WDW announces ticket price increases
in [Disney Parks]
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From: Alpha on 7 Aug 2010 21:57 Keane says: > On Sat, 7 Aug 2010 12:26:04 +0000 (UTC), Alpha <notreal(a)verizon.net> > wrote: > >>Keane says: >> >>> (I'd say "Maybe the Dining Plans will go away, too," but I'm not >>> kidding myself...) >> >>Free dining might not go away, but they're whittling down its value so >>much that I think there will be fewer takers. >> >>-- Alpha > > You underestimate the marketing powers of the word, 'FREE!' ;-) :-) Fewer takers -- maybe not few, but fewer. Fewer enough that it's recognizably different in restaurants? Who knows. They took away the appetizer and tip from the sit-down meal -- that probably pulled a few out of the game, but the numbers were still in the guest's favor by and large. They made it so guests at the All Stars aren't entitled to a sit-down meal, and that probably pulled some more out of the game. They made it so you have to buy at least 2 days of admission, and that's going to pull more out of the game (like me, next year). And if they offer free dining next year, what will it look like? Considering that they've reduced the value of the benefit a few years in a row, it probably will look a little different. Will guests at the moderates not get a sit-down meal with their free dining? Will you have to buy at least 3 days of admission? Will they increase the minimum length of stay? Will they take away the snack? The more they chip away at it, the lower the number who will find it an attractive offer. -- Alpha
From: Lilith on 8 Aug 2010 00:52 On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:24:58 -0500, Keane <keane(a)keanespics.com> wrote: >On Sat, 7 Aug 2010 12:23:30 +0000 (UTC), Alpha <notreal(a)verizon.net> >wrote: > >>Lilith says: >> >>> I'm no economist but this seems rather counter productive and counter >>> intuitive. Bad economy, hold onto your income. Go to Disney? Not if >>> it's costing me that much more. Higher prices mean fewer visitors. >>> Will those increased prices against the remaining loyals be enough to >>> increase the bottom line? Big gamble. >>I get what Disney is saying, that they feel the need now to wean the public >>off deep discounting. And they said they can tolerate a short-term drop in >>attendance to accomplish that. I guess it remains to be seen how much >>tolerance they actually have, and how severely they're willing to pull back >>on discounting. >This is a yearly price increase. Happens every year, the same warning >about guests not going because it's too expensive is marred every >year by more crowded parks and less room availability. (We won't >talk about table service. Let's not push all the hot buttons at >once...) There's a good number of guests who won't even see the >ticket price, since it's bundled in with airfare, room and (shudder) a >meal plan. I figure on the yearly price increase. Everything goes up (except my pay.) I was thinking the loss of deep discounts would sour a number of people. But it also occurs to me that the number of people who know how and where to get the deep discounts are a small portion of the people who attend Disney. I'll admit I'm not one of them. If it involves staying on site, food plans AND trying to figure out a combination of things, I'm not there. Though I've stayed on site once it was a major hassle that I seriously don't want to go through again. Meal plans have never been a factor for me. Even when I had a larger appetite (and a larger waist) eating at Disney was a side effect, not a focus. If I understand what meal plans are I'd have to take in a lot more food than my appetite (and waist-line) can afford just to feel like it's provided me with a benefit. I tend to eat on the fly and not as much as the standard Disney guest does so I suppose that's my own version of economy. >WDW is also semi-insulated from a bad economy because there are a >lot of people who think WDW is a worthwhile expenditure even in a bad >economy (and a lot of us here can line up against that wall), and not >everyone's economy is bad. WDW is a world-wide vacation destination. >Even though Euro's taken a pounding since Greece's problem, there's >still a favorable exchange rate between the EU and the US. If you're >coming from say...Australia, the price increase will be piddly next to >your airfare. Semi-insulated. I don't mind throwing my money at Disney for a couple of weeks every other year. Universal either for that matter. I'm doing fairly well financially. However, that wasn't the case until maybe five years ago. There was a time when I had to scrimp and save to go to WDW and it took either a concerted effort and a lot of sacrifice or just waiting until it was financially feasible. And that's when the economy wasn't as rocky as it is now. How many other people are in the same boat I was rowing maybe ten years ago but with choppier waters? >And of course, like any addict, you'll pay any price for your >next fix... Okay, there ya got me. I'll pay any price for the fix but if I don't have the money to meet the price I'm not going to rob a liquor store to do so. You can only pay the price if you have the funds. Of course the DTs you develop when you can't pay......... almost as good as the Haunted Mansion. >As for cutting the discounts, I'd bet it's going to happen. If you >cut a 40% discount to a 20% discount, that's a 33% increase in >revenue, and