$85 for a ticket, these are the glory days!

[stpats317]

It's funny to me when people coplain about the prices of Disney. We live in the middle of nowhere in nebraska. It costs us about the same whether we go to colorado to ski (you want to see ridiculous prices for food, grab a quick lunch on a mountain, it's easily twice what a disney meal is), go to kansas city for the weekend, or go to Disney. As a matter of fact, i think our last trip to Mt Rushmore cose more than disney if we're not counting the price to get there (flying vs. driving). One big difference is that Disney includes everything except souvenirs in their price, other places nickel and dime you for every activity you want to do. Everytime we go on another trip, i can't help but think we could have had a much more magical time at Disney.

Also, when you compare 1 or 2 day tickets, it's not really a good comparison. After you've been there for 3 days, ticket prices drop to under $10 a day. Pair that with free dining or a room discount and you've got some pretty big savings. The high one and two day tickets just capitalize on the people who don't commit fully to a Disney vacation, but just work disney into a day or two of a vacation. If you're going to try to do it all in one trip, ofmcourse it's going. To be more expennsive.

This is my point also. In the Denver area we have an amusement park, nothing fancy - a few coasters and a lot of typical slow loading amusement park rides. A one day ticket there is $37. When you look at what is offered at WDW and compare to other amusement parks, there is no comparison. You have to admit you get a pretty good bang for your buck at WDW. We'll be there in 3 weeks and for around $2,000 we have our stay at a moderate resort, dining, and park tickets for seven days for three people. I don't think that's too bad and as long as we can do it WDW will be our vacation of choice.

 

[kathy884]

As someone who usually just goes to one Disney park a year for one day, it does seem awfully high (I do sort of feel like I am getting gouged, but their parks are soo much fun that I do splurge on that expensive one day ticket). I totally understand that what they are doing with their ticket pricing is trying to encourage people to do more days at Disney. I'm usually just interested in one day though and wouldn't get too much of a price break till day four. // Anyway I do think their parks are fab -- by the way -- Sea World (a wonderful world class park -- our favorite) offers the second day free, so on a week long trip it's three park days for me (one at Disney and two at SeaWorld ($72 plus tax) // means three park days pp cost me about 165 pp // That's as much as I want to pay so we swim, play tennis, maybe do a few smaller attractions on those other three days (sometimes throw in a day trip to the beach or Kennedy Space Center).

We're going sking for Christmas in Colorado too (out there for a week) / Again due to high prices, we are just sking every other day. Our three days of lift tickets are similar, but a little higher than three Disney parks -- but these do not have great discounts for the fourth day on. // We'll be playing family games, sled one day, watching movies, hanging out in the hot tub etc. with extended family in between ski days.

Trips are great, but we've slowed down the pace on both types of vacations due to budgetary constraints (Vacation budget has stayed the same, but prices have gone up, so we've made some cuts, and this is where we are). I'm still thrilled, though, that the budget is such that we can still do fun vacations. If anything the high prices have made us savor that theme park day and/or day on the slopes more.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I expect Disney prices to reach epic proportions across the board. It's quite obvious when I take into account Disney's Dream & Fantasy Ships - Fantasyland Expansion - Avatarland - Disneyland's Cars Land - Animation Resort - Aulani - NextGen and I'm pretty sure there will be a few more radical changes in the future.

Simply put, be prepared to pay more.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I dn't like the price increase, but it's still good value for my dollar.

Amusement parks typically cost between $30 - $50 a day. If I go someowehere else and do tours/excursions/entertainment, I can also expect to pay about that much per person.

I do agree $80 a day is crazy. When I didn't know any better for my first trip I paid that and only did a quick 2 day trip.

Disney is smart and makes it REALLY more "worth it" to stay longer with MYW tickets. iwas planning a quick 4 day trip before my March Break cruise and I'm pretty sure I'm cancelling that in favor of a 10-12 day WDW trip at the end of August. It's really not "worth it" to go for a few days without an AP and longer trips definitely give you much more bang for your buck.

