And The Beat Goes On!

[EdmondD]

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.

Agreed, but again, it's about the rate of inflation. In downtown DC I can pay $10 at Chipotle or Five Guys or Shophouse.... In 2005 I was spending maybe $9 at the same places, not $5.

 

[Livvie]

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

I give up.

 

[Ninja Mom]

I'm at the point where I am completely disgusted and done with Disney. These days it's always about the price increases and up-charges. In the meanwhile more and more is being cut from the parks and other areas.

It seems like the leaders at Disney have lost their minds and lost the way of everything that a Walt Disney World experience could be. It's only about the grab for cash and empty promises of real improvements that are YEARS away. To me and my family it's just not worth it anymore.

~NM

 

[rwdavis2]

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

The crowds are what will eventually keep us out of WDW. Not the prices. Josh at easywdw just today posted, that with Animal Kingdom staffing cuts, waits during a low crowd period (now) look more like high crowd wait times.

I wonder if Disney is using prices increases as a way to manage crowds until new attractions are ready. Especially since they are cutting staffing.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm amused by the hubris of Disney to pretend it is still a step above in terms of the way they conduct their business and provide superior guest service -- while considering this type of shady money grab. The fact they are surveying the idea but would deny input to the survey from the social media blogasphere contingent they rely upon to convince the masses the emperor's new clothes are very grand is rather ironic.

They operate the resort as if the loyal customers who built their empire are a dime a dozen. I wonder how long it will be before the emperor is outed as naked and the empire comes close to toppling? The China situation must be very, very troubled.

 

[Mitzicat]

I saw a sample of the survey on another site and could someone explain to me how Disney proposes to convince people to now pay $15 for something that they have been giving to guests for free? That's like walking into a McDonald's and they say that will be $5.65 + $5.00 for condiment/napkin/straw fee! Really. And I get that Disney is a business and they need to make money but again for the life of me I can't understand why a room at Poly standard view is $451 a night (used 9/21-9/22 as a price reference!). I don't mind paying a higher price for being on the monorail line and close to the Magic Kingdom...but come on...for 2 beds and a bathroom...a room I am only going to be in about 8-10 hours out of the day and mostly with my eyes closed. I am not debating what one person likes and what another doesn't. Some folks like hanging out in their room. There have been times when I have paid more for a room because of where I was staying and wanted to enjoy the room more, but I just don't get it. But for $451 a night and you want to add $15 on top for services that you have been offering for free....nuts! I have been fortunate to stay in two moderates, one value, and Shades of Green. I know folks will pay as I will continue to do so, but it will really make me think about additional items I may purchase during my vacation.

 

[Mitzicat]

I'm amused by the hubris of Disney to pretend it is still a step above in terms of the way they conduct their business and provide superior guest service -- while considering this type of shady money grab. The fact they are surveying the idea but would deny input to the survey from the social media blogasphere contingent they rely upon to convince the masses the emperor's new clothes are very grand is rather ironic.

They operate the resort as if the loyal customers who built their empire are a dime a dozen. I wonder how long it will be before the emperor is outed as naked and the empire comes close to toppling? The China situation must be very, very troubled.

Agree totally! I wonder if the average Disney attendee that they are surveying even realizes that the items they want to charge a fee for are already free! My response would be "why on earth would you start charging now? Do you think we are stupid or something?"

 

[anniemae]

I'm at the point where I am completely disgusted and done with Disney. These days it's always about the price increases and up-charges. In the meanwhile more and more is being cut from the parks and other areas.

It seems like the leaders at Disney have lost there minds and lost the way of everything that a Walt Disney World experience could be. It's only about the grab for cash and empty promises of real improvements that are YEARS away. To me and my family it's just not worth it anymore.

~NM

agree

 

[SaintsManiac]

We dropped the DDP last trip and if it hadn't been for a couple of expensive character meals we would have saved more than $200. I shared most meals with DD5. I doubt we'll ever do the DDP again.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Hotels charge a nightly resort fee pretty regularly. I know Swan/Dolphin have had one for years. Started at $10 and you could waive it, now it is $25 and it's mandatory. The big issue is that Disney hasn't tried to charge one before. They've done a lot of new stuff to bring themselves in line with the way resorts operate in the "real world..." maybe if they go for this one it could be the breaking point. Why not go stay at the Marriott or the Dolphin or the Four Seasons then?

 

[Redcon1]

i

If you haven't looked lately, many off-site hotels in the Disney area are now charging resort fees, a couple as much as $30 per night. Don't remember which were that high but was an article in the Orando Sentinel not too long ago.

Just because other hotels do it doesn't mean Disney has to. Disney used to be a leader, not a follower, especially when it came to their customer service and satisfaction.

 

[Cotillard]

Given all the increases (cheapest rack rate at Poly is now about $465/nt, nevermind the cost of park tickets) and little things that have been taken away plus so many lame CMs, this just adds insult to injury. Kids are looking fwd to WDW this summer but if trip isn't excellent, I'm out! Not that they care - "if you don't come, someone else will"

 

[Ninja Mom]

I'm amused by the hubris of Disney to pretend it is still a step above in terms of the way they conduct their business and provide superior guest service -- while considering this type of shady money grab. The fact they are surveying the idea but would deny input to the survey from the social media blogasphere contingent they rely upon to convince the masses the emperor's new clothes are very grand is rather ironic.

