Should Disney Charge For Interactive Games?

[Bob Saget]

Sorcerer's Of The Magic Kingdom, Kim Possible's World Showcase Adv....well, soon to be Phineas & Ferb. Both are great entertainment options, and it is only a matter of time before we start seeing interactive games such as these pop up at the other two parks. As much as I like these two games, my inner capitalist tells me Disney is missing out on an opportunity. If the parks started considering these two forms of entertainment "pay extra" activities, and started charging a (*small*) fee to participate, the company could rake in a hefty sum. Looking at how the fan base has grown for Sorcerer's, and how the P&F rehab for World Showcase Adventure will bring in fans of that popular series...Disney may want to take advice from it's inner capitalist as well.

Considering these two forms of entertainment are neither traditional rides nor shows, Disney could easily deem them as special pay-per attractions. This would rake in $$$ to help make additions to each game, different/newer levels each year, and so on.

Just a thought that the Mouse would be wise to consider.

 

[Slipknot]

Sorcerers is rumored to start charging for packs of spell cards or just the more rare spell cards in the future. No word on when though.

 

[Sans Souci]

I think that's a Six Flags move. My local Six Flags has all sorts of upcharge activities, such as MagicQuest and some sort of climbing with a harness thing.

WDW needs to stay above the fray. Besides, I'm sure the fees for these activities will be folded in and reflected in the upcoming admission increase. :lookaroun

 

[TronAThon]

Sorcerers is rumored to start charging for packs of spell cards or just the more rare spell cards in the future. No word on when though.

They will not start charging for the cards they are currently giving out. They have to give you a little something, that way you're hooked and when the merch does go live you're going to empty your wallet.

However booster packs with cards 61-70 in addition to a rumored 71-140/200 should be up for sale in early June. Disney realizes there is a tremendous amount of potential merchandise sales and I'm sure they are going to have an plethora things to buy in the very near future.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Both of these attractions do have potential revenue streams though. Each is and will almost certainly stay free in their basic concept. Disney has already said that they will be selling different sets of Sorcerer Cards at some point in the future which brings a direct source of revenue. KP/P&F has a revenue stream that is a bit more indirect. The attraction takes you through a number of shops that they might not have ventured into. It also requires you pass by a number of food locations. While it might not be direct, I would venture to guess that the game does lead to increased purchases. If they were to start charging for the base product it would decrease usage and possibly hurt more than help.

 

[wdwmagic]

Would anyone seriously pay to play Sorcerers on top of their MK park ticket when there are so many better attractions to experience in the park?

 

[Florida_is_hot]

Why go through the trouble of developing anything (this costs money), if you can not get a return?

But it they are inside theme parks they do get paid, and these interactive games are just another attraction.

 

[bgraham34]

Would anyone seriously pay to play Sorcerers on top of their MK park ticket when there are so many better attractions to experience in the park?

Yes of course people would. Its another alternative to just riding attractions or watching a show. Maybe not many would pay but some certainly would. Charging for rare cards is a totally different situation. In all honesty I am more interested in the cards than in the game.

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

I wouldn't pay for it. Just like any other attraction I already paid for it with my ticket which is expensive enough. These "games" require little capital investment compared to permanent attractions and really cater to a niche audience. If that audience is willing to pay for it, then more power to them. That's capitalism. But I do think they will remove some of the casual consumers from that customer base if they start charging.

 

[King Mickey]

I understand charing for Sorcerer's but give out a free pack first, then charge like $2 for a pack of 5 or something. It would make a lot of money for those people who want to get them all and seems reasonable to me.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Would anyone seriously pay to play Sorcerers on top of their MK park ticket when there are so many better attractions to experience in the park?

I believe a few would. I saw some serious Sorcerers players with decorated binders, cards in protective cases, very serious, hard core....

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I believe a few would. I saw some serious Sorcerers players with decorated binders, cards in protective cases, very serious, hard core....

There are a bunch of people like. Most of them are locals who are able to go to the park often and build decks fairly easily. Giving those 60 cards away to that audience was pretty ingenious since it is going to drive them to purchase the new cards. However, if those people had to buy cards initially you would probably not see as many people walking around with binders.

 

[Bob Saget]

Would anyone seriously pay to play Sorcerers on top of their MK park ticket when there are so many better attractions to experience in the park?

I personally would not, but some of the younger crowds might if the cost was reasonable.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Please, Bob - do not give WDW more ideas of things for which it can charge people extra! Guests need to feel like they're getting "bonus" experiences once and a while, and not getting nickel-and-dimed over every single thing. It makes some of the stratified experiences for wealthy guests much easier for us groundlings to swallow.

 

[benyeomans]

I would not pay for Sorcerers. I'm wanting to get as many cards as i can and don't really care about the "game" side of it. Although i will play it as you earn more cards that way. I would pay no more than $5 for a pack of cards but paying to play the game...no way !

 

[AEfx]

Why go through the trouble of developing anything (this costs money), if you can not get a return?

But it they are inside theme parks they do get paid, and these interactive games are just another attraction.

Because compared to, say, building a ride, throwing up a few video screens in shops, having a few IT guys making a little virtual game, and printing up some trading cards, is a very very easy way to take a nice dent out of the "value" of a day's admission expectation. They could spend 300M building a major new "Mountain" attraction and it would take up less of an individual's time than running around to different shops (so, so smart to keep them going there) playing a "virtual" game - especially since the most time the average guest would spend with a new mega-attraction would be waiting in line for it.