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

[cloudboy]

Well at that rate, when you factor in the $10 lunch and $20 dinner, plus the parking, the rental car, the flight, the hotel...

You can only compare admission prices, and $20 is a lot different than $50.

Remember, too, that almost everyone on this board is a big fan of the parks and very likely would spend that money. But what about the people who aren't huge fans and are just deciding if they will try it this year (they probably only went once before)? Next time you are alone in the parks and it is fairly busy start listening to what the average guest is saying. There are a lot of comments I have overheard about the prices on everything. That is what has made the guests so defensive to begin with!

Oh, and I will say that comparing several years ago to now, yes the parks are not as clean and you do find more unfriendly (or at least unhelpful) cast members.

 

[Scooter]

Originally posted by cloudboy

Oh, and I will say that comparing several years ago to now, yes the parks are not as clean and you do find more unfriendly (or at least unhelpful) cast members.

My only comment on this is: I've never noticed the parks dirty at all and I've never met or seen an unfriendly or unhelpful Cast member in all of my 12 trips to Disney World.

I guess I must just go at the right times.

 

[MadameCheshire]

I think it might be worth it to maybe raise the prices, but in return the vending areas for food and beverage should drop their prices as well instead of raising them over time.

 

[iluvstitch]

Originally posted by Main Street USA
Stephanie, some people can't afford that.

I think that treating guests anything but equally is an awful idea.

So, then should they do away with the extra magic hour where resort guests can enter the parks an hour early? Not everyone can afford to stay on WDW property. -Stephanie

 

[HMFan]

Originally posted by Main Street USA
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.

Has this type of atmosphere happened at the Universal parks? Because if it has, I haven't noticed it.

 

[iluvstitch]

Originally posted by HMFan
Has this type of atmosphere happened at the Universal parks? Because if it has, I haven't noticed it.

No, I haven't noticed it either. I've been to Universal several times before the unlimited Express for on site people and after and the "atmosphere" isn't any different. The Universal hotels aren't cheap either, the cheapest room at HRH is around $240 a night- but I'll stay there because I feel its worth it to not have to wait in any lines.

In my opinion, I don't feel its "morally" wrong to charge more for special perks. Some people can afford it, some can't. People who can afford to stay on-site already have different perks- like early entry into the parks. Or concierge guests at AKL can do the special safari- that hasn't changed the "atmosphere" of the parks in my opinion. -Stephanie

 

[General Grizz]

Now back to our normally scheduled discussion. . .

 

[HMFan]

Originally posted by iluvstitch
No, I haven't noticed it either. I've been to Universal several times before the unlimited Express for on site people and after and the "atmosphere" isn't any different.

I think what adds to that fact is that on-site guests go through the ExpressPass line, so it isn't like they go through some type of "special" entrance.

In my opinion, I don't feel its "morally" wrong to charge more for special perks. Some people can afford it, some can't. People who can afford to stay on-site already have different perks- like early entry into the parks. Or concierge guests at AKL can do the special safari- that hasn't changed the "atmosphere" of the parks in my opinion.

My thoughts exactly. Going on vacation, or more specifically to Disney World, is a privilege not a right. That is the way business is run, you pay more you get more. If people are so concerned about treating guests "equally" then perhaps steeper discounts should be offered to lower income families so they can afford to go also, but then technically they would be getting "special" treatment and thus have thrown off the equality factor again.

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

I may be getting too cynical in my old age, but I think the prices are sometimes set to discourage "lower" income families from going to WDW.

 

[andre85]

Originally posted by General Grizz
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.

While, it's no secret that I don't care for you, I was merely taking a jab at your outlandish opinions. Take it like a man, you big bear.

 

[JBSLJames]

Originally posted by iluvstitch
In my opinion, I don't feel its "morally" wrong to charge more for special perks. Some people can afford it, some can't.

I know that PKI has 'Gold' passes in addition to standard Season Passes. The Gold Passes cost more and you get more, such as prefferred parking, meal deals, double ride Tuesdays (can ride the same ride twice in a row), early entry to the waterpark, etc. I believe, this year, they are looking to add an express type of line for Gold Pass holders as well. We can not afford it, but we get them as Christmas gifts from my wife's parents.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

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

Pleaseeeeee don't make unnessicary comments.... You're just being pathetic!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

While the idea of a "super park" filled with headliner attractions appeals I think the fact that you are creating a two tier Disney World does not.
A park for those who can afford it and four parks for everyone else. No, this idea sucks

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

Don't quite get your point, TAC. Trash is trash. Yes, some have saved years and they think they can do whatever they wish at WDW, be it using foul language, going around half naked, throwing trash wherever, and being rude to all around them. That was not Uncle Walt's vision.

 

[taholden]

The idea is coming across the wrong way. Everyone who goes to disney can get a fastpass. All this would do was let the concierge guests, who pay a mcuh higher premium for extras, get to use the fastpass line all the time. This just brings more value to staying in a concierge room rather than a standard. Concierge guests get to have special lounges with free food and drinks all the time. Free because it is included in the price of the room. Is that wrong?

Nobody is talking about a class system at Disney. If you pay for the concierge level you get the concierge service.

Do you flip out at people who sit in first class and get free drinks just because they pay more money?

 

[jrriddle]

I would pay extra, but not for a "best of" park.
It would have to be a new park idea, a new experience on the themeing level of DLP and TDS with the setting of HKDL. Something completely new and different, it would have to have a real "WOW" factor.
Then yes I would spend the extra money, alot more if needed.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Originally posted by taholden
The idea is coming across the wrong way. Everyone who goes to disney can get a fastpass. All this would do was let the concierge guests, who pay a mcuh higher premium for extras, get to use the fastpass line all the time. This just brings more value to staying in a concierge room rather than a standard. Concierge guests get to have special lounges with free food and drinks all the time. Free because it is included in the price of the room. Is that wrong?

Nobody is talking about a class system at Disney. If you pay for the concierge level you get the concierge service.

Do you flip out at people who sit in first class and get free drinks just because they pay more money?

Hmm now I know they only have 3 hotels but Universal lets all resort guests have Express privileges.
As for paying for concierge, how would a guest staying at concierge level for 4 or 5 days compare to me staying at ordinary level but for 3 weeks?

 

[CP17]

With all this "trash" talk and concierge people being above the common resort vactioner, I'm really feeling the magic. Anytime you want to exclude people because they don't have the resources to spend on the luxury items, you pi** (throw water on) the magic.

 

[HMFan]

Originally posted by TAC
Yup, that's Walt's vision.

It wasn't? It wasn't his vision that people that paid more, got more? Then why his early version of the "ticket" system, those that could afford the more expensive E-tickets could go on the bigger and better attractions. But oh no... that wasn't Walt's vision.

 

[HMFan]

Originally posted by Pumbas Nakasak
Hmm now I know they only have 3 hotels but Universal lets all resort guests have Express privileges.

If you play this out in a numbers game, technically Disney can't let all of their resort guests have FOTL privileges like Universal does. It would cause a massive strain on the already existing FastPass and Standby lines.