The return of annual passes

[msm1444]

This is a fact to consider. I know it's hard when seeing that you get less for more money, but the fact is Disney is only responding to our demand, which has been high. They're not "doing it to us" so much as we are doing it to ourselves. That goes to some extent at any rate. I will say that price increases would be more palatable if the level of service and maintenance etc. hadn't fallen off so much. If they were really offering 100% of what they used to, then I wouldn't balk so much at these major increases. If they spend it where we can see it, then I am okay with it generally.

I totally agree. The level of service has been reduced. I have sent emails to both wdw.guest.communications and Terri.A.Schultz@disney.com urging them to maintain the same level of service to their guests. I urge everyone to do the same.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

 

[BrianL]

I totally agree. The level of service has been reduced. I have sent emails to both wdw.guest.communications and Terri.A.Schultz@disney.com urging them to maintain the same level of service to their guests. I urge everyone to do the same.

Yeah, it's a big problem. They have been investing in new things, which is important and needed, but it seems like some of the basics are being overlooked. I do know that staffing is an issue, but still, I think they can figure it out.

 

[PanchoX1]

I just hope passes are available when we are ready to buy them. still got a couple months or so to go.

 

[mariannehambuch]

Could someone tell me if DVC resale properties would get the annual pass DVC discount?

 

[Liquidice]

On the flip side it could reflect Disney's desperation as the company that may be in deep financial trouble (with Disneyland and WDW being closed, return of the pandemic, crusie ships being halted, people not going to movie theaters, Lionel Messi leaving ESPN/La Liga and ESPN collapsing).

With the return of Delta one more shutdown could wipe them out.

Disney is a publicly traded company, we know how much they have in available cashflow - and crazy thing is - they had more free cash flow to end FY 2020 (3.5B) than they did in FY 2019 (1.1B). Yes in 2020 they brought in less money ($65B instead of $69B in 2019) - and earnings were down as well (they lost $1.57 per share in 2020 versus made $6.26 per share in 2019). But they're nowhere near Bankruptcy or going out of business.

 

[BrianL]

Disney is a publicly traded company, we know how much they have in available cashflow - and crazy thing is - they had more free cash flow to end FY 2020 (3.5B) than they did in FY 2019 (1.1B). Yes in 2020 they brought in less money ($65B instead of $69B in 2019) - and earnings were down as well (they lost $1.57 per share in 2020 versus made $6.26 per share in 2019). But they're nowhere near Bankruptcy or going out of business.

Yeah, Dinsey as a whole is doing just fine. They have some trouble spots of course, but the overall picture is very positive.

 

[cakebaker]

I am not happy with the price increases but I do understand. Disneyland was closed for approximately 400 days and WDW for a bit as well. The company took a big hit and they were doing so well before the pandemic. If the price increase puts them back on track and they are able to resume building resorts and adding a fifth gate in the future I am all for it.

I dunno- they're a multi-billion dollar corporation who took advantage of a great many gov't programs to help during the pandemic and are pretty much raking in profits right now. I'm not thinking that increasing their stockholders profits at a record rate really ought to be on the backs of everyday guests. They've cut and cut and are only bringing back things that turn a profit while charging record prices to do so. I fully understand charging what the market will bear, but these price increases have absolutely nothing to do with trying to recover from the pandemic. They're already back on track. The cuts and the price hikes are happening because we are willing to put up with it and not because poor Disney is on the verge of bankruptcy. They see an opportunity and they're going for it.

 

[cakebaker]

With the return of Delta one more shutdown could wipe them out.

Not a chance. They are doing just fine.

 

[jpeterson]

I didn't see this anywhere yet, but for my family of 4 (DVC, non-FL). I'm assuming we could get 4x Sorceror's Passes and then add the Photo Pass to just one of them? No reason to have them on all of them. No one else has ever gone to a park without me (but the reverse is true)

 

[katyjeka]

I was expecting an increase so I'm not surprised. I've worked at the same Hilton property for twenty some years and we just had our largest price increase to date. A standard room is $149 which is a big increase from our normal rate of $109. We have been busier than normal and show no signs of slowing down. Unfortunately it is left to the consumer to make up the huge loss of the last year.

 

[Liquidice]

I didn't see this anywhere yet, but for my family of 4 (DVC, non-FL). I'm assuming we could get 4x Sorceror's Passes and then add the Photo Pass to just one of them? No reason to have them on all of them. No one else has ever gone to a park without me (but the reverse is true)

Yes, just 1 Photopass is needed. My experience has been if you add your family to your friends and family, you get access to download all of their photos, whether they were with you or not.

I have done it before where I added a friend who I met up with, and I got access to all of her photos, I think she gained the ability to download all of her photos (and my photos) too.

 

[soniam]

Could someone tell me if DVC resale properties would get the annual pass DVC discount?

No. Must be blue card, direct sale. However, the difference saved between DVC resale and direct is pretty significant. You would have to do the math to see if the pass discount is worth it. I think the minimum DVC purchase to get the blue card is now 150 points at an available resort.

 

[Pooh's World]

I dunno- they're a multi-billion dollar corporation who took advantage of a great many gov't programs to help during the pandemic and are pretty much raking in profits right now. I'm not thinking that increasing their stockholders profits at a record rate really ought to be on the backs of everyday guests. They've cut and cut and are only bringing back things that turn a profit while charging record prices to do so. I fully understand charging what the market will bear, but these price increases have absolutely nothing to do with trying to recover from the pandemic. They're already back on track. The cuts and the price hikes are happening because we are willing to put up with it and not because poor Disney is on the verge of bankruptcy. They see an opportunity and they're going for it.

