No longer selling discounted tickets after 9/15 - Why?

[kirstie101]

I guess I'll be buying our November tickets by 9/15 through my credit union!

 

[hsmamato2]

Wonder if that means places like Last Minute Travel will no longer sell discounted tix either?

I wonder too!

 

[GatorChris]

Except Fantasmic has not been discontinued, it's dark while they work on Rivers of America. PtN and DF were both designed only for the 60th, which they actually extended for an additional 6 months. At no point did Disney say those were going to remain forever. It was all hopes and dreams that they wouldn't go away after the 60th.

No one is saying Disney is going back on their "word". What I am saying is Disney has jacked up ticket prices and reduced offerings. Especially for the 8 months of Sept through May. That can't be disputed. <edited>

Attendance was down 4% in last weeks quarterly report. With the way they have been running things, the decline will continue.

I will agree with this. I bought my extremely pricey APs before the announcement of ToT going down, PtN going dark for a while, and fireworks being turned into a minor league ball club Saturday show. Had I known all this, I probably would've spent the extra cash for an extended trip to WDW. I'm hoping they at least have Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks for my Nov trip. And if I'm really lucky, a showing or two of PtN???? Fingers crossed.

 

[Donathius]

I noticed that at my work as well. We had a discounted ticket deal with a private link in our employee web portal. It disappeared in the last week or two.

 

[jammyjam25]

I wonder if this will effect Gay Days and Dapper Days discount ticket pricing too, or if that is a separate issue since they're looked at by Disney as unofficial conventions?

 

[wildflower329]

Just talked with the person at our company in charge of those types of benefits. She hadn't heard about Disney getting rid of this, but was glad I asked because she called to confirm with Disney and they are getting rid of corporate discounts for all companies as of 9/15. Guess I will be buying our tickets before 9/15!

 

[tarheelalum]

Disneyland still is offering discounted tickets at Albertsons grocery store where I live in San Diego. I think it says on the back of the card they are good until December 2017. I don't know how much of a discount they are but the look cheaper than regular prices.

 

[disland7]

Attendance was down 4% in last weeks quarterly report. With the way they have been running things, the decline will continue.

I think that's kind of the point. They raise prices to make the same kind of money with less people going. Tons of people complain about the crowd levels at Disneyland and let's face it - the park wasn't built for the crowd levels they've had. And hey if more people are willing to pay and crowd levels remain then Disney makes more and they'll have to come up with more ideas to spread the crowds.
Sure I have disappointment that things that I love are going away or under refurbishment, but that's to be expected as they come up with new attractions and likely prepare awesome things for the next anniversary or celebration. I don't think Disney is running anything into the ground. Am I bummed that prices keep going up? Absolutely. But I love taking my kids and as of yet I'll keep going on my annual visits. But I hope less people feel that way so that Disney doesn't feel they need to keep raising the rates. I'm sure I have a limit (I know DH does ) but I sure hope not to reach it.

 

[Angrose]

I wonder if this will effect Gay Days and Dapper Days discount ticket pricing too, or if that is a separate issue since they're looked at by Disney as unofficial conventions?

I don't these tickets will be effected. It specifically says on the Gay Days ticket site that you have until 9/29 to purchase, BUT prices are subject to change without notice.

 

[ddwlms]

Disneyland still is offering discounted tickets at Albertsons grocery store where I live in San Diego. I think it says on the back of the card they are good until December 2017. I don't know how much of a discount they are but the look cheaper than regular prices.

Have you tried to purchase them? Just asking, because when I tried to purchase the cheaper ones at Safeway, the store couldn't activate them. The store didn't know why they weren't good anymore, but DL had already raised their prices.

 

[Jaina]

I get them at a discount through my alumni association. Wondering if if I should make sure to purchase by then...

 

[T0rrent]

No one is saying Disney is going back on their "word". What I am saying is Disney has jacked up ticket prices and reduced offerings. Especially for the 8 months of Sept through May. That can't be disputed. <edited>

I will agree with this. I bought my extremely pricey APs before the announcement of ToT going down, PtN going dark for a while, and fireworks being turned into a minor league ball club Saturday show. Had I known all this, I probably would've spent the extra cash for an extended trip to WDW. I'm hoping they at least have Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks for my Nov trip. And if I'm really lucky, a showing or two of PtN???? Fingers crossed.

