Ticket Prices Going up and Up

[Mouser172]

Just the opposite for me. I'm thinking that if the SoCal passes really go away, I may go more frequently. With fewer locals it may be more enjoyable. DL and DCA have been unbearably crowded the last few times I've been there.

I'm with you. I also heard they are going to restrict the # of annual passes given out.

 

[Gisele]

I'm with you. I also heard they are going to restrict the # of annual passes given out.

Do I hear lottery?

 

[Melissy]

A lottery for annual passes would actually make sense, and would keep prices down.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I'm with you. I also heard they are going to restrict the # of annual passes given out.

The possibility of not being able to get another pass is a great incentive for existing pass holders to renew every year rather than skipping years between AP's.

It would be similar to how a lot of professional sports teams handle season tickets, all the available season tickets are sold out and those that have them renew them every year so they don't lose them. If you want season tickets you add your name to the waiting list and wait your turn until one comes available, in some cities that can takes decades.

I hope it doesn't come to that but since the parks have a limited capacity it does make sense they may have to resort to it at some point to control the crowds.

 

[Vintage Mouseketeer]

Just the opposite for me. I'm thinking that if the SoCal passes really go away, I may go more frequently. With fewer locals it may be more enjoyable. DL and DCA have been unbearably crowded the last few times I've been there.

Not exactly true....

Those locals with the SoCal passes are blocked during the peak season and the park is still crowded. Mostly with a lot of out of town guest.

Those local with Deluxe and Premium spend more money in the park than most out of town guest who visit on a budget.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Do I hear lottery?

Nope. Those who have them can renew ten if they want. Those who don't have them, can't get them until the number of APs out the goes down to an unknown level. No lottery.

- Dreams

 

[Mickers]

I'm glad I got my premium pass in March!

 

[MichaelaF]

Given that entrance prices were originally $1, I'm sure opening day attendees be shocked to see them at nearly $100 by now....I'm sure eventually inflation will put it at $200 or higher....but paychecks will also have adjusted.

Given the "earlier" time of year than the usual pay hike, and the SoCal passes situation, I'm almost certain that this has a lot to do with crowd control.

 

[rootbeer]

Bearable now at our income level, and the amount we go but, in seven years DW and I will retire and be on a fixed income. From then on the inevitable increases will affect us. I'm sure this will never happen, but I'd like to see an "E-ticket" type system come back. For example, if you wanted to go in and enjoy the park, shop, eat, etc. but not ride the most popular attractions, why not have a ticket for that?

Anyway, things do go up, and those of us on these boards are into it enough to pay. I hate to see those who save for that "trip of a lifetime" get priced out.

On a side note; amongst our memorabilia we have a receipt from the Blue Bayou restaurant from our 1987 trip. Grand total for DW, me, and our two DD's was $41.29. We still have the two day admission tickets as well, but they don't have a price on them. If memory serves me I think they were around $40 for two days, and a one day ticket at that time was around $25. I could be a little off on those though. Some of you probably have more accurate info on that.

 

[scrapshappen]

Given that entrance prices were originally $1, I'm sure opening day attendees be shocked to see them at nearly $100 by now....I'm sure eventually inflation will put it at $200 or higher....but paychecks will also have adjusted.

Given the "earlier" time of year than the usual pay hike, and the SoCal passes situation, I'm almost certain that this has a lot to do with crowd control.

Exact same time frame as the increase 2 years ago. Week after Mother's Day.

I took a lot of economics classes in college. But this is economics 101. They continue to raise prices and the parks continue to be busy. Why wouldn't they continue to raise prices since they haven't reached that spot in the market yet where people stop coming? And they don't need tiered pricing because so far, people are willing to pay the same price to go in May as Christmas week.

From what I see, they are encouraging 3-5 day visits to the park over shorter 1-2 day visits. The five day hopper ticket only went up $5. That's only $1 a day more and would probably not keep anyone who was planning a 5 day stay to change plans. People who stay longer spend more over their stay in the parks on food and souvenirs. So they are trying to get those of you who do 2-3 one day trips a year to do a 3-5 day single trip a year through their pricing structure.

They are also encouraging the park to be less of a "locals" park and more of a "destination" park.

It also gives them a huge influx of cash right at the beginning of summer as everyone who has a trip planned for the remainder of the year rushes to purchase tickets at old prices.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the coming months with this change. However, the way the structure these price increases means that the true impact of them aren't felt for six or seven months as people lock in the old rates to renew their passes and buy their hoppers for the rest of 2014. For annual passes, by time people have to renew at the new prices, they will be announcing another price increase so this years new price will seem like a bargain. Smart on their part if you ask me.

