Why doesn't the world's top theme park operator know how to operate theme parks?

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

I've been saying something similar for years but I think 50 visits is too generous. To make a dent, I think the highest tier should be somewhere around half that.

The ironic thing in all of this is that at some level we have to admit that, for any of this to work, Disney has to basically say that they don't want that many people in their parks, aka, "We as a company don't want to make as much money as we possibly can." That's not a sentiment TWDC (under its current leadership) will ever make.

 

[shortstop]

I've said something similar to that in years past.
A per-month purchase plan where you can set a certain number of visits. But no roll-overs.

I do also want to comment on that idea that all AP's clog up the parks. That's a misnomer. I have friends who live in Fullerton, and once a week the mom takes their kids to the parks at opening, stay until just after lunch when the kids are ready for nap time. To me, people like that are not the overcrowding problem.

For the OP's visit, I think we also have to factor in the "holiday" atmosphere into the equation.

Certainly not all APs are the problems. It’s the ones who visit multiple times per week and treat the place as a mall.

I've been saying something similar for years but I think 50 visits is too generous. To make a dent, I think the highest tier should be somewhere around half that.

Fine by me. If people want to visit more than that, they can pay the daily admission fee like anyone else. The problem is, how do you keep people from buying more than one pass?

 

[shortstop]

The ironic thing in all of this is that at some level we have to admit that, for any of this to work, Disney has to basically say that they don't want that many people in their parks, aka, "We as a company don't want to make as much money as we possibly can." That's not a sentiment TWDC (under its current leadership) will ever make.

True, but I know (hope) somewhere within TWDC there is a faction of people who care about the guest experience, and the heavy crowds most definitely detract from the guest experience. Especially when there are so many APs for whom a trip to the park is no longer special.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

True, but I know (hope) somewhere within TWDC there is a faction of people who care about the guest experience, and the heavy crowds most definitely detract from the guest experience. Especially when there are so many APs for whom a trip to the park is no longer special.

I would hope so too...that's why I advocate that field trips to the parks during times like this should be mandatory. It's easy to sit in an air-conditioned office, imagine what a guest experience should be like, make a few phone calls, send a few e-mails, and call it a day. Not even the most detailed guest survey can provide that kind of direct feedback.

 

[disneygeek90]

True, but I know (hope) somewhere within TWDC there is a faction of people who care about the guest experience, and the heavy crowds most definitely detract from the guest experience. Especially when there are so many APs for whom a trip to the park is no longer special.

One per government issued ID?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

The ironic thing in all of this is that at some level we have to admit that, for any of this to work, Disney has to basically say that they don't want that many people in their parks, aka, "We as a company don't want to make as much money as we possibly can." That's not a sentiment TWDC (under its current leadership) will ever make.

Since there seems to be no limit to what people are willing to pay the company could easily set lower max capacity levels and increase admission prices to help offset any decrease in revenue. Who knows, per guest spending might increase with fewer people swarming the stands, shops, and restaurants.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Since there seems to be no limit to what people are willing to pay the company could easily set lower max capacity levels and increase admission prices to help offset any decrease in revenue. Who knows, per guest spending might increase with fewer people swarming the stands, shops, and restaurants.

That's an interesting idea. Let fewer people in, but charge them more, and hope the more welcoming atmosphere inspires them to spend more money. I'd support that. Of course, then you'd get the contingent of "no fair shutting people out when they have the capacity to support them" group...Bottom line is, you really can't make everyone happy in this scenario, and since its Disney...well, no matter what happens, Disney's corporate agenda will win out.

 

[mickEblu]

Since there seems to be no limit to what people are willing to pay the company could easily set lower max capacity levels and increase admission prices to help offset any decrease in revenue. Who knows, per guest spending might increase with fewer people swarming the stands, shops, and restaurants.

What is the magic # though? Park hoppers are already $150 for 1 day. Let's not forget about another issue which doesn't get discussed often. The pricing strategy between single day tickets and APs. They are purposely offering the least value on a 1 day ticket in an effort to get more annual pass holders. Especially when you can put your day ticket towards the AP down payment. That's how they got me a few years ago. I had never considered an annual pass in my life. Always loved DL but 0-2 times a year enough for me. If they made the day tickets more attractive and APs less attractive, it would probably be better for the long term health of the resort.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

What is the magic # though? Park hoppers are already $150 for 1 day. Let's not forget about another issue which doesn't get discussed often. The pricing strategy between single day tickets and APs. They are purposely offering the least value on a 1 day ticket in an effort to get more annual pass holders. Especially when you can put your day ticket towards the down payment. That's how they got me a few years ago. I had never considered an annual pass in my life. Always loved DL but 1-2 times a year enough for me. If they made the day tickets more attractive and APs less attractive, it would probably be better for the long term health of the resort.

