flynnibus returns to DLR - thoughts and experience

[truecoat]

No, actually they aren't really better comparisons to justify things. They are just comparisons of other scenarios where customers have been fleeced for so long they just tolerate it.

None of the justifications for why prices are what they are at a stadium event really drive the prices the same as at Disney.

The hot dogs at Award Weiners are larger than regular hot dogs and come with fries for $10.79. A $4 hot dog from a stadium is also not the best comparison.

 

[mickEblu]

No, actually they aren't really better comparisons to justify things. They are just comparisons of other scenarios where customers have been fleeced for so long they just tolerate it.

None of the justifications for why prices are what they are at a stadium event really drive the prices the same as at Disney.

We’re getting fleeced every time we step out of the house. Less so for food at Disneyland in comparison to other parks or similar venues in the area.

 

[Parteecia]

No, actually they aren't really better comparisons to justify things. They are just comparisons of other scenarios where customers have been fleeced for so long they just tolerate it.

None of the justifications for why prices are what they are at a stadium event really drive the prices the same as at Disney.

Comparing SoCal entertainment food prices with wherever you saw the game is as sadly irrelevant as comparing our gas prices to other states.

 

[tanc]

I mean honestly I probably budget about $30 a day for food in the park, which is still quite a bit. But if I am gonna drink alcohol, I definitely would take more. The Paradise Garden Grill is one of my favorite spots and I feel like you get a lot of food for the price. Also, they give away free water, and at the V8 cafe, they were giving big 16oz cups of water out for free.

 

[tanc]

Food prices are ridiculous. I do NOT buy bottle drinks inside the parks. Only sit down I would dare and tolerate a soda. Otherwise I am going BACK to my car to get my free water bottles.

I change it up by buying outside of Disneyland resort to get better prices and good meal by supporting small businesses around the area.

Or just go to V8 cafe, they were giving out free 16oz cups of water last time I went. Not sure if that was an exception or not, but they definitely still give free water throughout the park.

 

[Parteecia]

Or just go to V8 cafe, they were giving out free 16oz cups of water last time I went. Not sure if that was an exception or not, but they definitely still give free water throughout the park.

At Boardwalk I've gone in just for water and their crunchy ice. Show it to the cashier and never been questioned.

 

[truecoat]

No, actually they aren't really better comparisons to justify things. They are just comparisons of other scenarios where customers have been fleeced for so long they just tolerate it.

None of the justifications for why prices are what they are at a stadium event really drive the prices the same as at Disney.

I agree with you on the fleecing, we are in an era where it is now maximized.

 

[flynnibus]

I agree with you on the fleecing, we are in an era where it is now maximized.

The main point I'm tryiing to highlight is... out of all those examples people throw around, Disney is by far the worst in terms of fleecing because they have every possible operations advantage compared to those other venues. That means Disney is making the most margin from the same priced item. It means Disney is the best positioned to NOT do this, yet they do..

I know at this point it's just 'expected' - but it doesn't change the impact when visiting. Going back to my original comment, you just gotta turn your brain off when it comes to food and eating there. Eat what you want, ignore the prices. Unless you are talking about those Sipper cups, etc... f paying $30 for a cup to drag around all day

 

[chadwpalm]

Disney is taking advantage of a captive audience who doesn't want to leave the Disney bubble on their vacation. Sure there are still people who will leave the park for a meal, but it gets harder to justify when the cost of tickets are so high and you don't want to miss your LL return time window.

I don't recall a time in my life where I didn't feel like Disneyland's food prices weren't high......or maybe it wasn't during my youth when I wasn't the one paying.

For me, I include food in my vacation budget. It doesn't come from my regular food budget so I don't balk as much at the higher cost. I expect the food cost to be high and that I'll be eating in the parks, so I adjust my budget accordingly.

 

[Parteecia]

That means Disney is making the most margin from the same priced item. It means Disney is the best positioned to NOT do this, yet they do..

