Disney’s U.S. parks to change their pricing for the first time in 60 years

[mickclub1955]

Saw this article on MSN this morning. What do you all think about it?

The Walt Disney Company is considering switching to a pricing model based on demand at its U.S. parks.
In the new pricing model, there would be a financial or other incentive for visitors to go to the park off-season, reports the Wall Street Journal. Much like airline prices, tickets to Disney parks would cost more during weekends and around major holidays, and less during the weekdays and low tourist season.

With the popularity of franchises like Frozen and Star Wars, attendance at the Disney parks has been at record levels for the past three years, according to WSJ. While this is indeed a good problem to have, it also means that visitors experience long wait times for rides, as well as gate closings--not exactly what people coming to the “Happiest Place on Earth” would expect.

This change in pricing comes amidst a number of changes to the domestic Disney parks. For one, Disney has been experimenting with using technology to manage crowds. For example, its “My Magic Plus” wristbands allow customers to reserve times for rides and meals before their arrival. And Disney is continuing to expand its parks. In August, Disney announced that it would add Star Wars-themed lands to parks in Anaheim and Orlando.

[Mendelson]

Don't they essentially already do this, with a discount model? The low(er) season is when hotels and such are already discounted. Your overall vacation costs less when traveling during September, January, etc. Plus, don't they currently charge more for food and the DDP during peak season?

Seems like this is already in effect, in a way, though just not under the name of "tickets."

[PopPhan]

First off, you cannot take it seriously if the actual headline was "Disney’s U.S. parks to change their pricing for the first time in 60 years".....Disneyland, and Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, started out with coupon books for rides and low admission fees, so that headline is untrue.

Next, I have heard (or read) similar rumors for years now and they have never proven to be valid. That is NOT to say that they couldn't be. What are the "low" seasons anymore? With Flower and Garden and Food and Wine festivals, as well as RunDisney events, they are doing quite a bit to make sure that there are no really "low" seasons.

Last, as Mendelson has said, they already do this with rooms at their resorts, but something like that is easier to work with than daily park admission. What would this do to Annual, Seasonal and Florida Resident passholders? THAT would be a nightmare to account for.

[cspenc28]

This topic was originally brought up a few months ago when some people received surveys about the possibility of tiered pricing. I'm not going to say its not something that may eventually happen, but Disney is constantly toying with different ideas, and only a very small percentage actually are implemented.

[BrerGnat]

This topic was originally brought up a few months ago when some people received surveys about the possibility of tiered pricing. I'm not going to say its not something that may eventually happen, but Disney is constantly toying with different ideas, and only a very small percentage actually are implemented.

I don't know...I have taken quite a few Disney Parks surveys and most of the survey topics did end up happening. The most recent was the inclusion of PhotoPass with Annual Passes for an increased price. Just rolled that out this weekend.

[cspenc28]

And in turn, I've taken some that haven't been implemented. I'm not going to worry about it happening, until I hear something official.

[magicofdisney]

This actually began years ago when they started offering variations on the Florida Resident AP. If they achieve the success they're looking for with the current changes in APs, possibly they'll roll out those changes to daily/multi passes.

[joonyer]

Knew this was coming. Almost all other theme or amusement parks use a similar pricing model. Lower prices when demand is low, Premium prices when demand is high. Many other types of businesses do this. Matinee prices at the movies are an old example.

[Boost]

With the hike in pricing, there should be expansion (not just re-Imagineering of existing footprints) for all four WDW parks AS WELL AS Monorail access to Studios and AK. Before I get the responses that it costs "billions of dollars" per square foot of Monorail track, it's Disney...the cash is there. Open up the wallet and get it done.

Disney has the land. It used to be that roughly every ten years, a new park was built. At this point, we are about 5-6 years overdue for a new park. With more expansion, lines would be a little lighter. Disney will make more money by attracting people who otherwise may completely be avoiding the parks due to PERCEIVED high crowds.

Epcot needs major help. There is no reason to not fully utilize dormant attractions.

Studios could be twice the size that it is now and it's long overdue.

AK - again, lots of space there to work with!

MK - Many previous thoughts on here, but would like to definitely see more going in at Epcot, which should be a priority.

Thoughts?

[Aurora]

Not going to get my knickers in a bundle until it happens. Then I'll get my knickers in a bundle.

[baldburke]

If they're doing that then maybe you should get a discount based on when you purchase as a benefit of hedging your bets.

[Tekneek]

How about pricing that is also based on what you can actually do in each park? That Epcot, DHS, and AK have the same exact price is not truly reflective of what you can actually do at each park. Keep your receipt, so you can get some dollars knocked off when attractions go down during your visit.

[Hammer]

This actually began years ago when they started offering variations on the Florida Resident AP. If they achieve the success they're looking for with the current changes in APs, possibly they'll roll out those changes to daily/multi passes.

I said something similar in another thread. If they get the projected profits from the re-do of the Annual pass structure, this will be rolled out to the other types of tickets. How quickly they see profits will determine when the other changes will happen.

Knew this was coming. Almost all other theme or amusement parks use a similar pricing model. Lower prices when demand is low, Premium prices when demand is high. Many other types of businesses do this. Matinee prices at the movies are an old example.

Agreed. Universal crowds aren't currently large enough year round to support this structure, but if Comcast/NBCUniversal's push in Asia is successful, they will start to see larger international crowds year round, just like Disney. We could then see them use this pricing structure.

[texas211]

I"m sure they will use the information they are gathering and analyzing w/ the FP+ bands to do all kinds of "great" things.

[Wayne]

First off, you cannot take it seriously if the actual headline was "Disney’s U.S. parks to change their pricing for the first time in 60 years".....Disneyland, and Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, started out with coupon books for rides and low admission fees, so that headline is untrue.

Minor clarification. Disneyland and Magic Kingdom did start with the coupon books. That changed to a one price, all inclusive admission at WDW with the opening of EPCOT Center.

[DisneyGiant]

With the hike in pricing, there should be expansion (not just re-Imagineering of existing footprints) for all four WDW parks AS WELL AS Monorail access to Studios and AK. Before I get the responses that it costs "billions of dollars" per square foot of Monorail track, it's Disney...the cash is there. Open up the wallet and get it done.

Disney has the land. It used to be that roughly every ten years, a new park was built. At this point, we are about 5-6 years overdue for a new park. With more expansion, lines would be a little lighter. Disney will make more money by attracting people who otherwise may completely be avoiding the parks due to PERCEIVED high crowds.

Epcot needs major help. There is no reason to not fully utilize dormant attractions.

Studios could be twice the size that it is now and it's long overdue.

AK - again, lots of space there to work with!

MK - Many previous thoughts on here, but would like to definitely see more going in at Epcot, which should be a priority.

Thoughts?

Been saying\thinking this for years. Epcot is especially embarrassing.

Epcot, Studios & Animal Kingdom (though soon to change) are now all half day parks.

Lucky for us - we enjoy the resorts as well, and find other things to do with our time while vacationing. All thanks to the DVC.