but I would like to see a DVC discount on the APs.

I saw where Universal plans on a 3rd park and an upscale resort. This will result in a major operations cost which will have to be reflected in the ticket price.

Universal is nowhere near the size and complexity of WBW. It's kind of like apples-to-oranges.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We don't buy AP' but we just purchased a 7 day park hopper plus. WE figure they will do my family of 5 for at least until the end of 2005!! We already used 2 park days in April.........during our 6 night stay and plan on using only the water parks during our stay in the summer (15 days!!!).

We are not park commando's and just enjoy the resorts. WE will be going to IOA and also SeaWorld next trip though!!!

 

[karebear1]

Originally posted by Bexx

"At the risk of sounding totally naive, could someone please explain to me why a park hopper ticket at DL, is so much cheaper than at WDW? I realise that there are more parks and water parks etc at WDW, but a person can only be in one place at any given time!?! "

Last weekend I saw and ad by Disney in our local paper that was advertising 5days, 4 nights at DL- (offsite) hotel and park admission included for around $270.00 ! Even if DL is smaller (which it is) and the location is nowhere near as wonderful as central Florida, this is still a huge price difference. I believe WDW could come down on their prices to everyone in general, but should at least offer some kind of a discounted AP for DVC owners.

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

I think Disney had better listen to the disgruntled voices. When my wife and I joined in 1993 we were never considering ever going offsite. With ticket price jumps and rising cost of food and everything else w/ a family of 5 we are now considering spending a day or 2 somewhere else not on property. If every other family in DVC does just what we are doing only a day here and a day there going offsite spending money elsewhere that really will make an impact. Yes, they already have my accomodation monies up front, but that is just more reason to try to keep us spending money on property as we always have the luxury to go elsewhere for food, souveniers, etc... Just my 2 pennies and I am the worlds biggest mouse fan w/ (Disney) rose colored glasses on, this is just an area that they might want to start listening to someone on who has been very loyal.

 

[aikodude]

I agree with the others who say that they're not overly concerned about it, but that giving a Disney Club-like discount on AP's to DVC members would go a long way towards keeping a lot more people "on-site".

 

[JLS]

I agree with this. I think its ridiculous that the only DVC pass discounts are for the length of stay (ultimate park hopper) passes which generally do not make sense for frequent visitors. People who go to WDW a lot (DVC'ers and others) either buy APs or they buy park hoppers where the days do not expire so it doesn't matter if you decide to spend 3 days out of the week shopping or laying by the pool.

 

[Doug7856]

We went to Universal Studios once and that was one time too many in my opinion. I don't think that what Universal offers can compare in any with the Disney experience.

Having said that, I would like a more realistic option as a DVC member, the UPH is just not something we would even consider. In December, we're planning our 1st trip home and will be staying 4 nights but plan on park tickets for two days (plus MVMCP). We'll just take advantage of the resort amenities. Our son will be two weeks shy of three years old, so a slower pace will be good, but Disney is missing an opportunity to sell us merchandise and meals at the park not to mention admission.

We knew the admission option was poor when we purchased in October, but our love of Disney and desire to regularly vacation there outweighed that negative. Maybe Disney is listening.

With or without a discount, we plan to enjoy every minute at WDW in our DVC villa!

 

[DVCPAT]

I would be happy if Disney offered DVC members AP renewals like the old days. Disney would benefit from continual annual pass sales. Members would get the benefit of pass activation at the next visit prolonging the 12 month clock.

Most DVC members make numerous trips per year, so the AP voucher wouldn’t sit idle for long. I think it would be a win/win situation for DVC members and Disney.