 

[Californiacicle]

Bearable now at our income level, and the amount we go but, in seven years DW and I will retire and be on a fixed income. From then on the inevitable increases will affect us. I'm sure this will never happen, but I'd like to see an "E-ticket" type system come back. For example, if you wanted to go in and enjoy the park, shop, eat, etc. but not ride the most popular attractions, why not have a ticket for that?

Anyway, things do go up, and those of us on these boards are into it enough to pay. I hate to see those who save for that "trip of a lifetime" get priced out.

On a side note; amongst our memorabilia we have a receipt from the Blue Bayou restaurant from our 1987 trip. Grand total for DW, me, and our two DD's was $41.29. We still have the two day admission tickets as well, but they don't have a price on them. If memory serves me I think they were around $40 for two days, and a one day ticket at that time was around $25. I could be a little off on those though. Some of you probably have more accurate info on that.

That sounds about right to me. I remember buying a two day ticket for $40 for at least a couple years.

 

[DarthMole]

Yes because the "locals" are just such awful people.

It's not the locals that are the problem. It's the vast number of people that creates a very crowded park.

Remember, it's those "locals" that keep the prices from being even higher because they frequent the Park when the "out of towners" are less in numbers.

It's not the "locals" -- it's the crowds.

- Dreams

Wow. I'm pretty sure that was not the intent of the comment. It's no secret that locals make up a large percentage of park visitors, so the assumption that crowds will be thinned out a bit with the recent AP limitations is not a slam on locals.

 

[mom2rtk]

Nobody is telling southern California residents they can't come to Disneyland. Just that they won't get the deal they used to get.

Sort of the way Disney wasn't telling out of town visitors they can't stay more than 5 days when they discontinued the longer passes. Only that they wouldn't get the same deal they used to get.

Right?

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

Nobody is telling southern California residents they can't come to Disneyland. Just that they won't get the deal they used to get.

The problem is that if we have to upgrade to the Deluxe passes, I'm more likely to come during the busiest times. I get that Disneyland is in a little bit of a pickle here with the expected crowds for the 60th anniversary, but I don't think their solution is really going to work. I think crowds are just going to be larger during the old blockout days.

 

[mom2rtk]

The problem is that if we have to upgrade to the Deluxe passes, I'm more likely to come during the busiest times. I get that Disneyland is in a little bit of a pickle here with the expected crowds for the 60th anniversary, but I don't think their solution is really going to work. I think crowds are just going to be larger during the old blockout days.

I guess time will tell. Disney generally knows what they're doing. At least that's what I was told when I expressed my displeasure with them discontinuing passes longer than 5 days.

 

[sherilaine]

The 5 day PH went up $5, that to me is not even worth batting an eye...it really is peanuts. I am surprised people are upset.

 

[mom2rtk]

The 5 day PH went up $5, that to me is not even worth batting an eye...it really is peanuts. I am surprised people are upset.

Not sure if you're talking about me, but I'm not complaining about that. I actually consider that a 0 increase. (Or at least as close to 0 as I'm going to get at Disney). I'm just comparing the way the So Cal folks are feeling to the way I felt when they eliminated the 6 and 7 day tickets. I've been told repeatedly that Disney is in business to make money and knows what they are doing.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but I know our immediate dilemma is that my family has Southern California Passes, but my 2 year old son does not. He will be turning 3 in December and we're not really sure what we're going to do now. I hope a solution presents itself between now and then.

 

[sherilaine]

Not sure if you're talking about me, but I'm not complaining about that. I actually consider that a 0 increase. (Or at least as close to 0 as I'm going to get at Disney). I'm just comparing the way the So Cal folks are feeling to the way I felt when they eliminated the 6 and 7 day tickets. I've been told repeatedly that Disney is in business to make money and knows what they are doing.

Ah yes, we live FAR away, so the So Cal removal is not an issue, I think if they really wanted to cut back on pass holders though they should ditch the payment plan. That would thin the crowds as I am sure there are a lot of people who would not buy an AP without the financing they offer. I think it should be fair for everyone.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but I know our immediate dilemma is that my family has Southern California Passes, but my 2 year old son does not. He will be turning 3 in December and we're not really sure what we're going to do now. I hope a solution presents itself between now and then.

That really does stink.