Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge News - Updated 2/28/19

[Alynw]

DSNY does a good job of bringing together a lot of others reports concisely but he is just repeating what others are saying

It was “Late Fall” which pointed to December but now some insiders are saying more likely Oct/Nov - but I think there will be previews and paid previews and stuff so could be initial opening in Nov but not full opening until December. We shall see

I agree with ya on a preview. I stated before i believe there will b a hard ticket preview before a full opening. They tell everyone a late fall opening which has everyone booking there 2019 vacation around xmas, which is already the busiest time of year. With so many people booking at that time just for GE it only makes since to do a hard ticket event. They will make a ton of money cause the people are goin to pay exspecally those who are there mainly for GE. It allows them to limit the crowds and help control logistics. This will help get them through the holidays and the busiest time with minimal risk. I just dont think they do this at least until after the cheerleader events in December.

 

[SarahSnow]

I hope it's November *keeps fingers crossed until announcement is made*

 

[Alynw]

I highly doubt Disney is going to open this land a week before the busiest week of the year at Walt Disney World. IF it opens in December, I would say within the first week. That way they have a chance to get the rundown setup to how they will handle all of the Holiday crowds.

However, the term of "late fall" becoming "fall" makes me think a November opening.

Yes, xmas is the busiest time of year at wdw, this is why i think they do a hard ticket event before a full opening. This way they can get through the holidays and the busiest time with control over crowd level. Whether they open in November or week before xmas wont make much of a difference cause everyone already has their vaction booked and will not be able to change it by the time wdw announces the official opening, they already know what the xmas crowds are so only difference i could see is if the locals possibly flooding it.

 

[intertile]

The falcon was completed at DL in December, and it should open in June per the Iger interview. That's 7 months, so when the falcon finishes in wdw add 7 months and you'll be close. Based on where they are now, I would guess late march it will be complete. So an early November/late October opening seems about right(which is what most of us always thought would happen)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

 

[dina444444]

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

Probably won’t happen till they release the 2020 ticket calendar since they went to date based pricing for all ticket media that’s not an annual pass.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

Not sure if the APs will increase by as much as APs aren't as big of a think at WDW and just not he "issue" (for lack of a better word) as far as crowds at the park - though I wonder if we might see different levels that include blackout dates (right now I believe only Florida resident APs have blackout dates - if you are out of state the only option for APs have no black out dates)

And then WDW has the tiered pricing so obviously those dates once GE is open will be Peak ... will be interesting if they introduce something where DHS is at a different price than the other parks (like they used to have for MK)

I also expect they will have ticket offers that are only good at non-DHS - sort of like how they have the 4-parks passes specials (that give you 1 day at each park ... so like that but only 3 parks)

 

[CarolynFH]

Not sure if the APs will increase by as much as APs aren't as big of a think at WDW and just not he "issue" (for lack of a better word) as far as crowds at the park - though I wonder if we might see different levels that include blackout dates (right now I believe only Florida resident APs have blackout dates - if you are out of state the only option for APs have no black out dates)

And then WDW has the tiered pricing so obviously those dates once GE is open will be Peak ... will be interesting if they introduce something where DHS is at a different price than the other parks (like they used to have for MK)

I also expect they will have ticket offers that are only good at non-DHS - sort of like how they have the 4-parks passes specials (that give you 1 day at each park ... so like that but only 3 parks)

Just FYI - DVC Gold passes are same as Florida resident passes, so blackout dates at Easter and Christmas/New Year’s.

 

[HuskieJohn]

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

The past five of the seven WDW price increases the last 5 years have happened in February.

With a small one this past October, for the busiest times, I am expecting/budgeting another 10%-15% increase.

 

[YesterDark]

I would have to guess it launches the week before Thanksgiving (isn't it late this year?).

 

[Dan Murphy]

expecting/budgeting another 10%-15% increase

Maybe more.

 

[rteetz]

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

I’m not expecting anything real soon. Eventually yes but it will be a bit yet.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I would have to guess it launches the week before Thanksgiving (isn't it late this year?).

Thanksgiving is the 28th, so on the later side (I think it was more that 2018 was really early for Thanksgiving) ... my personal guess is there are previews in November so they can work the kinks out, etc. but with somewhat controlled crowds (and this may included a paid event) and then full opening starting around a week after Thanksgiving

 

[saskdw]

I don't disagree with you, however I think Disney has already built in their safety net.
Raise the prices, then discount it deeply later if they think they need it, therefore "lowering" the prices back to the new norm.
People are always expecting "30% off". Who really pays full rack rate? Well, let the people that absolutely positively have to be there first, pay sky high rates. Especially since california doesn't have the disney owned bed base to capitalize on the big crowds, that money has to come in via the gate.

Florida is building the beds now. Tickets will no raise as drastically, but the beds will be required for certain perks and the beds will not get any cheaper.

Opinions on Disney increasing WDW ticket prices by HUGE amounts soon, as it just did at Disneyland by HUGE amounts yesterday?

