So just why is Disney raising ticket prices so early

[ShellyLynn3630]

I just wonder what is really up with Disney raising their ticket prices two months early this year. They really must need more money. I even read somewhere that someone was speculating as to whether or not they would raise them again in August!

 

[DebbieB]

I just wonder what is really up with Disney raising their ticket prices two months early this year. They really must need more money. I even read somewhere that someone was speculating as to whether or not they would raise them again in August!

I think they want to take advantage of getting more money out of summer visitors who have not bought tickets yet. Prices are really getting ridiculous.

 

[Ariel8676]

Im so upset, we go 1-2 times a year and are DVC members...but with 4 kids they are going to be pricing us out

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Someone has to pay for my gigantic pay raise of 25¢ per hour!

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Someone has to pay for my gigantic pay raise of 25¢ per hour!

Thats it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats bad when they do start pricing out DVC members, never thought of that. You have your rooms already paid for,
but yet can't afford to go into the parks.

 

[Cafeen]

TBH, I don't know what the hubub is about. They raise them just about every year, just this time they've decided to get an extra infusion of cash by raising them at the start of the busy summer season, instead of waiting until it starts to trail off. It makes more sense (imo) to do it now than wait until August. Heck, if I were in their shoes, I'd likely be doing the same thing (assuming that ticket prices were slated to go up anyway).

 

[LilyWDW]

TBH, I don't know what the hubub is about. They raise them just about every year, just this time they've decided to get an extra infusion of cash by raising them at the start of the busy summer season, instead of waiting until it starts to trail off. It makes more sense (imo) to do it now than wait until August. Heck, if I were in their shoes, I'd likely be doing the same thing (assuming that ticket prices were slated to go up anyway).

I have to agree. By pushing out new prices now, they are trying to take advantage of those who will be going to the area this summer, but may only do a day or two at Disney. I actually think it is a smart business decision.

 

[sjs314]

Someone has to pay for my gigantic pay raise of 25¢ per hour!

 

[NancyIL]

Disney used to raise ticket prices at the beginning of the year. When they started raising ticket prices in August, the rationale was that the following year's resort packages (including park tickets) also came out at that time. ** I think Disney wants to be able to book the following year's resorts and resort packages a few months earlier than what they had been doing in August.

** I was wrong about the resort rates listed on the ticket price page being for 2012, so I deleted that link.

 

[saysay]

Well, they gotta pay for Belle's new castle somehow! I am sure financially it makes sense to do it now to help pay for the Fantasyland redo.

Plus prices on everything seem to be going up so probably trying to cover costs of running the parks.

And there have been so many promotions esp free dining seems like they need to make up the revenue somehow.

We will still go, but when we crunch the numbers it never makes financial sense for us to stay on property. We also don't eat alot at Disney as its so much and the DDP don't appeal to us.

 

[bytheblood]

I don't think it is the annual increase anybody is complaining about. It is the fact that the cost of tickets is getting out of control. The economy is horrible and Disney is starting to become as affordable as going on a 21-day European tour.

From a Corporation perspective, I think it is to push people towards DVC and annual passes - but then there is the cost of rising airfare, food in the parks (which is crazy for what you get) and all of that jazz.

Disney is continuing on the cut-backs for guests, but increasing the prices for everything to pay for new resorts and the Fantasyland expansion. They cannot even operate a decent IT system, so accommodation and customer service is not always top on their list from a guest perspective.

I will still go to Disney until I cannot afford it, but I understand the passion.

 

[YodaGirl]

Disney used to raise ticket prices at the beginning of the year. When they started raising ticket prices in August, the rationale was that the following year's resort packages (including park tickets) also came out at that time. Notice that Disney released the 2012 resort rates along with their new ticket prices: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/magic-your-way-facts-on-walt-disney-world-prices/. I think Disney wanted to be able to book the following year's resorts and resort packages a few months earlier than what they had been doing in August.

