Magical ? Not so much.

[Angel Ariel]

Oh my apologies. You're right. Sorry, on Stubhub, the tickets for a Jan 5t Bruin game start at $78. Capitals vs. Rangers starts at $128. Eagles vs. Giants starts at $147, Justin Bieber for $98. You're right, much, MUCH cheaper than a day at Disney! I can however see a Mets vs Braves spring training game starting at $40 though. So, based on that, yes, that makes my (and the other persons) point that Disney is fairly equal in price to many other events, completely invalid.

No one's doubting what you're saying for your area.

My metropolitan area's prices are much different than that. I can get NFL tickets for this weekend's game for $49 on stub hub. On the NHL's official ticketmaster reselling option, I can get NHL tickets for next week for $42. I also live in a (slightly) smaller market than NYC and Boston (though not a "small" market either).. When talking about NFL/NHL ticket prices, the size of the market matters a *great* deal. Tickets in big markets like NYC and Boston are going to cost more than tickets in smaller markets.

I see groupons for our area for $15 concert tickets, like the ones we got for Idina Menzel, for a variety of well known names more than a couple times a year.

I'm not saying there are no expensive teams/games/etc. There are, certainly! But there are also tons of options that are 1/2 as much as a Disney 1 day, one park ticket also.

 

[TiffanyA]

There are a percentage of FPs reserved for same day guests. This is outside of the 'sold out' for those who book in advance. I'm not going to say how much the percentage is, just that it is fairly substantial. It is more fair than you might think.

I really want to know more about this. I have a hard time believing disboards doesn't already know about it.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I really want to know more about this. I have a hard time believing disboards doesn't already know about it.

It's a rumor that's been around for a while. While not refuting the PP's personal experience in the FPs she pulled, there's no way to know whether it was from a pool of fp set aside or just lucky happenstance.

I was hoping the rumor would be true on our trip, but we did not find it to pan out.

 

[agavegirl1]

Thanks OP for popping back in. Everyone does have their own experience and expectations. When expectations are not met, we adjust our decision making process. I have chosen to go less frequently and enjoy other options in Orlando and Florida. I have noticed the change in CM attitudes since 2010. I have noticed cleanliness changes since then as well. I would still use your tickets up over time. It's a prepaid asset you can use. Just wait awhile and see the new stuff when it comes. I respect everyone's observations and experiences and it all helps in planning. This forum was the right place for your observations and you made it clear that was exactly what it was.

 

[mshanson3121]

No one's doubting what you're saying for your area.

My metropolitan area's prices are much different than that. I can get NFL tickets for this weekend's game for $49 on stub hub. On the NHL's official ticketmaster reselling option, I can get NHL tickets for next week for $42. I also live in a (slightly) smaller market than NYC and Boston (though not a "small" market either).. When talking about NFL/NHL ticket prices, the size of the market matters a *great* deal. Tickets in big markets like NYC and Boston are going to cost more than tickets in smaller markets.

I see groupons for our area for $15 concert tickets, like the ones we got for Idina Menzel, for a variety of well known names more than a couple times a year.

I'm not saying there are no expensive teams/games/etc. There are, certainly! But there are also tons of options that are 1/2 as much as a Disney 1 day, one park ticket also.

I agree. I guess to me, for him to say my post was misleading because there are oodles of cheap entertainment, was in fact, equally misleading. Because there are many cases where Disney is no more expensive (or cheaper) than other things people do. That was the whole point - that Disney is actually, not really outpriced when you compare it to other parks (etc) when you look at the quality, service and what you get. Though, I along with many others, still wish it were cheaper. Entertainment in general is getting expensive.

Coincidentally enough, Stub Hub is actually more expensive than buying direct from the Venue for Bruce Springsteen... that said, venue is sold out *sigh* No Bruce for us...

 

[Magpie]

Thanks OP for popping back in. Everyone does have their own experience and expectations. When expectations are not met, we adjust our decision making process. I have chosen to go less frequently and enjoy other options in Orlando and Florida. I have noticed the change in CM attitudes since 2010. I have noticed cleanliness changes since then as well. I would still use your tickets up over time. It's a prepaid asset you can use. Just wait awhile and see the new stuff when it comes. I respect everyone's observations and experiences and it all helps in planning. This forum was the right place for your observations and you made it clear that was exactly what it was.

Except maybe, when the time comes, the OP might want to research how to see that new stuff with the least amount of hassle. Because it's all going to be crazy-popular. Stroll up to the new Frozen ride at midday, six weeks after opening, and you're likely to have a bad time. Ditto the new Soarin' film, the new Star Wars area, the new Toy Story area, the new night time spectacular at Animal Kingdom, Avatar-land, the night safari...

