A little perspective on the Disney cost increase frustrations.

[momof2n2]

They have just cut things back. During 2002 Disney world had more things to do than they do now.

THIS. I am so glad we got to enjoy WDW as much as we did from 1994 - 2011. That is how I want to remember WDW.

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.

Be careful with this one... ... This board is teeming with folks who call Epcot, AK, and DHS each half-day parks...
We spent two full days at SW and two full days at BGT mid-May 2014 and did not get to do everything despite the lower crowds. There is a ton going on in there if you are interested in every show. And talk about some rides-to-remember!

 

[gtpoohbear]

Yep. Everytime I hear people complain about how expensive WDW has gotten, I want to invite them out here to Colorado for a ski vacation. $140/day for a lift ticket (and no multi-day discounts). That gets you 7 hours of lift access, and just like at WDW, you'll spend a fair amount of that waiting in line. Want lunch on the mountain? For a family of 4, that's going to cost you over $100. And we're talking fast-food quality hamburgers.

Suddenly Disney prices don't seem unreasonable. If you want quality entertainment and recreation, it's going to cost you. And there really is no mystery or conspiracy here. As long as attendance at these places continues to grow, they are going to continue raising prices. And continue to cut corners with staff and amenities when they think they can get away with it. As long as thier profit is still going up, it's a no-brainer.

Eventually I suspect they will reach a breaking point and see attendance and profit start to taper. And then they may have to reconsider their strategy. But it doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

I know many, MANY people that would disagree with you that US does not have 4 days worth of attractions. And if you look at SeaWorld parks, considering that gets you into three parks, yes, there are easily 4 days worth of attractions. Many people spend 2 days at SW or Busch. As for the caliper... again, from what most say here - US is easily on par with Disney for ride quality. And let's face it - Disney is slipping, and all these cuts aren't going to help any. I can see chipped paint and dinged up rides at my local carnival for a lot less money. What really makes Disney what it is, IMO, is it's connection to the movies, the emotional attachment, that being able to see in person what you see in screen, which granted is lacking from other parks. But do I think Disney is over priced in comparison to other places? Yup. Will I go again? Yes - on the condition there aren't any more major cuts/price increases. We are officially at our threshold, and I'm honestly not convinced it's worth what it'll cost us.

 

[momof2n2]

I'm curious where others vacation that it compares to WDW in price. It is by far the most expensive travel we do.
Our trips of late have been cruises, weeks at Nags Head in MAGNIFICENT houses, road trip from NY to OR, and two weeks central FL without WDW (SW, etc.). WDW is the most costly.
We have NOT done anything overseas, mind you.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I'm curious where others vacation that it compares to WDW in price. It is by far the most expensive travel we do.
Our trips of late have been cruises, weeks at Nags Head in MAGNIFICENT houses, road trip from NY to OR, and two weeks central FL without WDW (SW, etc.). WDW is the most costly.
We have NOT done anything overseas, mind you.

It truly depends on how you travel. You can go to national parks and drop a lot of money at gorgeous lodges. We went to San Francisco and Yosemite a few years ago and price wise it's close but we have to fly to get there and we drive to Florida. the only vacation we have done that is more expensive than WDW is Disney cruise line.

 

[scrapquitler]

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

excellent point.

I have a lot of friends that tell me that they don't do Disney because it's too expensive. But they spend a week or two at the beach for vacation every year. I have to imagine that adding up the cost of the rental cottage, the restaurants, the waterpark they visit, the dinner show they go to, and all the other things they do during the course of the week at Myrtle Beach it probably isn't actually any less expensive than a week at Disney World. Sure, if they ate at the cottage and just sat on the beach all week it would be cheaper, but once they add those extras in, the price really adds up quickly.

 

[snayak]

As long as attendance at these places continues to grow, they are going to continue raising prices. And continue to cut corners with staff and amenities when they think they can get away with it. As long as thier profit is still going up, it's a no-brainer.

Eventually I suspect they will reach a breaking point and see attendance and profit start to taper. And then they may have to reconsider their strategy. But it doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon.

Exactly - its simple economics, price to what the market will bear, and the best way to do this is with price segmentation.

At a sporting events there are ranges for seats, same with concerts and shows, and parking, and even planes (coach lands the same time as first class!) - some people are willing to pay more for benefits, perceived or otherwise. Disney does this with resorts, restaurants, and now with single day tickets (which, I think Universal has been doing for a while, at least w/ their Express Pass add-on).

We haven't been to Disney since F&W 2014, with no forecast to return mainly due to ridiculous planning required (my time is worth $), lack of anything substantially new (though Soarin' & SW fireworks would count, when it opens, I guess), and seemingly endless price increases. We've been to Europe three times since Sep 2014, with another 2 trips planned this year and will keep going there while the dollar is strong - makes everything cheap!

