Anyone else think the extended hours should be for regular Guests and not for AP's?

[Malcon10t]

I have to agree with Barbaraann. Yes, maybe the average APer is from the local area, but there are also a large number of APs that are not local.

[Barbaraann]

I have reread the first post again, and I must look at Disneyland differently than a lot of people. I have always thought that Disneyland was a multiday destination. I have always bought a parkhopper. Ever since I went the first time in 2005. I like to take my time to savor the park. To plan some things, but to try and reach a certain goal that I have in mind before I even leave my hometown, which is 1/2 way across the United States. I plan for all the experiences that I can squeeze into the days on my park ticket. There's always so much to do, see, ride, photograph, not to mention restaurants to try, and friends to meet up with.

I would have bought a 10 day ticket, if Disney sold one, but they don't. They stop at 5, and 2 of those would be foolish, because the deluxe annual pass costs less.

Extended hours are nice. Early entry is nicer. I am an early riser, and I'd rather have the first hour in the morning, than the extra hour at night, when I may be tired from a long day in the park.

I don't think the regular guest needs the extended hours. Instead, they need Disney to bring back the longer parkhoppers, so they can spend more days total on each of their vacations. What better way to bring more revenue into the park? Or is that just another fly in the ointment of overcrowding?

[techskip]

I have to agree with Barbaraann. Yes, maybe the average APer is from the local area, but there are also a large number of APs that are not local.

I'd be really curious how much of the overall population is out of state AP's. I suspect the majority of the "out of states" are adjoining states. Barbaraann could probably elaborate on how many AP commercials vs Disney vacation commercials she hears "out there" in Chicago. I also suspect she hears a lot more ads for local destinations. It's been my experience that the closer you get to the Midwest the more you hear Six Flags, Dells, and AB. As you continue to head east you walk into WDW "territory". It's not to say Disneyland isn't a tourist destination... but I don't think they heavily advertise AP's outside of California.

I have reread the first post again, and I must look at Disneyland differently than a lot of people. I have always thought that Disneyland was a multiday destination. I have always bought a parkhopper. Ever since I went the first time in 2005. I like to take my time to savor the park. To plan some things, but to try and reach a certain goal that I have in mind before I even leave my hometown, which is 1/2 way across the United States. I plan for all the experiences that I can squeeze into the days on my park ticket. There's always so much to do, see, ride, photograph, not to mention restaurants to try, and friends to meet up with.

I would have bought a 10 day ticket, if Disney sold one, but they don't. They stop at 5, and 2 of those would be foolish, because the deluxe annual pass costs less.

Extended hours are nice. Early entry is nicer. I am an early riser, and I'd rather have the first hour in the morning, than the extra hour at night, when I may be tired from a long day in the park.

I don't think the regular guest needs the extended hours. Instead, they need Disney to bring back the longer parkhoppers, so they can spend more days total on each of their vacations. What better way to bring more revenue into the park? Or is that just another fly in the ointment of overcrowding?

The reason you chose AP's was financially based. It was the cheaper option. It's the reason most individuals have AP's. That said, if the more expensive option comes with the perks of extended hours, and 2-3 hours of earlier admission would you buy it? Would the extra 2-3 hours justify the cost of ticketed admission? Again this is assuming that Disney prevents AP use for the first 2 hours of opening, and if you are multi-day you have the extra hour of Magic Morning as well. That would be 1 hour of partial park opening, 2 hours of full park opening, then crowds.

But let's put this another way. You spend a small fortune to fly half way across the US. You put up money for a hotel. You buy tickets to Disneyland. You invest in all of this. Then you're greeted with a sign saying "Hours extended for AP's only". Irrespective of how the actual extended hours are enforced, what message does that send to the traveling tourist? What benefit is advertised to the one who just invested in multiple days at the park at full price?

That is what bothers me about how this was implemented. AP's are given a benefit in hopes it will benefit the tourist. In reality the only benefit given was to the AP.

[Barbaraann]

First of all, I have never heard a commercial in my neck of the woods for purchase on an Annual Pass for Disneyland. Instead, I get the generic Disney Parks commercials, with the castle that doesn't exist anywhere. I don't pay attention to Disney Parks commercials at all. I get my Disney info here at MiceChat where I know that I can trust what I read.

