Ticket Price Disgrace

[Srup]

It is a disgrace that Disney has raised the ticket prices three times in 2 years. Greed..nothing else. For children and even adults, Disney is magical, like no other destination, but the cost of admission is simply ridiculous. Walt be offended that you are depriving families from seeing the world he created. Someone in corporate should for once stop thinking of themselves and think of all the families you are preventing from coming to the parks. Just plain greed.

 

[Microcell]

Greed? Try the rising cost of overhead.

 

[Srup]

There are always ways to reduce overhead rather than empty the pockets of others

 

[mareed]

I think it depends on perspective. With the restructuring of prices, in some ways prices have gone down. For XMAS 2005, I purchased 7 day park hopper plus tickets for $307. We didn't need the park hopping, no expire, or plus options, but that was the only 7 day ticket available at the time. Today, we could buy a 7 day base ticket for $222 for a savings of $85.

Alternately, we could buy a ticket that's comparable except for the no expire option since the days were used for all one trip, and the price is $312, which is only $5 more.

The "fully loaded" 7 day ticket with no-expire, hopper, and options is more at $386, but overall, I think it's great that you only add and pay for the features you need!

 

[Microcell]

Where should they cut? Salaries? Services? Staff? Energy Usage? Laundry? Busses?

This is a company that is in the business of making a profit by distributing goods and services that we, the consumers are willing to pay for. If we are willing to pay these prices, then that is what they like to call in the business world, demand. As long as we demand it, we are at the mercy of the price increases.

Looks like you are reducing demand, so maybe prices will go down.

Gotta love capitalism!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I do dislike the increase, but I understand the reasons for it. I would much rather them increase a price, then to lose out on some of that Disney magic (rundown attractions, dirty surroundings, etc).

Plus, perhaps if they increase prices, then they can afford to add more rides and shows.

 

[msmayor]

It is a disgrace that Disney has raised the ticket prices three times in 2 years. Greed..nothing else. For children and even adults, Disney is magical, like no other destination, but the cost of admission is simply ridiculous. Walt be offended that you are depriving families from seeing the world he created. Someone in corporate should for once stop thinking of themselves and think of all the families you are preventing from coming to the parks. Just plain greed.

Using the cost quoted by another poster, a 7-day ticket is $222. That's about $31 per day over the 7 days, and if you spend an average of 8 hours each day in the parks you're looking at $4 per hour.

Around here, a feature movie ticket runs $10 for a 90 minute film. That's a little more than $6 per hour.

Better value than going to the movies, and much more entertaining.

The bottom line is Disney is a BUSINESS, selling a product (magical entertainment) and looking to bring value and income to its stakeholders. Its no different than any other business out there. They have no obligation to ensure affordability for all.

If so, then I want Cunard to lower the prices for cruises on the QE2...

 

[CarolA]

TROLL ALERT!

Notice the number of posts....

IGNORE IT, pretend it's your two year old screaming for a toy, If you give in and give the two year old a toy they just keep pulling the same stunt over and over again. (And reading the OP that seems like a good analogy, A two year....LOL!)

 

[kate0305]

What's all this troll business about? And who cares how many posts a person has? I lurked for YEARS, never joined, until I stumbled upon something that moved me enough that I WANTED to join and be a part of that. I hate that every time I see someone who has something that goes against the status quo opinion and has a low post count, they must be someone dumb or bad (or Trolls, whatever that may mean). Please. In my opinion, it is people who make nasty comments about others that are trolls.

Aren't discussion boards for sharing and DISCUSSING opinions. And aren't opinions like -----, everyone has one. It is ok to not agree. It is not ok to be a nasty human being. Or to discount someone's opinion, just because you don't agree with it.

OP, I agree that the prices going up is anything than capitalism, pure and simple. And I agree that it is sad that it is far to expensive for many people to experience the Disney magic. But I think Walt would want to keep things pristine (which they are not- we stayed at SSR and there were plant clippings in the walkway for the entire 5 days we were there in January) and if rising costs have to cover that level of service, so be it.

But people can save what money they can save to make the visit if it is that important to them. My parents first took us in 1973, and it was quite the expense for them-even though I found the Ft Wilderness receipt not too long ago and it was 10 bucks a night (yep, that receipt went in the Disney scrap book, along with the picture of me looking at Mickey with the biggest eyes EVER. It was worth it to them to make the sacrifice so we could go.

Sorry this turned into a short novel.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Why shouldn't Disney charge whatever price the market will bear? The Walt Disney Company is a business -- they are not a benevolent charity. Believe it or not, even Walt Disney himself was not above making money.

The last time I checked, making a profit for a corporation's shareholders was not a crime -- in fact, it's why shareholders invest in a company.

 

[chip 'n dale rule]

What's all this troll business about? And who cares how many posts a person has? I lurked for YEARS, never joined, until I stumbled upon something that moved me enough that I WANTED to join and be a part of that. I hate that every time I see someone who has something that goes against the status quo opinion and has a low post count, they must be someone dumb or bad (or Trolls, whatever that may mean). Please. In my opinion, it is people who make nasty comments about others that are trolls.
Aren't discussion boards for sharing and DISCUSSING opinions. And aren't opinions like -----, everyone has one. It is ok to not agree. It is not ok to be a nasty human being. Or to discount someone's opinion, just because you don't agree with it.

OP, I agree that the prices going up is anything than capitalism, pure and simple. And I agree that it is sad that it is far to expensive for many people to experience the Disney magic. But I think Walt would want to keep things pristine (which they are not- we stayed at SSR and there were plant clippings in the walkway for the entire 5 days we were there in January) and if rising costs have to cover that level of service, so be it.

