Disney Prices, Are They High Enough?

[spacemtnfanatic]

Great, then hop in your time machine and relive the past. What exists now is the result of so many disparate events. 15 years ago today is just before travel was set on its ear both domestic and international.

And I am not saying I need the attraction line up from 15 years ago. I need the same level of show quality from 15 years ago. I'm not about to pay hundreds of dollars to write my name in the dust in too many places to count.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

And I am not saying I need the attraction line up from 15 years ago. I need the same level of show quality from 15 years ago. I'm not about to pay hundreds of dollars to write my name in the dust in too many places to count.

So 15 years ago.....2003 yes?....

A period where budget cuts crippled the parks. Rides were closing, staffing was cut, service suffered......."innovation" was non-existent. You consider that the "golden age".....okay, man. If it fits your narrative-more power to ya.

You're talking 2 years removed from 9/11....and that was the pinnacle for you?.....ooookay.

 

[LittleBuford]

I grew up in an exteremly poor family, I now do pretty well for myself, I agree with what Mr Bernard is saying, but would add that when it comes to entitlement, it seems the upper class feels they deserve more. There are bad apples in all three groups and awesome people in all three. So I don't believe that class is a deciding factor into peoples attitude.

Edit: Sorry Mr Bernard, I meant Nelson RD.

I’m confused. You agree with his statement about “low class trouble makers”?

 

[disney4life2008]

I would much rather share my park experience with Upper and Middle Class twits, than low class trouble makers who think they are entitled to more than the next guest because they paid so much for this vacation.

Actually the middle and upper class are the entitled groups.

 

[disney4life2008]

Anyone remember the promotion of 2009? They gave gift cards for your stay. We stayed 5 nights and i think we got 150.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The average park guest (one time/first time visitors) have no clue when SWL is going to open and even if they do, they are not the type of Disney World fan that has enough knowledge of the parks to know (or want) to plan a WDW trip one or two years out. Same for the 50th.

You are 75% correct...which on the practical bell curve makes you 100% correct

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

You are 75% correct...which on the practical bell curve makes you 100% correct

You're gonna lose a lot folks there. Gaussian distribution doesn't make it any easier.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You're gonna lose a lot folks there. Gaussian distribution doesn't make it any easier.

That’s the point...I like to talk to “me” mostest

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So 15 years ago.....2003 yes?....

A period where budget cuts crippled the parks. Rides were closing, staffing was cut, service suffered......."innovation" was non-existent. You consider that the "golden age".....okay, man. If it fits your narrative-more power to ya.

You're talking 2 years removed from 9/11....and that was the pinnacle for you?.....ooookay.

Well...I’m gonna assume they meant 17-18 years ago.

 

[NelsonRD]

Actually the middle and upper class are the entitled groups.

You are missing my point. My point is the constant demonizing and the name calling of wealthy people, should be just as offensive as negatively commenting about any other group, but its not.

 

[NelsonRD]

I’m confused. You agree with his statement about “low class trouble makers”?

Again, you missed the point. The "low class trouble makers" was a point about how you can negativity comment about the rich, and its ok, but make a statement about the poor, and there is outrage.

 

[Chef Mickey]

All travel is expensive. Entertainment is also expensive. Add it up.

Disney still represents great value if you enjoy the content. It’s 24/7 fun and they do it big. The per hour cost is very reasonable and far better than some entertainment alternatives that last a couple hours.

Are a few things worse than before? Sure, but there are still plenty of great things and even some new great things.

My biggest gripe is the lack of WDW expansion in the Iger era. There is a silver lining though. The focus on acquisition has readied the future for park expansion once someone decides the parks need more updating. We are already seeing some of that, although it should be more.

Since they haven’t expanded, I’d support about doubling prices for park tickets and a significant hike in hotel rates. I know it’s unpopular, but it’s the only short term way Disney can control crowds. They could also expand hours at other parks besides MK, though they’ve done that somewhat at AK.

 

[LUVofDIS]

I’m confused. You agree with his statement about “low class trouble makers”?

I guess it it is a little confusing, I am saying I have known people from all three groups that feel entitled, it is a character thing not a class thing. I have also known people from all three groups that don't feel entitled. My dad felt that the world owed him everything yet he contributed very little. My mom was the opposite, which was probably part of the reason they divorced.

 

[LittleBuford]

I guess it it is a little confusing, I am saying I have known people from all three groups that feel entitled, it is a character thing not a class thing. I have also known people from all three groups that don't feel entitled. My dad felt that the world owed him everything yet he contributed very little. My mom was the opposite, which was probably part of the reason they divorced.

Thanks for clarifying. I basically agree with you, though I think Mr_Bernard is right to say that pricing out the lower-income guests would promote a particular kind of entitlement in the parks. An elitist WDW isn’t one I would enjoy visiting.

 

[wdisney9000]

Crowds are huge and detract from the experience of visiting.

I have visited three times in the last year. My wife is on trip number 5 for the year. Crowds do not seem any larger than they have in year past. It just depends on time of day or day of week. In fact, we have seen lighter crowds this year, especially at Epcot, HS.

