Why Does a Mickey Bar Cost $3.49?

[pilferk]

Sendin' ya a "free gift card" coz ya actually got the question 'n answer right!

Actually, it's not the right answer.

The RIGHT answer was posted by mjf.

Look, I get it. There are many guests at WDW who go in with an entitlement mentatlity. We've all seen it.

I'd rather WDW cater to THEM (since they seem far fewer) and maintain their level of CS than the alternative. Which would be to lower their CS levels to the point where all that "Disney Magic" just disappears.

Honestly, "cost" doesn't factor in to the sorts of CS recoveries you're talking about. A couple plates of food, really, cost Disney about $5. A T-shirt costs them about $3 (at most). The binkie costs them less than $1. Those little light up toys my kids got? They cost pennies to make.

Amortize that across every transaction that occurs at WDW..and it amounts to, almost literally, nothing. The effect on prices is basically zero.

The FACT is this kind of Guest Recovery Service, if they thought it was too expensive, would end. It hasn't (and there's no signs it will). That's proof enough it's having no effect on their bottom line.

 

[magicluvinmom]

I have to say I agree totally confused, I mean I get the question but what a crazy way to ask it. And I am with everybody else the Mickey bars are not overpriced compared to other themeparks and fairs. Cokes were a dollar more at my local fair this past year and a snowcone was 4.50 at our local cityfest

 

[ars0525]

In a matter of 2 weeks, I went to Disney & Las Vegas. Between those 2 places AND the airports, my perception on what costs were was very skewed. What do you mean a hamburger doesn't cost $9.50 in the "real world"?

 

[pilferk]

Are you gettin' tired of payin' for the meal at the next table coz some CM had to put up with mommy whinin' her kids didn't like the food at Cinderella's Table 'n comped them a free meal at Flyin' Fish?

No. Because I'm not. Disney is.

And the ACTUAL cost (not the retail cost....because the actual cost isn't CLOSE to the retail cost) of that comped meal was negligible. Not "non-existent". But negligible.

Especially in relation to the tens of thousands of meals that get paid for, at retail price, around the resort.

Guest Recovery Services pale in comparison to the cost of BREAKAGE in food service. In other words: The cost of broken dishes, cups, spoiled food, food not prepared correctly, etc is more than the cost of comped meals, typically. That's because while the single Guest Recovery Service might run you more than that broken plate or cup in one swoop...the sheer amount of breakage outweighs the much less frequent (you'd better hope) need for Guest Recovery.

 

[Bullseye]

Hmmmm lets see...

1.If demand increases and supply remains unchanged, then it leads to higher equilibrium price and quantity.

2.If demand decreases and supply remains unchanged, then it leads to lower equilibrium price and quantity.

3.If supply increases and demand remains unchanged, then it leads to lower equilibrium price and higher quantity.

4.If supply decreases and demand remains unchanged, then it leads to higher equilibrium price and lower quantity.

5.Ice Cream is good on a hot day and thus I'm willing to fork up about $18 for 5 mickey bars.

 

[magicluvinmom]

Look, I get it. There are many guests at WDW who go in with an entitlement mentatlity. We've all seen it.

I'd rather WDW cater to THEM (since they seem far fewer) and maintain their level of CS than the alternative. Which would be to lower their CS levels to the point where all that "Disney Magic"

agreed again, some things are crazy lawsuits
But some should be looked at differently, if my husband accidentally put bleach in and Disney gave us clothes I would think that was magic. My friends lost their son's croc off his foot in the park and went to guest relations and just asked if someone had turned it in which no one had. They took a description(size and color)When they got back to their room there was a pair of Disney crocs for him. Sometimes people are demanding but alot of the time Disney offers. This is what keeps us coming back no matter what a Mickey bar costs. By the way the next day a cast member found his croc and they returned it too

 

[chartle]

Over the fourth we went to our local Regatta.

There was a pizza eating contest sponsored by one of those companies that makes the flavored sugar water in a tube that you freeze. The contest was delayed so we kept hearing how these freeze pops were so economical etc, etc and stop by and pick one up.

Well we found their booth, they were selling them for $2.00 a piece.

I searched them out at Super Walmart, bag of 18, $1.80. Yes a 2,000% markup.

 

[TinkerBelle920]

I have one. I am a former CP and when I worked in Epcot a girl about 12 or so came up and started talking to me she was in a wheelchair with a little wrap around her ankle. I asked her what had happened to her and she said oh my Dad made me fall down some stairs yesterday so we could get free stuff. I was like WHAT?

She said everytime they came to Disney her Dad made them fake an injury or made them get hurt in some manner so they would recieve free things from cast members.

So sad!

 

[Schmeck]

Wait - Mickey Bars are only $3.49??? I thought they were more than that! That yummy, creamy ice cream, covered in perfect chocolate, the ears just the right size to bite off... Heck, I'd pay $4.99 for one right now!

Tinkerbelle920, I hope you got a name and reported the fraud and child abuse.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I have one. I am a former CP and when I worked in Epcot a girl about 12 or so came up and started talking to me she was in a wheelchair with a little wrap around her ankle. I asked her what had happened to her and she said oh my Dad made me fall down some stairs yesterday so we could get free stuff. I was like WHAT?

She said everytime they came to Disney her Dad made them fake an injury or made them get hurt in some manner so they would recieve free things from cast members.

So sad!

We call those folks grifters.

