News Disney CFO Hugh Johnston Says Dynamic Pricing Is Coming to the Parks

[jah4955]

That’s not a discussion that can be held in these forums.

Again...i wasn't being political at all ... my point was how the way air travel is handled now, particularly pricing, contributes to the bad behaviors in the airports/airplanes...I have conjectured often that "guests behaving badly" at WDW (again NEVER an excuse) was in-part to how unpleasant so many aspects of a WDW trip can now be (compared to how it used to be).

Me referencing someone who happens to be a cabinet official does not make my post political. I hate politics.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The more I think about it the more gross it is they are essentially saying they want to squeeze guests for all they’re worth because, by Disney’s own fault, there is nothing major new in the parks right now and people will logically delay trips.

It didn’t even occur to me that some moron actually said that outloud with people listening

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

It didn’t even occur to me that some moron actually said that outloud with people listening

 

[jah4955]

That's one of the very few movies that can't get old

 

[HauntedPirate]

Again...i wasn't being political at all ... my point was how the way air travel is handled now, particularly pricing, contributes to the bad behaviors in the airports/airplanes...I have conjectured often that "guests behaving badly" at WDW (again NEVER an excuse) was in-part to how unpleasant so many aspects of a WDW trip can now be (compared to how it used to be).

Me referencing someone who happens to be a cabinet official does not make my post political. I hate politics.

For the record - My response had nothing to do the Cabinet official. It's a societal/cultural problem that was allowed to explode.

 

[jah4955]

It's a societal/cultural problem that was allowed to explode.

I agree with this. But the stress of trying to buy at the "best" time, the large expenses (not just airfare, but transportation, parking, etc, etc....at a time when 2/3rds of the country lives "paycheck to paycheck"), and the "nickel & diming" from the airlines certainly don't help the matter, at best. And thank you for letting me emphasize one last time....absolutely nothing excuses bad behavior.

 

[Ayla]

I think you give Disney too much credit comparing them to United, I think they’re closer to Southwest at this point, a company people used to love for being unique and providing great customer service but has now incorporated other airlines business models and who’s (formerly) loyal customers now complain non stop about how they’ve ruined the company.

United has stuck with their proven business plan and you know what you’re getting when you book them, Disney has been on a downward spiral for a decade, they’ve gone from top tier to middle tier, and are unfortunately on their way to being low tier, give them 5 more years and they’ll be comparable to Spirit airlines.

We abandoned SW when they sold out to a private equity firm, who has done nothing but run them into the ground and chase away loyal customers in DROVES. I agree with your comparing Disney to SW.

Funnily enough, we took our business to United and have been very happy. Southwest's loss has been United's gain, since we have only flown FC with United, which SW doesn't offer.

 

[Ayla]

I agree with this. But the stress of trying to buy at the "best" time, the large expenses (not just airfare, but transportation, parking, etc, etc....at a time when 2/3rds of the country lives "paycheck to paycheck"), and the "nickel & diming" from the airlines certainly don't help the matter, at best. And thank you for letting me emphasize one last time....absolutely nothing excuses bad behavior.

I'll be "that person" and say, we didn't travel when we couldn't afford it (which was about the first decade of our marriage).

 

[jah4955]

I'll be "that person" and say, we didn't travel when we couldn't afford it (which was about the first decade of our marriage).

I wish you were able to travel, but "you did it right" imo. I just can't quite understand the notion of going into debt for something that, at the end of the day, is a "luxury" (even with all the warts we easily observe). The interest charges, etc, are yet extra expenses, and the pendulum of the debt can cause stress and strain galore.

At the end of the day we are so fortunate to even discuss these "First World problems." I received an (expected) appeal letter from a (legitimate) church in Tanzania this morning asking for financial assistance. Among many other details: "most of these people are small farmers ... only to feed their families ... with an income of under $1 per day. They have one meal a day. ... They eat rice ... only for special occasions like Christmas ... suffer greatly from the scarcity of water. Most of our people walk 12 miles (to & fro) to fetch water... and still the water is not clean."

I'm not trying to be "Debbie Downer" but, Thanksgiving conveniently days away, and we have so very much to be thankful for, including the opportunities to try and use our blessings the best ways possible.

