Disneyland Resort (DL, DLR, DCA) Discussion Thread

[jsf2011]

It might seem outrageous, but it's still on par with inflation

[Chrisrad]

Just as I'll be telling Verizon when they dump my unlimited data this summer, SCREW YOU Disney!

There's no way in Hell I'm paying more than $500 for premium.

 

 

$129 for parking for other passes? Wow. Thank God my pass will get me through July, then I'm done. This just sealed the deal.

[Chrisrad]

It might seem outrageous, but it's still on par with inflation

 

Are you serious? $650 for premium? When you could have gotten a platinum pass for all Disney parks For $700 not too long ago?

 

Inflation? Please. More like greed.

[jsf2011]

I was going more along the lines of a regular ticket. I didn't think most people actually would spend $500 on an annual pass to Disneyland unless they were super-rich to the point it didn't matter. It seems the California resident deals are much more popular.

[Justice]

It might seem outrageous, but it's still on par with inflation

You are truly insane if you honestly believe that $500 last year is now $650 this year. This isn't Greece.

 

I understand that DCA is opening a massive new expansion, and we've become accustom to price increases. But these are very jarring and definitely a surprise. But literally, overnight, a family of 4 getting a 2-day park hoppers will pay $108 more. That's crazy. Yes, Disney is a luxury but the sheer rate at which these went up is mind boggling. Premium Passes bypassed the 500's entirely and jumped from $499 to $649. My god.

 

Just for a comparison, Japanese annual passes for two parks are $1000, but the single day-single park tickets are also just $78. And that's for Tokyo Disney quality!

[Top Thrill Dragster]

$90 Increase for deluxe!!! Holy crap thats insane! If their goal is thin out the APs, they will definitely succeed with this increase.

 

 

Its 2001 all over again.

[Mechanic]

I welcome a thinning of the crowds, or at least a certain element of the crowds that may be less likely to visit given the price increase.

[jsf2011]

It might seem outrageous, but it's still on par with inflation

You are truly insane if you honestly believe that $500 last year is now $650 this year. This isn't Greece.

Read the post above yours

 

How much are Dodgers season tickets? That gets you 80 games, or you can buy a partial package that is significantly less expensive where you get less games. Everyone keeps making a big deal about the premium APs. The point I was trying to make before is that of Disneyland's 20+ million guests per year, how many of them do you think are premium AP holders? Theres no way in hell I would pay $500, let alone $650, for an AP to Disneyland. That doesnt mean that I still don't go and enjoy the park.

 

The fact is Disneyland's attendance keeps going up every year even with the price increase, and even if they take a hit in AP sales go down the place will still be slammed. I mean really, in a few years Disneylands gate price will be $100 for a 1 day ticket, and the price to see 1 show on Broadway has already surpassed that for a 2 hour show.

 

With DLR in specific they have millions of AP holders and the parks together only hold, what, 60000 people? They don't need more annual passholders, this is Disney in 2012, they want vacationers.

Edited May 19, 2012 by jsf2011

[XYZ]

This is starting to make me re-think my January Disneyland trip. Well, it's supply and demand. Disneyland is a great business in how they charge a high price and millions are willing to pay the price.

[rcdude]

Wow! I expected a price increase with the new DCA expansion, but this is way steeper than I expected. $20 increase for a one-day hopper? Not unreasonable if Cars Land actually lives up to the hype, or it wouldn't be if it wasn't already over $100. And the cheapest pass increased from $200 to $270? I think I'm going to have to reconsider renewing when mine expires in October (it will mostly depend on my school schedule). And $150 increase for the premium pass? I don't think Disney has done enough to warrant a sudden 30% increase, especially when show quality has been declining on some of the attractions in Disneyland Park.

 

Honestly, I'm really interested in seeing how much more Disney can increase tickets before attendance begins to take a major hit. I'm sure there is a price everyone is willing to pay, and after that it just isn't worth it. My prediction is that if the one day, one park ticket reaches $100 or the resort doesn't continue to add major new attractions each year attendance will take a dive, and if they just discontinued that payment plan pass sales would probably drop off by about 40%. For me, the critical point is approximately $90 for a one park ticket, $130 for a hopper, and $300 for a pass. Disneyland is getting really close to that, and although I love the park I can see a day in the near future where I will either visit one time per year or stop going all together.

 

In my opinion, Disneyland should be approximately $70 for a one day, one park ticket, $10-20 more for a hopper, and only offer the deluxe and premium passes with no payment plan. This would probably solve many of the attendance problems. I doubt Walt would be happy with these prices.

 

Anyway, on a different topic, I was at the park yesterday and got a few progress pictures of Mad T Party stuff being put up. I didn't see any similar photos in the past ten pages or so of the thread, so I'm guessing these are actually an update (if not, they're just additional photos).

 

These signs were all over, letting guests know what is being put together.

