WDW 2018 increasing waits trend?

[Alien]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

I’ve finally read Josh’s post on wait times. I do like Josh. Some random quotes:

“The website has discussed capacity reductions and how, in addition to FastPass+, they’re the primary driver of increased wait times. Apparently Testa and co. over at TouringPlans have finally come to the realization that it’s decreased capacity, and not increased attendance, driving wait times higher. You’ll find that they are typically three years behind the times in just about everything related to Walt Disney World”.
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Josh's cheat sheets are the best.
Josh & Dave have a book - and Len Testa is listed in the thank you "list of people whose support over the years made the work that led to this book possible!" Touring plans get mentioned, more readers, Josh's followers like him for his sarcasm - works for everyone!

What I thought when I heard cutting operational cost is that a company is as rich as the rate they can borrow at. Lenders can say - to borrow at this rate cut % of expenses. WDW are investing so heavily next few years! Investors could be nervous about potential downturn (see usd % rate going down, trump tariffs). It could have little with the experience in the park as they don't have issue with park numbers right now. Sometimes when direction comes from above - cut expense line, they have to make it happen. Hopefully the capacity reduction is seasonal and will be adjusted peak time.

On other side there is always hype about long waits. We were there October 2014 and was mental busy and October 2016 and felt really quiet. I was reading complains how busy it is while doing test track 5 times of 6 times toy story! Most people must enjoy themselves, else WDW won't be as popular.

[Alien]

Did they not recently launch premium service, where some club level guests can purchase extra fp+ and get to book 90 days ahead of stay? Having high waiting times all year around could make paying extra more appealing.

[adamtoonarmy]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

Seasonal pricing is about getting more people to come in the off-peak times to try and even out the crowd levels.

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Lens theory only works if this is tosh and the real reason for Tiered pricing is just to allow for increased pricing via the back door.

[adamtoonarmy]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

They may as well just keep one price as they have at the moment and increase that.

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They could - but the theory goes that they can avoid the negative publicity of a large price rise by introducing them via the back door. Meanwhile the annual price increase stays roughly in line with their average yearly increases

[adamtoonarmy]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

I always thought a main driver in the Magic Band and MDE project was predictives and reducing staffing numbers when able.

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Indeed it was and almost certainly still is. Coupled with tiered pricing you can start to see where it could all fit together to = more money for Disney without large increases to general admission prices.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by adamtoonarmy

They could - but the theory goes that they can avoid the negative publicity of a large price rise by introducing them via the back door. Meanwhile the annual price increase stays roughly in line with their average yearly increases

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The recent increase to the annual pass prices was larger than the increase to the one-day seasonal ticket prices, percentage-wise (9% versus an average of around 5%).

I suppose it could be a long term plan. Introduce seasonal pricing to multi-day tickets later this year, then over the next couple of years make the historically quiet periods as busy as the peak periods, which would mean that practically every day was a peak day and therefore you pay peak prices, then remove the seasonal pricing altogether because everyday is at peak prices.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Alien

Did they not recently launch premium service, where some club level guests can purchase extra fp+ and get to book 90 days ahead of stay? Having high waiting times all year around could make paying extra more appealing.

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Yes, you're right and, yes, higher standby waits would help to sell this premium service. And it's possible that Disney are considering rolling this out to more guests - perhaps all guest staying at deluxe resorts - rather than just club level.

At this rate, it'll only be middle income (and above) families that are able to visit Disney and enjoy themselves.

[Moorlandman]

Busch gardens off peak last August was ridiculous - very few staff, massive queues even though park was quiet and a free for all when getting on the rides!

[bighal]

Disney could also be increasing maintenance during the "quieter" times which could also have an impact on wait times.

[Alien]

Originally Posted by bighal

Disney could also be increasing maintenance during the "quieter" times which could also have an impact on wait times.

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good point. They do a lot more renovations during quieter time