Popularity definitely has its downsides.

 

[agavegirl1]

Except maybe, when the time comes, the OP might want to research how to see that new stuff with the least amount of hassle. Because it's all going to be crazy-popular. Stroll up to the new Frozen ride at midday, six weeks after opening, and you're likely to have a bad time. Ditto the new Soarin' film, the new Star Wars area, the new Toy Story area, the new night time spectacular at Animal Kingdom, Avatar-land, the night safari...

Popularity definitely has its downsides.

Oh, I think that advice was implied by the numerous post about "planning".

 

[Angel Ariel]

Except maybe, when the time comes, the OP might want to research how to see that new stuff with the least amount of hassle

The OP already stated they plan on doing just that

as I have mentioned, I will research the heck out of my next visit.

 

[Disneyholic]

OP here. A few points I feel compelled to mention:

* While I have been a member of this board for close to 10 years now, and have over 180 posts, my post this morning was the first time I have been on this section of the board in quite some time. The only part of the site I visit on a regular basis is the Budget Board.

* I don't consider myself a Disney newbie, but I am nowhere near as informed as many of you. I don't feel the need to be, as I just don't visit the parks that often anymore. I have other hobbies that I am much more informed about; Disney just is not one of them.

* At no time did any cast member explain the new FP procedure. Not when they exchanged our paper passes for plastic cards at the ticket window, and not when we had to track down the FP "kiosks" which, by the way, are CM's with iPads - not my definition of a kiosk. I was not given an info "sheet" that explained the new way that the FP's are doled out. I have the park map from my visit, and it does [again in my opinion] a poor job of explaining the FP procedures that have changed since my last visit. An informed guest makes for a happier guest, and, as I have mentioned, I will research the heck out of my next visit.

* I very much enjoyed my vacation, thank you very much. We spent 4 days near Tampa at my brothers and then 3 days in Orlando. We had a great time ! I was just trying to point out what had changed at MK - in my opinion for the worse - since my last visit there. MK was only 1 day out of my 7 days trip. We still think that Philharmonic, POTC, Haunted, and COP are fantastic experiences that everyone enjoys. The point I was trying to make, that will hopefully help a newbie who reads this, is that SINCE MY LAST VISIT the park appeared to us to be way more crowded, dirtier, had less CM's and CM's that were not as helpful with information as they have been in the past. The food prices had increased as well. In my humble opinion, a Diet Coke and hot dog should not cost over $11 bucks anywhere. And since this is the USA, and I am over 50, I am allowed to complain about it ! =)

* I have no problem paying for entertainment. The day we arrived back in VA from FL, I bought 2 seats at Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix to see Springsteen on 3.10.16. With the Ticketmaster fees, those 2 seats came to $352 and change. But I can rest assured that for the concert I will have my own uncrowded seat with a great view and sound. I would not of purchased the tickets if they had been a partial view or I knew the sound was not going to be ideal.

I think we can put this thread to bed folks.

I'm over 60 and when someone says over and out they don't keep responding to a thread.

I have been going to Disney World since 1999. Some years once, some 2 to 3 times a year. We bought 10 day non-expiring tickets that we used over 4 trips. The price of each ticket was $500 which averages out to $50/day not $105. The only way that it is $105/day is if you buy 1 day tickets every time you go. Disney front loads the price of the tickets and the price per day goes down the more days you go. They, of course, want you to come and stay longer than a day and so, reduce the price for additional days.

We have gone to concerts that cost $100/person and up, but the concert only lasts 2 hours. A day at Disney World lasts a lot longer than that.

I guess I have been drinking the Disney Kool-Aid, too, since we bought into DVC in 2012. It is just me, 62, and my DH who is 71 for most trips although we did use some of our points to send our Son & Daughter-in-law on a 9 night Honeymoon in September into October of this year. We will probably be long gone by the time our DVC expires, but DH asked me before we bought how long we were going to be going. I said, until we can't anymore. We enjoy Disney World differently now than we did when we first started going. We still have just as much fun, just in a more relaxed sort of way.

I have had more trouble with entitled guests than I ever have had with a CM. Usually if a CM is rude it has been caused by someone acting out to them that you didn't see happening. Believe me, I have seen rude & entitled guests belittling CMs to the point that if had been me being yelled at I probably would have had to walk away crying. If I see such rude behavior I end up apologizing for the other persons rudeness and that usually puts the CM in a much better mood.

