Ticket price increase coming at Walt Disney World!

[ThistleMae]

Not everywhere...I was looking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA for this summer...$80/person for unlimited summer visits to BOTH...PLUS a free pass for ages 3-5! It's the deal of the century vs Florida...you could add in every colonial attraction (Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg/museums) for 7 days for $91/adult, $45/kid (and again, usually 5 and under don't pay)...and come out under a 2 day park pass just to Disney...

This area also has access to nice hotels, timeshares, beaches (in VA Beach), food, etc...There's no reason, other than inertia of people ALWAYS choosing Florida, that Disney needs to be this far out of whack on prices...it's just time for middle class families to start to look elsewhere...while BG might not be quite as nice as Disney/Universal (and it's not), it IS 80-90% cheaper...and value (cost to benefit) is what we should measure...

You do make a good point. We looked at Bush Gardens and all the nearby attractions, unfortunately we weren't able to go because of health issues. But...we are an older couple and would enjoy Jamestown etc. not sure if kids would like it so much. I have removed Universal from my list of places to go. We went last fall and ended up spending more time in line then on the rides. We also did HHN, and it was a nightmare of waiting. Decided to do local Halloween events instead, way cheaper, and honestly we have some pretty good ones in NH that give you just as many thrills as HHN without the ridiculous waits.

 

[rteetz]

I was kidding....I'm happy they are doing updates and upgrades...I don't know if I can even bear to think about NOT going to Disney...somehow, I'd find a way to squirrel away money for a trip.

You and me both.

 

[TwoMisfits]

These prices will drive people to alternatives (like they should in a free market).

I am going in a large group in March and most of the group is only doing 2 days at Disney (some people are only doing one) and spending the money at the other local parks. Why am i only going for two days? I still have 6 days left on non-expiration hopper tickets ($75/day is what it costs me).

My family, for example, is hitting Legoland. Due to various promotions, my son gets in free and my wife will get 30% off her ticket price. For $180 we will have 3 tickets there. Granted it is a "kid" park, but I am sure my son may like it (he is in the Lego phase) more than Hollywood Studios or Epcot (the two parks we are hitting) .. I guarantee he will ride more rides and see more attractions then both of those half-closed Disney parks combined for a fraction of the cost.

One of the families ARE going to Disney 4 days, but the only reason is because of that great deal they are offering - 4 days - 4 parks. $279 .. $70/day. They couldn't pass that up. And when you compare that deal to the NEW 4-day prices $394.05? WOW. Just wow.

I just only think that they are offering such high prices now SO they can discount tickets deeply as a draw. They could offer the 4 day - 4 parks pass next year for over $320 ($40 more than this current deal) and people will jump on it since it is so much lower than the $394 new price tag.

FYI - I posted the Legoland ticket link in my response and on the Other Attractions thread - didn't want you to miss it...Use the savings to have an apple fry on me (I love them, but I'd encourage one to share b/c it will be a sugar high)...

 

[dlavender]

So, before the ticket price increase had a very easy explanation, attendance kept climbing. The whole "supply and demand" spiel.

Now we have decreased attendance, but still a very substantial increase?

I guess we will have to do as others on this board have suggested. Let the free market take us on a ride elsewhere.

1 day at the MK, then slide down the I4 corridor to round out the trip.

I'm just having trouble letting that $400 sink in.

WDW: $4-0-0 increase
Me: You sunk our WDW vacation battleship

 

[rteetz]

So, before the ticket price increase had a very easy explanation, attendance kept climbing. The whole "supply and demand" spiel.

Now we have decreased attendance, but still a very substantial increase?

I guess we will have to do as others on this board have suggested. Let the free market take us on a ride elsewhere.

1 day at the MK, then slide down the I4 corridor to round out the trip.

I'm just having trouble letting that $400 sink in.

