Ticket price increase coming at Walt Disney World!

[jlundeen]

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

Well, I guess you are entitled to your opinion of what is "right" and what is not, but luckily, we all have the freedom to make our own decisions about things like this.

 

[jlundeen]

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!

Last fall during our trip, we upgraded our PH to AP, because we knew we would be back this fall. I'm really glad we did because we will save $120 each this time around on park tickets we don't have to buy. Next time, it's going to be hard to put out that raised AP fee, though, as it's probably going to be more than a year before our next trip, so renewal wouldn't work.

 

[rteetz]

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!

I get that too but if that was really my worry I wouldn't be buying an annual pass.

Let's say you do two trips with that AP I discussed. Both week long trips. $59.21, thats still seems worth it to me plus you get some minimal discounts on dining and merchandise. Every vacation has its expenses. A cruise has several levels that can make it more expensive depending on excursions, room category, drink packages, etc.

I have never gone more than once in a year so an AP doesn't make sense for me. Unless I was wealthier, and had a lot of vacation time, and owned DVC I probably wouldn't ever go more than twice a year from where I live. If I lived in say Georgia or somewhere closer that's different.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

I get that too but if that was really my worry I wouldn't be buying an annual pass.

Let's say you do two trips with that AP I discussed. Both week long trips. $59.21, thats still seems worth it to me plus you get some minimal discounts on dining and merchandise. Every vacation has its expenses. A cruise has several levels that can make it more expensive depending on excursions, room category, drink packages, etc.

I have never gone more than once in a year so an AP doesn't make sense for me. Unless I was wealthier, and had a lot of vacation time, and owned DVC I probably wouldn't ever go more than twice a year from where I live. If I lived in say Georgia or somewhere closer that's different.

I live in Jacksonville, so while it's possible for me to day trip, I don't because I'd rather not get up at 5am, spend all day in the park, and then have to drive home. So I get what you're saying. As a general rule, I buy my AP and our first trip is in the fall for F&W (normally 7 days or so), and I normally go a couple of times in between, and out last trip is again in the fall for F&W. Then we don't renew that year and the next year we do it all over, so we don't get burnt out, but we get to do F&W every year. But the only way we can do those long trips is because my aunt and uncle are DVC members, so we're not paying for the room on those trips. If it weren't for that, no way.

I realize everyone has different budgets and different priorities. For me, we've decided to give Disney a break this year and we're doing cruises instead. Probably the same cost, but it's something different. But honestly, at this point, I may just wait until 2021 to go back, once everything is open and it's the 50th. Of course, who know what the price will be by then?!

 

[dlavender]

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...

19% increase on 10 day!?

That's pretty harsh.

Everyone who didn't book the Riverboat Ice Cream Social for $70 is to blame for this. It's really our fault.

 

[dclpluto]

What I do is get a annual pass. This time I got a gold since I'm a dvc member. I usually go three times in that year. This time is four June, sept, dec than next year probably may. Than I take a year or longer off from wdw than do it all over again.

 

[focusondisney]

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!

That's it exactly Ursala's Apprentice! We have bought annual passes about 5 times now & we travel from Buffalo NY. We don't do Disney cheap, we stay deluxe resorts & club level. We eat at signature restaurants at least 5 out of 7 nights. We take tours & book dessert parties. We took a 5 night spur of the moment trip in December, just because we already had APs. In 2015, we even had the WDW/ DL annual passes. I think we paid about $1150 in Sept 2015, those are now over $1400, even before this increase. These increases are just out of proportion to both inflation & the amount of new experiences being provided. Add in the recent resort rate & food price increases & I am beginning to think of taking my money elsewhere. Not that I don't still love the place, but I am really beginning to feel like a sucker being taken for every cent I have.

So by gouging me on my tickets, I will probably cut back from going on vacations where I spend $6000 or more 2 or 3 times a year to maybe going once every 12 - 18 months, cut back on dining & maybe drop back to moderate resorts.

There is just a limit & Disney management doesn't seem to understand that.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

I agree to a point. I agree with what you said about it being unlike any other place, the magic - that it feels like a break from reality. And that's why I so desperately want to take our family - because I definitely feel our daughter deserves a break from her reality, her suffering. And, I think it would be nice for our entire family to have a break from reality. I wish I could take my children every year, they *love* it.

