Ticket Increase? Again?

Early this week, Walt Disney World and Disneyland changed their ticket prices, again. Typically, price increase occurs every year in August. This time, very suddenly, Disney went to a tiered ticket approach. Just like hotels, tickets now have a value, regular, and peak season.

I am not happy about this change. I already have a difficult time justify ticket prices. The press releases claim that the reason for the tiered pricing is to get people to travel in the off season; I get that. I don't understand why those who have to travel during the peak seasons are punished though. The one day ticket for the Magic Kingdom, with tax, is now $132. While many people can choose to travel in the slower times, I must travel during the summer. I am a teacher. I don't think my boss would be too happy if I asked for vacation time. Good for those who can travel in the month of February though.

I'm afraid that Disney is going to eventually price itself too high. One article I read in the Orlando Sentential made me a little angry. The interviewee stated that WDW may not be for the middle class anymore. Who will travel to Disney year after year if not the middle class?

I miss the days when Disney would run real promotions. Not that long ago, the theme parks had to run "Buy 4 get 3 Free" in order to keep attendance up. I can remember when the adult ticket was $75. Now it's almost double.

But when does it stop?  What is the breaking point?  What becomes too much?