A little perspective on the Disney cost increase frustrations.

[Robertfam08]

Yes, your prospective on this is going to vary greatly on how much you pay and get out of a Disney trip, too. We get a HUGE value for our money. We get free dining, some of the cheapest room rates of the year, and we get ample time on rides and in shows because of low crowds. Our young family of six does a week's trip for about $3500 (including the drive down) at a moderate resort in September. It's hard for us to do the same caliber of trip anywhere else.

 

[revdon64]

Is everything more expensive? Probably. So what? If wages and employment in this country aren't keeping up with expenses... well the crowds will thin out again, that's for sure.

We've traditionally been an every other year Disney trip family, but I'm doubting that we'll be back in 2017. Yes it's about perceived value, and we're not seeing it as much anymore. This year we didn't renew our Six Flags season passes and we're planning a vacation to visit our oldest daughter in South Carolina. Speaking of value - we're renting a furnished apartment in her complex for $65 a night. Only about an hour drive from Paramount Carowinds and Six Flags Atlanta.

 

[Vohdre]

Well said. I'm skipping Iron Maiden's tour this year because the only way I can get tickets is if I pay an outrageous amount on Stub Hub. We're also considering flying out the Minnesota for an NFL game. Last time we did that, we spent over $1000 on a three-day weekend.

Entertainment is expensive. Upper-tier entertainment even moreso.

Goodness what was the face value of those tickets? I'm glad my BIL bought them this time around. UP THE IRONS!

 

[ellie05]

I just don't think the soccer match is comparable. Was the soccer match tickets substantially cheaper the year before that? Have they cut services they use to offer? Did they include parking the year before and now they are charging you for it? Then prices will be comparable. I have never been to live event (concert, sport event, Etc) were I have paid less than $100 dollars per ticket and is as far back 12 years. In fact we are going to a concert next week tickets were $580 for 2 and that is not resell prices.

I understand that Disney needs to increase prices once in a while and I have never said anything before, but it is just getting ridiculous. The problem is that they expect me to pay more for less. They have done some major cut backs (park operations, CMs, shows, going from two parades a night to one, etc) and now they are talking about an extra $15 dollars a night over the price increases they already made. Frankly is insulting to try to charge the fee for ammenities that they already offer on top of rate increases, park ticket increase, food price increase, etc.

And everything for what? To pay for parks overseas! The guest at WDW are not going to see a dime back on their money. If they say we are charging a resort fee and we are providing, water bottles, extra staff, etc I would have no problem.

You want a better comparison take universal they have step up their game in the past few years and have big future plans. Their rates, food increase, etc don't come even close to what Disney has increased this year alone. And yes universal hotels charge a resort fee, but rates are substantially lower and I think it has always been the case. Disney has advertise all the things in the resort fee list as perks for staying at Disney resorts.

 

[iheartdisney44]

I appreciate your point of view and adding a little perspective to the mix! I agree that it is all how you look at it and what we are willing to pay to be entertained. Vacation is expensive but it's still worth it for me and my family. We love Disney and will be going for a long time!

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm always curious why people try to compare Disney to sporting events or Broadway shows. It's pointless. They're not even remotely the same thing, you CAN'T compare them.
If you actually wanted to make a point about how Disney is being reasonable, then compare them to a similar product: which means, another theme park.

Let's do that:

4 days at Disney for my family of 4: $1400
4 days at Universal Studios: $755

Not even remotely close, and many are arguing lately that US is giving a better experience.

But, let's compare some more:

UNLIMITED admission to Busch, Adventure Island and Seaworld: $840
Unlimited admission to Knott's Berry Farm: $348
Unlimited admission to Six Flags: $248

So yeah, they're pretty pricey. And sure you can argue, "But Disney has so much more to offer!", and you're right they do. But, Disney is also so huge, with such crowds and long waits, that you won't even remotely come close to doing all those things either. Compared to many of these other parks, where due to less crowds etc... you'll get far more done, for less money.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think it is a comparison as much as saying you spend a whole lot more on things that are over a lot quicker.

 

[nilla]

Goodness what was the face value of those tickets? I'm glad my BIL bought them this time around. UP THE IRONS!

Several hundred for anything decent - I forget the exact cost. I tried to hit the fan club presale, but wasn't able to get anything remotely good as far as seats go. Still wish I could see them this tour. Hoping the come back at the end of it. Only one date in the NY/PA area? What??

