What is the biggest rip-off on WDW property?

[Ned Land]

Some have mentioned the following:

Bottled water
Dolphin/Swan for any price over $200/night
Breakfast buffets for over $15/person
Fall Fantasy with the breakfast option (like $18/per person/day)
Ice cream social
Pleasure Island
All-Stars for any price over $80 per night

[ChiTownZee]

I'd say the Coke, since Coca-cola supplies it for free (at least that is what I have read on numerous occasions) Anyone know if that's true?

[Cindy B]

Some people will say with the elimination of Early Entry, staying on site!

(I will be doing my first off site visit soon, so I will tell you all about it later!)

[jimmybop]

i read a long time ago that coke made a contract where they would give them free soda for so many years....

but its only $2.11 for what cost $3.00 at World of Adventure in Ohio... so dont feel so bad about the soda... (and then u got the free stuff at ice station cool @ EPCOT):cool:

[JerseyJanice]

$20 T-shirts and $50 sweatshirts are what bug me.

[DocRafiki]

I don't remember ever feeling ripped off at WDW. I bring my own water. $20 is pretty standard for screen-printed tourist tees. Concert tees are usually $25-30 (that was >5 years ago when I used to buy them all the time). I've paid $40 for embroidered sweatshirts, but not $50. OH! - there were some emroidered jeans that I wanted back in '92 that were $100! That would have been a rip-off. I got them on sale later for $50.

[Towncrier]

Goodings (which is on WDW property). Even though I like the store, the prices there are a bit inflated.

[rykdad]

I agree with CindyB! I have also chosen to stay off-site on our next visit now that Early Entry no longer exists.

[Planogirl]

To me the regular cost for a room at the Polynesian is too much. I remember too well what we used to pay. That said, if I can find a good deal, I'm there!

[whirlsy]

I agree with everything in the above posts except the Ice cream social, I think its a good idea and cheaper than any other character greet. I would have to say bottled water is my biggest complaint.

[Harley Chick]

Another vote for bottled water.

[danacara]

Paying to use the gym at Yacht & Beach. That is lunacy.

[yensid1071]

A CM told us that all water on WDW property is filtered, so we just buy one bottle & carry it around. We then fill it up at a water fountain. They even sell water bottle straps if you want one.

Like all theme parks, almost everything is overpriced to some extent. :( Think of it this way. Without EE, you get to enjoy your room more, therefore getting more for your money. :) Nope, I don't buy it either, but thought I'd see how it sounded anyway. :rolleyes:

[supercarrie]

bottled water

[groovymickey]

Leav a Legacy tiles at Epcot. When my wife asked what they were, I told her they were another excuse to give Disney money. Also, the bricks in the walkway at Magic Kingdom.

[jimmybop]

who needs to buy bottled water? just go up to a counter service restruant.... smile realllllllllllllllly big :teeth: and ask for a cup of ice water from the tap. they will give you water for the soda fountain(that has about 3 big filters on the water line)

[Tartan Tigger]

Bottled water

[RuthAnne123]

The 10% gratuity at Pepper Market for pretty much waiting on yourself.

Rooth

[patsal]

I expect to pay "amusement park prices" for things like snacks and water, but I have to agree that I thought the ice cream social was a huge rip off for my family. Ither than that most things I've done or purchased seemed like a pretty good value. I tend to agree that the rack rates for many of the deluxe hotels are a bit over the edge, but if people will pay it why not!?!

[tnkrbell]

I agree with paying to use the gym at the deluxes is a rip!!It should be part of the price of staying there.
Also Beer,water ect yeah its a rip. (so we bring our own)

[Beauty]

I agree with the Rack Rates at the Resorts...although with the help of these boards I hope to never pay those again!!

I agree that we also expect to pay the higher prices for food, drinks, water, etc....but we also do about half the eating off sight and Belz does wonders for our souvenier budget.

[Towncrier]

Believe it or not, I've heard that the bottled water at Universal is even more expensive than it is at Disney. I don't care how many times they filter it, all I can think of when I see Zephyrhills water is the fact that, as a child, I used to swim in the spring that they draw that water from. Granted that was a LOT of years ago, but I just can't see paying top dollar for water from a former swimming hole.

[hercamore]

Besides the inflated rack rates, I want to add that I am bothered by the fact no AAA discount is offered at the restaurants.

AAA is available just about everywhere at Universal. Even food vendors.


Herc.

[CamColt]

17.00(although Ive heard its currently 18.00) for yucky spaghetti at Tonys!

After reading more posts I should add, in general I dont think most restaurants or counter service spots are expensive, just this one meal I felt was way overpriced since you can buy an entire lb of pasta in a supermarket for .33. ;)

[Kermit]

Paying rack cash rates for the larger DVC units. I'd definitely join DVC if I had a large family and needed more rooms. The nightly price of a grand villa is more than our monthly mortgage in some seasons.

