Annual passes and park crowding

[Naplesgolfer]

Do you think annual pass holders are disproportionate part of the crowding problem at WDW? Should they significantly raise the pass cost to counter this?

 

[AndyS2992]

I guess? though I don’t think they are that big of a problem at WDW, Disneyland on the other hand..

 

[Gainesvillain]

No and heck no (says an AP).

 

[wendysue]

Why would you even suggest this??? (now they will do just that and we can never go again) The price of park tickets is ridiculous already! I do not believe that the park crowding is a result of too many AP holders. I think it's just so much fun that everybody wants to be there..

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Too many people eat oranges. Should they be $20 each?

 

[Dr. Ludwig von Drake]

I don't think APs are the main cause of the crowds. In fact, I've heard comments putting Disneyland and WDW at the opposite ends of the AP question. For DL, I've read "plan your trips during AP blockouts to avoid crowds." While at WDW, in my personal experience AP blockout dates are a good indication of when not to go because the crowds are huge.

I don't really know how many APs are at the parks. In FL, all residents can get residential passes while in CA only those in a select set of zip codes. The population of southern CA is about the same as all of FL, close to 23 million. But, those 23 million CA folks are geographically closer to DL than the average FL resident is to WDW. So, if the same percentage of CA and FL folks buy APs, DL might have more APs in the park since it is more difficult for FL people to use theirs. If this is true, then the AP problem realy is less at WDW than DL. (And don't forget, WDW also has a bigger guest capacity than DL.)

I'm just guessing on this, though. I've only been to DL once. It was mid May and crowds were very low. Been to WDW many, many times. We never go during AP blockouts because blockout = crowded.

 

[correcaminos]

No, not in FL. DLR is a whole other ballgame though. Someone I saw once had numbers of AP holders in FL and it was a pretty small percentage. Of course I cannot find it now, but it's not a problem with crowds in FL.

I think there are other issues that bring in the crowds, but none of it is AP related in FL.

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't think APs are the main cause of the crowds. In fact, I've heard comments putting Disneyland and WDW at the opposite ends of the AP question. For DL, I've read "plan your trips during AP blockouts to avoid crowds." While at WDW, in my personal experience AP blockout dates are a good indication of when not to go because the crowds are huge.

I don't really know how many APs are at the parks. In FL, all residents can get residential passes while in CA only those in a select set of zip codes. The population of southern CA is about the same as all of FL, close to 23 million. But, those 23 million CA folks are geographically closer to DL than the average FL resident is to WDW. So, if the same percentage of CA and FL folks buy APs, DL might have more APs in the park since it is more difficult for FL people to use theirs. If this is true, then the AP problem realy is less at WDW than DL. (And don't forget, WDW also has a bigger guest capacity than DL.)

I'm just guessing on this, though. I've only been to DL once. It was mid May and crowds were very low. Been to WDW many, many times. We never go during AP blockouts because blockout = crowded.

This^^^

Everyone I know privy to this kind of information has told me the same thing. A significant chunk of DLs guests are AP holders. In WDW, it is a market segment so small that it could almost be ignored entirely.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you think annual pass holders are disproportionate part of the crowding problem at WDW? Should they significantly raise the pass cost to counter this?

They are not...the disproportionate park crowding culprits are mass tour groups/conventions and more recently schools that have designated weeks off spread out over the calendar causing unusual flooding from one place

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't think APs are the main cause of the crowds. In fact, I've heard comments putting Disneyland and WDW at the opposite ends of the AP question. For DL, I've read "plan your trips during AP blockouts to avoid crowds." While at WDW, in my personal experience AP blockout dates are a good indication of when not to go because the crowds are huge.

I don't really know how many APs are at the parks. In FL, all residents can get residential passes while in CA only those in a select set of zip codes. The population of southern CA is about the same as all of FL, close to 23 million. But, those 23 million CA folks are geographically closer to DL than the average FL resident is to WDW. So, if the same percentage of CA and FL folks buy APs, DL might have more APs in the park since it is more difficult for FL people to use theirs. If this is true, then the AP problem realy is less at WDW than DL. (And don't forget, WDW also has a bigger guest capacity than DL.)

I'm just guessing on this, though. I've only been to DL once. It was mid May and crowds were very low. Been to WDW many, many times. We never go during AP blockouts because blockout = crowded.

100%

 

[larryz]

Should they significantly raise the pass cost to counter this?

They're still looking for the top edge of the price tolerance envelope. Until they hit it, it's only natural to keep increasing prices.

 

[skyphotographer]

What I don't understand is why Florida residents get much lower pass prices than out of state people. The Florida passholders most likely go to the parks more frequently than out of staters. It should be just the opposite. Florida passholders should be paying more.

 

[Master Yoda]

What I don't understand is why Florida residents get much lower pass prices than out of state people. The Florida passholders most likely go to the parks more frequently than out of staters.

...and most likely spend more money on food, drinks, etc.

You can all but guarantee that if Disney offers any kind of a ticket discount to anyone, their research shows that discount being offset by an equal or greater amount of increased spending.

 

[JIMINYCR]

What I don't understand is why Florida residents get much lower pass prices than out of state people. The Florida passholders most likely go to the parks more frequently than out of staters. It should be just the opposite. Florida passholders should be paying more.

Why wouldnrt they be given a better deal? They are going more frequently, they attend events, dine and stay in resorts more throughout the year. Most businesses give rewards for valued customers or deals for frequent purchases by frequently returning customers. Disney values the return business they are getting. The residents of FL do pack the parks when theres a new attraction opened up, attend events like F&G festival, F&W festival, run marathons etc. so they are a large support for Disney to value. The once in a lifetime guest, the once a year guest or once in a while guests dont warrant a similar deal.

 

[JIMINYCR]

They are not...the disproportionate park crowding culprits are mass tour groups/conventions and more recently schools that have designated weeks off spread out over the calendar causing unusual flooding from one place

Youll see locals more in mass when theres a new attraction first opened up or on weekends when theres events running. I know a lot of locals who spend more time visiting DS for entertainment and dining. And many do not spend an entire day in the parks because they dont have to do everything all in one day, they know they can come back pretty much whenever they want to.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Youll see locals more in mass when theres a new attraction first opened up or on weekends when theres events running. I know a lot of locals who spend more time visiting DS for entertainment and dining. And many do not spend an entire day in the parks because they dont have to do everything all in one day, they know they can come back pretty much whenever they want to.

Yes...the local/ap dynamic is completely different in WDW. There isn’t a high daily percentage of them compared to many other parks...no where close to Disneyland. And as you pointed out...they can take it or leave it.

APs do crowd certain events/Things...food and wine first and foremost...but they are not the reason for the overall crowding.

Those are:
1. Sustained increases in numbers from longterm economic upswing
2. The fastpass system combined with no additions to handle larger crowds for 15 years
3. Shifting schools calendars and travel patterns.

 

[skyphotographer]

If that were true than a 1 day ticket should cost the same or more than a 10 day ticket.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If that were true than a 1 day ticket should cost the same or more than a 10 day ticket.

You’re selling to entirely different pools of people...pricing is dynamic. Incredibly complex