And for the folks who don't mind buyin' the magic for those kinda folks coz they're also the recipients of "free" magic, the complaint isn't really about Mickey Bars, it's about the compensation folks want for their own mistakes 'n we're all payin for it, it ain't any more magic than it is free.

But I do wanna go on record that I believe everyone in the country should have free computers, cell phones 'n internet.

Yeah, I really do.

 

[minnie mum]

Are you gettin' tired of payin' for the meal at the next table coz some CM had to put up with mommy whinin' her kids didn't like the food at Cinderella's Table 'n comped them a free meal at Flyin' Fish?

Uh.....NO.....and I'm also willing to bet that this never really happened either.

Not really sure what has your shorts in a knot, but I think from the reactions you've had from the majority of the PPs, it's time to just let this one go.

 

[magicluvinmom]

1) The family/baby center (near first aid in most parks) offers LOTS of freebies: Binkies, diapers, wipes, bottle nipples, etc for young kids. It doesn't take a tragedy to get one...you just have to go and ask. .

While I agree with everything else said by you, this is incorrect. I have had to go to the baby center lots of times to replace things I forgot or lost everything from diapers and wipes to passys and bottles and they most definately charged me for every item. I felt the prices were fair though. They do have almost anything u could need there but you do have to pay for it. I however am glad it is there even if I have to pay.

 

[pilferk]

And for the folks who don't mind buyin' the magic for those kinda folks coz they're also the recipients of "free" magic, the complaint isn't really about Mickey Bars, it's about the compensation folks want for their own mistakes 'n we're all payin for it, it ain't any more magic than it is free.

You're displaying (as I've noted) a stunning lack of understanding of business principles here.

It's been explained to you, at least 3 or 4 times, in this thread.

The compensation isn't costing YOU anything. And Disney doesn't think it's eating into their profits (since they're still doing it), either.

 

[pilferk]

While I agree with everything else said by you, this is incorrect. I have had to go to the baby center lots of times to replace things I forgot or lost everything from diapers and wipes to passys and bottles and they most definately charged me for every item. I felt the prices were fair though. They do have almost anything u could need there but you do have to pay for it. I however am glad it is there even if I have to pay.

'

When we had our youngest still in diapers (so about 4 years ago), we had a couple pretty nasty blowouts (not to be gross). While we had diapers back in our room...we had run out of what we'd brought with us. We went to the baby center and were handed a small, sample size, of wipes and 3 diapers. Gratis. Enough to hold us over til we could get back to our room (where we were headed when the last "event" hit).

I watched the person behind the desk hand out a binkie, wipes, diapers, and some other sundries (NOT stacks of them, sample sized stuff) to other parents " in need".

They did have stuff "for sale" too. Retail sized packages of diapers and wipes, diaper rash creme, and some other stuff.

I EXPECTED to pay when we went up..but they never even asked or made mention of it.

Maybe we got lucky....maybe policy has changed. I don't know. But, given our experiences...I just thought that was policy.

On a completely different note: OH, how I do not miss the days of diapers!

 

[magicluvinmom]

Wait - Mickey Bars are only $3.49??? I thought they were more than that! That yummy, creamy ice cream, covered in perfect chocolate, the ears just the right size to bite off... Heck, I'd pay $4.99 for one right now

I am right there with u it is 100 degrees here and I would pay at least $6

 

[Uncle Remus]

You're displaying (as I've noted) a stunning lack of understanding of business principles here.

It's been explained to you, at least 3 or 4 times, in this thread.

The compensation isn't costing YOU anything. And Disney doesn't think it's eating into their profits (since they're still doing it), either.

And you might just be right, I'll pass that right along to the Disney employees who work for minimum wage.

 

[mom2rtk]

Been to a major league ball game lately?

The simple answer is "because they can".

 

[pilferk]

And you might just be right, I'll pass that right along to the Disney employees who work for minimum wage.

Labor costs have even less to do with it. At least in the way you're implying.

Disney hires cheap labor because there is an abundance of it in the Orlando area. I haven't heard reports that vacancy is a problem at WDW. Turnover and quality might be...but that's a different issue.

Disney doesnt do this because they can't afford to pay more. The do it because they have no REASON to pay more.

But the juxtaposition here is somewhat ironic:

You begrudge Disney offering compensation because it drives up prices (which it doesn't, really)

BUT

Complain about Disney going cheap on labor when raising labor costs WOULD raise prices.

Labor costs, FYI, are a heck of a lot larger factor in pricing than any compensation Disney offers to disgruntled guests.

 

[magicluvinmom]

Pilferk, I am glad u got some pixie dust I wasn't tryin to flame u I just didn't want anyone to go unprepared. Way back in 2006 I paid $6.00 for the sample size kit u refer too. Happily I have not had to buy any diapers lately. Only passys and baby food sadly I don't know your joy, it will be a while before I am diaper free

 

[Experiment_626]

The FACT is this kind of Guest Recovery Service, if they thought it was too expensive, would end. It hasn't (and there's no signs it will). That's proof enough it's having no effect on their bottom line.

Or, in truth, it does have an effect on the bottom line --- a positive effect. It may lose a small amount of money in the short term, but it will, at least some of the time, generate enough guest goodwill that a family might make another trip (and possibly many future trips) when they might otherwise never return. That's worth way more than a complimentary meal -- which only costs Disney the cost it takes to produce it, anyway.

It's a win-win for the guest and for Disney.

Scott