Prices just hit my threshold :-(

[Happy_2_B]

You can't as a business offer less that customers and tell them to pay more because you are making expansions for other customers in the future, you need to make the expansions first then charge more.

We will have to agree to disagree. Charging more now provides the assets needed above and beyond the current quarterly earnings to enable WDW to do the renovations, spread attendance more evenly- and continue to keep stockholders happy at the same time. If a small number of people opt to cancel their vacation, or stay offsite, or sell their DVC points, or don't do as many TS restaurants, etc, etc, etc--- well, that ultimately doesn't matter because in the bigger picture it is small potatoes to the huge conglomerate that Disney has become. Someone will swoop in and fill these voids since there is ALWAYS going to be somebody else to fill these voids created by those no longer interested. Lots and lots of people will continue to be more than happy to buy APs- as it still remains a way better value than regular park admission for frequent visitors. Those that want to give up their APs and go to regular park admission is even better for the bottom line since those people will be paying more per day to visit.

Disney isn't just theme parks- but also merchandising, movies, television- and all the rest. That a handful of people choose to change or cancel their vacation plans because they are 'disappointed' in Disney is, again, irrelevant to the corporation and stockholders. The amount of money these types of decisions amount to is a mere 'blip on a massive radar screen'- if you will. Any revenues lost because of the small group of people that change/cancel their vacation plans will be more than made up with the price increases- and still allow for a healthy surplus for expansion/renovation. The 'good ole' days' are gone forever- today and into the future it is only about profit margin- nothing more, nothing less. One doesn't have to like it- but it is the cold, hard reality of today's corporate world. There is no room for empathy in corporate America- business is business- and like it or not Disney is a business- and will do whatever it takes to ensure a healthy bottom line.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Don't feel that way. I don't think anyone here is saying that a vacation at WDW isn't a great vacation. For some of us that are long time visitors we're just not seeing the value for our dollar. Your experience will be completely different from ours as everything will be new to you and you won't have anything to compare it to. For some people, even with the price increases and decreases in other areas they still feel that they are getting good value for their money, and as long as they feel that way it's still a great vacation for them. Each person/family needs to make that decision for themselves.

Personally, for our family, we don't think it's a good value for our dollar so we have started branching out and trying new vacation destinations and are finding that we're having fun in new locals. It doesn't take anything away from the fun we had at Disney, it's just time for us to move on to something different. Most likely we'll be back when some of the new lands open up.

I don't think anyone here is saying that they hate WDW. Quite the opposite. I think most of us love going and are a bit sad that we're just not finding the value in it anymore. For those of us that have done something new, I think we're a bit surprised to find out that we're not missing WDW as much as we thought we would. I know I was. Years ago I couldn't imagine being in the Orlando area and not going to WDW. As I said earlier in this thread we did 10 days there and didn't set foot on WDW once, even though we planned to at least hit DTD, and I really didn't miss it at all, which really surprised me.

Thank you. You have no idea how comforting this was. Another poster said pretty much this and it has put me at ease. This put a smile on my face!

I'm happy that you've found new places to frequent and to haunt a little bit more aside from Disney. I do hope that Disney does something to keep all of you going back to it, and remembering the special memories that you make there, but also not trying to eat into your jean pockets as it gnaws through your wallets. I've got a long way to go, so, it's back to some happy planning. Thank you, friend.

 

[saskdw]

But I'm sure you realize some of your costs are upgrades you choose. Business class at a moderate resort costs quite a bit more than a standard value room.

This is true, but even if we saved $100 a night to stay value that's only $1400 less. When you add in the other expenses you still get to $10k pretty quick.

 

[saskdw]

Agreed. Obviously Disney had high-end clientele when they built their on-site hotels

Read my other post on the cost of going to WDW from western Canada. It's still a $10k vacation staying at this lovely value resort.

 

[Cactus-butt]

Read my other post on the cost of going to WDW from western Canada. It's still a $10k vacation staying at this lovely value resort.

Sounds like we're in agreement. Only the super-rich should go to Disney World!

Hear that middle class families? Eat it!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET.

 

[dlavender]

This is true, but even if we saved $100 a night to stay value that's only $1400 less. When you add in the other expenses you still get to $10k pretty quick.