As others have said about the prices of food, if you don't like the prices you are free to bring your own food in with you or go offsite to eat. I don't know any sport or entertainment venues in my area that they would allow that.

 

[TiffanyA]

I'm over 60 and when someone says over and out they don't keep responding to a thread.

I have been going to Disney World since 1999. Some years once, some 2 to 3 times a year. We bought 10 day non-expiring tickets that we used over 4 trips. The price of each ticket was $500 which averages out to $50/day not $105. The only way that it is $105/day is if you buy 1 day tickets every time you go. Disney front loads the price of the tickets and the price per day goes down the more days you go. They, of course, want you to come and stay longer than a day and so, reduce the price for additional days.

I thought he was saying that the current price is $105, so a real spur of the moment visitor (without tickets), would pay that. I'm sure his per visit price is much less, but his point was Disney has priced it at $105 and a guest paying that price should expect more, in his opinion.

I really wish they hadn't done away with non-expiring tickets

 

[TowMater92]

My wife and I purchased a no expire 8 day pass [1 park per day] about 12 years ago, and have always enjoyed all 4 of the parks.
We visit Disney every year to 18 months, and usually see and experience one park per visit.
We have family near Tampa, and also enjoy many other Orlando area attractions, so we always stay off site. [We have stayed at the same Holiday Inn Express on IDrive for many year, but on this most recent trip we found a great IHG property place with an amazing heated pool in Lake Buena Vista.]
Our last visit before this most recent visit consisted of 3 of the 4 parks over 5 days in 2011 with a daughter and granddaughter.
We visited MK last Wednesday 12.09.15.
Wow, things have changed !
It's not so magical anymore.
Please note that the observations, opinions, and information I am relating are my own personal experiences.

* Within 30 minutes of entering the park, I remarked to my wife that MK is dirtier. My wife agreed. We saw cigarette butts, discarded food, trash, and empty soda & water bottles all over MK.

* MK to me appeared to be "oversold". It was jam packed on a weekday when kids in the US are [I think] in school. It's now $105 per person per day, and maybe it's just me, but I don't think you should have to wait more then 30 minutes a for ANY ride or attraction if you are paying that type of admission price. There were literally times when we found ourselves in a crowd of people with no way to move 3 feet in either direction.

* We both felt as though the cast members were less friendly and less willing to be helpful. We also thought that there were less cast members working

* The current Fast Pass system is new since our last visit, and no one at the park could really explain it well. The most frustrating part of this new system is that you have to go - not to the attraction you want to visit - but to what appeared to be almost hidden on purpose areas in the park to get your 3 FP's. Would it not make more sense to get the FP like we used to - at the attraction ? In addition, the new system also seems to make you need to stay in the park longer than you may want to. We got our 3 each attractions Fast Passed at about 11am. We received times of: 230-330 for Haunted Mansion, 445-530 for Big Thunder, and then 545-630 for Pirates. So, it was a wait of 6 hours and 65 minutes to see Pirates !! Huh ?

* I always make sure to enjoy a full breakfast before heading to a park, but I know that I will need to have at least lunch and some snacks while in the park. The prices in the park are laughably high, and are for average or below average quality products. I used to be a vendor to Disney, and can tell you from experience that they squeeze vendors on price ALL THE TIME. They are making a obscene profit margin on the food and beverage, and yes, this is America, and you are allowed to charge whatever you feel folks will pay. But, but if prices were 10-20% lower, I'm sure they would have a lot more folks eating there, and therefore staying longer, and presumably spending more.

In closing I will say this: if there was a way that I could sell my remaining 3 days on the 2 passes I have, I would in a heartbeat. There are just too many other fun things to do while on vacation in and around Orlando !

An 8 day ticket is $43.13 per day and 12 years ago they would be even cheaper, that doesn't include non-expiring(since that option is gone) but I would still bet it was cheaper per day even with that added on when you bought them 12 years ago. The $105 is for a single day ticket, the more days your ticket has the cheaper it gets. I do agree with some of your points though I don't like FP+, cast members aren't as helpful sometimes and the parks are more crowded. You aren't understanding FP+ the times you're given are your return times like the old FP's you just get three of them now, after you use those 3 you can get more but only 1 at a time. The food prices haven't really changed much they've always been high.

