What if? Disney still used tickets

[ppete1975]

Until around 1982 WDW still used tickets for every ride (year before my first time). I wonder how the parks might be different if they still used this strategy. Personally I feel it is more upscale and less state fair the way it is, and don't want to see it return to tickets, but would we get better rides? Since E, D, C attractions no matter truly matter (except on here), would they put more effort into the E-tickets etc, to ensure people spent their tickets on them? Just a random thing I was thinking about. Also I think the parks would be even more crowded if it was cheaper to get in and you spent tickets. BTW was Disney the first to use this, or was six flags and other parks first?

 

[drizgirl]

Be careful what you wish for. If Disney did this now, they'd still charge $100 to walk through the gates.

 

[Bob Harlem]

This could be done through MM+/Band system. But if anything it would probably come through paid Fastpass use.

If they were evil enough, al a carte fast pass that would be like an express toll system (the longer the line, the more you would pay for an extra instant FP+) Option to walk into a fast pass line at any time, and pay the a la carte price to use it.

Don't think this hasn't come up at meetings before at WDW, because it has. (Galaxies Edge in particular)

The general gist of the idea was keep the existing fast pass reservation and start upcharging for additional items like this, and eventually slow roll back the existing reservation system, basically making it like the old ticket system. The closest thing to it right now is the club level bonus at some of the resorts.

 

[TwilightZone]

Don't think it would control crowds or make the rides any better.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Disney operates on having you stay in the parks, tempting you to spend more as you linger and re-ride rides all day. After going through a book of tickets, guests might not buy more, or buy limited amounts and leave when done. They would be more focused on the money they are paying out. People would complain fiercely about having to pay for a ticket for every attraction. People would be more selective about which attraction they would "spend" the ticket for so the more popular attractions would have longer lines and the lesser popular ones wouldnt attract as many guests. The way it is now guests buy their trip packages, dont really think about what its costing them once they are inside the parks and are open to spending more throughout the day. Disney would be losing money if and when guests focus more on opening their wallets to buy ticket books.

 

[ppete1975]

People would be more selective about which attraction they would "spend" the ticket for so the more popular attractions would have longer lines and the lesser popular ones wouldnt attract as many guests..

EXACTLY!!! so would the parks have remained as stagnant and would we get TSL and some of the rides that have been lackluster.. or would we be getting more rides and upgrades.

 

[Phonedave]

Disney operates on having you stay in the parks, tempting you to spend more as you linger and re-ride rides all day. After going through a book of tickets, guests might not buy more, or buy limited amounts and leave when done. They would be more focused on the money they are paying out. People would complain fiercely about having to pay for a ticket for every attraction. People would be more selective about which attraction they would "spend" the ticket for so the more popular attractions would have longer lines and the lesser popular ones wouldnt attract as many guests. The way it is now guests buy their trip packages, dont really think about what its costing them once they are inside the parks and are open to spending more throughout the day. Disney would be losing money if and when guests focus more on opening their wallets to buy ticket books.

This is also why the DME is "free", that Disney sells vacation packages, and why there is a DDP.

You get everybody to spend money ahead of time. Well ahead of time. When you get to WDW, your lodging, food, and entertainment (park admission) was paid for a long time ago. When you are not paying for all of that stuff every time you turn around, it is much easier to pay for snacks and merchandise.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The single price admission as we not know it was introduced by Angus Wynn with the opening of Six Flags Over Texas. While "common sense" today, it was a radical shift that is still having repercussions to this day. Attractions no longer directly make money for parks. This has skewed everything towards the marquee attraction, that big headliner that one will quickly identify as a reason for visiting the park. Parks ultimately have fewer offerings that poorly utilize space because smaller experiences cannot easily be financially justified.

 

[ppete1975]

The single price admission as we not know it was introduced by Angus Wynn with the opening of Six Flags Over Texas. While "common sense" today, it was a radical shift that is still having repercussions to this day. Attractions no longer directly make money for parks. This has skewed everything towards the marquee attraction, that big headliner that one will quickly identify as a reason for visiting the park. Parks ultimately have fewer offerings that poorly utilize space because smaller experiences cannot easily be financially justified.

This is exactly what I was wondering.. THANK YOU. I can see why they did tickets, since it all started with the fairs and carnivals. I was wondering when it swapped

 

[lazyboy97o]

This is exactly what I was wondering.. THANK YOU. I can see why they did tickets, since it all started with the fairs and carnivals. I was wondering when it swapped

EPCOT Center is what really ended tickets for Disney. Prior to that there were different unlimited attraction offers for Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom but they were never the dominate means of admission. EPCOT Center was still very much built with the idea of layered and varied experiences instead of more isolated marquee attractions, but they were so interrelated that it did not make sense to create a disconnect and charge people for the individual parts of a pavilion or for the individual pavilions themselves that also were so varied.

 

[JIMINYCR]

EXACTLY!!! so would the parks have remained as stagnant and would we get TSL and some of the rides that have been lackluster.. or would we be getting more rides and upgrades.

No. Disney would still have some great attractions mixed in with not so great. They need the variety. Budgets would demand selective spending and youd still get so-so ones among top tiered ones. The ones needed to draw you into the parks and the ones you get stuck with.

 

[lazyboy97o]

No. Disney would still have some great attractions mixed in with not so great. They need the variety. Budgets would demand selective spending and youd still get so-so ones among top tiered ones. The ones needed to draw you into the parks and the ones you get stuck with.

You’re conflating quality of experience with cost of execution. A simple [inexpensive] experience can still be a quality experience.

 

[Roakor]

They are already doing it. you have to buy tickets for events, preferred seating, extra hours. Its just a matter of time before they start allowing you to buy extra fastpasses as well....oh wait they already started experimenting with that too....

 

[JIMINYCR]

You’re conflating quality of experience with cost of execution. A simple [inexpensive] experience can still be a quality experience.

Not confused at all. We would still be getting a variety of quality attractions. Disney isnt going to spend big amounts every time they upgrade or add on. Of course an inexpensive attraction can still be quality but it isnt going to be on the same level as one thats had all the money and resources thrown at it. Lets compare FOP & Alien saucer for ex. guests will line up for both but which one is really drawing the crowds in.