For a longer trip, everything, food, lodging, and tickets are costing me about $80 per person per day. That's reasonable. My cruise is about the same price (although excursions etc may still bump that price up) so it's pretty on par with other vacation opportunities.

For a day at our local amusement park I would probably end up spending per person:
$25 for food ($30+ if eating at TS style places)
$30 for tickets (on sale somewhere)
$25 for lodging (1/4 of a $100 hotel)

So there's $80 already....and it's NOT WDW! (I Much much much prefer WDW)

So no, I don't think disney has reached the limits on their price increases...sad to say

I agree with this and this is exactly what I've started to figure out. If we lived within a close driving distance to WDW (a 6-7 hour drive or less would be reasonable for us), it would be a great value for us to just purchase APs and do frequent short trips throughout the year utilizing the benefits that come along with APs. But since we live so far away from Florida and aren't able to go to WDW more than once a year (if even that often) and also have to incur the expense of airline tickets to get to WDW, there is definitely more value for us with a longer stay and a longer MYW park ticket when we do go to WDW.

 

[kaybird]

I think that every time in WDW is a "glory" day. In 1957, my father, a school teacher at the time, saved up to take me 1500 miles in an un-airconditioned car across the United States to "that new park Mr. Disney built for families." Back then, not only was it considered VERY expensive, but most of my dad's friends and family thought he had lost his mind. There was a gate admission, and unlike today, each ride had a ticket price. This was even before the cheaper ticket books. I vividly remember the storybook ride, the Skyway to tomorrowland, and riding a burro. It changed my life forever.

Over the years, my DH took me to MK for our honeymoon in 1975, and we began trips with our wonderful sons starting in the 80's. Disney has done a good job in keeping it affordable for families. The attraction inclusive admission, along with the sliding scale for days is a great help for our family, and the value of what we get for our money keeps us returning.

 

[Cin]

I totally agree with the OP. I am trying to get all my Disney trips in now, before I am outpriced. In 1997 I took my family of 3 adults and 1 child (DD was 10 so an "adult' by Disney prices) and we stayed at POFQ 10 nights and had 7 day park hoppers plus waterparks and we paid OOP for all food and drinks, and drove ourselves so we also had 3 on the road hotels and food and gas for 4 day's driving and our total trip was less than I spent on our last trip 2010 for 2 adults for 7 nights at ASMu with free dining and 8 day park pass no hoppers, no water parks, no frills, basic one day one park ticket, and round trip airfare. At the rate they continue to raise their prices I will probably only take 1 more trip to WDW, it's just getting harder and harder to justify the expense when I compare it to other vacation destinations. Disney's value resorts is comparable to a Motel 6 or Super 8 and for what they charge if you were in the "real world" you would be getting something like the Doubletree or Embassy Suites which include free hot cooked to order breakfast and free happy hour welcome cocktails. As long as people will pay though they will continue to increase the rates and take our dollars.....sigh, that's the plain and simple truth. They are an entertainment industry but the bottom line is it's just business and all about making money. As much moolah as they can.

 

[yooperfan]

if the price hikes are truly "unacceptable" to you, then don't go. (if enough people don't go, the price hikes will stop.)

if the price hikes are still within the range that you are willing to pay, don't be a whiner.

it's really that simple.

Wow, I didn't read "whiner" in OP's post. A bit harsh, don't you think?

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Universal's tickets could be half of what Disney's are, and I'd still do Disney over Universal. It's not because I'm a Disney nut... In fact, until the trip before last, the order of my favorite parks was MK, US, MGM, Epcot, AK. I loved US and had such amazing memories of the park back when I went when I was younger.

