want to do Disney on the cheap

[disneysteve]

That is a shame. I don't necessarily think this change will enhance the guest experience.

I'm not so sure. The biggest complaint from guests today is that the parks are way too crowded so anything they can do to improve the flow of people through the parks is probably a good thing. It's not like there's nowhere else to sit.

I really think the crowding is the biggest problem threatening the parks and I don't know what Disney can reasonably do about it. If they start limiting entry, that would be a huge problem for the folks who show up only to be turned away. They can get away with it on Christmas day or New Years Eve but not routinely.

[tink]

I'm not so sure. The biggest complaint from guests today is that the parks are way too crowded so anything they can do to improve the flow of people through the parks is probably a good thing. It's not like there's nowhere else to sit.

I really think the crowding is the biggest problem threatening the parks and I don't know what Disney can reasonably do about it. If they start limiting entry, that would be a huge problem for the folks who show up only to be turned away. They can get away with it on Christmas day or New Years Eve but not routinely.

The new ticket guidelines that go into effect the middle of October are hoping to do just that. I’m wondering what real effect it will have on crowd control though.

[disneysteve]

The new ticket guidelines that go into effect the middle of October are hoping to do just that.

Anyone who actually believes that, I have a bridge to sell them. That's Disney's cover story but this is strictly about sucking more out of guests and making the whole vacation planning process even more complex than it already is.

Nobody is going to plan their trip based on which days tickets are cheaper just as nobody plans based on peak season and value season now. People travel when they are able to travel and they pay whatever it will cost them to do so. This is also an attempt to discourage guests from splitting their stays with Universal and spending all of their time on Disney property. And just wait and see how those prices get adjusted when Galaxy's Edge opens next year. The podcast I listen to predicted that within the next year or two, we're going to see a $200 ticket price on certain days.

[Thrif-t]

And just wait and see how those prices get adjusted when Galaxy's Edge opens next year. The podcast I listen to predicted that within the next year or two, we're going to see a $200 ticket price on certain days.

So glad I still have some visits on my 10 day no expiration tickets from 2005! And also bought us all another set of 4 day tickets that don't expire until 14 days after 1st use. Wish, oh wish, I had more for future grandkids down the line. Some people really have a stash of those no expiration tickets.

It does make one wonder if this house of cards is ever going to fall down? I'm all for them raising prices to keep people away, but I don't think that will ever happen. People will just save longer to get there.

[disneysteve]

It does make one wonder if this house of cards is ever going to fall down? I'm all for them raising prices to keep people away, but I don't think that will ever happen. People will just save longer to get there.

Disney likes to protect the cache of their brand. Even in the depths of the recession, they may have deeply discounted hotel prices but not the ticket prices, although the new system will give them much more flexibility to do that. They can easily change the daily price from $87 to $83 or $78 if they want to and need to draw in people.

The problem (if you see it as a problem) is that there is a constant supply of people willing and able to pay the higher prices. It's the middle/lower middle class families that are getting squeezed out. We actually have annual passes and we have for the last couple of years. We in the community are wondering what changes may come to the AP program, especially when Galaxy's Edge opens. Will they add blackout dates? Will they hike the AP prices? They are already pretty pricey but they're still a good value if you're going for at least 10 days. If it reaches a point where an AP needs much more than that to get your money's worth, I'd really have to reconsider (unless we are living down there by then).

[LivingAlmostLarge]

i have to agree about not caring about ticket prices. I care a lot about cost, but at the same time when we go is when we go unfortunately. We are traveling when it works for us and if we want to go then we have to pay it. The option of not going isn't happening since we're going to florida for the sole purpose of WDW

[bennkar]

Well WDW was interesting this year. Went to one of their water parks & was underwhelmed mostly. There are better water parks up north to be honest. At least we now know what its like. Was able to go to the parks for 5 days, plus one day at a water park, for me and the GF for about $750 for everything. Parking was $25/day (WTF!). My GF went a paid for an electric scooter for a few days (hint: don't pay for them at Disney, get them offsite. They're really better and cost much less).

Did Star Tours... I dunno, maybe 10 times (yeah, we like it). Got on every hard to get on ride at the parks except Flight of Pandora. Could have done it if we were determined but it was our last day and we were dragging by then. Only had two sit down meals at the parks which helped with the expenses, but I would have been willing to do them if she wanted (though I didn't complain). Craziest thing was getting in line for Frozen & having the ride break down. It was something of a bonding experience for the 25 or so of us that waited in there until they got it running again. Quite funny actually. Got to see the Toy Story land (Actually not that thrilling, but nice to see). Also did one of their miniature golf courses - some parts weren't even working so it was another blah item.

Scariest part was at the water park wave pool. We got in while it was doing some easy waves, and then it was placid for 10 minutes so we didn't think anything of it. We were taking it easy, not knowing it was turning into tsunami wave pool. Nothing like being in 4 ft. of water nowhere close to a pool exit and turning around to see a 10 foot wave bearing down on you. Your life flashes before your eyes at that point. One of those stories we can tell people for years.

