Would You Pay More to Get More at a WDW Park?

[Timekeeper]

All this talk about new WDW attractions and E-ticket this / E-ticket that got me thinking. Would you be willing to pay more in order to get more at a WDW park?

This question means that we have to think hypothetically for a moment.

For example, if WDW opened a new theme park that contained all E-ticket attractions from the other 4 parks rolled up into one park, would you be willing to pay more than $55 to enter that park for a day? Would you be willing to pay $75 to $85? What's the top price you'd be willing to spend to visit a park with ToT, RnRC, SpaceMtn, BTMR, SplsMtn, HM, PotC, M:S, TT, Dinosaur, heck, I'll even through in CoP and a few of your other favorite shows/attractions. If there was one park that had it all, how much would you pay?

At this point some of you may be thinking that a Park Hopper pass is just that, a pass that gives you all those options, so I'll raise the bet and say that at this "perfect park" no queue wait time will ever exceed 30 minutes.

This may depend on financial availability, desire for E-ticket attractions and short lines, etc. You can even assume that the "perfect park" has all YOUR favorite attractions, even if they're not E-tickets. But the question remains, how much more than todays 1 park adult admission would you be willing to spend for such an ideal theme park?

I ask this out of personal curiosity based on a couple of observations:

1) People seem to complain about Disney admission prices, but Eisner made a good point (impossible?) on Larry King about sports events and theater, each lasting only 2 to 3 hours, often cost equal to or more than park admission. So maybe admission prices for a full day at a theme park aren't that "high" after all. (But I don't want to spark that debate.)

2) Universal Orlando offers "Express Pass booklets" for an extra fee (I seem to recall around $15) which include an Express Pass to each large attraction and other coupons - as well as for Halloween Horror Night events. This means there is some market demand for a more efficient experience at the park costing money in addition to general park admission. Someone is willing to pay for this service, are you?

Also, if WDW offered FastPass booklets that guaranteed that you would never wait more than 5 minutes for an attraction (although realistically impossible), how much would you be willing to spend for one?

Are locals who can visit more often less likely to consider buying these than tourists who can only visit once every 4 years and want to experience as much as possible?

What's your input?

Timekeeper

 

[grandmath]

I'd buy a more expensive AP if the park (or the resort) also had all the best of Tokyo, California and Paris. But 85$ for a day at the park, huhhh... no. Too expensive to get there all the time, which I sure would like to do! :slurp:

 

[bsandersjr]

How much more money can they possibly ask for?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[General Grizz]

If I recall, Disney set a limit to its park admission in the 90s which was quickly forgotten.

The prices right now are too high based on low cast morale and low maintence. Despite new attractions (some of which, i.e. Philharmagic and Space have less QUALITY), admission should not go any higher until the detailed essence & service at WDW is greatly improved.

This also goes for daytime cleaning...see the disgusting machine outside JII which could be seen ANYWHERE on the street.

Raising admission would be great for doctors. . . but please no higher cost for educators!

 

[iluvstitch]

I don't like the idea of the coupon books for extra $$ like Universal does- but I do like how Universal lets the people who stay "on site" at their hotels go in the Express line everytime. All you do is show your room key card to the worker (sometimes they swipe it) and go in the Express line.

WDW has too many on site resorts to do this, so instead I think they should let their concierge guests have unlimited fastpasses- they just flash their key card and go in the fast pass line. I would definitly stay concierge if I could do this.

-Stephanie

 

[andre85]

I'd be all for a price increase if it keeps Grizz from going.

 

[BRER STITCH]

As long as some people still occasionally have a "less than magical" feeling when they think about the "value" they recieved for their Disney admission, the prices should not be increased.

Lots of simple (and inexpensive!) things can be done to improve the perceived value of something. Disney has lots of these things to do before they need to raise prices. The payoff of these little things is far greater than the damage done by making the park unaffordable to many....

 

[andre85]

Originally posted by BRER STITCH
As long as some people still occasionally have a "less than magical" feeling when they think about the "value" they recieved for their Disney admission, the prices should not be increased.

Some people will never be content (this wasn’t directed at you).

 

[iluvstitch]

I think Disney's prices are competitive w/other theme parks. There is a 6 Flags near me and a one day ticket is almost as much as one day at WDW. The 6 Flags is complete :hurl: and about 1/4 the size of the MK.

Or, another example is a Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the about the same price as one day at Epcot. Busch Gardens doesn't even begin to compare to Epcot. So, in my opinion, WDW is a better value. -Stephanie

 

[wdwfan22]

Originally posted by General Grizz
If I recall, Disney set a limit to its park admission in the 90s which was quickly forgotten.

The prices right now are too high based on low cast morale and low maintence. Despite new attractions (some of which, i.e. Philharmagic and Space have less QUALITY), admission should not go any higher until the detailed essence & service at WDW is greatly improved.

This also goes for daytime cleaning...see the disgusting machine outside JII which could be seen ANYWHERE on the street.

Raising admission would be great for doctors. . . but please no higher cost for educators!

I disagree with you. I believe that admission prices are were they should be. In fact admission should be increased to match the other Orlando parks. PhilharMagic and Mission Space justify the increase.
As for the cleaning during the daytime. Come on your taking your complaining a little to far. All work can't be done after the park closes. You would complain even more if they reduced the park hours to do general cleaning.

All in all admission is right were it should be.

 

[Scooter]

I, for one, will pay whatever Eisner asks me to pay for my magical Disney Vacations.

