AP Prices Going Up Again?

[Circarama]

Here is a post by Al Lutz on miceage.com:
<The number of Annual Passholders is holding steady at around 615,000, after hitting an all time high of about 680,000 last year. That's almost triple the number of AP holders Disneyland had just 5 or 6 years ago. The big price increases Disney tacked on to the AP offerings did very little to thin those ranks, and the huge number of AP's is still something that troubles TDA. While a few dozen die-hard AP's grumbled loudly on Internet message boards about not renewing due to the price increase, very few of their fellow AP's followed their lead.

After doing some more market research, TDA has learned that the vast majority of the AP holders who didn't renew after the latest price increase were only waiting four or six months until the 50th festivities kick off and all the rehabs finish up and then they fully intend to jump back into the Disneyland Annual Pass program at the higher price.

One thing is for sure, we haven't seen the last of the big price hikes for Annual Passes this year. If you are holding off your renewal, consider yourself warned. OK?>

So, y'all. Wadda ya think? Do you think TDA will kick up the prices of AP's again? Personally, I was going to wait untill my trip in June to Re-up. Wonder if I should wait that long! :confused:

[MiceMan]

It honestly wouldn't surprise me if they did up the price, 600k is a LOT of AP'ers and I think it would be a smart move to improve the daily tourists' experience. JMHO

[Mousekiteer]

Survey says: Yes. Around late April or early May, I predict another 50 dollar or so increase will hike up.
That only means more money for me to save up, nngh.

[ModHatter]

Well, let's hold on a sec... using one of the lowest AP prices available, $100, 600k APs equals a minimum of $60 million. Per year. That's one delux E ticket and $20 million for capital improvements every 2 years.

[Aurora]

I think that it would make sense to increase the prices, especially of the cheap passes. They cost less than 2 single day park admissions, and I'm sure the majority of AP holders (even those with the cheap passes with all the blockout dates) spend more than 2 days in the park in a year.

Everyone seems to get offended when people suggest that AP holders don't spend as much money in the park per trip. I'm sure this varies from person to person. However, what no one seems to bring up in these discussions is the extra wear that the park endures due to all the extra people in the park. I'm sure this must have some effect.

[Circarama]

That only means more money for me to save up, nngh.

I'm with you. The way I got it figured, if I wait until June, then I can visit until June 2006

[Circarama]

I think that it would make sense to increase the prices, especially of the cheap passes. They cost less than 2 single day park admissions, and I'm sure the majority of AP holders (even those with the cheap passes with all the blockout dates) spend more than 2 days in the park in a year.

Everyone seems to get offended when people suggest that AP holders don't spend as much money in the park per trip. I'm sure this varies from person to person. However, what no one seems to bring up in these discussions is the extra wear that the park endures due to all the extra people in the park. I'm sure this must have some effect.

Might strong words 'bout them "cheap" Passports, pardner! I would imagine that a SoCal Passport is a pretty sacred idol to those who live near the Park. Just out of curiosity... What if Disneyland completely eliminated all the passports except the Premium Annual Passport. Would YOU buy a PAP? :botox:

[ModHatter]

I think one thing that people always undervalue is the marketing opportunities APs create for DisCo. and I'm not just talking $10 pins, either. Disney has a new movie coming out? Guess what's in the window of the Emporium. New ride opening? Let's get some APs in for preview nights so they can tell all their non-AP friends that they have to buy a ticket and see.

APs tend to visit attractions many one-day visitors wouldn't, but have to be staffed anyway. They also tend to visit the parks on days when attendance is light, but rides have to operate anyway. I for one know thatmany of my trips since I've had the AP have been to circle the Matterhorn and/or Sub lagoon. Maybe wander around RoA while it was drained so I could find peep holes and take pictures. Meanwhile, I'm hearing looped music that I can conveniently go find at several stores on the resort. I'm smelling churros and popcorn that I probably won't be able to resist for long. If it gets chilly, I'm surrounded by Disney jackets and sweaters. And so on... even if I don't buy it there, it's liable to stick in my mind. Maybe I'll hit the mall's Disney store. Maybe I'll wear my Grumpy shirt and inspire other people I know to buy Disney... This is going to be a big time for the parks, and it's only logical that they raise the price for APs. But when the anniversary is over, the pressure will be on to keep up what they've started in terms of park maintenance, and stay on the ball with new attractions, or the APs and the regular ticket buyers will drift away. And what will hurt more, losing $50 here and there, or $300+ a pop?

