Am I the only one who thinks Disney vaca prices have gotten out of hand?

[cseca]

...(I'm my own maid). ...

Goodness gracious!

During vacation?!?!?!

Now that's just crazy talk!!!

 

[kellydizfan]

We are hoping to go next August. My 3 kids are all considered Adults now so for 5 adults in 2 rooms at Pop, with free dining but we upgraded to the regular dining plan (thinking of taking that back down to the counterservice to take off about $500.00 and not having to worry about tips, etc.), 8 day park hopper tickets and travel insurance (hey you never know - actually 1st time I have purchased), total cost (not including air) $3,500.00 - $700 a person. I am also looking at possibly driving (which we did in 2009) or the train. I didn't think it was that bad as tickets you know are almost $300 a person for the 8 days. We did the same thing back in July 2009 though we stayed in Port Orleans with the buy 4 get 3 free deal - one room (will never do that again), no park hopper and no dining (wish we had purchased counter service plan), ate all breakfasts in the room, purchased lunch meat, etc to make sandwiches to bring with us, milk for cereal, and ate most dinners off property - I think we spent more on food than we would have done with the counter service plan and spent just as much by the time it was all said and done, plus the gas to go off property. It is the convenience that they can do that. We tried VA this year for vacation but it just does not compare to Disney. You can do Disney on the cheap - you just need to do the homework. We will continue to try to make Disney trips work. We just avoid the expensive times of the year.

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

I don't think its a case of Disney Vacation getting more expensive. Its a case of life expenses going up yearly and having less money left over. Just my take.

 

[ipodluvr287]

At first glance, I agree. They do look insane, but once you actually get there and realize just how much money it must take Disney to keep everything at WDW up and running, plus all the backstage stuff you don't see, it really isn't a bad price. Plus, the price is about on par with other theme park destinations (we're not talking Six Flags here). I can say the Deluxe resort prices are a little bit out of hand though. I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian, but it is almost $400 a night (in September, value season!) and that is just insane. Value resorts for us, for now anyways! Dining prices can get outrageous, especially if you plan to pay oop. The dining plan really helps in that area, but it is still very expensive. Plus, a lot of the time at WDW, the food is very overpriced for its quality. We just returned from a trip about 2 weeks ago and we ate at some nice restaurants, but we used the dining plan. If you look at the actual price of the food without the ddp, the prices are kind of crazy. I had a pork chop that was just kind of ok at the Brown Derby (it had lots of fat on it) and it would have cost me like $32 had I not had the ddp. In reality, it was only worth about $20. Also, don't ever pay rack rate for Disney unless it is some crazy last minute trip. If you do your research before its time to go or book, chances are you will be able to find some sort of discount for something, whether it be room, dining, tickets, etc.

 

[beansmom]

Yes, I think WDW costs have gotten out of hand. The country's been in a recession the last 2 years. Yet, my cable bill, and WDW tix prices have continued to go up. When I lump WDW in with the cable company, that's not exactly a flattering comparison!

but yer prolly sitting there watching cable right now. Neither Disney nor cable are part of the bill of rights. They are choices we make.

Life is hard and nothing is cheap. We are, however, as a whole 'richer' than man has ever been in recorded history. Most history has been spent trying to scrounge up enough food to keep body and soul together for most people.

SOME people can never ever afford any vacation, much less Disney and I don't think it's Disney's responsibility to go bankrupt because we're in hard economic times. Everything costs more today than it did 5 years ago...that's life.

 

[eliza61]

The hotel room isn't that much. Food and shows is what makes Vegas expensive. Shows are like park tickets - we don't gamble, but we see a show every night and eat really well. And airfare for us is high.

Ka is great, by the way.

oohhh, I can't wait. thanks. airfare unfortunately is ridiculous every where.

but yer prolly sitting there watching cable right now. Neither Disney nor cable are part of the bill of rights. They are choices we make.

Life is hard and nothing is cheap. We are, however, as a whole 'richer' than man has ever been in recorded history. Most history has been spent trying to scrounge up enough food to keep body and soul together for most people.

SOME people can never ever afford any vacation, much less Disney and I don't think it's Disney's responsibility to go bankrupt because we're in hard economic times. Everything costs more today than it did 5 years ago...that's life.

