Anyone else feeling priced out of disney?

[ilovemk76]

Maybe I should have said MEAL. Good grief.

With a drink and tax it can run close to $15. Ok, to be technical, it is just under $14.

There are many, many other choices to eat besides PB&J with just a little imagination.

But we simply do Disney differently, I don't understand the need to nit pick over minor differences in pricing. I also don't understand the need to call someone who orders dessert a pigout and artery clogging machine.

I think you can clog your arteries on their burgers and fries just fine!

Even with just water, we are looking at $50 plus $8 in tax for the 5 of us to eat counter service.

You said $15 for a hamburger. The $14 is a bacon cheeseburger anyplace a bacon cheeseburger costs way more. A hamburger and water would be half.

We do this all the time and we eat for about $15 for two adults with one diet soda and one water. You are just way overstating the cost.

The pigout was a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a dessert. Add in a large coke and you ate a ton.

 

[maxiesmom]

They don't provide you with a place to eat it however.

Disney does a lot of things to discourage "low margin" guests and encourage "high margin" guests - or encourage low margin guests to become high margin guests. They'll let you bring in your own food, but they don't have anywhere to picnic and will upsell you on food at every opportunity. They give you extra magic hours to stay on site. Almost every ride ends in a gift shop.

Where people have taken advantage of savings opportunities, Disney has closed loopholes. Bar coding mugs. Making the YES program almost as expensive as just buying tickets.

Disney doesn't have to provide picnic areas just for people who bring in their own food. Usually there are plenty of spots open to eat your sandwich or whatever. Plenty of outside seating areas or low walls or benches or other spots.

Btw, mugs are not bar coded. They did a test, which has ended, but nothing has changed as of yet. But I think that is more a negative statement on people than it is on Disney. If people would follow the rules Disney wouldn't have to try and bar code mugs, or make sure people actually will see their presentation when they purchase YES passes.

 

[ilovemk76]

I think that $15 was a pretty good estimate for a CS these days. The Angus burger you mention is $9.99 and a drink is $2.99, that's $13.82 with tax. Add an "artery clogging" dessert at $3.79 and you're up to $17.86. So ... her estimate of $15 is really between the two actual values. Personally, I don't eat dessert but I always buy a drink and a side but I would probably still use an estimate of $15 per person for a CS because it's easy to calculate.

It is not n angus burger but an angus bacon cheeseburger. You can and will get the burger for less. I meant the pigout as the entire meal not just the dessert. On the phone is hard to see all of the post as you type it.

I would be willing to share sides and drink water rather than pack in sandwiches. I do carry water, but that is so we have a cold drink when in line.

Estimating high to make sure you have enough cash on your pocket or in your vacation fund is correct. Doing that to prove you can do it so much cheaper is not. I could claim I am eating three TS meals at $100 a person and them say I can eat for the cost I'd a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly for $10 a day is not a true comparison.

 

[robinb]

It is not n angus burger but an angus bacon cheeseburger. You can and will get the burger for less. I meant the pigout as the entire meal not just the dessert. On the phone is hard to see all of the post as you type it.

I would be willing to share sides and drink water rather than pack in sandwiches. I do carry water, but that is so we have a cold drink when in line.

Estimating high to make sure you have enough cash on your pocket or in your vacation fund is correct. Doing that to prove you can do it so much cheaper is not. I could claim I am eating three TS meals at $100 a person and them say I can eat for the cost I'd a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly for $10 a day is not a true comparison.

She was talking in generalities compared to how she eats. Not compared to how you, ilovemk76, eats. If you and your DH can both eat a meal at a WDW CS restaurant for $15 total, more power to you! However, most WDW guests don't know they can ask for no cheese on their burger or to skip the fries or even to order ice water to save money at CS restaurants. They see the menu and they order off of it. So, for most guests a cheeseburger meal at Cosmic Ray's is $13.82 which is close enough to $15 that you're really just splitting hairs here arguing that her estimate was wrong .

On a related topic, WDW priced me out of the DDP years ago when they raised the price depending on the season. The current price of $57 per person per night is simply ridiculous. They have also just priced me out of the Tables in Wonderland card. It used to be $75 and they raised the price 33% to $100 and now I would have to spend $500 at TS restaurants just to break even. Um ... no thanks.

 

[DaisyD]

I do think Disney is pricey but when you compare it against other parks it is worth it. I can't see Disney lowering prices either. It takes a lot for upkeep and as long as people are willing to pay for it, they will charge a premium.

Disney isn't affordable to everyone and that's fine. It's a luxury, not a necessity. When we were newly married we could only afford a quick trip and offsite to boot. We didn't complain that we couldn't afford what others could. It's called life's not fair and we accepted that. Personally I'm happy WDW has kept their high standards.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We were priced out this year. After seeing Gina Gina Bo Bina's trip report staying at the Residence Inn at Seaworld we checked it out and booked it. Seaworld is offering some great deals! $1100 for 5 days in June including tickets to Seaworld, (free quick que) tickets to Aquatica~FREE dining both days. Free breakfast at the hotel and transportation. Plus it's a 2 room suite WITH a kitchen. Good grief WHY would we pay Disney prices to cram us all in those tiny tiny rooms???

