Comments

1. Shaun Roberts says

   October 13, 2022 at 2:39 am

   This Disney leadership is going to keep squeezing guests until there’s some kind of push back in their profit line.

   We live in the UK and have made 30 trips to Disney World since 2004. For the first time in a long time, we don’t have plans to return.

   We loved Fastpass – book 3 rides a day in advance with a limited wait for free – getting the most out every park day.

   We have no interest in getting up every morning at 7am to see what’s available, when the best rides aren’t even on it and be charged $20 each per day for the privilege.

   I would have preferred to see the park tickets go up and Fastpass to remain free, but instead they jacked up the park ticket as well…

   This isn’t the Disney I know and love.

2. Susan McCleish says

   October 13, 2022 at 12:38 pm

   We used to be Disney, Disney, Disney. There are plenty of other places to go!

3. Travis says

   October 13, 2022 at 12:45 pm

   When I was young we would take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Disney World because no cell phones/apps. We would see it all, smell the popcorn/roasted peanuts/all the food, and listen to all the music loops playing in the parks. I believe that’s how I got hooked on Disney.

   Now we just stare at the phone app in the parks and ignore all the sights,sounds, and smells. I wish my kids could have experienced what I did so they could be Disney strong…but we are all too busy looking for places to charge the damn phones. Sad

4. DWG says

   October 13, 2022 at 12:46 pm

   In my opinion, Disney has pushed the envelope too far. Jacking up the park ticket prices, the Genie ++ prices, the per ride prices, the food prices, and everything in between, is the perfect recipe for disaster. I look back to a TV show I’ve seen a few times called Mysteries of the Abandoned. I just hope for Disney’s sake that the parks aren’t featured on this show sometime down the road.

   If Walt Disney were still alive I’m sure things would be a lot different. Corporate America strikes again.
   It’s just too bad it is happening!

5. Jesse says

   October 13, 2022 at 2:51 pm

   Shaun, many people and I mean many people agree with your comments. You have to understand that they expect a momentary decline in profits in the future as they continue to put deterrents in place in efforts to push out the middle income and below customers. It’s a very clever business model and one that is highly effective. They have to do this gradually and over time in order to gain appeal from the high income target customer while continuing to drag along those middle to lower income people who continue to visit and plan vacations to the park. If you look at their (WDW) business plan it’s exceptionally well thought out and very effective. I’ve said in other posts, before this new increase, to expect gradual price increases to continue. I was right. Thing is I’ve actually used a very similar model for a few business. Hats off to Chapek for his continued success in converting Walt’s original family affordable playground into a high income, elitist playground. DFB will continue to post price increases over time. But, in the meantime you may see some short term price drops with regard to certain products and services that appeal to middle to low income to continue to pull them along. Remember they still need their dollars while they make the transition. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy about this. But I do completely understand what’s behind this.

6. Aaron says

   October 13, 2022 at 7:39 pm

   Disney stock price started this year at $156/share to day it’s $96. That’s a ytd loss of over 1/3 its value. Their recent original content has been mediocre, they cut out so many perks, and continuously increasing the prices of everything. At what point will they realise that this isn’t working? I

7. E says

   October 13, 2022 at 9:19 pm

   This coming spring will be my last trip to Disney world. To be honest I’ve considered cancelling and going to universal, but I’m letting my teens have their trip. I just switched resorts because I’m sick of all the increases on everything including genie plus I considered buying it for this trip but definitely refuse now. I switched to a value resort and also got rid of my park hoppers because I figured I might as well prepare my budget to be larger with Disney changing stuff constantly and charging more for everything. If they want the rich so be it but they aren’t going to get extra money from me this trip as far as genie or even some of the over priced souviners. The least they could do is actually do more for cast members and provide some decent things for customers. Seems they want the money but no longer care about quality for the customers or employees it’s sad.

8. chris tilley says

   October 14, 2022 at 6:27 am

   Stayed over 15 years for family holidays the last 8 years at Disney resort hotels, for that Magic which has now gone! Booked this year for two weeks at a Universal hotel with the fast pass included will maybe go to Disney World for one or two days just to do a few rides that are standby! plus Seaworld and Busch Gardens with the FREE shuttle

9. Deborah Lucarelli says

   October 15, 2022 at 10:47 am

   Does anyone know if when purchasing either Genie + and / or Lightening Lanes, can I use a Disney Gift Card? I have read that Credit Cards are sometimes charged several times and getting a refund is difficult. Any thoughts? I probably will use a pre-paid CC in small amount. I do not like to use my Credit Card like this.

10. David Dickson says

    October 16, 2022 at 5:13 am

    We got Universal passes for the first time because of this a little over a month ago. I bought the top tier pass over there for around $600 and some change. When we went we were shocked at how well we were treated and how they went out of their way to make us feel wanted and thank us for being passholders. Shocked. Universal is like the Disney of old. Yes, it’s not as big as Disney but they are building a new park so that makes three parks and a water park. The place was cleaner, cheaper, the food was better, less crowded and friendlier.