POLL: Does it happen this weekend?

[mshanson3121]

lol. For fun... what do you think... does the increase happen this weekend, or next? Or will they hold off even later? Will it be tiered? Or the limited attraction route? Will it just be a plain and simple rate increase? You can choose multiple options.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think we might be harping on this just a little too much.

And you should change the poll to say what "it" is...it's confusing

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm going for next weekend (Feb 28)

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Purchased our tickets this week and the CM at MS indicated that last February the ticket prices increased for Base and Hopper and the APs were in October. She didn't know and hadn't heard anything specific but she thought that it would happen pretty soon.

 

[soniam]

I put in the next few months and other. I think it's unfortunately going to be the limited attraction option I didn't want to jinx it by actually choosing it in the survey. I think it will take them a month to figure out how to charge us for it. I am a cynical optimist though; I hope for the best but expect the worst I think a lot of people are in de Nile that Disney would actually implement this. I think they will. It fits perfectly with magic bands and charging on the bands. Heck, they could even just charge per ride. Scan your band, pay your fee, get on the ride

 

[Planogirl]

Other areas where this is under discussion seem to feel that the increases are delayed due to the new pricing structure whatever it might be. It should be interesting to see what actually happens. I have a feeling that it won't be the last change.

 

[Ninja Mom]

All this talk about a new pricing structure has me wondering about how tickets purchased prior to the possible new tiered price structure (unused or the ancient non expiring types) are going to fare. I'm wondering if they will simply be applied, based upon date of purchase and ticket value at that time, to the new astronomical ticket prices. Is there any way even to determine the price point at which these previously bought tickets were purchased? If I had to guess, I'd go with the thought that previously bought tickets will only be valid for the lowest tier. What are your thoughts on this aspect?

I'm thinking that with the desperate financial straits that Disney is obviously in, with the huge cost over runs on Magic Bands, Shanghai, Tokyo and Disneyland Paris, that every single money grubbing, screw the guest, approach to increasing revenue will not be considered out of bounds.

Every sign that we have seen so far (IMHO) points to Disney focusing it's entire park capacity and marketing efforts on the "One and Done" "Trip of a lifetime" affluent guest. The rest of us, especially the middle class, can be damned.

Thinking back on some of the ways taking a Disney parks vacation has been (Negatively) impacted, i.e. 6 month advanced dining reservations, fast pass scheduling, all the entertainment cuts and the never ending construction, I'm about ready for a moratorium on the changes. It's not like there is anything new or major that is compelling me to be exclusive to the Disney brand. In fact I'd argue that Universal is kicking Disney's *** in the ride technology department as well as the ease of vacationing.

What I'm seeing is that Disney has been beaten at it's own game by Universal and the current leadership is doing everything they can to piss off the fan base. It won't be sustainable to market (and by virtue of these disastrous decisions, limit) the focus to the affluent, one time guest. When the economy takes yet another downturn (South America I'm looking at you) who is going to populate the parks at these prices?

Yeah sure, one day Avatar will be opened and one day Hollywood Studios will be reborn, but that day isn't today and to me these price increases and park cuts are based on absent promises. Demanding that I pay today for something that isn't available yet or, ludicrously enough, another park's financial problems is the primary reason that I am checking out of the Disney experience. There are plenty of other fish in the sea for my vacation dollars. I can't help but wonder who will be going when fewer and fewer people can afford it and more and more people wise up that a Disney Parks vacation is no longer the value or experience that it once was. This is the future and it isn't looking good is it?

~NM

 

[rteetz]

All this talk about a new pricing structure has me wondering about how tickets purchased prior to the possible new tiered price structure (unused or the ancient non expiring types) are going to fare. I'm wondering if they will simply be applied, based upon date of purchase and ticket value at that time, to the new astronomical ticket prices. Is there any way even to determine the price point at which these previously bought tickets were purchased? If I had to guess, I'd go with the thought that previously bought tickets will only be valid for the lowest tier. What are your thoughts on this aspect?