But... that all said, it's also not worth it to me anymore, at full price. I truly can't justify the cost. And I'm not willing to sacrifice time with my kids taking on a second job or cutting back on our day to day lifestyle for a vacation - especially when there's not much to cut back on, lol. Not when there are so many other amazing places we could go, for less money. They're not Disney, no. But they're still a family vacation where we make great memories.

For us, as Canadians, if we were paying full price it would be $2200 for tickets alone (6 day, base tickets, for four). I don't think any park on earth is worth that. At least certainly not on our income. We'll go next year thanks to the Canadian deal, for which I am truly grateful, it's given us another chance at Disney. But unless we have a huge salary increase, win the lottery (lol), the dollar evens out again, or they someday offer again another deal that can save us almost $1000... we won't be back. Fingers crossed one of those things happens

 

[dlavender]

I live in Jacksonville

"Doooooo-Vaaaal"

 

[rteetz]

That's it exactly Ursala's Apprentice! We have bought annual passes about 5 times now & we travel from Buffalo NY. We don't do Disney cheap, we stay deluxe resorts & club level. We eat at signature restaurants at least 5 out of 7 nights. We take tours & book dessert parties. We took a 5 night spur of the moment trip in December, just because we already had APs. In 2015, we even had the WDW/ DL annual passes. I think we paid about $1150 in Sept 2015, those are now over $1400, even before this increase. These increases, are just out of proportion to both inflation & the amount of new experiences being provided. Add in the recent resort rate & food price increases & I am being to think of taking my money elsewhere. Not that I don't still love the place, but I am really beginning to feel like a sucker being taken for every cent I have.

So by gouging me on my tickets, I will probably cut back from going on vacations where I spend $6000 or more 2 or 3 times a year to maybe going once every 12 - 18 months, cut back on dining & maybe drop back to moderate resorts.

There is just a limit & Disney management doesn't seem to understand that.

I understand but everyone is different. There is no way my family outdoor afford to go to WDW 2-3 times a year and stay Club level and eat like that. We would have to stay off site probably and eat a lot of quick service in order to pull that off. I'd much rather have my one big trip a year than cutting back to go more.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

"Doooooo-Vaaaal"

Pretty sure that started with the Jags, and it annoyed the crap out of me at the time, but there's a local brewery I frequent (Veteran's United) that does a bingo night and one of the interactive things is, they call out Jacksonville and we call back DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! I'm totally on the bandwagon now because of this.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled broadcast.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I swear, corporate must be sitting somewhere re-writing the lyrics to the old M-I-C-K-E-Y song...
like S-U-C, K-E-R, that's what our fans are...
Although, maybe if this move completely blows up, we'll get rid of Iger before he rides out on the 3rd Star Wars movie and the end of the Avengers Infinity saga (since you know that's his plan)...

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

I understand but everyone is different. There is no way my family outdoor afford to go to WDW 2-3 times a year and stay Club level and eat like that. We would have to stay off site probably and eat a lot of quick service in order to pull that off. I'd much rather have my one big trip a year than cutting back to go more.

Oh I totally get that. The sad part is, if they keep hiking the prices like this, then you've got to cut back somewhere. And I hate penny pinching on vacation. If I'm going, I want to be able to do and eat and buy what I want. But I know that I'm not Disney's type of customer anyways. I buy my AP and I go, but I rarely buy much (I've got enough stuff as it is, no need to add much more), and we don't stay on property when we're not going with my aunt and uncle DVC members. They couldn't care less if they lose my business. As others have said, there are plenty of other people willing to pony up the dough like they want.

 

[rteetz]

Oh I totally get that. The sad part is, if they keep hiking the prices like this, then you've got to cut back somewhere. And I hate penny pinching on vacation. If I'm going, I want to be able to do and eat and buy what I want. But I know that I'm not Disney's type of customer anyways. I buy my AP and I go, but I rarely buy much (I've got enough stuff as it is, no need to add much more), and we don't stay on property when we're not going with my aunt and uncle DVC members. They couldn't care less if they lose my business. As others have said, there are plenty of other people willing to pony up the dough like they want.

I agree but I think it's coming to the point where Disney is starting to care whether they lose your business or not. They don't want attendance to decrease and if attendance is decreasing that means people aren't willing to take your spot like before.

Right now my only trips to WDW involve runDisney. I'm sure I would've found a way to get back if I hadn't don't the races but it probably wouldn't be as frequent as it has been for me.