But people can save what money they can save to make the visit if it is that important to them. My parents first took us in 1973, and it was quite the expense for them-even though I found the Ft Wilderness receipt not too long ago and it was 10 bucks a night (yep, that receipt went in the Disney scrap book, along with the picture of me looking at Mickey with the biggest eyes EVER. It was worth it to them to make the sacrifice so we could go.

Sorry this turned into a short novel.

Thanks Kate, well put. I may be wrong, but I believe EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion. If someone was acting like a two year old I would have to say it was......... Maybe you have to be a sponsor for your opinion to matter.

 

[Mickey527]

I agree with the OP that it is bad that the prices have been raised three times in 2 years, but also, it is a business that is very expensive to run.
I have been hit hard in the past few months with rising costs. My electric bill last year was $125. This year it is $285 for the exact same amount of usage. My water rates, home and car insurance, car and home gas...I could go on and on. To say nothing about my oil heat.
Imagine the cost increase that Disney has. The electric usage is astronomical. I know that many guests don't think about turning off lights in their rooms because they are not paying the electric bill. Imagine that times millions, then think of the other costs. Their Cm's have bills to pay that have gone up. Should they not get the raises that we get because Disney doesn't want to increase costs to the tourist.
Disney is not the only one either. Universal daily ticket has increased, and most everything from hotel rooms to food off site has gone up. We can't put all the blame on Disney, some of our elected officials maybe but not Disney.
However, I will continue to visit, as will many others. And though it might be harder for some familys to make the treck, they will continue to visit. I don't think one or two people complaining about rising costs will close the parks.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I always find it interesting when posters throw the "Walt would be horrified" approach.

First and foremost, Walt Disney was a businessman. He as adept at knowing what sold and how to sell it. He was a perfectionist. He would refuse to compromise quality for price. Rising costs = rising admission.

If you want to start a discussion regarding WDW admission costs, using Walt's philosophies isn't the way to go.

 

[DianeV]

Actually Walt wanted everyone to be able to experience his park..the way things are going that isnt going to be the case..

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Actually Walt wanted everyone to be able to experience his park..the way things are going that isnt going to be the case..

If that were the case, it would have been free from the get go. Yes, Walt wanted a place that families could visit together. But he was a business man that was very interested in making money. He knew that if he created a superior product that people of all ages could enjoy together, it would bring in the most revenue. Walt actually had a highly developed sense of superiority and was always reaching for the finer things in life his early years did not provide him.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

What Disney and every other theme park is doing, is basically trying to eleminate the single day admission Do the math. They want you to buy the multi days.. in the long run, it works out cheaper for you and in more money up front for them. It is the only win-win situation. How else could a family of 5 go.. not for one day. That would be nearly $500 for just one day (well over that with food). If they were to get a mutli day pass, it is cheap per day.
I for one do think that they are a bit pricey.. but that is just my opinion. I am a FL resident so I get the seasonal and that is the only way to go for me

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I agree with the OP that it is bad that the prices have been raised three times in 2 years, but also, it is a business that is very expensive to run.
I have been hit hard in the past few months with rising costs. My electric bill last year was $125. This year it is $285 for the exact same amount of usage. My water rates, home and car insurance, car and home gas...I could go on and on. To say nothing about my oil heat.
Imagine the cost increase that Disney has. The electric usage is astronomical. I know that many guests don't think about turning off lights in their rooms because they are not paying the electric bill. Imagine that times millions, then think of the other costs. Their Cm's have bills to pay that have gone up. Should they not get the raises that we get because Disney doesn't want to increase costs to the tourist.
Disney is not the only one either. Universal daily ticket has increased, and most everything from hotel rooms to food off site has gone up. We can't put all the blame on Disney, some of our elected officials maybe but not Disney.
However, I will continue to visit, as will many others. And though it might be harder for some familys to make the treck, they will continue to visit. I don't think one or two people complaining about rising costs will close the parks.

fyi.. rooms and lights in the rooms have nothing to do with the costs of running the parks. The room costs are covered from the room rates, not the theme park rates.....While inflation has taken it's toll on many things, other than electric (gas & oil), and maybe hospitalization, what else has gone up cost wise for the theme parks? I know Disney doesn't increase the CM salaries that much every year... You can't say food because that cost is passed on to the guest thru the cost of the food in the theme parks...

 

[Maleficents_Revenge]

This is interesting for me. I hate to see increases in prices, but I am a sales/account manager for my company and I understand this from the business side.

Every part of my business gets more and more expensive. The fuel for my delivery trucks... my labor... my salary (thank God), manufacturing costs... etc.

My company has a choice to make every single day. Do we continue to be the leader in out industry by offering a better product and a better philosophy or do we become like everyone else and try to cut back here and there to make everyone happy?? Thankfully we choose to be better. Afterall, that is what sets us apart... destroys our competition...

What would horrify Walt more?? Seeing prices rise to keep Disney at the top or seeing Disney cut costs and not be the best??

I tend to think he would allow the cost increase personally.

 

[MKCP5]

I do see the poit the OP is making though. Lots of things have become very difficult for the average family to afford. Tickets to a pro baseball game --here in Boston crummy seats, parking and a dog and a coke for everyoen will be a $250-$300 afternoon for a family of 4. Going to the theatre to see a show is a solid $400 for a family--again that's not even getting good seats or going to a nice restaurant. It takes things out of the hands of the average family. Disney is a special treat like no other. It is hard to see the prices continue to rise, but unfortunatey everything has risen so much in the past couple of years I guess they are just responding to the market costs.

 

[Bambi5826]

of course, i don't like the increase.
but i'll pay it as long as disney continues to offer a great vacation.
i'm sure the use of the busses for ME have taken a toll on their costs. we all knew that in the long run, even though its a free service, we'd end up paying for it.