Is it just me....

[arielfan]

Is it just me or is the pricing to stay on property getting crazy?? Even with 30% off to the general public is nuts!! Discounted price to stay at Animal Kingdom is over $300 a night, really and a moderate is nearly $200.00 a night! They are making it very hard for a family too take a vacation there. Any thoughts....

 

[olecow]

It's definitely not cheap, but it's not in "nuts" territory to me and my family yet. We've never gone without a discount of some kind so we've never paid full rack rate. We also stay at the least expensive resort we can which for us is POR because we're a family of five. For us price increases simply mean a longer time between trips because it takes longer for us to save for it. We stayed off-site once and hated it, so if we're going to go, we're going to stay on property.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We are with you totally. I remember paying $69 at ASMO, and cant't believe how fast it DOUBLED!!! Now we are 5, so POR is our cheapest option and we are paying over $200 per night. We were always the "we will NEVER stay offsite" people. But have to say after working the budget for this trip....we are sitting on the tipping point to stay offsite. Think I would rather stay offsite than have to trim days off our vacation, or even try someplace else

 

[maxiesmom]

If you can be flexible with your travel dates it does help a lot! POR has rates as low as $162 a night, depending on the time of year. And the All Stars do still go as low as $85 a night. Not bad at all!

 

[aaarcher86]

I go in the off season, so the prices really aren't nuts to me at all. We typically try and keep our hotel choices between $100 - $150 when we travel and the values are less than that at Disney. The moderates are right in that range most of the time (or slightly above).

I personally wouldn't pay the price of a deluxe, but it's just because I can't justify the cost for the time we spend in the room. I don't have an opinion on them though since I've never experienced them.

 

[pjhootch]

Yep, I'm with you, I think it is nuts. We have never stayed at the value resorts before, but that is what we're doing this time. I don't mind doing it for a change and we're looking forward to doing something different.

However, when I get on the website and see $400-$500 a night for the Deluxe Resorts, I have to wonder what on earth makes it worth that much money. Don't get me wrong , I know there are folks that love the deluxe resorts and don't mind paying for them. As long as those rooms are full the prices will stay high or get higher.

Our three kids are grown so we need 2 rooms for the 5 of us these days. We skip the parks with EMH, so that perk doesn't do anything for me. We don't charge things or have them delivered to our room... so that isn't worthwhile for us either.

Essentially, we stay on-site to use the Disney buses and some times Magical Express. It is nice for the parents and three grown kids to be able to bus back and forth when and where we want. When some of us wear out, the others can keep going if they want to.

I like the Mods, will be okay in the values, but I although I could pay for the deluxe... I just won't do it. I use the PIN or discount to get a break, but even so I think the prices of the moderate resorts are not nearly as reasonable as they were a couple of years ago.

 

[gratefulfred]

Took my wife and 2yo dd this past september and the prices of everything were really bothering me. I've gone to Disney alot so it really sucks to think i won't be able to take my daughter in the future as they continue to gouge you for everything. remember we are only a few months away from their annual because we can price increase

 

[spel]

Yes. We can't afford it. So we stay off-site and really love it. Tons of space, beautiful resort, separate bedroom for the kids, washer & dryer. And we like the flexibility of having a car and not relying in the buses.

 

[maxiesmom]

Took my wife and 2yo dd this past september and the prices of everything were really bothering me. I've gone to Disney alot so it really sucks to think i won't be able to take my daughter in the future as they continue to gouge you for everything. remember we are only a few months away from their annual because we can price increase

How is $85 a night gouging you? Not that the term has any credibility anyway. Just like any other business, Disney will charge what the market will allow. I have to say it is kind of silly to say Disney is gouging you when you just took a child to the parks for free. At 2 you didn't have to pay for your daughter's food or for a park ticket. Yep, they really gouged you.

If you are talking food, I agree the prices are high. But at least Disney will allow you to bring in your own food, unlike most other places. You can still do Disney relatively inexpensively. But you do have to work at it a bit.

 

[padawans]

Yes. We can't afford it. So we stay off-site and really love it. Tons of space, beautiful resort, separate bedroom for the kids, washer & dryer. And we like the flexibility of having a car and not relying in the buses.