I think you would save a little more that $100/night going from Bus Class to a Value. Probably about $400/night? Savings of more than $4000? Am I off?

Edit: Yes, I was thinking about the suite bus class. I am off. You are right, about $100/night savings. My B.

 

[Angel Ariel]

DLR was one park and the tickets were tiered. I think there was only 1 "E" ticket in the book. You had to buy more if you wanted to ride more.

A 5 day Park Hopper ticket in 1999 was $199.00. All 4 parks in WDW were open at that time, so this is an apples to apples comparison.

With inflation, that would be $284.66 in today's dollars.

A current 5 day park hopper ticket is $379.00 (I assume both the 1999 number and this number are pre-tax).

If I did my calculations right, that's a 33% increase in the cost of a 5 day park hopper.

 

[momof2n2]

I'm guessing you live much closer to WDW than some of us?

All of our yearly WDW vacations cost $10k.

We come all the way from western Canada each December which means two things. Flights are $2000-$2500 and because it takes an entire travel day there and a day back combined with the flight cost it only makes sense to go if it's for 2 weeks. Not a few days at a time.

Flights $2500
Magic my way with FD at a Business Class room at CSR for 3 $6500.

We're at $9000 with "free dining" and we have factored in no other expenses yet.

So your opinion of what a $10k vacation should look like is not valid for most. These cheap little 4-5 day trips to WDW for those of you close enough to drive or fly for cheap don't exist as an option for many of us. We've priced out other vacations, there is not alot of "luxury" vacations out there for $10k that involve staying a full two weeks.

I'm asking this genuinely and politely. Why WDW and not Disneyland/SoCal? It isn't quite as warm, I know, but there is SO much to do in that region; and I'm guessing it would be cheaper to get there? Would Hawaii be as expensive as WDW? Again, very honestly asking. We also go to WDW area for two weeks, because we drive and it takes a full 24 hours of straight driving. For $10,000-12,000 we get a week at WDW (rental house and five park days) AND an NCL cruise. But that is for eight of us.

And it isn't luxury, but it is nice.

 

[xie]

I don't know why that made me laugh as hard as it did. Every time Disney announces it's increasing prices it spawns a bunch of these posts. The fact is, it's a luxury vacation. Disney does a great job in giving plenty of options so as many families can take advantage, whether it be their lenient outside food/drink policy, or the number of value/moderate resorts they have on property. heck they are even dipping their toe in the "good neighbor" model DL has by allowing Ramada and Red Roof to build on property. If that's still to much, a family can stay offsite, use shuttles, and buy discount tickets through Undercover.
When I was a kid in the 80's I didn't know a single kid that went to Disney World. Now it's a right of passage. Judging by the crowds we saw in September, Disney is still filling their rooms and parks regardless of the price increases.

For some of us, it's a luxury vacation price but it no longer provides a luxury vacation experience. The cost is extremely high for what you get these days. We last went 1 year ago and for the first time in almost 20 years, we have no future trips planned whatsoever to Disney property. Such high prices and the levels of crowding, the rushed/distracted/poor service, amenities (have you slept on a slab mattress there lately...) and food quality simply are not worth the cost anymore. I will confess that so many people I know don't go there anymore (we live within driving distance, so LOTS of people we know used to go yearly and no longer do). I don't know who they fill the parks with these days, but clearly they're still filling them, and with people who are willing to pay extreme prices. I get the impression that they've lost a lot of repeat guests from the 90s and 00s and so the current crop has no idea what they're "missing".

Last time we were there we stood in endless lines for everything (including waiting up to 55 minutes past our ADR times), bussed our own counter service tables so we could sit down (yep, cleaned up other peoples' food trash) because there was no staff taking care of it, and had a couple of really atrocious service experiences at table service restaurants in two parks. Even my local Chick Fil A keeps the tables clean. And that doesn't count the challenges we ran into at the resort. Nobody, not even the kids, wanted to talk about another trip. WDW has become something we no longer recognize, really. What you can actually DO has been whittled down and now it's primarily sold simply as a really expensive place to breathe the air.

