$100 a day? Soon. VERY soon.

[wdwmagic]

Does a $5 increase per year on a single day ticket really seem out of line, when almost everything else that we buy is increasing year on year? Regardless of how much we dislike price increases, they are an inevitable fact of life. EVERYTHING else is going up, why would WDW be different? How about Seas World and Universal, who always follow Disney with the price increases. Is it OK for them to do it?

 

[COProgressFan]

You would think that they would understand that day-visitors and first-time visitors (who make up the bulk of single-day ticket buyers) are very important, and turn into regulars later if they enjoyed themselves.

But many (and I know some) simply won't pay that for admission, when they can just go to the beach with the family and have a great time for a small portion of the expense. They look at Disney, see the posted costs (or hear about them), and make their reservation for a week at Nags Head or Myrtle Beach.

Once people get in the door, they also eat, drink, and shop for souvenirs. But if they never get in the door, they never spend a dime, much less for souvenirs...

(And if they do get in the door, they find that they already have Mickey shirts just like the ones on sale, and no unique merchandise to buy -- but that is a different argument altogether!)

Agree with this. The fact, as some mentioned, that most people are not buying 1 day tickets doesn't really matter. You have to look at the guests that are -- people in town for business, people who might tag a day or so at the end of a cruise, folks in town for a wedding (Disney or otherwise), visiting friends or relatives, or basically anyone who is in central Florida for purposes other than a Disney vacation. Those folks have dollars to spend, even if they aren't staying at a deluxe Disney resort for 7 days with their 2 children on a dining plan.

In addition to the $100 price point being absolutely absurd for the product that you get, elevating the 1 day/1 park price to $100 basically tells all of those potential guests that Disney doesn't want them. Why would Disney do this? Even if only 5% of guests are buying 1 day/1 park, why would you want to turn them away, and all their food/bev/merch revenue and potential spending in the future for first-time guests. Remember when every guest was a VIP?

While of course it is important to try to cater to the guests from which you make the most money, the fact that Disney often actually seems to be chasing away visitors who don't fit their model is quite peculiar. Shouldn't all the Wall St. analysts and investors be concerned about that? How about the Board of Directors? Do they even know?

 

[lebeau]

Well of course you need to do what you need to do. But I just don't see how a regional park can be compared in any way to Walt Disney World with all it has to offer. If you are going to make that kind of price comparison, you will never be happy. You get what you pay for, and Walt Disney World is a considerably superior product, which will command a higher price.

Like I said, I know it's not an apples to apples comparisson. They are different products. But maybe not as different as you think.

I know a lot of people who don't see much of a difference between our local park and WDW. I have been told by many that they are "the same thing." I obviously disagree, but only to a point. While different, they do fill some of the same needs.

If Disney crosses that invisible pricing line, people will start looking at their local options and saying, "That will do." Or they will look at other travel destinations. The point is, people have options. And the value comparisson isn't always as favorable as comparing a day at the MK with Cirque du Soliel.

 

[COProgressFan]

Does a $5 increase per year on a single day ticket really seem out of line, when almost everything else that we buy is increasing year on year? Regardless of how much we dislike price increases, they are an inevitable fact of life. EVERYTHING else is going up, why would WDW be different? How about Seas World and Universal, who always follow Disney with the price increases. Is it OK for them to do it?

I think the issue is that in the USA, WDW ticket prices have far exceeded the inflation rate. So while the cost of everything goes up, WDW has gone up much more, relatively speaking.

All while the product offered in 2012 is essentially the same (and in many cases lesser quality) than what was offered in 2008. So it is certainly something to be concerned with.

And I don't think it makes it any better that Sea World and Uni raise their prices in step with WDW either.

 

[Thelazer]

So what, it's not like people are going to stop coming there @ the 100 dollar mark.
Lets talk about raising the price to "park" your car in the lot.. now THAT is something I'd like to see some outrage over.

