Whoa..Annual Pass Increase - Effective 10/4/15

[dotfurio]

I thought purchasing parking for the Deluxe or So Cal wasn't an option? I don't see it on their website...

Yeah, I don't see it either :-/ I got the info on the main street mouse someone linked on another website so who knows the accuracy. They are also the ones that said the socal select increased from 170 to 175 days, but IDK. I don't remember how many days I had before and I don't feel like counting since I'm not renewing

 

[ashley0139]

Just gonna leave this here...I posted it elsewhere and feel like it needs to be read with all the complaints going on.

Not upset about the price increase at all!! If you're an annual pass holder and have not done the math to see the value in this and are therefore stating you will not be renewing, see ya later. More room for me. If you're not a frequent visitor and tickets work better for you than you're not affected as of yet. But even so, ticket prices are even still a great deal. Here's some information for you...and simple math.

Disneyland currently has 40+ attractions in its resort for a ticket cost of $99 (or $155 for a park hopper). Universal Studios Hollywood currently has 8, yes that's right, EIGHT attractions and they charge $95 for a ticket. Who is really the company overcharging here??

I don't get the complaints. I just don't understand. ANNUAL PASSES ARE AN AMAZING VALUE!! Here is some basic math to prove the value. If at any time you will be visiting the park more than 6 days in a year, you are saving money.

DELUXE PASS vs TICKETS ---
A deluxe pass is $599, or 6 days in the park with park hoppers. This AP does not include parking, but can be added on. For now we'll just quote it as if you were going to pay $18 (the current pricing) daily for parking those 6 days. That's a cost of $707 with the deluxe AP, or with just buying tickets on its own, $578. Here you can see the Deluxe Pass is not cheaper than just buying tickets, As long as you are only going 6 days. Any more than that and the pass is cheaper.

SIGNATURE ---
$849, or 5 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

SIGNATURE PLUS ---
$1049, or 6 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

Now I'm not your average visitor, but if I didn't have an AP then I would have spent a small fortune going to the parks this year. Without including any savings I have received on food and merchandise, my 63 trips to the park would have cost me $10,899 (with parking included). So please, tell me how this isn't a value. I hope you realize that AP's are directed towards those of us locals that take multiple trips during the year. It's a value. Please just look at the math. If I'm going for more than 6 days, I'd rather just buy the pass than buy solo tickets!! That guarantees I can return during the year more than 6 times if I wanted to!

Most people don't go to Disneyland 60 times a year.

 

[grnflash]

For most AP holders, they don't spend anywhere near what they would spend on daily tickets. So Disney is basically losing money on the AP program.


DLR has a much higher percentage of AP's than WDW does. At any given time, as many as 80% of the guests in Disneyland are AP's. It adds up to a lot of bodies for a lot less money.

Sorry but I gotta call no on both these points.

1. Disney is losing money on the AP program. Really, if that were anywhere close to true they would just eliminate the program. Disney isn't running the AP program out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a business. The AP program exists to make money. And the AP program is not based on just the gate price. It's obviously a means to draw thousands of bodies into the park - bodies who eat and drink and shop. That's where the AP program money is. It takes the local AP'ers entertainment dollars (and dining and shopping) and puts them in Disney's pocket, dollars that I think obviously make the program profitable (again, otherwise they'd eliminate.) Whether DL would be as profitable without the AP program (since DL does not have the hotel/dining/activity revenue stream WDW can bank on), now that I would question.

2. Yes DL has a huge AP base. But 80% at any given time. No way. I've seen figures in the 60's, which seems to particularly happen when tourists leave and AP blockouts are lifted - i.e. after summer, after Spring Break, after xmas. And those 3 periods, Disney's busiest, draw much, much less AP population due to blackouts. And anyway, could any business survive if 80% of their customers were through an unprofitable program?


As to what I personally think, I think Disney knows they've been taking in less through the AP gate than they can without undermining this revenue stream. Yes, some people will not renew. But I think they knew a whole boatload of us will renew because the higher price is, while disappointing, still an acceptable value for product received. And in the process, they are trying to lessen the xmas overcrowding issue which will though take time to play out. But ultimately overcrowding is not Disney's problem (for them) - it's increasing profits, which is always the challenge in any company.

 

[rms123]

Can anyone confirm if the deluxe block out dates changed?

 

[DizMe]

Just gonna leave this here...I posted it elsewhere and feel like it needs to be read with all the complaints going on.