the guest is still getting a theoretical 20% discount. >IIRC, 20% discounts were about it 5-6 years ago. That's what >made an AP so much more appealing. I've generally gotten an AP the past few visits but now I'm looking at measuring out the days on my next visit and getting a pass for the exact number of days I'll be attending the parks. But I still need to calculate parking cost. Since I don't thoroughly plan my trips I could end up with some unused but paid for days. APs, methinks, are best for those who live in closer proximity to Disney and can take advantage of them across the entire year. >Even a price increase like that could generate a lot of bucks. >Once AoA opens, Disney'll have some 10,000 value rooms, 9000 >moderate rooms and probably the same number of deluxes and >rental Villas... It's an amazing number... >>Disney has done a number of things right lately, things that fans have >>cheered. One thing I've often heard fans say is that their loyalty and >>frequent business aren't recognized or appreciated the way they wish it >>would be. If Disney is planning to offer discounts not widely, but >>selectively, maybe this is another area where fans will cheer. >>-- Alpha >*cough*John*cough,cough*Lasseter. Explain. I'm familiar with Lasseter within the context of Pixar but I'm not picking up his relevance to the current discussion >Disney could reward me by upgrading my room to say, the castle >suite for my stay. But I wouldn't count on it. ;-) That's 'cause I have the room reserved. >Keane -- Lilith
From: Keane on 8 Aug 2010 07:19 On Sun, 8 Aug 2010 01:57:41 +0000 (UTC), Alpha <notreal(a)verizon.net> wrote: >Keane says: > >> On Sat, 7 Aug 2010 12:26:04 +0000 (UTC), Alpha <notreal(a)verizon.net> >> wrote: >> >>>Keane says: >>> >>>> (I'd say "Maybe the Dining Plans will go away, too," but I'm not >>>> kidding myself...) >>> >>>Free dining might not go away, but they're whittling down its value so >>>much that I think there will be fewer takers. >>> >>>-- Alpha >> >> You underestimate the marketing powers of the word, 'FREE!' ;-) > >:-) Fewer takers -- maybe not few, but fewer. Fewer enough that it's >recognizably different in restaurants? Who knows. If one could take the argument to the masses (i.e. the free dining guests) that free isn't free when you're paying full rack rate, I think you might be successful. But if you tell someone something's free, even if the amount of free stuff isn't as much as last year, free is still free. Even though it's not. But I'm not sure your average guest knows that, and I'm not sure your average guest will even look into it. I mean, everyone knows food is expensive, right? >They took away the appetizer and tip from the sit-down meal -- that >probably pulled a few out of the game, but the numbers were still in the >guest's favor by and large. They made it so guests at the All Stars aren't >entitled to a sit-down meal, and that probably pulled some more out of the >game. They made it so you have to buy at least 2 days of admission, and >that's going to pull more out of the game (like me, next year). Let's see. If I were in charge, I'd give the values table service, but only at their resort. Require 10 days at resort, with 10 days of admission, with full park hopper, non-expiration and extras. And your last name would have to start and end with a 'q'... That oughtta kill free dining in less than a week. >And if they offer free dining next year, what will it look like? >Considering that they've reduced the value of the benefit a few years in a >row, it probably will look a little different. Will guests at the >moderates not get a sit-down meal with their free dining? Will you have to >buy at least 3 days of admission? Will they increase the minimum length of >stay? Will they take away the snack? The more they chip away at it, the >lower the number who will find it an attractive offer. I can only hope and pray you're correct. HAhahahaha.... Keane -- When stars are born, They possess a gift or two, One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true... -- Wishes Visit my site: http://keanespics.com
From: Jeffrey Gordon on 8 Aug 2010 09:13 For the first time in my life, I'm about 1 flight away from having "status" on a US airline. I've spent some significant free time thinking about why it's worth the extra effort (if you ever get close to the potential for status, you'll see what I mean about effort)... and in talking with various folks about it, I'd thought about Disney many-a-time. Disney has the inherent capability to measure guest loyalty just like the airlines. If they wanted to do so, they could instantly offer a rewards program for repeat offenders - they only need use your phone number to see how many historical reservations are attached to it. So if the desire was ever really there, they could create a program that would provide those of us with severe Disney Fix Disorder an opportunity to gain favor simply by coming to the parks (heck, they could even combine all of the Parks in this program). But they don't really want to reward those of us who keep coming - they know that it's an addiction and that we'll feed the habit regardless of discounts, special offers and the like. Instead, they want to attract the newest potential members of the flock. Those that will use only ONE discounting method, but will otherwise pay full price. Those that will spend ALL of their disposable vacation income while in the Parks, rather than buy souvenirs off-property or pre-vacation. Those that will be converted to our clan. And, as a businessperson, I respect them for their decision to do the things that make them the most money. Even when it means that I don't get the best deal. Then again, they could still institute the frequent fliers club and give us access to things that first-timers don't get - even if it's not a discount. ;) ~Jeff TDC Experiment 626 and Guardian of Stitch Kingdom
