News Disney Park Pass System announced for Walt Disney World theme park reservations

[MisterPenguin]

But they have inadvertently solved most of the crowding/capacity issue.

It was clearly advertently. Both Bobs were dismayed about the low GSATs from guests complaining about overcrowding and both Bobs said they have 'levers' to reduce the crowds.

And they used them.

Nothing inadvertently about that.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It was clearly advertently. Both Bobs were dismayed about the GSATs from guests complaining about overcrowding and both Bobs said they have 'levers' to reduce the crowds.

And they used them.

Nothing inadvertently about that.

Neither of those two give a &$@! About what your referring too…

They chase quarterlies with gouging in the parks because it can’t be had from the tv and merchandising sectors like it did prior…

Not hard math going on here. No question of motives either

 

[Tom P.]

Neither of those two give a &$@! About what your referring too…

They chase quarterlies with gouging in the parks because it can’t be had from the tv and merchandising sectors like it did prior…

Not hard math going on here. No question of motives either

They do chase quarterlies, absolutely. However, I think they decided that the way to chase them was to get attendance levels at the parks reduced and then increase per guest spending. That has been the strategy Disney has been going after for some time. So I do think they deliberately worked to lower crowd levels, but simultaneously worked on increasing how much each of those people was spending.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They do chase quarterlies, absolutely. However, I think they decided that the way to chase them was to get attendance levels at the parks reduced and then increase per guest spending. That has been the strategy Disney has been going after for some time. So I do think they deliberately worked to lower crowd levels, but simultaneously worked on increasing how much each of those people was spending.

That’s what they are doing

But that was not their intent. Bob throws out lines occasionally when he’s cornered. That was one that diehards grabbed and repeated because they want to think “The company” cares about them. Which is unrealistic.

What they want is increases in attendance and PGS. Particularly low cost upsells. Why choose and not ask for both?

We all get it from a business perspective. The hubris/bad management is believing there would be no market pushback and having no plan to address it. It has…it is…and it will intensity its pushback.

If their revenues flatten and the profits in parks fall at all…it will be defcon 1. Parks are simply too big of a chunk of the pie now.
It makes the whole enchilada vulnerable

“Bob is smart…he knows better”
Bob is 75 and doesn’t care. He’s there for ego and power and would walk in a second if either are jeopardized. It’s all about fortune and glory, Dr Jones.

 

[Liloandstitch3]

More than five years after Covid reopening, and AP staying on property still have to make park pass reservations.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

More than five years after Covid reopening, and AP staying on property still have to make park pass reservations.

Totally makes sense, right?

 

[Disstevefan1]

WDW's attendance has declined, no question. But even so, it is still the most visited vacation destination in the world and had over 50 million visitors last year. It's not exactly like they are on the verge of bankruptcy.

Now it’s only crowded, not MOBBED like in 2019 and before.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Now it’s only crowded, not MOBBED like in 2019 and before.

Except it’s not crowded

You’re falling for the gimmicks of parties and lighting lanes.

The “long” ride lines you see on an app…which really aren’t that long now…are coupled with sparsely dotted concourses, shockingly slow eateries, and lots of unoccupied retail space

 

[HauntedPirate]

Today’s almost-noon Slinky wait is… 55 minutes. When someone notices it says 120 minutes, let us know.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Except it’s not crowded

You’re falling for the gimmicks of parties and lighting lanes.

The “long” ride lines you see on an app…which really aren’t that long now…are coupled with sparsely dotted concourses, shockingly slow eateries, and lots of unoccupied retail space

I truly want to experience the empty parks!

I have to admit we have not been to the parks since early in the year.
We went to EPCOT, Guardians still did not have standby and could not get into VQ, missed that by a couple of weeks!
The standby for Frozen was way too long, so we walked by that.
Ratatouille standby was also way too long, so we walked by that.
I think I went on Mission Space and I think we all went on Sorin, the Land. I think we skipped SSE because the standby was packed!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I truly want to experience the empty parks!

I have to admit we have not been to the parks since early in the year.
We went to EPCOT, Guardians still did not have standby and could not get into VQ, missed that by a couple of weeks!
The standby for Frozen was way too long, so we walked by that.
Ratatouille standby was also way too long, so we walked by that.
I think I went on Mission Space and I think we all went on Sorin, the Land. I think we skipped SSE because the standby was packed!

They’re never empty…that’s when people get angry…

There is a 55 year history of travel there…so there is a volume.