I'm thinking that with the desperate financial straits that Disney is obviously in, with the huge cost over runs on Magic Bands, Shanghai, Tokyo and Disneyland Paris, that every single money grubbing, screw the guest, approach to increasing revenue will not be considered out of bounds.

Every sign that we have seen so far (IMHO) points to Disney focusing it's entire park capacity and marketing efforts on the "One and Done" "Trip of a lifetime" affluent guest. The rest of us, especially the middle class, can be damned.

Thinking back on some of the ways taking a Disney parks vacation has been (Negatively) impacted, i.e. 6 month advanced dining reservations, fast pass scheduling, all the entertainment cuts and the never ending construction, I'm about ready for a moratorium on the changes. It's not like there is anything new or major that is compelling me to be exclusive to the Disney brand. In fact I'd argue that Universal is kicking Disney's *** in the ride technology department as well as the ease of vacationing.

What I'm seeing is that Disney has been beaten at it's own game by Universal and the current leadership is doing everything they can to piss off the fan base. It won't be sustainable to market (and by virtue of these disastrous decisions, limit) the focus to the affluent, one time guest. When the economy takes yet another downturn (South America I'm looking at you) who is going to populate the parks at these prices?

Yeah sure, one day Avatar will be opened and one day Hollywood Studios will be reborn, but that day isn't today and to me these price increases and park cuts are based on absent promises. Demanding that I pay today for something that isn't available yet or, ludicrously enough, another park's financial problems is the primary reason that I am checking out of the Disney experience. There are plenty of other fish in the sea for my vacation dollars. I can't help but wonder who will be going when fewer and fewer people can afford it and more and more people wise up that a Disney Parks vacation is no longer the value or experience that it once was. This is the future and it isn't looking good is it?

~NM

I think they'll have to honor already purchased tickets, especially if you have a package booked.

Tokyo does not have any cost overruns. Disney does not own those two parks and those two parks are doing amazingly well they also have really. Disney does not put any money whatsoever into Tokyo.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

In fact I'd argue that Universal is kicking Disney's *** in the ride technology department as well as the ease of vacationing.

What I'm seeing is that Disney has been beaten at it's own game by Universal and the current leadership is doing everything they can to piss off the fan base. ~NM

While I do agree that Disney has def.been implementing changes that do not consider their loyal customers and their current leadership seems to only have $$$ in their eyes versus the whole picture I would have to say I don't completely agree with your take on Universal and below is just my opinion.

Without a doubt Universal is benefiting immensely by having both Harry Potter areas and will further benefit with the Hollywood opening up in April..but if you look closely at the reviews of people having taking trips there their comments are usually summarized as "great/awesome/to die for Harry Potter..and the rest isn't up to par at all, looks tired, too many simulator rides, I miss the old rides, express pass a must but very very pricey don't like that I have to spend the money so I can get to ride things, etc" This is not to say that it speaks even for a majority of guests at Universal but is certaintly a rising trend in reviews/blogs/recent trip reports (though not necessarily on this board).

Universal in recent years has relied heavily on simulator rides..now I have no idea if in the end they are cheaper than building a ride not based on simulators but it sure does seem to be quicker to build a simulator ride. Aside from the new King Kong..which I believe will at least have an animatronic.. from what I've heard and please correct me if I'm wrong-the Jimmy Fallon=simulator w/ride vehicle, Furious=Simulator w/ride vehicle and the others ones coming after will probably be a simulator. For those with motion sickness it limits what they can do especially as they close down old rides to make room for new ones (which are going to be or are likely to be simulators based on the trend I'm seeing).

Now I LOVE Universal (just a smidge less than Disney) and I don't like to get into debates over which is better Disney or Universal because to me they are ENTIRELY different parks with different targeted audiences, different benefits and downsides and are like comparing apples to oranges (at least to me) and while I personally wish they would use more of a variety of rides I still love Universal but for different reasons than I love Disney.

