Lightning Lane Premier Pass

[KrzyKtty]

I don’t think the reaction is because of the mythical Walt Disney figure or marketing, I think it’s because the people upset have been visiting long enough to remember how much the parks and resorts have changed in terms of additional charges and what the base experience offered in just under 5 years. Pre Covid Disney looked wildly different from this angle. Go back 10-15 and it’s even more drastic.

So did Six flags, Carowinds, and Universal. So did most of the economic society. Everything's about nickel and dimming, and capitalism runs on a economic caste. I'm just pointing out that feelings and nostalgia aside, Disney is a Corporation like any other.

If Disney was still running their park like they did 15 years ago in light of current economic conditions and competition, they would be loosing enough potential profit where their shareholders could take them to task.

 

[Bocabear]

potential profit... but where does that end? There is a tipping point, and when it no longer feels worth it... It is harder to get people back after they develop negative feeling towards a product....And lately it feels like they are racing towards that edge... Just to see how far they can push that envelope....

 

[KrzyKtty]

potential profit... but where does that end? There is a tipping point, and when it no longer feels worth it... It is harder to get people back after they develop negative feeling towards a product....And lately it feels like they are racing towards that edge... Just to see how far they can push that envelope....

Capitalism in a nut shell....

 

[Raineman]

I really don't get why that bothers so many people. Personal opinions aside, we live in a capitalistic economic society. And I get that we can have a debate about stakeholder VS shareholders, but at the end of the day disney has an obligation to maximize profits. Capitalism doesn't stop at "this is your reasonable profit. You have enough now."

And while disney might be doing it to a level the other parks are not, line skip passes at other parks are by no means cheap. All the complaints from people just come off as sour grapes. I get being jealous regarding something one can't afford, but doesn't make Disney evil. They are a corporation and they will do whatever they can to reach maximum profits.

I am aware of why Disney does this, but it doesn't mean that Disney's customers should like it or just shrug and accept it. There was a time when Disney understood how to maximize profits while also maintaining value for each dollar spent by their customers and treating customers equally at the same time. But now Disney (and pretty much every corporation, sadly) has placed exponential annual profit growth above everything else, including the quality of the product offered for the cost to the customer.

Parks have always been like this, society is has always been like this. Not sure why people think it's any different because a wildly expensive LL product was created.

There is a 17 year period at WDW, between the end of the ride ticket system to the start of the FP system, where the parks were not what they are like now in that regard. Everyone waited in the same lines, everyone waited the same amount of time to ride. It was equal opportunity, regardless of your income or expendable income-if you can afford the park admission, that's all that mattered. The basic park experience of access to attractions was the same for everyone. And, like I already said, even after the introduction of FPs, which were always offered at no extra cost, it was still basically equal opportunity for guests to be able to get them.

 

[John park hopper]

There is nothing wrong with capitalism ---when it is blatant greed the consumer has control --stop going

 

[Bocabear]

Well there is Capitalism and there is CAPITALISM....
I understand it is a business....but not sure if they have to fleece every possible cent from their guests... While downgrading the product... That is the problem... Make it less special and unique while raising the ticket and food prices...de-theming hotels, now charging to park cars at the resorts, making pre-planning and paid ride reservations a large part of the vacation budget...

 

[Andrew C]

Honestly we are putting our universal trip off because of the 1 day Epic thing. We are only interested in going when we can go to Epicfor 2 days, because I honestly don't see how we're supposed to enjoy.That part can only one day right now.

Even then it's at best a five day trip? 4 for the parks and 1 for Volcano Bay.

See, we have kinda done the opposite. Booked a trip this December prior to Epic opening, before the craziness. 5 nights. Then we will likely go back in 2026 once the initial Epic-ness calms slightly.

 

[KrzyKtty]

True Economic capitalism is all about greed, and I believe we all understand that. No one really needs a billion dollars, but when someone becomes one, we laud them as brilliant men and sometimes vote them into office.

Look at it this way. Butter now costs over $5 dollars at my local Publix. Eggs are 2x the cost they were 5 years ago, lets not even get into bread and milk. When I was in HS, I could get gas for under $1; now I am happy to see it at 3.50. 10+ years ago, Disney would pay their workers just a little bit over minimum wage; now the average hourly cost is $16; more than double. Costs are more expensive everywhere. Imagine how much more expensive it is a Disney. However, when they raise ticket prices, people complain. When they charge for parking people complain. When they charge more for food, people complain. So they raise the costs on those more marginally; just enough to help, and people complain, but still go. Allowing reduced profits isn't an option by the rules of the capitalistic engine. SO where do they not only maintain profits, but maximize them for shareholders? From the upper middle class that have $$ to burn and are willing to dole it out for premium experiences.