 

[Vader2112]

Probably a fairer comparison there would be to a WDW Seasonal Florida Resident pass, which would be $300 for 12 months. I would take that any day over $70 for a single park regional amusement park.

The trouble with the seasonal pass is that there are numerous Blackout dates. Still a good value. Espcecially since Florida residents can pay for the pass in monthly payments with no fees or interest.

 

[lebeau]

Does a $5 increase per year on a single day ticket really seem out of line, when almost everything else that we buy is increasing year on year? Regardless of how much we dislike price increases, they are an inevitable fact of life. EVERYTHING else is going up, why would WDW be different? How about Seas World and Universal, who always follow Disney with the price increases. Is it OK for them to do it?

Is the price of everything really going up? (The price of that pesky KI season pass has been steady for the last 3 years at least, btw.)

Inflation is extremely low these days. I don't have any facts or figures to back this up, but I doubt many things are increasing at the same rate as WDW tickets.

As for Diseny's competition, they face the same price elasticity issue as Disney. There is a breaking point. Eventually, they will hit it if they continue raising prices.

 

[jlsHouston]

until I work thru this love affair with WDW I will be forced to pay whatever price Disney determines the day rate to be...but one thing I am thinking is that in January I am buying AP for us and a membership to that Tables in Wonderland thing and doing the resort stay room only. I am curious as to whether it will be a wash cost wise or a noticeable savings one over the other

 

[Beholder]

$100 is a bitter pill to swallow. It'd be much easier to down with a spoon full of sugary new attractions. Or updates. Or refurbs. Or vigorous upkeep.

Will I still go? Probably, but it's pretty disheartening to have to struggle with that answer. But the day is coming where the answer may be no, or not nearly as often. What saddens me the most is to think that Disney won't care...

 

[wendysue]

Does a $5 increase per year on a single day ticket really seem out of line, when almost everything else that we buy is increasing year on year? Regardless of how much we dislike price increases, they are an inevitable fact of life. EVERYTHING else is going up, why would WDW be different? How about Seas World and Universal, who always follow Disney with the price increases. Is it OK for them to do it?

Maybe $5 a day doesn't sound like much, but it's happening more than just once a year now. That is based on the one-day ticket, which I've never gotten. I'm talking about how it raises the overall package price. And the cost of food has skyrocketed (for less). The total price for a disney vacation has gone up hundreds, not just 5 dollars.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Disney is like an addiction, even if it costs me now 4,000 for an 8 day trip instead of taking an 8 day trip when the price is like 110/day i would just have to do 4 days in stead of 8 I just could never give Disney up, Its toxic.

 

[olinecoach61]

Clearly you have never visited Kings Island

In all honesty, if I had to choose between one day at MK and an entire season at KI, KI wins that battle every time.

No I haven't. Our regional park is Six Flags New England, I live about 20 minutes from it and wouldn't pay 40 dollars to get in. It's a glorified carnival, in my opinion.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

If any park were to suffer from "overpriced" one-day tickets it would be MK. The large gap in attendance between it and the other parks would suggest that there are many who either a)spend extra days there or b)just visit it, because it's "Disney World" to them anyway.

I also feel theatre tickets are a bad comparison because there is a pricing structure to them. Not everyone who goes to the show pays the same price to get in, but with MK there's no "balcony" prices. Whether you go in for 1 hour to see one ride, or go for all 12 (assuming the park is open for 12 hours), you pay the same $89+ tax. The only alternative is party tickets which are looking more and more like a better value to me given they're cheaper and give you better etertainment.

To give another regional example, Canada's Wonderland season pass prices have remained the same for at least the past 3 years too ($80+tax if bought alone), and they still build new rides.

 

[olinecoach61]

For you... but eventually if Disney increases the price so high, they will reach that breaking point where it is a "no" for what could be many people. They really do seem to want to find that breaking point. The cost has gone up well beyond what inflation calls for.

No doubt, Disney is a super expensive endeavor. I understand the argument I just think Disney is still unique / innovative enough that people are going to continue to go.

