Ticket price increase coming at Walt Disney World!

[Maistre Gracey]

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.

I know Silver AP's also went up.
So, Platinum, Gold, and Silvers all went up.
I'm not sure about Weekday, Epcot, or Waterpark AP's.

MG

 

[dlavender]

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 guess is that they looked at the average # of days people go to the parks on a vacation. They plug it into a spreadsheet, and try to maximize the increase.

If you can encourage more purchases of the 2 day pass to the normally 1 day crowd, and really squeeze the crowd that is coming for the 4-6 day period that you've identified as being the most common, you have a win-win (theoretically). And now you can really encourage more upsell to that crowd from the 4-6 day pass to the AP (which might be why those increases weren't nearly as much). So you've moved the 1 day crowd to 2 days, and potentially the 4-6 day crowd to AP's. And those that didn't convert, still paid more than they did previously.

Their research must show that this 4-6 day crowd is ready and willing to pay 15% more. I find it hard to believe, but we will find out.

 

[rteetz]

I know Silver AP's also went up.
So, Platinum, Gold, and Silvers all went up.
I'm not sure about Weekday, Epcot, or Waterpark AP's.

MG

Do you know by how much? I haven't seen much mention of the silver pass.

 

[TwoMisfits]

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.

To be fair, Eisner's tickets included park hopping and NO expiration (that one is huge)...he also opened multiple brand new theme parks and new huge attractions almost every year...if we were getting any of that value anywhere, (vs the reverse of loss of value we've been getting), I don't think people would be complaining...they don't complain as much about Universal now b/c they see their money in the parks, not the CEO's pockets...

And you have to add in hotel/food costs under Eisner to Iger...I'm betting Iger has far exceeded the pace of Eisner's increases in those other "crucial to vacation" costs...

 

[TwoMisfits]

Do you know by how much? I haven't seen much mention of the silver pass.

It seems almost all passes and renewals went up - if Disney didn't originally mention them, it seems they had the highest increases -- wonder why...

 

[rteetz]

To be fair, Eisner's tickets included park hopping and NO expiration (that one is huge)...he also opened multiple brand new theme parks and new huge attractions almost every year...if we were getting any of that value anywhere, (vs the reverse of loss of value we've been getting), I don't think people would be complaining...they don't complain as much about Universal now b/c they see their money in the parks, not the CEO's pockets...

And you have to add in hotel/food costs under Eisner to Iger...I'm betting Iger has far exceeded the pace of Eisner's increases in those other "crucial to vacation" costs...

I agree and like I said in that info, even in Eisner's last 12 years to Iger's 12 Iger is still ahead when it comes to increases. One could argue when Eisner took over the parks were under priced. One think Dick Nunis did not want to do was raise ticket prices but that was one of the first things Eisner did. It did not affect attendance at all at that time.

 

[focusondisney]

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.

I know Silver AP's also went up.
So, Platinum, Gold, and Silvers all went up.
I'm not sure about Weekday, Epcot, or Waterpark AP's.

MG

An annual pass without the Florida rate: $779, $829 with tax. Getting crazy.

 

[dlavender]

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.

I guess this is why they think the 15% increase to the 4-6 day crowd will go over without much attrition.

I know, since we budgeted for this upcoming trip just a few weeks ago, that I'm not going to just add $400 to the budget I just made. I'm going to have to cut something out. Go for 1 less day, make dining changes, go offsite, etc...But for someone next month doing their budget, they might just proceed as normal, not seeing the price difference and having to factor that in.

Or as you point out, people may just charge it and deal with it later.

 

[dlavender]

What is the price ceiling?

A 5 day ticket as a per day of $97. Will the per day cap on multi day be $125, where they left MK?

I don't feel as though any park, except for mK, is worth three digits. I'm not using a day at EPCOT if its costing me $100. I can only justify it as "I paid $100 for MK, and tomorrow we are paying $80 for Epcot, and the next day $70 for AK, etc.." But now if you are telling me I'm paying $100 for MK, and $95 for the others, I can't justify it. Maybe with SWL and Pandora. I guess they think those are already up and running? But certainly not EPCOT.

ETA my ticket pricing was incorrect. When I made the adjustments in my cart on the WDW website, they were showing a higher total than what should have been. The current per day is $71. Not as high as I originally stated. Still not happy with the increase, as they are approaching a per day that in my opinion is unwarranted.

 

[rteetz]

An annual pass without the Florida rate: $779, $829 with tax. Getting crazy.

True but when you put it in perspective you have 365 days in a year. Lets say you buy that pass at $829. You go 10 days its $83 per day. Go 20 days its $41.45. 30 days, $27.63. 50 days, $16.58. 100 days, $8.29.

I have never owned an AP but if I was I would try to make the most of it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Do you know by how much? I haven't seen much mention of the silver pass.

I checked my renewal for silver. It went up roughly $28 (including tax). Roughly 8%
Not sure about a new Silver.

