Magic Key Program

[PirateBrigade]

So basically like a Six Flags or Knotts Berry Farm style. Got it. So you would prefer a more expensive price to push out the local crowd that just wants to hang out at their local theme park because its Disney and should be more exclusive for people destination vacation?

At certain days and times, in a nutshell, absolutely. The parks were downright unbearable from 5-11pm on Friday/Saturday nights, where even the most expensive pass (~$1500) meant you could come to DL every single Friday/Saturday night for an average cost of $15/entry (104 use days/year). Disney/Chapek made it clear in previous comments that this was untenable and too cheap.

I used to be one of these "crash the gates at 5pm" people back in college.

Philosophically, there's a school of thought that says Disney is such a special experience, allowing unlimited entry on an affordable monthly payment degrades that ideal. That Disney should be planned, rare, and a special affair...saved up for, and not like hanging out at Starbucks every morning. I don't agree with this view for a few reasons, but that's out in the ether.

 

[smartlabelprint]

So basically like a Six Flags or Knotts Berry Farm style. Got it. So you would prefer a more expensive price to push out the local crowd that just wants to hang out at their local theme park because its Disney and should be more exclusive for people destination vacation?

There’s a reason I don’t go to 6 flags or knotts. Yes Disney wants the profit. It’s why different corporations market to different niches.

Walmart here advertises that they’re the best deal in town. Guess what, they’re not. Prices on some things are lower, but others are higher and it averages out to the same cost aa Kroger, maybe even slightly more. But the store is full of people looking for a deal, low income people and people that are minorities who all believe they’re getting the best deal, per the marketing.

Personally I avoid walmart. It’s crowded, which degrades my shopping experience. Just like the parks. I avoid Knotts and six flags. I’d prefer a less crowded park experience too. Disney needs to figure out their market. Maybe it’s changed.

Just for fun I’m going to guess the monthly plan is gone. Disney doesn’t need that continuous cash flow. They can make a budget with sinking funds, I’m sure they hire good accountants.

 

[jmurray2446]

I'd be curious if this new offering is the brainchild of Josh? or Bob?
I tend to trust Josh D'Amaro

 

[Rich M]

Thank you everyone for responding to my last post. I have always said I would pay more to go to either Disney location for a more exclusive feeling.

 

[gpjacobs]

Is there any indication of where the announcement will be made (i.e., Disney Park Blog, website, etc.)?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Can this not devolve into yet another hashing out of who spends more and whether Disneyland is "for" locals vs. tourists or whatever?

The idea that either "locals" or "tourists" could be viewed as a monolithic category is honestly ridiculous. I'm a "local" who gave Disney thousands and thousands of dollars in 2019 (not just at Disneyland, including a stay at Paradise Pier to "ensure" we got in to SW:GE, lol, but also at Disneyland Paris, a 7-night cruise on the Wonder, and plenty of merch and Disney+ and all that). I know "tourists" who stay with family and bring in sandwiches for lunch. And of course, there are "locals" who never spend money beyond their passes and "tourists" who come and drop $$$. There's simply no blanket description that applies to the spending of either category.

You know who knows the spending habits of their guests? Disney does. They have SO MUCH DATA on AP spending, in particular, because of the discounts. They will be presenting the program that they've decided is in their best interests, because they are a business, and they answer to shareholders, and maximizing profit is their job.

I, for one, am very interested in the details of that program, and I am very uninterested in people squabbling over who spends more.

 

[nursemelis374]

Based on the lesser crowds when the lower tiers were blocked out, I would be happy with them just bringing back the signature passes with no payment plan. That might take care of some of the issues. I know this is incredibly wishful thinking!

 

[DLgal]

Thank you everyone for responding to my last post. I have always said I would pay more to go to either Disney location for a more exclusive feeling.

Same. I don't go to Six Flags anymore. It was fine when I was a teen and young 20 something, but as an adult I find it a completely obnoxious crowd. Same goes for some other small local amusement parks. I don't love Knott's and Sea World either...and even when we went to Hershey Park several years ago, we weren't impressed.

 

[DLgal]

Can this not devolve into yet another hashing out of who spends more and whether Disneyland is "for" locals vs. tourists or whatever?

The idea that either "locals" or "tourists" could be viewed as a monolithic category is honestly ridiculous. I'm a "local" who gave Disney thousands and thousands of dollars in 2019 (not just at Disneyland, including a stay at Paradise Pier to "ensure" we got in to SW:GE, lol, but also at Disneyland Paris, a 7-night cruise on the Wonder, and plenty of merch and Disney+ and all that). I know "tourists" who stay with family and bring in sandwiches for lunch. And of course, there are "locals" who never spend money beyond their passes and "tourists" who come and drop $$$. There's simply no blanket description that applies to the spending of either category.

You know who knows the spending habits of their guests? Disney does. They have SO MUCH DATA on AP spending, in particular, because of the discounts. They will be presenting the program that they've decided is in their best interests, because they are a business, and they answer to shareholders, and maximizing profit is their job.

