Seasonal Multi-Day Ticket Pricing Coming Soon

[TJJohn12]

The price increase is expected - but losing the flexibility in scheduling is a bit disappointing if its implemented in a way that eliminates Park Hopper. Because of the MK being in Halloween mode this October, we're using hopper to the extreme by splitting days to avoid closed party nights. The ability to do half-days and split park-to-park is half of the joy of WDW for us.

Again, the price jump doesn't surprise me. Just hoping that the hopping doesn't get lost with the new surge pricing structures.

 

[HauntedPirate]

You don't think... nah...

Not even TDO would be stupid enough to get rid of the Park Hopper and replace it with this, eliminating all flexibility with theme park tickets, locking you into one park per day.

Would they?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You don't think... nah...

Not even TDO would be stupid enough to get rid of the Park Hopper and replace it with this, eliminating all flexibility with theme park tickets, locking you into one park per day.

Would they?

I don’t honestly see an elimination of “park hopper”...
I see a premium fee for it...then a spin narrative that explains that the new fees are actually a “benefit”

Just like the clowns in...ahem...forums...that repeat over and over: “great!
Charge more...it will limit attendance and that’s good for me.”

Except...it’s not at all to limit attendance (given away by the high rise construction of lodging units and the Black Diamond trail)...and if it did limit attendance? Discounts to get it to rise again.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Disney moved to seasonal pricing for one-day tickets in February 2016. Word on the street is that seasonal pricing will come to multi-day tickets by mid-October this year. (I've heard as early as mid-September.)

My guesses:

• Each park will have its own "seasons". This will allow DHS to charge more around the debut of MMRR and SW:GE, of course, but also Epcot during festivals, etc. Any time a park has something new, more can be charged there. Other parks can charge less, to take off some of the crowds.
  
  
• You'll have to say "I'm going to this park on this date" to get the cheapest pricing.
  
  
• There will be a more expensive "go to any park any day during your trip" option.

The people I've spoken to say that the new ticket ordering process is very complicated - something like 7 to 9 steps per ticket. That may delay implementation a bit, as third-party vendors try to figure out how to integrate.

This just further adds to the over planning of a trip that they're shoving down our throats. Seasonal pricing makes sense within reason but park by park is a bit extreme. They should be stepping back from the guest scheduling, it creates a more stressful vacation to the uninformed.

They are picking and choosing the "successful" aspects of Next Gen, they're just picking and choosing the wrong aspects for WDW.

 

[winstongator]

Disney is expecting Galaxy’s edge to be very popular. They already teased something similar with the annual passes with different block outs for different parks. Are they doing something similar in California?

It will require more planning, but consider these two scenarios: one you had a MK ticket and to get to DHS they charge your card on file another $10-20; second is you plan your day around DHS/SWGE then can’t get in because it’s hit capacity. Which is more disappointing?

I’d put a feature in that lets them charge you for an add on through your card on file.

What’s the price difference going to be Christmas 2019 between Epcot and DHS? 25%

 

[winstongator]

Therein lies the problem. They're disconnected and man does it show.

"The are trying to control capacity"

Bingo. Nailed it. They are STILL trying to control capacity. They must absolutely hate having to build new attractions and rides.

To have guests select the parks they're going to, this furthers the 'control capacity'. Instead of, you know, expanding capacity like they should have been doing for the last 20-15 years. Instead they take away, replace, finally add a bit back (because they have to) but they still have their old mind-frame. And it shows.

They need to control capacity because of the new rides! They don’t want galaxy’s edge to have lines like pandora and ruin the immersive experience. Unless you’re all either resistance or first order recruits in a sign up line. Galaxy’s Edge, new rides, is what’s driving this.

 

[winstongator]

Or Automated kiosks

Droids? Or Westworld hosts?

 

[winstongator]

Eh, backlot was very underutilized. They closed it and a show, and are replacing it with two new e-tickets, a D coaster and a C flat ride. The only real "rip and replace" attraction I see here is MMRR for GMR.

In Epcot you have Guardians (replace), Rat (new) and possibly Poppins (new). In MK whatever replaces Stitch (which no matter what it is will be a net positive) and Tron (new). In AK, they just added Pandora (new). So over the next few years, new attractions are equal to or more than rip and replace.

