Surge Pricing Holding Up (Semi) Annual Increase ...

[PhotoDave219]

Well I still have zero intention of buying a ticket until SWL opens.

 

[gwhb75]

I had mentioned something like this back when they rolled out FP+. Check out this post from 2014. Not exactly what @Lee
was talking about, but pretty similar:


gwhb75Well-Known Member
With Magicbands & Fastpass+ now rolled out to pretty much all guests, and with the ability to link a credit card to the Magicbands, I could see a day where you can purchase "instant" fastpasses at an attraction.

I'm not talking about charging for Fastpass+ selections (the 3 or more or whatever it lands on), but more something like this:

It's the middle of the afternoon in July. You walk up to Space Mountain and there is a 120 minute standby wait. You don't have a Fastpass+ selection for the ride, but for a small fee you can purchase as instant Fastpass with a quick tap of the Magicband right at the ride entrance.

I know there are logistics involved with this (the number of Fastpass spots available for the ride during the day, etc), but it wouldn'tsurprise me if this is done at some point. I'm not saying I'm for or against the idea. Any thoughts?

Apr 12, 2014

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I had mentioned something like this back when they rolled out FP+. Check out this post from 2014. Not exactly what @Lee
was talking about, but pretty similar:


gwhb75Well-Known Member
With Magicbands & Fastpass+ now rolled out to pretty much all guests, and with the ability to link a credit card to the Magicbands, I could see a day where you can purchase "instant" fastpasses at an attraction.

I'm not talking about charging for Fastpass+ selections (the 3 or more or whatever it lands on), but more something like this:

It's the middle of the afternoon in July. You walk up to Space Mountain and there is a 120 minute standby wait. You don't have a Fastpass+ selection for the ride, but for a small fee you can purchase as instant Fastpass with a quick tap of the Magicband right at the ride entrance.

I know there are logistics involved with this (the number of Fastpass spots available for the ride during the day, etc), but it wouldn'tsurprise me if this is done at some point. I'm not saying I'm for or against the idea. Any thoughts?

Apr 12, 2014

I believe it. I could see them doing away with the FastPass system the way it is now. See a ride is a two hour wait or pay $20 with your MagicBand and you going to the front. @PhotoDave219 - your a numbers guy. When will these different one day passes start up? This September when a slow season starts up? We are going down after Thanksgiving and I won't mind paying alittle bit more if it's going to lower the crowds a bit. Smart pay of doing away with the typical slow season.

 

[NearTheEars]

WDW is more crowded than ever because Disney is drawing from new markets (mainly South America) while the U.S. population continues to grow, with consumer confidence the best it's been in years. Furthermore, WDW historically has experienced a surge in attendance after the end of each recession because of pent-up demand. The effects of the last recession lingered for years, so there was a lot of pent-up demand.

Contributing to this is a new wave of parents who visited WDW as children during its boom years in the 1980s and 1990s, when WDW transitioned from a single theme park to a vacation destination. A generation later, these parents want to take their children to WDW.

Increased costs are a function of inflation along with what has been to date a careful pricing strategy designed to make annual increases only modestly higher than inflation, giving consumers time to adjust to the new norm without suffering complete sticker shock in any one year.

P.S. I also think the end of Las Vegas' attempt to become a family vacation destination has helped Orlando in general. At one time, Las Vegas was trying to sell itself to families. That campaign has ended, meaning Orlando has less competition for national vacation dollars.

Any idea why @WDW1974 doesnt seem to agree that the parks are busier than ever? He typically agrees with most of your observations. Except your views on a 5th gate.

 

[NearTheEars]

I don't think you understand...

Just to be clear, I wasn't referring to a Fastpass in my post.
I can understand limiting those to one per ride.

I was referring to your park ticket determining how often/how many times you would be allowed on an attraction.
For example: Basic Ticket, you get one ride on ToT. Next level up, two rides. Premium Magical Pass, all you can eat.
That is tiered pricing. The more you pay, the more you get to do.

