I’ve never heard this term before; it’s very appropriate.
all the data says that the ultra rich aren’t interested in Disney. Or go once to satisfy their children. So, that doesn’t seem viable.
I suppose, in that case, the “elite” really are a range of upper-middle class folks who have enough disposable income to do Disney, but not upper-class enough to be too “snobby” for Disney.
But this is basically giving a “free” benefit to onsite guests, not bringing in additional revenue. They don’t have trouble filling (most) rooms without almost any benefits. This is why they are segmenting to add benefits to only the rooms they have trouble selling (deluxe!).
I did give another option…they could put in more rides! That is the true problem, not enough to do in the parks to spread out the crowds.
Question for you since my idea obviously touched a nerve- Why is Disney supposed to affordable for everyone, but other vacation destinations are not? Have you looked at Hawaii pricing? Why should it cost us 10K or more to go to Hawaii, but not Disney? Just curious.
Agree with the fast pass thing. If you want people to stay onsite they need a better advantage. Giving on-site guests fast passes is a cheap (free) way to do it.
To me, there is a big difference between charging more than they are now to decrease the crowds (maybe twice as much), and catering to the ultra-rich. There is a whole lot of people who will spend more than they are right now, but that doesn’t make them ultra-rich. And yes, the ultra rich we know don’t really go to Disney too often. They have lake houses, ski condos that rival most people’s main houses, and oceanfront Hawaii houses/condos instead. We know these people, but aren’t these people.
I was just thinking this same thing. I think we get caught up in our love and addiction to Disney that we start looking at it as a right or an entitlement to some extent. It’s luxury just like any other expensive vacationing. I get upset that it’s getting more and more expensive and slowly pricing me out or forcing me to change how often I can go, but in the end, I can’t blame businesses offering luxury experiences for maximizing profit and taking in what people are willing to pay. That’s what I would do if in charge.
You are right. I love Six Flags. We’ve been AP holders for the last many years and I practically grew up there. 40% of my friends in high school worked there. 30% were with me at the ballpark.
What I was trying to say is that they are inherently different. Like I told my daughter when she started to compare Six Flags (unfavorably) to Universal. Six Flags, Universal and Disney are like are our dairy goats, chickens and dog. One isn’t ‘better’ than the other, they are completely different. Six Flags has a different business model. Six Flags is much cheaper and with a ride focus. I think they are also less staff-intense (at least compared to pre-lockdown Disney) Less shows, only a few characters. Parking lots, for example, have people to let you in, and tram drivers. But, no one to tell you where to park. (I think that is a good thing). BTW, their trams have been working for many months. But, I don’t go to Six Flags expecting ‘Magic’. People don’t buy timeshares near Six Flags because they travel to it every year for their family vacation.
I’d love the idea but it wouldn’t give Disney the same money. Even if you make up for it in park prices, the revenues from concessions and souvenirs would probably put that idea into the red. I do however want early morning magic and separate paid events to come back in full though!!
This made me smile out loud.
And thank you for eloquently saying what I feel, minus all of the emotional garbled mess I usually have to process through first.
I used to watch the local teens (Gwen Stefani/No Doubt made an entire album based on her time as a turnkey teen there) get dropped off after school and hang out until their parents got off of work. Locals very much treat it as if it’s just another mall to walk around. I know. I did it too. It was a right, not a privilege.
And now, as an out-of-state adult paying for stays of 2 week intervals (usually), I get very frustrated at how packed it gets when the locals come in every night. To the point DH swore off going again until they got the over crowding under control.
I know everybody hates him. But demand should dictate pricing and I mostly like what he’s done so far. He took advantage of a horrible situation in the pandemic and went to work on areas that so very sorely needing addressing.
Thank you. I am not heartless, and for sure want everyone to be able to experience Disney. But in my mind, Disney is not a charity and should be treated the same as other vacation destinations that cost a lot of money. Not sure why Disney is supposed to be different?
Yes! I totally didn’t care about big crowds, because it used to not matter very much. The old FPP system was great for us that knew how to exploit the system . I honestly can’t see waiting over 30 minutes for most rides at WDW. But with FPP perhaps gone as we know it, I’d be for more crowd control with higher prices. It would be more of a waste to pay a lower price and only be able to ride 4-5 rides all day.
Just had to throw this in there:
Are you suggesting Chapek be eaten by a dinosaur?
Because that’s what I’m hearing you say.
Exactly! We went over New Years 2019, and didn’t care at all that it was massively crowded. Yes, we did buy CL FPP for some days, but between the free FPP, TPs, and getting up mega early and hitting the rides hard, we did great (HS opened at like 6am). Right now getting up early gets you on 1 ride before the lines are long (like in HS). How is that a good experience?
He’s not wrong.
Yep! I’m actually kinda dreading our spring break trip next year (which sounds really ungrateful, I know), but knowing how crowded it gets, It may be kinda miserable without having the FPP hacks. I’m hoping they bring back some sort of fast passes by then, paid or whatever. Or at least EMM or DAH.
I thought they weren’t interested in repeat visitors (especially APs) because they don’t spend enough and wanted to attract people doing a once in a lifetime trip and willing to throw money at everything because they won’t be back.
I know that is how we thought of Six Flags. I never went after school, but during the summer I’d arrange with a friend and our mothers would drop us off for the day. We would meet at the Judge Roy Scream and we’d cycle each around until we met. When I went for the first time as a parent, it was with an AP and the annual dining plan with the freestyle cup. I thought back to when I was a kid, and I don’t remember buying food or drinks. I asked my mom, and she doesn’t remember sending me with money. I didn’t feel deprived, so I bet none of us had money for food. We had a way to call home and that was probably it.
Thinking about it, Disney will get more in one two-week trip than I’ve spent for years at Six Flags, even if we stay off-site. We pay about $450 total every year for the three of us to get season passes and annual dining plan (two meals and a snack every visit and unlimited drinks). Each of our Disney tickets cost more than that. Parking will be another $250 if we stay offsite. Even buying minimal snack-ish foods, the Disney total for the one trip will be more than Six Flags total for 6 years.