What do you think about an Annual Pass that is only valid when Staying on Property?

[mistysue]

It would be perfect for us.

 

[iluvthsgam]

As a family who comes from NY and usually stays on site, that would be a nice option to have.

 

[CSLucas]

What's in it for Disney? If you're making multiple trips a year, you're going to pay for the regular AP anyway, why would they give you a discount and lose money?

I can definitely see an advantage for Disney here as it would encourage people to take longer vacations and spread out their park time. AP math doesn't make sense for us, and with the cost of tickets we feel like we need to be in the park pretty much from open to close. If we had some sort of on-site ticket advantage (even a very small one!) then we would absolutely spend more time at the resort. We eat all of our meals as table service so it's not like Disney would lose our in-park revenue, but it would help keep crowds down if they could spread people out between the parks AND the resorts. We would just leave when it was busy and not feel like we were leaving so much money on the table. I think that people just aren't going to be willing to accept the same level of crowds that they were before covid - Disney is going to have to find some way to thin the masses, and convincing people to spend more time at their resorts is a good way to do that.

 

[gavvy]

Could cause issues- such as people booking 1 night in a value to be able to use the pass but have no intention of using the room etc - like what was happening with fastpass for a while. Disney hate that as it messes with their 'per room spending' that they report.

 

[Chuck S]

Could cause issues- such as people booking 1 night in a value to be able to use the pass but have no intention of using the room etc - like what was happening with fastpass for a while. Disney hate that as it messes with their 'per room spending' that they report.

That could be solved by limiting it to DVC Members staying on points at a DVC Resort. But I really see no advantage to the DVC Member for that type of pass vs. the Gold pass. Now, if it were like the original pass program, where anyone staying in the room with you could also use the pass, that would work. Where they'd just issue x number of passes for a room booked on points, assuming the DVC Member is the primary on the reservation. But then there is no advantage to Disney, and that would really screw up MDE, and FP+, and whatever else it may be tied to.

 

[NoTime42]

The general point of any “discount” is to result in customers spending more $ than they would without the discount.

from our DVC perspective, how does a length of stay pass result in DVC members spending more than the gold pass?

Ticket prices are crazy. For (2) 1-week stays The $719 gold pass gives you 14 park days for less than (2) $449 4-day base tickets that would only get you (8) park days.

 

[kristenrice]

The general point of any “discount” is to result in customers spending more $ than they would without the discount.

from our DVC perspective, how does a length of stay pass result in DVC members spending more than the gold pass?

Ticket prices are crazy. For (2) 1-week stays The $719 gold pass gives you 14 park days for less than (2) $449 4-day base tickets that would only get you (8) park days.

I'll take a stab at answering this...

In our scenario (which is specific to us, but may apply to others as well), we tend to travel the same week in October each year due to our fall break. We cannot adjust it by a week in order to get two trips to fall within a 365-day period so the Gold Pass would be of no benefit in our situation. In order to go to the parks for 5-6 days, and hop at our leisure, our family's only option is to pay $2475 (current price of 6-day PH via www.undercovertourist.com for our passes. At that price, we have reached our tipping point. We do not spend that much time in the parks anymore since we typically only hit a few of our traditional favorites and then check out whatever is new since our last trip. We love the resorts and hanging out by the pools, but always seem to feel guilty because we spend so much on park tickets that it seems like a waste to not be in the parks. We won't be travelling as a family of 4 anymore and going to the parks. We've decided to do HHI and when I need a WDW fix, I will take one person along with me. So, if there was an option of a length-of-stay park hopper pass that would cost us less than $2500 for 6-days, I would be very interested in it. It would definitely make it a tougher decision between using my DVC points at WDW and HHI. Right now, our plans are to start using them primarily at HHI and using the leftovers at WDW.

Edited by moderator for link

 

[fgaini]

Would work for me DVC owner.