But the last time I went in 2005, by the time you calculated the cost of the tickets, the cost of getting there from our hotel, and the cost of food, plus the cost of the stupid Universal Express (FastPass) tickets, and their "parkhopper," it was LIGHTYEARS beyond what Disney cost per day... Especially considering I stay on-site during free dining, so food, transportation, and FastPasses/EMH are free. And for the extra cost I got service, entertainment, and an overall experience that was above Six Flags, but not close to Disney. The park was dirty, the rides needed refurb, there were too many 3D shows, the food was both extremely overpriced and not good, even by fast food standards... And the older, keystone rides, they hadn't changed AT ALL in the 10 year gap between my visits. They all looked like they needed a refurb... Badly... And were in desperate need of both technology and theme updates. And I remember when I went originally, there were M&G's EVERYWHERE... But they were impossible when I went in 2005. When we went, we got there right after the park opened and ran out of things to do by 1pm.

Compare that to Disney where, during that 10 year gap, rides were updated to reflect changes in technology, refurbs occured regularly, there were plenty of dining options, a variety of ride/show options, and M&G's, while I didn't go, were everywhere. Rides had been updated, themes had been updated, styling reflected the current trends in Disney...

When it came to planning this last trip (and our next trip), I didn't even consider Universal, regardless of whatever their prices were. The experience they offer is just not on par with Disney. And I'd have never, ever, EVER thought I'd have planned a trip to Florida without spending at least a day at US.

I'm sorry, but when you do the math and see that the Universal ticket price for one adult parkhopper is $120 (not including the FastPass option) and that gives you 2 parks, and Disney's is $124, which includes their FastPass and you can come and go from 4 parks... It just is a no-brainer... Disney is still the best bang-for-your-buck theme park deal out of the two. Which is sad, at least for me, because as I said before, I so loved Universal and hoped that it'd be the adult resort that offered what Disney didn't.

That's always how it's been though... Disney's up-front price is gulp-inducing, but if you want to vacation without spending a penny after that cost, you certainly can. Universal has a more approachable ticket price, but the nickel-and-dime you to DEATH.

 

[disfan07]

I will agree that Disney prices aren't out of line with other similar types of operations, meaning other full-fledged theme parks. What they offer may be more valuable than the others, but only if you love all things Disney. Otherwise, they're all competing for the exact same tourist dollar.

People are always going to complain about prices going up, so telling them not to is like telling a cat not to hawk up furballs. But right now, I think that the reason that there are so many threads on these forums about prices is twofold:

1. The overall cost of a Disney trip is very high when compared to the "average American's" budget. Simple fact. You can say that it compares favorably to cruise, or to a ski trip, or to a resort in Acapulco, or to a week in England, but you know what? Most people will never be able to afford any of those things either.
2. People are seeing their cost of living go up steadily without any corresponding increase in income. Every time a price goes up, it means something else has to give. A cell phone plan is downgraded, a repair doesn't get done, less goes into savings or retirement, trips to the doctor are postponed or cancelled -- eventually there is nothing left but food and shelter. There are already an alarming number of people at that point, you know. (Think of your local school budget.) Disney isn't essential for life. No, really, it isn't. When it's pay the rent for 6 months or take a week trip to WDW, and it is literally either/or, well...

It's not just Disney that needs to understand that the American public is losing buying power with every passing year. As long as people come in the gates in sufficient numbers and spend sufficient dollars to provide a good profit to the shareholders and bonuses to the executives, prices will continue to climb. And remember that if you DO decide to vote with your feet, the first thing that will happen -- not pointing a finger at Disney here, because it's pretty much a given across the business world these days -- the FIRST thing that will be done to make up for the lost income will be to lay off employees and cut expenses, because that ALWAYS works and because it brings immediate results.

Oops... now we're getting the "is Disney going downhill" territory. Sorry, I didn't mean to thread hop.

The overall cost is actually not that bad. But that of course depends on how you like to vacation. We are very very happy with values (actually, our facorite trip was at ASSp). We could have gone back to WDW this december for a week for about $1500 total...one problem AIRFARE is $1000 for 3 people from Cali. So it's not Disney pricing us out of trips, its the airlines. $1500 is not bad at all.

