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

[CoastalElite64]

sorry, the guy loses all credibility when he just throws completely made up numbers around the entire time. Work for Disney for 1mil a year? lol.. ok

I didn't take that literally. It was more of an exaggeration to draw home the point that Disney/Universal get the top talent because they have deeper pockets.

 

[CoastalElite64]

That’s like 3x what a division chief makes

Also 30 seconds in when he says the Florida parks are getting “huge expansions”

They had one open last May…no other “expansions” are under way…they’re may be one coming

They are expanding in terms of increasing capacity.

What do you have to say about his main point?

 

[Jrb1979]

I didn't take that literally. It was more of an exaggeration to draw home the point that Disney/Universal get the top talent because they have deeper pockets.

Yes they have deeper pockets to get that top talent. At the same time most regional parks don't have a team of people that develop attractions like Disney and Universal do.

I will say some of the regional parks are catching up on terms of attractions. The new boat dark ride coming to Dollywood is Disney level.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They are expanding in terms of increasing capacity.

What do you have to say about his main point?

That smaller regional parks are suffering more than a town that was constructed specifically for tourism?

That’s the “slow moving recession” we are in. You can call it: trickle up economics.

The only things that aren’t going off like a fire alarm are the stock markets…which is a game not based in numbers anymore. That’s controlled by the fat cats to stay obese.

And they are not…in truth…adding “capacity” as of yet. Putting one new ride in the place of an old one may do that…or it may not. We shall see what the truth will be.

They have a not too discrete interest in NOT adding capacity…while trying to gain attendance. Not the same thing

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes they have deeper pockets to get that top talent. At the same time most regional parks don't have a team of people that develop attractions like Disney and Universal do.

I will say some of the regional parks are catching up on terms of attractions. The new boat dark ride coming to Dollywood is Disney level.

Correct. Much larger players in the game. Six flags doesn’t have offices of people behind Batman clone “dreaming up concepts”. There would be no need.

But it’s completely false Disney overpays. That’s insane…it’s never happened

 

[peter11435]

.

But it’s completely false Disney overpays. That’s insane…it’s never happened

For what exactly? Because Disney most certainly overpays for many things.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

For what exactly? Because Disney most certainly overpays for many things.

Workers…in general

 

[harryk]

So what is going to happen to the 'Annual Pass' with dynamic pricing?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So what is going to happen to the 'Annual Pass' with dynamic pricing?

A very interesting question…

 

[DisneyCane]

That smaller regional parks are suffering more than a town that was constructed specifically for tourism?

That’s the “slow moving recession” we are in. You can call it: trickle up economics.

The only things that aren’t going off like a fire alarm is the stock markets…which is a game not based in numbers anymore. That’s controlled by the fat cats to stay obese.

And they are not…in truth…adding “capacity” as of yet. Putting one new ride in the place or an old one may do that…or it may not. We shall see what the truth will be.

They have a not to discrete interest in NOT adding capacity…while trying to gain attendance. Not the same thing

The stock market has been a self fulfilling prophecy for quite a long time. I'm not sure when the last year was that stocks were valued based on actual company value and growth. Maybe before the dot com boom/bust?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The stock market has been a self fulfilling prophecy for quite a long time. I'm not sure when the last year was that stocks were valued based on actual company value and growth. Maybe before the dot com boom/bust?

Exactly…most people don’t get the history and reality.

Stocks reflected sales and production for a century…then it went into “hidden value” and repackaging…now it’s a “confidence game”.

All prognostications and “perception over product”.

It’s dangerous. Especially to the under 30
Crowds that are reported doing day trading because they can’t afford real estate and other fineries…

Soon: the NYSE, sponsored by draft kings

 

[The Colonel]

Disney is notoriously cheap for talent and general labor. The only ones overpaid are in the C-Suite.

 

[jpeden]

Agreed. They are good but having them every day would ruin it.

Minor point - 11 domestic ships by 2031. 4 originals, 4 Wish-class (yes, there’s a 4th coming outside of the one for OLC ), 3 in-between the size of the Magic/Wonder and Dream/Fantasy/Triton-class.

Ah yes good point my mistake. I thought there were only going to be two of the "in-between" class of ships. Assuming they retire/scrap the Magic and the Wonder at some point that still means they're going from 4 to 9 net ships in less than 10 years so maybe not AS big of a jump as I originally thought. I would think the plan is at some point to send the Magic and Wonder to the breakers once the three new ships are online since they'll be 33 years old by the time all the new ships are launched.

It is nice to see them actually planning on building something smaller than the current class of ships and smaller than the previous Dream/Fantasy class as well however. Small ships still have a place.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It is nice to see them actually planning on building something smaller than the current class of ships and smaller than the previous Dream/Fantasy class as well however. Small ships still have a place.

That’s true…but so do megaships

They’re in the mushy middle…sacrificing more broad appeal for higher book rates

It worked with a small fleet…

But I don’t know if having ships in the teens is gonna play that way?

 

[GhostHost1000]

I guess the < $100/n value resort rooms in early 2026 could be considered dynamic pricing

 

[el_super]

This video makes some good points in particular about the Disney/Universal premium. But I disagree on one point. If Disney/Universal built more parks in different regions prices could come down.

That YouTuber has a better understanding of how theme parks work than most people here.

I don't think Disney is ever going to build another park in the US. Unless they can figure out how a higher-end boutique castle park could work out, there isn't much point in building a 7th US park. In that particular case though, prices would definitely not be going down.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I guess the < $100/n value resort rooms in early 2026 could be considered dynamic pricing

I bet the accountants don’t like the “dynamics” Of that

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That YouTuber has a better understanding of how theme parks work than most people here.

I don't think Disney is ever going to build another park in the US. Unless they can figure out how a higher-end boutique castle park could work out, there isn't much point in building a 7th US park. In that particular case though, prices would definitely not be going down.

No…he really doesnt

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Robert is like a jelly of the month membership.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Robert is like a jelly of the month membership.

Something you never wanted in the first place?