It has nothing to do with locals or multi-visiting obsessed guests. It would effect every person, from the once a week to the once a decade visitor, that steps up to the ticket window and has to decide how many rides they can afford.

Look at it as a high-tech, more expensive version of the old ticket books.

I can hear it now...."Sorry sweetie, we can't meet the princess. We used up all our experiences and I don't have the money to get more. Maybe the dance party will be free..."

Unless my AP price was cut about $100 I would definitely be out at that point.
Hope it never actually comes to this.

 

[*Q*]

Look at it as a high-tech, more expensive version of the old ticket books.

I could support that idea if they held off on raising admission ticket prices for a few years and if they use the system so that revenue earned at each attraction is put towards that particular attraction. Let's say Space Mountain earns the occasional big upgrade if it stays highly profitable, but if no one is using their "tickets" on Stitch's Great Escape, then it gets axed in favor of something else.

 

[BernardandBianca]

I could support that idea if they held off on raising admission ticket prices for a few years and if they use the system so that revenue earned at each attraction is put towards that particular attraction. Let's say Space Mountain earns the occasional big upgrade if it stays highly profitable, but if no one is using their "tickets" on Stitch's Great Escape, then it gets axed in favor of something else.

Which truly was the benefit of ticket books - either it drew people, as evidenced by people forking over their ticket, or it didn't, in which case management needed to figure out how to cure the problem either by upgrading the attraction or getting a new one. It also forced the maintenance of the attraction; if it was down for repairs, it didn't draw tickets.

 

[Mike S]

Which truly was the benefit of ticket books - either it drew people, as evidenced by people forking over their ticket, or it didn't, in which case management needed to figure out how to cure the problem either by upgrading the attraction or getting a new one. It also forced the maintenance of the attraction; if it was down for repairs, it didn't draw tickets.

I see modern Disney interpreting that situation as never taking any ride down and just keeping the money.

 

[BernardandBianca]

I see modern Disney interpreting that situation as never taking any ride down and just keeping the money.

Half full - half empty. I interpret that as not caring if it goes down or not, and being in no rush to repair (eliminating the CM costs to run).

 

[ford91exploder]

Unless my AP price was cut about $100 I would definitely be out at that point.
Hope it never actually comes to this.

Only a matter of time before the chargeable FP hits with Iger and Company at the helm. (oh and your AP will be going up in price too )

 

[John]

Just dont know what to think about this anymore. Disney created this mess. First they made a visit to WDW "all-inclusive", they invented the DDP, My Magic Way ticket system, even the transportation system. All to be all-inclusive to attract the budget minded guest.The once in a lifetime visitor. Now IF this was to come to fruition it changes the basic fundamental way the average person visits. You are standing there with little Johnny and little Susie and they are fresh out of FP,s and they want to do RNR roller coaster or a M&G with their favorite ice princess. Well mommy and daddy now has to dig a little deeper and go over budget or their little snowflakes will have a major meltdown. To provide that once in a lifetime experience they go to the well and spend more then they wanted to. The parents may do it the one time but they will avoid that scenario to ever happen again. Thus not returning to the land of the upcharge. Disney now is changing their business model to attract the whales. Just a short sighted attempt to temporarily show profits as some have pointed out.

 

[NearTheEars]

To be clear @Lee are you saying the base ticket in this possible scenario would allow one ride on every attraction and you'd have to pay more after that.

OR would it be a limit on total attractions experienced?

 

[olie64]

Just dont know what to think about this anymore. Disney created this mess. First they made a visit to WDW "all-inclusive", they invented the DDP, My Magic Way ticket system, even the transportation system. All to be all-inclusive to attract the budget minded guest.The once in a lifetime visitor. Now IF this was to come to fruition it changes the basic fundamental way the average person visits. You are standing there with little Johnny and little Susie and they are fresh out of FP,s and they want to do RNR roller coaster or a M&G with their favorite ice princess. Well mommy and daddy now has to dig a little deeper and go over budget or their little snowflakes will have a major meltdown. To provide that once in a lifetime experience they go to the well and spend more then they wanted to. The parents may do it the one time but they will avoid that scenario to ever happen again. Thus not returning to the land of the upcharge. Disney now is changing their business model to attract the whales. Just a short sighted attempt to temporarily show profits as some have pointed out.

