Rumor Rumor: No Payment Plans for Florida Residents APs.

[Kman101]

The Florida visitors are definitely not something they are concerned with. They don't spend the money that an out of town guest spends. If this rumor is true, which I doubt, it will cause them little loss in the long run. If you're a local, you need to realize this as fact. You do not matter to them as much as someone who is stuck in the bubble

Exactly. They don't care about locals. They'll take the money for the passes but they don't go out of their way for AP's in WDW. They barely go out of their way for DVC, but they get a lounge or some after hours party so it's not quite as bad, though I'm not sure how those events or things come about. I'm sure it's because DVC is a different kind of income/money for them.

They know they don't need to do anything to entice people or to give benefits to those who are sticking with them, because they are allowed to get away with it.

 

[Kman101]

A local with an AP that goes frequently isn't normally spending the whole day riding every ride they can and sucking up capacity. I'm not even that close (south Florida). I have an AP and when I go, I typically ride maybe 4-5 rides, sometimes less. What I do always do is eat something. I assume that food sales are high profit margin. I also buy merchandise throughout the year.

I'm sure there are some exceptions, but after riding a ride 100 times, it isn't all that spectacular anymore. I'm not going to wait on standby for more than 35 minutes for any ride that I've been on over 100 times in my life. I have an AP so that I can have a short "escape" getaway without thinking much about the expense. WDW is far enough from my house to get a little break from reality but close enough that it is reasonable to drive to and only spend a day or two.

That's pretty much the exact same situation for me. I drive an hour and I'm in the World for a little break from life. I go home (instead of day trips though I've turned them into three/four day "weekends" every few months, then I get tired of it, so I'm about due for another visit). I'm not 5 minutes around the corner and living every day in the parks. I mean, to each their own (who knows if I'd pop in more if I lived closer, but I wouldn't intentionally move closer to be in some "bubble", the area around Disney is NOT Disney, it's busy, very real Orlando suburbs), but exactly, I can only ride something, even something I really love, so much, lol.

 

[Kman101]

I wish they would get rid of aps. Crowds would go down

It probably wouldn't make a significant difference. And many out-of-state visitors have APs, it's not just us horrible locals (I kind of resent when people throw out they should get rid of APs). Personally, I live an hour-ish away and I visit a couple of times a year for a quick 3 day/4 day weekend. I buy food and merchandise. Sure it's very minor to them but money is still being spent. I stay in the Disney Springs hotel area. Great rates and a nice clean hotel. I never pay over 80 a night for a room. But anyway ... the answer is not dumping APs. I understand the sentiment but that sentiment doesn't really matter for Florida because tourists make up the bulk (I assume) of the guests visiting, blame them, not the AP holders.

Now, Disneyland has an AP problem and that's no lie. Florida has no AP problem. WDW has long been trying to kill the slower seasons so it's busier now when it used to not be so busy. Look at last summer. Used to be the busiest time, but June and July weren't exactly packing 'em in. I think TSL opening when it does has a little something to do with that (that and some APs will be blocked out so it could force them to upgrade or buy a day ticket if they can't hold off getting it - it's kind of smart of them even though I don't like it).

 

[Kman101]

If this is true, it might not be about wanting to thin about the crowds. They might just want to get out of the business of running payment plans

It could be. But I don't know that I see it being a big deal to them right now. They're likely panicking at the thought of SW crowds. As they should be. But cutting APs won't really do much. I guess I could get them not wanting to deal with the payments but it seems so insignificant to me at WDW. But who knows?

Cutting APs forces people to either buy the more pricey AP passes (they likely won't ever do away with top tier AP's) or regular day tickets.

What it sounds like is WDW and ESPECIALLY TDA are throwing around ideas and those ideas are being spread around. I think Disneyland stands more of a chance, they're the ones threatening to do away with the lower So Cal pass, I believe. I don't think we've heard much rumbling about WDW. Seems like the information for Disneyland is being confused with WDW.

 

[Lets Respect]

How much does that cost per year?

More than one transaction a year.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Maybe they getting rid of the payment plan before Star Wars Land opens. Thin AP’s out

 

[Biff215]

Exactly. They don't care about locals. They'll take the money for the passes but they don't go out of their way for AP's in WDW. They barely go out of their way for DVC, but they get a lounge or some after hours party so it's not quite as bad, though I'm not sure how those events or things come about. I'm sure it's because DVC is a different kind of income/money for them.

They know they don't need to do anything to entice people or to give benefits to those who are sticking with them, because they are allowed to get away with it.

DVC “perks” like the lounge or evening events are generally paid for by DVC, aka our maintenance fees. Disney may cut itself a great deal, but they’re hardly free.

