I'm not going to renew my annual pass, how about you?

[Chef Mickey]

I doubt enough people would buy $4,000 annual passes for Disney to design a program with all those perks and better treatment.

Disagree. You sell the perks, then the passes make more sense. Disney has failed completely to capture that market, which exists. Disney doesn’t even have a hotel rewards program or a true 5 star hotel experience.

 

[Chi84]

Disagree. You sell the perks, then the passes make more sense. Disney has failed completely to capture that market, which exists. Disney doesn’t even have a hotel rewards program or a true 5 star hotel experience.

But you're talking only about annual pass holders. The market exists, but I doubt in such a limited way.

 

[Chef Mickey]

But you're talking only about annual pass holders. The market exists, but I doubt in such a limited way.

More people would likely be interested depending on the offering.

 

[Chi84]

More people would likely be interested depending on the offering.

I guess I never thought of WDW as being able to successfully offer that type of boutique experience.

They can build a 5-star hotel with exceptional dining, but at the end of the day you’re still in WDW.

There’s a reason Disney isn’t doing this, and I doubt it’s because they haven’t thought of it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I guess I never thought of WDW as being able to successfully offer that type of boutique experience.

They can build a 5-star hotel with exceptional dining, but at the end of the day you’re still in WDW.

There’s a reason Disney isn’t doing this, and I doubt it’s because they haven’t thought of it.

I think Disney's management is terrible and wouldn't put it past them that they just can't execute. They certainly aren't shy in increases prices, so why not go all in and actually give us something? Surely, they could offer more of a tailored experience, for a cost, that is actually different and actually better. You know they are trying to do it with Genie+, but it ended up making it worse and not differentiated enough.

Maybe Disney should partner with the Ritz and have them show what real service is like, complete with exclusive benefits. The fact Disney doesn't even have a basic rewards programs at their overpriced hotels is a total miss. Those drive a lot of loyalty. Thank God there is at least a Marriott option at the Reserve/Swan/Dolphin, although the Reserve is the only tolerable one left.

The Four Seasons kind of does this, but there aren't really exclusive park benefits and it seems to be a completely separately business. Perhaps the ops side is a challenge because at the end of the day, you're all in the same park. I just think they've been lazy/not creative with their offerings and it could be improved. I for one would just like to be able to scan my AP and get on rides without using the stupid app. As much as I want. That'd be something I'd pay a lot for in an annual pass. Also, something has to be done about the food. It's terrible overall.

 

[Chi84]

Surely, they could offer more of a tailored experience, for a cost, that is actually different and actually better. You know they are trying to do it with Genie+

Is that what they are trying to do with Genie+? I do agree about the current management being terrible - at least terribly greedy.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Is that what they are trying to do with Genie+? I do agree about the current management being terrible - at least terribly greedy.

On their earnings calls, they always talk about guests can "tailor their experience to their family's needs" as a result of the innovative app.

“Essentially it is going to take the preferences that we note from our consumers…and blend that with basically industrial engineering data in terms of how the park is operating that day and meld them together to make suggestions on the fly that not only will lead to the improved guest experience and lead to substantial commercial opportunities for us as the guest navigates their day. It is certainly qualifies in my mind for materiality and transformational impact on our business from the yield stand point.”

“The goal of the user-friendly [Disney Genie] app is to create a better, more personalized, and customized experience for guests. Putting them in control and providing even greater flexibility and choice."

 

[Chi84]

On their earnings calls, they always talk about guests can "tailor their experience to their family's needs" as a result of the innovative app.

“Essentially it is going to take the preferences that we note from our consumers…and blend that with basically industrial engineering data in terms of how the park is operating that day and meld them together to make suggestions on the fly that not only will lead to the improved guest experience and lead to substantial commercial opportunities for us as the guest navigates their day. It is certainly qualifies in my mind for materiality and transformational impact on our business from the yield stand point.”

“The goal of the user-friendly [Disney Genie] app is to create a better, more personalized, and customized experience for guests. Putting them in control and providing even greater flexibility and choice."

So you don’t think they were just trying to monetize FP+ ? I guess that’s one way to look at it: good intentions but complete incompetence.

 

[CntrlFlPete]

I don't think $1,500 is expensive relative to say a 5 day ticket.

I'd like them to make an annual pass something like $4,000 but we get unlimited ride reservation ability and other useful perks. I'd actually go if I were treated better than just a random guest - and I'd pay for that.

why would they lower the price for club 33 way down to 4K a year?

 

[mkt]

Will I renew? Yes.

For $50/mo it's a no brainer.

 

[mkt]

why would they lower the price for club 33 way down to 4K a year?

waitwhatnow?!

 

[CntrlFlPete]

waitwhatnow?!

the poster I replied to said they wanted a $4K AP that included free LL and perks that made them feel special.

I felt what was wanted is a membership in the club that provides the perks the poster wanted and I know it is offered (as a club and not an AP) and I know it is much more costly than $4K a year.

