Podcast Rant about Dis Prices

[Bell30012]

I really want to thank the crew for the rant on the last Round Table Discussion. I agree almost totally with the opinion that Disney isn't doing what it should to keep its parks filled. No matter what is happening with the economy, competition, etc... Disney keeps raising prices. Not a great business model for success.

My DD6 and I consider ourselves to be loyal Disney fans. We make the pilgrimage every year. When the competitor down the street starts advertising a week for the same price as a one day WDW park hopper pass it makes me wonder why we are still shelling out the big bucks for WDW tickets each and every year. I evaluated the AP option and I don't believe the AP is a good option for us one of the main reasons being a lack of perks.

That all being said... After the podcast I started looking at my budget, my daughter's school calendar and that February deal is finally the kind of deal that will make me bite. Thanks Podcast Crew for keeping me up-to-date and telling us all about the specials!

 

[macman752]

I listened to Pete's comments as I drove to Orlando yesterday (Sunday 11/16). I arrived at the MK around 11:30 a.m.

How bad was attendance? At the time I arrived the cars were still being directed to the Minnie lot. That lot is so close to the TTC that most people walk rather than take the tram.

I rode the ferry to the Main gate. There might have been 30 people on the boat with me. Main street not crowded at all. In less than an hour I rode SM, HM x 2 and POTC. Every ride was a walk on.

I've been going to the World for a long time and I've never seen such a light MK crowd at this time of year.

Pete is correct. Disney needs to do something to keep AP holders and other high affinity customers coming back and spending money. Things will get ugly if the resorts and the theme park parking lots are empty.

 

[MM32830]

Does Disney really make lots of money on AP holders? Many AP holders are local and won't stay in Disney hotels. They go to the parks for the day and then go home. I know. I'm one of them. Yes, I eat in the parks but I get a discount (at some places) for doing so.

And even if those AP holders are not local enough to go home every day and have to stay in Disney hotels, they have many opportunities to stay in those hotels at a discounted rate.

I'm not saying Disney should ignore AP holders. Yes, we've been getting less and less at every renewal (Pleasure Island, anyone?), but still I renew mine (coming up next month) and I still buy the premium AP.

Maybe I see things a little different. When you have an AP, you get to go to the parks for about $1.00 per day. What a discount!



______________
Armand

 

[Bell30012]

Just a thought from someone in management.... Wouldn't Disney be better served and sell more AP's if the AP price for non-Florida residents was cheaper than the for Florida residents? The fact is that the Floridians will use their AP's far more than someone that lives in Maine, for example. It seems to me that Disney aims their discounts totally in the wrong direction on these passes.

Giving someone in Missouri a lower priced AP could cause them to vacation at WDW twice in one year rather than once, thus generating two resort stays, twice the meal purchases and more souvenirs.

Before I get totally flamed here... I think that Florida residents should get discounts but I think the AP's are aimed wrong. Just my opinion.

 

[macman752]

Does Disney really make lots of money on AP holders? Many AP holders are local and won't stay in Disney hotels. They go to the parks for the day and then go home. I know. I'm one of them. Yes, I eat in the parks but I get a discount (at some places) for doing so.

And even if those AP holders are not local enough to go home every day and have to stay in Disney hotels, they have many opportunities to stay in those hotels at a discounted rate.

I'm not saying Disney should ignore AP holders. Yes, we've been getting less and less at every renewal (Pleasure Island, anyone?), but still I renew mine (coming up next month) and I still buy the premium AP.

Maybe I see things a little different. When you have an AP, you get to go to the parks for about $1.00 per day. What a discount!



______________
Armand

If you've every attended an annual passholder special event, like the preview of Expedition Everest or Toy Story Mania, you'll realize how large the group of annual passholders is. Disney is making money on most passholders.

Not everyone is a day tripper. I'm fairly local, just 1-1/2 hours away. I'm a DVC owner so I spend about 10 nights per year on property. I also take advantage of the passholder room only discounts upping the number of times I stay on property.

As Pete indicated, when times get tough Disney needs the AP holders to keep coming to the parks. In order to assure this Disney must convince the passholder that they are getting a good deal for their money. You said it best, we continue to get less and every renewal. If the trend continues more and more people will not renew.

 

[macman752]

Just a thought from someone in management.... Wouldn't Disney be better served and sell more AP's if the AP price for non-Florida residents was cheaper than the for Florida residents? The fact is that the Floridians will use their AP's far more than someone that lives in Maine, for example. It seems to me that Disney aims their discounts totally in the wrong direction on these passes.

Giving someone in Missouri a lower priced AP could cause them to vacation at WDW twice in one year rather than once, thus generating two resort stays, twice the meal purchases and more souvenirs.

Before I get totally flamed here... I think that Florida residents should get discounts but I think the AP's are aimed wrong. Just my opinion.

I don't think you'll get flamed too badly. There are lots of out of state people who get 2 trips from their annual pass (buy when they arrive then take another trip right before it expires).

Rather than a reduced price why not make the out of state AP valid for say, 14 months rather than 12?

 

[2wins]

I listened to Pete's comments as I drove to Orlando yesterday (Sunday 11/16). I arrived at the MK around 11:30 a.m.

How bad was attendance? At the time I arrived the cars were still being directed to the Minnie lot. That lot is so close to the TTC that most people walk rather than take the tram.

I rode the ferry to the Main gate. There might have been 30 people on the boat with me. Main street not crowded at all. In less than an hour I rode SM, HM x 2 and POTC. Every ride was a walk on.

I've been going to the World for a long time and I've never seen such a light MK crowd at this time of year.

Pete is correct. Disney needs to do something to keep AP holders and other high affinity customers coming back and spending money. Things will get ugly if the resorts and the theme park parking lots are empty.

We were there from 11-15 to 11-22. The entire week we walked up to every ride and never waited! Fast Pass was not necessary. The only time we saw a crowd was during the parades and fireworks. Sure we followed TGM's touring plans to avoid the crowds, but it really wasn't necessary. Yes Disney needs to do something for the AP's, but the out of state people might keep coming if they lower prices as well.