New survey .. proposal .. Tiered Ticket Prices

[Ariel Wanna-be]

There is very little hope for us that like to manipulate the low crowd environment and maximize fun. Disney is at war with those of us with that strategy! And the Disney Brass are winning.

So true! I'm picturing the Disney bean-counters as the Dragon in Fantasmic, and us as Sorcerer Mickey. But I don't think we'll get the same ending.

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[atricks]

Judging by the odd way the press has jumped on the story lately, and poking around at various folks locally in Orlando, this scheme (maybe not exactly as laid out in the survey, but close) may be coming MUCH sooner (as in next month or July) than I thought -- all very much rumor. This new system may just be for Disneyland or Orlando, or possibly both. And yes it will be the biggest single Disney ticket price increase in history. (Although very much masked by the tiers )

If it does happen, tickets bought before the changeover would be honored, and non-expiring tickets that still exist would still be honored, anything brand new after that day would be on this new craziness. The marketing speak term for it is "surge pricing", and would being sold as a way to protect you from the crowds. (Ala hoping your mind would link it to protection from "storm surge" flooding-- or other bad types of surges) Of course, all it does is spread them out so that more days would be at insane level, and gold days will still be busy regardless (it's when people actually have time off).

Most likely it'll happen at Disneyland first as a way to attempt to "control" 60th anniversary crowds.

 

[bcrook]

Judging by the odd way the press has jumped on the story lately, and poking around at various folks locally in Orlando, this scheme (maybe not exactly as laid out in the survey, but close) may be coming MUCH sooner (as in next month or July) than I thought -- all very much rumor. This new system may just be for Disneyland or Orlando, or possibly both. And yes it will be the biggest single price increase in history. (Although very much masked by the tiers )

If it does happen, tickets bought before the changeover would be honored, and non-expiring tickets that still exist would still be honored, anything brand new after that day would be on this new craziness. The marketing speak term for it is "surge pricing", and would being sold as a way to protect you from the crowds. (Ala hoping your mind would link it to protection from "storm surge" flooding-- or other bad types of surges)

I'm going to Disneyland next week, and still haven't bought my tickets. Maybe I should today!

I definitely waited too long to buy my Annual Passes for WDW, got burned there pretty good. I don't want a repeat.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I never knew so many people didn't understand the concept of Supply and Demand. If the price goes up a little, fewer people will attend. Disney will make the same money from fewer people. This means they can maintain the same level of staffing , and the level of service will be slightly better. And, the line for the rides will be 45 minutes instead of 55 minutes!

I think everyone understands the concept of supply and demand. Its just that with Disney, that concept does not seem to apply. The prices continue to increase, but every time we go there are more and more shiny happy people in the parks. AND service does not get "slightly better," it does the opposite. AND the wait times don't decrease, they increase.

The "magic factor" of the early 2000's was noticeably (and exponentially) higher than the magic factor of today...and it's that magic factor that has made us spend thousands of dollars on annual Disney vacations/cruises.

I'm willing to pay a higher price for significantly lower crowds and a more enjoyable experience. But I don't think this tiered-pricing silliness is designed to do that.

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[ArwenMarie]

I don't think this is about leveling crowds out. I think the goal is to have medium-high crowds every day of the year.

I think this is just a money grab, plain and simple. They want to do a massive price increase on the tickets and the time is now and they are going for it.

We are all going to be paying a lot more for tickets. I expect price hikes on APs as well as another "tier" for out-of-state APs as well.

The reason they are coming up with these tier shenanigans is to muddy the waters, so the news story isn't "Disney raises ticket prices 25%"

 

[mom2rtk]

In theory a lot of people will switch to the less crowded times, but I think that will only make room for new guests at peak times as the attendance continues to rise. The parks are rarely at capacity, so these tools will be useful to reach that capacity goal. High Crowds 365 a year!

IF the Star Wars attractions ever materialize, and Epcot gets a reboot, and the changes at DAK are popular, and the NEW DHS rebranding is done well... Attendance will continue to increase. The festivals are becoming more and more popular. There is very little hope for us that like to manipulate the low crowd environment and maximize fun. Disney is at war with those of us with that strategy! And the Disney Brass are winning.

Spot on as always.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

I don't think this is about leveling crowds out. I think the goal is to have medium-high crowds every day of the year.

I think this is just a money grab, plain and simple. They want to do a massive price increase on the tickets and the time is now and they are going for it.

We are all going to be paying a lot more for tickets. I expect price hikes on APs as well as another "tier" for out-of-state APs as well.

The reason they are coming up with these tier shenanigans is to muddy the waters, so the news story isn't "Disney raises ticket prices 25%"

After just coming back from WDW yesterday and seeing the price increases in food from our Dec '14 trip (under 6 months!!) I have to agree that this is the main reason.

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe Mr. Iger's golden parachute needs another layer of plating.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm going to Disneyland next week, and still haven't bought my tickets. Maybe I should today!

I definitely waited too long to buy my Annual Passes for WDW, got burned there pretty good. I don't want a repeat.