The problem is demand will increase faster than capacity due to SWL. So while they are making an effort to build, it's not enough, so they are doing things to manage capacity. One can argue that they should and could do more (which I think is the case), but to say they aren't doing anything to add capacity is simply not the case.

They are building cool stuff which is increasing demand more than it is increasing capacity. How is that a bug and not a feature. Don’t build such cool stuff that people will wait 3 hrs for? Is that the message to send?

 

[winstongator]

I don't disagree with your first two paragraphs. But you're looking at it from a "what I'd rather do" perspective. Rides are always better but not don't always help with capacity. I realize what was seen as wasted space is now rides that are fun, but it really hasn't "helped" the park (on one hand, on the other, it does "appear" as if it helps).

I'm sure someone can explain the capacity thing better than I can. I'm not saying it won't improve, but it's not right now. And they aren't addressing it like they should. They're adding new things because they have to. Guardians is replacing an attraction. Wonders of Life is still empty for now. Rat and Mary are indeed gains and much needed.

You just look at it a different way, nothing wrong with that. I don't think you're getting the point we're trying to make though and I'm terrible at explaining it ... lol

This is a great start. I'm not disputing it. I know we aren't supposed to criticize because they're finally spending money but this all very long overdue. It's a fantastic start, a lot of it helps ...

Guardians will have a 2 hr wait vs walk on for Ellen. A big part of how a ride impacts park attendance and ‘capacity’ is how many people are waiting in line. EEA had a capacity of 2400/hr and a ride length of 45 min. 1200*0.75*10 = 9000 guest hours. I never rode it but let’s say it was half full. Assume guardians coaster has the capacity of space mountain 1800/hr, 70% to fp, 2hr line. 0.3*1800*2*10=10,800 guest hours from standby riders. Say 15 min queuing and ride for fp. 0.7*1800*.25*10=3150 guest hours from standby. 14000 guest hours, a near 50% increase. My math says a slight nudge to less fp allocations might help...

Or, in 2hrs 15min you can wait in the guardians line for 2hrs and do the ride or do EEA 3 times. Which do you choose?

When a park is full, people don’t get right on rides, they get in line. Rides that sustain lines help. They also drive attendance - see flight of passage.

I hope those galaxy’s edge queues are well themed and have a whole lot of inside space.

 

[winstongator]

Those limited price Florida geared passes are walking dead (no pun)...

Prices going to go up a lot in Orlando...the writing is on the wall. When that rolls out...the Florida passes will have to go up a lot to “stay in line”...and since it’s the land of no money...they’ll go away or reduce demand greatly too.

They jacked fl resident passes late 2015/early 2016. Attendance dipped. Then they did the 13-for-12 giving you a ‘free’ month. They’ll look for the best price structure for wdw, and I’d expect some type of FL resident pass to be part of it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They jacked fl resident passes late 2015/early 2016. Attendance dipped. Then they did the 13-for-12 giving you a ‘free’ month. They’ll look for the best price structure for wdw, and I’d expect some type of FL resident pass to be part of it.

Oh no doubt...I’m looking at it from the other end.

There will always be Florida passes and lots of traffic...I just think they will need to push the prices way up to justify to the other clientele their increaeses. Like Anaheim.

When that happens, much of the local market will start to say No.

 

[winstongator]

Oh no doubt...I’m looking at it from the other end.

There will always be Florida passes and lots of traffic...I just think they will need to push the prices way up to justify to the other clientele their increaeses. Like Anaheim.

When that happens, much of the local market will start to say No.

Anaheim is a different and more challenging problem because of the percentage of overall attendance that is local pass holders. The population an hours drive from DL is much larger than an hour outside WDW.

I think they already saw how much they can increase prices and see a modest reduction in attendance. They might go slightly past that, but I wouldn't expect much further. See how it impacts AP purchases, then some sale to get some of that back, and settle into a more normal increase schedule. I think my pass price from 2015 to 2016, when comparing what I paid to the discounted renewal, was something like a 20% increase - to keep the no blackout pass. They're jacking with the blackouts and seasonal pricing so they don't just throw a 25% increase out there. Checked, at that time, when they first went to seasonal one-day prices, the increase from a normal ticket to a peak ticket was 18%, normal to normal less than 5%, normal to value, no increase.

