The return of annual passes

[mitsukoshi samurai]

Well, no doubt TDR is vastly superior to the US parks. I wish it were as easy to go visit them - I want to go back so badly!

Bring on the xs teleporter

 

[Liquidice]

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.

 

[ChipnDale79]

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 doesnt even include increased costs of food and souvenirs either.

 

[Pooh's World]

WHAT ??? Why ? They are saving money this way? Good lord - get with it. This is all about maximizing profits. Disney is doing fine, they have been making 10s of Billions in profit over the last decade, they have a ton of cash on hand, their stock price is at an all time high. They are golden.

Disney just doesn't care about the guest experience anymore, they care about money, that's it. And before someone says "they are a business" - you are right, they are, but believe it or not, these are still CHOICES for businesses. Some choose to only maximize profits, others choose to maximize customer experience or perceived value.

It Can actually be both.

We have know from even before the pandemic how profit driven and greedy Eiger and company are.
And they've lost their loyal customer base because of it.

But they have also been tremendously crippled by the pandemic. (It's not like they were Amazon or Zoom that fortuitously benefitted from the pandemic). So they are in money saving survival mode.

 

[Liquidice]

this doesnt even include increased costs of food and souvenirs either.

Yeah, I assume as you add those things into the equation the % stays about the same. The increased cost of hotels also isn't included (although maybe you could save on hotel if you stayed offsite now since there are close to no perks for onsite guests).

It is still just shocking to see the price increase when you put it down on paper and do the math.

 

[Ear Scouts]

My biggest disappointment is that we have to wait until September 8. We're headed down this weekend for Boo Bash and the Remy Preview and I was REALLY hoping to not pay for tickets and then turn around and buy an annual pass.

That said, I was expecting the price increase to be a lot worse and I assumed they would keep the limit to three park passes at a time. I wish PhotoPass and the water parks were still included by default, but it's still going to cost less than I expected.

Genie+ would have been nice, but I didn't think they'd include it. Maybe they'll add it in like they did the 'Ohana noodles after everyone started to revolt.

I'm thankful that Pete had prepared me to expect a LOT worse when he was discussing it recently on DIS Unplugged. I guess I feel lucky that my expectations were set so low.

 

[randumb0]

I'm ok with the changes. The blackout dates aren't has bad as I expected, I never used photo pass and parking is still included.

 

[wov305]

All these increases in price and decreases in services and experiences, yet cast members are making about the same amount of compensation as I did on the CP 11 years ago.

This is something that factors into my decision on being upset with Disney or not. As an example, I don't mind shopping and paying a little more at Meijer or Costco vs Wal Mart because one gives me more options and a better experience and the other treats their employees better. When it come to Universal, to put it back in theme parks, they are giving perks with their resort stays. They are working on improving upon experiences and food options. They are being innovative and speedy with building attractions and park expansion. Can we honestly say Disney is doing the same as of late? If they were would the recent announcements have hit so hard?

Just want to keep things in perspective.

 

[mercuryvenus]

All these increases in price and decreases in services and experiences, yet cast members are making about the same amount of compensation as I did on the CP 11 years ago.

This is something that factors into my decision on being upset with Disney or not. As an example, I don't mind shopping and paying a little more at Meijer or Costco vs Wal Mart because one gives me more options and a better experience and the other treats their employees better. When it come to Universal, to put it back in theme parks, they are giving perks with their resort stays. They are working on improving upon experiences and food options. They are being innovative and speedy with building attractions and park expansion. Can we honestly say Disney is doing the same as of late? If they were would the recent announcements have hit so hard?

Just want to keep things in perspective.

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?

 

[Disneyfan754321]

@Disneyfan754321 Here are the blackout dates that you were looking for


As a holder of Silver I never visit over the summer. It's just too hot. Now it looks like my ability to pay less to skip summers is gone

https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/dam/disney-world/passes/Pixie-Dust-Pass.pdf
https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/dam/disney-world/passes/Pirate-Pass.pdf
https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/dam/disney-world/passes/Sorcerer-Pass.pdf

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

 

[ChipnDale79]

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?

well they're building a 3rd theme park as we speak.

they also built Volcano Bay

 

[mercuryvenus]

well they're building a 3rd theme park as we speak.

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.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

well they're building a 3rd theme park as we speak.

they also built Volcano Bay

Correct and every year another new ride.

 

[Tyler's Dad]

well they're building a 3rd theme park as we speak.

they also built Volcano Bay

And you think annual passes there will stay at the same price with a 3rd gate?

 

[ChipnDale79]

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.

i think more than ever, disney needs a 5th gate.

 

[twincruisers]

Isn’t that the same as before? Gold and silver weren’t available to out of state people as well.

 

[ChipnDale79]

And you think annual passes there will stay at the same price with a 3rd gate?

i wouldnt think so. I dont honestly go to Universal, so im not an expert on it.

I can tell you that i havent been in 25 years, but when the 3rd park opens up, my family is without a doubt booking a vacation at Universal. Disney helped with that decision.

 

[BrianL]

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?

I have generally defended Disney on building new stuff and innovating - they are doing that. It's just that it seems like they are foregetting some of the basics in the process. It's not all about new rides. I've always seaid about Universal or anywhere, that they can build the newest technological thrillhouse they can imagine, but it's not likely to be as good to me as The Haunted Mansion. That said, the experience at The Haunted Mansion has to be commensurate with previous standards for that to hold true. I'm not saying that HM is not up to snuff righ tnow, jsut using it as a general example. The loss of things like parades has reduced the overall atmosphere. Now, maybe they are working at bringing all that back - they certainly NEED to. I do like seeing that they are doing some work on pavement and the boardwalks in Frontierland - that stuff isn't exciting but it does need to be done. Could they fix the wall in the back hallway at Space Mountain please?

 

[mercuryvenus]

I have generally defended Disney on building new stuff and innovating - they are doing that. It's just that it seems like they are foregetting some of the basics in the process. It's not all about new rides. I've always seaid about Universal or anywhere, that they can build the newest technological thrillhouse they can imagine, but it's not likely to be as good to me as The Haunted Mansion. That said, the experience at The Haunted Mansion has to be commensurate with previous standards for that to hold true. I'm not saying that HM is not up to snuff righ tnow, jsut using it as a general example. The loss of things like parades has reduced the overall atmosphere. Now, maybe they are working at bringing all that back - they certainly NEED to. I do like seeing that they are doing some work on pavement and the boardwalks in Frontierland - that stuff isn't exciting but it does need to be done. Could they fix the wall in the back hallway at Space Mountain please?

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.

 

[BrianL]

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.

Oh, definitely. Universal's added some new stuff too, though it hasn't had the Wow Factor of something like Rise of the Resistance.

 

[ChipnDale79]

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.

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.