 

[StuckInKS]

You know, cost increases happen, and it's understandable, but cost increases PLUS tons of cutbacks (especially people's jobs) isn't gonna fly with a lot of people. I have always felt that Disney offered a pretty good value for the money, even if expensive. You get what you pay for, and the inflated prices led to better experiences than your typical amusement park. Now it feels like we're still paying for it...but they're not delivering what they used to, and that a tough pill to swallow.

This is the point. Disney increases prices every year. We all know it and we all expect it. However, it seems like they are making bigger price increases at a time when they are also cutting back on what you get for your money. Are they cutting the time of these soccer games? Are they firing and using less players to cut expenses? if not, then its not really a comparable situation.

 

[ayz75]

I guess I look at it a little bit differently. I don't think that it helps to look at the cost of other things and then say that a vacation to WDW isn't so bad. For example, I could price out a vacation to Bora Bora and then look at the price of a Disney vacation and say that the latter is a bargain. But this loses the perspective that the reason so many people choose to vacation at WDW is because it is a less expensive alternative. But when Disney starts to close that gap, then maybe people will start to do the other things that they have been putting off or avoiding because they were more expensive. So maybe a WDW might cost me $4,000 and a trip to Paris might cost me $5,000. It isn't enough to say that the WDW vacation isn't so bad. Because when the price climbs to $4,400, maybe all of a sudden Paris becomes a viable option. Frankly, when the cost of a Disney vacation starts to become on par with vacations to other more exotic and culturally significant locations, Disney will quickly fall off my radar screen. I go to WDW because of the stark price difference. When that disappears, so do I.

Couldn't agree with you more! (well the only thing that differs for us, is that Disney isn't necessarily cheaper than going to Europe.. the only thing that costs more is the flight but everything else is cheaper I find.) We go to Disney once every 1-2 years because I like it and it's a fun place, but we also do Europe once a year because visiting historical places, experiencing a completely different culture is something Disney/theme parks/luxury all-inclusive can't offer.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I'm always curious why people try to compare Disney to sporting events or Broadway shows. It's pointless. They're not even remotely the same thing, you CAN'T compare them.
If you actually wanted to make a point about how Disney is being reasonable, then compare them to a similar product: which means, another theme park.

Let's do that:

4 days at Disney for my family of 4: $1400
4 days at Universal Studios: $755

Not even remotely close, and many are arguing lately that US is giving a better experience.

But, let's compare some more:

UNLIMITED admission to Busch, Adventure Island and Seaworld: $840
Unlimited admission to Knott's Berry Farm: $348
Unlimited admission to Six Flags: $248

So yeah, they're pretty pricey. And sure you can argue, "But Disney has so much more to offer!", and you're right they do. But, Disney is also so huge, with such crowds and long waits, that you won't even remotely come close to doing all those things either. Compared to many of these other parks, where due to less crowds etc... you'll get far more done, for less money.

I don't think you can compare 4 days at Disney with 4 days at any of the other theme parks you mentioned. The other parks are cheaper for a reason - they don't have 4 days worth of attractions. plus, the unlimited admission parks you mention do not come anywhere near the caliber of Disney.

 

[revdon64]

Several hundred for anything decent - I forget the exact cost. I tried to hit the fan club presale, but wasn't able to get anything remotely good as far as seats go. Still wish I could see them this tour. Hoping the come back at the end of it. Only one date in the NY/PA area? What??

Living in Central Jersey I had the same thought. I used to go see Maiden in Philly when they were selling out two or three nights in a row at the Spectrum and four or five nights in a row at the Garden. Now one show at the Garden and then off to like Ohio? C'mon man! And the cheap seats at the Garden show are over $200 each? Yeah, I'll pass.

 

[J'Adore Disney]

OP I totally agree and thanks for posting!

I live in Miami, Florida, these are just a few events I wanted to go to this year but decided I’d rather save my money for my Disney trips:

Madonna Rebel Heart concert at the American Airlines Arena
Ticket Prices: $189.00 per person
Parking: $20.00 NON-valet
Length of show: 2 hours

Midsummer Night’s Dream - Miami City Ballet
$119.00 per person – 1st tier tickets next to the orchestra (because who the heck wants to use binoculars at a ballet?)
Parking: $20.00 NON-valet
Length of show: 2 hours

Phantom of the Opera, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
$224.00 per person – 1st tier seats
Parking: $20.00
Length of show: 2 hours

I would rather forego these events and go to my beloved Walt Disney World any day of the year. It is much happiness that I buy my Annual Pass and with much elated joy that I visit as often as possible.

