I would hate to think of the number of factors that goes in to determining the price of an AP.

While this might be considered sacrilege, it almost seems to me that it makes more sense to charge more money for locals to hold APs than for someone several hours away. I know many people in Phoenix with APs, and when they go, they typically spend far more money than locals, I would presume, because they will stay in DL owned hotels, spend more money on meals in the parks, etc.

Perhaps they should scale their APs. For example, a 15 visit/year AP with no block outs is $220. A 30 visit/year AP with no block outs is $290/year. Something like that.

My suggestion could be completely ignorant as well as incredibly unpopular with those of you who live near by.

I'm not sure out of towners spend more or that locals spend less. We just spent the weekend at the Grand Californian, did reserved Fantasmic seating and ate all of our meals/snacks etc in the park or at the hotel. Not everyone from out of town stays on property nor to they eat only at the resort.

I do think the whole payment plan for locals is stupid. At least charge for it.

I'd be willing to bet locals spend less at DL per visit. But what I'd like to see are figures that compare the average local AP's annual spending habits to a "foreigner's" single (or even multi-day) visit.

I think international visitors should get in for $20

All of the above are good points. There's also the fan factor. The more you go to DL, the more you buy other Disney related stuff in general, whether at the park or at other stores. It starts with simple things - a jacket, birthday card, stuffed animal for a special occasion. Suddenly you realize a little here a little there adds up. A scarf, a pair of socks, an art print, a shot glass, a dog bowl, a phone skin, a pot holder...

And then you get the collectors. Pins, of course, but there's figurines from Disneyana, cels from the Gallery (I do miss that place), huge coffee table books, original concept art, art by other artists inspired by the Mouse...

I think keeping people coming to DL has its advantages, and that even when I stop going it still leaves me wanting this stuff. Of course it's impossible to know exactly how the numbers shake out, but from my own experiences and the experiences of others around me, it's gotta be worth it.

Given the state of the dollar, I think they do.

True. I went to the park a couple of times and didn't buy a single thing. It was lame.
:D

When we go, it's just to shop or get a bite to eat. Once in a while we may see a show or get on a ride, but unless it's something new it's a rareity. So I spend nearly $400 a year just to go to the most expensive mall in the world.....

Um, I spend way more on drinks and meals as an AP holder than I would as a ticket-buying local. I may be past the souvenir and shopping stages, but I've still been known to purchase a thing or two.

Yeah, no hotel stays (oh, except every few years ... also not bad for someone who lives 30 minutes away) ... but the fact remains that an AP allowing me to get to the park (and more importantly the parking lot) for free means I spend meal and bar $$ galore on property that otherwise would be spend elsewhere.

Clearly a financial win for Disney. Raising my AP price is pure bullsh!t.

I wouldn't call it that. They have one primary responsibility above all others - to make as much money as they possibly can. They have to balance the alienation of some of their 800,000 AP holders and what the "real" cost of a visit by an AP holder is vs. how they believe an increase in the AP price will affect their bottom line positively.

The only thing you can do is vote with your wallet and not renew. Or if you consider it worth the price, then renew. I know several families in Phoenix that have APs because they go a couple times a year for 3-4 days and it's cheaper than two sets of park hoppers. They stay on property (usually). I would guess some of them will decide they will only go once/year, costing Disney real $. But I don't think the DL owned properties have a high vacancy rate (don't know for sure), so does that affect the DL bottom line in comparison to others paying more for their AP? I can't even begin to guess. The business model and variables must be varied and gigantic.