Recent & Rumored Changes Turning Me Off

[JakeAZ]

Fewer people = fewer rooms booked

They'd demolish the Value hotels

Fewer people = less food purchased and consumed

They have too many restaurants as it is

Fewer people = less merchandise sold

If you're having a better time, you spend more than you normally would


Now, all of that being said, there is zero chance of this ever happening. Disney built this beast and now has to deal with it.

Just because I firmly believe they would prefer less people who spend more, doesn't mean they have any way of making it happen.

 

[Nabas]

I think they actually would prefer fewer people. Fewer people who go all out. They just haven't found the breaking point for people to turn away. They may never find it.

If they could make the same amount of money, with less people, customer satisfaction would go through the roof and they'd get that demo to keep coming back.

More people means more ticket, merchandise, food, and beverage sales.

More people means more efficient use of WDW's infrastructure.

More people means higher prices for paid FP+.

Disney definitely wants more people.

Disney easily could find a breaking point, if that was their goal. You want a breaking point? Double theme park ticket prices. That will "break" a lot.

 

[dsanner106]

Perhaps that is what they are trying to accomplish, maybe they no longer want my family of four and extended family to plan yearly trips to WDW.

The Covid excuse is wearing thin. I used to love planning our trips and lately I have had no interest. No deals to be had on the horizon and no fast passes, dining plans.

While we never needed the Magical Express it was always impressed upon us that the price of our package included this amazing service. So since this is transitioning into a paid service where is the discounted package to reflect this?

Same with fastpass, if this comes back as a paid only option, will the ticket prices go down? Of course not, but these were included in the price of a regular ticket.

I learned all the tips and tricks and had every trip planned to perfection, but it was not easy to navigate and I spent way too many days searching for the elusive fastpass or ADR. I just feel like it should not have to be this hard. We have been so loyal for decades and I can’t help but feel like they are trying to screw us at this point. $600+ a night for deluxe rooms and paid parking, park reservations.

MNSSHP was a favorite and honestly, MK feels a bit off to us now if not adorned with Mickey pumpkins, but our last one in 2019 was so overcrowded. I get that they are aware of this so they up the price or for now make it a 3 hour event with less to do and double to pay, but why not just limit capacity? Because it’s a business and they need to make money especially after last year, but hey, they say 3rd quarter was amazing, right? So, just wondering, where is the love Disney? Merch is super fun and all, but again is this the best we can do? Gold statues, cute, but not getting me to book a trip.

I am just wondering, are we done with our WDW trips? We can only look the other way and grin and bear it for so long with the price increases and hoops to jump through.

Lastly, I am not reserving judgment on the monstrosity that is in the middle of world showcase, it is ugly and makes me sad.

Okay, vent over.

I have to admit that for the first time, I feel the same way. I know right now I am working to overcome these feelings and book a trip, but I may reach a point where it is too much.

 

[Bearval]

Fewer people = fewer rooms booked
Fewer people = less food purchased and consumed
Fewer people = less merchandise sold

Disney isn't interested in fewer guests. They want the same number of guests (or more) spending more money each.

Disney wants to fill the parks and rooms with 1st time visitors who will spend all out loading up on paid FPs and souvenirs because this is the once in a lifetime family trip. They don't want repeat visitors who just go to the parks and won't pay $25.00 to ride Tower of Terror because they rode it dozens of times already and won't buy a stuffed Mickey because they have 5 at home already

 

[JakeAZ]

More people means more ticket, merchandise, food, and beverage sales.

More people means more efficient use of WDW's infrastructure.

More people means higher prices for paid FP+.

Disney definitely wants more people.

Disney easily could find a breaking point, if that was their goal. You want a breaking point? Double theme park ticket prices. That will "break" a lot.

I get it. All of this makes sense. But guest satifaction is low right now. It's low because of crowds.

I will not be coming back after our upcoming (rescheduled trip). I know another family will take my place. But eventually, when pent up demand is over, people are going to sour on spending $1000+ / $5000+ / $10,000+ to fight crowds for a week.

 

[JakeAZ]

Disney wants to fill the parks and rooms with 1st time visitors who will spend all out loading up on paid FPs and souvenirs because this is the once in a lifetime family trip. They don't want repeat visitors who just go to the parks and won't pay $25.00 to ride Tower of Terror because they rode it dozens of times already and won't but a stuffed Mackey because they have 5 at home already

100%

But, really, who couldn't use another stuffed Mackey? (I kid!)

 

[Marionnette]

Disney wants to fill the parks and rooms with 1st time visitors who will spend all out loading up on paid FPs and souvenirs because this is the once in a lifetime family trip. They don't want repeat visitors who just go to the parks and won't pay $25.00 to ride Tower of Terror because they rode it dozens of times already and won't but a stuffed Mickey because they have 5 at home already

They want both. They cannot fill hotel rooms and restaurants with only first-time visitors. They cannot sell DVC to people who do not return over and over. If the hotels and restaurants were filled with repeat visitors, preventing those valued first-timers from visiting, then the argument might hold water. And if a repeat visitor doesn't purchase a $25 FOTL pass for ToT, that's not stopping a newbie from spending their money on it.