I think this is a very good option if you want a deluxe type resort at a reasonable price. Disney has there value and moderate resorts that are priced ok, but not what a lot of people are looking for in terms of amenities and room size. If the day comes when we can't afford a Disney deluxe. I would definitely explore the offsite options. The Waldorf cost less than the BC with 40% off.

 

[Srbright]

How is $85 a night gouging you? Not that the term has any credibility anyway. Just like any other business, Disney will charge what the market will allow.

Yah... we had a whole other discussion about what gouging actually is...

 

[gratefulfred]

How is $85 a night gouging you? Not that the term has any credibility anyway. Just like any other business, Disney will charge what the market will allow. I have to say it is kind of silly to say Disney is gouging you when you just took a child to the parks for free. At 2 you didn't have to pay for your daughter's food or for a park ticket. Yep, they really gouged you.

If you are talking food, I agree the prices are high. But at least Disney will allow you to bring in your own food, unlike most other places. You can still do Disney relatively inexpensively. But you do have to work at it a bit.

I wasn't just talking about the price of a room. I meant everything involved rooms, tickets, food, drinks, parking, merchandise and these greedy ***** push the price up on anything and everything they can every chance they get. They are making tons of money testing what the market can bear and paying their employees little better than minimum wage. It really takes alot of the fake magic away for me seeing it. I know my two year old was free, duh thats why I took her then, our family may not be able to go in the future. As far as disney is concerned my daughter is staying two for at least the next two years

 

[Laketravis]

There are gradual price increases to cover costs and margins, and then there are substantial price increases intended to test the markets elasticity.

What I've seen over the last three years is the latter. Disney is most definitely testing the limits of perceived value by reducing or eliminating discounts and raising prices by double digit percentages.

Unfortunately, until it impacts demand, someone at corporate is getting slapped on the back for their ingeniousness:

"Dang, Fred! All this time we could have been charging THIS MUCH? !!!"

This year, I'm staying off site. I'll free up yet another space onsite for a Disney Apologist who's pleas for "Thank you, sir...May I pay even more?" will be happily accomodated.

 

[pjhootch]

How is $85 a night gouging you? Not that the term has any credibility anyway. Just like any other business, Disney will charge what the market will allow. I have to say it is kind of silly to say Disney is gouging you when you just took a child to the parks for free. At 2 you didn't have to pay for your daughter's food or for a park ticket. Yep, they really gouged you.

If you are talking food, I agree the prices are high. But at least Disney will allow you to bring in your own food, unlike most other places. You can still do Disney relatively inexpensively. But you do have to work at it a bit.

Perhaps the term overcharging is more appropriate? Semantics. The word is irrelevant. The idea was communicated just fine.

$85 for a value hotel room is a perfectly fine price. The same room for $120 or more, not so great. Especially when you need to purchase 2 rooms. Now, I didn't say I wasn't going back, and I didn't say I wouldn't pay the prices. But I think some of the prices are nuts.

I agree that prices at Disney are increasing faster than other places I visit. We've stayed off property many times, and probably will again at some point in the future. Right now I like the convenience of the bus system. Some day it won't be worth it to me anymore.

The food is pretty outrageous in many cases. It always amuses me when I calculate what it will cost to get drinks and snacks for a family of 5. And I chuckle and head off to the water fountain instead.

 

[Coyotesweat]

Hmm. I guess it's all relative. Pop at value season came out to about $75 a night weekdays, $85 weekends. Includes nice pool and park transportation, arcade, lake, food court and movies by the pool. I've stayed at one of the newer, nicer motel six out in Texas hill country for $59. Had unheated pool, no restaurant, not near lake, no arcade, and not at Disney. I think the extra $15-25 to add in some Disney magic is worth it to me. I can't weigh in on the moderates or deluxes because they are and will likely remain more than I can afford.

 

[maxiesmom]

I know my two year old was free, duh thats why I took her then, our family may not be able to go in the future. As far as disney is concerned my daughter is staying two for at least the next two years

Nice attitude. You ever consider that people cheating them like you plan on doing is at least part of the reason the cost is so high?

Cheating and stealing from a company because you think they charge too much is just ridiculous. A trip to WDW is not a right. It is a spluge. One many families can't afford. But it is not up to each of us to decide what we wish to pay for, just as when we go to the grocery store, or to the car dealership. You don't get to steal a porsche because you don't like what they charge.