MG

 

[TwoMisfits]

Disney is obviously hoping to exploit their customer base, which they have been doing the last decade very successfully. They are counting on this base to react the way it always has (until this past year) - "oh, there's a tiny new upcharge event - and I don't have any details - sign me up now! Why, it's Disney, it has to be good and if not, it's gonna be limited and it won't come back again"...and then once the event happens, if it's good, they say "it's the best money I've spent at Disney - I'm doing this again!" and if it's not, "well, it's their 1st try - I know they'll make it better next year - c'mon, it's Disney" (see this year's Arts Fest for this example in action)...The fanatical base has bought almost all of these events the last few years (save the cabanas) and just kept coming as everything kept pricing through the roof. If that base will pay anything, Disney is hoping they are a large enough part of trip goers to offset all the families who will bail at the prices. But knowing these families are starting to bail, they need to stick it to the base even more (thus 15% increases on longer tickets and bigger jumps on APs). Disney's thinking - they only need to fill 4 parks a day from a worldwide audience...best to get every price-resistant fanatic in and da&n the future possible limiting of the audience base...now, when fanatics start to feel they are getting used/screwed, then it's gonna get interesting...but it takes a LONG time for that to happen for a fanatic to turn on its fandom (or to find a new one)...

 

[ThistleMae]

Very good point. We save for vacation first.

Yup...I save for vacation as well, no credit card debt. I agree...folks will still go, even if their salaries haven't met inflation. Lots of folks use income tax returns for vacations as well. But...I do think a fair amount of people will cut their trip short to save.

 

[ThistleMae]

I cut back on other things to make up the price differences. I'm an old gal, in the later stages of life. I adore Disney, and will go no matter how expensive it gets...cause I'm worth it! I took a part time job to help with vacation expenses this year. I'm on a fixed income, so when costs go up my income does not. You just have to figure it out, and I think most people feel they want the vacation they want because they deserve it. Disney fans are die hards! No matter how crowded or how hot, they still want to go because there is nothing like it anywhere on earth. And yes, we still complain about things, it's human nature...but there are so many more things to love about it. We enjoy all Disney has to offer. I find different things to do every time I go, and it's amazing how many little things you can miss if you aren't looking. So it never really gets old. Wouldn't it be great if Disney would just give us the best deals every year...that said, it is still a business and they want to make money....and guess what....they are. I just appreciate the fact that Walt had a dream to create the most magical place on earth, where we can get away from all the stress and worry of everyday life, and for a brief time, live the magic we all grew up experiencing as children. Disney brings back every wonderful memory, every amazing feeling we had as children, and we get to experience that all over again. What more can I say.

 

[Pkltm]

I'm sure this could be trending. It is pricey to go to Disney...but truly there is nothing like it anywhere!

I agree! I could go to Valley Fair in Minneapolis for drastically cheaper but it just isn't the same. The staggering amount Disney must spend on fireworks and even toiliet paper. If it was not for the Canadian deal this year, we might of had a no park vacation.

My only guess is that they looked at the average # of days people go to the parks on a vacation. They plug it into a spreadsheet, and try to maximize the increase.

If you can encourage more purchases of the 2 day pass to the normally 1 day crowd, and really squeeze the crowd that is coming for the 4-6 day period that you've identified as being the most common, you have a win-win (theoretically). And now you can really encourage more upsell to that crowd from the 4-6 day pass to the AP (which might be why those increases weren't nearly as much). So you've moved the 1 day crowd to 2 days, and potentially the 4-6 day crowd to AP's. And those that didn't convert, still paid more than they did previously.

Their research must show that this 4-6 day crowd is ready and willing to pay 15% more. I find it hard to believe, but we will find out.

My best guess is they download all the info from the bands to see how many days people are spending vs days in the parks. Attendance was down but revenue was up. They needed to do an upgrade before Universal opened HP, now Disney is in a bit of a catch up. Besides getting more $ from less people, works out in some ways, they spend less on things like labor.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

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.

And none of them admit to taking on that amount of debt. On these boards, for example, nobody has owned up to doing that.

 

[xipetotec]

this is the first time I complain about their FREQUENT price increases,

For us, the multi-day park hoppers are going to KILL us. We travel in large family groups and it's always been a really good deal to just get passes for our 8-10 day stays. With this latest increase, the long-stay guests are getting gouged... 10day park hopper WAS 478$ in 2016... 569$ now! 90$ more! Times the 15-19 people we travel with..

Think it's time after 15 years of these trips to at the very least trim park hopper and probably also the number of days cause this is ridiculous. Nice to see we'd be paying for their buyout of Disneyland Paris.

But I'm not cynical or anything...

 

[jlundeen]

And none of them admit to taking on that amount of debt. On these boards, for example, nobody has owned up to doing that.

Why would it be anyone's business how much debt someone takes on to have a vacation. People do what they feel is right for them, and i for one, don't feel I have to explain myself.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Why would it be anyone's business how much debt someone takes on to have a vacation. People do what they feel is right for them, and i for one, don't feel I have to explain myself.

Taking on additional debt to visit the mouse is never "right."

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

True but when you put it in perspective you have 365 days in a year. Lets say you buy that pass at $829. You go 10 days its $83 per day. Go 20 days its $41.45. 30 days, $27.63. 50 days, $16.58. 100 days, $8.29.

I have never owned an AP but if I was I would try to make the most of it.

That's all well and good, but if you don't live close enough to day trip it, you've also got to take into account that most people have to taken time off of work, get there (drive or fly), get a room, and pay for food. Yeah, the more you go the less the pass costs per day, but the cost of everything else adds up. I've tried this theory, and it's still so dang expensive!