 

[monothingie]

It didn’t even occur to me that some moron actually said that outloud with people listening

And it’s not a bug but a feature.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

We abandoned SW when they sold out to a private equity firm, who has done nothing but run them into the ground and chase away loyal customers in DROVES. I agree with your comparing Disney to SW.

Funnily enough, we took our business to United and have been very happy. Southwest's loss has been United's gain, since we have only flown FC with United, which SW doesn't offer.

Vegas being a major SW hub used to be a nice benefit of living here, you could get relatively cheap (usually non stop) flights to most of the country, over the last few years its become a negative, we still fly them occasionally simply because they offer so many flight out of Vegas but more and more we end up on United, Delta, Hawaiian, or the other competitors, unless you’re going to CA, TX, or Utah nearly every flight has a connection with a layover now… and all at the same price, or higher, than their competitors.

 

[lentesta]

It didn’t even occur to me that some moron actually said that outloud with people listening

I'm telling you, I'm more fascinated that he said it, than what was said.

Like, is this ... a strategy? Just acknowledging it's an expensive good and no longer middle-class affordable? Or was it a gaffe like saying guests can afford to skip a churro or two?

 

[monothingie]

I'm telling you, I'm more fascinated that he said it, than what was said.

Like, is this ... a strategy? Just acknowledging it's an expensive good and no longer middle-class affordable? Or was it a gaffe like saying guests can afford to skip a churro or two?

He got his contract extension. What does he care at this point.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

He got his contract extension. What does he care at this point.

Hes number 2 on the scapegoat list…just got his bribe to not squeal

 

[John park hopper]

Disney targets higher income guests is so far from what Walt Disney's target guests were SAD. Baby boomers grew up with Disney they took their kids to WDW those kids are not the big fans as their parents. Those kids now have kids -boomers grand kids and they have even less Disney devotion. This is my story and IMO is shared by many. Disney's answer to this rise prices in order to satisfy stock holders IMO it won't last

 

[JoeCamel]

Disney targets higher income guests is so far from what Walt Disney's target guests were SAD. Baby boomers grew up with Disney they took their kids to WDW those kids are not the big fans as their parents. Those kids now have kids -boomers grand kids and they have even less Disney devotion. This is my story and IMO is shared by many. Disney's answer to this rise prices in order to satisfy stock holders IMO it won't last

The sad part is this is the box they built for themselves and now they have no choice except to raise prices. Won't change, can't change we're going to drive this bus until it burns

They are to the point people look around and see what they can have for the same money in other places and Disney no longer holds any value

 

[MisterPenguin]

The cost of Value Resorts has flattened out compared to other costs. Disney found the tipping point there.

Other tipping points are yet to be discovered.

 

[dlfan1313]

Sure. As someone who was once a regular and stopped going primarily because it felt too busy, anything they can do to limit and control crowds is a plus to me. Raising prices seems like the fairest way to decide who can and cannot go, which is something they have had to do since day one. For all the price increases, it still feels too busy to me.

I've seen about 30 or 40 years of "this time they've gone too far" every time a price increase has been announced. This time, they haven't even raised the prices yet. They will be fine.

Yep, they will be fine. For me, it's not the amount they charge, it's the product they offer. They charge an amount completely incongruent with the experience they provide, and then charge more to make it easier to bear. Then, in an act of total disdain for their customers, they create a kinnect pricing structure designed, like the rest of its ilk, to instill a false sense of urgency. It's a blatantly dishonest and downright distasteful way to treat people. They'll be fine because the rubes will keep coming. But, if they've stopped fooling me, the biggest rube of all, maybe others will see the light as well. Then, they won't be fine, and it will all either crash and burn, or they'll be forced to do better. So many Disney fans are emotionally addicted, and I'll continue to preach a cold turkey approach.

 

[Jrb1979]

The cost of Value Resorts has flattened out compared to other costs. Disney found the tipping point there.

Other tipping points are yet to be discovered.

The tickets are the biggest issue price wise. They cost just as much as the hotel does.

 

[bmr1591]

That's so true. Just looking at my last day at EPCOT was dozens of CC transactions at kiosks/merch/LL, looking back at it, it was just stupid. I actually felt like a sucker.

Not trying to be rude, just trying to understand. You felt like a sucker because you chose to buy food and merch? I don’t see how that nickel and diming anyone.