WDW: $4-0-0 increase
Me: You sunk our WDW vacation battleship

I'd say it's not as substantial as it could've been. Several AP options didn't go up. I believe 2-3 day tickets decreased in price in some cases. There were rumors disney would do away with the monthly payment option for APs too but that didn't happen. I think the attendance decrease put a stop to that.

 

[ThistleMae]

Santa's Village and Storyland

OH, okay yeah, both very memorable places that the kids really enjoy. Definitely way cheaper than Disney, and I'm sure the kids probably have just as much fun. There is also Six Gun City and Canobie Lake Park, which also has a water park in addition to rides. But...that said...these are one day adventures, and they are very cute. I brought my kids there every year growing up. That said, there is nothing like Disney! I do appreciate the fact that folks need to find alternatives in this economy. And really....do kids necessarily care as long as they are having fun?

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd say it's not as substantial as it could've been. Several AP options didn't go up. I believe 2-3 day tickets decreased in price in some cases. There were rumors disney would do away with the monthly payment option for APs too but that didn't happen. I think the attendance decrease put a stop to that.

I have a hunch people really don't care about the overall increase or decrease, but they do care greatly about what happened to the price of the ticket they would need themselves on their next trip.

 

[ThistleMae]

I just received a notice from Mousesavers about the price increases and went ahead and bought my tickets through an online vendor, not sure I can mention which one....but we got the 5 day hopper for $ 398.00. I was happy with it, and yes they are only good for 14 days from first use, which works for us, since we only go every couple years anyway.

 

[rteetz]

I have a hunch people really don't care about the overall increase or decrease, but they do care greatly about what happened to the price of the ticket they would need themselves on their next trip.

That's the biggest thing. In all honesty I've never bought a Disney ticket or a trip. I've been lucky enough for my parents and grandparents to cover that. Now that will likely change on my next trip. That trip is next year so I'm not exactly worried about the cost yet and I have time to save.

 

[JungleCruiseFan]

The average American with credit card debt has over $16,000 in credit card debt! I think those in that boat, and there are millions, aren't going to care that much because they just add it to their mounting debt.
If this were 25 years ago when many people paid cash or wrote a check for their vacation, they had to have the money saved up BEFORE they even went, you would see a much more drastic reduction in attendance.
We like to stay debt free so we purposely saved up for our APs that we just bought. The number of days we stay onsite though will probably be less than usual because again, we save for the trip before we go.

 

[rteetz]

Another look at things thanks to GoofGoof on wdwmagic.

Eisner was CEO from 1984 to 2005. Iger 2005 to 2017 (present).

Average WDW 1 Day Ticket Price
1984- $18
1993- $35
2005- $60
2017- $116

Magic Your Way tickets were introduced in 2005.

Under Eisner tickets went up 233% or an 11% per year average for 21 years. Under Iger 93% in total with an average of 8% for his 12 years. Eisner of course was CEO for much longer so if you look at Eisner's last 12 years to compare to Iger. From 1993-2005 under Eisner, 71% increase in total, 6% per year.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'd say it's not as substantial as it could've been. Several AP options didn't go up. I believe 2-3 day tickets decreased in price in some cases. There were rumors disney would do away with the monthly payment option for APs too but that didn't happen. I think the attendance decrease put a stop to that.

What AP options didn't increase?

MG

 

[LSLS]

What's bothering me about this right now is I can't figure out their end game. You drop 2 day ticket prices and skyrocket 4 days. Why would you encourage people to go to the parks less days? And with your recent attendance figures, why increase this much? All I can think of is that they are buying into the ridiculous excuses they used in the quarterly report.

 

[mshanson3121]

The average American with credit card debt has over $16,000 in credit card debt! I think those in that boat, and there are millions, aren't going to care that much because they just add it to their mounting debt.
If this were 25 years ago when many people paid cash or wrote a check for their vacation, they had to have the money saved up BEFORE they even went, you would see a much more drastic reduction in attendance.
We like to stay debt free so we purposely saved up for our APs that we just bought. The number of days we stay onsite though will probably be less than usual because again, we save for the trip before we go.