It’s just not high. Not reflective of the greater economic conditions. Or maybe they are reflexive of them…and that’s the real smoke being blown around about the parks business?

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I truly want to experience the empty parks!

I have to admit we have not been to the parks since early in the year.
We went to EPCOT, Guardians still did not have standby and could not get into VQ, missed that by a couple of weeks!
The standby for Frozen was way too long, so we walked by that.
Ratatouille standby was also way too long, so we walked by that.
I think I went on Mission Space and I think we all went on Sorin, the Land. I think we skipped SSE because the standby was packed!

Much of that was likely thanks to LL and the reservation system allowing them to reduce staff, reduce shows, and reduce park hours.

We haven’t visited in almost a year now, in large part because we had a few days in 2024 where the walkways felt empty (which was nice) but the lines were all insane, I don't know if Disney thinks people won’t notice massive cuts or they just don’t care that people notice massive cuts but it’s really diminished the experience.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Much of that was likely thanks to LL and the reservation system allowing them to reduce staff, reduce shows, and reduce park hours.

We haven’t visited in almost a year now, in large part because we had a few days in 2024 where the walkways felt empty (which was nice) but the lines were all insane, I don't know if Disney thinks people won’t notice massive cuts or they just don’t care that people notice massive cuts but it’s really diminished the experience.

At least we have established the walkways are feeling empty and that the queues are insane.

My personal measure of how busy the parks are is the queues. Others personal measure is how empty the walkways feel.

Whatever the attendance is at the parks right now, it seems most are standing the in insane queues, keeping the walkways clear.

I guess it could be worse, like in 2019 and before where both the walkways and the queues were both mobbed.

 

[monothingie]

Except it’s not crowded

You’re falling for the gimmicks of parties and lighting lanes.

The “long” ride lines you see on an app…which really aren’t that long now…are coupled with sparsely dotted concourses, shockingly slow eateries, and lots of unoccupied retail space

Correct

With no demand for rides, there are no lines.

With no lines, there is no demand for LL.

With no demand for LL, there are no lines created by LL.

Curious though that SPLL, MPLL, and PP are priced at the top end of the range, when there is low demand. *Magic Kingdom pricing is weird rn because the price is lower on party days due to shorter hours*

Prioritize guest spending. Completely sustainable.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Correct

With no demand for rides, there are no lines.

With no lines, there is no demand for LL.

With no demand for LL, there are no lines created by LL.

Curious though that SPLL, MPLL, and PP are priced at the top end of the range, when there is low demand. *Magic Kingdom pricing is weird rn because the price is lower on party days due to shorter hours*

Prioritize guest spending. Completely sustainable.

I gotta experience this no lines, no demand WDW before its too late!!!!!!!!!!

Since society and economy is in collapse, time is running out!!!!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

At least we have established the walkways are feeling empty and that the queues are insane.

My personal measure of how busy the parks are is the queues. Others personal measure is how empty the walkways feel.

Whatever the attendance is at the parks right now, it seems most are standing the in insane queues, keeping the walkways clear.

I guess it could be worse, like in 2019 and before where both the walkways and the queues were both mobbed.

That is part of the issue here

The overall park crowd doesn’t match what people see on that stupid app…

“The parks are mobbed!”

If you check the wait times…which typically are a bit high but not egregiously…it gives a false image.

What sucks for us…all of us…is that they aren’t filling seats at restaurant or packing shops…which means they are dependent on lighting lane revenue and will lean into it which degrades the whole park dynamic

And a reminder: they are not ride parks. Nobody here really needs to go on Peter Pan again…I’m quite certain

 

[Tom P.]

Nobody here really needs to go on Peter Pan again…I’m quite certain

Bite your tongue.

 

[Nunu]

Bite your tongue.

Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion and Pirates are must-do MK rides for me.

 

[Disstevefan1]

That is part of the issue here

The overall park crowd doesn’t match what people see on that stupid app…

“The parks are mobbed!”

If you check the wait times…which typically are a bit high but not egregiously…it gives a false image.

What sucks for us…all of us…is that they aren’t filling seats at restaurant or packing shops…which means they are dependent on lighting lane revenue and will lean into it which degrades the whole park dynamic

And a reminder: they are not ride parks. Nobody here really needs to go on Peter Pan again…I’m quite certain

Agreed.

I also think if WDW continues to pull in revenue from the “money for nothing” LLs they have less incentive to make things better.

 

[aladdin2007]

Bite your tongue.

Agree, I can't even get on it once half the time, lines are never down unless trying at opening or later evening I guess.