WDW Annual Pass Timing Speculation

[Smugpugmug]

Well doesn't sound good on the call. Iger basically just applauded throttling APs in favor of once in a life time visitors who are better for the bottom line. His argument is that its the best way to lower attendance and increase guest satisfaction while maintaining profits.

I'm not in any way surprised IMO. I just told my sister who is waiting for a non Pixie pass AP to just get the Pixie and upgrade to Sorcerer after a year. It's sounding bleak right now.

 

[Bo1203]

At least Iger's delivery sounds nicer

 

[Cfabar1]

I'm not in any way surprised IMO. I just told my sister who is waiting for a non Pixie pass AP to just get the Pixie and upgrade to Sorcerer after a year. It's sounding bleak right now.

Yes, and do it while you can…. I wouldn’t be surprised if the upgrade path gets cut off at some point.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Ugh. I was hoping for some good AP news. Should have never not renewed ours.

 

[LSUmiss]

Well doesn't sound good on the call. Iger basically just applauded throttling APs in favor of once in a life time visitors who are better for the bottom line. His argument is that its the best way to lower attendance and increase guest satisfaction while maintaining profits.

While I can appreciate that is probably true, why do they still allow FL resident passes?

 

[Narcoossee11]

While I can appreciate that is probably true, why do they still allow FL resident passes?

I think fla residents passes is part of the 'deal' with the state of FLA.

 

[starry_solo]

While I can appreciate that is probably true, why do they still allow FL resident passes?

Aren't those weekday only passes?

 

[Mexacajun]

I guess it is time to start renting out my DVC points. Sigh. I have been holding out and planning vacations but at this point it is unsustainable for our family. I know there are plenty that will fill the void.

 

[sheilafri]

I have a Pixie Dust Pass. The first two weeks of April are blocked out. Maybe/probably due to Easter? As a practical matter I can’t imagine they would want to cut off full price paying crowds so IMHO they won’t resume at least until after that time frame. As long as full price ticket sales are strong.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I think the parks are just to full for AP.
I look at the rest of the year. There is no slow time ahead,.
Spring break/easter break, ..then... summer break..then. ..fall/halloween,.then .. Thanksgiving,..then.... Christmas

 

[RoseGold]

Believe it was during an earnings call that they mentioned AP holders as unfavorable...Maybe they try correcting their messaging tomorrow.

Good one. Still unfavorable.

 

[ftmill]

I’m thinking about this more. I wonder if Disney wants to tweak (again) the types of passes offered at WDW. This may explain why Magic Key sales were vaguely announced but WDW sales were not.

That could also be because, technically, passes are still available for purchase at WDW, albeit only one type, and only to Florida residents. But I wonder if they are considering adjusting how WDW annual passes are marketed/packaged, etc.

What is a magic key pass?

 

[RivShore]

Well doesn't sound good on the call. Iger basically just applauded throttling APs in favor of once in a life time visitors who are better for the bottom line. His argument is that its the best way to lower attendance and increase guest satisfaction while maintaining profits.

It's hard to argue with that business logic - if you have limited space and customer A brings $1,000 to the bottom line and customer B brings $100, who do you want patronizing your business?

That being said, I still think there needs to be something done for DVC's, it's bad business leaving them out in the cold after having pouring 10's of thousands into your company.

 

[tidefan]

It's hard to argue with that business logic - if you have limited space and customer A brings $1,000 to the bottom line and customer B brings $100, who do you want patronizing your business?

That being said, I still think there needs to be something done for DVC's, it's bad business leaving them out in the cold after having pouring 10's of thousands into your company.

DVC direct sales have very much slowed. As I've stated prior, without AP's there is much less incentive for existing members to add-on (which is a high percentage of sales) when they would have to fork out for tickets on multiple stays. Even without the AP, people could have done this with say the 10-day non-expiring ticket, but those are out too.

 

[Mexacajun]

DVC direct sales have very much slowed. As I've stated prior, without AP's there is much less incentive for existing members to add-on (which is a high percentage of sales) when they would have to fork out for tickets on multiple stays. Even without the AP, people could have done this with say the 10-day non-expiring ticket, but those are out too.

Do you have a link for the latest direct sales. I have been hoping for a big slowdown in sales. That could help get Disney to act.

 

[tidefan]

Do you have a link for the latest direct sales. I have been hoping for a big slowdown in sales. That could help get Disney to act.

dvcnews.com has a list every month

 

[Bo1203]

It's hard to argue with that business logic - if you have limited space and customer A brings $1,000 to the bottom line and customer B brings $100, who do you want patronizing your business?

That being said, I still think there needs to be something done for DVC's, it's bad business leaving them out in the cold after having pouring 10's of thousands into your company.

As a DVC member, I agree haha. Throw us a bone.

The solution is more attractions to increase park capacity and Iger said the same on the call. I'd be nervous to push away my most loyal long term customers for short term quarterly investor calls. They must be confident that they can replace loyal customers and aren't sabotaging the brand.

 

[Miffy]

It's hard to argue with that business logic - if you have limited space and customer A brings $1,000 to the bottom line and customer B brings $100, who do you want patronizing your business?

That being said, I still think there needs to be something done for DVC's, it's bad business leaving them out in the cold after having pouring 10's of thousands into your company.

A business should never discourage any customer. Just because customer B is bringing only $100 to the table right now doesn't mean anything for the future when the company might be really really happy that customer B is still spending money there. And just because customer B is spending only $100 today means zero for the future. That customer could be spending thousands on DVC next week.

As for myself, I'm an out-of-state AP holder who kept renewing my AP even when I wasn't going--I'd have to call that pure profit for Disney The only reason I did this is that a few years ago I let my AP lapse and when I finally bought a new one I realized that I should've just renewed it since the discount to renew would've made the money turn out better than it ended up doing.

After that, I decided that as long as I still wanted to go to WDW and could afford it, I was going to renew my AP.

Since WDW is still offering room discounts to AP holders, it doesn't seem like they want to get rid of us, and I get regular push notices on my phone about AP benefits.

 

[RivShore]

Since WDW is still offering room discounts to AP holders, it doesn't seem like they want to get rid of us, and I get regular push notices on my phone about AP benefits.

True, I think they just don't want more of us right now while they are at capacity.

A business should never discourage any customer. Just because customer B is bringing only $100 to the table right now doesn't mean anything for the future when the company might be really really happy that customer B is still spending money there. And just because customer B is spending only $100 today means zero for the future. That customer could be spending thousands on DVC next week.

But this is an either or situation - you either take the $1k customer or you take the $0.1k customer, there's not room for both. The $1k is a sure thing and the other may spend more in the future. I still think that's an easy decision for any business owner. Especially when they feel that as soon as the $1k customers dry up, they can open the AP spigit to pent up demand and get all those same customers in the park in the future.

 

[RivShore]

The solution is more attractions to increase park capacity and Iger said the same on the call.

This is the only solution under the current environment. But if the economy turns and park visits slow dramatically, they will have those AP's up for sale in a second!