ticket price increase?

[todzwife]

has anyone heard if ticket prices are going up at the beginning of August again? Trying to decide if I should get our tickets now for November or wait...

 

[jtown]

I'll put it to you this way: I don't think there's much chance of the prices going down when they change. I could be wrong but...

 

[caimakale]

There's no guarantee that they'll be raised either. Price increases have happened at various times over the year. Here's a list of the month/year each year that park tickets increased:

Nov 2000
Mar 2002
Jan 2003
Mar 2004
Jan 2005
Jun 2005
Jan 2006
Sep 2006
Sep 2007
Aug 2008
Aug 2009

People are assuming that because the tickets have been increased in August the past two years that it will happen again in August this year. While that's definitely a good possibility, it isn't a guarantee. When a price increase does occur, we usually get a couple days notice from reliable sources about the increase. I recommend you stay glued to these forums over the next couple weeks with your credit card handy just in case you have hurry and buy them.

 

[todzwife]

Errr. thanks?

For the last few years the ticket prices have increased by about $10 around the beginning of August. I don't particularly want to buy tickets this far in advance, but if they are going to be going up, I'd rather save the $40 some odd dollars and get them now.

ETA: Thank you caimakale, that was helpful.

 

[caimakale]

ETA: Thank you caimakale, that was helpful.

No problem, I'm in the same boat as you. I need to purchase tickets for our September trip but am putting it off as long as I can.

Al Lutz will likely be the one to release the info to us. His columns are posted at micechat but it's usually only a matter of minutes before the members here at disboards dissect his posts and share all of the important info...price increases would definitely fall under the important category.

 

[jtown]

My point is that, if they do change, the prices won't go down so there's nothing to gain from waiting to see what happens. I've found that, when taking a risk, if the best potential outcome is "nothing bad happened" or "I didn't lose", there's no reason to take the risk because you can guarantee that outcome by not taking the risk in the first place. If there was a significant chance of some super-saver deal being announced, that would be a different situation entirely.

As caimakale pointed out, there have been price increases in either September or August for 4 of the last 4 years. It also shows there hasn't been a period greater than 12 months without a price increase since the 2003-2004 period. This points to a price increase in July or August of this year.

That doesn't mean it will happen but it is very likely. So, if you wait, you're taking a risk that has no potential positive reward.

 

[caimakale]

So, if you wait, you're taking a risk that has no potential positive reward.

That's not entirely true. Let me give you an example, and the reason why I'm waiting.

Our intention is to buy PAP's during our trip. However, our trip will consist of more than just DL. We will be visiting SeaWorld and USH. For this reason, a SoCal City Pass from Costco is an excellent alternative for us. It will cost me $239 per person and of that, $204 can be credited towards our PAP's. That ends up being $17.50/park per person to get them into SW and USH. That's a steal!

If DL raises the price of their ticket and I buy the City Pass early, the City Pass can lose it's savings for my family quickly. If PAP's are increased $40 or more, it will likely make sense for me to fore go the City Pass and buy the PAP's directly before the price increase. Then I'll have to shop around for some deals on tickets to SW & USH.

For some people, it may be easier to just buy the tickets now. For me, it's worth the gamble. I have the money either way but it's kind of a cat and mouse (no pun intended) game between me and Disney. They'll likely win by raising ticket prices before my visit, but the guessing game is kind of fun.

 

[Jiminygirl]

I'ld love to buy tickets before the price goes up but I'm used to buying for WDW- you can buy them now and start using them anytime later. It appears the DLR tickets have a limited time frame to use them. Since I'm not going until March 2011, I don't think I can buy any usable tickets yet. Would someone let me know if I'm interpreting this incorrectly?

 

[NewbieMouse]

Would new ticket prices be effective in 2011, or right away? We're going in December so I assumed that any increases would be for after the current available tickets are no longer usable, i.e. after January 3, 2011. Am I wrong?

 

[Mary09]

So, if you wait, you're taking a risk that has no potential positive reward.

There is also a risk in buying early in that if something happens and you can't make the trip, or some of you can't make the trip, your tickets aren't refundable, are they? I wait until the day before for this reason.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Would new ticket prices be effective in 2011, or right away? We're going in December so I assumed that any increases would be for after the current available tickets are no longer usable, i.e. after January 3, 2011. Am I wrong?

