Rumor - Disneyland Prices Going up and Tiered Pricing Introduced

[Stevek]

Thanks for the response. So if you did still have an AP, would you be opposed to Capped visits? I have a PAP myself and I would gladly pay the same price for my AP today with 20 (or 15) capped visits as I would for my current pass if it meant that the parks wouldnt be so crowded everytime I go. So long as the blackout calendars stayed the same. Granted I don't go more than 15 -18 times a year anyway but it is nice having the option.

This would really help with the lack of parking situation too as not many people would want to blow one of their visits on a 2 hour stay at the park.

I think in general folks would just appreciate the parks more. And at the same time Disney still makes their money. I guess the only thing is would people be willing to sacrifice quantity for quality. As subjective as that is its hard to deny that the crowds are starting to get out of control and at a certain point it is going to start having a real negative impact on customer experience and turning folks away. I'm sure they have already but eventually it will start to show in the attendance numbers. One day, I'll be at the park on a Wedneday in February. The line for pirates will be an hour and 15 minutes long. I will have went on 3 rides in 8 hours all while having to navigate myself through holiday type crowds. That's when I'll probably say, Ok, this isn't worth the money anymore.

I actually don't have an issue with capped visits...I thought about the same thing a few days ago. That being said, I think the uproar would be worse than the recent price increases. There are probably enough folks, at every tier, that go more than the max days and would throw a fit. While he's the extreme (or is he), there is one blogger that bragged that he visited some 200+ times in one year. That's an addiction, plain and simple. As for your last paragraph, that is partly us. We did go in October, mid week, and it was insane. Completely took the fun out of it and was the last straw for us. Made up our minds there on the spot that we might go once a year moving forward.

 

[Stevek]

Yes. Yeeeesss! YAAAAASSSS! You are so spot on with this comment.

I firmly believe that the dumbing down of the DL experience began with the uncontrolled AP program. APs have had a negative impact on the park in almost every way possible - from merchandise offerings to shows to attractions to operating hours. We are now witnessing Disney doing a bit of reeling in, so to speak, with the implementation of more complex admissions media, extended blackout dates, tiered pricing, etc. to make DL less accessible and to help regulate traffic. They are going to have to do something much more drastic though before SW Land opens or else they are going to have a complete disaster on their hands when it opens in a couple of years.

We lived in Lynwood until 71 and Torrance after that. I still fondly remember driving south on the 5 and the anticipation of who could be the first to spot the Matterhorn. It was an event. If we were lucky, my dad would get us tickets to a private party for TRW or Pacific Bell...those were amazing. Empty parks, all rides open. In any case, it is what it is and I think that when you have small children, the thrill is still there and you can see the amazement and wonder in their eyes. But as they get older, as it was in our case, the thrill goes away and it's just another visit to Disneyland where everyone argues that they don't want to stand in a 20 min line. The thrill we used to get going to Disneyland would be like us visiting WDW now...something very special (and uber expensive). Time have changed, I don't think that DL can completely fix the mess they've created.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Time have changed, I don't think that DL can completely fix the mess they've created.

Great post overall, and I especially agree with this comment.

 

[yookeroo]

While he's the extreme (or is he), there is one blogger that bragged that he visited some 200+ times in one year. That's an addiction, plain and simple.

Bragged? I'd be embarrassed. I love the park, but this is nothing to be proud of.

 

[Stevek]

Bragged? I'd be embarrassed. I love the park, but this is nothing to be proud of.

Yes, took a snapshot of his AP page showing the number of visits and a stack of receipts from all the stuff he bought/ate at the park. You have to keep in mind that this is someone who's entire life revolves around the park and Disney. Like I said, to each his own and he's not hurting anyone (other than his own mental health). I just find it sad when there is so much more out there in life.

 

[mickEblu]

It's kind of crazy how it all slowly starts to happen without you realizing it. I was a huge Disneyland / Disney fan as a kid. Then from about 18 to 27 years old I just became kind of indifferent with Disney and a little bored with Disneyland and didn't really go to the parks or pay attention to the movies (granted the early 2000s was a terrible time for Disney movies and not the greatest period for DL either) About 5 years ago I started going to the parks about once a year with my then girlfriend, now wife. Flash forward. I have been an APer for 2.5 years. Started with a Southern California, upgraded to the Premium which means of course I have to go more often to get my "money's worth." I am also now a D23 member (just went to the Alice in wonderland event in Burbank) and Disney movie club member. I also avidly search eBay for collectables. I don't know how it happened lol. But I can see how it can start becoming an addiction.

For me I think I'm filling some sort of void. I went from my 20s, pursuing my music career, traveling, recording in studios all over LA, meeting with some of the biggest people in the music industry to my 30s where now I have a 9-5 Monday thru Friday, working for a health insurance company. I think Disney is kind of like a legitimate hobby. My theory is that a lot of men become collectors of whatever it may be after they get married because of boredom. Not strictly because of marriage itself but the whole routine thing. Or perhaps because we cannot pursue (at least we shouldn't) that primal instinct to chase women anymore so we start to chase/ collect/ become obsessed with other things. For me it just happens to be Disney stuff.

Or maybe it's just all about nostalgia and a way to reconnect to tour childhood when you realize how boring adulthood can be.

Who knows?

This is starting to sound like a therapy session. Where should I send the check?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Ya'll haven't seen unhealthy addiction until you've worked in Fantasyland and met the Andersons.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Ya'll haven't seen unhealthy addiction until you've worked in Fantasyland and met the Andersons.