Secondly, I usually don't fly 1/2 way across the country unless I am coming for at least a week. Disney made me mad when they took away the longer parkhoppers. I like to enjoy as many consecutive days in the park as I can manage financially including my airline ticket and my hotel expense. So when I recently had the chance for a 10 day vacation, I jumped at it. It actually means that I can take a shorter trip come October, because my ticket is already paid for, timeshare points are covering my room, and my only expense will be for my flight and my food.

I was never bothered by the perks given the Ap's or the hotel guests who could do Magic Mornings on certain days of their vacation. It's not like AP's are given early entry every day of the week. Early entry does affect the Carsland section of the park because fastpasses are gobbled up pretty quickly, and they have a headstart in the line. However, Rides are not now, nor will ever be my soul reason for visiting the parks, so this really doesn't upset me either.

Like I said. I have never been a short Disneyland visitor. Other people may want, or have to, cram it all in one day. They may want Disney to give them a longer day so they can justify how much money they have spent. I want the longer vacation, so I can take my time, and enjoy myself as long as I can afford to be away from home.

If I arrived at the park and found that sign that said admission to AP's only, and I didn't have an AP, I'd busy myself with other activities until the park opened. Of course, I have never been taken by surprise, since MiceChat keeps me well prepared.

[StevenW]

No his comparison is correct. You pay one flat fee for unlimited access, eventually if you go enough times, you'll have gone more comparatively than a single day ticket would for the same amount of time. Thus saving money

If you go once a month, the AP saves you money over a hard ticket.

You can argue semantics all you want, there is a number of times that you go with an AP that offsets that upfront cost based on the daily, or even discounted ticket prices.

It is nice to believe you're saving money, but Disney has sold you on unlimited entry with specific blockout dates that start at higher price points than the regular park passes.

The fact is the guests are not going to the park unlimited although it is available. They are going at minimum once per month. With the Select Passes, you're blocked out for 2 months in the summer.

Thinking you're saving money over the hard ticket is an artificial construct. You paid much more money than you would ever to visit Disneyland.

Here's some analogies. (1) While you can save on a sale, you save 100% by not spending. (2) Buying an AP is like buying 100 rolls of toilet paper at Costco. You spent $40, but it will not be finished for a long time. (3) Buying an AP is like buying a 5 gallon jar of pickles at Walmart except that it costs $20 instead of $2. It is likely the pickles will spoil before you finish them.

The AP is likely to wear from repeated use. You might not want to continue to go after a few visits. Familiarity can breed contempt.

[Barbaraann]

Disney does have a way of wanting to get as much as our money "Up Front", as they can get, even before we leave our homes. Evidence of this is Annual Passes, Dining Plans, Photopass Plus CD's, to name a few.

We must be smart consumers, and spend responsibly only buying what we will actually use.

When I walked up to the Window recently to spend $469 on that annual pass, I was on the first day of my 10 day vacation. So I knew I was getting my money's worth. The only fly in that ointment would have been unforseen circumstances that would have kept me out of the parks.

I guess buying an annual pass is an emotional expenditure. Disney knows how to hit us in the heart.

[sediment]

I guess buying an annual pass is an emotional expenditure. Disney knows how to hit us in the heart.

Truer words than these are rarely spoken.

[TylerDurden]

Here's some analogies. (1) While you can save on a sale, you save 100% by not spending. (2) Buying an AP is like buying 100 rolls of toilet paper at Costco. You spent $40, but it will not be finished for a long time. (3) Buying an AP is like buying a 5 gallon jar of pickles at Walmart except that it costs $20 instead of $2. It is likely the pickles will spoil before you finish them.

The AP is likely to wear from repeated use. You might not want to continue to go after a few visits. Familiarity can breed contempt.

That's not what it's like at all. Your toilet paper example; is each roll of toilet paper 40 cents? If so, it's not like an AP. If each toilet paper roll by itself is actually a dollar (like a Disney admission ticket) then buying 100 for $40 (buying an AP) actually does save you money. Thanks for the example.

