They will continue to increase ticket prices and people will continue to pay. It is only when they see a significant decline in attendance will they stop.
My wife and I also did not renew our passes this year. We had the Select pass, and last year we were able to go on Friday afternoon to almost all of them other than the summer. Then this year just about all Fridays are blocked beginning in March, ugh. So the value became lost on us. Also the loss of nighttime entertainment which brought us to the parks for dinner and music is gone, zero, zilch left. On the last day of our passes earlier this year we realized going there was just for rides now, no entertainment really anymore.
Please send in a comment to Disney to tell them how you feel about the entertainment cuts and how they have affected your experience as a regular/formerly regular park visitor. Be detailed about how much you enjoyed the bands and the experience and how you have even gone to Knott's to see your favorite bands who used to play here. (No surprise since Jon Storbeck moved from DLR to Knott's.) Let them know that the lack of entertainment was influential in your decision to let your APs lapse. You are not the only one to notice the dramatic cuts in live entertainment (both is quantity and quality) and to miss all the music. Disney needs to know that guests do notice and do appreciate the entertainment! You can use the "contact us" link at the bottom of the DLR webpage to send in a comment. Include all your contact information if you want them to follow up with you -- and don't be surprised if someone does get in touch!
Good idea, I did that, actually a few times over the years. Each time Disney has called me by phone. Once appeared to be really helpful as they discussed the live music coming to the Food and Wine Festival, but this last time they simply left a voice mail to me indicating they take into consideration the guests needs and adjust entertainment throughout the year and thanked me for getting in touch. They have great customer service. I think I'll write them again. I still may end up getting the passes again on Monday. I miss going there and the atmosphere, but at night it's just not the same, now it appear more live entertainment being cut for the daytime too.
Disney needed to do something (on the AP front) to get crowds more manageable. I think the "too well" is due to fear of crowds getting worse with "Star Wars Land." There are many people who put off their annual trips this year because of this. I know I have put future trips on hold due to the crowds.
Here's an example. My Mother found out it's $150 to get in this Sunday, so she said she will wait till Spring if they offer the 3-day ticket for locals at $180 again. $30 more but get 2 extra days seems better. Probably crowds return then. Maybe they will offer a Fall deal like they did quite a few years ago. Can't remember exactly when, but it might get more locals who spend money at the festival. Select passholders are unblocked for November Fridays, but not October, so maybe they will return then for the food. The booths were packed last year, as was October, but they weren't blocked last October Fridays like this year.
Their band Hiatus also has played Irvine Spectrum not too far away for free. So we've gone there when blocked out from Disney. Another reason we spent money at Irvine for food and things, but not at Disney. Whenever we attended the nighttime entertainment at Disneyland we always bought dinner and drinks, but not now. It still boggles my mind with those 45 minute drink lines at DCA for the T-Party that they shut it down just a month before the same themed movie that was coming out. I also recall they had just started playing the new videos with the show as well, couldn't have been cheap to produce them and use for barely a month or so.
