Others will fill in the gaps. You know why
ticket prices are going up and there are less discount offers? Because demand is higher than ever.
For the TiW card, it really depends on where you eat, how much you eat, and the size of your party. We did the math last night after the price change was announced and found that for us it is still worth it.
And everyone is free to take their business elsewhere, but just because some people don't see it as being worth it anymore, doesn't mean that many others will have a different opinion. I don't think Disney is in any danger of seeing a drop in attendance.
Something else to keep in mind is that Disney is a luxury vacation. I think that is actually something they may be trying to build on. They may be trying to make it something that the up and coming types will start to see as a "hey I can afford this now" type of thing and get the brand image more back in the luxury category. I am not saying that is what they are doing, but it is something that I wonder about.
I go to WDW about three times a year.....sometimes just twice. Most of the time, it's a solo trip, sometimes it's with a friend who also owns DVC, has an AP and TiW. It's the trips that I take with others that make the TiW card worthwhile. At this point, I would have to spend something like $750 to just break even. The food at WDW doesn't appeal to me nearly as much as it used to...it's just not that wonderful. When I could save money on the dining, fine. Now? There is no way I'm paying that kind of money for mediocre food.
is it 100.00 more DVC for Gold?
If we compare apples to oranges, no. It's only about $20 addtl to get the Gold AP. BUT...if I want the same AP I now have? It's about $128 higher!!! That would be the new Platinum Pass. The Gold pass takes park dates away from me. I don't care about PP. And I already have free parking.
None of the price changes here should have made this unattainable in 24 hours. If these increases were enough to put you over the breaking point, you've been right on the edge of it for a long time.
For me? It's not about the higher costs. It's the principle. Disney has taken something away from me. If my dd ends up working for WDW next fall, she will most likely be there at Christmas. If we want to visit her, at Christmas, and go to a park? Well, we had best hope that she gets some comp passes...because unless I shell out an addtl $128, the dates of that visit don't allow park time! I can easily afford the increases. This, for me, isn't about the cost. It's more about the way those of us that have supported Disney through the years. We buy our APs, we spend a ton of money there...not on knick knacks but on food and beverages. We book tours. We buy 'property' there. We knew what we were getting into. But I have to say that every single year has brought about some other cost saving measured as well as cost increases. Only with Disney is it 'okay' to take stuff away from the customer yet raise the prices..and have the customer thank you for the wonderful changes!!
Everyone here, that has been here for any length of time anyway, will know that I have staunchly supported all the changes Disney has made. Now??? Just wait.....regular park passes are going to change. The cost will mimic DVC...certain times of year will be more costly to go to a park, and within that? Certain days of the week will be more expensive. You say you want to go to WDW a week around spring break?? Wait until you see what those passes will cost you!!!
Sure, Disney wants to take away the huge swells of guests at certain times of year. I get that. That's just going to make those that have always gone at 'slow' times, angry!!! I don't want a ton of people deciding that Thanksgiving week is too expensive, so they wait until the next week!!! That's routinely been a less busy time...almost pleasant as far as crowds go. Those times of year will no longer exist.
I've been going since '99...that's a fair amount of time and money going to Disney. I think it's time, for me anyway, to put down the rose colored glasses, and stop drinking the Kool-Aid (so to speak). Yes, others will take my place...more power to 'em. My happy place is getting to unpredictable.....changes that I can no longer see coming. Yes, it's a business. But, it used to be a business that was in the business of spreading magical experiences..guest satisfaction was a huge deal. I'm just not seeing that anymore. Sure, there are some CMs that go that extra step to help you out. But, overall? I've seen attitudes go downhill...I've watched CMs stand around chatting, while customers waited at a cash register. I've watched CMs chatting while guests are waiting to board an attraction....'ooops, sorry mam, didn't see you there. please step this way.'...seriously? You didn't see because you weren't looking!!!
Nope, too many less than wonderful things are happening...all under the guise of making our experiences better.