Not upset about the price increase at all!! If you're an annual pass holder and have not done the math to see the value in this and are therefore stating you will not be renewing, see ya later. More room for me. If you're not a frequent visitor and tickets work better for you than you're not affected as of yet. But even so, ticket prices are even still a great deal. Here's some information for you...and simple math.

Disneyland currently has 40+ attractions in its resort for a ticket cost of $99 (or $155 for a park hopper). Universal Studios Hollywood currently has 8, yes that's right, EIGHT attractions and they charge $95 for a ticket. Who is really the company overcharging here??

I don't get the complaints. I just don't understand. ANNUAL PASSES ARE AN AMAZING VALUE!! Here is some basic math to prove the value. If at any time you will be visiting the park more than 6 days in a year, you are saving money.

DELUXE PASS vs TICKETS ---
A deluxe pass is $599, or 6 days in the park with park hoppers. This AP does not include parking, but can be added on. For now we'll just quote it as if you were going to pay $18 (the current pricing) daily for parking those 6 days. That's a cost of $707 with the deluxe AP, or with just buying tickets on its own, $578. Here you can see the Deluxe Pass is not cheaper than just buying tickets, As long as you are only going 6 days. Any more than that and the pass is cheaper.

SIGNATURE ---
$849, or 5 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

SIGNATURE PLUS ---
$1049, or 6 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

Now I'm not your average visitor, but if I didn't have an AP then I would have spent a small fortune going to the parks this year. Without including any savings I have received on food and merchandise, my 63 trips to the park would have cost me $10,899 (with parking included). So please, tell me how this isn't a value. I hope you realize that AP's are directed towards those of us locals that take multiple trips during the year. It's a value. Please just look at the math. If I'm going for more than 6 days, I'd rather just buy the pass than buy solo tickets!! That guarantees I can return during the year more than 6 times if I wanted to!

This is still a good deal for you since you go 63 days/year. But how many of the rest of us spend 2 months a year at Disneyland? Your math is also taking the cost of individual park hoppers against the AP. Most people would not be buying individual day passes but multi-day hoppers. Also, a great many of us have no use for PP or parking so that is not a value for us to consider.

So, lucky you that you get a great value out of it! But keep in mind that it isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Individuals may also have an easier time with the increase than families buying multiple passes; obviously, there is no value past the first pass for PP or parking.

 

[iKristin]

It's a great value for you -- and many people will feel that way too. People can do the math and crunch numbers and figure out if it is worth it for them. But many people don't have endless, flowing streams of cash -- and yet they still love Disney parks as much as you do, and as much as other people do. So if they can no longer afford it or can't reconcile spending the money, or feel it's not right to implement this kind of pricing system right before the entire Rivers of America is about to go down, as well as DLRR, as well as the loss of the Ranch and Aladdin, etc.... they have a right to complain.

No I fully understand people don't have endless flows of money. I don't either. I guess I should have edited it because where it was posted originally it was on a post where people were complaining about the value. I'm not meaning this towards people that can no longer afford it, I meant it towards those complaining that it's not worth the cost.

 

[Robinjay]

Is that date right? Dec 2016?

Sure is! See the back of the voucher! It states, "The attached ticket must be redeemed by December 31, 2016". The Castmember verified that as well! I couldn't figure out why the picture went from normal view to sideways through. Sorry!

 

[pudinhd]

Is that date right? Dec 2016?

I just looked at the vouchers we bought at the Disney Store today. They do say December 2016!

 

[Sherry E]

No I fully understand people don't have endless flows of money. I don't either. I guess I should have edited it because where it was posted originally it was on a post where people were complaining about the value. I'm not meaning this towards people that can no longer afford it, I meant it towards those complaining that it's not worth the cost.

I think that, for me personally, it's hard to put a price on the value and feeling that I get when I'm in the parks. It's a level of fantasy, escapism, joy, etc., that is hard to match at any other type of entertainment-based location. Plus, it stirs up nostalgia, imagination and childlike glee. I realize that we here on DISboards (and those who are on MiceChat and Mouse Planet as well) are probably a different breed in that we are all really, reallllly, realllllllly into Disneyland, beyond just rides and friendly characters. It taps into a certain emotional well for us too. The general public and average DLR guest might not feel the same way -- to them it could just be a place to ride some fun rides and enjoy some Dole Whips -- and they get APs for discounts and for multiple short visits throughout the year. They are probably not necessarily 'attached' to DLR in the same way, and can easily mosey on over to Magic Mountain if the DLR prices get too lofty! Some of my friends (locals) who have APs enjoy DLR and really love some of the rides, but they are not attached to DLR. In other words, they might prefer DLR to other places but it won't 'hurt' them to not go to DLR if they have to stop getting APs.

