Are Disney prices too high?

Danman · Oct 5, 2015

Ill go against the majority here. It's not only Disney that has the the appearance of high prices. Just a couple of examples for us this summer: Long weekend at Mackinaw city and Island, averaged $220 night at motels that don't compare even close to the values at Disney in amenities, service or cleanliness, not close. Baseball game in Detroit, same $220 plus for a basic room in a nice hotel, but again no nicer than a value. $58 per ticket for a decent seat for a 2.5 hr game (Tigers suck this year, another thread :sad:

) . That's about what we pay per day on our multiday parkhopper passes when we go. We won't even talk about how cheap disney food is compared to the ball parks :scared:

Yes, I don't like to see price increases and sometime they are big, but when I compare them to other trips we like Disney seems like a much better value to us.

JimmyV · Oct 5, 2015

the advocate said:
I grew up in an upper middle class family in Atlanta and my parents never, ever took us to WDW as it was way out of their budget. However, I do remember my very well-off grandfather bringing us to Disney in the late 70's and I recall walking past the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride and wondering why we couldn't ride it. Yep, ol' granddad didn't splurge for the expensive e-ticket attractions. Too expensive.

Too expensive or not a priority? An E Ticket was less than a dollar. If your family was truly upper middle class, affordability was not the issue. By way of example, my dad earned around $20,000 a year back then. We stayed at the Contemporary for around $50 a night and could buy extra E Tickets. But when we drove to Florida my dad refused our pleas to stop at South of the Border. Not because he couldn't afford it. But because he was exercising judgment. There is simply no way that an upper middle class family could not afford to spend a day at the MK in the 1970s. It may not have been a priority in terms of where the disposable income was allocated. But that is a different discussion.

kandb · Oct 5, 2015

Yes, absolutely they are. However, as long as people pay the prices they will keep raising them. It's called corporate greed! (And I am a republican saying that :duck:

Jennytoon · Oct 5, 2015

JimmyV said:
I showed why this math doesn't work earlier in the thread. When something is so small a fraction of one's income that there has to be multiple zeros to the right of the decimal point, then comparisons fail. What matters more is what types of things were comparable in price to a Disney vacation. In 1971, if you wanted to take your family to Disney World for the day, you would have to spend the equivalent of around three tanks of gas. (22 gallon tank in a Chrysler Imperial at $0.50 per gallon). Today, your $415 number is the equivalent of 10 tanks of gas. (16 gallon tank at $2.50 per gallon). When three tanks of gas becomes 10 tanks of gas, all of a sudden, .007% doesn't look quite as close to .008%, now does it?

I think if you want to choose a basic "cost of living" element for a comparison, you need to pick one where the prices are not controlled by taxes set by the US government, subsidies given by the US government, and world politics. If you look at the price of gasoline in other countries, it is pretty cheap in the US -- and that's not because of basic supply and demand. If it were, it wouldn't have been almost $4 a gallon less than 2 years ago and suddenly dropped to the $2.50 it hovers around now.

Disney is a for-profit business. I do not know the extent of any tax subsidies or other incentives that it receives from the FL government, but I know that the real price of our basic commodities in the US is controlled not just by supply and demand, but by import taxes, farm subsidies, and other factors that makes them poor comparators as measures of affordability for the average family. If gasoline in the US were priced similarly to most of the rest of the world, there would be a lot more interest from the general public in funding public transport and poor MPG SUVs would not be so popular. And I bet it would be a lot closer to 3 tanks of gas for the comparison that you made.

And while we're making those comparisons, a Chrysler Imperial would have seated my three kids comfortably across the back seat. I am not aware of a car with a 16 gallon tank today that I can say that about. My minivan has a 20 gallon tank, and my husband's later model of the same car is 22. So that's 8 tanks. Two years ago when gas was almost $4 / gallon, it was $75 / tank = ~5 tanks -- not so startlingly different from three tanks as your number with an extra digit.

DetroitDisney · Oct 5, 2015

If its any consolation, im currently booking a trip for the DGF and myself to Paris, because shockingly its price is only about 10-15% more than we would pay for a typical Disney vacation. And were going to visit Disneyland Paris for a day.

So yes, Disney is expensive. But who cares?

the advocate · Oct 6, 2015

JimmyV said:
Not because he couldn't afford it. But because he was exercising judgment.

Are you saying that those who make trips to Disney will soon be looked upon as being ignorant for paying such high prices to spend a week smoldering in the heat and humidity while waiting 60 minutes for a 3 minute attraction ride? I could see that.

Sean91 · Oct 6, 2015

As somebody from the UK, who has to pay huge amounts for a trip to Disneyland Paris I don't think that the ticket prices in WDW are too bad for what you get to be honest. For the prices of tickets with hoppers you get 4 world class theme parks with literally weeks worth of entertainment. I know this isn't a popular opinion but it is my own.

mickeyluv'r · Oct 6, 2015

Jennytoon said:
Disney is a for-profit business. I do not know the extent of any tax subsidies or other incentives that it receives from the FL government.

Um....I'm far from a FL insider, but it isn't hard to see that Disney is a big player in (FL) politics.

I think of the expression, "All roads lead to Rome."

The lobbying firm Disney hires is one of the largest in FL.

MakiraMarlena · Oct 6, 2015

i think by using the term "luxury" it is being noted that a trip to Disney World is not a necessity. It's discretional spending no matter how it's looked at.