Not sure if the APs will increase by as much as APs aren't as big of a think at WDW and just not he "issue" (for lack of a better word) as far as crowds at the park - though I wonder if we might see different levels that include blackout dates (right now I believe only Florida resident APs have blackout dates - if you are out of state the only option for APs have no black out dates)

And then WDW has the tiered pricing so obviously those dates once GE is open will be Peak ... will be interesting if they introduce something where DHS is at a different price than the other parks (like they used to have for MK)

I also expect they will have ticket offers that are only good at non-DHS - sort of like how they have the 4-parks passes specials (that give you 1 day at each park ... so like that but only 3 parks)

Would I be correct in assuming that the AP attendance at DL is a MUCH larger percentage than DW?

I think that DW has been preparing for the SWGE launch for a couple years already. A couple bumps on ticket prices, 5% less on the average RO deal, and the quick service dining plan at Mod resorts instead of full dining plan promo. I feel like they've already set the pricing for the SWGE launch. Most likely they will go into the holiday season with no RO or FD offer and see how it goes. They could always offer it late in year if they think they need to. I doubt they will need any special offers this holiday season.

 

[dina444444]

Would I be correct in assuming that the AP attendance at DL is a MUCH larger percentage than DW?

I think that DW has been preparing for the SWGE launch for a couple years already. A couple bumps on ticket prices, 5% less on the average RO deal, and the quick service dining plan at Mod resorts instead of full dining plan promo. I feel like they've already set the pricing for the SWGE launch. Most likely they will go into the holiday season with no RO or FD offer and see how it goes. They could always offer it late in year if they think they need to. I doubt they will need any special offers this holiday season.

Yes. DLR has over 1.25 million APs. I think wdw is somewhere in the 250-500k range.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Would I be correct in assuming that the AP attendance at DL is a MUCH larger percentage than DW?

I think that DW has been preparing for the SWGE launch for a couple years already. A couple bumps on ticket prices, 5% less on the average RO deal, and the quick service dining plan at Mod resorts instead of full dining plan promo. I feel like they've already set the pricing for the SWGE launch. Most likely they will go into the holiday season with no RO or FD offer and see how it goes. They could always offer it late in year if they think they need to. I doubt they will need any special offers this holiday season.

yeah, that is a good point about DW having had some steady price increase - and then offer the discount for the summer but not the winter so it is effectively a pretty big price increase over the discounted winter pricing in the past (if that makes sense)

 

[saskdw]

yeah, that is a good point about DW having had some steady price increase - and then offer the discount for the summer but not the winter so it is effectively a pretty big price increase over the discounted winter pricing in the past (if that makes sense)

I just went and looked this up for a reference point.

Dec. 14th-28th, 2014. Myself, DW, and teenage DS.

Coronado Springs Resort Business Class room, 10 day tickets w/Hoppers, and Free Dining. $6211 US.

I just ran the same dates for this year.

Dec. 14th-28th Coronado Springs Standard room with same pkg. $9698 US.

This is a standard room which were about $50 per night cheaper than the Business Class rooms when they existed and assumes no Free dining.

If I take out the dining plan it's $6527, but factor in $50 per night for the room class that's $700 so $7227 total.

So the cost of that trip has gone up somewhere between $1016 and $3487.

I'd say they are ready for SWGE!! LOL!!

 

[saskdw]

Also the CDN dollar was on par with the US at that point. So now factor in the 1.35 exchange rate and add in the flights and spending money. The cost of that vacation has doubled for us.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I just went and looked this up for a reference point.

Dec. 14th-28th, 2014. Myself, DW, and teenage DS.

Coronado Springs Resort Business Class room, 10 day tickets w/Hoppers, and Free Dining. $6211 US.

I just ran the same dates for this year.

Dec. 14th-28th Coronado Springs Standard room with same pkg. $9698 US.

This is a standard room which were about $50 per night cheaper than the Business Class rooms when they existed and assumes no Free dining.

If I take out the dining plan it's $6527, but factor in $50 per night for the room class that's $700 so $7227 total.

So the cost of that trip has gone up somewhere between $1016 and $3487.

I'd say they are ready for SWGE!! LOL!!

Also the CDN dollar was on par with the US at that point. So now factor in the 1.35 exchange rate and add in the flights and spending money. The cost of that vacation has doubled for us.

First off, I "liked" your posts because I appreciate the analysis/data mining - not the fact that the cost almost doubled for you!

Second, definitely wonder if even more than ticket price increase the big hit will be felt for rooms as with staying on property you get the 60 days FP vs off site, so a lot more value to staying on site (or, I guess, the Disney Springs hotels with that perk) vs off site

 

[saskdw]

First off, I "liked" your posts because I appreciate the analysis/data mining - not the fact that the cost almost doubled for you!

Second, definitely wonder if even more than ticket price increase the big hit will be felt for rooms as with staying on property you get the 60 days FP vs off site, so a lot more value to staying on site (or, I guess, the Disney Springs hotels with that perk) vs off site

Yeah, my info shows the combined increases of the rooms, tickets, and dining.

As crazy as the pricing is I couldn't imagine being there this Christmas without staying onsite.