$100 a day? Soon. VERY soon.

[fillerup]

As far as the thread title goes - Soon. VERY Soon. I think this might be the case.

Nothing but idle speculation on my part, but there's this. Our APs expire in a couple of weeks and as per usual we got the renewal notice around the first of July. However, unlike all previous years when we got a letter stating the price, the discount and the applicable dates, this year we got only a postcard stating the date we expire, no pricing, nada.

This has me wondering if an increase is imminent and WDW is leaving itself an out in case the price goes up before I renew, thus forcing me into new pricing. August 1 maybe? And if memory serves (please correct me if I'm wrong) Disney has raised prices twice in other calendar years.

Maybe I'm overthinking or overanalyzing this but maybe not.

And as far as tipping points go, we're there. We've decided to throttle back to Seasonal passes which will save the two of us around $250. A few blackout weeks aren't going to bother us and as for paying for parking, we can almost always snag a ride over when we want to go.

 

[koryadams]

All prices of things have gone up over the years, and I guarantee Universal will raise too. I just wish they could keep the price down! I guess my decision to audition for WDW in 2013 is a good time to do so!

 

[NX2I85]

This reminds me of the old story about how to boil a frog -by turning up the heat slowly, a few degrees at a time. TDO is the chef and guests are the frogs. There would be no sense in me venting and ranting, because I do dearly love the pot they are boiling me in!
I do note though that over the last few years me and my family have, without making a steadfast decision to do so, have been spending less and less of our vacation money on WDW. Between local amusement parks, long weekends at B&Bs, visits to the beach and mountains, tours of lovely cities such as Charleston SC, and a two week vacation to the desert southwest, we have had some lovely experiences and have not really missed WDW. We did get to WDW for a great 5-night stay this past April.
Not to sound like a spoiled regular guest, but I need to for WDW to "wow" me a little more. I did enjoy the preview of FLE when we were there in April, but FLE is taking FOREVER to complete!
$100 a day? Eh, whatever. I'm sure TDO will do fine with or without me

 

[bubbles1812]

All prices of things have gone up over the years, and I guarantee Universal will raise too.

Yeah...but not at three times the rate of inflation, just saying. And yes, I'm sure Universal will too, which I won't like either. But Disney will be the first (as always) and will look like greedy bastards. It's the nature of the beast.

I just wish they could keep the price down! I guess my decision to audition for WDW in 2013 is a good time to do so!

That is a very silly notion. Sorry. It's not about that they can't keep prices down. It's just that they choose not to. Again, they've raised prices at three times the rate of inflation with really little or no justification to do so. Yes, they have projects going but more DVC units doesn't exactly "plus" the majority of guests' experiences. Nor does building AoA. And even NFE, while nice..doesn't justify the park hikes...it is not even a full new land, doesn't have a single new E ticket, and again, while nice, doesn't break boundaries in anything that is being offered. (And it's rumored that they are considering price hikes for food, merch, everything by 15-35% because of NFE)

 

[nepalostparks]

But Disney will be the first (as always) and will look like greedy bastards. It's the nature of the beast.

Universal Orlando announced their first increase on May 29th, 2012. Disney World announced their increase on June 1st, 2012. Disney was not the first to raise prices this year.

 

[bubbles1812]

Universal Orlando announced their first increase on May 29th, 2012. Disney World announced their increase on June 1st, 2012. Disney was not the first to raise prices this year.

Oh, I guess they did. Sorry. ... but Disney raised theirs by more and Universal raised their already announced increase by more to match that. Correct? I feel like that is what most remember more than anything. Disney looked greedier because they upped their price higher and Universal didn't get as much flack since they just matched it. Sorry if I'm remembering that incorrectly, but that was how I remember it.

 

[nepalostparks]

Oh, I guess they... but then Disney raised theirs by more and Universal matched it. Correct? I feel like that is what most remember more than anything.

You're right, I do think more people remember that Universal did a second price increase in as many weeks to match Disney than who went first.

But the fact remains that Disney is not always first to raise their prices in relation to Universal.

 

[bubbles1812]

You're right, I do think more people remember that Universal did a second price increase in as many weeks to match Disney than who went first.

But the fact remains that Disney is not always first to raise their prices in relation to Universal.

You are right on the second. I'm sorry. Though I'm not sure I'd agree with your first statement. From most people I know (not people on here...here we know everything ), they just thought Universal was upping the price to match Disney. And many have certainly forgotten that part now (case in point...me!...just now ). Disney still came off looking the greedier of the two, whether for right or wrong.

 

[nepalostparks]

Disney still came off looking the greedier of the two, whether for right or wrong.

I disagree there. Raising prices always comes off as greedy, whether or not they are justifiable to any degree. No one is happy about paying more for something than they were before. In my opinion, Universal ended up as the one looking worse, as why they might be able to justify the first increase, the second increase was simply to match Disney and get the extra dollar.

It's subjective as to who "looked greedier", and I'm sure opinions will differ. Neither is right or wrong, just depends on how you view it.

 

[TalkingHead]

The difference between Universal and Disney price increases in recent years is that Uni continues to make major additions to its parks while Disney continues to twiddle their thumbs and do as little as possible.

I have less problem with Uni raising prices since they're substantially improving the quality of their parks.