 

[dlavender]

Pretty sure that started with the Jags, and it annoyed the crap out of me at the time, but there's a local brewery I frequent (Veteran's United) that does a bingo night and one of the interactive things is, they call out Jacksonville and we call back DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! I'm totally on the bandwagon now because of this.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled broadcast.

I used to live right across the street from where that is in my early UNF days.

Ok, enough reminiscing...

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

I agree but I think it's coming to the point where Disney is starting to care whether they lose your business or not. They don't want attendance to decrease and if attendance is decreasing that means people aren't willing to take your spot like before.

Right now my only trips to WDW involve runDisney. I'm sure I would've found a way to get back if I hadn't don't the races but it probably wouldn't be as frequent as it has been for me.

I'm gonna channel LOL here for a moment. All I can say is that I hope people continue to speak with their wallets. I get that if you make it too cheap it's gonna be crowded as hell, but if you price all but the extremely wealthy out, then you won't survive. So, what's the middle ground? I sure as hell don't know, otherwise I'd be working for them lol.

And if they want attendance to increase, then you need more stuff to spread people out. Disney doesn't want for land. They've got it in spades. Build more lands, build more rides. I realize this is in process, but they are playing catch up at this point and for some people it's too little too late. I've been going to Disney since I was a baby, and I remember the days where everything was pristine and spotless. Now I go and see paint chipping and peeling and trash, and surly CMs. Stop using so many CPs and pay an acutal living wage to your main employees! When the company takes care of the employee the employee takes care of the guest. Were those not Walt's words? Stop putting so much profit in Iger's pocket and put it back into the freaking parks! You wanna know why Tokyo Disney is freaking awesome?! Because the money goes back into the parks. /rant

I've got way more to say but this is neither the time nor place and I'm starting to sound TOO much like LOL.

 

[rteetz]

I'm gonna channel LOL here for a moment. All I can say is that I hope people continue to speak with their wallets. I get that if you make it too cheap it's gonna be crowded as hell, but if you price all but the extremely wealthy out, then you won't survive. So, what's the middle ground? I sure as hell don't know, otherwise I'd be working for them lol.

And if they want attendance to increase, then you need more stuff to spread people out. Disney doesn't want for land. They've got it in spades. Build more lands, build more rides. I realize this is in process, but they are playing catch up at this point and for some people it's too little too late. I've been going to Disney since I was a baby, and I remember the days where everything was pristine and spotless. Now I go and see paint chipping and peeling and trash, and surly CMs. Stop using so many CPs and pay an acutal living wage to your main employees! When the company takes care of the employee the employee takes care of the guest. Were those not Walt's words? Stop putting so much profit in Iger's pocket and put it back into the freaking parks! You wanna know why Tokyo Disney is freaking awesome?! Because the money goes back into the parks. /rant

I've got way more to say but this is neither the time nor place and I'm starting to sound TOO much like LOL.

Oh I agree. Disney may have already hit that current limit. Raising prices now probably wasn't the best idea for them.

I mentioned in another thread that WDW has literally seen decades between major additions at the parks.
AK- Everest to Avatar 2006-2017
DHS- RnRc to TSM to toy story land 1999-2008-2018
Epcot- test track to Soarin to frozen 1999-2005-2016
MK- Splash to New Fantasyland 1992-2012/2014

 

[mshanson3121]

I agree but I think it's coming to the point where Disney is starting to care whether they lose your business or not. They don't want attendance to decrease and if attendance is decreasing that means people aren't willing to take your spot like before.

Honestly? I don't think they are. If they cared, they wouldn't have just hiked prices 15%, despite a decline in attendance. I think it's more of an, "Oh well. If less people come, we'll just squeeze the ones coming all the more." Will they get to that point? Yes, I think so, and honestly, this could be the price hike that does it. But, I really don't see them being there (caring) yet.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I'm starting to think Disney could jack prices 50% across the board, and the crowds would still come.

 

[rteetz]

Honestly? I don't think they are. If they cared, they wouldn't have just hiked prices 15%, despite a decline in attendance. I think it's more of an, "Oh well. If less people come, we'll just squeeze the ones coming all the more." Will they get to that point? Yes, I think so, and honestly, this could be the price hike that does it. But, I really don't see them being there (caring) yet.

Personally I think this latest increase wasn't as bad as it could've been. There was a rumor that monthly payment options would go away for APs but they didn't. 2-3 day tickets actually decreased in price. They also added the $20 online discount. You also saw those AP deals for the 45th. This latest price increase could very well be the one that really changes things though.