 

[lebeau]

If any park were to suffer from "overpriced" one-day tickets it would be MK. The large gap in attendance between it and the other parks would suggest that there are many who either a)spend extra days there or b)just visit it, because it's "Disney World" to them anyway.

I also feel theatre tickets are a bad comparison because there is a pricing structure to them. Not everyone who goes to the show pays the same price to get in, but with MK there's no "balcony" prices. Whether you go in for 1 hour to see one ride, or go for all 12 (assuming the park is open for 12 hours), you pay the same $89+ tax. The only alternative is party tickets which are looking more and more like a better value to me given they're cheaper and give you better etertainment.

To give another regional example, Canada's Wonderland season pass prices have remained the same for at least the past 3 years too ($80+tax if bought alone), and they still build new rides.

Someone at Disney just read that and proposed a price hike on the party tickets.

 

[lebeau]

No doubt, Disney is a super expensive endeavor. I understand the argument I just think Disney is still unique / innovative enough that people are going to continue to go.

I agree or I wouldn't have a trip scheduled.

But there is a tipping point for most people. It may be close or far away. But Disney is racing towards it at an alarming pace (IMO).

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Obviously I would like costs to be as low as possible, but I really think you need to consider the prices of other entertainment.

Typical Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas - 1.5 hours - $120
English Premier League Football game - 90 minutes - $100
Broadway Show - 90 minutes - $120
NBA Game - $75

So is 12 hours at the Magic Kingdom priced at $100 a value offering? Looking at the above, I think it could be.

But, I've never gone to a Cirque show because I will not pay $100 for 1.5 hours of fun. We don't go to professional sports events because fundamentally we take issue with paying that much to the overpayed divas who play. In May my husband all but begged me to pay the 1-day price (x3) to go into a park. His AP was still valid & it was crazy to him to be on-property without visiting MK or Epcot. I absolutely refused to do it. ((I did tell him he should go in by himself.)) I'd never pay the 1-day price as it is now. Nor would I pay the 2,3, or 4-day. There isn't anything in WDWs 4 parks worth that to me. No way!

 

[culturenthrills]

Probably a fairer comparison there would be to a WDW Seasonal Florida Resident pass, which would be $300 for 12 months. I would take that any day over $70 for a single park regional amusement park.

Problem with the seasonal pass is it doesn't include parking and that adds up depending on how often you go. And yes I know there are ways to get around the parking fee at MK and parking at Boardwalk for Epcot but still it adds up when you have to pay. The price for the regular FL resident AP has reached a point where I don't think it is really worth it anymore. I live an hour away and we didn't renew our AP's and are gonna save up for a trip to DL and just use our cast member friends when we wanna go to WDW for the day.

 

[Monty]

Lots of apples and oranges comparisons being thrown around, but I'll provide my own "spin":

I travel from Canada to WDW. Sometimes I drive but mostly I fly. Ticket price and resort cost are only a portion of my overall costs. The total cost of my vacations [allowing that I stay in different resort levels on different trips] has gone down since I started going, mainly because the Canadian dollar is significantly stronger these days. I imagine the same applies, though perhaps not to the same extent, to travellers coming from the UK. Ticket price increases at WDW haven't even registered as a minor concern for me.

I live close enough to drive to La Ronde in Montreal or Canada's Wonderland near Toronto and honestly have never been to either or even seriously considered going [I've looked at pricing, but never bought]. Either would be significantly cheaper to go to, but neither holds the appeal of WDW. As long as that's the case [and I see no reason to believe it ever won't be], I'll be content going to WDW.

 

[rioriz]

One-day ticket price is something very few ever pay. The ONLY impact is psychological and of course '74 getting to rant yet again.

I get sufficient value from the ticket I buy. The rest is bluster.

I think this is a good thing to point out as Disney tends to cater to those who stay longer and buy multi day tickets. Right now you can buy a 7 day ticket for $288! That is a great value if single days are $100.