I'm glad they're Star Wars, Anna and Elsa'ing it up, because if they're busy, they're profitable, hopefully that means they're providing good jobs for lots of people and an economic benefit to Florida and Orlando. But that's about all I can say for it now.

 

[Cyrano]

Folks please remember to be respectful of all viewpoints.

 

[Angel Ariel]

3. Luxury means different things to different people. I do happen to consider Disney a luxury vacation. I love everything about being at Disney, and I am never more relaxed when I am there. Give me Disney over an all-inclusive in the Caribbean sitting on a beach bored out of my mind vacation any day.

Luxury vacation outside of Disney = an all inclusive in the Caribbean sitting on a beach bored out of your mind? That's the only non-Disney "luxury" vacation possible? Really?

I can imagine quite a few different "luxury" vacations in Europe and other places overseas that have nothing to do with sitting on a beach.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I may be off the mark here but what happened to "budgeting" for things like vacations. We have been doing that for years in order to go to WDW and Disney Cruises. Even though living close by we go twice a year and Disney has been good to give us military discounts.

A 5 day Park Hopper ticket in 1999 was $199.00. All 4 parks in WDW were open at that time, so this is an apples to apples comparison.

With inflation, that would be $284.66 in today's dollars.

A current 5 day park hopper ticket is $379.00 (I assume both the 1999 number and this number are pre-tax).

If I did my calculations right, that's a 33% increase in the cost of a 5 day park hopper.

You quoted my post about DL 1961...I'll take your word for it.

 

[dlavender]

As I've stated, I'm not happy with price increases. However, we are still currently saving for our next trip to the world, and will keep doing so. With three young kids, in my mind, its a must. I just hope that they start refocusing on more segments than just the dessert/CL crowd.

 

[AquaDame]

Why don't I believe you? Top 10 % of wage earners? Why don't I believe that? Call me crazy.....

Aww, don't be mean.... he'll run away! ...oh he already did, bummer. I don't doubt him at his word though - curious why you would?

I have two legs to stand on just like anyone else. Just because my hotel is being paid for on one vacation, means nothing. This is not my first and will not be my last trip to Disney.

Well, with the new prices in place we'll be interested to see what kind of vacation you feel is a good value for you and your family when you fully pay for one again. We've all gone at the old prices too - we're all focused on moving forward with the increases.

I can't speak for others that have posted, but I have had private conversations with a couple of them and I think that they would agree with me. It is not a lack of empathy. I understand the situation they are in, I was once their myself. The problem many of us have is with the entitlement culture that has been created the last several decades in this country that leads people to believe that Disney should not be allowed to raise prices because then they can't afford it. No matter what the price is, everyone does have a shot at it, and people only make you feel like a lesser being if you let them.

I get the feeling you yourself are misunderstanding how the idea of "entitlement culture" works since you are falling victim to it yourself a bit here. You keep saying that you work hard, you want to give your family a good vacation while mocking others who are saying the same while they are making less. Sounds like you still went to Disney back then too. You're using the same logic they are, have you noticed?

No one is arguing Disney can't raise prices. What most people ARE angry about here is the pace and way they are raising them - while cutting costs in other areas, while the parks get dirtier, while their offerings lessen, you name it. It's not just RAEG PRICES GO UP, WE ANGRY! SMOOSH! There are feelings here, and yeah, some of them are, quite simply, sadness that they were priced out. I don't blame you for leaving (maybe you're still reading) - you were getting defensive, and speaking pettily (no one needs to know how much money you make - your words aren't more powerful for being in the 10%) and now people are looking up your age, going back through your post history and sniping back which is never fun. My unsolicited advice? No one needs to know what you make for your opinion to be valid - period. No good ever comes of that and frankly a lot of people here fall higher on the pay scale than you so I'm not certain what you were hoping that would do.

Have you guys seen Disney Hong Kong? Cause through the magic of YouTube, I have. Every freaking day, since my son loves watching the videos. Now THATS a park I would pay for. Beautiful, clean and great shows. Or Disneyland Japan and Seas. Only thing stopping us is airfare.

OMG run do not walk to Seas. GORGEOUS park, and Japan has the best customer service I have ever experienced in my life. I can't wait to go back. Absolutely worth the higher price in airfare to get there when and if you can swing it.