From: Keane on 8 Aug 2010 09:20
On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:52:46 -0500, Lilith <lilithpap(a)gmail.com> wrote: >On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:24:58 -0500, Keane <keane(a)keanespics.com> >wrote: > Though I've stayed on site once >it was a major hassle that I seriously don't want to go through again. Really? I'm the opposite. I like having to turn my brain off to the point that I don't have to remember how to operate a motor vehicle. >Meal plans have never been a factor for me. Even when I had a larger >appetite (and a larger waist) eating at Disney was a side effect, not >a focus. If I understand what meal plans are I'd have to take in a >lot more food than my appetite (and waist-line) can afford just to >feel like it's provided me with a benefit. I tend to eat on the fly >and not as much as the standard Disney guest does so I suppose that's >my own version of economy. Since my main plan at Disney World is not to make plans, anything resembling a dinner reservation can only be made a day in advance. So the only thing remotely interesting is the counter service only plan, but even that might be a waste if I get serious about raiding Caren's place for breakfast this December... >>WDW is also semi-insulated from a bad economy because there are a >>lot of people who think WDW is a worthwhile expenditure even in a bad >>economy (and a lot of us here can line up against that wall), and not >>everyone's economy is bad. WDW is a world-wide vacation destination. >>Even though Euro's taken a pounding since Greece's problem, there's >>still a favorable exchange rate between the EU and the US. If you're >>coming from say...Australia, the price increase will be piddly next to >>your airfare. > >Semi-insulated. I don't mind throwing my money at Disney for a couple >of weeks every other year. Universal either for that matter. I'm >doing fairly well financially. However, that wasn't the case until >maybe five years ago. There was a time when I had to scrimp and save >to go to WDW and it took either a concerted effort and a lot of >sacrifice or just waiting until it was financially feasible. And >that's when the economy wasn't as rocky as it is now. How many other >people are in the same boat I was rowing maybe ten years ago but with >choppier waters? The thing about the unemployment figures that no one seems to know, is even right now, if there's 10,15,20 percent unemployment (whatever you want to believe) that means there's 90,85,80 percent of the public that is. Yes, it makes you more cautious. But if you can afford it, and you really want a family vacation in a relatively safe environment, you're still going to try to go. Hey, it's for the kids!. (Probably helps if you're a Disney junkie as well... Many of those here (in RADP) are at the far end of the junkie bell curve...) >>As for cutting the discounts, I'd bet it's going to happen. If you >>cut a 40% discount to a 20% discount, that's a 33% increase in >>revenue, and the guest is still getting a theoretical 20% discount. >>IIRC, 20% discounts were about it 5-6 years ago. That's what >>made an AP so much more appealing. > >I've generally gotten an AP the past few visits but now I'm looking at >measuring out the days on my next visit and getting a pass for the >exact number of days I'll be attending the parks. But I still need to >calculate parking cost. Since I don't thoroughly plan my trips I >could end up with some unused but paid for days. APs, methinks, are >best for those who live in closer proximity to Disney and can take >advantage of them across the entire year. I get two trips (or, at least that's the plan) per AP. If I look at park admission, room discounts, and the other miscellaneous AP perks you get (restaurant and merchandise discounts mostly, but I think you get some discounts at the miniature golf) and parking (if you're not on-site), it's still a deal. Even better if I can sneak in another trip... > >>*cough*John*cough,cough*Lasseter. > >Explain. I'm familiar with Lasseter within the context of Pixar but >I'm not picking up his relevance to the current discussion Here's the press release from 2006: http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2006/2006_0124_pixar.html "In addition, Pixar Executive Vice President John Lasseter will be Chief Creative Officer of the animation studios, as well as Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world, reporting directly to Iger." Let's try to keep up here. It is Disney after all. BWahahahaah.... >>Disney could reward me by upgrading my room to say, the castle >>suite for my stay. But I wouldn't count on it. ;-) > >That's 'cause I have the room reserved. Well, let me up and take some pictures then. It won't take me long. (Be sure to hide all your dirty clothes. Thanks.) Keane -- When stars are born, They possess a gift or two, One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true... -- Wishes Visit my site: http://keanespics.com |