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?

Disneyland 60

Due to various engagements on Sunday, I watched ABC's special on Disneyland 60 last night. I wasn't completely sure what to expect.

I really enjoyed the music. I thought the performers did a wonderful job. I especially loved Tori Kelly and Kermit's duet and Idina Menzel's "Let it Go."  I'm not sure why Little Big Town sung "Steve McQueen."  If you are performing in a tribute, you should perform a song from the catalog. I loved their wardrobe, and the performance was great; I just wish they had performed a different song. There are plenty of songs from "Cars" that would have been appropriate. The dancing during the medley was amazing. Even after 90 years, Dick Van Dyke's still got the chimney sweeper moves. 

I downloaded and used the Disney Applause app. That was an interesting element to the show. I feel like Disney is testing a new technology that will feed into the parks, TV, and movies. Share Your Ears is a very touching campaign. It's also another way Disney used technology to connect multiple forms of media.

I would have liked to see more discussion of the actually park and history of Disneyland. I thought Josh Gad was going to take a big your of the park, but then he kind of disappeared. There were many tributes, however, that made me get a little ready eyed. 

I am a sucker for movie trailers. The Jungle Book is very anticipated in the Conley house. Pete's Dragon was one of my favorites as a child. The trailer looked very different from the original. I'm very curious to see the final product. Because I have a three-year-old, I will be seeing Zootopia on release weekend. 

I really hope to travel to Disneyland one day in the next few years.  But for now, I'll just prepare for my next WDW trip.