That said, even though Disneyland has my heart and means the world to me, it doesn't mean that the price increases don't sting! It is hard to justify them sometimes, and then it becomes a matter of, "Well, if I skip this year and that year, maybe I will get another AP in a few years, or maybe I'll just go with Hoppers on the next trip."

The PhotoPass thing -- while it is a nice added feature -- is going to be really worth it for some people, and not worth it at all for others. Some people use PP+ a lot, but a whole family will probably not need more than one PP+ account, and solo travelers who are only in the parks for a few hours a couple of times a month probably won't need PP+ much at all. So I will be interested to see how that pans out over the next year, and if there is a surge in PP+ usage.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Sorry but I gotta call no on both these points.

1. Disney is losing money on the AP program. Really, if that were anywhere close to true they would just eliminate the program. Disney isn't running the AP program out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a business. The AP program exists to make money. And the AP program is not based on just the gate price. It's obviously a means to draw thousands of bodies into the park - bodies who eat and drink and shop. That's where the AP program money is. It takes the local AP'ers entertainment dollars and puts them in Disney's pocket, dollars that I think obviously make the program profitable (again, otherwise they'd eliminate.) Whether DL would be as profitable without the AP program (since DL does not have the hotel/dining/activity revenue stream WDW can bank on), now that I would question.

I should have been more specific... when you put a Day ticket next to an AP, the Day guest is going to spend more almost every time. Not only are they paying more to get through the gate, but they are more likely to eat multiple meals and buy multiple souvenirs than AP holders. Yes some AP holders spend a lot when they go to the parks. But most of them don't. We might buy a meal, or a soda. We're very likely not going to buy a souvenir.

2. Yes DL has a huge AP base. But 80% at any given time. No way. I've seen figures in the 60's, which seems to particularly happen when tourists leave and AP blockouts are lifted - i.e. after summer, after Spring Break, after xmas. And those 3 periods, Disney's busiest, draw much, much less AP population due to blackouts. And anyway, could any business survive if 80% of their customers were through an unprofitable program?

I'm just going on the numbers that we worked with when I worked in the ticketing department. It could have dropped since then, it's been a couple years. AP's are only profitable in certain circumstances: low attendance days. When the AP program was introduced, Disney was struggling to get bodies into the park; something was better than nothing so to speak. That time is not now. The park attendance has been growing every year despite raising AP prices. Disney doesn't need the cash crutch of AP holders any more.

As to what I personally think, I think Disney knows they've been taking in less through the AP gate than they can without undermining this revenue stream. Yes, some people will not renew. But I think they knew a whole boatload of us will renew because the higher price is, while disappointing, still an acceptable value for product received. And in the process, they are trying to lessen the xmas overcrowding issue which will though take time to play out. But ultimately overcrowding is not Disney's problem (for them) - it's increasing profits, which is always the challenge in any company.

Absolutely! It's smart business.

 

[Corpsebride]

Dh and I are OK with the ap price and change. Just OK. Not thrilled. But, we will renew the passes in December. We will get the plus pass, as we've had the premiums. Here's what makes it alright for us. Photo pass. We could never afford it. We love doing character m/g. But, Geez, even 1 digital print was $15-. Ea. We run a lot of Disney half marathons. I'd love to actually afford a pp pic of us in front of the castle with our medals. We do go about once a week. On the topic that aps don't spend as much. Well, a. Not true for us. We eat every time we are there. And usually a souvenir of some sort.trust me. Disney can count on me for a good chunk of my money every month. But, I know iys not the case for everyone. Sometimes we are thrifty. But, mostly not. Disneyland is where we choose to spend our money.

 

[Malcon10t]

It's a great value for you -- and many people will feel that way too. People can do the math and crunch numbers and figure out if it is worth it for them. But many people don't have endless, flowing streams of cash -- and yet they still love Disney parks as much as you do, and as much as other people do. So if they can no longer afford it or can't reconcile spending the money, or feel it's not right to implement this kind of pricing system right before the entire Rivers of America is about to go down, as well as DLRR, as well as the loss of the Ranch and Aladdin, etc.... they have a right to complain.

