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Controversy over Disneyland/World ticket pass price increases in 2014

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Disney is still receiving blowback for its decision to raise prices on tickets and plans for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and its other U.S. theme parks. The news was quietly slipped out late Saturday night without advance warning, in the apparent hope that no one would notice. But instead, the blowback has been immediate. “Walt Disney would be appalled by what it costs to take a family to his park,” stated on disgruntled Disney fan. “He made this park for families to come and have a great time at a affordable price. Now you have to take out a loan to have that great time.” But is the outcry warranted?

Single day, single-park tickets to Disneyland have been increased by four dollars for 2014, which barely enough to keep up with inflation. A park hopper ticket has seen a more severe thirteen dollar price hike, well ahead of inflation but still less than a ten percent increase. The more severe impact appears to be on the annual and seasonal pass side of the pricing scheme, where the deeply discounted Southern California Annual Pass for state residents has caused local controversy. Disney has relented and is allowing current SoCal passholders to renew for one more year if they do so within the next three months, but it appears the plan is on its way out. Not everyone, however, is against the idea of Disneyland and Walt Disney World price increases.

“Advanced warning of the price increase would defeat the purpose as then everyone would go renew before the increase and it would be a full year before Disney saw the effects of said increase. The idea is to raise the prices suddenly, unpredictably and force numbers to go down,” one Disney fan named Adam commented. “The problem is that people are apparently willing to pay any price Disney asks. So expect to see a change of tactics coming soon. Limited numbers of passes, or drastic increases instead of incremental ones.”

Disney hits snags with FastPass Plus, Magic Bands despite accessories

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Disney is trying its hand at wearable technology with the Magic Band, a wristband which allows users to bypass tasks like showing their annual pass upon entering the park or relying on a printed “FastPass” in order to gain quick access to rides. Magic Bands have been in limited use dating back to last year, issued initially as a beta test to those staying at Disney resorts. But now the bands are going public, and have hit some snags which have caused those using the technology to cry foul - even as Disney works to generate revenue from the Magic Band accessories.

Visitors to Magic Kingdom last week complained that the Magic Bands were requiring them to criss cross back and forth across the park throughout the day, first visiting an attraction for register for a FastPass Plus time, then venturing to other parts of the park, only to have to come back later. The proposed solution: allowing users to choose their FastPass Plus options directly from the Disney mobile app, without having to walk all the way to the attraction. Other complaints were in the form of the physical comfort of the Magic Band, which has a flat rectangular sensor embedded in its center. The size and position of the sensor prevent the band from flowing around the wearer’s wrist in a natural fashion, with some users visibly fidgeting with their bands at the park in an attempt to mold them into a more comfortable shape.

But despite the scattered complaints being overheard regarding Magic Bands, the wristbands could be seen in use in large numbers throughout the park. Even as Disney works on streamlining the features of the new technology, it appears to have already successfully figured out how to cash in on them. In numerous gift shops throughout the park, Magic Band accessories were available for sale ranging from color bands to snap-on Disney character faces.