Spending at Disney increasing

[baler31]

The middle class are priced out of almost everything they used to be able to expect. Most true middle income families have a very hard time affording any vacation. By managing expenses and living close enough to drive most will find a Disney vacation comparable to other destinations, even now.

The problem is everyone wants more. Most, truly don't want to have to save by packing their own food and drinks even though at Disney it is allowed. Most, don't want to stay at the simple, clean safe, inn down the road. It does not have the elaborate pool with water slide or free breasfast, evening reception, 1000TC sheets, etc. I know I sound old but when I was growing up, middle class families took road trips in the car and ate out of a picnic basket with maybe one special meal and one souvenir purchase.

"Free Dining" may be targeted at the middle class but in what world does middle class equate with having to eat expensive table service meals every day and then worry about the tip not being included. Should we have a stronger middle class: absolutely. However, our expectations and the bills to go along with it are far greater than years ago.

8 things the middle class can no longer afford

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-...dle-class-cant-afford-anymore.html/?a=viewall

 

[peg110]

Business is business and vacation is vacation and families have to set their own limits and priorities. Parents need to be financial role-models for kids. Plan and enjoy - don't complain about the cost of everything on vacation. Take a look at your grocery bill - the cost of everything has gone up. We've done vacations at Disney, Universal, Washington DC, down the shore and to the islands and every time it's totally worth it. Fun, memories, laughter... that's what vacations are about. If you can't afford Disney every year boo-hoo! Most families can't. If you have to max out credit cards to go on vacation then you can't afford it. Plan to save and go when you can afford to. Disney offers so many options for every type of budget. So many people have been complaining about the cost of Disney but it's a huge corporation and their goal is making money. Kudos to them for being so successful It's a great place to visit - fun, safe, beautiful, clean, welcoming... everything we want when we go away. We work hard and go to Disney to enjoy every magical moment. We rented DVC points again and can't wait to stay at BWV in September!

My complaint is not about the cost, my complaint is about the cost versus the value (also consider the crowd levels as part of the value). While I think most of us will agree it's not cheap to go to Disney. Even if you pack lunches, stay at the lodge down the street, etc... It's still expensive for a typical family of 4. My point is, I can go to a local park and ride a lot of rides (some with long lines but almost none have had wait times over an hour) and get a lot of food for the same money as it costs just to get into the park at Disney. Is my local park Disney? NO, of course not, but when I spend $100 to get into the park and I can ride/see maybe 10 rides/shows for an ENTIRE day, the value (for us) goes down.

I don't like spending hundreds of dollars to stand in a line.

I am not Crying about this, I am saying, that these are factors in OUR decision to find value somewhere else. Do we like Disney? Sure, but it's getting harder and harder for us to justify the expense because OUR determination of it's value is rapidly decreasing.

It certainly doesn't seem like people are 'walking away' from Disney.

Disagree. We have just cancelled one of our vacations to WDW in November 2015 and we have another one planned that will likely be changing as well (and possibly cancelled). While there are still a lot of people walking TOWARDS Disney, I believe that the current state of the economy coupled with increases in WDW Pricing and other factors (that many have pointed out about expansion and maintenance) will start to impact (if they haven't already) the bottom line of WDW as well as Universal, Sea World, and any (all) other amusement park/entertainment around the world. I think we are going to see more "Stay-cations" coming back into style.

 

[wareagle57]

My complaint is not about the cost, my complaint is about the cost versus the value (also consider the crowd levels as part of the value). While I think most of us will agree it's not cheap to go to Disney. Even if you pack lunches, stay at the lodge down the street, etc... It's still expensive for a typical family of 4. My point is, I can go to a local park and ride a lot of rides (some with long lines but almost none have had wait times over an hour) and get a lot of food for the same money as it costs just to get into the park at Disney. Is my local park Disney? NO, of course not, but when I spend $100 to get into the park and I can ride/see maybe 10 rides/shows for an ENTIRE day, the value (for us) goes down.