Are those the 2012 rates? They look to be the same as 2011 (campground, at least). Plus, it says this about the rates at the bottom:

(**)Rates are per-night in 2011 and vary based on room/campsite location and time of visit; suites in moderate and deluxe hotels extra (Disney Vacation Club rates span range of studios, 1- and 2-bedroom villas and Grand Villas)

 

[mousegear]

It is sad that there is increase.... but imo, it's just drop in a bucket. I think the increase does not make the decision of visiting WDW for most people. Just like everything else that's been going up in price, we complain but we learn to accept the fact and live with it. It is an increase but not huge, so most people will continue to visit.

 

[sjs314]

I have to agree it does make more sense from the business standpoint to raise the ticket prices before the start of the busy summer season and should raise lots of additional revenue to keep the stock holders happier with their 3rd and 4th quarter dividends.

 

[NancyIL]

Are those the 2012 rates? They look to be the same as 2011 (campground, at least). Plus, it says this about the rates at the bottom:

(**)Rates are per-night in 2011 and vary based on room/campsite location and time of visit; suites in moderate and deluxe hotels extra (Disney Vacation Club rates span range of studios, 1- and 2-bedroom villas and Grand Villas)

Thanks - I didn't see the little ** notation about those being the 2011 rates! However, I wouldn't be surprised if WDW releases the 2012 resort rates soon so they can start booking the 2012 packages.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I think they want to take advantage of getting more money out of summer visitors who have not bought tickets yet. Prices are really getting ridiculous.

That is the reason that the DIS helps everyone in planning and saving. That is, knowledge is power. How much are prices increasing as a percentage?

 

[saysay]

I got this from the Couponing to Disney blog... to me the differential between a 4 and 5 day pass and up going form $5 to $8 seems a bit steep percentage wise...but people will pay it!

Here are the ticket price increases from the Orlando Sentinel:

•1-day: $82 to $85 (+3.7 percent)

•2-day: $162 to $168 (+3.7 percent)

•3-day: $224 to $232 (+3.6 percent)

•4-day: $232 to $243 (+4.7 percent)

•5-day: $237 to $251 (+5.9 percent)

•6-day: $242 to $259 (+7 percent)

•7-day: $247 to $267 (+8.1 percent)

•10-day: $262 to $291 (+11.1 percent)

Park hopper and the water parks option has increased from $54 to $55.

Annual passes are increasing by $20 across the board.

 

[NancyIL]

I got this from the Couponing to Disney blog... to me the differential between a 4 and 5 day pass and up going form $5 to $8 seems a bit steep percentage wise...but people will pay it!

Here are the ticket price increases from the Orlando Sentinel:

•1-day: $82 to $85 (+3.7 percent)

•2-day: $162 to $168 (+3.7 percent)

•3-day: $224 to $232 (+3.6 percent)

•4-day: $232 to $243 (+4.7 percent)

•5-day: $237 to $251 (+5.9 percent)

•6-day: $242 to $259 (+7 percent)

•7-day: $247 to $267 (+8.1 percent)

•10-day: $262 to $291 (+11.1 percent)

Park hopper and the water parks option has increased from $54 to $55.

Annual passes are increasing by $20 across the board.

That's why I ordered a 10-day park hopper from Undercover Tourist last night @ $318.95. The gate price tomorrow will be $368.49!

 

[SEC71]

At least you received a raise, my DH and I both were furloughed which decreased our pay 3%. We are DVC members and are not planning on going next year due to rising prices. For the past 18 years we have averaged two trips a year.

 

[GoldenOldie]

You - the generic all of you - are partially to blame for these large ticket increases. Disney does a ton of guest surveys both in the park and online and the vast majority of people always say that Disney is a good, very good or excellent value for the money. Once the suits see that, they know that they haven't reached the limit of what they can charge.

If those surveys start showing that people think Disney is a poor value, you'll see a change. Not until then, though.