Revenue continues to rise for US Universal theme parks

Also, this comparison:

Cedar Point Pepsi = $3.89, IOA Heineken (during happy hour) = $3.99.

I like me some Heineken on a hot summer's day.

MMMMMMmmmmm... Kings Island Coke.

Why does it taste so goooood?

WOF Guy said:

Now if a park only charges $2.75 for a Coke I would probably buy two or even three Cokes (spending a total of $5.50 or $8.25).

I like how you think, but I'm sure that most parks have already figured out that that wouldn't happen, or something. Maybe I give them too much credit.

WOF Guy said:
I may be thirsty enough to give CF $4 for one Coke (total spent $4). But at that price, I can't possibly see myself buying anymore drinks that day.

Now if a park only charges $2.75 for a Coke I would probably buy two or even three Cokes (spending a total of $5.50 or $8.25).

And this is the argument that I understand the least of all.

Does that mean that if they were $1.50 you'd by six or seven (spending a total of $9.00 or $10.50)?

I'd elaborate further, but I don't think I have to.

It's emotional decision making at it's worst.

I guess I represent the other side. It's a $1.25 difference. It's not making a difference in the big picture in my life. If I buy the whole family 4 drinks each during the day the total cost difference is $5 a head. It's just not relevant to me. $4 isn't terribly out of line compared to what I find myself paying other places we go.

kpjb said:

For a regular size drink the prices are:

WDW: $2.19
UNI: $2.59
CP: $3.89

Why do you know that? It's one of those things that makes me shake my head, but chuckle at the same time. :)

It's not that much less at fast food joints.

LostKause said:
Wendy's charges $1.99 for a large Coke, plus tax.

McDonald's, boys & girls. $1 drinks - any size...and at that price, I'm guessing their profit is still roughly....oh...say...900%!

Actually it's not quite that high, but the estimate of the cost for McDonald's to hand you a large drink is X-teen cents. I'd assume it's similar for the parks.

Anyone in the F&B industry know the actual number? I'd be interested.

And if the real-world value of a large pop is $2, then Disney is leaving a buttload of money on the table...or they're just taking it from somewhere else. Feels like another one of those times where Disney (Orlando, really) exists just to the left of the industry. What they do down there is kind of comparable, but somehow a totally different situation at the same time.

Basically, the going price for a drink at the large regional parks (whether it's SF or CF) is $4. The price at the Florida destination parks is lower.

Apples/Oranges or Red Apples/Green Apples?

Or Maverick?

Lord Gonchar said:

Why do you know that? It's one of those things that makes me shake my head, but chuckle at the same time. :)

You can't figure out how I know that? Google is my friend. I don't memorize menu boards. Just want to make sure the point we're debating is based in some sort of fact and not just random numbers thrown out there. Hell, I don't even know the price of drinks at KW! :)

McDonald's, boys & girls. $1 drinks - any size...and at that price, I'm guessing their profit is still roughly....oh...say...900%!

That must be regional. The ones here don't do $1 drinks... and from what I understand that'd be about a 650% markup, but your point is still valid. Smiley face.

Yeah, gotta be regional. McD's in my area sells tiny-sized regular sodas/drinks for $1. They also have an ongoing promotion on sweet (or unsweet, which many don't have) iced tea..large for $1.

Many of my local McD's don't offer free refills, as many do.

The destination parks are looking at the fact you can go to the other parks if you feel ripped off.They are looking to keep you there for multiple days.The food quality is better because they want you to return tommorow.Beer pricing at US/IOA is a little high but I have paid almost that much in a bar.

CF and Six Flags know most of their customers are there for 1 day so they have to charge more to get their money by the end of the day

That said next year Universal revenue is going to be based on what they add .I personally have Universal AP's I got them 4 months before Harry potter land opened and have renewed them once .If I renew them again depends on them gettting a new attraction (or two) Despicable Me is not going to make me renew

WDW: $2.19
UNI: $2.59
CP: $3.89

WDW recently raised theirs to 2.59.
http://allears.net/menu/men_pec.htm

DLR is 2.79
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_fren.htm

Found this WDW pricing pic from 2001. So have their prices not changed in 10 years or what? What does a souvenir cup go for now? Bottled water?

Not sure exactly where that was taken, just that I had it grouped with Magic Kingdom pics.

Bottled water is still $2.50 as per the link that Brian posted.

I hate to tell you this, as I know that you are a noted souvenir cup enthusiast, but I don't think they even sell souvenir cups any more, at least I didn't notice anyone having them.

One thing I found at Disney when we were there in 2009 was that there were a few places that charged 20¢ more for drinks, but at those places you could get free refills.

Gonch, that might be from Disneyland. As recently as 3-4 years ago, bottled water was $2, not $2.50 at WDW.

Lord Gonchar said:
Basically, the going price for a drink at the large regional parks (whether it's SF or CF) is $4. The price at the Florida destination parks is lower.

Apples/Oranges or Red Apples/Green Apples?

I think its at least red/green apples if not apples/oranges. Destination parks have have more profit centers (merchandising, resorts, dining, etc.) that the day parks do not (at least not to the same degree). Money left on the table at a destination park is likely end up in the park's hands later in the visit. Money left on the table at a destination park is likely go home with the guest.

And to me it makes sense to leave money on the table with respect to food/drinks if you can pick it up elsewhere. At the core, food/drinks are necessities. You may want a particular drink or food but you need to drink/eat. I think that makes you more likely to feel "gouged" or "ripped off" based on pricing. That is less true if you are looking at something that you really want rather than need. Even if similar (or even higher) markups exist.

Brian Noble said:
Gonch, that might be from Disneyland. As recently as 3-4 years ago, bottled water was $2, not $2.50 at WDW.

I've never been to Disneyland. It has to be from WDW.

Which makes things quite interesting. Did they actually lower their drink pricing in the mid-00's?

Disney offers two sizes of bottled water. Regular (16.9oz, I think) and Depth Charge (32oz?).

It could have been that it was a large for $2.50 back then and it's the regular for $2.50 now, but usually if they only sell one size it's the standard, not the aquarium filler.

Glad I could clear nothing up.