 

[dismedvc]

That could be solved by limiting it to DVC Members staying on points at a DVC Resort. But I really see no advantage the DVC Member for that type of pass vs. the Gold pass

I was thinking more along the lines of a valid only when staying on property pass being less expensive than a gold pass, or not having blackout dates. Also when/if annual passes return, the Gold pass may no longer offered to DVC members. This would be an alternative, and would give people, both DVC members and others, an additional incentive to stay on property, which would seem to be a good thing for Disney.

ETA: Is Disney required to offer Florida resident annual passes, and are those still currently being sold?
ETA2: I just remembered AP holders can only make 3 days of park reservations if they are not staying on property.

 

[Chuck S]

Just a reminder...if anyone in your party is retired military, they can purchase/order discounted tickets at a base. A max of 6 tickets per year. The military member must be with you, and have a ticket and military ID to activate the tickets. This year the 5 day hoppers are a $315* and hopper plus is $345*. Part of my party of 11 people for Thanksgiving week have these.

*plus applicable tax.

 

[Leight19]

The general point of any “discount” is to result in customers spending more $ than they would without the discount.

from our DVC perspective, how does a length of stay pass result in DVC members spending more than the gold pass?

Ticket prices are crazy. For (2) 1-week stays The $719 gold pass gives you 14 park days for less than (2) $449 4-day base tickets that would only get you (8) park days.

I think there are two things here. In general, an ap that works when you stay on site would be primarily designed to give guests a reason to book with Disney rather then staying off site. As you highlight, this would not drive additional revenue from dvc members who book only dvc rooms. There may be some impact if members are point limited and would book extra days with cash with ap (Ive done that in past).

The second way this would help for dvc specific is if the benefit was tied to direct sales. This could either be the passes are only available to blue cards or maybe even pass is only usable when staying on direct points. Either of these options could drive additional revenue for Disney through future direct sales.

 

[Chuck S]

I think there are two things here. In general, an ap that works when you stay on site would be primarily designed to give guests a reason to book with Disney rather then staying off site. As you highlight, this would not drive additional revenue from dvc members who book only dvc rooms. There may be some impact if members are point limited and would book extra days with cash with ap (Ive done that in past).

The second way this would help for dvc specific is if the benefit was tied to direct sales. This could either be the passes are only available to blue cards or maybe even pass is only usable when staying on direct points. Either of these options could drive additional revenue for Disney through future direct sales.

Except we already have a blue card discount on the Gold Pass...they just aren't available right now, unless you had one during the closure. I'm pretty sure APs will be available again when the parks boost attendance limits, since they are currently selling some to those who had them previously.

 

[bwvBound]

Just read the thread on bringing back Non-expiring tickets.
What are your thoughts on an Annual pass that would only be valid for park admission if you were staying on property?
Seems like it would be great for DVC members, although it could be offered to everyone.

Up front: I have not read the thread.

I think the idea, at face value as proposed, is overly restrictive. However, I have been long noodling ideas of how Disney might reward "brand loyalty," cross marketing, etc. in its new 'membership' plans and DVC certainly plays into these ideas. It would seem reasonable to 'reward' DVC owners with attractive pricing/offers on park access. This would incentivize Vacation Club sales, strengthen the base of "consistent revenue stream," etc.

I could see incentivizing a number of Disney communities: DVC members (qualified, in tiers), Castaway Cay Club members (by tier), D23 members, Disney-branded Chase VISA holders, Disney Movie Club members, etc.

Hmmm, I'm nearly salivating over the (improbable) idea of stackable discounts ... lol!

 

[Nabas]

No, the big pass deals never happened. But to get the same Gold pass like a FL resident is nice.

Would also be nice to have an option to buy something closer to a Silver Pass.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Up front: I have not read the thread.

I think the idea, at face value as proposed, is overly restrictive. However, I have been long noodling ideas of how Disney might reward "brand loyalty," cross marketing, etc. in its new 'membership' plans and DVC certainly plays into these ideas. It would seem reasonable to 'reward' DVC owners with attractive pricing/offers on park access. This would incentivize Vacation Club sales, strengthen the base of "consistent revenue stream," etc.

