What would Disney have to do to keep your family away?

[nilla]

Hmmm, let's see...

- Police roadblock
- Giant wall around the property
- Getting me imprisoned on a false charge, keeping me away from Florida

Beyond that, I'm not sure they're capable to deterring me.

 

[epcotty]

For us tiered pricing could definitely do that, especially if there's no way for us to go during "cheaper" times. Also the rumor regarding new tickets being limited # of attractions. That definitely could do that too. Also cutting back too much (in our opinion) on attractions, entertainment could do it. I'd say probably if any of those happened we would just use up our no expiration tickets and then not bother anymore and likely go to Universal instead

 

[nilla]

This pricing idea makes me beyond nervous. I am not a fan at all.

I'd be stunned if they went that route, after decades of just about every other theme park moving AWAY from that approach.

 

[courtneybeth]

Cost is a deterrent for us and we could easily spend the money on another trip to Europe for the money we drop annually into Mr Mouse's bank account.


We're already debating canceling the Premier pass and skipping Disneyland all together. Construction of Star Wars land, reduced attractions, and an increase of people due to the So Cal ticket promotions are already making it less fun on the West Coast. I'd hate to skip out on Disney World, because we LOVE EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. I think for us, it really comes down to hotel cost and park crowds. We'll see how this year goes before we make any big decisions. We renew our passes in November.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Close.

I'd probably keep going no matter what.

 

[tlmadden73]

For me it would take a lot as I just had my first child and imagine we'd have many trips there. It is a new experience now that I'd be taking a child (and maybe children) there.

But I can see some things that would keep us away on a REGULAR basis:
1) Reduced guest service. Disney is higher price vacation, but you mostly get what you pay for. I'm okay with that.

2) Crowds ... Even with Fast Pass .. I would struggle to enjoy myself if I am waiting in long lines (for even things like food or bathrooms). A theme park (unlike a movie, or rock concert or sporting event) experience changes drastically the more people there. I get generally the same experience at a movie whethere it is at capacity or not (I just may have to get there a bit earlier to get a "good" seat). Not with a theme park.

3) Increased security measures .. if security lines become like the TSA where I have to take my shoes off or can't take much in the park, it just wouldn't be worth it.


Notice that prices or removal of certain attractions aren't on my list. Attrations come and go .. things can't stay the same forever. While I would love to take my son on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, I understand things have to go for one reason or another to make way for new things.

And unless you are going 5+ days ... 2 times a year every year .. Disney should always stay pretty fresh.

 

[BMWTeamLeader]

I thought it was a great question. never thought of it as stirring the pot.



we have considered going for a quick weekend trip and not doing the parks

 

[BMWTeamLeader]

started to post then hit the wrong button....agree with eliza61....we are taking a break from the parks until there is justifiable enough new attractions to see. We are saving for 2021 and very excited. In the meantime we will still enjoy Disney here on the DIS and in 2017 when we hit Universal for the first time. I am planning to scope out Disney Springs and planned a "beach day" at Blizzard Beach, with Breakfast at Cape May and Dinner (dessert) at Beaches and Cream.

Love Disney because there is so much besides just the parks..If something irks me about one part, I can never justify deserting it in its entirety.

 

[JimmyV]

but I really think what Disney has is the nostalgia factor. My parents took me there as a kid, not every year but every few years, and I really latched on, and now I'm 22, and someday I'll get married and take my kids there, and they will continue to go to Disney (I sure hope!).

And this is what I think Disney is underestimating. Many people have posted here that Disney cares more about once-in-a-lifetime guests and less about regular visitors. I don't know if that is true or not. But if we assume that it is, then Disney's changes risk eliminating the "nostalgia factor" from the equation. The nostalgia that you feel is derived from the fact that your family went frequently and it became a tradition that you want to continue. Now imagine what it is like for the family that takes their 7 and 5 year old kids once and doesn't return. Are those kids going to feel compelled to go to WDW over and over again when they are 22? It is certainly not as likely. Disney trades heavily on nostalgia and I see the real risk of that currency evaporating as prices increase to the point where people go less often and trips to WDW stop becoming annual or close to annual traditions. Fifty families of four can bow out of future vacations and be replaced by a single foreign tour group of 200 people. But will that tour group be "captured" for future visits as much as the fifty families who stopped going? I don't know.