We have priced out all types of vacations and Disney still wins for cost. Last year, we went to Disney for a week for $2300 total including airfare. We considered going back to Virginia for 5 days to visit (we lived there for 20 years...just moved 2 1/2 years ago) and pricing out airfare, car, hotel, food, etc came out to MORE than Disney. In our book, Disney is still the best bang for our buck.

What is going ot price people out of vacations, etc is the airlines. If you want to talk about increasing costs, just look at that.

You want to talk rip-off, look at Six Flags. We have one right near us and you couldn't get me to go there for any reason. It is $62 for admission!!! You can drive and 1 1/2 hours south of here and go to Disneyland for $18 more.

But I also don't see Disney going down hill like other people do. Our last trip was just as magical as past trips. I personally don't get the complaints.

 

[duffy]

We're going to Stowe next month. Tickets for skiing in the time period we're there will be $92/day. Even if we were to buy a 10-day ticket, it would be $74/day.

Even an afternoon, from 12:30-4, will be $79. We'll probably get those. It's worth it to us.

If people can't-or won't pay it, they won't come. And then Stowe would have to drop its prices.

 

[chartle]

Wow, I didn't read "whiner" in OP's post. A bit harsh, don't you think?

The poster you are quoting posted after the OP edited their post,

I see you edited your post in response, stupid me forgot to quote the original. I'll rephrase. ....

The original post had a slightly different tone. You may notice that the discussion started to be more of a academic discourse on supply and demand economics after the edit.

EDIT: For further clarification, this forum was not meant as a complaint (although re-reading it I feel I could have worded it better), as much as it was to see how fellow DISers felt about price hikes (also to let those who protest for lower ticket prices know that it probably won't happen). ....

 

[kbelle8995]

I think that Disney ticket prices are getting close to outpricing me.

I did buy the annual pass this year. I did on the monthly plan and yes being a Floridian does help.

But I don't know if they raise the price I will be able to do it again.

I just think that maybe they could take a year off raising the ticket prices.

I don't buy as many souvenirs as I used to and I go with a group and stay at the value. I also watch what I spend at the restaurants.

 

[torinsmom]

Although Disney has raised ticket prices each year, they have increased the number of promotions they have, such as free dining. I remember when free dining was only offered for 6-7 weeks and now it seems like it is always running, except when I go(summer) and Easter and Christmas. The last few years, they have also opened up their Youth Education Series to individual families, instead of having to be a part of a group. That is a huge savings on tickets.

I wish Universal would have some good discounts. We bought APs for last year and this year, to save money on tickets and their hotel in order to get their version of FP. They raised their prices so much when they opened WWOHP and it doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone. It seems like they could have kept the US one day ticket the same, since nothing there changed.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't buy as many souvenirs as I used to and I go with a group and stay at the value. I also watch what I spend at the restaurants.

I think this is a good part of it. WDW cut back on merchandise quality and everyone proabably did this, plus there's the recession...so both feed each other.

Also the Disney excecs have to keep getting raises every year, y'know. They have to keep up withthe CEO's of all the other major corporations. That raise/bonus has to come from somewhere!


But here is perhaps one more alternative.....other than AP's - unused WDW tickets don't expire. We could perhaps all buy a ten year supply of tickets at this year's prices and use them over the next ten years.

I've partly used that strategy for years already. Sometimes you have to buy tickets as a package to get the best discount, so when I must do that I do - but I also always keep a supply of tickets on hand. If I come across a room only discount that works, we use our old tickets. The trick is simply not to lose them.

 

[icc2515]

I will agree that Disney prices aren't out of line with other similar types of operations, meaning other full-fledged theme parks. What they offer may be more valuable than the others, but only if you love all things Disney. Otherwise, they're all competing for the exact same tourist dollar.

