Annual Pass Renewal

[RoseGold]

Besides, if they dropped all AP totally, as in no one could renew, then by the time that year rolled around attendance would suffer. No way would ticket sales totally offset all AP attendance. They are crazy if they think otherwise

There's other solutions here, like the $50/day Florida day tickets. Or just make weekdays cheaper. Or maybe less unfavorable attendance isn't a bad thing.

 

[disneyandme]

Are AP renewals being allowed to change to different levels or only renew the same they already have?

 

[RoseGold]

Are AP renewals being allowed to change to different levels or only renew the same they already have?

As of right now, you can renew into any tier you qualify for. I was surprised to see the Incredipass come back at all.

 

[HopperFan]

Using November UT ticket pricing as a rough guide, a 7-day ticket is about $700. If cost of renewal is $1100, then the OP would only need to 'cover' $400.

If they go just once and normally eat 1 table service each day, where a table service buffet runs $55 per person +tax, then an annual pass will save $5.83 per person per meal. ('Ohana as an example.) If OP is a family of 4, that's $23 per meal. Over a one week visit, w/1 table service meal/day that's $163.

The alone brings difference down to $237.

If OP only ever stays at DVC's, then they won't save on the hotel. They might make up some of the $237 in merchandise discounts, but probably not all $237. There is also $10per ticket AP discount off MK Christmas party tickets.

And that is assuming the return trip is in November. If their return trip is next year, odds are high that the price of a 7-day park ticket will go up!

All true ... to play devil's advocate, maybe this is what Disney is thinking DVC-wise.

Part of selling DVC for Disney is the excess income made as a result of visits, a trapped audience. Some here have even admitted to dining on site, shopping etc spending plenty. Sounds like most kitchens go unused and exploring offsite doesn't happen much. For Disney that is success.

Perhaps Disney sees DVC as the fly they caught and less honey needed??

I don't know the specifics of the DVC program, how easy is it to use your points, can you use them anywhere other than Disney or can you just "rent" your points and not use them yourself.



We have to remember at this point the "new management" only see us as dollars and are scrutinizing what each type of guest brings to the bank. What each type of product's profit margin are. I don't think APs are going away, I just think the structure will change. They are no longer concerned with us as guests (at the top). I feel bad for the frontline CMs to deal with the consequences.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

There's other solutions here, like the $50/day Florida day tickets. Or just make weekdays cheaper. Or maybe less unfavorable attendance isn't a bad thing.

Never said there wasn't. Never addressed other ticket offers. There are hundreds of other types of offers they could do or have done in the past. They could work out to be a better option than an AP, impossible to discuss something not offered.
Only addressing current ticket options with dropping of AP totally. That could result in a drop in total attendance (just about certain to, though I'd never say positively). Which is nothing to do with who is favorable and unfavorable. You drop it enough, it's ALL unfavorable in the result of total revenue.

 

[pixieprincess925]

We're kind of in the same boat. As out of state DVC members, we've gotten a lot of uses out of our AP. We've been 21 days both this year and last year.
Problem is that we are going on a Disney cruise next year and not going to DW at all. Yet in 2024 we plan on going for 2, maybe 3 weeks, and I doubt new AP purchases will be back by then.
So if we want to keep our AP's we have to renew them knowing we'll be tossing thousands of dollars away for a year of nothing.

Sounds like a good opportunity to "stop by" DW before/after your cruise if you're leaving out of Florida...

 

[jrsharp21]

Great thread. My AP expires in two weeks. So was coming here to find all the info that was included in this thread. So looks like there is no advantage of me waiting until the expiration date to renew. Might as well do it today.

And like others have said, with the risk of AP's not coming back for awhile, going to keep renewing while I can.

 

[jimim]

All true ... to play devil's advocate, maybe this is what Disney is thinking DVC-wise.

Part of selling DVC for Disney is the excess income made as a result of visits, a trapped audience. Some here have even admitted to dining on site, shopping etc spending plenty. Sounds like most kitchens go unused and exploring offsite doesn't happen much. For Disney that is success.