Since I’m out of state and AP’s are so crazy expensive for a family of four, I create my own payment plan with a 0% credit card offer. Costs me 2% extra, but at least it’s more manageable. I would take advantage of it if Disney offered it, so it would be a shame for FL residents to lose it.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I look at it this way - Everything that Disney has done around tickets in the past 12 months, and it will do around tickets in the coming 12-24 months (and possibly beyond), is in preparation for the expected crush of people when SW:GE opens. And also from an expected desire to maximize revenue from the opening of said "land".

 

[Hakunamatata]

I look at it this way - Everything that Disney has done around tickets in the past 12 months, and it will do around tickets in the coming 12-24 months (and possibly beyond), is in preparation for the expected crush of people when SW:GE opens. And also from an expected desire to maximize revenue from the opening of said "land".

That place is going to be a mad house.

(No offense to those residents of mad houses intended).

 

[s8film40]

I think it's funny how everyone seems to think Disney or other parks for that matter take into account thinning out crowds when making ticketing or pass decisions. They could care less how busy the park gets, in fact they would be very happy to state in their investor conference calls that they had record attendance. The only thing they look at is projections of at what point increasing tickets and passes (or in this case changing the payment option) causes them to lose revenue. They would absolutely love to pack as many people as they can in.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I think it's funny how everyone seems to think Disney or other parks for that matter take into account thinning out crowds when making ticketing or pass decisions. They could care less how busy the park gets, in fact they would be very happy to state in their investor conference calls that they had record attendance. The only thing they look at is projections of at what point increasing tickets and passes (or in this case changing the payment option) causes them to lose revenue. They would absolutely love to pack as many people as they can in.

Actually a full park of people not buying merchandise or food will cost them more than a not at capacity park comprised mostly of people buying merchandise and food. So yes, if they can maximize attendance with people who spend while there they will do it, as would I if I was running a business. Its why Best Buy has had to change their business model. Too may people coming in to touch and feel stuff then run order online. Thats why the store where I lived closed.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Just another reason I'm glad I'm a critic and no longer giving Disney money.

Being a critic requires critical thinking and not spiteful hate that leads one to obsessively compulsively look for opportunities to Schadenfreude all over a WDW fan site.

 

[marni1971]

Let me say contrary to some thoughts posted in this thread, TDO and Burbank want to increase the WDW AP base. And have plans to make it appeal in the future.

 

[s8film40]

Actually a full park of people not buying merchandise or food will cost them more than a not at capacity park comprised mostly of people buying merchandise and food. So yes, if they can maximize attendance with people who spend while there they will do it, as would I if I was running a business. Its why Best Buy has had to change their business model. Too may people coming in to touch and feel stuff then run order online. Thats why the store where I lived closed.

Annual passholders are more likely to spend more money.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Annual passholders are more likely to spend more money.

What data do you base this statement on?

 

[disneyflush]

Actually a full park of people not buying merchandise or food will cost them more than a not at capacity park comprised mostly of people buying merchandise and food. So yes, if they can maximize attendance with people who spend while there they will do it, as would I if I was running a business. Its why Best Buy has had to change their business model. Too may people coming in to touch and feel stuff then run order online. Thats why the store where I lived closed.

He is saying Disney wants a park full of people to maximize guest spending, you are saying Disney wants a park full of people who will spend money. His scenario is common sense and yours is best case. Either way you are both correct.

 

[disneyflush]

Annual passholders are more likely to spend more money.

Not on a per visit basis. Over the course of the year possibly but as one bit of a crowd on any given day then no.

 

[EOD K9]

Its easy to use DVC funds for a DVC lounge, but you would think that they would want to make the APs happy. As DVC has my money tied up, why would they want to keep us happy? APs can go after a year and it would make more sense to keep them coming back. I'm glad I get the little perks we do.

 

[s8film40]

What data do you base this statement on?

No data, there's no data to the contrary though so I base this on my own experience and observations. A typical multi-day guest is going to try to pack as much into their vacation. This means they are maximizing their time on rides and attractions maybe waiting in long lines. An annual pass holder is typically visiting more often and is more inclined to spend extra time shopping and dining. As @disneyflush said this adds up over the course of a year. It's especially true when you consider many of those who are buying multi-day tickets are doing so for a once every 3-4 year trip. In these cases pass holder spending can not only surpass, but significantly dwarf the spending of a tourist.

 

[Horizons78]

Let me say contrary to some thoughts posted in this thread, TDO and Burbank want to increase the WDW AP base. And have plans to make it appeal in the future.

Annnnnnd, thread.