What irks me is the number of people who complain about how crowded it is at the park. Then because the demand is so high, prices get raised, let's complain about that too. If I make a widget and sell it for $x and it sells out faster than I can make it, and I raise prices and it still sells out, should I work twice as hard for half the money? Or should I raise my price? I have investors who invest in me and they want return on their money. Do I say "But I need to keep my price down so everyone can afford it." Not going to fly.

Why was this done NOW, when the park is going down? Because of all the Premium passes already out that won't expire until late 2016/2017. Those that have the vouchers from the Disney Store can redeem them 12/31/2016 and the passes won't expire until 2017. It takes 18 mos to 2 years to actually circle the system and the price really goes into effect. This is why you won't see a major increase in day tickets for a year.

Personally, I find value in Disney. I won't go to Knotts, I won't go to Six Flags. And yes, I will be renewing.

And I take exception to the "endless, flowing streams of cash", everyone has their price point. There are MANY who can't even afford the 1-day 1-park tickets. There are many that couldn't afford it even 5 years ago at those prices. There are many now who complain this will price them out as they buy a new car, go to the movies, or spend discretionary cash the way they want. It is not Disney's place to make Disneyland affordable to all. An annual pass is a luxury, not a need. A ticket to Disneyland is a luxury, not a need. Would I love to take every child to Disneyland, you bet.

When will Disney stop raising prices? When people stop coming. When would I lower the price on my widgets? When they don't sell. But as long as the park is packed, reaching capacity on non-holidays, prices will keep going up. They have evaluated where the income is shortfalled, and determined APs can afford to go up.

Is that date right? Dec 2016?

Yes.

 

[Sherry E]

What irks me is the number of people who complain about how crowded it is at the park. Then because the demand is so high, prices get raised, let's complain about that too. If I make a widget and sell it for $x and it sells out faster than I can make it, and I raise prices and it still sells out, should I work twice as hard for half the money? Or should I raise my price? I have investors who invest in me and they want return on their money. Do I say "But I need to keep my price down so everyone can afford it." Not going to fly.

Why was this done NOW, when the park is going down? Because of all the Premium passes already out that won't expire until late 2016/2017. Those that have the vouchers from the Disney Store can redeem them 12/31/2016 and the passes won't expire until 2017. It takes 18 mos to 2 years to actually circle the system and the price really goes into effect. This is why you won't see a major increase in day tickets for a year.

Personally, I find value in Disney. I won't go to Knotts, I won't go to Six Flags. And yes, I will be renewing.

And I take exception to the "endless, flowing streams of cash", everyone has their price point. There are MANY who can't even afford the 1-day 1-park tickets. There are many that couldn't afford it even 5 years ago at those prices. There are many now who complain this will price them out as they buy a new car, go to the movies, or spend discretionary cash the way they want. It is not Disney's place to make Disneyland affordable to all. An annual pass is a luxury, not a need. A ticket to Disneyland is a luxury, not a need. Would I love to take every child to Disneyland, you bet.

When will Disney stop raising prices? When people stop coming. When would I lower the price on my widgets? When they don't sell. But as long as the park is packed, reaching capacity on non-holidays, prices will keep going up. They have evaluated where the income is shortfalled, and determined APs can afford to go up.

Yes.

Okay.

 

[grnflash]

I should have been more specific... when you put a Day ticket next to an AP, the Day guest is going to spend more almost every time. Not only are they paying more to get through the gate, but they are more likely to eat multiple meals and buy multiple souvenirs than AP holders. Yes some AP holders spend a lot when they go to the parks. But most of them don't. We might buy a meal, or a soda. We're very likely not going to buy a souvenir.

Sure, if you stack an AP to a tourist side-by-side on a singular visit. But profits are made cumlatively. The person visiting for a few days will spend more than I will on our monthly 2-day visit. But did they spend more over the course of a year? Ok, maybe you don't eat a meal every time you visit Disney. So maybe it takes 2 years for your AP to pay off in the side-by-side. Most tourists are not visiting Disney annually. It will be a long time before they're back with their big, but singular, revenue stream. AP's come back year after year after year (evidenced by the annual price increases yet non-dwindling attendance.) In any case, any way you slice it, the AP program simply can't be unprofitable. As I said before, Disney is simply making it more profitable.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Disneyland currently has 40+ attractions in its resort for a ticket cost of $99 (or $155 for a park hopper). Universal Studios Hollywood currently has 8, yes that's right, EIGHT attractions and they charge $95 for a ticket. Who is really the company overcharging here??