AquaDame · Oct 6, 2015

Sean91 said:
As somebody from the UK, who has to pay huge amounts for a trip to Disneyland Paris I don't think that the ticket prices in WDW are too bad for what you get to be honest. For the prices of tickets with hoppers you get 4 world class theme parks with literally weeks worth of entertainment. I know this isn't a popular opinion but it is my own.

Well your pound sterling is awfully strong against our dollar too.

Jake&IzzyLand · Oct 6, 2015

I think it is far from cheap. Like any vacation it's a luxury to go to disney, but in my opinion its far from luxurious. I can still manage, but I do not stay past a weeks time ( yes, i know they practically give tickets away after so many days, but you still spend for food and accommodations, plus impulse vacation spending- adds up to their advantage ) and i do not Stay deluxe. I will happily pay for deluxe accommodations elsewhere, but not at a theme park. I have considered deluxe, even split stay, but I just can't because the value is not there for me. I know it's there for others. But I am cheap! I don't think prices are too high because of every one that goes at all times of the year. Or dines signature each day of their stay or adds special events throughout their stay. Too many people are paying through the nose for these things. I think if you have gone for years the value for you personally is diminishing. I totally get that.

Cactus-butt · Oct 6, 2015

Sean91 said:
4 world class theme parks with literally weeks worth of entertainment.

lol

JimmyV · Oct 6, 2015

Jennytoon said:
I think if you want to choose a basic "cost of living" element for a comparison, you need to pick one where the prices are not controlled by taxes set by the US government, subsidies given by the US government, and world politics.

OK then. In 1971, a day at WDW would cost about $20 for a family of four, without accounting for food or lodging. That is just the cost to get in the park and ride the rides. And in 1971, a pair of Wrangler Jeans cost between $9-10 dollars. So for the price of two pair of jeans, a family of four could have a day of fun at WDW. Today, those jeans cost around $20. http://www.wrangler.com/store/WRG_STORE_US/en_US/style/96501.html
So two pair would cost $40. Now tell me if a family of four can spend a day at WDW for that price. The point being made here is that WDW used to price itself as a day of fun that was within reach, and was a reasonable substitute for some everyday necessities, (like a pair of jeans, or a tank of gas). It was not something that needed to be budgeted for out of the ordinary for most people. It was a simple day at an amusement park. And yes, WDW has become more than it was in 1971. But it is still a trip to an amusement park.

momof2n2 · Oct 6, 2015

nvm. PMing

momof2n2 · Oct 6, 2015

Cactus-butt said:
lol

And Cornhole!

Danman · Oct 6, 2015

JimmyV said:
OK then. In 1971, a day at WDW would cost about $20 for a family of four, without accounting for food or lodging. That is just the cost to get in the park and ride the rides. And in 1971, a pair of Wrangler Jeans cost between $9-10 dollars. So for the price of two pair of jeans, a family of four could have a day of fun at WDW. Today, those jeans cost around $20. http://www.wrangler.com/store/WRG_STORE_US/en_US/style/96501.html
So two pair would cost $40. Now tell me if a family of four can spend a day at WDW for that price. The point being made here is that WDW used to price itself as a day of fun that was within reach, and was a reasonable substitute for some everyday necessities, (like a pair of jeans, or a tank of gas). It was not something that needed to be budgeted for out of the ordinary for most people. It was a simple day at an amusement park. And yes, WDW has become more than it was in 1971. But it is still a trip to an amusement park.

Are you saying wrangler jeans were way overpriced in the early 70's? Lol

BugsDaddy · Oct 6, 2015

As long as people to visit the parks in record numbers, the prices are not too high. For those that have reached their financial limit or see no more value in the product, you should certainly find a more friendly place to visit. So far, Disney has not shown an inability to replace your presence or spending in the parks. For those who predict the downfall of Disney with every $3 parking increase, you may be surprised to see that the latest price increases will not curtail the revenue growth. Disney will continue to grow, increase value for the shareholders and when the new areas begin to open up, will turn the tide on market share.

All that being said, price increases of any kind suck for the average consumer. Strictly from a business perspective, Disney is making the right move here and they are not done. More price increases are on the way as we get closer to Avatar, Star Wars land, etc.

Planogirl · Oct 6, 2015

momof2n2 said:
And Cornhole!

Don't forget the chainsaws! Even though I understand that they might be leaving soon.

k5thbeatle · Oct 6, 2015

What a joke that anyone can even suggest that a company like WDW prices are too high or are price gouging. Unless you know their budget and what they need to operate AND make a profit then it's kind of pointless to suggest the prices are too high or too low. Based on their attendance though I would say they are not too high. Can I walk into a 7-11 or other convenience store and buy some of that same stuff for less? Sure, but there's no Mickey Mouse and friends to look at there either!

flicx · Oct 7, 2015

Say what you want about price. It is very obvious the tone of the boards are turning towards a very negative vibe regarding Disney right now. Words like greed, gouge, rundown, bland, dirty, unkempt, etc keep popping up. You have DVC owners who are selling or regretting having bought and countless annual pass holders dumping future plans of purchasing. These things are really hard to ignore on a fan site! Some of the most vehement Disney fans are now disillusioned. There is a problem in my opinion. Been around here for a long while, haven't seen these levels of complaints ever! :rolleyes1

Are Disney prices too high?

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