Ticket prices going up?

[Procrastinate]

I just called my local AAA office to find out how much they charge for tickets. The woman I spoke with told me to buy tickets soon, as the rumor is that they are going up.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Doesn't it happen just about every year by a few dollars?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Normally Ticket Price increases always go into effect on a Sunday. The earliest Disney will usually announce the increases is late on a Friday afternoon.

The only people who know in advance are some managers and high level people, the programmers for the ticketing computers, and the people who make signs and printed materials.

Often many of us who sell tickets find out when we come in and find that the prices on our terminals are changed, and the sheets we have in the booths to show Guests their choices are new.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

2007 and 2008 it was the 1st Sunday in August.

Last year not only the base price went up, but I am pretty sure they also did an increase on the 'no expire' option. My DH only comes for 2-3 days (1x per year) when I go with my family and a non-expiring hopper is the best ticket for him.

I looked up what I paid for a 10-day hopper, non-exp, water parks the day before prices went up. I bought it from a popular ticket seller that offers a discount in a newsletter that many of us subscribe to.

Paid $475.95 (gate price approx $527), next day was $519.75 (gate price $571.93).

My parents, DD and I need new AP's... we are assuming the prices are going up and not taking a chance. We bought two AP vouchers this week and are buying two more in July for our Mar 2010/Feb 2011 trips.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Yea, I always try to buy right before the increase. Hopefully they won't raise them as much this year or we will have to cut back or trips.

 

[zulemara]

I think 75 dollars is a psychological price point. They need to stay where they are for at least this year until the economy recovers. Raising prices while providing less is not a good business model

but what do I know? I just drive boats

 

[Modeltrf]

Raising prices would be bad publicity!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Raising prices would be bad publicity!

Or conversely, if marketed well could help raise confidence that Disney is confident that the market can support the increase, and that attendance is not down (which it's really not down that much).

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Or conversely, if marketed well could help raise confidence that Disney is confident that the market can support the increase, and that attendance is not down (which it's really not down that much).

You really believe that?

I doubt most people think that way. They are more concerned about how it will affect their own Disney budgets.

I doubt it will represent anything other than what it truly is....Greed.

Got to pay those big boys bonus' at the end of the year.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You really believe that?

I doubt most people think that way. They are more concerned about how it will affect their own Disney budgets.

I doubt it will represent anything other than what it truly is....Greed.

Got to pay those big boys bonus' at the end of the year.

As a financial analyst and Disney shareholder, yes I do. Remember in terms of attendance Disney is not far off from 2008 numbers either.

 

[Modeltrf]

As a financial analyst and Disney shareholder, yes I do. Remember in terms of attendance Disney is not far off from 2008 numbers either.

You are correct the 2009 numbers are similar to 2008. But two things should be added to that. First, 2008 wasn't a banner year. Second, to get the 2009 numbers anywhere near 2008 they practically gave the store away. 'Buy 4 days get 3 days free' cost them dearly. And that is only one of the many primers they have issued to sustain park attendance and hotel numbers. I also remember hearing a Disney exec stating 'sure the park attendance is good but no one is buying anything at the park'.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You are correct the 2009 numbers are similar to 2008. But two things should be added to that. First, 2008 wasn't a banner year. Second, to get the 2009 numbers anywhere near 2008 they practically gave the store away. 'Buy 4 days get 3 days free' cost them dearly. And that is only one of the many primers they have issued to sustain park attendance and hotel numbers. I also remember hearing a Disney exec stating 'sure the park attendance is good but no one is buying anything at the park'.

Attendance and per guest revenue are two different things.

If attendance is not markably down, raising the ticket prices a meager amount will increase the per guest revenue automatically. A ticket price increase will have neglible impacts on what people buy in the park itself as general purchasing rules will often in people's minds seperate the two transactions.

 

[Modeltrf]

Attendance and per guest revenue are two different things.

If attendance is not markably down, raising the ticket prices a meager amount will increase the per guest revenue automatically. A ticket price increase will have neglible impacts on what people buy in the park itself as general purchasing rules will often in people's minds seperate the two transactions.

Good capitalism doesn’t always equal good publicity. Especially today as it would be difficult to find a major news source that doesn’t have daily coverage of how financially dire are the times we live in. You can’t escape the coverage of the numerous states’ huge budget deficits. The banks, auto industry and construction woes are thrust into our face. The latest buzzwords are ‘Moral Capitalism’ and that the ways of excess are dead or a t least lying dormant. Disney itself has released hundreds of staff due to the tough economic climate.

Given those few things mentioned, of which more could be provided, do you really believe Disney thinks now would be a good time to raise prices? That it wouldn’t be carried by every TV network on the evening news how callous Disney has become?

I remain convinced that raising ticket prices now would be bad publicity.

 

[mitros]

Disney WILL raise prices. The economy {supposedly bad} will make no difference to them. We live near enough to go on a regular basis, and we see no signs of Disneys business getting bad, at least based on the number of bodies on property, at the parks, the resorts, and the restaurants. They have the buy 4 get 3 free for the resort rooms, as well as the free dining. So yes, they will raise prices again. Oh, and many, many DVC members, who have already paid for their shares will continue to fill those resorts, and the parks, and the restaurants as well.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Given those few things mentioned, of which more could be provided, do you really believe Disney thinks now would be a good time to raise prices? That it wouldn’t be carried by every TV network on the evening news how callous Disney has become?

Yes, I think the current market/environment provides no reason not to.

 

[Modeltrf]

Yes, I think the current market/environment provides no reason not to.

While I agree Disney WILL raise prices in 2010. We will need to wait and see if they are brave enough to raise them in 2009. Let the countdown begin!

 

[jediknight38]

I think 75 dollars is a psychological price point. They need to stay where they are for at least this year until the economy recovers. Raising prices while providing less is not a good business model

but what do I know? I just drive boats

Niether was the closing of Pleasure Island and The Adventures Club or renovating Space mountain during the summer season, but they did it anway.

 

[lugnut33]

No doubt in my mind they will raise prices in August. I'm going to guess around $4. The real psychological barrier is around $100, which still makes it way less than attending a 2 hour Hanna Montana concert.

They already raised water park prices a lot just a few weeks ago.

 

[tjkraz]

I think they will raise prices--particularly if the package offers are going to continue into the fall and winter months. Disney's big marketing push is the packages (free dining, 7 for 4) and even with a slight increase in the ticket component rolled-up in there, those packages are still excellent value for cash guests.

Some have suggested that Disney is nearly ready to start announcing some new attractions for WDW (Little Mermaid, Monster's coaster for DHS.) If so, raising ticket prices around the same time as those announcements will help deflect a lot of the criticism.

 

[TDC Nala]

I hope so. Then my birthday gift card will be worth a little more.