I could see incentivizing a number of Disney communities: DVC members (qualified, in tiers), Castaway Cay Club members (by tier), D23 members, Disney-branded Chase VISA holders, Disney Movie Club members, etc.

Hmmm, I'm nearly salivating over the (improbable) idea of stackable discounts ... lol!

I would add on more points TODAY if DVC announced a long term discount on tickets for us. Or even like a punch card sort of deal, like buy 25 non expiring park days.

 

[bwvBound]

I would add on more points TODAY if DVC announced a long term discount on tickets for us. Or even like a punch card sort of deal, like buy 25 non expiring park days.

Your reply triggered a really crazy idea: What if the 'punch card' was sold at a flat rate ... tied to the number of qualified points you owned?

A DVC member with 25 qualified points would get 25 days per year; 100 qualified points yields 100 days per year; etc.
The punchcard is per membership and can be shared w/in the family. Thus, the card with 100 days would give a family of four 25 days entrance each year.

Overly simplified at this level of thought ... but I bet the suits could think of something creative along these lines ...

Edited to add a few updates (above) and this:
I really loved our Flex AP at DLR ... while it lasted. I far preferred "reservations required" to the SoCAL AP's "heavy handed blockout" option. I could easily live with "2 reservations at any given time for 30-day-out-travel" provided it also allowed unlimited "last minute" reservations?

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Your reply triggered a really crazy idea: What if the 'punch card' was sold at a flat rate ... tied to the number of qualified points you owned?

A DVC member with 25 qualified points would get 25 days per year; 100 qualified points yields 100 days per year; etc.
The punchcard is per membership and can be shared w/in the family. Thus, the card with 100 days would give a family of four 25 days entrance each year.

Overly simplified at this level of thought ... but I bet the suits could think of something creative along these lines ...

Edited to add a few updates (above) and this:
I really loved our Flex AP at DLR ... while it lasted. I far preferred "reservations required" to the SoCAL AP's "heavy handed blockout" option. I could easily live with "2 reservations at any given time for 30-day-out-travel" provided it also allowed unlimited "last minute" reservations?

Or for every 25 points bought direct, you get one free ticket a year.

Park tickets are right there with food for top expenses for my family. I really did love the ticket deal they released this year, I hope something along that line continues.

 

[gharter]

Just read the thread on bringing back Non-expiring tickets.
What are your thoughts on an Annual pass that would only be valid for park admission if you were staying on property?
Seems like it would be great for DVC members, although it could be offered to everyone.

Depends what the cost is compared to one that doesn't have that restriction.
At the right price, as a DVC member, I would be interested.

 

[Chuck S]

I think the main thing holding back any tickets tied to a room stay is the fluidity of booking and cancelations AND that tickets are required to be added through MDE if you want to book park entrance days or in the future FP+. The DVC Reservation would need to be linked into MDE, tickets would then immediately be issued by WDW Ticketing. Then consider how many people walk a reservation, or at some point change or cancel the reservation...let alone rent out the reservation. Lots of programming or manual verification for ticketing personnel, and not really worth it, considering the alternative of an AP when they become available again. There's really nothing there for Disney to justify that type of investment of time or IP funding.

 

[Sandisw]

I think the main thing holding back any tickets tied to a room stay is the fluidity of booking and cancelations AND that tickets are required to be added through MDE if you want to book park entrance days or in the future FP+. The DVC Reservation would need to be linked into MDE, tickets would then immediately be issued by WDW Ticketing. Then consider how many people walk a reservation, or at some point change or cancel the reservation...let alone rent out the reservation. Lots of programming or manual verification for ticketing personnel, and not really worth it, considering the alternative of an AP when they become available again. There's really nothing there for Disney to justify that type of investment of time or IP funding.

Lots of good points and given that the Gold AP is only $719 plus tax, which can be used all but about 25 days, not sure there would be a price that would make it make sense.

Even premium is less than $900 with tax? Now a general public AP is $1200, so if was t related to DVC, I guess they would have room to price it less.