WDW Annual Pass Timing Speculation

[Bo1203]

Between Le Petit Cafe and Boardwalk Joe's I promise Disney, my family will spend $1k+.

 

[Loro]

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.

Agreed, they really shouldn't be discouraging anyone from coming at all. The problem is that right now capacity is still somewhat limited. Otherwise they would want everyone coming.

An example of how the lack of APs hurts Disney's bottom line is how many DVC owners are taking trips with limited or no park visits. Yes they're coming and filling rooms (or going to Aulani, renting out points, etc.)... But instead of spending on APs and more in the parks, they're spending that money elsewhere and sometimes at Universal and off property. Disney knowns this, but until they can raise the capacity it's a tough situation.

They still aren't back to the pre-pandemic levels of staffing, and because of the question marks surrounding the economy right now they are being extra careful. Probably too careful in my opinion since the Parks make them so much money that they can absorb a bit of a hit worst case scenario, but it's tough to validate it with investors as a public company. Also doesn't help that Chapek really screwed the pooch and due to some of his decisions really delayed things coming full back.

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


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.

It's temporarily an either-or scenario, but you are correct. Once attendance lowers some or the economy goes down a bit and people travel less as a result, APs will likely be back then. Regardless, APs will be back once the capacity for them is there.

 

[Kender]

What is a magic key pass?

DLR's name for an annual pass. They ditched the AP name.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I definitely agree if no APs, at least sell the 10 day no expire ticket. But we are also in the same boat, yes we have a trip planned for July and we’ve decided to not go to the parks, so not spending our money on park tickets. Doing an all Animal Kingdom Lodge stay and do other things besides the parks. If no AP soon, we might buckle and do Universal APs. We did HHN for the 1st time this past October while we stayed at Pop Century and did a MNSSHP instead of regular park tickets. They’re losing money from us. I’m tired of buying expiring 5 day tickets. Feels like a waste. Want our APs back.

 

[HopperFan]

Maybe there's a chance tomorrow during the earnings call DIS announces WDW APs. Believe it was during an earnings call that they mentioned AP holders as unfavorable...Maybe they try correcting their messaging tomorrow.

I believe this was a reference to Disneyland, not Walt Disney World.

Two completely different AP bases and park capacities.

 

[Mexacajun]

I definitely agree if no APs, at least sell the 10 day no expire ticket. But we are also in the same boat, yes we have a trip planned for July and we’ve decided to not go to the parks, so not spending our money on park tickets. Doing an all Animal Kingdom Lodge stay and do other things besides the parks. If no AP soon, we might buckle and do Universal APs. We did HHN for the 1st time this past October while we stayed at Pop Century and did a MNSSHP instead of regular park tickets. They’re losing money from us. I’m tired of buying expiring 5 day tickets. Feels like a waste. Want our APs back.

This is where I am. Will start venturing out and at some point it won’t be worth it to own DVC anymore. I understand I am not special and they will just fill my spot with a full paying guest but it can still make me sad.

 

[Cfabar1]

I believe this was a reference to Disneyland, not Walt Disney World.

Two completely different AP bases and park capacities.

Yes but the fact they committed to selling some DL passes but not WDW passes says that Disney sees more value in new DL pass holders than new WDW pass holders.

 

[Bo1203]

That could be the case when the CFO said that last year. Yesterday's call Iger definitely mentioned "favorable attendance" in reference to WDW. I think we're reading into "unfavorable/favorable attendance" a bit to much, but in their defense they use those terms a lot on investor calls. It kind of sounds similar to a 2016 political speech, ha...

 

[DVC Special]

I've been pondering when Disney might restart Florida AP sales.

They've set the new prices so it is a matter of when really I think. We're past the holiday and running event weekends, tomorrow is MLK and President's Day is on the horizon; we've seen ticketing for 2023 after hours return so if I were a gambler I'd place a bet on late January or February.

Some are saying revenge travel has peaked, so this might be a good time to boost revenue before spring break and summer vacations. There is so much pent up demand for APs I'd put them on sale for DVC and FL Residents simultaneously.

After the Chapek years both groups need some TLC so there is no reason to do anything that appears to disadavantage one group vis a vis the other.

My two cents worth on this chilly Florida morning

any word on Annual passes so want them to return

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

Well, I just bit the bullet and bought our 6 day PH tickets for our April spring break trip. I was really holding out hope that AP's would come back, and even missed out on $350 savings by not buying back in December/January when my workplace discount program still had tickets at the old prices. At this point though with the busy February break period coming, then March and April spring breaks, I don't think WDW AP sales will restart. Since we're going the week after Easter I was nervous that park availability would start to diminish as we got closer. My original hope was to buy Sorcerer AP's for this April trip, and then do a small December trip and then another week trip next April during spring break which would fall before the AP's would expire, thus saving us thousands. Guess the December trip might not happen now, or we will not go to the parks. So disappointing, this is the second year that I could have made AP's work for us to save money on our trips since we became DVC members.