I guess this is the rabbit hole entrance or something. I haven't been keeping up too much with the news releases.

The main stage area. I'm guessing this will be where the DJs perform.

These lanterns were hanging all over above the main stage. I don't think they're quite as interesting as the ones above Mad Tea Party over at Disneyland.

One of the two drink stands. This one is next to the stage where Laserman performed during Electronica.

The other drink stand, formerly known as the End of Line club.

The giant arch above the entrance to the Mad Arcade. I guess this is supposed to look like a house of cards (hence the name of the drink stand).

The Mad Arcade, tucked back where Flynn's Arcade was located.

A final overview of the back area. I'm really interested to see how this turns out, even though it doesn't really sound like my thing (I didn't care much for Electronica either).

 

Other random notes:

 

-DCA looks almost complete. I'm sure the park will look great once the construction walls come down.

 

-Matterhorn was cycling the new trains on and off throughout the day. They look great.

 

-Ariel's new hair...not sure if I like it or not yet. It doesn't look as ridiculous as the old hair did, but at the same time it doesn't seem to move in a realistic manner. Either way, there are several other things in that ride that are more in need of modification than the hair (such as the somewhat confusing ending. The new animation, at least on the first screen, is better, but I didn't notice anything different on the transformation screen.

 

-Grad Night is apparently one of the few times Toy Story Midway Mania is not the most crowded ride at DCA. At approximately 5:30 P.M.: TSMM-40 min, Screamin'-35 min, Soarin'-35 min, Grizzly-40 min, Tower-85 min!

 

-Is it just me, or does the show quality of some of Disneyland's attractions (primarily Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear, and Small World) seem to be declining. Maybe they are just finishing maintenance before the summer season begins in a couple weeks.

 

We now return you to the previous discussion about prices (and/or a new discussion about Mad T Party).

[Jew]

Just for a comparison, Japanese annual passes for two parks are $1000, but the single day-single park tickets are also just $78. And that's for Tokyo Disney quality!

 

As far as annual passes go, Disneyland is essentially following the Tokyo Disney model: because there is such a large population base with access to Tokyo Disney, they HAVE to price the annual passes higher to control the crowds. You could also argue that with the opening of Carsland, the Disneyland Resort is now offering a product closer to Tokyo Disney quality.

 

It's definitely a short term move that is sure to make them more money, but it could also hurt them in the long run. I have no doubt that for the next few years, they will be able to replace all the revenue lost from AP's not renewing/spending money they usually spend in the park...it's what happens after the new DCA rush wears off that COULD potentially cause a problem.

[Mechanic]

 

I guess this is the rabbit hole entrance or something.

Soon to be known as "The Nexus of SUCK".

 

I can't remember ever having been so turned off by any other Disney project. All this needs to be the epitome of retarded is a dolphin pool so that the drugged out and drunken rave partiers can then slip some drugs to the marine mammals, resulting in their untimely demise. link... Seriously though, I can't even imagine the suits in TDA looking over the concept art for this fiasco and then saying, "Yeah, we like this. Let's run with it." Exactly what element of society are they trying to attract with this abomination? I understand the idea of selling overpriced booze and making fat profits, but at what cost to the company reputation and family friendly atmosphere?

[Reuschini]

It's definitely a short term move that is sure to make them more money, but it could also hurt them in the long run. I have no doubt that for the next few years, they will be able to replace all the revenue lost from AP's not renewing/spending money they usually spend in the park...

 

Very reasonable analysis. And that's why from a business perspective nobody should really be surprised by this move.

 

...it's what happens after the new DCA rush wears off that COULD potentially cause a problem.

 

And if it does become an issue they'd essentially lower the prices a little to get the make or break people back in, it's not like everybody's going to stop going to the park anyway.

 

Quite frankly I've thought for a while that $500 for a Premium Pass is a steal. The increase in price to $650 is large, but the product and value a passholder gets from both parks come Summer 2012 now appears to be more in line with the practicality of what it actually costs to provide that type of value for the customer.

[jsf2011]

Its very possible they may purposely be trying to sell less premium APs. Really if you think about it, the whole point of a premium AP is no blackout dates. If they all show up during holiday times, what are they going to tell the people who are staying in their hotels if both parks hit capacity? They need a way to make sure APs don't pack the place during peak vacation times.

[SharkTums]

As much as it pains me to say it, I totally agree with Joey. He is right on the money. Disney is clearly pricing the passes higher to try and get rid of the "babysitter" effect you see at Knott's and SFMM and were starting to see at Disney. Hopefully it will also get rid of some of the real ASSHOLDERS out there.

 

I do NOT agree that they're product is anywhere near the Tokyo product, but I see the similarities for sure.

 

Was their a price increase for the Premier Both Coasts pass listed? Would love to know what that one is going up to!

 

If anything, this seems like a great opportunity for the other SoCal parks to market their much cheaper passes!

