In The New York Times article written by Daniel Currell, the author/consultant contents that Disney's tiered system is designed to target affluent guests, not middle class people. In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Joe Pine, Dave Norton, and Aransas Savas discuss the article about Disney's transformation from an egalitarian experience to a tiered system. They explore the implications of this shift on the middle class, the increasing value placed on experiences, and the desire for connection among visitors. The conversation delves into the role of services, time value, and the exclusivity of certain experiences, ultimately addressing the future of Disney and its expansion opportunities.

This episode is brought to you by The Cargo Agency and Feedback Now.

Takeaways

• Disney has shifted from an egalitarian mindset to a tiered system.
• The value of experiences has increased significantly over the years.
• Wealth impacts the amount of time one can spend enjoying experiences.
• Visitors seek connective experiences with loved ones.
• Services play a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience.
• Having multiple channels is a key strategy for growth.
• Club 33 represents the only exclusive experience in the park.
• Time is a critical currency in the experience economy.
• Disney's pricing strategy reflects the value of experiences.
• The future of Disney may involve expansion and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Experience Economy
00:26 Disney's Shift from Egalitarianism
01:44 The Value of Experience and Pricing
05:21 The Impact of Wealth on Experience
06:47 The Desire for Connection in Experiences
09:54 The Role of Services in Enhancing Experiences
12:03 Gamification and the Disney Ecosystem
15:47 The Exclusivity of Club 33
18:03 Time as a Currency in Experiences
21:18 The Future of Disney and Expansion Ideas

Read more

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/opinion/disney-world-economy-middle-class-rich.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iU8.Yl9x.HdJppkkpqYcr&smid=url-share

Podcast Sponsors:

Learn how to inspire advocacy

https://www.thecargoagency.com

Register for a free pilot program with Feedback Now

https://marketing-info.feedbacknow.com/free-pilot

Learn more about Stone Mantel

https://www.stonemantel.co

Sign up for the Experience Strategist Substack here:

https://theexperiencestrategist.substack.com