I'm not sure what local parks you're talking about, but I have the exact opposite experience with other parks compared to Disney. At Disney, there is a method to the madness and every day is pretty predictable. When I go to Six Flags on a Saturday, I am in for a miserable day and I might get to ride a roller coaster 8-10 times. Disney may cost a little more than going to Six Flags, but there is definitely a huge quality increase.

 

[Andrew015]

My complaint is not about the cost, my complaint is about the cost versus the value.

This is it in a nutshell. I would happily fork over the additional cash if I felt that the experience justified those major, continual price increases.

 

[Andrew015]

Disney may cost a little more than going to Six Flags, but there is definitely a huge quality increase.

No dispute that Disney is still a top-quality experience. My problem is that the overall experience isn't much different today as it was a decade ago (sans magic bands and the glorified shuttle bus to/from MCO), and we're paying anywhere from 60-100% more for the privilege. To me, the changes in experience over that period of time (or lack thereof) don't come close to justifying the price increases that we've seen. If they did, I'd happily pay their pricing without so much as a second thought.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

The middle class are priced out of almost everything they used to be able to expect. Most true middle income families have a very hard time affording any vacation. By managing expenses and living close enough to drive most will find a Disney vacation comparable to other destinations, even now.

The problem is everyone wants more. Most, truly don't want to have to save by packing their own food and drinks even though at Disney it is allowed. Most, don't want to stay at the simple, clean safe, inn down the road. It does not have the elaborate pool with water slide or free breasfast, evening reception, 1000TC sheets, etc. I know I sound old but when I was growing up, middle class families took road trips in the car and ate out of a picnic basket with maybe one special meal and one souvenir purchase.

I agree, and that's why WDW has kept so many choices for different budgets IMO.

WDW is offering discounts for families of 4, 4 nights, 4 park passes-so I am assuming that is a common market.

Using rough rack rate numbers it appears a deluxe stay in 2005 was about the same price as a moderate stay today 11 years later for a family of 4, 4 nights and 4 park days. Yea that's a category lower but it's far from saying that family can no longer afford to go.

I did notice the same stay but dropping from a mod in 2005 to a value in 2015 did increase about $200 for the entire trip, which is about $20 a year for the whole family.

Head to head is indeed harder to swallow. Value went up about $50 each year or is flat out $600 more now, a mod stay for 4 went up about $700 and a deluxe went up a bit over $1,000.

So a Value vacation has gone up about 1 family movie night per year in 11 years.

Time of year can save even more, or cost even more of course.

 

[Planogirl]

I wish that we had hard figures but we don't so all we can really do is guess. And hopefully throw in a bit of logic.

I would love to know if the common WDW visitor might be shifting gradually from onsite to offsite. Disney is apparently experiencing good numbers at their resorts but are these middle income Americans? A lot of them might be foreign visitors many of whom still get good deals as far as I know. Have those numbers changed at all? Disney wouldn't care but it could be a sign of a shift.

We have changed from primarily onsite to primarily offsite. It saves us money. We also dine offsite more. This also saves us money. We don't bother much with souvenirs. This not only saves us money but keeps us from spending time looking at way too much generic, poorly made merchandise.

I don't think that we're oddballs but imagine that many regular visitors might be much like us. Those once in a lifetime visitors might see things differently though. If someone only plans to visit once then why not go all out?

 

[Planogirl]

I agree, and that's why WDW has kept so many choices for different budgets IMO.

WDW is offering discounts for families of 4, 4 nights, 4 park passes-so I am assuming that is a common market.

Using rough rack rate numbers it appears a deluxe stay in 2005 was about the same price as a moderate stay today 11 years later for a family of 4, 4 nights and 4 park days. Yea that's a category lower but it's far from saying that family can no longer afford to go.

I did notice the same stay but dropping from a mod in 2005 to a value in 2015 did increase about $200 for the entire trip, which is about $20 a year for the whole family.