What's your hurry?

 

[gschon]

A "money grab" is the whole point.

I don't like big crowds, and if this continues, I'll just stop going. But, I don't blame Disney for making an honest profit. If people want to sweat, get dehydrated, eat funnel cake, and ride 3 rides in 12 hours, and pay 100 bucks to do it, let them. I'll just find a more pleasant experience, closer to home. I doubt I would travel to Florida just to stay in the 4 star Hotel and Relax.

 

[Gorechick]

I can see how this tiered system will apply to a package that includes tickets however I'm not understanding how they will apply it to a room only booking with tickets purchased separately.

 

[ArwenMarie]

What's your hurry?

I just bought mine for August. A few weeks early but decided might as well just in case.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I can see how this tiered system will apply to a package that includes tickets however I'm not understanding how they will apply it to a room only booking with tickets purchased separately.

Yeah, I can't figure out the logistics of that either.

My first thought was that this tiered pricing would only apply to packages, because they know your dates. And that they would make separately-purchased tickets all at the Gold price, able to be used any day.

If they do go this tiered route with all tickets, the only thing I can think of is that you will have to buy your tickets for certain days And then if you need to change the dates, you will be able to modify the dates online and pay the difference (or receive a refund) via your credit card in MDE. This would make sense with the "lock them in" strategy.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I can see how this tiered system will apply to a package that includes tickets however I'm not understanding how they will apply it to a room only booking with tickets purchased separately.

When you buy your tickets, you will choose a tier. The lower tier would likely have black out dates, which would be the more expensive times of year. The highest tier would likely be an "anytime" type of ticket.

 

[Gorechick]

I usually travel mid to late August which would be a combination of silver and bronze tiers. It will definitely change the way I tour and spend my money in the parks if I only pay for the bronze tier and go those days.

 

[Disneyliscious]

A "money grab" is the whole point.

This.

Raising ticket prices $10-$20 means a difference of $40-$80 for a family of 4. Thats not enough to get most people to change their vacation times. If you don't pull your kids out of school in the Fall now to go to DW, another $40 to $80 isnt going to change your mind. The reason summer is so crowded is because thats when kids are out of school. No other reason. Many schools dont have Fall breaks. Some have very short Spring breaks. Parents have to use the summer months to take a vacation unless they want to pull their kids out of school for the most part.

With the ease of social media and internet, the families who weren't thinking about going to DW in Oct during their kids Fall break back in 2000 are already doing that now (thus the increase in October crowds from even 5 years ago). People already know the "low crowd" times and go if they can. This tier pricing really isnt going to change that I don't think.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Tiered pricing is the first step in eliminating future discounts ( as we have come to know them ). Disney no longer needs free dining and room discounts to fill their hotels and parks. This last attempt at free dining should have been an indication of what is to come. It was a half hearted effort at best and they would not have done it at all if they would have been willing to accept the bad press that they would have received.

Everytime there has been a price hike, you get the contingency of people who will say, "that's it, never going back". It happens every time they increase prices. Yet, attendance and profit continue to rise. Most people are not serious about never going back, especially the hard core Disney fans. Disney knows they will return, pay the higher prices and maybe not like it but most will be back.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Tiered pricing is the first step in eliminating future discounts ( as we have come to know them ). Disney no longer needs free dining and room discounts to fill their hotels and parks. This last attempt at free dining should have been an indication of what is to come. It was a half hearted effort at best and they would not have done it at all if they would have been willing to accept the bad press that they would have received.

Everytime there has been a price hike, you get the contingency of people who will say, "that's it, never going back". It happens every time they increase prices. Yet, attendance and profit continue to rise. Most people are not serious about never going back, especially the hard core Disney fans. Disney knows they will return, pay the higher prices and maybe not like it but most will be back.

I agree I think this will help put the final nail in the coffin for Free Dining and room discounts. I could see more "Stay Play Dine" type discounts instead using the new structure and advertising "discounted" tickets.

 

[Jennasis]

Tickets should be loss leaders. Get people in the parks and then soak em for food, beverages and souvenirs, special parties etc.

 

[bcrook]

I agree I think this will help put the final nail in the coffin for Free Dining and room discounts. I could see more "Stay Play Dine" type discounts instead using the new structure and advertising "discounted" tickets.

"discounted tickets" - that model works well in a lot of other places.
Plus they just spent more than a decade locking in all the DVC people (me!); we pretty much have to return (or sell to someone else who will need to return).

I wonder if the lower tier pricing will match up with lowest points total for rooms. It would make sense, but I don't really know that they overlap for sure.

Do you think ticket sales outside of Disney will continue to be robust? I already see the advantage to going online, picking your days, picking your fastpasses, and then seeing the cost show up on the Disney Website. I could adjust until I got the days and prices I felt worked, and then ask for the days off work.
I do think Disney would love to see everyone go that direction.

I do think it would be easy for people buying separate tickets to get upcharged or credited to to their account based on the day that they scan their magic bands and enter the park.