They operate the resort as if the loyal customers who built their empire are a dime a dozen. I wonder how long it will be before the emperor is outed as naked and the empire comes close to toppling? The China situation must be very, very troubled.

This exactly. It seems like Disney is marketing to the "Once in a lifetime" group. This is unsustainable, as the economy that is eroding the middle class will be too thin to send in the kind of numbers needed to sustain a theme park empire.

The backlash is inevitable, it's only a matter of time and everything that Disney is doing these days is pushing people in that direction.
I have friends that are interested in going and when I tell them what is involved and how expensive it will be they balk at going. Yeah sure those Disney commercials look great but when Mom and Dad run the numbers and think of the aggravation they will have to endure of planning their vacation like it's some military operation they will walk away.

South America is in the dumps economically so those numbers aren't going to save them. Star Wars is years away and what they are offering now isn't as much of a draw. Frozen is just about dead with that age group and sequels never do as well... so just exactly where are all these people going to CONTINUE to come from?

~NM

 

[cabanafrau]

Hotels charge a nightly resort fee pretty regularly. I know Swan/Dolphin have had one for years. Started at $10 and you could waive it, now it is $25 and it's mandatory. The big issue is that Disney hasn't tried to charge one before. They've done a lot of new stuff to bring themselves in line with the way resorts operate in the "real world..." maybe if they go for this one it could be the breaking point. Why not go stay at the Marriott or the Dolphin or the Four Seasons then?

But let's face it, Disney has set themselves apart precisely by proclaiming themselves not part of the "real" world. Nowhere else could they charge the rates they do for the rooms they offer. When I travel elsewhere and pay the rates of the Polynesian I get much plusher rooms and a much more upscale experience. WDW doesn't offer the experience we're looking for anymore, and hasn't for several years now. I think many former loyal customers like us feel the same, with those numbers growing daily. Sooner or later it reaches a tipping point, and I suspect the ride down will be anything but pretty -- and very sad for those of us who have many happy memories there.

 

[cabanafrau]

Given all the increases (cheapest rack rate at Poly is now about $465/nt, nevermind the cost of park tickets) and little things that have been taken away plus so many lame CMs, this just adds insult to injury. Kids are looking fwd to WDW this summer but if trip isn't excellent, I'm out! Not that they care - "if you don't come, someone else will"

I personally feel for the "lame" CMs in a lot of ways. If Disney treats its paying customers as if we're nothing but walking ATM machines ready to dispense cash to them, I shudder to think how it must be to be an average Jane or Joe working for the Mouse these days.

 

[Darcy03231]

i

If you haven't looked lately, many off-site hotels in the Disney area are now charging resort fees, a couple as much as $30 per night. Don't remember which were that high but was an article in the Orando Sentinel not too long ago.

We rent a private pool home. We used to stay Deluxe at WDW and gave up. Last home we rented the furniture/furnishings/décor were better than WDW. We each had our own bedroom with very comfortable beds and luxurious bedding. Our own private pool and hot tub. Beats WDW accommodations hands down!

 

[brockash]

I know no one would "like" having a resort fee, but this really bothers me. Just raise the base price, don't tack on fees for services you may not use and/or want. What do you think about this?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdE0D-gWAAQtjoZ.jpg

Pay for wifi, even though it's their own new technology (fastpass/scheduling program) which insists on the need for internet connection. Not to mention that wifi is free at almost all hotels and many many public places. For goodness sakes McDonalds offers free wifi. Pay for Magical Express which is Disney's way of basically getting more money out of their guests by making them reliant on their transportation therefore their money is spent on their property. Unreal...how greedy can we get. Crazy.

 

[SaintsManiac]

The only reason I wouldn't want to stay offiste is the FP booking. That's where they get me.

 

[DisDadDVC]

The only reason I wouldn't want to stay offiste is the FP booking. That's where they get me.

Unless you have REALLY specific needs or a very large party, you can get 95% of the same FP's at 30 days.

 

[Cotillard]

This exactly. It seems like Disney is marketing to the "Once in a lifetime" group. This is unsustainable, as the economy that is eroding the middle class will be too thin to send in the kind of numbers needed to sustain a theme park empire.

The backlash is inevitable, it's only a matter of time and everything that Disney is doing these days is pushing people in that direction.
I have friends that are interested in going and when I tell them what is involved and how expensive it will be they balk at going. Yeah sure those Disney commercials look great but when Mom and Dad run the numbers and think of the aggravation they will have to endure of planning their vacation like it's some military operation they will walk away.

South America is in the dumps economically so those numbers aren't going to save them. Star Wars is years away and what they are offering now isn't as much of a draw. Frozen is just about dead with that age group and sequels never do as well... so just exactly where are all these people going to CONTINUE to come from?

~NM

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