For those currently planning trips, are you just buying tickets now? I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and get the tickets before any changes to prices occur.

We already have tickets for this trip - if we didn't, I would likely get them now in case they change the pricing scale soon. They tend to do that with little turn around and I tend to be skittish like that if I think it is coming. If I was more brave I'd wait for an actual announcement but its not like they will go DOWN, you know?

 

[Happy_2_B]

I'm confused.

Response withdrawn after reading Cyrano's post

Does this mean I shouldn't vote with my wallet after all?

One can vote with their wallets- and I applaud those that do because they put their money where their mouth is- but the number of people that are ultimately willing to do so is such a miniscule number so as to not even be noticeable in the overall revenue that Disney brings in.

Should I just complain more online?

You don't need my permission.

 

[Angel Ariel]

You quoted my post about DL 1961...I'll take your word for it.

I quoted a post that stated having issues with the previous post's inflation comparison, because there are more parks now than there were then.

So I responded, using an apples to apples comparison. 1999 was the first full year that all 4 parks were open in WDW, so comparing a 5 day park hopper then to a 5 day park hopper now is an equal comparison.

To use a similar Disneyland example, from after DCA was open:

March 2002 - cost of a Disneyland one day, one park, adult ticket was $45.00.

With inflation, that would be $59.61 in today's dollars.

A current Disneyland ticket - one day, one park, adult - is $99.00.

That's appx 66% increase from 2001 prices, if my math is correct.

 

[TwoMisfits]

A 5 day Park Hopper ticket in 1999 was $199.00. All 4 parks in WDW were open at that time, so this is an apples to apples comparison.

With inflation, that would be $284.66 in today's dollars.

A current 5 day park hopper ticket is $379.00 (I assume both the 1999 number and this number are pre-tax).

If I did my calculations right, that's a 33% increase in the cost of a 5 day park hopper.

In 1999, no expiration was automatically included. So, to compare apples to apples, you need to add that perk to the 2015 ticket. However, you can't. But using the most recent cost of a 2014 5 day no expiration park hopper (from allears.net), you get $493 before tax...so you've got a much higher % increase (almost 75%).

 

[jsmla]

I may be off the mark here but what happened to "budgeting" for things like vacations. We have been doing that for years in order to go to WDW and Disney Cruises.

I do budget and very carefully. I have a set amount that I'm comfortable with spending on myself alone and I stay within it. I will not sacrifice vacations with my spouse or the quality of our home life in order to pay for my solo WDW trips. First I switched to mostly off site, then I cut back drastically on in-park dining. (Must confess that this is not that big of a deal for me, I the find Disney eats okay at best. I eat better and healthier when I brown bag it or at the condo.) I'm beginning to feel like it's just not worth it.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if our kids were still young but they're not. I'm beginning to think that if I'm going to vacation on the cheap I can get more bang for my buck elsewhere at least until the elevated Disney prices are met with an elevated experience. To raise prices in the way WDW has in the past few years while actually diminishing the experience just doesn't sit well with me.

Who knows, I just returned from one trip and leave for another in a couple of weeks. I may be singing a different song come February.

 

[saskdw]

I'm asking this genuinely and politely. Why WDW and not Disneyland/SoCal? It isn't quite as warm, I know, but there is SO much to do in that region; and I'm guessing it would be cheaper to get there? Would Hawaii be as expensive as WDW? Again, very honestly asking. We also go to WDW area for two weeks, because we drive and it takes a full 24 hours of straight driving. For $10,000-12,000 we get a week at WDW (rental house and five park days) AND an NCL cruise. But that is for eight of us.

And it isn't luxury, but it is nice.

It isn't much cheaper to get to DL. A couple less hours of flying, but cost is only about 10% less.

While there is lots to do in that area it's not in close proximity like WDW. I really enjoy the Disney bubble. I like not driving while on vacation. There is alot more to do on the 46 sq mile WDW property than at DL per say. DL is fun for a few days, but after that you really need to rent a car to enjoy the rest of the area. It's just a personal choice/preference.

Hawaii can be done for similar money. It depends where you want to stay and what you want to see. We've found something we enjoy. We also don't spend everyday in the parks, we enjoy our resort and other activities.