[disneysteve]

Glad you had a good trip, bennyhoff. We've only been to Typhoon Lagoon once many years ago. We've never done Blizzard Beach. And we did River Country back in the day. We are not big beach/pool/waterpark people. If there was an option to just pay for a couple of hours we might go sometime but we're not spending over $200 for the 3 of us. That's just insane.

The pro tip about renting a scooter from an offsite vendor is a good one. Along with being cheaper and better, that also has the added benefit of having the scooter for your whole trip, not just when you're in each park. Of course, that means you need to deal with getting it on and off all of the transportation (or have your own vehicle to transport it).

We rarely do table service meals. They are way too costly and generally not that good. We have far better and more affordable restaurants at home. On our trip this month, my wife and I did the Hoop De Doo dinner show ($144 for 2) and that was a lot of fun and worth the price. We also had dinner at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom. I think that came to about $130 or so for the 2 of us. It was good but I wouldn't rush back at that price.

[MooseBucks]

Sit down meals are definitely $$$$...we do them with the kids in order to get a break and see some characters.

[james.hendrickson]

I know we don't normally bump old threads, but I wanted to shared this as Disney is popular here on the forums

Looks like ticket prices are going to go up again this year

Disneyland raises prices — again
Updated 7 hours ago

Disneyland Resort is raising its ticket prices by up to 25%. The increase comes less than a year after the resort upped its prices by 18%, and just months ahead of the opening of its much-anticipated Star Wars expansion. All of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ theme parks are currently undergoing major expansions as high ticket prices fail to dampen visitor enthusiasm. Disney is expected to spend $24 billion on new attractions, hotels and ships over the next five years.
Source: LinkedIn News.

[Like2Plan]

James,
It is normal for one round of ticket price increases (sometimes 2) in the year.
And, the parks are not empty. I keep thinking that I’m doing Disney all wrong. Instead of visiting the parks every year, I should take the funds and buy more Disney stock....

[james.hendrickson]

James,
It is normal for one round of ticket price increases (sometimes 2) in the year.
And, the parks are not empty. I keep thinking that I’m doing Disney all wrong. Instead of visiting the parks every year, I should take the funds and buy more Disney stock....

Thats the thing - people keep coming even when the ticket prices keep increasing.

[~bs]

could go to disneyland in japan. it's like half the price. but all in a different language. lol

[disneysteve]

Thats the thing - people keep coming even when the ticket prices keep increasing.

This is really Disney's biggest problem. And what makes it worse, to some extent, is they don't necessarily see it as a problem. Business is booming. That's great for the bottom line. However, it sucks for guest experience. The more people who go home upset that the park was packed, lines were long, and they didn't get to do what they had hoped to do, the more you start hearing word of mouth talk of people not wanting to go back. Eventually, that will catch up with them. I'll be honest. I've been going to Disney regularly since 1978, sometimes 2 or 3 times a year, and I'm pretty fed up with the crowds. Our last trip in November, I had far more fun outside of the parks than I did in the parks. I'm perfectly happy to spend less time in the parks and more time doing other things at this point, which is sad. And as you said, they keep hiking the price hoping that will thin the crowds and it just doesn't. It gets busier and busier.

[Like2Plan]

This is really Disney's biggest problem. And what makes it worse, to some extent, is they don't necessarily see it as a problem. Business is booming. That's great for the bottom line. However, it sucks for guest experience. The more people who go home upset that the park was packed, lines were long, and they didn't get to do what they had hoped to do, the more you start hearing word of mouth talk of people not wanting to go back. Eventually, that will catch up with them. I'll be honest. I've been going to Disney regularly since 1978, sometimes 2 or 3 times a year, and I'm pretty fed up with the crowds. Our last trip in November, I had far more fun outside of the parks than I did in the parks. I'm perfectly happy to spend less time in the parks and more time doing other things at this point, which is sad. And as you said, they keep hiking the price hoping that will thin the crowds and it just doesn't. It gets busier and busier.

I thought about starting a new thread... I went to Disneyland for 4 nights the week before Thanksgiving and Disney World for 4 nights the week after Thanksgiving.

Both places were very crowded. I had a good time at Disney World, but I had a much better time at Disneyland. I think one thing that contributed to this was I liked Disneyland’s Max pass much better than fast pass plus.

I was staying on property so I had a slight advantage to booking FP+ in advance, but there were several rides I could not get a FP— even after checking and rechecking on a daily basis. What a pain. I have no desire to stand in a standby line in excess of 1 hour so, I just didn’t go on them.

At Disneyland— Max pass worked much better for me than FP+ at Disney World. For one thing, you don’t have to reserve months in advance. In fact, you can only get a FP after you have entered the park.

Also, Disney is putting big bucks into the parks, but it is long overdue. I think that is part of the problem. I’m not sure star wars land is going to be enough. We’ll have to see.