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

[HauntedPirate]

…because you can…in fact…put a price on magic?

Turns out it’s less than $950 a night, $225 for a one day park hopper, and $65 for a buffet at 1900 park fare served by the trough with Tiana?

…just spitballing

That's it???

(Or at least that's what Bob, Josh, and Jeff want people to do)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That's it???

(Or at least that's what Bob, Josh, and Jeff want people to do)

Loyalty over thought will NOT be rewarded…and neither will thought over loyalty

It’s not magical Enough

 

[GimpYancIent]

That's it???

(Or at least that's what Bob, Josh, and Jeff want people to do)

Bottom line up front! I Like it!

 

[MrPromey]

You e been treated like a terrorist at WDW?

Haven't we all?!

... Or are you saying full cavity searches in an area that looks like a secret employee smoke break spot between bushes off to the left aren't the norm?

 

[Chi84]

Haven't we all?!

... Or are you saying full cavity searches in an area that looks like a secret employee smoke break spot between bushes off to the left aren't the norm?

Not for the rest of us

 

[MrPromey]

Not for the rest of us

Come to think of it, it was a little weird they weren't wearing the purple uniforms.

 

[MrPromey]

I can tell you which one MrP is in that gif...

 

[jah4955]

In no way is the GF in anyway a flagship resort.

I can't recall that phrase used by Disney in awhile

 

[jah4955]

You can’t have people out of a hiring pool next to I-4.

Yep. For example, the valet (run by a separate company than Disney) totalled a family member's car as they were trying to retrieve it for them. Total fail.

NB: local media reported on Disney's failure to "make things right." Nothing came of it.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I know this is going to come off as being a bit of an apologist, but I've said before, I do question if the definition of "luxury" is changing for many people these days. Previously it was associated with something like exclusive opulence that, honestly, would do nothing but intimidate anxious types like myself. Even the super attentive customer service that's associated with traditional luxury could easily feel like being under a microscope all the time.

To me, the monorail or Skyliner running through my resort and Mickey waffles is luxury. I'm not gonna lie, those single servings of wine in cup? That's my Madison Fifth Avenue baby. I wish a little bit that they'd up their game on things like housekeeping, room service, and running trails (not a runner but members of my family would love that), but otherwise, I really don't need anything beyond what they're offering. Or, if I do, I want more "Disney", not more traditional luxury. That's what I'm paying for when I'm there. Again, maybe just me, but I wonder if other people are starting to shift in that direction.

 

[flynnibus]

we don't even need to debate what 'luxury' is for someone.. we know Disney's top tier WDW hotels pretty much run the service level of your neighborhood Marriott and are not standouts in any ways unless you love someone saying "have a magical day".

Even compared to Disney's own product like DCL the hotels are a joke for what they charge. And being Thanksgiving week, I can still book rooms at the GF, Contemporary or a number of deluxe properties... if I want to pay a stupid $950/night for the GF. For less money I can get on the Fantasy for a 4 night cruise leaving this weekend.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

we don't even need to debate what 'luxury' is for someone.. we know Disney's top tier WDW hotels pretty much run the service level of your neighborhood Marriott and are not standouts in any ways unless you love someone saying "have a magical day".

Even compared to Disney's own product like DCL the hotels are a joke for what they charge. And being Thanksgiving week, I can still book rooms at the GF, Contemporary or a number of deluxe properties... if I want to pay a stupid $950/night for the GF. For less money I can get on the Fantasy for a 4 night cruise leaving this weekend.

Correct..:but the tire pumping on the underequipped DCL fleet tends to go too far as well.
“Nice” is appropriate

 

[peter11435]

Correct..:but the tire pumping on the underequipped DCL fleet tends to go too far as well.
“Nice” is appropriate

You’re always good for a laugh

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You’re always good for a laugh

Try other ships and get back to me

You won’t get your picture with pirate Minnie next to the black panther statue…however…so it’s gonna be a bit disappointing regardless

 

[Chi84]

Try other ships and get back to me

You won’t get your picture with pirate Minnie next to the black panther statue…however…so it’s gonna be a bit disappointing regardless

Isn’t that what people want on a Disney cruise?

 

[MrPromey]

Isn’t that what people want on a Disney cruise?

I think that was his point. The tradeoff is luxury for novelty and kitsch.

You may find a nicer bar on another ship but it won't be Star Wars themed. For a non-Star Wars fan, that theme may seem stupid and tacky and immature as a "grown-up" place to go do "adult" things without kids but if that's what you want, then you won't find it on a more luxurious ship with a better bar and overall higher-end amenities so you have to make your choices.

Disney doesn't even bother trying to compete on that level because for their fan base, they don't feel they need to. Instead they charge luxury prices for the ® and ™ that Disney owns.

 

[monothingie]

You’re always good for a laugh

You’re entitled to like whatever ship or cruise line you want, but compared to an Icon or Oasis or Odyssey class, the DCL fleet just doesn’t even match up, objectively to food, amenities, entertainment, luxuries, etc.

DCL is prime for a lot of families who want their first cruise experience to feel “safe” because they know the Disney name, but are also unknowingly paying a hefty premium to do so.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think that was his point. The tradeoff is luxury for novelty and kitsch.

You may find a nicer bar on another ship but it won't be Star Wars themed. For a non-Star Wars fan, that theme may seem stupid and tacky and immature as a "grown-up" place to go do "adult" things without kids but if that's what you want, then you won't find it on a more luxurious ship with a better bar and overall higher-end amenities so you have to make your choices.

There’s tradeoffs for sure…

DCL is nice for sure…but they don’t offer much that could fit the “luxury” category either. There are those…but it’s not DCL.

They have their own niche…but it’s not luxury

 

[Chi84]

I think that was his point. The tradeoff is luxury for novelty and kitsch.

You may find a nicer bar on another ship but it won't be Star Wars themed. For a non-Star Wars fan, that theme may seem stupid and tacky and immature as a "grown-up" place to go do "adult" things without kids but if that's what you want, then you won't find it on a more luxurious ship with a better bar and overall higher-end amenities so you have to make your choices.

Disney doesn't even bother trying to compete on that level because for their fan base, they don't feel they need to.

This may be an unpopular opinion here but I think Disney is primarily for kids.

If people want true luxury in resorts or restaurants they’re not going to find it in a theme park.

What makes Disney unique is that it has adult experiences in addition to the ones aimed at kids so everyone can enjoy the place.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You’re entitled to like whatever ship or cruise line you want, but compared to an Icon or Oasis or Odyssey class, the DCL fleet just doesn’t even match up, objectively to food, amenities, entertainment, luxuries, etc.

DCL is prime for a lot of families who want their first cruise experience to feel “safe” because they know the Disney name, but are also unknowingly paying a hefty premium to do so.

But remember…he’s not an Orlando area apologist…he’s a legit “insider” who “knows”…he could have tell you…but then he’d have to kill you