Head to head is indeed harder to swallow. Value went up about $50 each year or is flat out $600 more now, a mod stay for 4 went up about $700 and a deluxe went up a bit over $1,000.

So a Value vacation has gone up about 1 family movie night per year in 11 years.

Time of year can save even more, or cost even more of course.

What room rates are you basing this on? We used to stay at the Polynesian Resort and I think that it at least has gone up significantly more.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

What room rates are you basing this on? We used to stay at the Polynesian Resort and I think that it at least has gone up significantly more.

Quick and dirty, probably tons of variables/examples but used Allstars, C Beach and BWI.

And like I say, I'm talking about being able to afford to go-at all. Not I used to splurge at a specific resort and now I can't anymore.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I wish that we had hard figures but we don't so all we can really do is guess. And hopefully throw in a bit of logic.

I would love to know if the common WDW visitor might be shifting gradually from onsite to offsite. Disney is apparently experiencing good numbers at their resorts but are these middle income Americans? A lot of them might be foreign visitors many of whom still get good deals as far as I know. Have those numbers changed at all? Disney wouldn't care but it could be a sign of a shift.

We have changed from primarily onsite to primarily offsite. It saves us money. We also dine offsite more. This also saves us money. We don't bother much with souvenirs. This not only saves us money but keeps us from spending time looking at way too much generic, poorly made merchandise.

I don't think that we're oddballs but imagine that many regular visitors might be much like us. Those once in a lifetime visitors might see things differently though. If someone only plans to visit once then why not go all out?

Not sure what your point is?

No offense, but if everyone did what you do, they would close all resorts, all shops and most dining-I'm assuming all fine dining would close. Which of course wouldn't matter to you, I do get that. Just not sure that is the best scenario.

I think it's great there are those options for you and others and myself-just glad others fill in the areas that are being utilized/expanded etc.

Actually that's what I like about WDW-so many ways to tour yet expand areas/offerings even if some are splurges.

 

[rteetz]

I'm not sure what local parks you're talking about, but I have the exact opposite experience with other parks compared to Disney. At Disney, there is a method to the madness and every day is pretty predictable. When I go to Six Flags on a Saturday, I am in for a miserable day and I might get to ride a roller coaster 8-10 times. Disney may cost a little more than going to Six Flags, but there is definitely a huge quality increase.

This I will kind of agree with. A chicken tender basket with a drink at six flags will cost just about $20 for one person. At least at Disney I can get a quick service meal for less than that.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

This I will kind of agree with. A chicken tender basket with a drink at six flags will cost just about $20 for one person. At least at Disney I can get a quick service meal for less than that.

Yep, and food courts at Allstars are not that bad either IMO.

Soups/Salads
Create Your Own Salad - with choice of Salmon, Chicken, or Steak $11.49

New England Clam Chowder $3.99

Chicken Orzo Soup $3.79

Tomato Basil Soup $3.29

Beef and Barley Soup $3.79

Vegetable Soup $3.29

Pizza
Large Pepperoni Pizza $15.49

Large Cheese Pizza $13.99

Large Vegetable Pizza $17.99

Six Breadsticks - with Marinara Sauce $5.99

Hot Italian Sandwich - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips $9.49

Individual Vegetable Pizza - with side salad $9.69

Individual Cheese Pizza - with side salad $9.19

Individual Pepperoni Pizza - with side salad $9.69

Create Your Own Pasta - Choose your pasta and sauce combination with choice of Beef Meatballs, Panko-crusted Chicken, or Shrimp $11.49

Entrees
Taco Salad - LUNCH ONLY $8.39

Nachos Supreme - LUNCH ONLY $7.99

Grilled Steak Sandwich - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips $9.49

Chicken Quesadilla - served with Rice and Black Beans $9.29

Beef and Blue Focaccia - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips $10.49

Turkey & Muenster Focaccia - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips $9.49

Cajun Mahi Sandwich - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips - LUNCH ONLY $10.49

