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Red Randal
05-01-2009, 03:27 PM
Walt Disney World tickets. There is perhaps no facet of the Walt Disney World experience this side of Fastpass as convoluted and befuddling as "Magic Your Way" ticket options. A descendant of the old "park hopper" tickets, the new system of Disney ticketing is tiered in such a manner that it makes almost no financial sense to stay on property for less than four days.

This has been brought to the forefront of my consciousness recently as I move closer to moving into a condo in Central Florida. As I look forward to the many enjoyable trips to Florida that I am about to experience, right alongside beach trips, dinners on the bay, and Yankees spring training games are day trips to Walt Disney World with my friends and family. It seems to only make sense that when I furnish the condo for weekend guests, I buy not only extra beach towels and dinnerware but also Disney park tickets for people to use on spare of the moment excursions to Orlando. Unfortunately this can not happen because of Disney's crazy rules for buying tickets. We'll call this little rant "Magic Who's Way, Exactly?"


:soapbox:

You see, a Walt Disney World ticket is only licensed for the person who buys it. The same person must use day one that uses day three, day seven, and day fourteen. Have you ever stopped to consider who utterly ludicrous this truly is? Why in the world can I not buy a Magic Your Way, 14 day park hopper, to use for whatever friends and family are visiting me? If I buy season tickets to a Major League Baseball team, I'm allowed to give my seats to whomever I want, whenever I want. Why should Disney World be any different?

I understand the argument about ticket re-sale and that technically it would be illegal for me to sell my season tickets to someone without using a licensed broker just as it would be against the rules to give my Disney tickets to someone. I also understand the argument that a ticket with no expiration options could, theoretically, be sold 10 years down the road at huge profit...but honestly, shouldn't there be a system for those of us who don't want to obfuscate the system for personal gain?

What if perhaps they create something like a "guest ticket" where I, as an annual passholder, had to be present at the time of admission with all "guest ticket" holders in my group? Or what if the tickets expired one year after the first use, just like an annual pass, to stop brokers from buying them up and selling years down the road at a markup?

These are just thoughts and ideas off the top of my head but I can't help but think that it's ridiculous that when push comes to shove my guests will most likely just choose to do something else when they come visit for a weekend instead of paying the exorbitant cost for a one day, one park, Walt Disney World ticket...especially if this economy keeps getting worse.

Oh well. Don't mind me. These are just my grumpy mumblings of the day.


- Red Randal


P.S. Don't even get me started on the fact that I can't use 2 days on on a MYW ticket in lieu of park hopping. Seriously. Don't even get me started.
BMan62
05-01-2009, 03:34 PM
Can you say "$$$$$?"

Disney is a business, and as such is going to charge whatever the market will bear for their tickets. As long as people are still buying, they will continue to put restrictions on their use.

Capitalism at its 'best.'

Disneyland/WDW/DLP/TDL/etc. are no longer Walt's parks for all the family, but rather businesses out to make money for the corporate 'big wigs.'
Iluvpooh
05-01-2009, 05:04 PM
The park hopping vs 2 days of tickets has always bothered me too!
Mickey91
05-01-2009, 06:19 PM
And actually, brokers can buy up large quantities of MYW tickets to make huge profits on, because until they are used for the first time, they do not expire and they are not assigned to anyone's fingerprints.

It is because they want that four days of almost full price ticketing from everyone that they do not allow you to save your tickets anymore and you can't let someone else use them. PLus, they get you to stay longr and spend more with the thought that itis only $12 more for a family of four to get into the parks one more day.

They got ya!! We used to drive from VA for a day trip every now and then. No more. Can't afford the tickets!
Carol
05-01-2009, 06:25 PM
I don't have a problem with the tickets. I/We never used the *plus* options that came with the passes. I'm glad they are now an optional item. :twocents:
BluewaterBrad
05-01-2009, 06:37 PM
Welcome to Florida.:mickey:
lindique
05-01-2009, 06:55 PM
Whoever came up with that idea is an incredible business genius. (Along with whoever thought up Magical Express.)

I wonder how much money Universal and Sea World has lost as a result?
DizneyRox
05-01-2009, 07:48 PM
You see, the price per day goes down the more you buy. There is nothing wrong with buying 14 one day tickets ($75 each) and distributing them as you see fit. What you're looking for is the multi-day discount AND the beneift of doing what you want.

That's where Disney draws the line. That and they need to keep profits up.
DisneyPrincess21
05-01-2009, 09:59 PM
I also don't have a problem with the prices. My family usually buys a 10day park hopper with no expiration for each of us and we use 2-3 days off the ticket each trip. We get a great value because we buy the 10day and then on the future trips we don't have to worry about putting aside ticket money because we already have them. :balloon:
I love Disney so much, That I don't give it a second thought about the prices. Because I just want to be at Disney :mickey:
Red Randal
05-01-2009, 10:09 PM
You see, the price per day goes down the more you buy. There is nothing wrong with buying 14 one day tickets ($75 each) and distributing them as you see fit. What you're looking for is the multi-day discount AND the beneift of doing what you want.

Ahh...but here's the counterpoint to that. Without me furnishing the accommodations and providing transportation to the park, the people who would be using my tickets will not be setting foot on Disney property in the first place. I'm giving Disney all of the income from meals and souvenirs from the day, not to mention that maybe they enjoy it so much that they actually plan a longer week long trip for themselves and their families.

The other counterpoint is that a baseball team provides season tickets at a discounted rate as opposed to buying single game tickets at the box office but I can still give my tickets to other people.
joonyer
05-01-2009, 10:14 PM
Shhhh. . . . I like baseball. Don't be giving MLB owners any ideas about making more money.
DizneyRox
05-02-2009, 06:58 AM
Ahh...but here's the counterpoint to that. Without me furnishing the accommodations and providing transportation to the park, the people who would be using my tickets will not be setting foot on Disney property in the first place. I'm giving Disney all of the income from meals and souvenirs from the day, not to mention that maybe they enjoy it so much that they actually plan a longer week long trip for themselves and their families.

Those are maybe's... My way, Disney is guaranteed a $75 admission fee. Your's only gets them and extra buck or two (multiday discount).

Disney I'm sure runs the numbers, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that an offsiter spends significantly less than an onsiter. Offsiters would probably spend less on food and maybe even merchandise since they really aren't committed to the experience. An onsiter almost HAS to spend money on food (be it at the resort or at the park) and probably merchandise.

Whatever the reason, Disney ain't gonna allow multiple people to use the same ticket.

I'm not a fan of the MYW ticket either, but for different reasons. It was actually a ticket price increase, cleverly disguised.
Tigger&Stitch
05-02-2009, 07:13 AM
I would take a very good guess that WDW is exponentially more popular than any sports team season.

In the end, like it or not, there are heaps more people who would take advantage of any system that gave 'benefit of the doubt' to people like you. I understand your points, and frustration, but any of the options you offered could easily be turned into a scam by those who make a living taking advantage of other people. Or, they are simply too complicated. Millions of people go to WDW every year! Trying to keep track of guest passes tied to Annual Passholders would be a bit of a nightmare.

I'm sure there's a profit element as well. However, I think the bigger point is that a stricter system avoids scams. Being a tax accountant, I can see similarities with the grossly bloated tax code - there are quite a few people out there who just want to follow the rules and pay tax, but there are many many many laws in the tax code to close loopholes for those who want to play the game.

And since I touched on the profit element, I have to say I don't fault WDW for that. They are a huge company, and I like all the perks and little details that make WDW stand out from other theme parks. Either we pay them to do that, or we insist on cheaper options and end up with just another Six Flags.