As for the wearing from repeated use comment...if you don't want to go enough to make it worth your while then why buy it? Actually, you just proved another point of ours; if you're so familiar and contempt with it, why would you need extra hours? The person who doesn't take the park for granted would not have contempt for it at all.



And to Barbaraann,
You're an exception. Though I feel for you on the decision to buy your AP, I doubt Disney made this perk with you in mind. You are likely a rare case, and Disney is definitely catering to locals despite the fact that anyone can technically get use out of them if they are as smart about it as you. But again, your situation is unlikely.

[Barbaraann]

I know that I am the exception. Actually in more ways than one, because not all tourists read about their vacation destinations before they arrive, so they are taken by surprise when conditions don't end up being what they expected it to be.

[Wren]

It is nice to believe you're saving money, but Disney has sold you on unlimited entry with specific blockout dates that start at higher price points than the regular park passes.

The fact is the guests are not going to the park unlimited although it is available. They are going at minimum once per month. With the Select Passes, you're blocked out for 2 months in the summer.

Thinking you're saving money over the hard ticket is an artificial construct. You paid much more money than you would ever to visit Disneyland.

Here's some analogies. (1) While you can save on a sale, you save 100% by not spending. (2) Buying an AP is like buying 100 rolls of toilet paper at Costco. You spent $40, but it will not be finished for a long time. (3) Buying an AP is like buying a 5 gallon jar of pickles at Walmart except that it costs $20 instead of $2. It is likely the pickles will spoil before you finish them.

The AP is likely to wear from repeated use. You might not want to continue to go after a few visits. Familiarity can breed contempt.

Its not a 'belief', you ARE saving money with an AP if you go enough times to 'pay for your pass'

There is a hard number of times you go for that to become a fiscal and mathematical reality.

[hollywood1939]

Thinking you're saving money over the hard ticket is an artificial construct. You paid much more money than you would ever to visit Disneyland.

So instead of buying an AP, buy single day tickets and see if you save money.

[TylerDurden]

So instead of buying an AP, buy single day tickets and see if you save money.

Exactly

[Wren]

So instead of buying an AP, buy single day tickets and see if you save money.

Pretty much this.

[sediment]

People wouldn't likely go to DL once a month at full price if there were no AP Program. That is the artificial construct.
If you want to go once a month, then buying an AP (since it exists) is obviously the best choice.
If you want to go once a month and the AP option doesn't exist, how many times would you go? Probably not once a month.

[techskip]

Its not a 'belief', you ARE saving money with an AP if you go enough times to 'pay for your pass'

There is a hard number of times you go for that to become a fiscal and mathematical reality.

Correct, and from that point on you are a net loss to the park just by walking in the front gate. If you purchased the parking pass you are a further loss. I HIGHLY doubt the average AP comes even close to making up that admission loss on a per visit basis.

Barbaraann thank you so much for the contributions. As I suspected the AP Advertising is a local media not a national one. I suspect if you are near WDW or near a respective park you'd have similar local AP ad airing. Do you get AP ads for local attractions there in Chicago?

Again the out of state AP is based on a financial decision. Someone is visiting X days and the AP is "paid for" after Y visits, in this case the visits are on consecutive days. The AP then becomes even cheaper if the tourist is making an additional trip later in the year. HOWEVER again we're talking about a limited audience. Most tourists dedicate a day to the park, possibly 2 now that there's a full DCA. They run a day to Seaworld, or Knott's, or Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Hollywood etc, and a day or two to the beach. I know this for several reasons. First off, average vacation visit is a week. Secondly most tourists want to "see a lot" during the visit and not just stay at the resort (which is why DCA was built to reflect California destinations). Third, Disney no longer sells 10 day tickets, and the bulk of the ticket rentals they've cracked down on were 3 Days, with the 3rd day being "rented".

Which means the bulk of the ticketed media is either Single Day, or 3 Day Park Hopper... which would also be the audience most likely to feel an overcrowding problem. And it's the audience paying the most on a per visit basis. It's also the audience most likely to spend the most in park per visit because they can't "just come back another time". Which goes back to my basic statement that offering extra hours to the group that on average spends the least makes no sense at all. In the business world you offer a discount to your frequent customers... but the perks themselves are given on a spending basis (hotel reward points, airline miles, cash back bonuses, casino "level" perks and comps).