LOL YES.

Or this guy, who's been to DLR every day for 1521 days: https://twitter.com/Disney366

 

[Californian Elitist]

LOL YES.

Or this guy, who's been to DLR every day for 1521 days: https://twitter.com/Disney366

How is this possible for an adult? How does he even support himself?

I ran into a couple of regulars when I worked at the park, but nothing on the scale of this man.

 

[mickEblu]

Ya'll haven't seen unhealthy addiction until you've worked in Fantasyland and met the Andersons.

Who are they?

On another note has anyone seen this particular older gentlemen who rides an ECV around who wears Disney head to toe? Looks like he's eaten a corn dog or two in his day. I saw this guy Friday and he was wearing these psychedelic colored Pants with Mickey faces everywhere. Was by himself, had a smile on his face from ear to ear when he came around the bend from the entry plaza so fast going into the right tunnel that he and his ECV fell right over. I'm talking he was going a solid 20mph. Me and 3 others guys ran over to help him up.

Anyway he just struck me as someone who might go to the park often or perhaps a well known personality at the park?

The guy was just awesome. I kind of wanted to just follow him around all day. See what shenanigans he was up to.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Who are they?

On another note has anyone seen this particular older gentlemen who rides an ECV around who wears Disney head to toe? Looks like he's eaten a corn dog or two in his day. I saw this guy Friday and he was wearing these psychedelic colored Pants with Mickey faces everywhere. Was by himself, had a smile on his face from ear to ear when he came around the bend from the entry plaza so fast going into right tunnel that he and his ECV fell right over. I'm talking he was going a solid 20mph. Me and 3 others guys ran over to help him up.

Anyway he just struck me as someone who might go to the park often or perhaps a well known personality at the park?

The guys was just awesome. I kind of wanted to just follow him around all day. See what shenanigans he was up to.

Wow

 

[Californian Elitist]

Who are they?

A crazed couple (Mrs. Anderson has insane hair) who make it a point to be the last ones on Pan each night they're there at the park. They're ridiculous. They've even gotten into yelling matches with other guests. Every time they came to my line, I tried to get others to come and ride after them, I was successful a few times.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Looks like he's eaten a corn dog or two in his day. I saw this guy Friday and he was wearing these psychedelic colored Pants with Mickey faces everywhere. Was by himself, had a smile on his face from ear to ear when he came around the bend from the entry plaza so fast going into right tunnel that he and his ECV fell right over. I'm talking he was going a solid 20mph. Me and 3 others guys ran over to help him up.

I'm ashamed to say that I probably laughed at this a little harder than I should have.

 

[mickEblu]

I'm ashamed to say that I probably laughed at this a little harder than I should have.

Lol it was kind of surreal. I don't even think my description above comes to close to giving this scene any justice. I'm exiting the park, halfway into the tunnel and out of nowhere, like oncoming traffic he comes around the bend with this childlike innocent joy radiating off his face that quickly turns into "uh oh, I'm about to eat it."

I learned something that day. I learned that I would make a terrible first responder. There he is on the ground not moving but instead of helping him, there I am picking up his 10 bottles of water that flew out of his ECV basket. He was visibly ok and talking but I think he was so embarrassed I started to pick up his bottles instead.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Who are they?

On another note has anyone seen this particular older gentlemen who rides an ECV around who wears Disney head to toe? Looks like he's eaten a corn dog or two in his day. I saw this guy Friday and he was wearing these psychedelic colored Pants with Mickey faces everywhere. Was by himself, had a smile on his face from ear to ear when he came around the bend from the entry plaza so fast going into the right tunnel that he and his ECV fell right over. I'm talking he was going a solid 20mph. Me and 3 others guys ran over to help him up.

Anyway he just struck me as someone who might go to the park often or perhaps a well known personality at the park?

The guy was just awesome. I kind of wanted to just follow him around all day. See what shenanigans he was up to.

I feel horrible for admitting this, but I died laughing after reading the poor man fell! I can't get the image out of my head.

 

[mickEblu]

I feel horrible for admitting this, but I died laughing after reading the poor man fell! I can't get the image out of my head.

After we helped him up and he was up n' running, my wife, sister and I just burst out into laughter. A CM heard me ask, "did you see his pants" and she just says "y'all ain't right" and just walked away laughing. I could of sworn I heard a couple CM's at the scene of the accident saying "yea he was just going too fast this time." As if the guest was well known and this happens often.

 

[Curious Constance]

I'm ashamed to say that I probably laughed at this a little harder than I should have.

I'm glad I'm not the only one lol

 

[Curious Constance]

I was watching Soundsational one time and a guy was sitting on a bench right next to me with a couple of his friends(?). He was VERY animated and into the parade and enjoying every moment. All the parade performers waved at him like they knew him, and I've always wondered who he was. My husband took a picture of him, because he likes to take pictures of random people, lol, but I'm terrified of posting it for fear he's a member of the boards. LOL

 

[Curious Constance]

LOL YES.

Or this guy, who's been to DLR every day for 1521 days: https://twitter.com/Disney366

GOOD LORD. Doesn't he ever get sick?

 

[Californian Elitist]

After we helped him up and he was up n' running, my wife, sister and I just burst out into laughter. A CM heard me ask, "did you see his pants" and she just says "y'all ain't right" and just walked away laughing. I could of sworn I heard a couple CM's at the scene of the accident saying "yea he was just going too fast this time." As if the guest was well known and this happens often.

Now it's even more funny. Oh man, I wish i could have seen that.