Big changes coming to Annual Passes

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I've actually heard from a couple sources that within the next couple months if not weeks, we should be hearing about brand new pricing on AP's. Apparently Disney has noticed the numbers declining of the amount of people who still plan on renewing their AP. Disney has also noticed that many plan on not renewing not just because of the current prices but because ever since the Paris attacks, many are currently afraid of going to the parks now. So in order to attract more people to purchase and renew their AP, Disney is looking into changing their current line of AP's.

If this is true....

 

[flynnibus]

I could understand tweaks after releasing the new product.. but wholesale changes of impact? nah.. wishful thinking

 

[ford91exploder]

I've actually heard from a couple sources that within the next couple months if not weeks, we should be hearing about brand new pricing on AP's. Apparently Disney has noticed the numbers declining of the amount of people who still plan on renewing their AP. Disney has also noticed that many plan on not renewing not just because of the current prices but because ever since the Paris attacks, many are currently afraid of going to the parks now. So in order to attract more people to purchase and renew their AP, Disney is looking into changing their current line of AP's.

Like i've said over and over the only way to get Disney to change their behavior is to hit them in the pocketbook

 

[JoeCamel]

I've actually heard from a couple sources that within the next couple months if not weeks, we should be hearing about brand new pricing on AP's. Apparently Disney has noticed the numbers declining of the amount of people who still plan on renewing their AP. Disney has also noticed that many plan on not renewing not just because of the current prices but because ever since the Paris attacks, many are currently afraid of going to the parks now. So in order to attract more people to purchase and renew their AP, Disney is looking into changing their current line of AP's.

Believe it when I see it. That would set a precedent that is unprecedented! Unless they raise them and cut benefits again, that I would believe.

I am convinced a decision was made to discourage locals from buying an AP and coming for a couple of hours here and there. They don't spend what the one timers do and unless the world economy falls flat they have plenty of those.

 

[Texas84]

Well, one of the problems with renewing is their web site doesn't always work. Tried yesterday with three different browsers. No luck.

 

[rucifee]

Like i've said over and over the only way to get Disney to change their behavior is to hit them in the pocketbook

That's right, and the best way to do that is word of mouth. A consumer scorned is a consumer that is not easy to win back and the word of mouth of a consumer scorned can be devastating to someone's business, even if that business is very large.

 

[CJR]

Just got into the website finally, I can confirm that you get the renewal price even if you downgrade. We're at Platinum right now and plan to go down to Silver next year - price including tax came to $351.45 per pass. We realized we weren't really going to the parks on the busy days anyway and, if we really want to go to the water parks, you can actually add the water park annual pass much cheaper than going all the way up to the Platinum Plus. We'll probably just fork up $40 and get a parking pass to Daytona Beach though.

I held back from actually renewing (confirming the order) just in case something unexpected comes up. I don't see them raising prices again before our deadline.

 

[JohnD]

That's correct, they are offered as benefits in the promotional material and offerings for no other purpose than to make the sale. Even though they sell you on the idea that you'll have all of these fine benefits, you really don't have any other benefits beyond park admission. Read the fine print.

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Correct. The "benefit" of the price increase is the "free" PhotoPass download. You already know what this means. You're paying for photo downloads whether you want them or not.

 

[JohnD]

I had just gotten my FL res Seasonal Pass to WDW in late August, and my next trip was just a few weeks back in October (we were in Epcot for Halloween, lots of fun seeing all the people dressed up). ANYWAY, I asked when we got to the Epcot parking gate if we got free parking now that the tickets had changed- the nice parking attendent still took my $20 (wha!?!) but said to bring the receipt with me and go to Guest relations to see about ungrading.

Going "up" to the Silver pass is exactly the same as the old Seasonal Pass (i.e. blackout dates) BUT included free parking, with renewal date remaining in August. The CM at Guest Relations said I could go from Seasonal to Silver for $60, minus $20 refund for today's parking- basically $40. Since anything more than 2 days parking past that day would be gravy I gladly took them up on it.

Seemed like a good deal to me, although I can definitely see why those at higher levels are getting squeezed. Personally I see no reason to ever go above Silver, as I have no need for all those photos. LOL. My iPhone works just fine thanks.

Agreed. Gold does give you the summer months but as an FR, I have no desire to go to WDW during those hot, overcrowded months. Nor do I want to pay for something--PhotoPass--that I don't want.

 

[rucifee]

Correct. The "benefit" of the price increase is the "free" PhotoPass download. You already know what this means. You're paying for photo downloads whether you want them or not.

Right, rather than buying one PhotoPass you're now forced to buy PhotoPass for each Passholder unless you downgrade some of your passes to a level that doesn't have it. I've personally never used PhotoPass and have no need for it. In order to opt out of the forced purchase I have to downgrade each pass I don't want it on to a pass that's practically useless to me.

DisneyMoneyGrab™

 

[rucifee]

Agreed. Gold does give you the summer months but as an FR, I have no desire to go to WDW during those hot, overcrowded months. Nor do I want to pay for something--PhotoPass--that I don't want.

I personally love the parks during the summer months.

