And The Beat Goes On!

[FlightlessDuck]

I wonder if they would allow a la carte pricing. If we don't use MDE, parking, or resort entertainment, can the fee be $8 instead?

 

[jsmla]

Oh and look..another increase.
http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/03/09/disney-dining-plan-rates-increasing/

So many have said that it's very difficult to get your money's worth on the DDP. I had wondered if the menu price increases were put in place to push more folks to the Dining Plan but now that's going up too!

 

[JimmyV]

So many have said that it's very difficult to get your money's worth on the DDP. I had wondered if the menu price increases were put in place to push more folks to the Dining Plan but now that's going up too!

The regular dining plan went up by 3%. If Disney raises a la carte pricing by 3% (which is likely...and at BoG, the increases were significantly higher than that), then the debate rages on becomes the pricing will be a wash. But as you note, if the a la carte pricing goes up by 7%, or 10%, then the DP actually becomes more attractive, if that is the way one likes to eat. It's hard to say, since Disney didn't create the DP to save people money. They created the DP to trap people into eating all their meals on site.

 

[rwdavis2]

$15 is a pretty big percentage to value resorts lowest rates.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

a resort fee might well push us into the staying offsite group. Mainly because it would annoy me. They're cutting people and services - raising prices and then tacking on a resort fee - I would just be done staying onsite for awhile. We'd pay for parking - use the MBs we already have and just make FP at 30 days (which since we travel during the 'slower' season wouldn't be tragic)

 

[rwdavis2]

Good to know I am a Universal noob, and have yet to take that final step there. But, I will. WDW has me thisclose to converting. Ugh.

Give Universal a try. The Hard Rock Hotel beats virtually all WDW hotels for service and amenities. Free Express Pass and early entry plus you can walk to the parks. The best rides at Universal blow away the best ones at WDW. But WDW has them beat in theming and detail in a big way.

 

[EdmondD]

Oh and look..another increase.
http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/03/09/disney-dining-plan-rates-increasing/

Remember decades ago when it was $35 ($10 for kids) and included an app and, importantly, the tip. Oh, that was only in 2005? Never mind.

 

[CMNJ]

If the price is going up $15 per night, what difference does it make if it's in the base rate or tacked on at the end? I don't understand the difference.


Ultimately, this is supply and demand pricing. Disney will continue to raise rates and find creative ways to raise them, until the demand goes down. It's up to us, really.

You are absolutely right if we all keep paying it then there is no reason for Disney to change. I do wonder though if this could be a first step to creating differences in the resort amenities and almost creating "premium" resort packages in the way of increased fees. If access to EMH and FP at 60 days etc are being "paid for" by an additional resort fee (as opposed to being included in the room rate) what is to stop Disney from creating multiple resort fee structures that include various levels of amenities for resort guests? Like $15 per room per day gets you parking and/or magical express, access to FP at 60 days and magic bands and $25 gets you those plus EMH and a fourth fast pass (or access to FP at 90 days)????? We all know Disney loves creating "special packages" lol

 

[Minnesota!]

Give Universal a try. The Hard Rock Hotel beats virtually all WDW hotels for service and amenities. Free Express Pass and early entry plus you can walk to the parks. The best rides at Universal blow away the best ones at WDW. But WDW has them beat in theming and detail in a big way.

Thanks! We have been waiting till the youngest kid was "big enough" to hit everything. I think he is JUST about there. I think I will put it in my plans that next years summer vacation is Universal. Mom is finally going to get her way, ha ha ha!

 

[shanethesaint88]

In defense of Disney...

Itemized billing and pay-per-service billing is quite in fashion right now. You're already paying to the service, it's just included in the all-in price you pay. Each year, the price of this service goes up, it just gets buried in with all-in price increase.

If you're someone that does not use these services or amenities, do you like subsidizing everyone else? Of course not.

I, for one, appreciate that everyone else subsidizes my Magic Express transportation.

The fact is, the resorts are packed, the parks are packed and it is the responsibility of Disney management to maximize shareholder value. Now and into the future. How that happens is up for debate.

(Now I'll go hide)

I'm gonna be completely honest, and I hope people don't take offense to this, everytime an increase in price happens a little part of me is a tiny bit excited because maybe it will discourage people from going and the resorts and parks will be less crowded lol I know that is terrible but oh well. Because the other part of me is saying if they keep like this I might not be able to afford it one day lol

 

[CMNJ]

$15 is a pretty big percentage to value resorts lowest rates.

I was thinking the same thing-people who get a room for around $100 a night would be paying an additional $105 per week at check in on fees (might not seem like a lot but might break the budget for some)

 

[Skywise]

If the price is going up $15 per night, what difference does it make if it's in the base rate or tacked on at the end? I don't understand the difference.


Ultimately, this is supply and demand pricing. Disney will continue to raise rates and find creative ways to raise them, until the demand goes down. It's up to us, really.

The difference is that you won't know the actual cost of the hotel stay until AFTER you check out. And it won't stay at $15 - Currently in Vegas, where they instituted these fees just 4 years ago at $15/night, they just raised them to $35/night. On top of that the city and state changed their laws to make those fees taxable at the same rate as the room fee which is 12% - So suddenly my $200/night room + $48 tax (city AND state) is now an additional $43 A NIGHT and that doesn't appear on Expedia or even the hotel's own site when checking booking rates or even the deposit because that all comes out - in the end.