<edited>

As is, everything entertainment wise has jacked up ticket prices over the past several years. People got ridiculously spoiled with all the deep discounts after 9-11 due to the tourism crash. Disney, to their credit agreed to a proposal to spend 2 billion dollars in the next few years for improvements to avoid us having to pay a sales tax on tickets. I'm not sure what Anaheim/Orange Counties sales tax is, but up here it's between 9.5 & 10% in the bay area, so that proposal is saving a chunk of money, so of course Disney is going to want to recoup their costs any way they can. Especially when they have to answer to share holders.

As for the taking away things, They are changing one parade out for another, and going with a shorter fireworks show that was the same while they made changes to the castle for the 60th. Rumor has it the Fireworks were going to have to be changed due to the implementation of SWL. Disney's corporate has also always used Disneyland as a way to recover costs at other parks. Have overruns due to magic bands at WDW, cut things at Disneyland. Need to recoup overruns for Shanghai Disney, cut things at Disneyland.

Honestly, anyone who assumed the 60th and it's offerings were going to be open ended were fool hardy. When we bought our AP's for this year in June, we knew there was the possibility of the 60th ending, and with it possibly the end of the fireworks and PtN. Did we hope that at least the parade would stay? Yes, but we knew nothing was guaranteed.<edited>

 

[gwl99]

does anyone know how long the discounted tickets are good for? say we buy them before 9/15 are they still good next april/2017. like tickets bought from lastminutetravel.com

 

[T0rrent]

does anyone know how long the discounted tickets are good for? say we buy them before 9/15 are they still good next april/2017. like tickets bought from lastminutetravel.com

Typically first use has to be by December 31st. I checked my works site (government job so we get a discount straight through Disney, not a third party site) and they are showing as available and a use by December 31st.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I asked Recreation Connection and CTA since I needed to get the password for them anyway. They have also been notified that Disneyland is discontinuing discounted tickets as of September 15. I may buy tickets for a random trip before they shut it down just to have them.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, the Theme/Amusement park business in general (and other related travel locations) are more focused on a few things. The first is Demand Pricing, very similar to what Hotels/Motels and Airlines do. Offer lower pricing on slower days to keep capacity up, and raise them when demand is high and they know they will get to their capacity goal. A generic discount ticket doesn't work with that.

Another issue is cutting out the middle man. Southwest Airlines has done that for a very long time. They don't pay a commission and keep all the profit involved.

And this not just Disney, but places like Universal has gone to Demand pricing, and places like Knott's/Cedar Fair, Six Flags and SeaWorld offer the lowest prices on tickets bought on their own websites with advance purchase.

So it just a sign of the times, and changing with the industry.

Look at Uber/Lyft and their surge pricing as a good example.

Will some discounts remain? More than likely yes, but will be a special "code" you are given, similar to say Rental Car programs, where you book directly with the company, but if you meet certain requirements (such as picking a slower day) you will receive a higher discount.

 

[tarheelalum]

Have you tried to purchase them? Just asking, because when I tried to purchase the cheaper ones at Safeway, the store couldn't activate them. The store didn't know why they weren't good anymore, but DL had already raised their prices.

No I haven't tried. But I'd expect they work. The nearby Albertsons is pretty good about removing cards when they are no longer valid. But I can't really say. The discount is not huge but better than gate prices for sure.

 

[Mickatie]

does anyone know how long the discounted tickets are good for? say we buy them before 9/15 are they still good next april/2017. like tickets bought from lastminutetravel.com

I bought mine through Sam's Club/Last Minute Travel on Tuesday and received the eTickets today. The date on the tickets says "valid through January 13, 2018." (I would have thought 2017, so was pleasantly surprised.)

 

[ttig34]

I bought mine through Sam's Club/Last Minute Travel on Tuesday and received the eTickets today. The date on the tickets says "valid through January 13, 2018." (I would have thought 2017, so was pleasantly surprised.)

Do Last Minute Travel tickets have names on them? Just checking because if we buy tix and then are unable to go, wondering if we could just give them to friends or family, or are names printed on them?

 

[Mickatie]

Do Last Minute Travel tickets have names on them? Just checking because if we buy tix and then are unable to go, wondering if we could just give them to friends or family, or are names printed on them?

No. There are no names on the tickets. Just specifies number of days purchased, park hopper and adult or child. Hope that helps!