One thing I won’t give up are my manicure and pedicures! However, I’ll give up buying the latest hand bag, high heel pumps, and perfumes. I’ve learned to down scale my fashion wishes and brown bag lunch to work in order to make my ultimate wish come true which is that of going to Disney!!

[Disclaimer: In all fairness, I don’t have to buy air fare to travel to Disney. It takes me 3.00 to 3.5 hours on Florida’s Turnpike to get to Walt Disney World.]

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I guess I look at it a little bit differently. I don't think that it helps to look at the cost of other things and then say that a vacation to WDW isn't so bad. For example, I could price out a vacation to Bora Bora and then look at the price of a Disney vacation and say that the latter is a bargain. But this loses the perspective that the reason so many people choose to vacation at WDW is because it is a less expensive alternative. But when Disney starts to close that gap, then maybe people will start to do the other things that they have been putting off or avoiding because they were more expensive. So maybe a WDW might cost me $4,000 and a trip to Paris might cost me $5,000. It isn't enough to say that the WDW vacation isn't so bad. Because when the price climbs to $4,400, maybe all of a sudden Paris becomes a viable option. Frankly, when the cost of a Disney vacation starts to become on par with vacations to other more exotic and culturally significant locations, Disney will quickly fall off my radar screen. I go to WDW because of the stark price difference. When that disappears, so do I.

We vacationed at WDW because of how affordable it was compared to other vacation spots. It was a good value for the money and experience. Now that we travel to lots of other (expensive) places, WDW became the place we go to when we want to relax because it's a fairly quick getaway for us. The added scheduling, increased costs, and decreased experience all make the overall value decrease. We are definitely rethinking how we spend our vacation money for these reasons.

I posted on another thread recently that it is actually cheaper to stay in an over-the-water bungalow in French Polynesia, than to book the Polynesian's over-the-swamp bungalow with cash. By a pretty decent amount too. Think about that.

 

[amcc]

Things that have limited supply always cost more. That international soccer competition is a unique event as are Phantom of the Opera, a Madonna concert, and an Iron Maiden concert. The super bowl always costs more than your weekly NFL football game. So I find this comparison impossible to quantify. You can really only compare a week at Disney to a week (or more) somewhere else on vacation.

My parents are flying to Europe for $700 for three weeks this summer. A 10- day park hopper is $500. Food and hotel will be significantly cheaper. I bet that at the end of their trip, three weeks over there would cost less than 10 days at Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

Things that have limited supply always cost more. That international soccer competition is a unique event as are Phantom of the Opera, a Madonna concert, and an Iron Maiden concert. The super bowl always costs more than your weekly NFL football game. So I find this comparison impossible to quantify. You can really only compare a week at Disney to a week (or more) somewhere else on vacation.

My parents are flying to Europe for $700 for three weeks this summer. A 10- day park hopper is $500. Food and hotel will be significantly cheaper. I bet that at the end of their trip, three weeks over there would cost less than 10 days at Disney.

And I think the fact that many people don't feel too secure traveling abroad right now has a lot to do with the low cost of going over-seas.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

You make a good point, OP. Entertainment is expensive, and there are certainly many areas of entertainment like concerts and sports events that many middle-class families are already priced out of.

For me, the fact that Disney is raising prices is not what is so concerning. It is HOW they are choosing to raise prices AND that the are cutting quality and service while raising prices.

Resort fees are nothing more than a way to hide true cost and to suck in a consumer before he or she realizes what is happening. That is not the Disney I know and love.

CMs receive less training now and it is obvious in their (lack of)knowledge of the parks and procedures and (in)ability to accurately answer guest questions. I had to correct information told to me by several CM's on our last trip. If I, as a guest know the information, shouldn't the CM's? That is not the Disney I know and love.

They may be considering not allowing guests to bring in their own food and drink. That is not the Disney I know and love.

A couple of weeks again, the state of the park bathrooms was very concerning. One of them had a thick brown sludge all over the floor and others were just very dirty. That is not my Disney.

No more towel animals. Fewer door greeters. Less concern with showmanship.



I know that prices will continue to go up, especially when demand is so high. My true fear is that the parks and resorts could lose their Disney magic. There are so few places in life left that feel truly special and magical to me. Disney is one of those places. I would rather Disney keep its magic and I only be able to afford to go rarely than for Disney to lose its magic and become just another theme park.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

And I think the fact that many people don't feel too secure traveling abroad right now has a lot to do with the low cost of going over-seas.

