Ticket Prices Raised

[Melanie]

Just saw a quick blurb that Disneyland raised ticket prices unannounced overnight, and also eliminated the SoCal Passport.

I can't search right now, but hopefully someone can find all the details.

[VWL Mom]

The new prices are up on the DL site.

type child/adt
1 day/1 park 90/96
1 day ph 144/150

2 day/1 park 165/178
2day ph 204/217

3 day/1 park 215/226
3 day ph 254/265

4 day/1 park 235/250
4day ph 274/289

5day/1 park 250/266
5 day ph 289/305

Dlx AP was 499 now 519
Premium AP was 669 now 699
The Premier Annual Pass went from 979 to 1029

SoCal Pass still shows Jan 1 2014 - Jan 1 2015 284/328

[BrerGnat]

It is about time they got rid of the So Cal APs. I'm glad about that. Hope the crowds will lessen next year due to that.

[2Epcot]

Other annual passes could be suspended in the future.

From the OC Register:


ANAHEIM – Disneyland Resort raised its ticket prices on Sunday, with a one-day, one-park ticket for visitors 10 and older going to $96.

The $4 boost at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is about the same as previous hikes, which usually happen about once a year. Single-day ticket prices have more than doubled since 2003.

The cost for annual passes went up, too.

“Like any business, we periodically evaluate our pricing and make adjustments based on a variety of factors,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, in a statement.

“A ticket to our theme parks represents a great value, particularly when you look at the breadth and quality of attractions and entertainment we offer and the special moments guests experience with our cast.”

The increase comes as the Disneyland Resort is experiencing strong growth. Since Cars Land opened as part of the Disney California Adventure makeover in June 2012, Disney has often reported record attendance during its quarterly reports.

Also, Disney suspended new sales of its popular Southern California annual passport because of the crowds. Those who already have them can renew them. And those who let Southern California passes expire in the last 90 days can renew them as well.

The parks have been particularly crowded on Sundays – the only weekend day usually available for those with the Southern California passes, which now cost $379 on renewal. A cheaper pass – the Southern California Select at $289 – is blocked out on weekends and is available for new purchases.

Other annual passes – the Deluxe, with Saturday and holiday blackouts, selling for $519, and the no-blackout Premium, selling for $699 – may be suspended in the future.

“Due to the popularity of our annual pass program – and to preserve the guest experience for our annual passholders and all guests – future sales of all annual passes will be subject to availability,” Brown said in the statement. “We continue to offer a variety of other annual passes so that our guests can choose a pass that’s right for them.”

The Southern California passes could be sold again when “renewal rates return to an appropriate level that preserves the guest experience,” Brown said.

Disney rarely suspends annual pass sales, last doing so temporarily in 2001 when Disney California Adventure opened.

In 2012, Disney attempted to weed out annual passholders, which had grown to about 1 million, when it dramatically hiked annual pass prices, according to Miceage.com, a Disney watchdog blog.

[chefmickey3]

Anyone know how much the 5 day park hoppers went up? I am annoyed that I didn't buy ahead for July. Ugh.

[VWL Mom]

That's what we're getting too. They went up $5.

[BrerGnat]

I guess this is step one. They should also eliminate the monthly payment plan option. In addition, increase the park tickets up to 7 days, so people won't be forced to buy an AP for a week long trip. All those will go a long way to trimming down the number of AP holders.

After last week, I am all for ANY tactic that will bring the crowds down a few notches.

[2Epcot]

Here is part of an article in the LA Times on crowds and ticket prices.




"The Happiest Place on Earth" has become one of the most crowded.

May 21, 2014


Tourists and annual pass holders are flooding Disneyland and California Adventure in large numbers, causing headaches for guests and park officials. Waits for rides often stretch over an hour, and visitors are having to park in remote structures, particularly on Sundays.

Industry experts say the crowding problem leaves Walt Disney Co. with two options: Keep hiking rates until attendance becomes manageable, or expand the park.

Over the weekend, the Anaheim park raised single-day ticket prices by $4 to $96 and temporarily halted new sales of a popular annual pass for Southern California residents. Disneyland officials say they have no current plans for a new Anaheim park, but that hasn't stopped speculation.

Many longtime park watchers say now may be the time to dust off plans, dating to 2000, to build a third park on a 78-acre site just south of Disney's complex on Harbor Boulevard.

Those plans were shelved while the company focused on the 2001 opening of Disney California Adventure, which fell short of expectations until a $1-billion expansion in 2012 added the hugely successful Cars Land.

After Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment Inc. in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012, many fans hoped a third park would feature Marvel superheroes or characters from the "Star Wars" franchise.

At least for now, Disneyland officials say they are focused on expanding parking. They're buying a lot at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Ball Road with room for 1,400 parking spaces for employees, freeing up more parking for guests.

"Our goal is to always provide the best possible experience for all of our guests, and we will continue to look for ways to achieve the right in-park balance," said Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

Disneyland does not disclose attendance numbers. But estimates from Aecom, a Los Angeles engineering and consulting firm, show visitor numbers have increased nearly every year from 2004 to 2012.

And they're continuing to rise. Disney reported a 18% increase in operating income from theme parks and resorts for the six months ending March 29.

The attendance surge comes as the nation's travel industry enjoys a surge in spending as the economy continues to rebound from the recession and a more recent lull in travel during winter storms on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

But it was Disneyland's suspension of sales of its $379 Southern California Annual Passport that is expected to play the biggest role in reducing crowds. The pass offered access to the park 215 days of the year, including Sundays.

Local pass holders often crowd the parks, leaving little space for out-of-town travelers who typically stay in Disney hotels and spend more on souvenirs. The program gained popularity in 2008, when the company began offering a monthly payment plan.

The move to suspend sales of the annual passports, industry experts say, is an attempt to reduce Sunday numbers and encourage local residents to visit during the week, when crowds are smaller.

It's not the first time Disneyland has tried to ease crowding through price increases. Two years ago, the park raised rates for one of its most expensive passes, allowing access 365 days a year, to $649 — a 30% increase. It didn't work.

"It's a challenging situation," said John Gerner, managing director of Leisure Business Associates, a theme park consultant. "Disney doesn't want to be seen as taking advantage of customers, but they have an obligation to try to make as much profit as possible from their park."