 

[PetePanMan]

8 day non-expiry park passes purchased 12 years ago with 3 days still left - sounds like a great long term investment

 

[leebee]

I got TSMM on Sunday morning for that afternoon, this was with all the high crowds this weekend, and it was more than one FP. A few weeks ago, we were at AK and around 4pm, decided to see what was available for the next few hours from the phone, and got 7DMT, SM and BTMRR. I do it all the time if I can't get what I want in advance. I easily pick up Soarin or TT. But I honestly don't really care if you doubt me or not. I'm just trying to let OP and others know that when they come to the window that morning and don't know about FP+, they still have a shot at some...especially if they get on it...

I am confused by this. How did you get multiple TSMM FP+ on a Sunday morning? TSMM is a tiered ride; you can only choose one level 1 ride, and you can't get another FP+ until you use all 3 originally scheduled, so how did you do this? Maybe I am not understanding what you are trying to say? Also... on your AK day... did you not use any FP+ at AK? I thought you had to be at the 2nd park to be able to schedule FP+, unless you were saving all your FP+ for the second park. Is this still true/not true? Like I said... I'm confused.

 

[smitch425]

I am confused by this. How did you get multiple TSMM FP+ on a Sunday morning? TSMM is a tiered ride; you can only choose one level 1 ride, and you can't get another FP+ until you use all 3 originally scheduled, so how did you do this? Maybe I am not understanding what you are trying to say? Also... on your AK day... did you not use any FP+ at AK? I thought you had to be at the 2nd park to be able to schedule FP+, unless you were saving all your FP+ for the second park. Is this still true/not true? Like I said... I'm confused.

They meant that they were not searching for a single TSM FP, they got the TSM FPs for more than one person.

I honestly thought it was common knowledge on the board that same day FPs often dropped in the wee hours of the morning. Guess not. Lol! They used to do so, but I haven't read up on it lately.

 

[mom2rtk]

They meant that they were not searching for a single TSM FP, they got the TSM FPs for more than one person.

I honestly thought it was common knowledge on the board that same day FPs often dropped in the wee hours of the morning. Guess not. Lol! They used to do so, but I haven't read up on it lately.

If that was ever confirmed, I must have slept through it. I've been watching for credible reports of additional batches of FPs being released. All I've seen in all this time were extras added at a random time when capacity was added through more staffing (A/E?) or extra park hours. But a routine hold-back for day of release? I'm still thinking urban legend.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I honestly thought it was common knowledge on the board that same day FPs often dropped in the wee hours of the morning. Guess not. Lol! They used to do so, but I haven't read up on it lately.

They didn't during our trip in Nov 2014..not on the mornings we checked, anyway

 

[Disneyholic]

I thought he was saying that the current price is $105, so a real spur of the moment visitor (without tickets), would pay that. I'm sure his per visit price is much less, but his point was Disney has priced it at $105 and a guest paying that price should expect more, in his opinion.

I really wish they hadn't done away with non-expiring tickets

If people live close enough for spur of the moment, 1 day of parks, it may be better for them to buy APs. Florida residents even get discounts on APs and they can pay them on a payment plan.

If someone only wants to do 1 day at WDW and pay for a 1 day ticket that is their prerogative. We went to Universal 1 year and bought a 2 day ticket. Yes, it was expensive, but DH wanted to see Harry Potter. We had APs for WDW, but went up to US for 2 days of our trip. Will we do that again? Probably not. Not really liking US as much. The other part of HP wasn't opened when we went, but I just can't see buying tickets to just see that. The rest of the park leaves a lot to be desired as far as I am concerned. I am not into roller coasters and thrill rides anymore.

I liked the NE tickets, too, and was disappointed when they were discontinued, but the price had gone up too much by that time anyway.

 

[sunflare]

* At no time did any cast member explain the new FP procedure. Not when they exchanged our paper passes for plastic cards at the ticket window, and not when we had to track down the FP "kiosks" which, by the way, are CM's with iPads - not my definition of a kiosk.

I'm just curious...were you at the locations for the kiosks as marked on the maps? Every kiosk I visited in November (in every park) was an actual physical stand - the screen alone was probably 16-20 inches, and stood about waist high. CMs with iPads are only deployed when crowd levels are high, from what I understand, to supplement the physical kiosks.

 

[Bullseye]

Boston Bruins START at $110.

Yikes! Who would pay $110 to see the Bruins?

 

[Bullseye]

I don't doubt you have done what you said. But there's no way to know if they hold back for day of or if you caught what someone else released when they changed parks for the day.

I just happen to believe that it would be replicated (and reported here) many times over if Disney was holding back anything of note to distribute day of.

YMMV.

People get good FP's the day of all the time, but yes I also believe that's just from other guests canceling, give and take, being in the system when something opens up.