I agree, We try to go every where because we hate the beach, but if they start up charging FP and everything else they will lose my money because it won't be feasible to go, unless they drop admission prices a great deal, like sub-60.

 

[ford91exploder]

Just dont know what to think about this anymore. Disney created this mess. First they made a visit to WDW "all-inclusive", they invented the DDP, My Magic Way ticket system, even the transportation system. All to be all-inclusive to attract the budget minded guest.The once in a lifetime visitor. Now IF this was to come to fruition it changes the basic fundamental way the average person visits. You are standing there with little Johnny and little Susie and they are fresh out of FP,s and they want to do RNR roller coaster or a M&G with their favorite ice princess. Well mommy and daddy now has to dig a little deeper and go over budget or their little snowflakes will have a major meltdown. To provide that once in a lifetime experience they go to the well and spend more then they wanted to. The parents may do it the one time but they will avoid that scenario to ever happen again. Thus not returning to the land of the upcharge. Disney now is changing their business model to attract the whales. Just a short sighted attempt to temporarily show profits as some have pointed out.

The ironic thing is the 'whales' were in abundance when WDW was an all inclusive resort, Heck the Beatles broke up at the Poly!

 

[Nubs70]

I had mentioned something like this back when they rolled out FP+. Check out this post from 2014. Not exactly what @Lee
was talking about, but pretty similar:


gwhb75Well-Known Member
With Magicbands & Fastpass+ now rolled out to pretty much all guests, and with the ability to link a credit card to the Magicbands, I could see a day where you can purchase "instant" fastpasses at an attraction.

I'm not talking about charging for Fastpass+ selections (the 3 or more or whatever it lands on), but more something like this:

It's the middle of the afternoon in July. You walk up to Space Mountain and there is a 120 minute standby wait. You don't have a Fastpass+ selection for the ride, but for a small fee you can purchase as instant Fastpass with a quick tap of the Magicband right at the ride entrance.

I know there are logistics involved with this (the number of Fastpass spots available for the ride during the day, etc), but it wouldn'tsurprise me if this is done at some point. I'm not saying I'm for or against the idea. Any thoughts?

Apr 12, 2014

And WDW could vary the instant FP price based on demand. This is like the multi tap beer bars that base the price for different brands of beer. A stock market pricing strategy. The more demand/the higher the price. JII would cost $0 for instant while SDMT could cost $25 for instant FP.

 

[Lee]

To be clear @Lee are you saying the base ticket in this possible scenario would allow one ride on every attraction and you'd have to pay more after that.

OR would it be a limit on total attractions experienced?

Yes, the way it was described to me was that a base ticket would give you a set number of rides on each attraction like two per day on a "C" and one per day on an "E."

To get more rides would require a higher level of ticket or an incremental purchase.

 

[ford91exploder]

Yes, the way it was described to me was that a base ticket would give you a set number of rides on each attraction like two per day on a "C" and one per day on an "E."

To get more rides would require a higher level of ticket or an incremental purchase.

Grrr not directed at you @Lee

 

[GhostHost1000]

Yes, the way it was described to me was that a base ticket would give you a set number of rides on each attraction like two per day on a "C" and one per day on an "E."

To get more rides would require a higher level of ticket or an incremental purchase.

"#*&%@... ...ok this is getting ridiculous"

 

[Lee]

Is this a near future implementation? Are they seriously considering this? Because if so...LOL.

I have no clue when/if this ever rolls out.
They may well go another direction, but this is a legit option that is/has been discussed.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

It all sounds as if they are going back to 10 or 15 tickets in a ticket book- without the physical tickets themselves.