 

[EricInPA]

I'd be stunned if they went that route, after decades of just about every other theme park moving AWAY from that approach.

It's funny to see this here because at our local park people want them (pay per ride tickets) back because they want to go to the park and either don't want to ride or can't ride (Grandma traveling along with the family, for example). I'm sure Disney would get similar types of guests and people would adjust accordingly, but I just can't see it happening.

 

[SnackCredit]

Doubled or tripled price hikes for the same services
Mandatory nude scanners in the security lines with no opt-out for patdowns
Charging for FPs
Charging for individual attractions/ going back to A- E tickets
No more DDP

 

[nilla]

It's funny to see this here because at our local park people want them (pay per ride tickets) back because they want to go to the park and either don't want to ride or can't ride (Grandma traveling along with the family, for example). I'm sure Disney would get similar types of guests and people would adjust accordingly, but I just can't see it happening.

They have that at the parks in Wildwood, NJ, but you can also purchase an all-day pass. It seems to make more sense at a place like that, since the boardwalk is much more than just the amusement parks.

 

[nilla]

It's funny to see this here because at our local park people want them (pay per ride tickets) back because they want to go to the park and either don't want to ride or can't ride (Grandma traveling along with the family, for example). I'm sure Disney would get similar types of guests and people would adjust accordingly, but I just can't see it happening.

By any chance, are you talking about Knoebels?

 

[EricInPA]

By any chance, are you talking about Knoebels?

Kennywood, actually (need to get to Knoebel's). A big part of the DIS fun is seeing how similar the complaints are between a place that could fit in MK's parking lot and the world's largest theme park.

 

[Magpie]

With the direction Disney is currently headed, and the experiences we've had at the parks recently...

It looks like we'll be returning MANY times over the next few years.

 

[EricInPA]

Many people have posted here that Disney cares more about once-in-a-lifetime guests and less about regular visitors. I don't know if that is true or not. But if we assume that it is, then Disney's changes risk eliminating the "nostalgia factor" from the equation. The nostalgia that you feel is derived from the fact that your family went frequently and it became a tradition that you want to continue.

Speaking anecdotally as someone with zero childhood Disney parks nostalgia (we went to Universal. sorry, Mom), they have a long way to fall before they stop hooking repeat guests.

 

[JimmyV]

...they have a long way to fall before they stop hooking repeat guests.

That is sort of the whole point of this thread. While it may be true that Disney has a long way to fall before it stops hooking you as a repeat guest, I don't think that this statement can be re-written to be an objective statement that applies to everyone.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

In terms of the ticket book pricing: I just can't see them tiering their attractions with much success. It's much harder today to say what an "E ticket" attraction really is. For example, would they charge more for this new Frozen attraction? By ride standards, it will hardly be an "E Ticket"- but it will be popular? At WDW, it's not just as simple as "thrill rides are E tickets". I don't see this pricing working at all.

 

[Magpie]

Okay, to actually answer the OP's question, here's what Disney could do to lose me:

Fire all the street entertainers.

Hire nothing but surly, underpaid teenagers who stare blankly through you when you try to talk to them (our experience at Canada's Wonderland, many, many years ago).

Having nothing available to eat but cold shriveled hamburgers and congealed fries (yep, Canada's Wonderland again).

Stop building new rides and attractions.

Stop innovating.

Stop experimenting.

Back in the mid 2000s, we took a cross country trip with the kids, during which we spent a week at Disney and then swung by Canada's Wonderland on our way back. We'd been to Canada's Wonderland before and had loved it, but after Disney, we were spoiled for regular theme parks. The deciding moment for us was when we rode one of their wooden coasters and our son hurt his neck. He was crying hysterically by the time the coaster stopped. But the kid operating the coaster didn't even so much as glance at my son. We got him over to a bench nearby and tried to calm him down, while more than one employee walked past, ignoring us. No one cared to find out what was wrong. My son had really done a job on his neck, too. He was sore for the better part of six months after.

So, that basically soured us on Canada's Wonderland. Now we stick to Disney and Universal, where the customer service is top notch, and the staff give you the impression they care.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Not being snarky -- I REALLY want to understand -- why spend time on these boards? If I was done with Disney and going elsewhere, no offense to DIS, but I wouldn't be on here!

Because I still enjoy going to Orlando for other parks. Also, I still like Disney and hope they improve. The only way I'm going to find out if they improve is staying informed by reading on here and other forums.