Barbecued Pork Sandwich - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips - LUNCH ONLY$9.49

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - with Ham, Cheese, and Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or House-made Chips $10.49

Chicken Breast Nuggets - 8 pieces with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or French Fries $8.99

Vegetable Burger - with choice of Cucumber Salad, Coleslaw, or French Fries $9.99

Create Your Own Chicken Burger - with choice of Cucumber Salad, Coleslaw, or French Fries $10.99

Create Your Own Angus Burger - with choice of Cucumber Salad, Coleslaw, or French Fries $10.99

Create Your Own Hot Dog - with Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, or French Fries $9.99

Side Dishes
Chili-Cheese Fries $4.99

For Children Ages 3-9
Macaroni & Cheese - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Cheese Pizza $5.99

Pasta with Meatball $5.99

Pepperoni Pizza $5.99

Hot Dog - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Hamburger - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Grilled Cheese - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Chicken Nuggets - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Cheeseburger - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Fish Sticks - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.99

Uncrustables PB&J - with grapes and carrot sticks $5.49

Roast Turkey - DINNER ONLY $6.99

Grilled Chicken Tenders - DINNER ONLY $6.99

Turkey Sandwich - with Grapes and Carrot Sticks $5.99

Tilapia Sandwich - with Grapes and Carrot Sticks DINNER ONLY $6.99

 

[rteetz]

Everything Disney has done lately and continues to do right now is not geared at the middle class. $2,000 a night bungalows at the poly, cabins coming to WL, dessert parties inside of hard ticket events, the new hard ticket add ones to food and wine, etc. these things are not things that most families of four or more can spend money on. If Disney was building value resorts and adding more experiences into your regular park ticket and not hard ticket add ons this would be a different story.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Even the Boardwalk has inexpensive items.

Meatball sub $5.25?

Boardwalk To Go
BoardWalk - Resort
All Day Menu

Menu Date: May 2015
Disney Dining Plan:
-- Snack (2015)
Buffalo Chicken Wings - 6 wings $6.75

Buffalo Chicken Wings - 10 wings $8.75

Hamburger - $.50 to add cheese; $4.25

Hamburger Basket - includes fries and a fountain drink $8.75

Hot Dog $4.25

Hot Dog Basket - includes French fries and drink $8.75

Foot-long Hot Dog $5.25

Foot-long Hot Dog Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.75

Corn Dog $4.75

Corn Dog Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.25

Mozzarella Sticks $4.75

Mozzarella Sticks Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.25

Chicken Fingers Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.50

Grilled Chicken Sandwich $5.00

Grilled Chicken Sandwich Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.50

Breaded Chicken Sandwich $4.50

Breaded Chicken Sandwich Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.00

Meatball Sandwich $5.25

Meatball Sandwich Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.75

Fried Ravioli $4.75

Fried Ravioli Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.25

Foot-long Corn Dog $5.50

Foot-long Corn Dog Basket - includes French fries and drink $9.75

Uncrusted Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich $2.50

Fried Macaroni and Cheese Bites $4.00

Pulled Pork Sandwich $4.25

Onion Rings $4.25

Pulled Pork Sandwich Basket - includes French fries and drink $8.75

Cheese Fries $4.75

French Fries $3.75

Chili Fries $4.75

Chili & Cheese Fries $5.25

Nachos with Cheese $4.75

Deluxe Nachos - chili & cheese $5.25

Chili Dog $4.75

Cheese Dog $4.75

Chili Cheese Dog $5.25

Tater Tots $4.00

Ham & Cheese Pocket Puff $3.50

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Everything Disney has done lately and continues to do right now is not geared at the middle class. $2,000 a night bungalows at the poly, cabins coming to WL, dessert parties inside of hard ticket events, the new hard ticket add ones to food and wine, etc. these things are not things that most families of four or more can spend money on. If Disney was building value resorts and adding more experiences into your regular park ticket and not hard ticket add ons this would be a different story.