 

[mustlovecats]

I think spend well over the average guest for my vacations but I expect them to deliver a superb product and so far they've met those expectations. I have no problem with high prices and I've had no problem with Disney's prices the last two years. I just don't want raised prices to come with a reduced experience.

If Disney raised all their prices with no reduction to the staff level or service I wouldn't have any problems and I would continue to give them my money. I just think it's insulting that they want me to pay more money for less.

I suppose I haven't personally been since they announced the cuts so I can't really say for certain what affect it would have on me. I just don't want to spend a huge amount of money and feel like it was a waste.

I'm curious where others vacation that it compares to WDW in price. It is by far the most expensive travel we do.
Our trips of late have been cruises, weeks at Nags Head in MAGNIFICENT houses, road trip from NY to OR, and two weeks central FL without WDW (SW, etc.). WDW is the most costly.
We have NOT done anything overseas, mind you.

I priced out a 10 day Viking river cruise from Switzerland to the Netherlands today with a mid-tier stateroom. It's upwards of $1,000 less than our "normal" Disney vacation.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I know many, MANY people that would disagree with you that US does not have 4 days worth of attractions. And if you look at SeaWorld parks, considering that gets you into three parks, yes, there are easily 4 days worth of attractions. Many people spend 2 days at SW or Busch. As for the caliper... again, from what most say here - US is easily on par with Disney for ride quality. And let's face it - Disney is slipping, and all these cuts aren't going to help any. I can see chipped paint and dinged up rides at my local carnival for a lot less money. What really makes Disney what it is, IMO, is it's connection to the movies, the emotional attachment, that being able to see in person what you see in screen, which granted is lacking from other parks. But do I think Disney is over priced in comparison to other places? Yup. Will I go again? Yes - on the condition there aren't any more major cuts/price increases. We are officially at our threshold, and I'm honestly not convinced it's worth what it'll cost us.

There are definitely US fans out there who prefer US parks over Disney. Plus, there is talk out there of them opening a 3rd gate. That would be interesting. Overall though, Disney still has 4 gates and US has 2. The competition between the two is great though because it means they have to keep up with each other. Good for visitors (who are willing to pay the rising ticket prices)!

 

[scrapquitler]

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.

But when you buy those Six Flags season passes, parking is not included, and you can't even bring a bottle of water into the park with you. And if you want the front of the line thing, it costs a lot. At Disney, parking is included with the seaon pass, you can bring in your own food, and you can use the FP+ without having to pay extra for it on a per day basis.

 

[mshanson3121]

But when you buy those Six Flags season passes, parking is not included, and you can't even bring a bottle of water into the park with you. And if you want the front of the line thing, it costs a lot. At Disney, parking is included with the seaon pass, you can bring in your own food, and you can use the FP+ without having to pay extra for it on a per day basis.

You're kind of missing the point. The point is, I can get an entire season pass, for far less than what it costs for 4 days at Disney. Also, most of those places have optional-add ons for parking, the equivalent of EMH etc... which still come out far cheaper than Disney. Also, at most of those places, there isn't the need for FP+ since it's not so crowded. Some people actually find it nice to not have to schedule their vacation. But sure, if you want to compare AP prices:

Annual Busch/AI/SW for a family of 4: $840
Knotts: $348
Six Flags: $248
Disney: $3190

 

[ayz75]

I'm curious where others vacation that it compares to WDW in price. It is by far the most expensive travel we do.
Our trips of late have been cruises, weeks at Nags Head in MAGNIFICENT houses, road trip from NY to OR, and two weeks central FL without WDW (SW, etc.). WDW is the most costly.
We have NOT done anything overseas, mind you.

For us, an oversea trip to Paris basically costs as much as a trip to WDW To give you a quick comparison, we live in Canada and we fly to Orlando, say for CAD$1500 (family of 3. Sometimes there are seat sales but honestly I almost always end up paying $500/person because of timing, etc). We can fly to Paris for about $3000, so that's $1.5k more in flight. However, 6 day disney pass for a family of 3 is actually about CAD $1500 as well, so this basically evens it out.

In Paris, I typically look for hotels around 100 euros (yes it exists and I have a favourite that I stay at that is centrally located!) it's almost like staying at a value. So the rest is really the cost of food and museums, etc. I actually find it cheaper to eat in Paris than in the park, yup! There are a lot of options (small bistros) that'll have 3 courses for like 25 euros per person, and for lunch you can just grab a sandwich which will be cheaper than a quick service meal in Disney. Visiting museums/sites don't cost much, and subway rides aren't that much either. So yeah, I'd say overall the cost is actually quite similar.