They don't need to justify prices. The person listening to guest complain about prices is not the same one deciding price increases. I've got a story about listening to someone demand a product at a lower price...

 

[drizgirl]

They need to control capacity because of the new rides! They don’t want galaxy’s edge to have lines like pandora and ruin the immersive experience. Unless you’re all either resistance or first order recruits in a sign up line. Galaxy’s Edge, new rides, is what’s driving this.

Of course they want lines like Pandora. They just want each of those people in line paying more money to be there.

 

[drizgirl]

They are building cool stuff which is increasing demand more than it is increasing capacity. How is that a bug and not a feature. Don’t build such cool stuff that people will wait 3 hrs for? Is that the message to send?

No, the message is build *more* cool stuff. And don't go years and years without new stuff.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Anaheim is a different and more challenging problem because of the percentage of overall attendance that is local pass holders. The population an hours drive from DL is much larger than an hour outside WDW.

I think they already saw how much they can increase prices and see a modest reduction in attendance. They might go slightly past that, but I wouldn't expect much further. See how it impacts AP purchases, then some sale to get some of that back, and settle into a more normal increase schedule. I think my pass price from 2015 to 2016, when comparing what I paid to the discounted renewal, was something like a 20% increase - to keep the no blackout pass. They're jacking with the blackouts and seasonal pricing so they don't just throw a 25% increase out there. Checked, at that time, when they first went to seasonal one-day prices, the increase from a normal ticket to a peak ticket was 18%, normal to normal less than 5%, normal to value, no increase.

They don't need to justify prices. The person listening to guest complain about prices is not the same one deciding price increases. I've got a story about listening to someone demand a product at a lower price...

Nothing you said doesn’t make sense...

...but that guarantees nothing.


Want to hear the scary part: when clowns talk about increasing prices to “limit attendance” being a good thing?

...Florida residents is the one scenario where it can work. It’s like throwing meat to the fans in the rally and they can manipulate that demographic easily.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Of course they want lines like Pandora. They just want each of those people in line paying more money to be there.

Agree...the idea they are honestly concerned with line limiting is outdated. That was fastpass 1.0. Get you into the shop after the ride.

When they rolled a mandatory Prebook system with the same or even less capacity in 2012..they yeilded the argument that they were trying to help. The math is all wrong.

What fast pass 2.0 does is discourages everyone from bothering with a standby line. So you shop cause you’re there and you already paid...or you look for Upsells to get back to the “old fashioned” lines.

It’s kinda sick and twisted.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

What if you want to buy your tickets or your MYW package before park hours are available? Seems hard to decide for sure which park you want to visit on each day....I love planning a Disney vacation, but this seems a bit extreme....

 

[Naplesgolfer]

Nothing you said doesn’t make sense...

...but that guarantees nothing.


Want to hear the scary part: when clowns talk about increasing prices to “limit attendance” being a good thing?

...Florida residents is the one scenario where it can work. It’s like throwing meat to the fans in the rally and they can manipulate that demographic easily.

Increasing ticket prices and black out dates are the 2 easiest way to control crowds. Especially given that they don't add enough crowd eating attractions, shows etc.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Increasing ticket prices and black out dates are the 2 easiest way to control crowds. Especially given that they don't add enough crowd eating attractions, shows etc.

Disney has always had a semi-abusive relationship with Florida.

Anaheim passes are about. $1000 if I recall...

They could do something like that and it accomplishes a few things:

1. Kisses the butt of the DVC and other AP holders: “look at a how much we love you”
2. Retains the high money Florida residents while filtering out the budgeters...everyone can act shocked I said that...but I bet that is a front for agreeing with me.
3. In no way prohibits them from selling hook prices during a recession (they only time they care about Florida) and even may boost ancillary spending because people have grown fond in absence.

 

[larryz]

Droids? Or Westworld hosts?

What's the difference between a droid/Westworld host and a CM paid $10 an hour?