See Beans, IMO I think that's a bit of a cop out. Yes, I realize they are choices but Disney is a product and I'm old fashioned, I think if you sell any product, you should give the best quality for that product. So you're saying since we chose to buy cable that Comcas can give you sloppy poor service?

Considering they have had park ticket increases every year for quite a while, I doubt they are close to bankruptcy.

 

[PatriciaH]

You guys are not kidding about NYC! Holy cow. I grew up in Queens so we always had mom and dads place to stay at. Now they are in Fl. Hotels are crazy there now. I don't want to stay in anything cheap because of the bed bug issues. Our favorite The Library Hotel is $399-$499 a night for our nights. No thanks-I will get an iPad instead We may just stay with a friend. I wanted to see the tree and lights for a weekend. Maybe Elf or Pee Wee.

Disney is still cheap for us!

 

[MELSMICE]

I think it's a matter of how & where you want to spend your money, how much you're willing to spend on vacation & what you want out of it.

Many people have said they would never pay Disney resort prices. That's fine. I wouldn't consider staying off-site, so I choose to pay the price. People will drive to save money, we prefer to fly. Many people choose to get the dining plan for convenience or because it's a good value for them. We prefer not to use the dining plan.

Actually, we chose to buy in to DVC quite a few years ago for different reasons. It cost us money up front & we do pay dues, but we have 4 different trips planned from October through April, not having any resort costs, so it's a good value for us in that respect.

I just think it's a matter of what people want to spend their money on, what they're willing to spend & what is a good value for each individual person.

 

[dclfun]

I am lucky to not have to pay for airfare, but I do think Disney is a great value for our vacation dollars. In thinking of all you get during that one day of park admission plus the grounds themselves- beautiful flowers, landscaping, cleanliness, then fireworks, stage shows, and character meet/greets on top of the attractions- if you're willing to purchase the longer length of stay ticket then the cost per day is very reasonable. As to the resorts, we have DVC because where we stay IS important to me ( and yes,I realize others just use the room to shower and sleep). I prefer a Deluxe resort as I want an immersive, relaxing vacation with better food, recreation, and transportation options. We always look for discounts or just plain save money to get what we want. I just spent two nights at BCV on points before and then three nights at the Poly after our TA Magic cruise with a discount for the Poly. It was priceless to me to be able to avoid buses. Leaving the parks exhausted it was so very relaxing to know I'd not have to drive or wait for and get on a crowded bus. It was worth every penny although obviously it would have been much less costly to stay at a value resort. The only thing I complain about is the changes with the DDP. What was once a great value is something that is no longer such a deal. Remembering the days of appetizers and grats included...I'm glad we enjoyed it then!---Kathy

 

[padawans]

I would have to agree with the op. If you stay at a value and eat cs than disney is cheap, but thats not the kind of vacation I like to take. Our 10 day wdw trip in a gv room at poly with dxdp cost us 6,000 and thats was with a 40% discount and free flights. Throw in another 1200 for gratuity,alcohol,cabs and trinkits. We can spend a week in Hawaii or San Diego for 1/2 that. I love wdw but it is expensive.

 

[neatokimmo]

Just for a comparison for 2 adults a little kid:

DC for three nights, lodging, food and metro was $520. Add in transportation and it was $663 or $221 per day. Additional days would have been about $150 for room and food bringing it down to $180 a day to keep apples to apples comparison.

Cruise - Carnival Magic, inside cabin is $1790 for 7 nights (pre cruise hotel included & gas & tips) or $256 per day.

Disney - 7 nights with flights, quick service plan included, $1994 or $285 per day including airfare.

So I guess what I'm trying to post is, Disney is about the same as a cruise in the off season. It is WAY cheaper than a cruise in a regular rate month. It is more expensive than something educational. But I'd much rather watch wishes than see a monument.

And it is DIRT CHEAP compared to NYC! We are going in May. I'm scared at the cost of the hotel. So scared in fact, we might cancel. Anyone want to buy three tickets for wicked from me? lol

 

[padawans]

Just for a comparison for 2 adults a little kid:

DC for three nights, lodging, food and metro was $520. Add in transportation and it was $663 or $221 per day. Additional days would have been about $150 for room and food bringing it down to $180 a day to keep apples to apples comparison.

Cruise - Carnival Magic, inside cabin is $1790 for 7 nights (pre cruise hotel included & gas & tips) or $256 per day.

Disney - 7 nights with flights, quick service plan included, $1994 or $285 per day including airfare.

