How many are priced out?

[KikoKea]

We can afford to renew in Oct when our AP runs out, but we are considering waiting to renew and doing a few other things. For us, the crowds and line lengths discourage us the most. We were there 3 times in the first 6 months of this year, and agreed that taking a break from WDW might be a good idea. We shall see.

 

[Sans Souci]

How much does decorum weigh?

Decorum defies all metrics, my friend. -_-

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

None of our speculations matter. Why would Disney do this? (ALL TOGETHER NOW), because they can, folks just keep coming, my family included....

Mine s well...I still wonder how high the prices could go BEFORE a reduction at the gate? And, I wonder why the price isn't even higher? They could take the money if they wanted......

None of our speculations matter because we are fans without data and they are professionals with data. Our best access to insights into when Disney has reached the end of the path in terms of big price increases is when they don't have a big price increase. In having a small price increase, Disney would be showing their cards, revealing to us that the market research showed that if they would have another big price increase then they would finally have "priced out" too many families. They'll know long before they get there, because they know so much more about us guests and our purchasing behaviors than we know about ourselves, collectively, and they'll make their decisions based on that knowledge.

They could jack the prices even higher, and frankly I don't know why they don't....As far as knowing long before; they are ahead or even way ahead of most other businesses Laggard Effect (data is from previous period and thus lags behind current period)

That's because it's too cheap.

yepper

 

[KevinPage]

I moved here from NY after getting married at Disney in 2001, so we could go all the time. Finally in August 2015, right before the major overall of the AP’s and big price increase, we were officially priced out. Our family of 3 had cost right under $900 after renewal discount but that shot up to $1,300.

Fast forward to March 2019 and we are now back, albeit with a new family member, so for the 4 of us it’s a cool 2K . I did miss it and with Star Wars coming (and getting finances in better order), we bit the bullet.

I’m sure there will be another price hike before our renewal next year too

But attendance never goes down, so it’s simple supply and demand. Not sure what’s driving crowds to constantly increase or if its just that FP has everyone walking around and not standing in line.

 

[tampabrad]

Not priced out, but as an AP, starting to feel pushed out.

Having an AP used to mean spontaneous trips were possible. Now is has become close to impossible to go for a nice dinner and a couple of attractions or fireworks. Even an overnight trip has to be planned two months ahead of time. So many upcharge nights, dessert parties have pushed us out of the perks of having an AP.

It's not the price of the AP, it's the price and policies of everything else that are causing me to question renewing.

 

[RScottyL]

IMO, I definitely do not like that they are raising the prices every year! As you mentioned, there are going to be more and more people that will be priced out of a Disney vacation!

On the other hand, if they did keep it cheap, the parks would always be crowded and not as fun for people! I doubt it will ever happen, but I would still love Disney to entertain the thought of a third park here in the US, preferably somewhere here in Texas!

 

[HoldenC]

I can still afford my Platinum Plus Pass BUT as I inch further into my late 20's, I have to stop and think if paying more per month for a product that is $10 more (but with less) will be worth it in the long run. I do not frequent the parks as much as I thought I would with the PP AP, there was a while I skipped Magic Kingdom for three months. I truly only have this tier for the water park access. So I am entertaining the idea of downgrading to Platinum and buying the h20 water park pass.

 

[jloucks]

It's a Pay-per-month membership that can be used within the parks and give out perks depending on the level you choose..Here's an example of what Six Flags does...

We've been doing variations of this ("free" meal plan) for probably a decade. We have been known to go to Six Flags just to eat and nothing more.

 

[jloucks]

On the other hand, if they did keep it cheap, the parks would always be crowded and not as fun for people! I doubt it will ever happen, but I would still love Disney to entertain the thought of a third park here in the US, preferably somewhere here in Texas!

Oh that would be awesome beyond words. I vote near DFW (of course)

The Texas heat would work as a form of crowd control too, so that might help. Might. ....probably wouldn't.

FWIW, Even Six Flags is having the crowd issue that WDW is having.

 

[awoogala]

I'm still able to, but I'm not. We had already decided to skip a year due to SW opening, and just doing some other vacations this year. I'll see how I feel about it when I'm planning my next Orlando trip (July 2020/ conference). Maybe I'll do a pass, maybe I'll stick to Uni for another year.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Just a quick update...we bought 4 Platinum AP's at Sam's Club last night at the old price of $865.99 each...they are not in the stores, you have to buy them online, but they're still available.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Am not and have never been an AP holder. If I am being responsible, under current circumstances, I am now probably looking at a trip every 2 to 3+ years instead of every 1 to 2. Also, I will have to stay at a value resort or off-site instead of a moderate resort. My wife and recently had our first child. Couple that with all the construction going on and we may just decide to wait until 2023 or later. I doubt we will be able to hold off the itch that long but we are considering it. We've talked about doing the cruise instead if we can a great deal.

 

[dieboy]

I wish I had bought blocks of no-expiration tickets when they were still around. I know some other forum members did.

I cashed in a pile of old paper tickets with a day or so left on each recently. That was my 'take that Disney' moment.

 

[jloucks]

Am not and have never been an AP holder. If I am being responsible, under current circumstances, I am now probably looking at a trip every 2 to 3+ years instead of every 1 to 2. Also, I will have to stay at a value resort or off-site instead of a moderate resort. My wife and recently had our first child. Couple that with all the construction going on and we may just decide to wait until 2023 or later. I doubt we will be able to hold off the itch that long but we are considering it. We've talked about doing the cruise instead if we can a great deal.

Congrats on the kid! Yea, those suckers are pretty expensive. ...but they make trips to WDW with them exponentially satisfying. One of my top 10 most joyous vacations of all time was my 2012 trip to WDW when the kids were 9 & 11. You have your peace and joy amplified by their joy.

...you are in for some great times! Enjoy them while they last because you will blink and your kid will be 18 and moving out to college.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Boy I wish my salary would rise as much and as often as Disney's park ticket prices.

 

[OneofThree]

Boy I wish my salary would rise as much and as often as Disney's park ticket prices.

Psshhh. First world problems. Just use debt at a high interest rate -it's the American way.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Psshhh. First world problems. Just use debt at a high interest rate -it's the American way.

How do you think I got the 1LE?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't even think it rises to the level of a soap opera or teleanova. It's just fantasy with a different setting. Hades lord of dead, or Darth Vader Sith Lord ? Comically the zelots try to say the other is.more 'fake'

But I think you’re looking at it from the wrong end up.

The fascination with Star Wars isn’t about the story or the characters or the loads of crap...

It’s that if broke entirely new ground in Hollywood and Wall Street and encapsulates an entire generation on a wider level than any other pop phenomena - the case can be made.

But Disney also sucks at it...so I would be digging avoiding it too if I wasn’t on a hiatus year anyway

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am not priced out, but it's no longer worth it to me. It's too crowded for me. I was going to go on a 4 night DCL cruise followed up with a few days at WDW next year. Now, I am going on a 7 night and no WDW. DCL is a much superior product, IMO.

EDIT: I forgot to mention I am an out of state AP holder.

DCL is ironically perhaps the most overpriced product Disney offers...interesting

 

[Sans Souci]

DCL is ironically perhaps the most overpriced product Disney offers...interesting

And I should care, why?