Security concerns don't seem to have stopped those people from abroad from traveling to Disney World.

 

[hopemax]

Understandably, there's been a lot of stress recently on this board about the cost increases at Disney.

I'm in no way saying that it doesn't matter. For our family, going to Disney is a real financial stretch, even doing it on the cheap.

So believe me, I feel the pain.

That said, something came across my email today that help me keep things in some perspective.

I happen to be a huge soccer fan, and the summer will be an important international soccer competition here in the US.

I was checking ticket prices for the event. In order to get a four-game package the absolute minimum cost is $280.

That's $70 per game, not including parking, not including food, not including transportation, not including hotel. That's for the absolute worst nosebleed seats for an hour and a half game.

What I would consider pretty good seats are over $140 each per game. The best seats are a whopping $562 dollars per game.

And you have to buy a four-game package for any of these. So for my wife, son, and I to attend this at Chicago's Soldiers Field would cost us - without any other expenses - at a bare minimum of $840.

And get this! Just out of curiosity, because I was guessing this was going to happen, I put a set of tickets in the shopping cart and they added on a $42 "service fee."

So make that $966.

Without parking.

Without food.

Without hotel if we stayed over.

For 360 minutes of soccer.


For the worst seats in the stadium.

As I said, believe me I know how expensive Disney is. And for me personally it hurts the bone.

And just because other things are expensive to, doesn't mean Disney gets a free pass from me for any cost increase.

But with all of our frustrations, it's worth keeping in mind that all Entertainment nowadays has gotten crazy expensive.

Heck, going to the movies on a Friday night is turning into a nearly hundred dollar experience! (which is why I only go to the five dollar showing at 9 AM on Saturday morning!)

Anyway, just trying to keep a little bit of perspective

Sports has an advantage that Disney doesn't have. "One night only." The soccer game you will be witness to will be the only time that game is played, with the outcome such as it will be. The only people who will see it, in person, are the 40,000 (or whatever the stadium capacity is). If you visit MK on Feb 8. 2014 or August 28, 2021, there will obviously be changes; no two days will turn out exactly the same, but Dumbo will still be Dumbo, the Haunted Mansion will still be the Haunted Mansion, etc. 50,000 people every day, for years and years. For all the talk of "supply and demand," Disney has far more "supply" than a one night only sports event or concert. What you are paying for is, "you will never see this again."

My husband is also a big soccer fan. He runs a respected blog for our local MLS team. His season tickets, in the fan section (between midfield and the box, my husbands row is 6, I think) cost $22 a game. There are 17 home games. So $374 for the season. Parking is free. He is part of the group that runs the supporter's tail gate. They get 300-1000 people per game. It's technically free, financed by donations. Most people donate $5 per person. They always have hot dogs and home-made pizza with usually another specialty main item (fish tacos, potato bar, chili, etc) and one game they roast a pig, soft drinks (for the last few years this is what he was responsible for organizing) AND beer.

Everyone always ends up comparing to Chicago, New York, SF, LA but the whole world doesn't live in those cities. Everyone has a different set of experiences. We used to live in Phoenix. It took awhile to get used to the fact that parking was cheap. We'd go to D-backs games, a US Mexico friendly at the NFL football stadium, concerts, spring training games. We would never pay more than $5 for parking, and that's in lots across the street from the event (for the soccer game that was in the U. of P Stadium lot and it was free). The blessing of size and cheap land was in full effect in Phoenix, and that seems a lot more comparable to Disney's situation in Orlando, IMO. Prices have gone up since we moved away, it looks like the lots around the entertainment district now charge $10 for Cardinals games parking, but pre-season games are free as well as hockey games and concerts in the smaller arena (doesn't specify for any concerts in the big stadium).

 

[lugnut33]

I can go see really awesome concerts for $20, but they simply are not big named bands (bands like UMO, Wavves, Twin Peaks, Elle King, Beach House, etc). Heck, I'm going to see Tame Impala in Chicago this June for $40, which I consider incredibly cheap for a band of their caliber. So, the option is there to see great bands at a much more reasonable price. There is not that option when it comes to Disney, except it appears Universal is slowly catching up to Disney in terms of quality experience. I recently bought 3 day hoppers for Universal for over $600 less than Disney tickets would have cost. My brother in law, as big a Disney fan as there comes, has decided he likes Universal better because he doesn't have to plan and it's much more laid back. Not as chaotic and he get more for his money at Universal.