Question re: possible tiered pricing

[mshanson3121]

So... what's the latest on the tiered pricing rumor? Any rumblings on if it's going to happen?
Also, here's my question, IF they implemented it, say you went ahead and bought your tickets now, before the tiered pricing went into effect, I wonder if they would honor those tickets at ANY time of the year?

 

[rteetz]

So... what's the latest on the tiered pricing rumor? Any rumblings on if it's going to happen?
Also, here's my question, IF they implemented it, say you went ahead and bought your tickets now, before the tiered pricing went into effect, I wonder if they would honor those tickets at ANY time of the year?

Haven't heard anything since the survey Disney put out.

Universal studios Hollywood just started tiered pricing with one day tickets only so that could mean it's coming to other parks as well.

I think if you have tickets already purchased they would have to honor them. Only newly (after they implement the new system) purchased tickets would fall into the tiered category.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would have far less problem with tiered pricing for one day only tickets..

In that scenario - it's more based on walkup/projections...

To do it per day on a multiday ticket would result in several hundred dollars per person and that is kinda egregious.

...mainly because it's a bunk premise that it will somehow limit attendance. ...Longer lines at a higher price

 

[KYMickey]

Also, if you look at the way they implemented them at Universal, the current single day ticket price is the maximum price of the ticket in certain days are discounted below the maximum. If Disney implements it like that and you to buy tickets ahead of time it wouldn't do you any good and could possibly cost you more depending on when you went.

 

[mom2rtk]

I imagine if it happens we won't know about it until the day it starts.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I imagine if it happens we won't know about it until the day it starts.

At most 36 hours notice...as always

 

[mshanson3121]

I wonder what the chances are of them actually doing it, and not doing it like Universal is, but how they proposed in that survey.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I wonder what the chances are of them actually doing it, and not doing it like Universal is, but how they proposed in that survey.

I don't believe that there is ANY chance of Disney not adopting a similar policy unless a recession begins ASAP. Which we're still a ways off.

The questions are when? And what the exact form will be?

The second one is the biggest question.

They've already raised annuals roughly 32% In aggregate over the last 11 months - that is partly to set the stage for tiering (opinion)...

Now what will be next?

Perhaps universal tipped their hand for both by not doing it on multidays?

The logistical problem will always be that if you require anything short of firm "ticket reservations" on set days - then there will be a big problem with overlap for stays...something that needs a fully dynamic, but firm system like resorts.

It could be that tiering for multidays is impossible without shrinking the 14 day window. I don't think they will get away with "overcharging" for days that then aren't used during the appropriate crowd level.

 

[Eoghann]

It could be that tiering for multidays is impossible without shrinking the 14 day window. I don't think they will get away with "overcharging" for days that then aren't used during the appropriate crowd level.

The per day discount on the longer stay tickets is so substantial already I have to think that they are less concerned about favoring those types of visitors.

 

[mshanson3121]

I don't believe that there is ANY chance of Disney not adopting a similar policy unless a recession begins ASAP. Which we're still a ways off.

The questions are when? And what the exact form will be?

The second one is the biggest question.

They've already raised annuals roughly 32% In aggregate over the last 11 months - that is partly to set the stage for tiering (opinion)...

Now what will be next?

Perhaps universal tipped their hand for both by not doing it on multidays?

The logistical problem will always be that if you require anything short of firm "ticket reservations" on set days - then there will be a big problem with overlap for stays...something that needs a fully dynamic, but firm system like resorts.

It could be that tiering for multidays is impossible without shrinking the 14 day window. I don't think they will get away with "overcharging" for days that then aren't used during the appropriate crowd level.

What I read in the survey, is that you would have to buy each park ticket individually based on the tiered level applicable, then they would apply the "bulk" discount. So, if a few days of my visit were silver and a couple gold, I'd buy say 1 MK ticket at silver, 2 other park tickets at silver, 1 MK ticket at gold and 1 other park ticket at gold. Then, they'd apply the 20% discount for buying 5 passes. It's a horrible, HORRIBLE plan. I mean, as if FP+ didn't force people to plan parks enough as it was, this really will. And I can see it being very confusing for people. They did say that guests would have the option of buying "gold" days and using them anytime they go (like that's a big perk), likewise, they could just buy all MK tickets and use them at any park they want.

I really hope they don't go tiered like they had proposed. I have no problem with tiered if they do it like Universal, without raising rates, with cheaper rates on the lower times, and if they don't touch their multi-day discount. But... I know that's about as likely as you know what freezing over It's sad because, the only time of the year that we can go due to DH's work is "gold" season. So, we will be one of those families that loves Disney (well at least myself and the kids) that will never return, because I refuse to pay $2000 (US) just for tickets for a few days in a park, $1200 was pushing it enough as it was. I'm tempted to try and buy a set of 4 tickets this spring after income tax, to just hold onto for a future vacation, but... I'm also nervous that they wouldn't honor them.

 

[mshanson3121]

The per day discount on the longer stay tickets is so substantial already I have to think that they are less concerned about favoring those types of visitors.

I thought the same. It used to appear that they were really trying to encourage people to stay longer by offering such a discount, but it certainly doesn't seem like it now with their new proposals.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The per day discount on the longer stay tickets is so substantial already I have to think that they are less concerned about favoring those types of visitors.

I might have misstated myself...

I'm not implying that they are concerned with targeted sales or certain demographics...I'm saying I'm not sure they can legally do it.

