WDW considering implementing a tiered ticket price system

[lockedoutlogic]

Well, if guests did as you suggest wouldn't they lose the benefits of having longer multiple day tickets? I really don't know.

Disney will do everything they can to mask this concept and not put that kind of a choice in the consumers hand...

So they don't say...hey - why don't we just go to IOA on Friday or Saturday... And the space center the other?

They'll present the hidden per day costs when you book the multi day as a "deal" on the website or through your agent.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Also, can you imagine the complaints? People being denied entry because they didn't understand which ticket to buy or having to pay more at the gate. People want their vacation to be uncomplicated, hence things like DDP
On the other hand, Disney could just upsell everyone to Gold Park Hopper so the person doesn't have to "worry" about it. (Even if you are going in September and you don't park hop)

I agree. We know how much confusion existed (and still exists) with the fastpass system. If every guest were to research and study the tiered ticketing system, it would not be a problem. But they won't. Personally, I don't want to be standing behind someone who is arguing with a cast member about why they should be allowed in the park with a bronze ticket on a silver day. What a time-waster - and what a pain for the CMs.

 

[nkosiek]

I feel like some of the pricing policies put into place/being thought of are like the derivative markets, all one giant scam to get as much money from the little people as possible without much return for them.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I feel like some of the pricing policies put into place/being thought of are like the derivative markets, all one giant scam to get as much money from the little people as possible without much return for them.

The government legalized those scams during the last 35 years of bad presidencies...

I'm thinking its like credit default swaps (agreeing with you)...a group of fatcats (in this case fat rats) Pushing the boundaries of common sense in an all out attempt to collect as much cash (via consumer debt) as quickly as possible and not worrying about the long term damage. Then essentially passing the buck when it goes south - hypothetically.

 

[Josh Hendy]

Well, if guests did as you suggest wouldn't they lose the benefits of having longer multiple day tickets? I really don't know.

You can see the potential for escalating park-ticket strategy and counter-strategy already. Very much like how other complicated planning and pricing schemes have led to the complications of throwaway rooms, using multiple Magic Bands, fake reservations to take advantage of possible future food discounts, and whatever.

I shouldn't have to say it, but a business that offers a straightforward product at a straightforward price is bound to be more successful in the long run ...

 

[Josh Hendy]

The government legalized those scams during the last 35 years of bad presidencies...

Not so much "legalized" as "underwrote".

The bailouts of TBTF legalized scams mostly take place as massive money-printing in the form of billions or trillions of dollars of easy credit. The effect on Disney parks shows up as massive investment in the parks in the EU and China, and in the relative emphasis on DVC in N. America. That may not be because of any particular medium- or long-term business needs in any of those markets, but simply because the (nearly) free money comes out of the spigot with certain earmarks that make it easier to tap into it for "infrastructure" (so called) in some monetary jurisdictions and "home ownership" (so called) in others.

Who knows, the massive (and underwhelming IMHO) investment in MDE++ may have been a cynical move to tap into free money that was centrally-planned from the top to be steered towards IT. The new tech bubble in other words. If hypothetically a company wanted to tap into this source of money, but kind-of sort-of divert most of it to the bottom line, then it would behoove such a hypothetical company to make a really splashy, high-profile but actually fairly shallow and superficial IT "investment" ... and then to offload any resulting increase in ongoing expenses as quickly as possible in the form of job cuts and outsourcing.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not so much "legalized" as "underwrote".

The bailouts of TBTF legalized scams mostly take place as massive money-printing in the form of billions or trillions of dollars of easy credit. The effect on Disney parks shows up as massive investment in the parks in the EU and China, and in the relative emphasis on DVC in N. America. That may not be because of any particular medium- or long-term business needs in any of those markets, but simply because the (nearly) free money comes out of the spigot with certain earmarks that make it easier to tap into it for "infrastructure" (so called) in some monetary jurisdictions and "home ownership" (so called) in others.

Who knows, the massive (and underwhelming IMHO) investment in MDE++ may have been a cynical move to tap into free money that was centrally-planned from the top to be steered towards IT. The new tech bubble in other words. If hypothetically a company wanted to tap into this source of money, but kind-of sort-of divert most of it to the bottom line, then it would behoove such a hypothetical company to make a really splashy, high-profile but actually fairly shallow and superficial IT "investment" ... and then to offload any resulting increase in ongoing expenses as quickly as possible in the form of job cuts and outsourcing.

You're an angry little sprite...

But I see you have a refreshing grasp of the real problems/realities.

 

[oddman]

A higher price could be balanced with a less crowded and more enjoyable experience than you may have otherwise had under the flatter pricing plan.

LOL, thanks I needed a laugh.

high priced days will still be crowded out , just everyone will pay more. And when you consider the place is pretty much full 365 it just means some people will visit 3 days instead of 4, generally cutting off a day or two.

TO me it is just another reason to skip Disney completely next year. We already skipped dis this year due to crowds and prices, instead we are spending even more but going someplace new and exciting. Now we are planning to do a trip to Orlando next year and visit Universal instead, along with a house on the beach front. Hell with the cost of Disney these days I can get a real beach front home for a lot less.

