The return of annual passes

[BrianL]

i wont argue that. Disney finally corrected that, there was a long period of time that it didnt seem that Disney was adding much. Some may be thinking of that.

But there is no question that disney is building things. I think with the crowd levels, they need to ramp that up, add more things, or open a 5th gate.

In my opinion, if demand holds like it has, they are going to be at the point of needing that fifth gate. Once they've got all the current projects online and operational, I think we'll be there. They are going to want to steal some tunder form Uni's third gate too.

 

[mrpolo23]

I’ll just go when Tron and guardians of the Galaxy open up ….. they have nothing new after that …..

Disney is slacking

 

[ChipnDale79]

In my opinion, if demand holds like it has, they are going to be at the point of needing that fifth gate. Once they've got all the current projects online and operational, I think we'll be there. They are going to want to steal some tunder form Uni's third gate too.

there's no question they're going to have answer Uni's third park somehow. i keep hoping we'll hear of something.

 

[Sandisw]

In case it has not been posted, the Sorcerer Pass is only available to DVC owners who have the blue card.

 

[cakebaker]

Parades cost way too much money. If Disney Corp was really doing as well as some people seem to be suggesting they would have had parades and fireworks.

Why should they? They're filling the parks and plenty of people think a calvalcade is not just a good substitute, but a better alternative. Disney can afford to bring back what they want to bring back- they aren't because they're making huge profits without them. Yes, they're not bringing them back because it saves money, but not because they can't afford to. They just don't have a reason to. Cheap substitutes seem to be just fine for a lot of people.

But at least we're not hearing how all these cut backs are for safety anymore. They haven't been since almost the beginning. Disney is operating on the cheap and it's showing.

 

[wov305]

My issue with Disney has never been lack of innovation with experiences and food options. They’ve put a huge amount into the parks lately and they’re set to open more new attractions (Remy, TRON, the entire Epcot front of the park renovation, etc). What major innovation has Universal put into its parks since it opened Harry Potter land?

This may be an unpopular opinion, but cloning existing rides, Tron and Remy, is not innovative. How they fit them into their existing locations might be. It has long been a common fact that people are forgiving,for lack of a better term, on Disney food options and choices. There have always been inconsistencies in food quality throughout property. Why do we just accept that the food in MK is probably not going to be great? Because we get some characters with it. The experience we tell ourselves is unparalleled. It has improved lately but is it enough? If it is for you, great, but for me I choose to wait and hope for better times.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

My issue has always been , so much of the park is focused to old and really old Disney movies. Yes I was glad to welcome Toy story finally but it was popular in in 1995. You wont see current Disney movies in the park. And as much as I hate to say it that's why Splash retheaming is a good idea.
UNI is really current as far as my kids see.

 

[Liquidice]

And Disney has put a huge amount of innovation into their existing theme parks in the last few years, and are in the middle of a massive renovation of Epcot. I guess I just don’t agree with the argument that Disney hasn’t invested in the parks.

The new Jurassic World ride in Universal Studios Beijing (which may be added into Epic Universe too) seems pretty awesome. Maybe not quite Rise of the Resistance, but it is impressive imho. Super Nintendo World is also pretty cool.

 

[soniam]

My issue has always been , so much of the park is focused to old and really old Disney movies. Yes I was glad to welcome Toy story finally but it was popular in in 1995. You wont see current Disney movies in the park. And as much as I hate to say it that's why Splash retheaming is a good idea.
UNI is really current as far as my kids see.

Well Bourne is a little outdated, but it fits perfectly for that type of show. Generally, Universal has been more willing to move quickly on new IP and to throw out old rides. The two are just different, and people just have to decide what they like. Both are doing new things in the parks. I agree about the Splash retheme, as much as I hate to say it and love the characters. However, I really love Princess & the Frog, so it's even better for me.

 

[Liquidice]

there's no question they're going to have answer Uni's third park somehow. i keep hoping we'll hear of something.

Disney's answer will be more price hikes and new up charges! If a 70% price hike doesn't deter them, maybe 100% will.