[Disney-Kim]

Imho that is a hard question to answer because the food/water is expensive at most tourist destinations, so we have just come to expect it.

I honestly think the rack rates on the rooms are truly over priced for what you get. I am a 100% true believer in Disney Ambience but $370 a night for a room.......come on. Disney is not a Four Season or a Ritz. jmho....:)

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by RuthAnne123
The 10% gratuity at Pepper Market for pretty much waiting on yourself.

Rooth

I was going to say I thought most things, other than rack rates at the resorts (which most don't have to pay due to the myriad of discounts available virtually year round for something or other) was in line with what you would pay at any amusement venue. But I have to agree that the mandatory gratuity at PM did irk me a bit, small as it relatively was, the one time I ate there. Just a strange rule I thought.

[Carl]

The $15 + breakfasts throughout the parks - especially the change from around $10 for a breakfast at the Hollywood to now $15 or more.
I'm a light breakfast eater. Of course, now that there is no early entry it makes it less likely that I'd eat breakfast in the parks anyway.

[Micca]

I think the food prices are a little high. It wouldn't be a problem if the food was a little better. I think it's good, but the prices are steep.

[glo]

Room service at the Deluxe hotels...
bottled water
the pictures taken on the street by the photographers
the photo tiles at Epcot!

[DaveH]

When Disney Institute was open the classes were way too eexpensive. I wanted to about 4 of them but that would have cost as much as thee rest of my vacation.:eek: BTW I was staying at the All Stars.:cool:

[CathyCanada]

Another vote for bottled water!! When it costs more for water than it does for soda, something is definitely wrong. :rolleyes:
CC

[luv2nascar]

I definitely think the rack rates at deluxes are too much
It irked me paying I think it was $12-14 for one of those light up
spiny things at the parades like $4-5 bucks would have been plenty for one of those dang things

[Poohbear123]

For a hotel OVER 80.00 a night....so far I have only paid 62.00 a night for All Stars!;) (with tax during Summer Season). Some off-site hotels are MUCH higher than All Stars and I refuse to stay off site!:o We are staying in St. Augustine in Oct. and spending about 70.00 a night after taxes...NO WDW either!:rolleyes: I do not attend any of the buffet's... how much can one person eat??:confused: Alcoholic drinks run about the same here in Miami...4-6.00 a pop!:eek: So, I do not feel bad paying those prices. T-shirts I find ON SALE at the Park Stores, got one in June! (12.00) marked from 24.00!:o

[Ted and Holly]

The $67 small bottle of Kaluha from AKL room service.... It isat $7.99 in the NH State Liquor Store!

Ted once had a cordial at the California Grill. It was $10 for an ounce. We eventually found the 38 ounce bottle for $30. They were making over $200 a bottle!!!!!


We have also seen some GOOD deals.... a $12 Mr. Potato Head at the new Once Upon a Toy... all the pieces you can fit in the box
The refillable mugs at the resorts are a good deal if you use them often. Also, the $20 blankets from Mexico in Epcot WS which we use EVERY day.... and a $6.00 fullsize Disney Football from Team Mickey.

Holly

[Jennyfyar]

Parking! When we used to stay off site it used to really irk me they charged $6 to park! As if $50 per person admission wasn't enough! I know this is standard at most theme parks, it just made me mad.

BTW, now that we stay onsite I don't worry about it anymore.

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi all!

I agree with most of the items mentioned but since most are not necessities I just don't buy them. The local amusement park, Holiday World, includes free sodas and sunscreen in the modest entrance fee. I bought one of the walkway bricks because I was under the impression that the monies made off their sale helped sick kids get to go to DW.

Get a code for a room, haul your own food, buy an AP and enjoy!!!!

Slightly Goofy

[WebmasterBarry]

The $6 bottled water on the dresser in the resorts!

I always say, "No thank you, I will drink from the hose."

[WebmasterBarry]

Originally posted by Jennyfyar
Parking! When we used to stay off site it used to really irk me they charged $6 to park! As if $50 per person admission wasn't enough! I know this is standard at most theme parks, it just made me mad.

BTW, now that we stay onsite I don't worry about it anymore.

Six Flags charges $9-$10 and their version of Fast Pass costs $10-$20+ extra! Greed is indeed good! :)

[PandyPaws]

Ummm...E-Ride Night :( From recent experiences....it seems to be just an excuse to charge the extra $12 bucks to keep the parks open until what USED to be normal closing time :(

This past Tuesday, although stated time was 10pm till 1AM, everyone was held up from entering ques until 10:15, forming LINES :mad: ...what's up wit DAT?? :confused: Space Mountain had a line out to the entry door at aprox 11PM, as did Buzz Lightyear, although they "claimed" not many tickets were sold for that night?? .....we spent more time heading back and forth between Tomorrowland and Frontierland looking for shorter waits than actually riding anything.

[dianeschlicht]

We never really feel ripped off about anything at WDW. Prices are really comparable to anywhere else you go, and it has a magic NOWHERE else has!!