It can all be a mirage.
We've seen this story before.

They pushed for the European Super League with the American owners and the people revolted against them and they ended up with egg on their face.

The Spanish and Italian leagues have collapse which is why Messi and Ronaldo were sold to France and England right when they added La Liga to their programming.

They orchestrated the coup to have Texas and Oklahoma secede from the Big 12 to the SEC. And now have to take on the Alliance.

There ESPN division is in huge trouble and they are desparate.

There are alot of cracks but they can move money around to make things look good on paper (this was discussed earlier in the pandemic). But really almost everyone of their divisions has been hit hard by the pandemic.

 

[BrianL]

I was expecting an increase so I'm not surprised. I've worked at the same Hilton property for twenty some years and we just had our largest price increase to date. A standard room is $149 which is a big increase from our normal rate of $109. We have been busier than normal and show no signs of slowing down. Unfortunately it is left to the consumer to make up the huge loss of the last year.

You are correct - the huge demand is driving these prices. Leisure travel is still pretty hot, and Disney sees the demand and they are reacting to it. I would say though that they need to keep their standards as high as ever though, which is where there is a disconnect. Still, people are going and paying it, though that bubble may burst - it already shows some signs that it is not sustainable.

Full disclosure: I also work for Hilton.

 

[Pooh's World]

I was expecting an increase so I'm not surprised. I've worked at the same Hilton property for twenty some years and we just had our largest price increase to date. A standard room is $149 which is a big increase from our normal rate of $109. We have been busier than normal and show no signs of slowing down. Unfortunately it is left to the consumer to make up the huge loss of the last year.

And this is exactly it, there was a huge loss last year so they are making up for it. It really penalizes the people who saved their money and waited for the pandemic to end as they will just end up spending more for Disney, Hotels, Rental Cars, Gas and everything.

You were much better off travelling when things were dirt cheap and crowds were small although there has been a small reprieve in August and Sept thanks to the Delta scare and people cancelling their trips. Before the Delta scare when you looked at hotel prices in Orland for Aug/Sept they were astronomically high compared to previous years.

 

[Pooh's World]

Yeah, it's a big problem. They have been investing in new things, which is important and needed, but it seems like some of the basics are being overlooked. I do know that staffing is an issue, but still, I think they can figure it out.

I know we are joking but we are fast approaching a time where it's going to be cheaper to go to Tokyo Disnelyand and enjoy superior services and quality (from Disney USA yesteryear) than go to Orlando/WDW.

 

[Devil13]

I am not happy with the price increases but I do understand. Disneyland was closed for approximately 400 days and WDW for a bit as well. The company took a big hit and they were doing so well before the pandemic. If the price increase puts them back on track and they are able to resume building resorts and adding a fifth gate in the future I am all for it.

By that logic you would assume that once Disney 'gets back on track' that they will be lowering prices? Zero chance. They are/were/will be doing fine unless and until we all stop going, and that's never going to happen.

We just need to take our medicine and come in here and whine about it but we shouldn't be making excuses for them.

Also now I'm REALLY hoping that Genie is a complete failure. Will be looking at $60/day for my family plus the ridiculous $5200 cover charge.

Still hate that there's only one, super-expensive out of state option. Never understood it and still don't. Out of state should always be lower priced but we've bought into it for so long that it seems right.

I have until April to decide, but I'm right on the edge.

 

[Pooh's World]

By that logic you would assume that once Disney 'gets back on track' that they will be lowering prices? Zero chance. They are/were/will be doing fine unless and until we all stop going, and that's never going to happen.

We just need to take our medicine and come in here and whine about it but we shouldn't be making excuses for them.

Also now I'm REALLY hoping that Genie is a complete failure. Will be looking at $60/day for my family plus the ridiculous $5200 cover charge.

Still hate that there's only one, super-expensive out of state option. Never understood it and still don't. Out of state should always be lower priced but we've bought into it for so long that it seems right.

I have until April to decide, but I'm right on the edge.

Let's face it it all started with taking away the free resort parking. The masses poo poohed it the same way but the smart ones saw that that was a sign of things to come from Disney.

 

[Liquidice]

No. Must be blue card, direct sale. However, the difference saved between DVC resale and direct is pretty significant. You would have to do the math to see if the pass discount is worth it. I think the minimum DVC purchase to get the blue card is now 150 points at an available resort.

Interestingly, the difference between the 2 passes (renewal price) is $340 now, which is exactly the same as the old price difference.

Platinum Renewal Price: $951
Gold Renewal Price: $611
Difference: $340

Incredi-Pass Renewal Price - $1104
Sorcerer Renewal Price - $764
Difference: $340

The initial pricing is different with the Incredi-Pass being $400 more than the Sorcerer Pass while the older initial price was $476 different.

The way I figure it is for a family of 4 that buys the Sorcerer (or Gold) Pass, you "save" $1360 per year, for me when I bought 100 points for my blue card (now a 150 point minimum) was roughly 8 years of APs to break even on the extra cost (about $10K more). This completely ignores any other Blue Card Perks such as Moonlight Magic. The perks can go away at any time, but I've bought 3 years worth of APs so far with the discount.

At 150 points, and today's prices for Bay Lake Tower where I bought, it is about $12K more for Direct. So 9 years to break even. All of these numbers will vary based on where you buy and how much you could have paid at resale.