But of course, for those who can drive down to Orlando and save on transportation, it obviously will be cheaper than something like Europe/Asia.

For us, Disney is also an expensive vacation, but to be honest though, the fare increase isn't going to make a difference for us because we don't go regularly so we don't "feel" it as much (I feel more the exchange rate pain, ouch.. but that applies to any travel in the US for me )

 

[Robertfam08]

With a family of our size, Disney is definitely the cheapest vacation we can do right now...but we get just about the best value you can get out of a Disney vacation. We go when rooms are cheaper, we eat for free, we can drive there, we can still fit in a regular moderate resort room, and two of our kids have been able to get into everything for free. We've priced many other vacations, and nothing touches Disney at this point.

I won't even bother to compare Six Flags prices to Disney...haha. I don't know about your Six Flags, but ours don't have the quality of shows, table service restaurants, characters my kids are dying to meet, the cleanliness, the magic, free fast passes, the quality parades or awesome fireworks shows, and you have to pay extra for special events there, too. Disney is an experience for us, and our Six Flags is great if you like roller coasters. That's definitely not our young crew.

 

[Love Tink]

But when you buy those Six Flags season passes, parking is not included, and you can't even bring a bottle of water into the park with you. And if you want the front of the line thing, it costs a lot. At Disney, parking is included with the seaon pass, you can bring in your own food, and you can use the FP+ without having to pay extra for it on a per day basis.

Huh? Season passes to our Six Flags cost about $60 per person. This is for the "gold" pass or whatever, which means parking is included and so is admission (and parking) to every Six Flags park all over the country. And we bring in water all the time. Oh, and you don't need FP because there is never anyone there.

 

[scrapquitler]

Huh? Season passes to our Six Flags cost about $60 per person. This is for the "gold" pass or whatever, which means parking is included and so is admission (and parking) to every Six Flags park all over the country. And we bring in water all the time. Oh, and you don't need FP because there is never anyone there.

We always had Six Flags passes until a few years ago, and they didn't have those Gold Passes then. And we stopped going because the lines were always so long. Over an hour for most of the coasters, even on a weekday. Even though the admission was cheap, we always felt like we never got a good value because of the long lines and the rowdy local teenagers. I guess your local Six Flags is better than our is.

 

[mom2rtk]

It truly depends on how you travel. You can go to national parks and drop a lot of money at gorgeous lodges. We went to San Francisco and Yosemite a few years ago and price wise it's close but we have to fly to get there and we drive to Florida. the only vacation we have done that is more expensive than WDW is Disney cruise line.

And a lot of people can drive to National Parks but must fly to Florida.

I haven't checked recently but I have a hunch I can stay cheaper in the Old Faithful Inn than at the Wilderness Lodge. And it only costs $30 to enter the park for as many people as I can cram into my car.

 

[mom2rtk]

excellent point.

I have a lot of friends that tell me that they don't do Disney because it's too expensive. But they spend a week or two at the beach for vacation every year. I have to imagine that adding up the cost of the rental cottage, the restaurants, the waterpark they visit, the dinner show they go to, and all the other things they do during the course of the week at Myrtle Beach it probably isn't actually any less expensive than a week at Disney World. Sure, if they ate at the cottage and just sat on the beach all week it would be cheaper, but once they add those extras in, the price really adds up quickly.

We never spend anywhere near the price of a Disney trip when we do a beach vacation. And the accommodations are far better.

 

[mshanson3121]

We never spend anywhere near the price of a Disney trip when we do a beach vacation. And the accommodations are far better.

Where do you go for beaches?

 

[mom2rtk]

Where do you go for beaches?

Sanibel Island, FL. We rented a 2 bedroom condo right on the beach for a week for about $1K. Beyond that, I can't offer any recommendations. At our house, Sanibel is IT.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I'm curious where others vacation that it compares to WDW in price. It is by far the most expensive travel we do.
Our trips of late have been cruises, weeks at Nags Head in MAGNIFICENT houses, road trip from NY to OR, and two weeks central FL without WDW (SW, etc.). WDW is the most costly.
We have NOT done anything overseas, mind you.

We have not taken all our kids to NYC all at once because it's cost prohibitive. We would need two pricey rooms (nothing luxurious for around $175 a night each), then add in City Passes for all the major attractions ($812 total), weeklong subway passes ($217) and then food. That doesn't even count if we want to take in a show. Honestly the cost would be pretty similar to us doing Disney because we always drive everywhere.

We go to the Outer Banks during the off season but when you add in house rental, food and entertainment it gets pricey. Sure we can and do do cheap trips, we camp a lot in National Parks but vacationing is expensive. We like Disney because get a lot of entertainment in the cost. You don't need much additional, heck we even eat a lot of meals in our trailer to cut down on cost.