It is posts like this that make me wish they did ask for proof of age of every child.

To the poster who says Disney overcharges, well that is subjective. I think $120 for a room is not overcharging. Especially when that comes with transportation from the airport, and bus service the whole time I am staying at that resort.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wasn't just talking about the price of a room. I meant everything involved rooms, tickets, food, drinks, parking, merchandise and these greedy ***** push the price up on anything and everything they can every chance they get.

Here are some ways to make a trip cost less:

Rooms: Prices vary. Go when it is cheaper. Stay off site if you choose.
Tickets: They are expensive. You can save a few $$ by purchasing from places such as Maple Leaf Tickets or Undercover Tourist.
Food: Bring in your own. Spluge on a meal or two.
Drinks: Bring in your own. They will actually give you water for free at the counter service places.
Parking: Staying on site you don't pay for parking. Staying off site you do. $14 for parking is peanuts compared to parking for a show or any pro sport.
Merchandise: Depending on what you want, it is expensive. However you can take a trip to WDW and not buy a bunch of tops or pins.

In reality, Disney doesn't force you to buy much from them for a trip to WDW. Tickets is all. Whether anything else is worth spending your hard earned money on is totally up to the individual.

 

[bear_mom]

I wasn't just talking about the price of a room. I meant everything involved rooms, tickets, food, drinks, parking, merchandise and these greedy ***** push the price up on anything and everything they can every chance they get. They are making tons of money testing what the market can bear and paying their employees little better than minimum wage. It really takes alot of the fake magic away for me seeing it. I know my two year old was free, duh thats why I took her then, our family may not be able to go in the future. As far as disney is concerned my daughter is staying two for at least the next two years

We spent as much for 2 days at Cedar Point as we would have for 2 days at Disney. The food was more expensive and not nearly as good (which is saying a lot) and they wouldn't allow you to bring in your own food.

Drinks were the same cost.

Merchandise was the same. The only thing different Disney does there is that they have some (OK most) of the rides dump into gift shops.

Oh, Disney was MUCH cleaner than Cedar Point and the CMs were much nicer and more helpful than the CP employees. There was no themeing to any rides, just boring lines that snaked back and forth.

I don't see Disney pricing out of line with other theme parks.

Emily

 

[jennyjinx3]

Just thought I would chime in here. As a family of five, we have priced out vacations here in Canada, the U.S., and (pipe dream) Europe, for at least a weeks stay.

For now, a Disney vacation staying onsite is CHEAPER then any of the others. And May will be our 3rd deluxe trip. Disney can be done affordably if one takes the time to wait for discounts, and cheaper airfare. It is not more expensive then anywhere else, IMHO.

 

[E&As Mom]

We spent as much for 2 days at Cedar Point as we would have for 2 days at Disney. The food was more expensive and not nearly as good (which is saying a lot) and they wouldn't allow you to bring in your own food.

Drinks were the same cost.

Merchandise was the same. The only thing different Disney does there is that they have some (OK most) of the rides dump into gift shops.

Oh, Disney was MUCH cleaner than Cedar Point and the CMs were much nicer and more helpful than the CP employees. There was no themeing to any rides, just boring lines that snaked back and forth.

I don't see Disney pricing out of line with other theme parks.

Emily

So right on!! Cedar Point has definitely increased their prices over the last few years... and you're right... no real theming in the rides (boring compared to the WDW queues, although we do love the thrill rides there). We went to CP for a day this past summer (we live only 2 1/2 hours away, so we tend to go 1-2 times a year) and I couldn't believe how much $$ we spent! Now, we did take a picnic lunch, but you have to leave it outside the park gates in their picnic areas (or in your car if you don't want to leave it unattended). The prices for snacks and drinks was probably more than a lot of the same type of fare @ WDW. The price for parking was either $12 or $15 a day (again, same range as WDW) and the prices for the nicer hotels in the area are definitely in the $150-$200 range a night, which also seems to compare to WDW.

Given the choice, I'd defintely take the 2 days @ WDW over CP, because the perks of staying onsite (transportation, hotel amenities, etc) are definitely worth it! I hadn't thought much about comparing some of the prices of WDW to CP, but you are definitely right.

~Kelly