Oh and they're not optional... you pay them regardless. The Wynn even includes a lovely morning delivery of USA Today which I found oddly anachronistic...

Not that what they're doing is out of the ordinary - Heck, I stayed a few nights at the Fontaine Bleau in Miami for a birthday and not only did they charge me resort fees they were going to charge me $25 a night... for PARKING AT THEIR HOTEL!!! Fortunately I didn't drive, but still... (And that's rumored to be happening to Vegas very shortly too)

 

[starjazz]

a resort fee might well push us into the staying offsite group. Mainly because it would annoy me. They're cutting people and services - raising prices and then tacking on a resort fee - I would just be done staying onsite for awhile. We'd pay for parking - use the MBs we already have and just make FP at 30 days (which since we travel during the 'slower' season wouldn't be tragic)

I recommend it. Since trying it on our last trip, I suspect it'll be a long time before we shell out for on-site accommodations again. We saved ridiculous amounts of money, got to the parks quicker, had TONS more room, private pool, and access to all of the restaurants and grocery stores. On-site is fun, but there's more important things I'd rather spend my money on - special meals, tours, souvenirs, or....another trip!

 

[MrsHull]

If the price is going up $15 per night, what difference does it make if it's in the base rate or tacked on at the end? I don't understand the difference.


Ultimately, this is supply and demand pricing. Disney will continue to raise rates and find creative ways to raise them, until the demand goes down. It's up to us, really.

The difference is twofold.

First, resort fees could and probably would be excluded for discounts.

Second, and the basis for my question, is this outrage due to an emotional response to the wording (charging a resort fee for what we once were told was free perks to staying onsite), or a logical response to increased pricing (assessing whether or not Disney continues to be in a family's budget or worth the increasing costs to visit)?

 

[rwdavis2]

You are absolutely right if we all keep paying it then there is no reason for Disney to change. I do wonder though if this could be a first step to creating differences in the resort amenities and almost creating "premium" resort packages in the way of increased fees. If access to EMH and FP at 60 days etc are being "paid for" by an additional resort fee (as opposed to being included in the room rate) what is to stop Disney from creating multiple resort fee structures that include various levels of amenities for resort guests? Like $15 per room per day gets you parking and/or magical express, access to FP at 60 days and magic bands and $25 gets you those plus EMH and a fourth fast pass (or access to FP at 90 days)????? We all know Disney loves creating "special packages" lol

I would not be surprised to see them sell additional FP+ packages or five you more based on where you stay. EMH used to be an extra cost. They were well worth it ($10) and the park was vorutally empty as compared to now.

 

[Jcon]

I'm gonna be completely honest, and I hope people don't take offense to this, everytime an increase in price happens a little part of me is a tiny bit excited because maybe it will discourage people from going and the resorts and parks will be less crowded lol I know that is terrible but oh well. Because the other part of me is saying if they keep like this I might not be able to afford it one day lol

Compared to our trip in May 2013, the price has gone up more than 50%. But that's because the Canadian dollar has sunk against the Greenback so much.

There are definitely fewer Canadian travellers going to Disney this year. Even flights down south have been reduced. So that should help!

I understand completely what you're saying about higher prices, fewer guests, smaller crowds, shorter waits.

 

[Jennasis]

Charging for wi-fi is stupid. So many hotels include it for free...plus you need it for their stupid app.

 

[tlmadden73]

Remember decades ago when it was $35 ($10 for kids) and included an app and, importantly, the tip. Oh, that was only in 2005? Never mind.

Well the price of food everywhere is expensive .. I can't seem to go out to LUNCH for a sandwich, soup and a drink for less than $11 in my little town.

I still can't see spending $63/day/adult on food for just a lunch and dinner .. even at Disney Prices. $60 for THREE meals? Sure .. $40 for a QS and a TS .. sure? (even that I would find expensive) .. but $63?? Even when I "splurge" and get a huge $35+ dinner buffet . I don't see myself spending $20 on lunch.

 

[shanethesaint88]

Compared to our trip in May 2013, the price has gone up more than 50%. But that's because the Canadian dollar has sunk against the Greenback so much.

There are definitely fewer Canadian travellers going to Disney this year. Even flights down south have been reduced. So that should help!

I understand completely what you're saying about higher prices, fewer guests, smaller crowds, shorter waits.

I want everyone to enjoy a trip to WDW like I have so many times, but it's just so hard to with all the crowds and stuff. But believe me, as a 23 year old just out of college with a entry level job I am feeling the price increases too. Me and my gf make it happen somehow though every year

 

[Jcon]

The difference is twofold.

First, resort fees could and probably would be excluded for discounts.

Second, and the basis for my question, is this outrage due to an emotional response to the wording (charging a resort fee for what we once were told was free perks to staying onsite), or a logical response to increased pricing (assessing whether or not Disney continues to be in a family's budget or worth the increasing costs to visit)?

Fair point about discount. But the discount is meant to fill up the resort when rooms are less likely to be sold. If the increased pricing causes more unsold rooms, they'll increase the discount or offer something else. It will balance out (supply and demand).

Yes, an emotional, non-logical response. It amazes me that people don't budget with all-in prices.