However, my point is when it comes down to Universal "kicking Disney's *** in the ride technology department" I'm not sure it's a fair fight since Disney does utilize far more variety of rides and technology and Universal has been relying on one kind for a while now=simulators, which a few are fine since they appeal to the younger generation who loves technology and if done right can be pretty darn awesome but if you end up with a vast majority of your parks as that......

Also ease of vacation....yes planning is virtually none (which is fantastic to me) however I won't even start on their Express Pass and ability to ride the rides without it (I personally do not pay for it but I also go for about 3 days at Universal thus allowing extra time for myself to choose to wait for a ride at that time or not).

 

[Planogirl]

While I do agree that Disney has def.been implementing changes that do not consider their loyal customers and their current leadership seems to only have $$$ in their eyes versus the whole picture I would have to say I don't completely agree with your take on Universal and below is just my opinion.

Without a doubt Universal is benefiting immensely by having both Harry Potter areas and will further benefit with the Hollywood opening up in April..but if you look closely at the reviews of people having taking trips there their comments are usually summarized as "great/awesome/to die for Harry Potter..and the rest isn't up to par at all, looks tired, too many simulator rides, I miss the old rides, express pass a must but very very pricey don't like that I have to spend the money so I can get to ride things, etc" This is not to say that it speaks even for a majority of guests at Universal but is certaintly a rising trend in reviews/blogs/recent trip reports (though not necessarily on this board).

Universal in recent years has relied heavily on simulator rides..now I have no idea if in the end they are cheaper than building a ride not based on simulators but it sure does seem to be quicker to build a simulator ride. Aside from the new King Kong..which I believe will at least have an animatronic.. from what I've heard and please correct me if I'm wrong-the Jimmy Fallon=simulator w/ride vehicle, Furious=Simulator w/ride vehicle and the others ones coming after will probably be a simulator. For those with motion sickness it limits what they can do especially as they close down old rides to make room for new ones (which are going to be or are likely to be simulators based on the trend I'm seeing).

Now I LOVE Universal (just a smidge less than Disney) and I don't like to get into debates over which is better Disney or Universal because to me they are ENTIRELY different parks with different targeted audiences, different benefits and downsides and are like comparing apples to oranges (at least to me) and while I personally wish they would use more of a variety of rides I still love Universal but for different reasons than I love Disney.

However, my point is when it comes down to Universal "kicking Disney's *** in the ride technology department" I'm not sure it's a fair fight since Disney does utilize far more variety of rides and technology and Universal has been relying on one kind for a while now=simulators, which a few are fine since they appeal to the younger generation who loves technology and if done right can be pretty darn awesome but if you end up with a vast majority of your parks as that......

Also ease of vacation....yes planning is virtually none (which is fantastic to me) however I won't even start on their Express Pass and ability to ride the rides without it (I personally do not pay for it but I also go for about 3 days at Universal thus allowing extra time for myself to choose to wait for a ride at that time or not).

I keep wondering if the reliance on simulators isn't due to lack of space? Maybe this will change since Universal has bought all of that extra land.

As for Express Passes those are nice but we have yet to buy them. I don't know who remembers the days of following the UOG's touring plans before fastpass came along but we do something similar at Universal. Despicable Me is our only problem child but everything has so far been easy to ride without Express.

 

[soniam]

I keep wondering if the reliance on simulators isn't due to lack of space? Maybe this will change since Universal has bought all of that extra land.

As for Express Passes those are nice but we have yet to buy them. I don't know who remembers the days of following the UOG's touring plans before fastpass came along but we do something similar at Universal. Despicable Me is our only problem child but everything has so far been easy to ride without Express.

TP often recommends Despicable Me at RD. We did that last year, and it worked really well.

 

[manning]

Relax Disney may be reaching the limit.

Many big companies got greedy and didn't see it coming. They raised prices, cut service and couldn't figure out why they where losing money and market share.