I am not trying to get on the wrong side of the mods though. So in summary, I don't get the big push back every time this happens. Disney is doing what all corporations do. Greed is how it is run. And I don't see it running the company into the ground anytime soon.

 

[Disstevefan1]

With LLMP, LLSP and now LLPP, money is coming in for almost no cost.

Could you imagine if parks and resorts could keep and invest the truckloads of money they make.

 

[ConfettiCupcake]

So did Six flags, Carowinds, and Universal. So did most of the economic society. Everything's about nickel and dimming, and capitalism runs on a economic caste. I'm just pointing out that feelings and nostalgia aside, Disney is a Corporation like any other.

If Disney was still running their park like they did 15 years ago in light of current economic conditions and competition, they would be loosing enough potential profit where their shareholders could take them to task.

Of course Disney is a corporation. That doesn’t mean consumers of their products can’t criticize decisions made. And criticism of Disney (especially in a Disney forum) shouldn’t imply that people are being duped by marketing and their image, it probably just means for the most part those of us having these conversations are not even close to as invested in other theme parks.

To be clear, they were always profit driven, as they should be. They were excellent at making people want to spend, vs the unbundling of the experience we see today where you have some people feeling like they have no choice but to spend. There’s a distinction that I think has been lost, and time will tell how this impacts the long run.

 

[Drdcm]

For the low low price of $45 a day, $65 at magic Kingdom, guests at deluxe resorts will now have the opportunity to stand inside buildings when it rains. DVC members will also have the opportunity to purchase this perk with an associated deluxe resort reservation at a discount *subject to availability. *must be pre purchased 60 days in advance. * non-refundable.

I really hope the board is monitoring these forums because I have some great ideas on how to get more from that family in Colorado with deep pockets.

 

[John park hopper]

You have a distorted view of capitalism. Capitalism also breeds philanthropists who benefit society

 

[KrzyKtty]

For the low low price of $45 a day, $65 at magic Kingdom, guests at deluxe resorts will now have the opportunity to stand inside buildings when it rains. DVC members will also have the opportunity to purchase this perk with an associated deluxe resort reservation at a discount *subject to availability. *must be pre purchased 60 days in advance. * non-refundable.

I really hope the board is monitoring these forums because I have some great ideas on how to get more from that family in Colorado with deep pockets.

You say that hilariously, that's why my family buys a cabana every time we go to volcano bay. It's specifically to have somewhere to get away from the rain and nap.

 

[KrzyKtty]

You have a distorted view of capitalism. Capitalism also breeds philanthropists who benefit society

No, and I get that, but disney is not a philanthropist.

 

[ConfettiCupcake]

For the low low price of $45 a day, $65 at magic Kingdom, guests at deluxe resorts will now have the opportunity to stand inside buildings when it rains. DVC members will also have the opportunity to purchase this perk with an associated deluxe resort reservation at a discount *subject to availability. *must be pre purchased 60 days in advance. * non-refundable.

I really hope the board is monitoring these forums because I have some great ideas on how to get more from that family in Colorado with deep pockets.

Glares in failed Tomorrowland cabanas

 

[John park hopper]

No, and I get that, but disney is not a philanthropist.

So Disney does not donate to worthy causes ----they do

 

[KrzyKtty]

Of course Disney is a corporation. That doesn’t mean consumers of their products can’t criticize decisions made.

FWIW, i'm fully support criticizing. I'm more questioning why people seem to be taking it so personally, like they were personally afronted.

IDK, if you don't like it, don't buy it. But I see no problem with a company offering it to those willing.

Really how is this any different than people who are willing to buy Concierge class rooms for the sake of getting FP earlier? Or when they were offering concierge class and then you could buy extras above everybody else? This is just a changed version of that.

 

[Drdcm]

You say that hilariously, that's why my family buys a cabana every time we go to volcano bay. It's specifically to have somewhere to get away from the rain and nap.

That actually sounds nice.

 

[KrzyKtty]

So Disney does not donate to worthy causes ----they do

They do it for the same reason every corporation does it. But my point is , they are not a nonprofit philanthropic organization.

 

[KrzyKtty]

That actually sounds nice.

It is. Off topic but their cabanas are awesome.