Buses are packed and waits of 30 minutes to an hour for a ride back to the resort are not uncommon.

We only see this in the morning for park opening and at night when parks close. During the day we have not had a packed bus in our recent trips an usually have not waited more than 15 minutes. But morning and night is definitely out of control. Disney really needs to step it up for these hours. We started using ride share services (Uber, Lyft) for morning and night and its worth the price.
With

Fast Passes are often 'No Longer Available" shortly after availability to book them goes live at the 60 day mark

With the exception of FoP, we have not had too much difficulty getting FP's. Dining reservations just require checking the app a few times a day. Our most recent trip we wanted to dine at Sci Fi and when I first checked around 30 days prior to our arrival, it was booked solid. I would simply open the app and check availability a few times a day and I eventually got it.

 

[Po'Rich]

Every time Disney raises prices, we have these discussions about how prices should go even higher to control crowds. There are claims that the parks are too crowded and will be better (even at greatly increased prices) when less people go. Then there are other who claim that Disney risks becoming just a playground for the rich (I, myself, have written on this side of the issue). Yet, I've come to a realization recently. We have a thread discussing how attendance is down from projections. The result is that there are cuts and prices increase. Disney isn't raising prices to control crowds nor does it want to control crowds. There are only so many dole whips and Mickey waffles that an individual can eat. Instead, Disney simply wants to maximize profits. (Not a great revelation, I admit). It wants the parks crowded, and it wants to see how high prices can go while keeping the parks crowded.

 

[wdisney9000]

Thanks for clarifying. I basically agree with you, though I think Mr_Bernard is right to say that pricing out the lower-income guests would promote a particular kind of entitlement in the parks. An elitist WDW isn’t one I would enjoy visiting.

I seriously think there is a different kind of "entitlement" people get specifically at WDW.

We stay at the Deluxe resorts for a reason. I am far from elitist or super wealthy either. But I am willing to spend the additional money to stay at Yacht Club or Boardwalk due to the much better experience in not only atmosphere but the overall demeanor of the guests as well. And thats not say that there are not very polite and cordial folks staying at the value resorts. There are just more people staying at a place like Pop who feel that because they paid $150 per night to stay there, that its fine if their kids run up and down the corridors making noise or trample the landscaping.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Again, you missed the point. The "low class trouble makers" was a point about how you can negativity comment about the rich, and its ok, but make a statement about the poor, and there is outrage.

But that kinda makes sense the way society has been constructed. It doesn’t change anything to scoff at privileges. Money tends to negate the “they have feelings too” argument. They wouldn’t honestly care what’s said.

It would be like you and I debating what side of the sky the sun is gonna set on tonight...it’s irrelevant.

Ok...back to non sociology

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Every time Disney raises prices, we have these discussions about how prices should go even higher to control crowds. There are claims that the parks are too crowded and will be better (even at greatly increased prices) when less people go. Then there are other who claim that Disney risks becoming just a playground for the rich (I, myself, have written on this side of the issue). Yet, I've come to a realization recently. We have a thread discussing how attendance is down from projections. The result is that there are cuts and prices increase. Disney isn't raising prices to control crowds nor does it want to control crowds. There are only so many dole whips and Mickey waffles that an individual can eat. Instead, Disney simply wants to maximize profits. (Not a great revelation, I admit). It wants the parks crowded, and it wants to see how high prices can go while keeping the parks crowded.

Agree...

I think the truth is both sides of that argument are wrong becuse of a lack of objectively looking at Disneys strategy.

They want both/all of it.

They want a subset to bandy around talking luxury...they want one timers from corn country to scimp and save for their “one shot”...they want overprivileged big talkers from my area to go over and over at 16.99% apr...

They want it all. No, they are not raising prices to limit attendance - that is a fundamentally stupid argument. What business with a stock listing would ever do that?
But they also want to increase attendance (anyone notice construction down there?) while moving the cost/price expectations way up.

This all - I’m serious - comes back to management. They’ve lost of the “who we are” manta (a very disney thing) for more “why not? ...let’s try it”

That shows it’s face to the public more in parks than any other of their businesses.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Every time Disney raises prices, we have these discussions about how prices should go even higher to control crowds. There are claims that the parks are too crowded and will be better (even at greatly increased prices) when less people go. Then there are other who claim that Disney risks becoming just a playground for the rich (I, myself, have written on this side of the issue). Yet, I've come to a realization recently. We have a thread discussing how attendance is down from projections. The result is that there are cuts and prices increase. Disney isn't raising prices to control crowds nor does it want to control crowds. There are only so many dole whips and Mickey waffles that an individual can eat. Instead, Disney simply wants to maximize profits. (Not a great revelation, I admit). It wants the parks crowded, and it wants to see how high prices can go while keeping the parks crowded.

I agree that maximization or profit is an initiative and perhaps has gone to far, but I disagree that they pack the parks without some moderation.

It’s a balance and I think they know that. I know Disney at least thinks about and studies crowd levels because they ask me in surveys, in great detail.

They know it can’t become a beating to visit the parks or you won’t stay as long, spend as much or even worse, come back.