Disney is a BIG company now. The stockholders demand higher returns (the short term outlook). Disney then has choices to make. Satisfy the stock holder or its clients (us). The old supply and demand kicks in.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I keep wondering if the reliance on simulators isn't due to lack of space? Maybe this will change since Universal has bought all of that extra land.

As for Express Passes those are nice but we have yet to buy them. I don't know who remembers the days of following the UOG's touring plans before fastpass came along but we do something similar at Universal. Despicable Me is our only problem child but everything has so far been easy to ride without Express.

Yeah it could be part of that though I'm not sure how much space constraint has played a role in the decision to do new ride after new ride simulators. But that's a good point you bring up.

Oh I absolutely agree you can tour UO without Express Passes, as that is my personal touring plan, but from what I've seen it's problems with how UO utilizes them when you are at a ride combined with a fee (which can be quite significant depending on the time of the year) required to get them.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

TP often recommends Despicable Me at RD. We did that last year, and it worked really well.

That's good to hear that it worked I will have to put that on my list of what to do in the early mornings versus later on.

 

[Budshark]

I vote no.



What do I win?

 

[monorailrabbit]

I put in the next few months and other. I think it's unfortunately going to be the limited attraction option I didn't want to jinx it by actually choosing it in the survey. I think it will take them a month to figure out how to charge us for it. I am a cynical optimist though; I hope for the best but expect the worst I think a lot of people are in de Nile that Disney would actually implement this. I think they will. It fits perfectly with magic bands and charging on the bands. Heck, they could even just charge per ride. Scan your band, pay your fee, get on the ride

This would be horrid. I would hope this is not the case. I wonder how the roll out would be for something like that... if you already have tickets are you "grandfathered in" or have to add on the attractions?

I think they'll have to honor already purchased tickets, especially if you have a package booked.

Tokyo does not have any cost overruns. Disney does not own those two parks and those two parks are doing amazingly well they also have really. Disney does not put any money whatsoever into Tokyo.

I would be surprised if they did not still honor packages booked. But if you call to change something, i.e. free dinning, I wonder if you would be forced into the new system?

 

[soniam]

This would be horrid. I would hope this is not the case. I wonder how the roll out would be for something like that... if you already have tickets are you "grandfathered in" or have to add on the attractions?

...

I would be surprised if they did not still honor packages booked. But if you call to change something, i.e. free dinning, I wonder if you would be forced into the new system?

Unfortunately, I think you would have to pay extra for extra attractions, even if you bought your tickets before that. Maybe they wouldn't though. Who knows I think package changes could prevent a "grandfathering".

 

[monorailrabbit]

Unfortunately, I think you would have to pay extra for extra attractions, even if you bought your tickets before that. Maybe they wouldn't though. Who knows I think package changes could prevent a "grandfathering".

This would literally ruin Disney for me. I know that sounds dramatic, but if I am working my tail off just to get IN to the parks... if I want to ride Space Mountain 17 times I should be able to do so. Granted that's harder with FP+ but still. When they actually limit what I can do unless I fork over more, we are out. We purchased our package for December last year. I just couldn't imagine them telling me well sorry, if you want to do everything without limits that will be X more... oh the poor customer service rep who would have to take those calls!

 

[Budshark]

I think that is the issue they have to deal with. Early morning and late night repeat riders. A lot (who knows the percentage - probably a fraction of what we think) of people extract value of their day by repeat ridings at the end of the day. We ride at least 1/2 our rides in the last 2 hrs of park opening and it's completely unplanned. What's open, what's short, what's near and keep moving towards our last ride of the day.

If this caused a cost increase or other type of charge? It'd be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[Eoghann]

I keep wondering if the reliance on simulators isn't due to lack of space? Maybe this will change since Universal has bought all of that extra land.

Space and speed I think.

But the rumors are that the upcoming Nintendo area in their parks will be mostly physical and not screen based...