 

[oddman]

This makes perfect sense and was bound to come eventually. QUOTE]

NOPE it was not bound to come, the advantage of a single price is huge. Disney will need to see very real increased profits in order to give up the advantage of a single price.

Example... safeways staying open 24 hours a day is not because the make a profit at 4am it is because from a consumer view they know Safeway is always open therefore they don't have to think or wonder or worry, they just know.

Just as with Disney until this point anyone wishing to visit did not have to worry , or wonder because it might be too high but it is the same all the time, rain or shine, winter or summer Disney had one price and that one price was the same for everyone.

this change will make people spend more time comparing and that leads to comparing with other parks... why visit Disney for 5 days when 2 of those days will now cost maybe 25% more, that extra money could be lunch in universal.....

 

[oddman]

The commentary from people has also been quite negative.

it is too soon after the fast pass bs that most people here swore would work out fine..... ( in my view the new fast pass degraded WDW)

 

[rteetz]

it is too soon after the fast pass bs that most people here swore would work out fine..... ( in my view the new fast pass degraded WDW)

I don't think the new fastpass system has changed anything other than how you get a FP. It has spread out crowds but it hasn't done it to a noticeable point nor wil here Disney would like it. The management, decline in quality and increase in pricing has degraded WDW along with the huge amount of crowds that keep coming.

 

[oddman]

REF the bronze days being charged as gold days should your stay overlap....


Wait for it...

wait...

That is the bone that will be thrown to the angry mob. Disney always pack a bone to throw back to the crowd should the backlash be too high. It is a tried and tested tactic used by businesses and parents everywhere.

when you want the kids to clean their rooms, just tell them they have to clean the house, but if they do a great job on their room and do it fast, you will let them off with cleaning the rest of the house...

car dealer wants 25k for the car, he asks for $35 and then tells you how great a guy he is while reduces to 28...

This is exactly how Disney handled the fast pass changes, they implied it would be awful for offsite guests, showed us what great guys they are by making it not as awful as promised.

This is Disney setting up a "we heard you". This is Disney fooling 99.9% of the population they will get exactly what they want and you will think they were really nice for not taking your first born.

 

[oddman]

I don't think the new fastpass system has changed anything other than how you get a FP. It has spread out crowds but it hasn't done it to a noticeable point nor wil here Disney would like it. The management, decline in quality and increase in pricing has degraded WDW along with the huge amount of crowds that keep coming.

Maybe it changed nothing for you. But for my family the changes were awful and made Disney much less interesting as a vacation choice. I do of course understand that for many people there could be 4 hour lines and they would still thank the Disney corporation for allowing them to line up.

 

[nkosiek]

The government legalized those scams during the last 35 years of bad presidencies...

I'm thinking its like credit default swaps (agreeing with you)...a group of fatcats (in this case fat rats) Pushing the boundaries of common sense in an all out attempt to collect as much cash (via consumer debt) as quickly as possible and not worrying about the long term damage. Then essentially passing the buck when it goes south - hypothetically.

Okay, I'll go with that. All those nice mortgage swaps and whatnot, yeah I can see it.

 

[Josh Hendy]

You're an angry little sprite...

Not angry. And not very spritely either. I'm just a curious, skeptical chimp who's unwilling to pass along anything but the straight dope ... as I understand it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not angry. And not very spritely either. I'm just a curious, skeptical chimp who's unwilling to pass along anything but the straight dope ... as I understand it.

That's amazing...SO AM I!!

we should start a club

 

[Castle2Castle]

LOL, thanks I needed a laugh.

high priced days will still be crowded out , just everyone will pay more. And when you consider the place is pretty much full 365 it just means some people will visit 3 days instead of 4, generally cutting off a day or two.

TO me it is just another reason to skip Disney completely next year. We already skipped dis this year due to crowds and prices, instead we are spending even more but going someplace new and exciting. Now we are planning to do a trip to Orlando next year and visit Universal instead, along with a house on the beach front. Hell with the cost of Disney these days I can get a real beach front home for a lot less.

My comment was about reducing crowds from what they otherwise would be under the current flat pricing plan. People reducing the number of days per trip during peak times would do just that. Adjusting your Orlando trip to include other things during peak WDW times will do that as well. It wasn't necessary to reciprocate, but you have given me a slight chuckle.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I don't think the new fastpass system has changed anything other than how you get a FP..

But now you can only reserve 3 passes in advance and for the same park. And good luck getting additional passes once you've used your first three. At least I did not have much success during my last visit. Then there's the issue of attractions, like Spaceship Earth, that rarely had long lines but now have them because of FP+. Not a fan!

 

[rteetz]

But now you can only reserve 3 passes in advance and for the same park. And good luck getting additional passes once you've used your first three. At least I did not have much success during my last visit. Then there's the issue of attractions, like Spaceship Earth, that rarely had long lines but now have them because of FP+. Not a fan!

I didn't say I'm a fan or not. I was just stating how the system changed. The system itself hasn't done much different than what legacy FP would've done. There is some data from touring plans showing slight changes and how it's worked but it's only minimal. What Disney should've done is not given FP to attractions that don't need it like SSE.

 

[Castle2Castle]

What Disney should've done is not given FP to attractions that don't need it like SSE.

The attractions themselves didn't need it, but it seems like the broader FP+ system may have needed it.