Which means they'd have to do preselected parks on preselected days. I know they claim invincibility...but it would open a Pandora's box of problems.

If a Saturday is packed during a "gold" time...and large numbers of people decide to shift away from magic kingdom the next day...what do they do?

They cannot hold
People to a ticket reservation for a day with 3 hour waits...congress
Will be inundated with calls.

I'm not really kidding.

I have the feeling this type of thing was a good idea in theory...but now the shine is being rubbed off.

It still is an entertainment/leisure enterprise and I think sanity will start to creep in whether by they like it or not.

 

[Eoghann]

I might have misstated myself...

I'm not implying that they are concerned with targeted sales or certain demographics...I'm saying I'm not sure they can legally do it.

Which means they'd have to do preselected parks on preselected days. I know they claim invincibility...but it would open a Pandora's box of problems.

If a Saturday is packed during a "gold" time...and large numbers of people decide to shift away from magic kingdom the next day...what do they do?

My guess would be that the multi-day tickets will be based off a discount on the highest single day price. Since the discounts are so big on a 5 day ticket you'll still end up paying way less getting those than even picking the cheapest single day ticket levels. Tiering will then mainly impact single day visitors. Just a guess.

Anyone know what percentage of the ticket sales are single day ones?

 

[mshanson3121]

My guess would be that the multi-day tickets will be based off a discount on the highest single day price. Since the discounts are so big on a 5 day ticket you'll still end up paying way less getting those than even picking the cheapest single day ticket levels. Tiering will then mainly impact single day visitors. Just a guess.

Anyone know what percentage of the ticket sales are single day ones?

There will no longer be multi-day tickets, as I mentioned above. Their proposal is that you have to buy each ticket individually for each park. When you buy "X" amount at a time, they will give you a certain percentage off. So, buying 5 tickets gets you 20% off. It works out to a MASSIVE increase in price for those who have to go during gold, and even still a significant increase for those even going during Bronze. So, a single day MK ticket would be $125 in gold. Buying 5 days at MK would be $500 ($125 x 5 - 20%). So, not much of a discount at all - at least not compared to what they have now which is $105 single day and $315 for 5 days.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

My guess would be that the multi-day tickets will be based off a discount on the highest single day price. Since the discounts are so big on a 5 day ticket you'll still end up paying way less getting those than even picking the cheapest single day ticket levels. Tiering will then mainly impact single day visitors. Just a guess.

Anyone know what percentage of the ticket sales are single day ones?

I agree...that's why the tiering looks focused on just single days and universal might have just simplified it by ignoring multidays.

You can have a one day ticket and say "well...it's $135 today...it will be $115 tomorrow...you decide"

But I don't think you can actually have a 7 day ticket and say "it's $135 per day no matter if you use it on a $115 day"...that is basic business illegal.

And if I'd becomes...day 1 $135...day 2 $115...day 3 $ 105...etc...it's more trouble than it's worth.

 

[mshanson3121]

I agree...that's why the tiering looks focused on just single days and universal might have just simplified it by ignoring multidays.

You can have a one day ticket and say "well...it's $135 today...it will be $115 tomorrow...you decide"

But I don't think you can actually have a 7 day ticket and say "it's $135 per day no matter if you use it on a $115 day"...that is basic business illegal.

And if I'd becomes...day 1 $135...day 2 $115...day 3 $ 105...etc...it's more trouble than it's worth.

They will be making you buy individual day tickets, and then offering a volume based discount. So if you buy 5 tickets you will get a 20% discount etc... This is what their proposal in the survey was.

 

[mshanson3121]

So my other big question is - what about those who already have "green card" tickets? Will they honor them? If so, will they honor them 365 days of the year, or will they try and say they're only good certain days? Can they legally do that?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

They will be making you buy individual day tickets, and then offering a volume based discount. So if you buy 5 tickets you will get a 20% discount etc... This is what their proposal in the survey was.

Yeah...I had read the whole thing months ago and my "selective amnesia" took over and wiped it from my brain.

Now I remember and I have a kopfschmerz...

...that would be a huge breaking point that I would love to see take on w recession...you can't put her back in her box. It would be interesting to say the least.

The thing that doesn't make sense is that they are DRIVING people to low use annual passes...because it won't be like it was 10 year ago where people can go and "max them out"...it's like they don't understand their own demographics.

Annuals don't buy merchandise like limited trippers do...the data is indisputable...so it's like they are actively just moving the shells around.

The angles are there but they don't form a cohesive shape.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

So my other big question is - what about those who already have "green card" tickets? Will they honor them? If so, will they honor them 365 days of the year, or will they try and say they're only good certain days? Can they legally do that?

They can't legally deny you entry for a ticket bought under certain conditions...so while a pre 1998 ticket can't be used at animal
Kingdom...a 2004 ticket can't be denied at magic kingdom based on a retroactive policy. I don't Think they'd fight that fight even if they could win it...which they can't. The benefit isn't great enough for the headache.

But when they S-canned the no expiration tickets...just like when they went to hard dining reservations in the run up to the dining plan...the canaries started to go to sleep.

It was on the wall...

 

[mshanson3121]

*sigh* I know I should just buy tickets this spring, but, I'll admit, it's hard to tie up $1800 (CDN value) of our money on something that we don't know when it will get used. Since Universal has already made the first move, I wonder how long it will be before Disney does follow suit? Since they normally raise prices in February (or something like that), is this something we can expect fairly soon. Or do you think they'll sit on it awhile longer (and hopefully can the idea, lol)?