Disney testing up-charge offerings this month at Walt Disney World

Disney says there is guest demand for its new add-on services, but fans fear the all-inclusive philosophy is starting to erode...

"All of the add-ons are really causing us to think … how many times are we going to go to Disney?"

The article, and this quote, seem to indicate that people don't understand that all of this extra stuff is... extra. Everything you had before, you still get. Either people are stupid (entirely possible), or Disney has a perception problem. If it is the latter, I'm not sure it's going to stop anyone from showing up.

I think Disney is just following along with what others in the industry are doing, they are looking for ways to increase guest spending while spending very little in the process to do so. They can increase offerings and the folks who are willing to spend the money will. No different than Six flags adding there $500 flash pass.

In terms of the shareholders (as the article mentioned) ESPN is the bigger problem.

I do think the average consumer is confused in terms of all of the extra's and to be fair it can be quite confusing, especially if you don't actually follow all of this. I mean look at CP and their discounts with the season pass, I can't tell you how many times while standing in line, folks would expect one thing and it when things don't work out the poor employee gets the brunt of their displeasure. Or look at the fast pass and watch the folks who didn't buy fast pass plush throw a fit when they failed to realize that one ride isn't included. I can see this happening at all parks. While I don't blame the parks for this, it's not their fault that the guests fail to read about the corresponding item. But at the end of the day, this won't stop folks from coming. Just feel bad for the employees who have to face the wrath of the confusion.

I still think Disney is a relative rarity for the average person and there's pressure (regardless if how irrational it may be) to do "everything" when you go to WDW.

Hell, even the frequent visiting Disneynerds probably feel the need to "do it all" even if just for biggest fan bragging rights.

Each of these add-ons makes it feel like you're achieving that less and less.

I suspect that's where much of the negativity comes from.

FOMO

It's like enthusiasts who don't get to be at ERT.

"But I deserve it. Look how many patches my vest has!"

"But I deserve it. Look how many gravy stains my vest has!"

"But I deserve it. Look how many gravy stains my patches have!"

Michigan's Adventure doesn't get the gravy stains and patches it deserves.

Lord Gonchar said:

Each of these add-ons makes it feel like you're achieving that less and less.

I don't know though. With all the choices involved in simply buying tickets for a Disney vacation -- how many days? Parkhopper? Water parks? Memory Maker? Dining Pass? -- I think the various add-ons (Mickey's holiday parties, race packet pick-up, early and late entry,etc) would strike non-enthusiasts (Disney or coaster) as just additional items on the menu.

I think Disney makes a valid point though... premium experiences have been for sale for years. The only thing significantly different is that now they have one more offer that's really just an extension of the regular experience.

We went to Sea World's Aquatica a few weeks ago. We got free tickets so I decided to splurge and rent one of the private cabanas. I don't think anyone else at the park had a lesser experience because I rented that cabana but I do know that it probably...no, it did...make may day a little more pleasant.