Agreed, but some of us think that helps the overall influx of cash into the WDW resort.

All the things you list would be gone otherwise.

Not everybody does every one of those things.

But some (yes even staying offsite or Value) do on occasion participate in one of those events and actually enjoy that.

Do you really think that MNSSHP or MVMCP should be no extra charge, or not offered at all?

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

How about an "in park" menu.

Not that bad IMO.

Kinda surprised a 1/3 pound bacon cheeseburger and fries is still under $10.



Backlot Express
Echo Lake - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Lunch/Dinner Menu

Menu Date: July 2015
Reader Rating:
7.5/10
View Reader Reviews | Share Your Review
Disney Dining Plan:
-- Quick-Service Meal (2015)
-- Snack (2015)
Notes:
For kids' meals: juice box, small chocolate milk, cookie, french fries, or yogurt substituted upon request.
Soups/Salads
Southwest Salad with Chicken - mixed greens, crisp corn tortilla, black bean relish, avocado, and cilantro vinaigrette $9.99

Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad - mixed greens, red onion, tomato, green peas and zinfandel vinaigrette $6.99

Combination Meals
1/3 lb. Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - onion straws, and horseradish sauce, served with French fries or carrot sticks $10.99

1/3 lb. Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - with house sauce, served with French fries or carrot sticks $9.99

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Breast Nuggets (8 pieces) - served with French fries or carrot sticks $9.69

Chicken Breast Nuggets (8 pieces) - served with French fries or carrot sticks $8.99

Chili Dog - add cheese or onions, served with French fries or carrot sticks $9.49

Hot Dog - served with French fries or carrot sticks $7.49

Pressed Turkey Club - multigrain bread with arugula, bacon, swiss, roasted red peppers served with French fries or carrot sticks $10.49

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich - basil asiago artisan bread, fresh mushrooms, red peppers, zucchini, tomato, watercress, cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto, served with carrot sticks or french fries $9.49

For Children Ages 3-9
Chicken Nuggets - includes applesauce, carrot sticks and choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich - includes applesauce, carrot sticks and choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99

Uncrustables PB&J - includes applesauce, carrot sticks and choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.49

Power Pack - yogurt, apple wedges, carrot sticks, goldfish crackers, apple-cinnamon snack bar, and choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.49

Desserts
Specialty Cupcake $5.19

Chocolate Mousse $4.19

Strawberry Parfait - no sugar added $4.19

 

[rteetz]

Agreed, but some of us think that helps the overall influx of cash into the WDW resort.

All the things you list would be gone otherwise.

Not everybody does every one of those things.

But some (yes even staying offsite or Value) do on occasion participate in one of those events and actually enjoy that.

Do you really think that MNSSHP or MVMCP should be no extra charge, or not offered at all?

If I'm not mistaken Disneyland doesn't charge for one of those events. I do they they should be offered and do think their current model for the holiday parties is good but when they have add ons to those parties. WDW didn't always charge for holiday parties either. But as others have said parks like Epcot, and DHS just don't have the value they used too. Now we know things will be happening at DHS but Epcot is still nowhere were it needs to be.

 

[mcjaco]

The middle class are priced out of almost everything they used to be able to expect. Most true middle income families have a very hard time affording any vacation. By managing expenses and living close enough to drive most will find a Disney vacation comparable to other destinations, even now.

The problem is everyone wants more. Most, truly don't want to have to save by packing their own food and drinks even though at Disney it is allowed. Most, don't want to stay at the simple, clean safe, inn down the road. It does not have the elaborate pool with water slide or free breasfast, evening reception, 1000TC sheets, etc. I know I sound old but when I was growing up, middle class families took road trips in the car and ate out of a picnic basket with maybe one special meal and one souvenir purchase.

"Free Dining" may be targeted at the middle class but in what world does middle class equate with having to eat expensive table service meals every day and then worry about the tip not being included. Should we have a stronger middle class: absolutely. However, our expectations and the bills to go along with it are far greater than years ago.

