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In order to reduce the number of spectators throughout the year, Walt Disney World has published plans to fix ticket prices for its theme parks based on dates. Already, ticket prices vary depending on whether people book during the "value", "regular" or "high" seasons. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Disney park executives were working on a dynamic pricing model similar to that of the airlines.
This announcement confirms it. Starting October 16, when travelers purchase theme park tickets for Walt Disney World
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Online, they will now use an interactive calendar that will display different prices based on the dates they plan to book their visit, the company announced Monday. The changes are part of a new online holiday booking portal.
Although this resembles the booking engines used by airlines and hotels, the prices quoted will not fluctuate once they are initially set by Disney. Disney believes that the new pricing approach "offers customers tailored choices and helps to better distribute attendance throughout the year to enhance the visitor experience," said Jacquee Wahler, Walt Disney spokeswoman World Resort.
When tourists visit the website, they will choose the first day of their planned trip. They will then set the daily fee charged for the number of days they plan to visit one or more of Walt Disney World's four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The online portal will also highlight the cheapest times to visit.
Consumers have the option, for an additional fee, to purchase tickets that they can use at any time of the following year. Disney will allow the changes if consumers accidentally purchase designated tickets at a lower price. In these cases, guests will have to pay the difference on their tickets; Disney will not issue a refund if visitors have inadvertently purchased more expensive tickets.
Read more: Is the free food offer at Walt Disney World really worth it?
Previously, Magic Kingdom tickets were more expensive than other parks. As of October 16, day prices will be calculated based on the day visitors visit rather than the park, and will range from $ 109 to $ 120 for a single ticket, up from $ 102 to $ 129 previously. (The price per day is cheaper for those who buy tickets for several days.)
Although the changes are aimed at better spreading the crowds throughout the calendar, the experts said that these effects would be limited. "Many guests are limited by school or work schedules, want to visit particular seasonal events, when the weather is more desirable," wrote Tom Bricker, owner of DisneyTouristBlog.com, in an email. "This should drive attendance in various directions, but it is unlikely to upset crowd schedules."
Others have argued that new tariff schedules could help reduce crowds, but not as Disney predicts. Joshua Humphrey, founder of easyWDW.com and co-author of "The Easy Guide to Your Visit to Walt Disney World," said that instead of just feeling better informed, consumers might experience a deeper shock . "
"I do not think it's in Disney's interest to focus so much on the individual components of what the cost of vacationing at Walt Disney World is," said Humphrey. "You give more and more time to people because they have more and more to do."
Look also: How Disneyland used its "magic" to persuade people to spend more money
Other aspects of the new pricing policies can put consumers at a disadvantage. If a traveler chooses to visit more than one day, he does not need to use his tickets for several days in a row. However, they must use the tickets within a specific time period after which the remaining tickets expire. Currently, this window is 14 days, regardless of the number of days of tickets purchased, but in advance, it will be reduced according to the number of days purchased at four days only.
"It's less flexibility for consumers," said Len Testa, co-author of "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" and President of the Touring Plans Travel Site. The change benefits Disney because the company "will be better able to predict how many people will be in the parks each day and the staff accordingly," said Testa.
The purchase of a theme park ticket for Walt Disney World is not changing. Consumers can still purchase Disney tickets over the phone or online through an authorized third-party reseller, such as Undercover Tourist or Park Savers. These companies, which often offer discounts for Disney theme park tickets, will have access to pricing information based on the date, said a spokeswoman for Disney.
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