I would pay $100+ for the feelings of happiness and the look on the childrens faces in each park.

I don't see the " Morale" problem or the "maintenance" problems alot of people talk about...but then again I don't LOOK for them either. I enjoy all that Disney World has to offer now and will pay whatever they want to charge me to be a part of it.

Of course I'm always hoping t that they don't raise prices but it IS a business after all...and I always get my moneys worth when I go.

When I feel I'm not getting my moneys worth, I will shut my mouth and quit going, but until that happens, Disney World is, has been, and will continue to be mine and my familys premier Vacation destination.:sohappy:

61 day, 7 hours, 4 minutes, and 57 seconds until my next Disney trip! Gawd I Love that place!!:sohappy:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

As some one who does E nights at every opportunity Id have to say yes Id pay more. But for a premium id expect a premium service ie reduced wait times, fewer guests etc.

Naked dancing girls and free beer, that gets my vote or should that be note.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Disney tickets have gone up and up and up. The question is not will you pay more (because you will) but will you get the extra value when you do.

I think the answer is "yes." 20 years ago, there was no Disney-MGM Studio Park, no Typhoon Lagoon, No Blizzard Beach, no Pleasure Island, and obviously no Animal Kingdom park. Walt Disney World is constantly growing in measurable quantities.

Locals have always said that people will quit coming when the prices get to a certain level. Folks, it isn't happening. Tickets have never been higher and attendance is steadily growing.

 

[Main Street USA]

Originally posted by iluvstitch
WDW has too many on site resorts to do this, so instead I think they should let their concierge guests have unlimited fastpasses- they just flash their key card and go in the fast pass line. I would definitly stay concierge if I could do this.

-Stephanie

Stephanie, some people can't afford that.

I think that treating guests anything but equally is an awful idea. Giving someone a line jumping pass just because they have more money than a guest that is getting away from their average suburbian (or less) life is such an invitation for hatred between guests it's insane. It creates an atmosphere where people will automatically feel like less than anyone who passes them while they wait for an attraction. WDW (or any theme park for that matter) should NEVER intentionally do anything that could, and would, add to a guests experience in a negative way.

The Fastpass system accomplishes equality because it still makes you wait to ride an attraction, you just don't have to wait in that particualr line. It also encourages guests to do a little shopping while they wait.

 

[General Grizz]

I agree that WDW is WORTH hundreds and hundreds. But there has to be a limit so that everyone can enjoy the magic - - if we were to increase admission with every attraction, only a small percent of people will be able to enter the parks - and this detracts from the target "American family" who finds it an expense.

I do not think prices should decrease (although promotions always help attendance), but to have a planned increase over the rate of inflation, why, let's be reasonable and at least keep Disney available.

(After all, I think they're doing just fine. Eisner can get 1 million thrown at him for a position he doesn't even hold. . . )

Here's a story... our school was planning a trip to EPCOT. When they asked, "how much is the field trip," they were shocked the price raised to 52 dollars. Is it worth it? Yes! But the kids would have to have given up their money for prom until the trip was cancelled.

 

[Timekeeper]

Originally posted by Main Street USA
I think that treating guests anything but equally is an awful idea.

I think you made a good point about there being a possible equality issue within the parks if perks are provided to one group simply because they have more money.

On the other hand, people who have money can attend the parks, but those who cannot afford the admission cannot generally get into the parks to begin with. Also, there are some perks offered to guests that are not offered to others. For example, guests at the California Disneyland Resort can get unlimitted FastPasses, (for different attractions.)

But you're right, the FastPass system is not an "automatic upgrade." You first have to use the system, and then return with the FastPass to experience the ride. I think that helps blend the line between those with perks and those without. Also, because FastPasses are limited in number and follow a time frame, it brings guests of both levels as close together as possible while still providing on-property guests (who have spend alot of money) with some sort of perk or benefit.

Timekeeper

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by andre85
I'd be all for a price increase if it keeps Grizz from going.

1. I've never met you at a park, so I can't see why you would care.
2. I'm not surprised at this remark because it isn't the first time you've outright attacked me.
3. You may have gone too far. Perhaps you wouldn't have made this mistake if you had read and followed the terms of service when other members have told you to.

And, don't worry, I'll be at the parks.

 

[tenchu]

I think WDW would really be chancing their luck if they were to raise their prices much higher.

When you consider the costs already for a non-local family to visit. Flights, accomodation, food, transport etc.

To increase the ticket price much more will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and sends many families to a cheaper holiday.

 

[Scooter]

Originally posted by tenchu


To increase the ticket price much more will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and sends many families to a cheaper holiday.

No offense meant here but I said that 12 years ago when the price of admission was $26...and I'm still going every year.

Like i said before...when I don't feel I'm getting my moneys worth, I'll go elsewhere.

If you ever go to a professinal Baseball game in Chicago's Wrigley field you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Cubs tickets (Cheap seats) $20.00
Parking (easy out) $15.00
2 Beers $11:00
2Hot Dogs $6.00
2 Soft Drinks $7.00
Pop corn and Peanuts $7.50

Get the idea?
I've spent $66.50 to sit in the hot sun for 3 hours to watch 9 guys scratch themselves and pat each other on the butt.

Disney World seems cheap when you put it all in perspective. :animwink:


Go Cubbies!!! Woooo hooooo!!:sohappy:

 

[imagineer99]

Completley off topic question...

Grizz, what subject do you teach?