Very good point. We save for vacation first.

 

[mom2rtk]

What's bothering me about this right now is I can't figure out their end game. You drop 2 day ticket prices and skyrocket 4 days. Why would you encourage people to go to the parks less days? And with your recent attendance figures, why increase this much? All I can think of is that they are buying into the ridiculous excuses they used in the quarterly report.

Maybe they are trying to make that second day more appealing. I know my policy has always been to go for one day or a week, never in between. I always felt like that second day was just too much of a price jump to justify. I can get value out of one day in the MK. A second day in the MK? Not so much. A second day at one of the other 3 parks? Not so much.

 

[nco91590]

What's bothering me about this right now is I can't figure out their end game. You drop 2 day ticket prices and skyrocket 4 days. Why would you encourage people to go to the parks less days? And with your recent attendance figures, why increase this much? All I can think of is that they are buying into the ridiculous excuses they used in the quarterly report.

My only thought is that if you're committed to coming for 4+ days a year ago, you've already budgeted for it and will likely still go after the price hike? 2 day visitors are maybe more local/nearby states/last minute type guests? They might also be incentivizing people who are staying at Universal, but want to do a day or two over at WDW? They might be able to take some of that business away from Universal.

 

[zemra406]

OH, okay yeah, both very memorable places that the kids really enjoy. Definitely way cheaper than Disney, and I'm sure the kids probably have just as much fun. There is also Six Gun City and Canobie Lake Park, which also has a water park in addition to rides. But...that said...these are one day adventures, and they are very cute. I brought my kids there every year growing up. That said, there is nothing like Disney! I do appreciate the fact that folks need to find alternatives in this economy. And really....do kids necessarily care as long as they are having fun?

I am a big fan of Storyland. Going on my second year as a passholder there for a whopping $39 (Black Friday special). For kids in the 3-6 age demographic it's probably comparable. They even have Cinderella's pumpkin ride which my 2 yo loves. However for an adult the experience is far from the same. Roar a saurus ain't cuttin it!

 

[MommaBerd]

Another look at things thanks to GoofGoof on wdwmagic.

Eisner was CEO from 1984 to 2005. Iger 2005 to 2017 (present).

Average WDW 1 Day Ticket Price
1984- $18
1993- $35
2005- $60
2017- $116

I cannot believe one day tickets only cost $18 in 1984!!! My parents, siblings and I, and grandparents (10 of us total) took a trip to Disney in 1984 or 1985. Good thing it WAS so cheap or we wouldn't have gone, I'm sure, as we were there on a shoestring budget.

 

[rteetz]

What AP options didn't increase?

MG

These are the only ones per Orlando Sentinel that did increase.

"Annual-pass prices will also increase Sunday. Florida-resident gold passes with blockout dates during Christmas and spring break will cost $559, up from $549. Platinum passes with no blockout dates will cost $679, up from $649."

I know Disneyland had the higher tier APs not increase.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Another look at things thanks to GoofGoof on wdwmagic.

Eisner was CEO from 1984 to 2005. Iger 2005 to 2017 (present).

Average WDW 1 Day Ticket Price
1984- $18
1993- $35
2005- $60
2017- $116

Magic Your Way tickets were introduced in 2005.

Under Eisner tickets went up 233% or an 11% per year average for 21 years. Under Iger 93% in total with an average of 8% for his 12 years. Eisner of course was CEO for much longer so if you look at Eisner's last 12 years to compare to Iger. From 1993-2005 under Eisner, 71% increase in total, 6% per year.

I feel like the difference here (at least for us) is that back in the 90's salaries went up by a good deal where as in the last 8-10 years most people got salary increases of only 1-2%per year. So the jump from $35- $60 wasn't nearly as big of a deal as $60-$116. The biggest hit in 2005 was actually the taking away of the non expiration of all tickets.