So I guess what I'm trying to post is, Disney is about the same as a cruise in the off season. It is WAY cheaper than a cruise in a regular rate month. It is more expensive than something educational. But I'd much rather watch wishes than see a monument.

And it is DIRT CHEAP compared to NYC! We are going in May. I'm scared at the cost of the hotel. So scared in fact, we might cancel. Anyone want to buy three tickets for wicked from me? lol

Your comparing eating quick service at disney to the food you get on a cruise ship. I think the cruise is a lot cheaper. If you ate at disney like you eat on a cruise ship the price of your disney vacation would double. You really cant get a hotel in New York for under 300a night because thats what a deluxe resort at disney cost. I'm just curious I will have to investigate this.

 

[neatokimmo]

Your comparing eating quick service at disney to the food you get on a cruise ship. I think the cruise is a lot cheaper. If you ate at disney like you eat on a cruise ship the price of your disney vacation would double. You really cant get a hotel in New York for under 300a night because thats what a deluxe resort at disney cost. I'm just curious I will have to investigate this.

Yup you are right, cruise food is pretty similar to the regular dining plan. So we'd have add $20 per day to Disney to upgrade the plan because we are staying in a value (which is twice the size of the cabin and has a window lol). There would be tips involved on the regular dining plan, but there are also shore excursions/taxis/off shore food to consider with a cruise that I didn't list out.

 

[Evi]

I have to disagree this year we are going for 9 days and paying less then we did in 07 for a 7 day trip and we have an additional member to our party. So nay I think the prices are staying the same if not going down. Ah and this year we did nonstop flights, upgraded our car rental and included a bunch of extra things and it still breaks down to less.

 

[heartsy77]

While I agree they seem like a lot of money, every time we go on a camping trip, I say wow we could have done a cheap trip to WDW instead. We go with a group of other families for a week long trip every year. Last year was Gettysburg and Quarryville Yogi park. Between gas, campsite fees, activities and all the extras we spent $2000.00! We could have easily done a free dining trip at value for that!

 

[cseca]

...

And it is DIRT CHEAP compared to NYC! We are going in May. I'm scared at the cost of the hotel. So scared in fact, we might cancel. Anyone want to buy three tickets for wicked from me? lol

You'll love Wicked!
It's a wonderful show, especially to watch it on Broadway...
That was my b'day present from DH a few years back... it was SO much fun.

 

[sissy_ib]

See Beans, IMO I think that's a bit of a cop out. Yes, I realize they are choices but Disney is a product and I'm old fashioned, I think if you sell any product, you should give the best quality for that product. So you're saying since we chose to buy cable that Comcas can give you sloppy poor service?

Considering they have had park ticket increases every year for quite a while, I doubt they are close to bankruptcy.

No, you should not get poor service, but if you are not getting what you feel you paid for, you should not continue to pay for it. That is my take on it anyhow. With Disney or the cable company, we all have choices. I personally chose not to pay for cable. I did chose to buy in to DVC. One great thing about the times we are living in, is the choices we all have. Some people may not want to stay in at value resort. But I think it is great that Disney has that option available. If one thinks the prices at the deluxe resorts are too much, look at moderates, or stay off property. If one is not happy with those options, take a vacation elsewhere. We are living in an age where the possibilities are endless.

 

[padawans]

Of course the people on these boards think disney is a good value because they are in love with disney. When my co-workers ask me how much it costs to go to wdw they about fallover when I tell them. These are people in healthcare that make good money and would not be satisfied at a value. When I told one doctor what a deluxe hotel cost she looked at me like I had lost my mind.

 

[waynesgirl]

I'm going to Paris France this May for almost the same price as my August trip to Disney. The only thing that is making it more expensive is the airfare to Europe is crazy expensive. I'll have 2 days at DLP and let's not even go there with the quality of food, now in all fairness Paris is known for it's food so any place would have a hard time comparing and just as much entertainment.

QUOTE]

Went to Paris last year. Spent 2 days at DLP- I do not recommend it. You can see both parks in a day. I am more than happy to give you any cost-cutting advice for Paris. I love that city and it really isn't that expensive but DLP just didn't have the same welcoming feel, and it seemed almost unorganized.

 

[jodifla]

I think Disney ticket prices have skyrocketed out of control. We did go this past year largely because of the ticket prices.