Not to mention, it's still on par with other high-end entertainment. Just a quick search of California options on Ticketmaster:

Golden State Warriors Preseason v Toronto Raptors: $165 for decent seats

San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens: $725 for good seats, $100 for nosebleed seats

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band at the Hollywood Bowl: $450 for good seats, $45.00 for nosebleed seats

Annie at the Pantages Theater: $91 for decent seats

Jerry Seinfeld: $89

 

[Plaid Princess]

What irks me is the number of people who complain about how crowded it is at the park. Then because the demand is so high, prices get raised, let's complain about that too. If I make a widget and sell it for $x and it sells out faster than I can make it, and I raise prices and it still sells out, should I work twice as hard for half the money? Or should I raise my price? I have investors who invest in me and they want return on their money. Do I say "But I need to keep my price down so everyone can afford it." Not going to fly.

Yep. People like to pretend that Disney is all about the magic, but it's been a business since day one. It's not public school: no one "deserves" to go to Disney.

Why was this done NOW, when the park is going down? Because of all the Premium passes already out that won't expire until late 2016/2017. Those that have the vouchers from the Disney Store can redeem them 12/31/2016 and the passes won't expire until 2017. It takes 18 mos to 2 years to actually circle the system and the price really goes into effect. This is why you won't see a major increase in day tickets for a year.

Bingo! It's a big flush of the system!

Personally, I find value in Disney. I won't go to Knotts, I won't go to Six Flags. And yes, I will be renewing.

You and me both! In fact, the last time I was a Six Flags, I was ten. We walked up to the ticket booth, and my bother and I looked around and said "no thanks mom." I like clean, I like friendly, and I'll pay for it if I have to.

When will Disney stop raising prices? When people stop coming.

Ha ha h, I used to say this exact thing when I worked in ticketing. People would complain about the price, and ask why we raised it. I'd respond with "because you're still going to buy the ticket." And they did. If you don't like the changes to the price or the park, the best way to vocalize that is by not buying. It's capitalism at it's greatest.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I am local and don't use photo pass+. For me, this year I will have gone 10 times on my pass and so it definitely paid for itself. For renewal, I was blessed to have gotten and saved for a long time for renewal money. Otherwise no way I'd be doing so. For me the extra now it seems $90 had thought I'd be paying $509) is a TON of money. I will go ahead and renew this coming year and then may make another choice for 2017. A week or two ago at most, I had asked an AP question and it sure sounded like then there was still the renewal discount. Now whether that changed with today's increase or not I don't know. I won't be getting my renewal notice (45 days out) until towards end of this month. If anyone else gets theirs please let us know.

Disneyland is a special place for me and I have a big smile just being there. Due to health issues that kept me from going for a number of years being able to go now means more and extra thanks to Jesus for too. I also know I am blessed to be local and have the ability and time to go to DL to get my AP's worth.

Hope everyone is having a blessed and happy Sunday.

 

[GeneralTso]

Hope everyone is having a blessed and happy Sunday.

Sorry, but LOL. The collective panties are in quite the wad today.

 

[Sherry E]

I am local and don't use photo pass+. For me, this year I will have gone 10 times on my pass and so it definitely paid for itself. For renewal, I was blessed to have gotten and saved for a long time for renewal money. Otherwise no way I'd be doing so. For me the extra now it seems $90 had thought I'd be paying $509) is a TON of money. I will go ahead and renew this coming year and then may make another choice for 2017. A week or two ago at most, I had asked an AP question and it sure sounded like then there was still the renewal discount. Now whether that changed with today's increase or not I don't know. I won't be getting my renewal notice (45 days out) until towards end of this month. If anyone else gets theirs please let us know.

Disneyland is a special place for me and I have a big smile just being there. Due to health issues that kept me from going for a number of years being able to go now means more and extra thanks to Jesus for too. I also know I am blessed to be local and have the ability and time to go to DL to get my AP's worth.

Hope everyone is having a blessed and happy Sunday.

Mona, I think that a week or two ago the renewal discount was in effect for Deluxe. But, as is usually the case every year, the increases happened without much notice -- usually there is no more than a 3-day rumored 'warning' of an increase coming, and this time I think it was even less time -- and now, apparently, the Deluxe AP does not have a renewal discount, from what it seems. I will be curious to know if your renewal notice says something different.

 

[Malela9]

What is so strange is Disneyland is more expensive than Disney world now. Also when you add parking to the Deluxe pass it is the same cost as the Signature pass with less benefits.

I agree. This is crazy!