[Visioneer]

DL footprint is a benefit in this case. Real estate supply vs demand is more valuable when you have little to none. Spending per guest is far more profitable than total attendance anyway.

 

Expect larger price increases than normal at WDW and UO when their respective new lands open.

[cfc]

 

In keeping with the Alice in Wonderland theme, they also need a food stand named "Eat Me."

[Someotherguyuser]

Since Disney loves to increase the price every year, it really makes me wonder if their attendance will be really hurt, especially their AP attendance, when Harry Potter at USH opens. In the public's standpoint, why pay an arm and a leg for a Disney pass when they could get a Universal pass for much cheaper with two world-class rides (Transformers and Potter)?

[Justice]

Just for a comparison, Japanese annual passes for two parks are $1000, but the single day-single park tickets are also just $78. And that's for Tokyo Disney quality!

 

As far as annual passes go, Disneyland is essentially following the Tokyo Disney model: because there is such a large population base with access to Tokyo Disney, they HAVE to price the annual passes higher to control the crowds. You could also argue that with the opening of Carsland, the Disneyland Resort is now offering a product closer to Tokyo Disney quality.

I understand that Disneyland Resort's quality is improving but they definitely are not following the same model.

 

TDR has 2 pass types:

- 2 park AP is $1,000

- 1 park AP is $660.

 

But again, their individual prices are much lower at $78 and also offer afternoon passes for $44 (after 6 pm) and $61 after 3. So TDR basically assumes that in order for an AP to be worth it, you must visit 13 times (more than once a month).

 

Disneyland however has 4 different annual pass types and the Premium still pays itself in only 5 visits. This is due to the Premium AP still being too low and/or the average day ticket prices being too high.

 

I agree that DLR needs to take a step towards getting rid of the whole "Waste an afternoon at DL" mentality from certain passholder groups, but that should be completely separate from the massive ticket hike in individual visit tickets.

[Mechanic]

As much as it pains me to say it, I totally agree with Joey. He is right on the money. Disney is clearly pricing the passes higher to try and get rid of the "babysitter" effect you see at Knott's and SFMM and were starting to see at Disney. Hopefully it will also get rid of some of the real ASSHOLDERS out there.

 

A reduction in ASSholders and the babysitting effect is exactly what I would hope they can achieve with the new pricing structure. Another hundred bucks or so for each of my (usually) 2 trips to the DLR each year would easily be offset in the value of even a 10% reduction in those 2 groups.

[Chrisrad]

For those of you saying a premium isn't necessary, I beg to differ. I have a premium so I can avoid the So-Cal/So-Cal select days - that's when the park is absolutely Hell on Earth.

 

I don't buy the premium because I take advantage of going all of the time. And I also don't stake out a spot for Fantasmic or the fireworks three hours in advance. So yeah, there are definitely passholders that take advantage of the place.

[gisco]

Since Disney loves to increase the price every year, it really makes me wonder if their attendance will be really hurt, especially their AP attendance, when Harry Potter at USH opens. In the public's standpoint, why pay an arm and a leg for a Disney pass when they could get a Universal pass for much cheaper with two world-class rides (Transformers and Potter)?

 

Universal is no Disney, the price of tickets will have more to do with attendance then anything Universal adds. All Harry Potter is going to do is make people add it to their agenda of things to do when they come to Disneyland.

[1pizza14]

Could someone please explain to me what the "babysitter" effect is? I kind of saw this price increase coming. Since they are adding Cars land they probably think that more people will pay the higher price which I believe is true.

[Chrisrad]

Could someone please explain to me what the "babysitter" effect is? I kind of saw this price increase coming. Since they are adding Cars land they probably think that more people will pay the higher price which I believe is true.

 

With the DLR (resort, haha) being surrounded by so many neighborhoods, it's easy for parents to drop their kids off because, in reality, Disneyland is somewhat 'safe'. If you buy your kids passes for a few hundred dollars per year, and are able to drop them off without having to park, you're getting off pretty easy.

 

Also, since it's within so many neighborhoods, and so close to MANY cities, it's cheap Friday night entertainment. Why go to the movies and spend $30, when we can go to Disneyland? I mean, after all, we'll get there at five, watch the shows/fireworks, and leave at eleven. Never mind the fact that we're crowding the place when everyone and their brother gets off of work.

 

 

 

Same as SFMM - buy your kids $60 passes and drop them off. They'll be in the confines of a gated park with employees/security guards. And really won't be able to leave since nothing (other than a few restaurants) is within walking distance.

[JJnCFL]

Yikes indeed. Though to look on the bright side (as I try to do) being a Premium AP holder, it does pay for itself since I go a lot, and the monthly payment option helped a bunch. I just happened to log into the AP website and it shows I've visited 30 times so far (I'm in NorCal btw) and my pass expires in July, so to look at it this way, that's about $450 in parking lol and I still have 2 months left to use it!