If I remember correctly from the last two years they were effective immediately and they surely will not go down.

Jack

 

[caimakale]

Would new ticket prices be effective in 2011, or right away? We're going in December so I assumed that any increases would be for after the current available tickets are no longer usable, i.e. after January 3, 2011. Am I wrong?

Yes. IIRC, Al Lutz told us in a column on 7/30/09 (or very close to that date) about the increase and by August 3, the new prices were in effect.

 

[dismom73]

Have the prices of the AP's gone up every year too? This is the first time we are buying AP's instead of PH and I'm just wondering if I should add to our budget for them.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thank you so much for the info. I will keep my eyes glued to the board and be ready to buy my tickets should the DISers report on an impending increase!

 

[akashellrae]

So even the 5 for 3 deal right now could change? I think you have to buy by Sept. 1st to get the deal, but if they do a price increase it could all change? I was waiting for Aug. to buy our tickets for Sept. just for monthly budget reasons but maybe I should buy this month.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Is there a possiblility that they could come out with another 5 for 3 deal like they have now? That would be a good reason to wait as well, although its not a guarantee, unlike the ticket prices which are guaranteed to go up at some point.

 

[caimakale]

So even the 5 for 3 deal right now could change? I think you have to buy by Sept. 1st to get the deal, but if they do a price increase it could all change? I was waiting for Aug. to buy our tickets for Sept. just for monthly budget reasons but maybe I should buy this month.

Is there a possiblility that they could come out with another 5 for 3 deal like they have now? That would be a good reason to wait as well, although its not a guarantee, unlike the ticket prices which are guaranteed to go up at some point.

The 5 for 3 deal will still run through the end of September. However, if ticket prices increase, the price of the 5 for 3 will likely increase with it to the new price of a 3 day park hopper.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

The 5 for 3 deal will still run through the end of September. However, if ticket prices increase, the price of the 5 for 3 will likely increase with it to the new price of a 3 day park hopper.

We're not going until November and are hoping for a deal of some sort before then. If not we have budgeted the full price on the disney site but will order through LMT to save a few bucks

 

[tracyvansmith]

The 5 for 3 deal will still run through the end of September. However, if ticket prices increase, the price of the 5 for 3 will likely increase with it to the new price of a 3 day park hopper.

We're not going until November and are hoping for a deal of some sort before then. If not we have budgeted the full price on the disney site but will order through LMT to save a few bucks

We are going in Nov. too and I am hoping they come out with a 5 for 3 deal too.

 

[kim3339]

I got the Mouse Savers Newsletter email today. It's mostly for WDW, but they have some stuff for DL. They talked about the ticket increases. Here is a copy of it:

"Disney Ticket Prices Expected to Go Up First Sunday In August

For the past several years Walt Disney World and Disneyland ticket prices have gone up on the first Sunday in August. Now is the time to purchase tickets for upcoming trips!

Walt Disney World Magic Your Way tickets won't expire until you start using them, so you can buy them years in advance if you wish. For great prices on WDW tickets, check out the MouseSavers Newsletter exclusive prices at Undercover Tourist: http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/florida/orlando/attractions/tickets.html?pid=d1sc0unt

Regular Disneyland (California) tickets currently being sold are valid for first use by January 3, 2011. If you're traveling before that time, you can get discounted prices on your tickets from ARES Travel. For details, visit http://www.mousesavers.com/dltickets.html#ares

Discounted Tickets for Disneyland & Other Southern California Attractions
Need tickets for your Disneyland (California) trip? ARES Travel is a great resource for discounted Disneyland tickets.

For information on discounted promotional "2 Days FREE" Disneyland Park Hopper tickets, valid 5/1/10-10/13/10 (with first use by 9/30/10), visit http://www.mousesavers.com/dltickets.html#2freeph - must be purchased by 9/1/10

For the best deal on regular 2-day to 5-day Disneyland Park Hopper tickets valid through 1/16/11 (with first use by 1/3/11), visit http://www.mousesavers.com/dltickets.html#phadv

ARES Travel also sells discounted tickets for other Southern California attractions such as Universal Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND. Visit http://www.mousesavers.com/otherparks.html to learn more about discounts at non-Disney theme parks and attractions."



Hope this helps you out!