8 things the middle class can no longer afford

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-...dle-class-cant-afford-anymore.html/?a=viewall

I can confidently say I am in the middle class. We can afford everything we should be able to "expect." It's about budgeting and saving responsibly. I think that's where the real disconnect is.

And yes, everyone wants more for their dollar. Thus the increase in ticket prices. A 3 Billion dollar park improvement is going to cost everyone at the gate.

My complaint is not about the cost, my complaint is about the cost versus the value (also consider the crowd levels as part of the value). While I think most of us will agree it's not cheap to go to Disney. Even if you pack lunches, stay at the lodge down the street, etc... It's still expensive for a typical family of 4. My point is, I can go to a local park and ride a lot of rides (some with long lines but almost none have had wait times over an hour) and get a lot of food for the same money as it costs just to get into the park at Disney. Is my local park Disney? NO, of course not, but when I spend $100 to get into the park and I can ride/see maybe 10 rides/shows for an ENTIRE day, the value (for us) goes down.

I don't like spending hundreds of dollars to stand in a line.

I am not Crying about this, I am saying, that these are factors in OUR decision to find value somewhere else. Do we like Disney? Sure, but it's getting harder and harder for us to justify the expense because OUR determination of it's value is rapidly decreasing.


Disagree. We have just cancelled one of our vacations to WDW in November 2015 and we have another one planned that will likely be changing as well (and possibly cancelled). While there are still a lot of people walking TOWARDS Disney, I believe that the current state of the economy coupled with increases in WDW Pricing and other factors (that many have pointed out about expansion and maintenance) will start to impact (if they haven't already) the bottom line of WDW as well as Universal, Sea World, and any (all) other amusement park/entertainment around the world. I think we are going to see more "Stay-cations" coming back into style.

My Mom laments that Disney was not cheap in the eighties, when we went every year. They had to save their money literally from the day we got back from one trip, in order to do the next trip. And that was only with MK, and later MK and EPCOT. So for us, we've always felt Disney was a perk to go to, and required financial discipline in order to go.

Apparently, you're one of the few that's cancelling, as no one else seems to be, and there aren't any "low times" any more.

Everything Disney has done lately and continues to do right now is not geared at the middle class. $2,000 a night bungalows at the poly, cabins coming to WL, dessert parties inside of hard ticket events, the new hard ticket add ones to food and wine, etc. these things are not things that most families of four or more can spend money on. If Disney was building value resorts and adding more experiences into your regular park ticket and not hard ticket add ons this would be a different story.

Apparently, they've discovered that there's a niche market for the higher spenders that want to enjoy Disney. I see no reason not to have $2K bungalows, if they can fill them. Or higher priced ticketed items if people will shell out the cash for them as well. And really, isn't that what MNSSHP and MVMCP are anyway?

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

If I'm not mistaken Disneyland doesn't charge for one of those events. I do they they should be offered and do think their current model for the holiday parties is good but when they have add ons to those parties. WDW didn't always charge for holiday parties either. But as others have said parks like Epcot, and DHS just don't have the value they used too. Now we know things will be happening at DHS but Epcot is still nowhere were it needs to be.

The parties are too busy already IMO. They would be worthless if free (no extra charge), just like Universal H Horror nights would be-even those have an additional $50 charge for Horror attraction express pass, again IMO.

As for the other parks-another subject IMO. But agree they can use more help, are getting more help-and for what its worth EPCOT is by far our favorite park still today. But that is because of WS-love it.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Apparently, they've discovered that there's a niche market for the higher spenders that want to enjoy Disney. I see no reason not to have $2K bungalows, if they can fill them. Or higher priced ticketed items if people will shell out the cash for them as well. And really, isn't that what MNSSHP and MVMCP are anyway?

100% agree.

Attracting/bringing in that affluent spending is way better (for everyone) than simply avoiding it IMO.