 

[Mexacajun]

Well, I just bit the bullet and bought our 6 day PH tickets for our April spring break trip. I was really holding out hope that AP's would come back, and even missed out on $350 savings by not buying back in December/January when my workplace discount program still had tickets at the old prices. At this point though with the busy February break period coming, then March and April spring breaks, I don't think WDW AP sales will restart. Since we're going the week after Easter I was nervous that park availability would start to diminish as we got closer. My original hope was to buy Sorcerer AP's for this April trip, and then do a small December trip and then another week trip next April during spring break which would fall before the AP's would expire, thus saving us thousands. Guess the December trip might not happen now, or we will not go to the parks. So disappointing, this is the second year that I could have made AP's work for us to save money on our trips since we became DVC members.

I will be there the same time with my fam and I was hoping for APs but I am feeling like you are. Gonna just bite the bullet and get them.

 

[Titanium]

any word on Annual passes so want them to return

Not sure about Anaheim but East of the Mississippi it's just the lonesome wail of crickets .

For Floridians the Pixie pass is still available and it seems from some earlier replies with the current policies you can upgrade a Pixie to a higher level at your 1 year renewal.

This doesn't help out of state or DVC guests unfortunately.

 

[Titanium]

That could be the case when the CFO said that last year. Yesterday's call Iger definitely mentioned "favorable attendance" in reference to WDW. I think we're reading into "unfavorable/favorable attendance" a bit to much, but in their defense they use those terms a lot on investor calls. It kind of sounds similar to a 2016 political speech, ha...

Talking about "favorable attendance" is much more palpable to stakeholders than talking about an "unfavorable guest mix". I'm so grateful Bob Iger is back.

EVERYONE gets the local vs. family from Denver $$$ dilemma Disney faces, each of us are challenged daily to maximize our personal income and control our own expenses. People's reactions are driven more by how things are said than what is said (i.e. "unfavorable guest mix").

 

[fumanchu2488]

I definitely agree if no APs, at least sell the 10 day no expire ticket. But we are also in the same boat, yes we have a trip planned for July and we’ve decided to not go to the parks, so not spending our money on park tickets. Doing an all Animal Kingdom Lodge stay and do other things besides the parks. If no AP soon, we might buckle and do Universal APs. We did HHN for the 1st time this past October while we stayed at Pop Century and did a MNSSHP instead of regular park tickets. They’re losing money from us. I’m tired of buying expiring 5 day tickets. Feels like a waste. Want our APs back.

Why not just allow this type of approach? Essentially some type of pay as you go system for a 1 year period. For example, I have a 7 day park hopper ticket for May and we are looking at coming back February 2024 (we are DVC members). Why not just allow people to add on days for the reduced rate up to 1 year like a punch card? So, everyday I want to add could be $20 or $30 per day. Make it a loyalty program.

 

[Mexacajun]

Why not just allow this type of approach? Essentially some type of pay as you go system for a 1 year period. For example, I have a 7 day park hopper ticket for May and we are looking at coming back February 2024 (we are DVC members). Why not just allow people to add on days for the reduced rate up to 1 year like a punch card? So, everyday I want to add could be $20 or $30 per day. Make it a loyalty program.

Because they don’t need to. Someone is standing right behind us unfavorable guests ready to pay full price.

 

[fumanchu2488]

Because they don’t need to. Someone is standing right behind us unfavorable guests ready to pay full price.

I agree. And I’m gonna buy my tickets next year anyway so I’m a sucker.

In general, it seems that APs have too high demand and are not expensive enough or are not restricted enough. If Disney knows it can fill parks to capacity with day ticket guests for their busiest weeks (I.e. spring break, Christmas, etc…) they shouldn’t have an AP in the park those days. Meaning every AP should have blackout dates.

Also, if they want a minimum expenditure to get in every day, they should tier the system and make it open ended. Meaning if you come 200 days, maybe your trips 150-200 cost $15 per day to get in. And someone that comes 25 days a year the cost to get in is $60 per day on average.

 

[RivShore]

Because they don’t need to. Someone is standing right behind us unfavorable guests ready to pay full price.

I agree that that is their attitude and it makes good business sense. But when it comes to DVC, they are choosing to disregard the person who spent tens of thousands of dollars on your time share and instead, favor the random visitor. I think that part is bad business - short and long term.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I agree that that is their attitude and it makes good business sense. But when it comes to DVC, they are choosing to disregard the person who spent tens of thousands of dollars on your time share and instead, favor the random visitor. I think that part is bad business - short and long term.

A while back someone made a thread discussing the possibility of an AP for DVC where you had to be staying on site to use it. I think a lot of people would immediately jump on a pass like that. They could even limit it to where you have to be staying at a DVC resort and not a moderate or a value. The question is if Disney would even offer something like that.

 

[Frankie K]

In keeping with the spirit of the thread, my complete and wild speculation is that passes won’t return until after the 50th wraps. Maybe even after Tron - prior to summer. But who knows - I’m not even sure that Disney knows at the moment.

I guess we will see very soon re:tron! I'm not as hopeful as I once was for their return but it would be great to see passes sold again.

 

[Mexacajun]

I agree that that is their attitude and it makes good business sense. But when it comes to DVC, they are choosing to disregard the person who spent tens of thousands of dollars on your time share and instead, favor the random visitor. I think that part is bad business - short and long term.

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