posted by orlandovacationhome on Aug 1
The Miami Herald reports in the August 1st, 2009 edition that Walt Disney World has now implemented increased ticket prices at its area theme park attractions despite a catastrophic economic recession and what some could describe locally in Orlando as an economic depression (i.e. a 10% drop in localized GDP).
The increased ticket prices will run around 3-5% for most attractions depending upon the length of the attraction pass. The one-day kids pass will increase an amazing 7.9%. A Disney spokesperson indicated that ticket prices still provide a great value to families and consumers.
Although many applaud and commend Disney for all of its local community activities and programs, such action in a crippled economic climate will be put into question. The blogs fervently lit up today in response. Many were hoping that the Disney Corporation could have used this as a real opportunity to silence the critics and even announce a price decrease. This would have been in sympathy with the pain being experienced by many consumers. Other local Orlando businesses who have the power to increase pricing 4-5% without significant consequences (outside of health-care) are some what limited.
Some critics may also conclude that this price increase is being implemented in response to the recent company wide Disney earnings release and its effect on Disney’s stock price.
Longer term, higher ticket prices could alienate some middle class families, both domestically and abroad. Middle class consumers are the largest consumers of theme parks in Orlando.
The annual ritual of announcing price increases at local Orlando parks has enabled some cynics to conclude that management may have become isolated from the plight of everyday folks and their struggles in light of the economic crisis; however the parks in turn argue they may need to take such action to optimize revenues and profits.
Many consumers are highly disappointed that Disney has responded in this manner to raise theme park prices at this critical time for many families.
Other parks in the area often follow Disney ticket price increases. It will be interesting to see how they respond given the worst economic climate since the great depression.
Tweet This Post
posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 3
Once again, Sea World ® has increased their ticket prices. The new price increase (1) (the third in the last year) for a regular one day admission is still priced about five cents below Walt Disney World ® and Universal Studios Orlando ®.
It is interesting that Orlando area parks have aggressively increased their park prices given the current face of the economic crisis, and the fact the number of tourists to the area have plummeted since November 08.
Sea World’s parent company is Busch Entertainment Corp., which also owns Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica, a major Orlando water park.
The standard Sea World ticket has gone up approximately 15% since October 2007, bringing the one day standard price closer to its multiday pass. This encourages visitors to purchase the multiday and capture the ancillary revenues via their outlets for their Orlando vacation.
Some Orlando parks are able to package their tickets with on-site hotels, further encouraging tourists to stay on site rather than book an outside hotel. Please see our other blog posts on the value opportunity this creates for vacationers. Despite these changes, Orlando area vacation vacation homes still present the best value in the market on a per square foot basis(2).
SeaWorld Orlando
Tweet This Post
posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 4
If you go to the Walt Disney World Resorts ® web site, they are running some stellar
promotions at the moment.
You can buy a hotel room and a ticket combination package with spendable gift cards included
or amazing values which make it tough for area hotels and other accommodations to compete. Although we don’t promote any company on this web site, this appears to be such a great deal it deserves to be mentioned.
As always, if in doubt, we advocate buying your tickets directly from any theme park you are attending.
Many metro Orlando area hotels we spoke to agree that the “Big Park” is offering some fantastic promotions making it difficult for them to compete even at the economy level. This may be due in part to the fact that the hotel industry in metro Orlando has seen some staggering drops in room revenue (RevPAR) recently. This may also be further evidence of the magnitude and nature of the global recession.
However, Orlando area vacation homes still remain a competitive alternative to all area hotels, as they affordably offer a family or group of people the benefits of an entire house for a little more than the price of a hotel room. We recommend you shop around, assess your needs, and make your own decision. As always, we will try to keep you informed.
Tweet This Post