 

[mkt]

the poster I replied to said they wanted a $4K AP that included free LL and perks that made them feel special.

I felt what was wanted is a membership in the club that provides the perks the poster wanted and I know it is offered (as a club and not an AP) and I know it is much more costly than $4K a year.

Ah! I misunderstood.

 

[TalkToEthan]

t's a very small segment and they could absolutely improve the product if they'd increase the price. The product in its current form isn't good

I’ve read your concerns about quality so why not on a somewhat regular basis go to Tokyo Disney.

You have the money to support such a habit and Tokyo has a far superior service and a product unrivaled in the US. You talked about wanting 5 star accommodations which WDW lacks——Mira Costa blows that Grand Floridian out of the water and Fantasy Springs will soon open with a wing dedicated to very high end spenders.

What you want(as far as I know based off what you write on here) is available to you.

 

[Chef Mickey]

So you don’t think they were just trying to monetize FP+ ? I guess that’s one way to look at it: good intentions but complete incompetence.

Yep, and spin it as a "personalized" experience. I remember Chapek constantly talking about it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I’ve read your concerns about quality so why not on a somewhat regular basis go to Tokyo Disney.

You have the money to support such a habit and Tokyo has a far superior service and a product unrivaled in the US. You talked about wanting 5 star accommodations which WDW lacks——Mira Costa blows that Grand Floridian out of the water and Fantasy Springs will soon open with a wing dedicated to very high end spenders.

What you want(as far as I know based off what you write on here) is available to you.

I go to Tokyo Disney every year and I'm not joking. At least the last 8-9 years (sometimes twice) besides when it was closed for Covid. Great experience, but it's not WDW in terms of what's available. I want a better experience at WDW, with EPCOT, HS, and AK. You can sort of replicate the MK experience elsewhere, but not the other parks to any reasonable degree as a total substitute.

The food at Tokyo Disney is also surprisingly mediocre/bad which is shocking considering how good the food in Japan is overall.

 

[Chef Mickey]

why would they lower the price for club 33 way down to 4K a year?

LOL, fair enough.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I think Disney's management is terrible and wouldn't put it past them that they just can't execute. They certainly aren't shy in increases prices, so why not go all in and actually give us something? Surely, they could offer more of a tailored experience, for a cost, that is actually different and actually better. You know they are trying to do it with Genie+, but it ended up making it worse and not differentiated enough.

Maybe Disney should partner with the Ritz and have them show what real service is like, complete with exclusive benefits. The fact Disney doesn't even have a basic rewards programs at their overpriced hotels is a total miss. Those drive a lot of loyalty. Thank God there is at least a Marriott option at the Reserve/Swan/Dolphin, although the Reserve is the only tolerable one left.

The Four Seasons kind of does this, but there aren't really exclusive park benefits and it seems to be a completely separately business. Perhaps the ops side is a challenge because at the end of the day, you're all in the same park. I just think they've been lazy/not creative with their offerings and it could be improved. I for one would just like to be able to scan my AP and get on rides without using the stupid app. As much as I want. That'd be something I'd pay a lot for in an annual pass. Also, something has to be done about the food. It's terrible overall.

Wait. Wait…..Ley me get this straight. You are advocating for a $4,000 annual pass….but the hotels are overpriced???

 

[Chef Mickey]

Wait. Wait…..Ley me get this straight. You are advocating for a $4,000 annual pass….but the hotels are overpriced???

For sure - value for money is a concept you should learn. The hotels at Disney don't compete with the best hotels...Whereas the AP is a good value relative to the standard ticket cost.

You see, the AP on a day by day basis is essentially the same park experience experience you get for a 7 day ticket for $830. That makes the $1,449 an incredibly good value if you want to go to the parks a lot. Anyone would agree.

The $3,999 price would add experiences and perks to justify it further, but the $3,999 isn't crazy when you consider even at current prices, that's like buying regular tickets for just ~30 days at various times during the year and you can go all 365 days with the AP.

The hotels are just not up to par. Grand Floridian at around $1,000/night rack rate just doesn't compare to other premium destinations around the world. The hotels I've paid $1,000/night blow the Disney offering away in service, location, amenities, etc.

I've paid up to $4,000/night at probably the best hotel in the world and I'll never forget that experience. A 2 bedroom suite at Grand Floridian (A joke in comparison to the experience I mentioned) is $3,985/night, which is laughable for what you get in comparison.

So yes, relatively speaking, the hotels are priced far too high for the offering. That doesn't mean they shouldn't charge it, but I'm a finance person - value for money is still something I look for even if I can afford it.

 

[roj2323]

It’s literally one week around Thanksgiving, two weeks around Christmas, and 3-4 weeks for Spring Break through Easter. Plus all weekends and holiday Mondays.

Why do I need to debate not wanting blackout dates? I run a small business. I never know when I'm going to have time to drop by the parks. Sometimes I don't know until an hour or two beforehand. Seriously, just respect my autonomy.