 

[Nabas]

I get it. All of this makes sense. But guest satisfaction is low right now. It's low because of crowds.

Don't forget that with Park Passes, Disney could limit theme park attendance to whatever number they want.

Instead, even as COVID is rising, Disney has been increasing theme park capacity.

It wasn't that long ago that it was difficult to get a Park Pass. Now, all 4 parks are available almost every day.

Guest satisfaction is low because:

• Disney ended FastPass+ and will be replacing it with a cash system.
• Disney ended Extra Magic Hours, and is now limiting its replacement to Deluxe Resort Guests only, and only (it appears) for the 2 slowest days of the week.
• Disney is ending Disney's Magical Express.
• Disney charges for hotel parking, when it used to be included in the price of the hotel.
• Disney raised hotel rack rates by a total of about 20% over the last few years.
• Disney is offering no hotel discounts after September.
• Disney now charges for MagicBands, something that used to be included in the price of an onsite stay.
• Disney has closed numerous shows and meet & greets, and is only slowly bringing these back, yet is still charging full price for tickets.

Guest satisfaction is low because corporate Disney is focused on money, not its "Guests".

 

[HopperFan]

OP, totally hear you and I think they will lose many, many who were their steady bottom line. Disney hotels, even if they fill them won't fill half the parks. They depend on offsite guests but if they keep making it difficult, once Epic Universe opens it might have bit them in the behind. We will continue to go, we as in TWO of us in the family. We will have Florida Resident AP, so not spending big bucks on tickets or parking. We will stay offsite in very nice lodging for less money. We will eat maybe one meal in parks but it likely won't be subpar table service, and possibly pack our lunch as we often do. We won't do much shopping, especially if there is no FP+ because we won't have time. We won't buy too many snacks, maybe we'll share a few. We will do less of the upsells we used to enjoy, the price has passed the point of value. Disney is such a happy place for DS, and I enjoy it with him .... we'll still go but they are making it hard for us to spend money and get value. This summer we bought Universal APs (other DS has one too) so we will spend time there as well, filling in the time we used to do at Disney special events.

They are free to adjust their caps for any event down as low as they want. It’s 100% their call.

THIS ^ but they continue to up that cap at every chance. When we started going to MNSSHP an insider told me the cap was around 25,000 but most nights were less than that. Over the years that party grew and grew and grew until it was not much different than a regular slower day.

Now we have the "After Hours" Party, the Boo Bash is 2 hours shorter, no parade, fireworks, stage show, meet & greets ..... but much higher price tag with a much bigger crowd. Each year the numbers in these specials events have grown to where they just aren't special anymore.

It is clear that their cap has no cap other than the capacity of the parks, and no doubt they will continue to sell. Boo Bash has been SOLD OUT online but the signs out front are still offering tickets to purchase. Chapek knows how the checkout works at DisMart, throw those packs of candy and gum as you leave and you might buy in.

All but two nights of Boo Bash are sold out as of today. Lots of people are only to happy to pay Disney what they're asking. This gives Disney no incentive to change what they are doing.

Yup, the last 4-5 years caps at all the special events have grown and show no sign of stopping. If they will come and pay the price, they will sell you a ticket.

 

[JakeAZ]

Don't forget that with Park Passes, Disney also could limit theme park attendance to whatever number they want.

Instead, even as COVID is rising, Disney has been increasing theme park capacity.

It wasn't that long ago that it was difficult to get a Park Pass. Now, all 4 parks are available almost every day.

Guest satisfaction is low because:

• Disney ended FastPass+, and will be replacing it with a cash system.
• Disney ended Extra Magic Hours, and is now limiting its replacement to Deluxe Resort Guests only, and only (it appears) for the 2 slowest days of the week.
• Disney is ending Disney's Magical Express.
• Disney charges for hotel parking, when it used to be included in the price of the hotel.
• Disney raised hotel rack rates by a total of about 20% over the last few years.
• Disney is offering no hotel discounts after September.
• Disney now charges for MagicBands, something that used to be included in the price of an onsite stay.
• Disney has closed numerous shows and meet & greets, and is only slowly bringing these back, yet is still charging full price for a ticket.

Guest satisfaction is low because corporate Disney is focused on money, not its "Guests".

Yes, all correct.

Disney built this beast and the beast needs to eat!

Just because they would prefer less people who spend more, doesn't mean it is possible.

 

[Upatnoon]

While some of us look back fondly at some of these Disney offerings, remember, not everyone plans a Disney trip like they are going to Mars.

Many guests didn't like the FP+ system, or understand it. They didn't want to decide what ride they wanted to go on months in advance. They probably don't know what rides they want to go on until they get to the park. Paying to skip the line is easy to understand. Many guests thought you had to pay for the FP+ system when it was free.