I, for one, am very interested in the details of that program, and I am very uninterested in people squabbling over who spends more.

I don't think that's the discussion we are having. We are talking about locals who used the parks solely as a "hang out" spot. Disney clearly wants to weed those guests out. They have basically flat out said that during their earnings calls.

 

[DLgal]

Is there any indication of where the announcement will be made (i.e., Disney Park Blog, website, etc.)?

All of the above? Turn on notifications for your Disney social media channels. And be on Twitter after 1pm and just keep refreshing.

 

[BrianL]

Just a funny story that plays into this a little and I'm not too judgy about it - in fact I laugh about it. On my last trip to DL in 2019, I brought a friend who had never been (but knew WDW well). Anyway, we were pretty amused when we went into the Main Street Cinema and found what was basically a campsite for teens. They were laying on the platform in the center and hanging clothes over the railings. We called them the "Vagabond Children of Main Street USA." I mean, if they had had a pot of chili hanging over an open fire with a boot sticking out of it, it would have felt about right. It seemed weird, and it seemed like the kind of thing that just wouldn't happen at WDW. Obviously they would go in there to cool off and hang out - there were no CMs or anything so whatever. I mean, it wasn't a big deal to me and it led to endless jokes and amusement, but I can also see where it does bring down the atmosphere a bit to a more "Six Flags" level, and that's not necessarily ideal.

 

[Bigmace]

I don't think that's the discussion we are having. We are talking about locals who used the parks solely as a "hang out" spot. Disney clearly wants to weed those guests out. They have basically flat out said that during their earnings calls.

I also think the notion that "I am a local ap holder and I spend thousands at disneyland every month and so does every other local AP holder" is silly. Most people are not like us, they don't participate in a disney forum, they don't check the disney park blog for the latest news, they don't watch disney vloggers, etc. A lot of local APs probably just pop into the park with their friends to hang out for a few hours and leave without buying anything.

 

[WonkaKid]

I love how the email says “all the details” will be revealed tomorrow.

It feels like it should always be written “all the details*” (with an asterisk, if that isn’t clear).

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I also think the notion that "I am a local ap holder and I spend thousands at disneyland every month and so does every other local AP holder" is silly. Most people are not like us, they don't participate in a disney forum, they don't check the disney park blog for the latest news, they don't watch disney vloggers, etc. A lot of local APs probably just pop into the park with their friends to hang out for a few hours and leave without buying anything.

That's... not what I said? "And of course, there are "locals" who never spend money beyond their passes and "tourists" who come and drop $$$. There's simply no blanket description that applies to the spending of either category."

Some local APs spent a lot. Some did not. Some tourists (whether AP holders or not) spent a lot. Some did not. Again, there is not really a point in trying to generalize who an "AP" was and what their park habits and spending were, same as with generalizing "tourists."

Anyway.

 

[DisSurfer878]

It's not what *I* want, it's what DISNEY wants. They want people with deep pockets who are going to come for the rides but ALSO spend $$$.

Just want to emphasis this. My CM friends tell me they've received more requests for VIP Tours than ever without fast passes available. Maybe not necessarily more people actually buying it (though I have seen a lot more recently than ever) but THAT'S the draw Disney wants.

 

[WonkaKid]

Is there any indication of where the announcement will be made (i.e., Disney Park Blog, website, etc.)?

According to the story on ABC 7, the announcement will be made on the Disney Parks Blog.

 

[Bigmace]

That's... not what I said? "And of course, there are "locals" who never spend money beyond their passes and "tourists" who come and drop $$$. There's simply no blanket description that applies to the spending of either category."

Some local APs spent a lot. Some did not. Some tourists (whether AP holders or not) spent a lot. Some did not. Again, there is not really a point in trying to generalize who an "AP" was and what their park habits and spending were, same as with generalizing "tourists."

Anyway.

I was merely stating that there is a notion on these boards and the DIS youtube channel that all AP holders drop a ton of money at the parks.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Is there any indication of where the announcement will be made (i.e., Disney Park Blog, website, etc.)?

Given that this is specific to legacy pass holders and they emailed yesterday, I feel like it will be emailed to them first or on any legacy pass holder social media accounts.

 

[AndrewC]

I know this idea has been floated before… but per ride paid fast pass…

It’s your magic key to faster access… $12 and you jump the line with your magic key…

Oh boy I hope that isn’t what this is. If I average ~10 big attractions a day that I previously would have used MaxPass on and they average $10 per line jump my daily park “entry fee” is basically $100 more. I hate lines so I probably would do it constantly which would be so painful on the wallet…

 

[DLgal]

Given that this is specific to legacy pass holders and they emailed yesterday, I feel like it will be emailed to them first or on any legacy pass holder social media accounts.

Yeah, the email said "stay tuned" and had links to Facebook and Twitter and clicking them took you to the Legacy Passholder accounts for both of those. I imagine the announcement will be made there.