Perhaps Disney sees DVC as the fly they caught and less honey needed??

I don't know the specifics of the DVC program, how easy is it to use your points, can you use them anywhere other than Disney or can you just "rent" your points and not use them yourself.



We have to remember at this point the "new management" only see us as dollars and are scrutinizing what each type of guest brings to the bank. What each type of product's profit margin are. I don't think APs are going away, I just think the structure will change. They are no longer concerned with us as guests (at the top). I feel bad for the frontline CMs to deal with the consequences.

All I know is my habits. I'm a DVC owner. I go 2-3 times a year. 8-12 days each trip. I eat at signature restaurants at least 80% of my nights for a family of 4. We grab lunch now and them along with a quick Starbucks breakfast. So I easily spend 1500 plus on food and snacks I would say. I still buy t shirts and random things here and there. Every other trip if we see a piece of art we like we buy it. And I'm not talking about computer prints for 2-300 dollars. I'm talking 900 plus into the 2000 plus range. So I spend. Food alone I spend.

I never used the kitchen in a place we stayed at. I never even looked in all. the cabinets. I make tea in the afternoon once in a while. . . maybe.

Its easy to use your points if you book 11 months out. Even 7 months out isn't too bad. yes certain room types and places harder, but I'm not getting into that here. all I know is I am deff not one of the "unfavorable" or whatever the frighted they called it. I deff spend more on food than the one time visitors that come on meal plans or eat at the cheaper places around the parks.

just my opinion. just my thoughts. this views are mine and mine alone. others mileage my vary. bla bla bla. disclaimer. bla bla bla.

 

[Mango7100]

We renewed our AP in May after debating for fear of not being able to buy one or the price being jacked up so much. We have a weekend in October for MNSSHP, 5 days at Christmas, and either 5 days over Presidents Day or Speing Break before they expire May 2023. We should break even then, but even if we cit a trip out, I’m still glad we got it. Who knows when they will return (or if) and how much they will cost

 

[HopperFan]

All I know is my habits. I'm a DVC owner. I go 2-3 times a year. 8-12 days each trip. I eat at signature restaurants at least 80% of my nights for a family of 4. We grab lunch now and them along with a quick Starbucks breakfast. So I easily spend 1500 plus on food and snacks I would say. I still buy t shirts and random things here and there. Every other trip if we see a piece of art we like we buy it. And I'm not talking about computer prints for 2-300 dollars. I'm talking 900 plus into the 2000 plus range. So I spend. Food alone I spend.

I never used the kitchen in a place we stayed at. I never even looked in all. the cabinets. I make tea in the afternoon once in a while. . . maybe.

Its easy to use your points if you book 11 months out. Even 7 months out isn't too bad. yes certain room types and places harder, but I'm not getting into that here. all I know is I am deff not one of the "unfavorable" or whatever the frighted they called it. I deff spend more on food than the one time visitors that come on meal plans or eat at the cheaper places around the parks.

just my opinion. just my thoughts. this views are mine and mine alone. others mileage my vary. bla bla bla. disclaimer. bla bla bla.

First I think their reference to "unfavorable" was def a dig at Disneyland AP holders who literally come in many times a week, don't spend a dime, go on some rides, watch parades and fireworks then leave. It literally sits where it is an afterschool, afterwork, couple hours on the weekend stop off. I think the WDW guest base is completely different and there is no reason the two locations need to be treated the same in operation or annual passes.

In my devil's advocate you are the guest I am describing, the one who drops plenty of money in restaurants, stores etc. They already have your DVC commitment. My question to you is will your visits change, dining, shopping etc IF they no longer offer a discounted AP? What if they just offer discounted tickets to DVC like the FL Resident tickets (either the regular kind or those 4 day one park per day kind)?