You can say the same about tickets, souvenirs, and everything else. Why would you expect them to charge less than the market will bear? That's bad business.

 

[flynnibus]

You can say the same about tickets, souvenirs, and everything else. Why would you expect them to charge less than the market will bear? That's bad business.

For the same kinds of reasons Disney differentiated themselves for decades -- before everyone put "business" as a reason for any behavior.

They literally have the buying and operating lead on everyone.. and instead of opt'ing for balancing customer sat and business greatness... we get.. 'let it rip! its bad business otherwise!'

 

[mickEblu]

For the same kinds of reasons Disney differentiated themselves for decades -- before everyone put "business" as a reason for any behavior.

They literally have the buying and operating lead on everyone.. and instead of opt'ing for balancing customer sat and business greatness... we get.. 'let it rip! its bad business otherwise!'

But the question is are they really letting it rip? The same slice of pizza I had at Alien Pizza Planet cost me 8$ instead of $20 like it did at Hurricane Harbor.

 

[Nirya]

The comparisons you are making don't work because you are trying to compare Disney prices to other locations in the country instead of comparing Disney to the rest of SoCal. If you do that, Disney prices almost seem reasonable, because everything is expensive out here. The cost of living out here is insane compared to the rest of the country, and Disney lowering their food prices isn't going to fix things in the slightest, especially when they have a premium product compared to others.

 

[flynnibus]

But the question is are they really letting it rip? The same slice of pizza I had at Alien Pizza Planet cost me 8$ instead of $20 like it did at Hurricane Harbor.

They are - because just because they aren't the only ones doing it doesn't change anything.

You could literally buy food at ralphs at retail, charge Disney to deliver it to them, and Disney could still have a healthy markup to sell it over the counter at their current prices. Their operational model gives them such a HUGE advantage over every other retailer.. and every bit of it is going right to their margins.

 

[mlayton144]

They are - because just because they aren't the only ones doing it doesn't change anything.

You could literally buy food at ralphs at retail, charge Disney to deliver it to them, and Disney could still have a healthy markup to sell it over the counter at their current prices. Their operational model gives them such a HUGE advantage over every other retailer.. and every bit of it is going right to their margins.

Genuinely interested in your thoughts on what companies don’t do this. Doesn’t the market decide prices ?

 

[flynnibus]

Genuinely interested in your thoughts on what companies don’t do this. Doesn’t the market decide prices ?

The company decides their product strategy - This isn't a commodities market.

 

[mlayton144]

The company decides their product strategy - This isn't a commodities market.

So what is the strategy in reducing profit ? The market is saying they are willing and able to take price increases , and when they aren’t Disney will surely respond with lower prices , pretty basic right ?

 

[flynnibus]

So what is the strategy in reducing profit ? The market is saying they are willing and able to take price increases , and when they aren’t Disney will surely respond with lower prices , pretty basic right ?

You think every company sets prices based on the notion of the max they can get away with? Why does Disney even bother giving discounts then?

Reality is far more complex than that - because prices have a significant impact on customer sentiment and buying patterns. Not going to address it here in basically a TR thread, but product strategy is not just 'max prices'

 

[mickEblu]

You think every company sets prices based on the notion of the max they can get away with? Why does Disney even bother giving discounts then?

Reality is far more complex than that - because prices have a significant impact on customer sentiment and buying patterns. Not going to address it here in basically a TR thread, but product strategy is not just 'max prices'

You really think $8 for a slice of pizza is the max Disney can get away with when the competitors are selling it for $20?

 

[mlayton144]

You think every company sets prices based on the notion of the max they can get away with? Why does Disney even bother giving discounts then?

Reality is far more complex than that - because prices have a significant impact on customer sentiment and buying patterns. Not going to address it here in basically a TR thread, but product strategy is not just 'max prices'

Max prices ? I don’t think you have thought this through - they certainly have marketing people that analyze data for pricing decisions. I don’t like higher prices either but look around you it’s everywhere