I wish the same could be said for Disney.

 

[bubbles1812]

I disagree there. Raising prices always comes off as greedy, whether or not they are justifiable to any degree. No one is happy about paying more for something than they were before. In my opinion, Universal ended up as the one looking worse, as why they might be able to justify the first increase, the second increase was simply to match Disney and get the extra dollar.

It's subjective as to who "looked greedier", and I'm sure opinions will differ. Neither is right or wrong, just depends on how you view it.

Yes, it is subjective but I am basing things of my observations. Most people I have encountered don't remember the first price increase by Universal (again, case in point, me). Most articles that came that focused on the price increases talked about Disney's price increase and how Universal had to match it to stay competitive, with little to no mention of the first price hike. And of those that did, again often spun it in the light that Universal had to raise it to stay competitive with Disney...it wasn't about getting that extra dollar (I don't agree with that. I'm sure they very much want that extra dollar but that seemed to be what a lot thought). It was "justifiable." Yes, both looked greedy, but it seemed to me from the general census of articles/people I talked to, Disney looked more greedy.

EDIT: And TalkingHead makes a good point... Universal has had and does have major coming in the near future. Whereas Potter 2.0 is two years a way, Avatar seems about 5 years at the least. Potter 1.0 opened rather quickly as well compared to say NFE...whose "centerpiece" attraction is honestly taking a ridiculously long time to build. And in the mean time, Disney has continued to cut things such as the just recent announcement of EMHs being reduced.

 

[Lucky]

Paris is $71, a park hopper for all two parks.

With the WDW price increases and the Euro losing ground, if I were an American I'd keep an eye out to visit DLP one of these days. They also have the greatest city on earth nearby.

But aren't there French people there?

 

[flynnibus]

Nothing like a true fan that hopes for the downfall of the object of their fandom...

Who's doing the snorting and are we sure it's pixie dust?

Yes, because blind faith with unquestioning loyalty always is the best... Well, it is if you want to be a cult leader. For everyone else, they want the best for the company long term, not to simply praise them no matter what they do.

 

[spacemt354]

The difference between Universal and Disney price increases in recent years is that Uni continues to make major additions to its parks while Disney continues to twiddle their thumbs and do as little as possible.

I have less problem with Uni raising prices since they're substantially improving the quality of their parks.

I wish the same could be said for Disney.

While I agree with your analysis, I think the price increase for Universal is too steep. If Potter 2.0 is built, then you're not just going to buy a one park-ticket. A lot of people (not all) came to Uni just to see WWOHP when it opened. And those same are going to want to visit Potter 2.0, along with the old Potter land. Now those people that were just getting tickets for one park, are going to have to get a park hopper pass, which at Uni is $123. At Disney, a park hopper ticket is $124. I would say, although Universal is increasing the quality of their parks, you get more bang for your buck with Disney's park hopper. Now people will argue that Uni's rides are better and that's fine. But the park hopper at Disney gives you 4 parks compared to 2 parks at Uni. And again, people can say Uni's parks are better or whatever, but that doesn't take away the fact that Disney gives you much more options than Uni does in regards to the park hopper pass. I know this thread is talking about a single day park pass, but I wonder if the park hopper conversation is going to come up with Potter 2.0, and I'm curious to see how Uni handles it.

 

[WDW1974]

We may not see it at Walt Disney World, but the art for Antartica: Empire of the Penguins continues to suggest something similar will be opening at SeaWorld Orlando next year.

I am VERY excited to see how that project turns out.

 

[WDW1974]

Universal Orlando announced their first increase on May 29th, 2012. Disney World announced their increase on June 1st, 2012. Disney was not the first to raise prices this year.

It was widely known in the industry that Disney was raising its prices in early June. UNI's increase wouldn't have happened had they not known Disney was doing so ... they aren't at the point where they can set the market price in O-Town yet.

 

[WDW1974]

The difference between Universal and Disney price increases in recent years is that Uni continues to make major additions to its parks while Disney continues to twiddle their thumbs and do as little as possible.

I have less problem with Uni raising prices since they're substantially improving the quality of their parks.

I wish the same could be said for Disney.

This IS at the crux of the situation.

I'd have no problem with WDW raising prices if the quality and freshness of product was there. None at all. But that isn't the case as WDW insists on constantly charging more and providing less all the while crowing about how MAGICal the place is.

Guess what?

It isn't. It really isn't. (Recovering Pixie Dust addict talking here!)

 

[WDW1974]

But aren't there French people there?

Are you a hater against the French?

They always seem wonderful to me and I have been there many times ...

 

[WDW1974]

Yes, because blind faith with unquestioning loyalty always is the best... Well, it is if you want to be a cult leader. For everyone else, they want the best for the company long term, not to simply praise them no matter what they do.

Yep.

That's what people like Lou Mongello and Tom Corless are for (see what I did, I put someone who isn't on Lou's level in with him to raise his stature. Wonder if he'll send me a LE pin!)

 

[asianway]

Yep.

That's what people like Lou Mongello and Tom Corless are for (see what I did, I put someone who isn't on Lou's level in with him to raise his stature. Wonder if he'll send me a LE pin!)

I'm curious how Toms views might change once he lives here for six months. Viewing from afar and life styling are two very different things.