I feel like the holdup on APs is (1) Right now operations are not sufficient for the current attendance so they have to fix that first. (2) I wouldn't be surprised to also get revamped APs like DL with all levels having block out dates. (3) I seriously hope the powers that be are doing more serious planning than in the past so they don't alienate a base that they will need when Epic Universe opens. LONG TERM plan instead of this knee jerk they've been doing.

 

[Richie248]

I have a feeling we're going to see the end of AP's....renewed mine last week. With all this talk of an Amazon Prime like program, I can see Disney replacing AP's with a loyalty based program. Much like casinos....the more you spend....the more perks you get. Just a thought.

 

[jimim]

First I think their reference to "unfavorable" was def a dig at Disneyland AP holders who literally come in many times a week, don't spend a dime, go on some rides, watch parades and fireworks then leave. It literally sits where it is an afterschool, afterwork, couple hours on the weekend stop off. I think the WDW guest base is completely different and there is no reason the two locations need to be treated the same in operation or annual passes.

In my devil's advocate you are the guest I am describing, the one who drops plenty of money in restaurants, stores etc. They already have your DVC commitment. My question to you is will your visits change, dining, shopping etc IF they no longer offer a discounted AP? What if they just offer discounted tickets to DVC like the FL Resident tickets (either the regular kind or those 4 day one park per day kind)?

I feel like the holdup on APs is (1) Right now operations are not sufficient for the current attendance so they have to fix that first. (2) I wouldn't be surprised to also get revamped APs like DL with all levels having block out dates. (3) I seriously hope the powers that be are doing more serious planning than in the past so they don't alienate a base that they will need when Epic Universe opens. LONG TERM plan instead of this knee jerk they've been doing.

Very simple answer. I don’t even need a discount. I just need my ap to cost less than the say 20-30 days I spend in the parks bs regular priced tickets. Right now for 9 day hopper I got 3200 into it for the 4 of us. So do the math there. The food discount with tables in wonderland also really helped if that doesn’t come back no big deal. Give me 10-15 percent off my dinners with my ap and I’m good. I don’t need it for merch. I don’t need it for any other meals. I’m not really asking for a lot. The other advantage of the pass.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

Deleted

 

[RoseGold]

all I know is I am deff not one of the "unfavorable" or whatever the frighted they called it. I deff spend more on food than the one time visitors that come on meal plans or eat at the cheaper places around the parks.

The restaurants are full with or without you, and there is no meal plan. The question is whether it's more favorable to have someone else paying $120 and G+ for your park tickets.

 

[TraderStitch]

I've never been a "let the world burn" kinda person, but I would love to see "Influencers" lose their collective minds if renewals stopped all together lol.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

First I think their reference to "unfavorable" was def a dig at Disneyland AP holders who literally come in many times a week, don't spend a dime, go on some rides, watch parades and fireworks then leave. It literally sits where it is an afterschool, afterwork, couple hours on the weekend stop off. I think the WDW guest base is completely different and there is no reason the two locations need to be treated the same in operation or annual passes.

In my devil's advocate you are the guest I am describing, the one who drops plenty of money in restaurants, stores etc. They already have your DVC commitment. My question to you is will your visits change, dining, shopping etc IF they no longer offer a discounted AP? What if they just offer discounted tickets to DVC like the FL Resident tickets (either the regular kind or those 4 day one park per day kind)?

I feel like the holdup on APs is (1) Right now operations are not sufficient for the current attendance so they have to fix that first. (2) I wouldn't be surprised to also get revamped APs like DL with all levels having block out dates. (3) I seriously hope the powers that be are doing more serious planning than in the past so they don't alienate a base that they will need when Epic Universe opens. LONG TERM plan instead of this knee jerk they've been doing.

I've said that all along. It's very obvious to anyone that pays any attention whatsoever. Heck, I saw it within my first 10 min of stepping foot in DL. The 2 park systems have never been grouped together on anything thus far and I don't see that happening ever. No clue why anyone else does but hey, you know what they say about opinions...... AP sales/renewals have been different. Totally different. Sure AP sales are stopped in both parks but did all AP sales in FL stop? Anyway, if there's one thing I think it's safe to do it's stop watching what is happening in CA to see what will happen in FL. Or viceversa.