[dshimel]

Might strong words 'bout them "cheap" Passports, pardner! I would imagine that a SoCal Passport is a pretty sacred idol to those who live near the Park. Just out of curiosity... What if Disneyland completely eliminated all the passports except the Premium Annual Passport. Would YOU buy a PAP? :botox:

Would I? yes.

But that is the exact wrong thing to do.

APs in the park on days that are not near capacity, really have no significant negative effects on people that are paying $53 a day to be there.

It is the days where occupancy is near capacity, when lines are long and walkways are crowded, that people getting in for $10 a day or less really drag down the experience to the full-price paying guests.


But, whenever the AP issue comes up, most people seem to only think about how a chage would personally affect them... Therefore I think the SoCal residents only passprts should be opened up to all... I would really much prefer a SoCal select over a Deluxe. And, it really should be free.

[Aurora]

Considering that I have to spend at least $500 to fly to California (if I plan at least 8 months in advance), plus the cost of a hotel in order to visit DL...And the last time my family went to DL we bought the Deluxe annual passports (at the time they were only a few dollars more than the 5 day pass, now they are the same price if you buy them at the gate) even though we would only be there for just over a week, because they gave us 2 extra days to visit the park...I think that $99 to visit the park more than twice in a year is a steal. If I lived in CA I would not mind paying the $329 for a premium annual pass if I knew that I would be able to visit maybe once or twice a month.

Keep in mind that I am but a poor college student before jumping to any conclusions. I am hoping to visit DL this next December/January, and plan on spending well over $99 on my park ticket.

[DznyVan]

For the folks that go to the Park more than once a year, the AP's are a bargain. For years, my brother-in-law would make two trips per year down to the Park but refused to buy an AP! Finally, last year he got one for each of his family members (4). Then we he saw the price increase for the renewal, he complained to my wife about it and didn't renew.

We have been AP's since the late 80's. We will continue to buy them as long as we still go to the Parks 3 to 4 times a year (a week each). I can't imagine the AP's being priced so high that it wouldn't be beneficial for us to pay for an AP. Maybe as the kids get older, we might lighten up on our visits each year, but I really don't see that happening anytime soon.

I get the Premium Pass and the Deluxe Pass for the other five in the family.

[Darkbeer]

Last year, the AP prices went up twice, first in March (Just prior to peak Spring Break), and October....

And gee, they are advertising the heck out of the AP program, full page ads in both the DL and DCA Guides to the Magic, a Billboard when you past the security check, and flyers handed out at the Parking toll booths...

They are looking to sell more.... the question is, will they raise the price... only time will tell...

[Circarama]

I usually visit 2-3 times a year. Many times it's just my wife and I. we only buy annual passoprts for ourselves because we only take the kids (5 of 'em, ages 13-20) to the Park once a year. This year we are going to take them down on the weekend of June 18th, thats the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland Trains first steam-up and the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society is having a big shindig for it(probably a re-dedication of the first 2 trains, maybe a ride in the Lilly Belle, who knows?) we started buying PAP's a couple of years ago. I felt that although we only went 2-3 times a year, we were saving $$$$ with the discounts on merchandise and at the restaurants, especially when you're feeding 7 people. Anywho, I like the PAP, but again, I'm not gonna re-up 'til my next visit!

[SoCal]

Everything goes up, just a matter of time. I hope it is AFTER May when our passes expire

[Uncle Remus]

Do any of you suppose that a price hike could happen like tomorrow, or anytime in March? Because I need to renew and upgrade to premium. My parents promise me 4 trips during the year we have it ! We plan on going March 27th - 29th.

[DznyVan]

When they raised the prices last October, we were still able to renew (through the mail) at the old price. We were surprised, and happy!!!

They'll get us next time around though

[Deogge's Mom]

My AP expires in April. When I renewed last year at the park I still got the old price and the $20 off for renewing.