 

[BrianL]

My issue has always been , so much of the park is focused to old and really old Disney movies. Yes I was glad to welcome Toy story finally but it was popular in in 1995. You wont see current Disney movies in the park. And as much as I hate to say it that's why Splash retheaming is a good idea.
UNI is really current as far as my kids see.

Uni doesn't have as many properties that have stood the test of time like classic Disney has, but part of the reason they have endured is because Disney helps keep them int he forefront through the parks and their otehr merchandise and marketing efforts. I don't think it matters much if a ride is based on an old property - many kids might first discover them through the parks. Really, a ride doesn't have to be based on a movie at all.

Universal may have a lot of rides based on relatively recent IP, but they aren't really that curent anymore. Brendan Fraser's The Mummy? I mean, I love those movies, but they aren't really in the pop-culture conversation at the moment. Peter Jackson's Kong? E.T.? Popeye and Dudley Do-Right? I don't really think Uni is all that more recent - though I also don't think that it matters.

 

[DisFanDad]

View attachment 601031

Someone posted this in the DVC Fan Page on Facebook.

This shows a typical trip cost for a family of 4 that takes 2x 7 day trips a year - which is what my family does. It is different probably for people who aren't DVC Members. But this represents a 70% increase in price.

I see a lot of people saying Disney is a business and they need to make money... Does anyone think a 70% increase in price is reasonable?

Sure, you can forego the Magic Bands, and then the increase is "only" 64%. Does that seem reasonable?

Some might say you can skip Genie+ but I'd argue that was included in the 2019 price. To get a similar experience to 2019, you need to pay at least 64% more than you were paying then.

Inflation has been bad, but not that bad. Disney may be hurting, but not enough to justify a 64% increase in prices.

I don't know of anyone that currently is making 64% more money than they were in 2019 either. Most people are making the same or less.

This is it right here, and anyone saying "oh but its an "option"" - yea well it's an option that was included in the price, not free, nothing was free. Now you are paying more, and getting less. To get the same thing you were getting before, this is the price increase.

 

[randumb0]

No need to be sad because you get a new magnet

 

[randumb0]

Thank you for that, I feel the same way summers are too hot, I have no interest in being there at christmas or spring break. I dont need photo pass because when you go frequently you dont need the same pics over and over.
I have one more question. Do you pay the down payment plus the first payment or is the down the first payment..
The monthly payments come out $745

($699 + tax or $45 per month for 12 months for Florida residents after $205 down payment)

I'm trying to decide if I should just keep buying the $200 4 day tickets

Good question on the down payment. I'm not sure as I always pay in full but perhaps someone else knows the answer

 

[msm1444]

While I do think their lack of parades is being cheap, I don't think that their absense is indicative of the overall health of the company. There are some rumblings that the Disneyland parade may be coming back soon-ish. They have brought back Fireworks and have a couple of big new shows planned - those cost money too. I just don't think there is a correlation.

They are struggling to find cast members for all these perks. Take a look at Jambo house, They have re-opened with a totally different cast due to international travel restrictions.

 

[BrianL]

They are struggling to find cast members for all these perks. Take a look at Jambo house, They have re-opened with a totally different cast due to international travel restrictions.

Yes, that is also a factor. It stinks. but that's not entirely Disney's fault. Hopefully that will start to normalize soon.

 

[DisFanDad]

I agree they need to keep up the basics. I was just replying to the person who claimed Disney isn’t innovating as much as Universal. If you look at even just the past 3 years, you see them opening up Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, initiating a major renovation of Epcot, working on TRON, etc.

Yes, but that's if you ONLY Look at the last three years, look at the last FIFTEEN years, its pathetic. Also ask, how much CAPACITY have they added? You know, the room for more people in the parks, the ability for increased crowds to be processed and enjoy attractions ??? Even more pathetic.

 

[jkh36619]

anyone know the tax rate on APs?

 

[birostick]

anyone know the tax rate on APs?

Should be 6.5%

 

[cakebaker]

They are struggling to find cast members for all these perks. Take a look at Jambo house, They have re-opened with a totally different cast due to international travel restrictions.

When you look at what they're hiring, it really doesn't add up. Last I checked they weren't hiring for shows at all right now. It's hard to say you can't get people to work when you aren't hiring them.