 

[JohnD]

I personally love the parks during the summer months.

I would consider a variation of the Gold without PhotoPass, if offered. But right now, I'll stick with Silver. It's almost the same as the previous FR Seasonal Pass.

 

[JohnD]

I've actually heard from a couple sources that within the next couple months if not weeks, we should be hearing about brand new pricing on AP's. Apparently Disney has noticed the numbers declining of the amount of people who still plan on renewing their AP. Disney has also noticed that many plan on not renewing not just because of the current prices but because ever since the Paris attacks, many are currently afraid of going to the parks now. So in order to attract more people to purchase and renew their AP, Disney is looking into changing their current line of AP's.

Hope this is true. You say numbers in renewals are declining. Also, if responses on this forum are any indication, people are also downgrading, which means spending less. What WDW should do is offer all the current passes but with PhotoPass not already included, meaning Gold and above would have reduced prices. Then offer PhotoPass as an optional add-in at less than the regular price.

 

[rucifee]

I would consider a variation of the Gold without PhotoPass, if offered. But right now, I'll stick with Silver. It's almost the same as the previous FR Seasonal Pass.

We're not renewing at all, we've been so annoyed with Disney this year that we can't even enjoy an evening in the parks anymore. I actually raised my voice with a CM the other day because they were so stupid I don't even know how they knew how to breathe. I've rarely had problems with CMs but this year, wow. Service has been bad, food has been bad, rides are constantly down, and the parks are too crowded to be enjoyed, it's just not worth it to us anymore. I wouldn't put up with most of the stuff if it were free so why pay for it?

 

[JohnD]

We're not renewing at all, we've been so annoyed with Disney this year that we can't even enjoy an evening in the parks anymore. I actually raised my voice with a CM the other day because they were so stupid I don't even know how they knew how to breathe. I've rarely had problems with CMs but this year, wow. Service has been bad, food has been bad, rides are constantly down, and the parks are too crowded to be enjoyed, it's just not worth it to us anymore. I wouldn't put up with most of the stuff if it were free so why pay for it?

I hear you.

 

[JoeCamel]

Perhaps they are justifying having all the PP people standing around using the guests phones and quick shots to take their pictures. Now they can have them use the provided equipment and get the opportunity to upsell when you view and upload your "included" package of pictures.

 

[ford91exploder]

Believe it when I see it. That would set a precedent that is unprecedented! Unless they raise them and cut benefits again, that I would believe.

I am convinced a decision was made to discourage locals from buying an AP and coming for a couple of hours here and there. They don't spend what the one timers do and unless the world economy falls flat they have plenty of those.

I'm also convinced that Disney also managed to drive off a lot of the 'full price' AP' users as well, Which may have sent up a flare 'hey these long term non-locals are ALSO NOT COMING BACK"

 

[rucifee]

I'm also convinced that Disney also managed to drive off a lot of the 'full price' AP' users as well, Which may have sent up a flare 'hey these long term non-locals are ALSO NOT COMING BACK"

Our annual family reunion / Disney World vacation will be held at Universal Studios next year for the first time ever. The plan is already set in motion.

 

[JohnD]

Hope this is true. You say numbers in renewals are declining. Also, if responses on this forum are any indication, people are also downgrading, which means spending less. What WDW should do is offer all the current passes but with PhotoPass not already included, meaning Gold and above would have reduced prices. Then offer PhotoPass as an optional add-in at less than the regular price.

I noticed that unlimited downloads (Memory Maker) costs $169. If just $100 was removed from the regular price and used as the cost of the add-in for unlimited downloads, there might be more of an incentive for people to purchase the passes. My guess is you'll see fewer PhotoPass purchases if this is done but, taken as a whole, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a net increase in profits to WDW because of a lower pass price.

In other words, prices including tax:

• Silver: $414.29 (no change)
  Christmas/Holiday, Easter, and Summer blocked out
  
  
• Gold: $584.69 - 100 = $484.69
  Christmas/Holiday and Easter blocked out
  
  
• Platinum: $691.19 - 100 = $591.19
  No block out dates
  
  
• Platinum Plus: $776.39 - 100 = $676.39
  No block out dates plus water parks, golf courses, and ESPN complex

PhotoPass add-in: $100

 

[Sonconato]

Just got into the website finally, I can confirm that you get the renewal price even if you downgrade. We're at Platinum right now and plan to go down to Silver next year - price including tax came to $351.45 per pass. We realized we weren't really going to the parks on the busy days anyway and, if we really want to go to the water parks, you can actually add the water park annual pass much cheaper than going all the way up to the Platinum Plus. We'll probably just fork up $40 and get a parking pass to Daytona Beach though.

I held back from actually renewing (confirming the order) just in case something unexpected comes up. I don't see them raising prices again before our deadline.

That's good to know, especially since we've been getting varied answers from Disney themselves. My husband had emailed Disney a few days ago to see what they had to say via email...still haven't heard back. We're going to continue asking to see if we continue to get varied answers. He also realized that we're the only family left in his small office that has APs...there used to be 5 families. Some stopped and some decided to get Universal APs.