People are always going to complain about prices going up, so telling them not to is like telling a cat not to hawk up furballs. But right now, I think that the reason that there are so many threads on these forums about prices is twofold:

1. The overall cost of a Disney trip is very high when compared to the "average American's" budget. Simple fact. You can say that it compares favorably to cruise, or to a ski trip, or to a resort in Acapulco, or to a week in England, but you know what? Most people will never be able to afford any of those things either.

2. People are seeing their cost of living go up steadily without any corresponding increase in income. Every time a price goes up, it means something else has to give. A cell phone plan is downgraded, a repair doesn't get done, less goes into savings or retirement, trips to the doctor are postponed or cancelled -- eventually there is nothing left but food and shelter. There are already an alarming number of people at that point, you know. (Think of your local school budget.) Disney isn't essential for life. No, really, it isn't. When it's pay the rent for 6 months or take a week trip to WDW, and it is literally either/or, well...

It's not just Disney that needs to understand that the American public is losing buying power with every passing year. As long as people come in the gates in sufficient numbers and spend sufficient dollars to provide a good profit to the shareholders and bonuses to the executives, prices will continue to climb. And remember that if you DO decide to vote with your feet, the first thing that will happen -- not pointing a finger at Disney here, because it's pretty much a given across the business world these days -- the FIRST thing that will be done to make up for the lost income will be to lay off employees and cut expenses, because that ALWAYS works and because it brings immediate results.
.

I agree with this person. Things in America are continuing to get worse. The reports show that spending is up, but only because people are dipping into their savings. Disney is spending tons of money on new hotels, FLE, and Avatar. I hope they know what they are doing. Maybe their crystal ball says we are all getting raises in the future.

 

[larryz]

Maybe their crystal ball says we are all getting raises in the future.

Their executives will, whether we do or not...

 

[torinsmom]

I think this is a good part of it. WDW cut back on merchandise quality and everyone proabably did this, plus there's the recession...so both feed each other.

Also the Disney excecs have to keep getting raises every year, y'know. They have to keep up withthe CEO's of all the other major corporations. That raise/bonus has to come from somewhere!


But here is perhaps one more alternative.....other than AP's - unused WDW tickets don't expire. We could perhaps all buy a ten year supply of tickets at this year's prices and use them over the next ten years.

I've partly used that strategy for years already. Sometimes you have to buy tickets as a package to get the best discount, so when I must do that I do - but I also always keep a supply of tickets on hand. If I come across a room only discount that works, we use our old tickets. The trick is simply not to lose them.

Or just scan your tickets when you get them and keep the images in a file on your computer. That way if you lose them, you can still get new ones.

 

[michelleiada]

As long as there are people willing to pay the prices then the prices are not too high. Its called fair market value. Supply and demand. Disney's ticket pricing is designed to get you to stay longer and spend more of your money on other things like accomodations, food, and souveniers. The longer you stay the less you pay per day for your tickets. We stayed 11 days last time and bought the 10 day park hopper with water park option and more. I don't remember the exact price per day but I believe we ended up paying about $35-40 per day for theme park entrance which I think is a bargain for what you get in return. The local theme park where I live is more than that per day and doesn't compare in quality to Disney. I think you get a lot for your money when vacationing at Disney. No, it is not a cheap vacation, but it is certainly one that will provide non stop quality entertainment and create life long memories. That is why we keep returning.

 

[scion5220]

Their executives will, whether we do or not...

That is really not the case. Certain divisions of Disney have experienced major downsizing in the last few years, including top executive level positions.

 

[kaligal]

The tickets got ridiculously more expensive post-MYW. I still have a bad taste in my mouth over the way Disney rolled out MYW by telling us that we wanted to pay a lot more for our tickets. But whatever.

With tickets going up and cutbacks continuing all the time, we pay more and more for less and less.

I used to do 4-5 trips a year. - two biggies, 3 little ones.

This year I did two big trips.

Next year, it is one short, one long. And I might cut the short one out.