Extra Magic Hours created logjams at the parks offering it. Many guests were disappointed because they got to the park an hour or so after it opened expecting low crowds and they were met by mobs. Limiting who gets these perks makes them a better experience.

Many people prefer using Uber or Lyft. Why wait for a bus when you can go right to your resort the second you arrive? Magical Express will eventually be a self-driving car anyway.

Disney would prefer you not drive and thus stay on-site. Apparently the incentive of charging for parking is more effective than the carrot of Magical Express.

Hotel rates at vacation destinations are sky-high everywhere right now. People are traveling for a vacation, but not on business.

MagicBands are being phased out for smartphone apps, which are free. A landfill full of plastic MagicBands won't be missed.

There is no question that Disney has been raising prices, but so long as demand is there, they can get away with it.

The strategies that Disney is using are also reflected in the rest of the economy. Look at car prices, new apartment communities and shopping centers. They are all targeting much higher price-points than a few years ago. The middle class just isn't the market it used to be.

If there are enough wealthy people out there to fill a theme park, that is who the business owner is going to target.

 

[LvnDsny]

Okay, I have to agree with you about the ugly monstrosity in the WS Lagoon. It was an eyesore in the daylight hours especially

I had hoped these things wouldn't be as bad as I had heard, but was just there this last weekend, and these monolithic monstrosities are the worst! Add in the mess that is the construction all over the place, and Epcot just makes me sad now. Epcot was always our favorite, and now I am seriously considering changing all of my Epcot park reservations for any other available park for our next trip at the end of the year.

 

[jjb1974]

Anyone who believes Disney has any serious interest in reducing capacity, please show any, ANY evidence which supports your theory.

Disney raises prices because they can. They keep building hotels because they can. They are a corporation and therefore their first priority is maximization of profits above all else (without addressing whether that’s a noble goal or not). People rationalize that Disney must be trying to balance capacity and revenue because they raise prices, but that rationalization is a false hope.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

The nostalgia associated with Disney World that we all speak of as a draw back to the parks ended with Eisner. I know people think very highly of Iger but his regime was all business and business first. Many of us think that they still care deeply about the parks as if Walt or Roy are still calling the shots. Anyone who is a shareholder knows that Disney is most interested in DTC (direct to consumer) with Dis+ being their golden child. Unfortunately what makes it even worse is they decided to keep that business first mentality by promoting Cheapek...he's Iger without the personality and abilitly to placate park fans. I believe Kevin Mayer would've been the superior choice for CEO or they could've gone outside the current executive ecosystem like they did with Eisner and Iger. No matter what, it's too late. Unless there's a total cleanout at the top, and there won't be so long as Iger is on the board, then this idea of diminishing returns for the parks will not end for the foreseeable future. They do JUUUUSTT
enough to make fans feel like they care but most of the savvy ones...like the ones who post here...realize the jig is up. This ain't the Disney World of figment from the 80's and Back lot tour and Maelstrom. I get very nostalgic for Disneyana but it's different now and probably will become almost unrecognizable in the next 10-15 years. Not saying anything will be horrible but just...different is all. And we can see that happening before our very eyes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just because I firmly believe they would prefer less people who spend more, doesn't mean they have any way of making it happen.

Of course they do. That fancy new park reservation system makes that quite simple. All they have to do is load fewer spots just like they did with social distancing. But they very purposely chose to keep increasing it. It's all within their control.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Go to Universal they really step their game up and while it’s not Disney I feel like without all the magical extras Disney is not really Disney right now either.

 

[RoseGold]

Anyone who believes Disney has any serious interest in reducing capacity, please show any, ANY evidence which supports your theory.

They are still using a lot of the COVID theater and spacing that keeps ride capacity down. They need to have more ride capacity to get capacity up.

They also scrapped permits on the new Epcot premium location hotel and the new DVC 900 room beast, Reflection. Those projects would take years to get back off the ground, stopping them was a major, multi-year decision about hotel capacity.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

They are still using a lot of the COVID theater and spacing that keeps ride capacity down. They need to have more ride capacity to get capacity up.

They also scrapped permits on the new Epcot premium location hotel and the new DVC 900 room beast, Reflection. Those projects would take years to get back off the ground, stopping them was a major, multi-year decision about hotel capacity.

Are you sure they stop the hotel project?

 

[RoseGold]

Are you sure they stop the hotel project?

They took everything away and planted grass on the Reflections site. So, yea, that’s not happening anytime soon.

 

[White_Rabbit18]

I think loads of people only spend their holidays at Disney or visiting family. As soon as people decide to take a year off because of pricing and lack of offering then Disney has a problem because people might find better vacation offerings where they have fun and feel like it was worth their money.

Yearly trips can then become every 2-3 years. I can imagine if your holidays can only be taken in summer then a holiday on a beach/cruise might sound way more appealing than dying in the sun waiting in lines at a theme park.

And I don’t agree that they want people who are planning a once in a lifetime trip. I doubt people who can afford to go only once will spend 10,00