 

[jimim]

The restaurants are full with or without you, and there is no meal plan. The question is whether it's more favorable to have someone else paying $120 and G+ for your park tickets.

i would say in the long run it would be myself. cause i will still be going and spending the way i have been for the past 20 plus years and for the next "hopefully" 30 plus years more.

 

[mistysue]

Very simple answer. I don’t even need a discount. I just need my ap to cost less than the say 20-30 days I spend in the parks bs regular priced tickets. Right now for 9 day hopper I got 3200 into it for the 4 of us. So do the math there. The food discount with tables in wonderland also really helped if that doesn’t come back no big deal. Give me 10-15 percent off my dinners with my ap and I’m good. I don’t need it for merch. I don’t need it for any other meals. I’m not really asking for a lot. The other advantage of the pass.

Our habits are similar to yours. To me it's not that I can't buy all these separate tickets, we spent roughly ~$500/each more on tickets alone vs AP last year for two trips. The BS of I get to pay 2-3x what others do for the same trip because we aren't the chosen few means we walk away. I'm not interested. I can eat 3 table service/day and buy my kids an endless pile of merch elsewhere. We've already cancelled two trips over lack of APs and when we visit UO later this year I am planning to get APs there so when we use our DVC points for the three trips I've planned next year we have somewhere to go. I'm sure it will be even more fun when they open their new park.

 

[DanielleC]

All I know is my habits. I'm a DVC owner. I go 2-3 times a year. 8-12 days each trip. I eat at signature restaurants at least 80% of my nights for a family of 4. We grab lunch now and them along with a quick Starbucks breakfast. So I easily spend 1500 plus on food and snacks I would say. I still buy t shirts and random things here and there. Every other trip if we see a piece of art we like we buy it. And I'm not talking about computer prints for 2-300 dollars. I'm talking 900 plus into the 2000 plus range. So I spend. Food alone I spend.

I never used the kitchen in a place we stayed at. I never even looked in all. the cabinets. I make tea in the afternoon once in a while. . . maybe.

Its easy to use your points if you book 11 months out. Even 7 months out isn't too bad. yes certain room types and places harder, but I'm not getting into that here. all I know is I am deff not one of the "unfavorable" or whatever the frighted they called it. I deff spend more on food than the one time visitors that come on meal plans or eat at the cheaper places around the parks.

just my opinion. just my thoughts. this views are mine and mine alone. others mileage my vary. bla bla bla. disclaimer. bla bla bla.

We're very similar except you own DVC so stay longer. Which also means Disney doesn't get any $$$ for a hotel stay. Add in your AP and yeah, you one of "those". The income from DVC? They booked that income the quarter you bought it. Your AP is broken down into 12 nice pieces and they can only book 3 of them a quarter. I spent $4,500 in 2021 on Disney and Disney only knows how much I spent on hotels. All my spending went on my Chase credit cards (Disney & United), my Debit Card or I paid cash. I never use a Magic Band to make a purchase. Disney can't track much of my spending.

It's almost as if they are saying "Look, buy your AP and go away. We have earnings calls we need to worry about so the stock price goes up and our bonuses are fat."

 

[dizneegirl]

...Disney only knows how much I spent on hotels. All my spending went on my Chase credit cards (Disney & United), my Debit Card or I paid cash. I never use a Magic Band to make a purchase. Disney can't track much of my spending...

Don't fool yourself that a company doesn't know what you're buying/how much you're spending just because you're using a credit card. That card is in your name, and they know everything you've bought from them on it, when, and how much you spent.

A local chain grocery store here sends me coupons regularly for things I've purchased there - not using their store loyalty card, and always charging it on a credit card. I know they all do the data mining, but this makes it REALLY obvious. It annoys me to no end...