That could work too...though there would be plenty of people still willing to pay the "unattractive" AP price.
What scares me, is just thinking about how much MORE crowded things will be once SW:GE opens...I fear we haven't really even see the worst of it yet.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I go three times a year to WDW and have never experienced such MB FP delays. There may be occasionally someone blocking the FP queue out of cluelessness, but that never took more the half a minute. I just squeeze past them while the'yre talking/arguing with the CMs.

And after the initial FP tapstile, I have never experienced the FP line backed up... except when the ride itself had issues. And when that happens, well, the ride's backed up and FP/MB had nothing to do with it... if there were no FP/MB, the ride would still be backed up.

Consider yourself lucky. It's not the 2nd checkpoint. The first one is backed up much of the time and I go during slower periods of the year. BTMM backed up nearly to Splash, KS backed into the village where entertainment was going on so you couldn't tell if people were watching the show or in line. Mine train is a mess too. All because people are clogging the touch point with CM's helping them scan in and then explaining why they can't proceed when they went to the wrong attraction or trying to enter at the wrong time. Some of the entrances to FP entrances even have roped off areas anticipating a line.

And yes I used to try and go around when people were having issues. Then some lady almost punched me for "cutting the line."

 

[Deleted member 107043]

That's an interesting idea. Let fewer people in, but charge them more, and hope the easier atmosphere inspires them to spend more money. I'd support that. Of course, then you'd get the contingent of "no fair shutting people out when they have the capacity to support them" group...Bottom line is, you really can't make everyone happy in this scenario, and since its Disney...well, no matter what happens, Disney's corporate agenda will win out.

Maybe @mickEblu can chime in with his change management expertise, but couldn't they leverage the changes as part of a marketing campaign? Explain to the public that the company has been listening, and in an effort to make each guest's experience more "magical than ever" (or whatever) steps are being taken to control traffic flow. Any reasonable person should be able to appreciate and understand why.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Maybe @mickEblu can chime in with his change management expertise, but couldn't they leverage the changes as part of a marketing campaign? Explain to the public that the company has been listening, and in an effort to make each guest's experience more "magical than ever" (or whatever) steps are being taken to control traffic flow. Any reasonable person should be able to appreciate and understand why.

That would be awesome if Disney could own up to their issues in this way..but highly unlikely. Because the undercurrent of that is Disney admitting they've messed up. They'd have to acknowledge that they haven't been running their parks to the best of their ability and people are complaining.

Their spin on it, as you say, would be to make it look like they're just providing an extra service for their guests, when in reality, they're just correcting problems that exist. I'd love to see Disney become humble in that regard though...

Of course, we all know what happens when Disney actually does try and fix their own problems...we end up with things like GOTG in Epcot.

 

[MisterPenguin]

DL AP Issue:

Rather than have APs where, after a certain number of visits, any further visits are 'free', which encourages daily/nightly visits; Disney should sell a 'membership' where tickets are at a reduced price. This way, every visit costs them, but, at a nice discount. This discourages dropping by for an hour or two or for making DL a daily/nightly thing... unless they want to pay a lot more for that privilege.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

DL AP Issue:

Rather than have APs where, after a certain number of visits, any further visits are 'free', which encourages daily/nightly visits; Disney should sell a 'membership' where tickets are at a reduced price. This way, every visit costs them, but, at a nice discount. This discourages dropping by for an hour or two or for making DL a daily/nightly thing... unless they want to pay a lot more for that privilege.

Now that makes a lot of sense. But what is the initial buy in, preventing everyone from signing up for this system?

 

[Curious Constance]

I'm not opposed to requiring APs to get a branding AP Tattoo on their forehead. That MIGHT weed out a few.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

I'm not opposed to requiring APs to get a branding AP Tattoo on their forehead. That MIGHT weed out a few.

Or requiring that each visit includes a mandatory trip through IASW 3 consecutive times in a boat with 2 screaming babies.

 

[Curious Constance]

Or requiring that each visit includes a trip through IASW 3 consecutive times.

Or wait, maybe instead of a giant AP tattoo, they should be required to get a "notch" tattooed each time they visit? Cut down on all of those quick trips after work.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Or wait, maybe instead of a giant AP tattoo, they should be required to get a "notch" tattooed each time they visit? Cut down on all of those quick trips after work.

Poor @Kira Nerys when the Haunted Mansion is in operation!!

 

[Curious Constance]

Maybe we can look into some government funded programs to try and get APs interested in other hobbies/pastimes?

 

[Curious Constance]

Guys, I could literally go on all day long in this thread. I better cut myself off.