Wow, and here I didn't think anyone was reading that report!

While we loved our onsite trip to Disney in 2009, our three offsite and non-Disney trips since then to Orlando have been equally as enjoyable and much better value.

We have certainly been priced out of staying on Disney property, and are looking very forward to our stay at Sheraton Vistana Resort in August where we are getting a newly renovated two bedroom, two bathroom villa with a full kitchen for the same price as a tiny standard room at POP. That said, we can't justify the price of Disney park tickets so we're sticking with waterpark tickets only.....much more affordable and preferred by our teen son.

 

[DawnM]

I corrected it and added the total with only water. I have three boys, two of whom are teens. They aren't sharing anything.

Almost $60 with tax for 5 people to eat lunch WITH WATER.

That is just lunch. Add a sit down and snack and you can be well over $150-$200 for the day.

We choose not to do Disney that way. You do it however you wish.

You said $15 for a hamburger. The $14 is a bacon cheeseburger anyplace a bacon cheeseburger costs way more. A hamburger and water would be half.

We do this all the time and we eat for about $15 for two adults with one diet soda and one water. You are just way overstating the cost.

The pigout was a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a dessert. Add in a large coke and you ate a ton.

 

[DawnM]

I don't disagree with that. They want you to spend as much as you are willing. That would not be good business of them not to do that.

We find places to eat our brought in lunch without a problem usually.

Part of my issue with eating on property has nothing to do with cost though. I honestly feel sick if I eat that kind of food more than once every few days. The last thing I need is to feel sick while I am trying to enjoy myself.

They don't provide you with a place to eat it however.

Disney does a lot of things to discourage "low margin" guests and encourage "high margin" guests - or encourage low margin guests to become high margin guests. They'll let you bring in your own food, but they don't have anywhere to picnic and will upsell you on food at every opportunity. They give you extra magic hours to stay on site. Almost every ride ends in a gift shop.

Where people have taken advantage of savings opportunities, Disney has closed loopholes. Bar coding mugs. Making the YES program almost as expensive as just buying tickets.

By the way, as someone who has studied Disney as a business from way back in the Walt era - Walt was a union buster interested in getting the most money from his company and his employees. He'd be perfectly happy how this all turned out. He was in the business of selling magic. But he was in the business of selling and he was very good at it. The business world has changed since Walt died, but I doubt he'd be disappointed.

 

[momof1princess]

yes, OP, right now, i'm feeling VERY priced out of disney. the only time DH, DD15 (16 by then) and i can go would be either Christmas week or new year's week, and disney's room rates are SKY HIGH - $209 for a room at pop century!! i've been searching hotels, and VRBO, although i can't find anyone who will rent for my dates (that time frame is only rented by the week, apparently, and we can't stay that long), so, it looks like we're just going to forget it. i'm not paying over $1600 for 4 nights anywhere, even WDW.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I don't disagree with that. They want you to spend as much as you are willing. That would not be good business of them not to do that.

We find places to eat without a problem.

Part of my issue with eating on property has nothing to do with cost though. I honestly feel sick if I eat that kind of food more than once every few days. The last thing I need is to feel sick while I am trying to enjoy myself.

Agreed with the eating issue. Heck we are tired of park food after 2-3 days. my kids start to beg just to have a homemeade geilled cheese sandwich

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I think we need to be very careful with making these kinds of generalizations. Frugal spending choices is certainly not indicative of socioeconomic status.

This is so very true. I have read on financial planning sites that just because people spend money doesn't mean they have money (think credit cards & debt). Often it is the people who don't spend money that have the most money. They have it because they are frugal, save, invest and grow their money instead of spending it.

 

[DawnM]

I wouldn't either.

Can you go in summer?

yes, OP, right now, i'm feeling VERY priced out of disney. the only time DH, DD15 (16 by then) and i can go would be either Christmas week or new year's week, and disney's room rates are SKY HIGH - $209 for a room at pop century!! i've been searching hotels, and VRBO, although i can't find anyone who will rent for my dates (that time frame is only rented by the week, apparently, and we can't stay that long), so, it looks like we're just going to forget it. i'm not paying over $1600 for 4 nights anywhere, even WDW.

 

[sahm1000]

Just saw a Walt Disney World commercial that said for a family of four staying at all star sports it would be $99 a person each day. That included tickets and quick service dining plan. I remember just a few years ago this same plan was $69 a person each day. So that is a big jump!

 

[floydfamily4]

This thread reminded me of the scene from Jurassic Park when they're all sitting around the table talking about their opinions:

Donald Gennaro: And we can charge anything we want, 2,000 a day, 10,000 a day, and people will pay it. And then there's the merchandise...
John Hammond: Donald, Donald... This park was not built to cater only for the super-rich. Everyone in the world has the right to enjoy these animals.
Donald Gennaro: Sure, they will. Well, we'll have a, a coupon day or something.
*both laugh*

I wondered if I was the only one who thought about this quote with Disney

 

[Spacepest]

Not really priced out, but the frugal side of me is grumbling at some of the prices.

What makes it really difficult for me to pay onsite prices is that I have a paid off timeshare that allows me to book in both Orlando and Anaheim. I've stayed onsite before, and its wonderful, I like the transportation options, and well, basically not driving. But the cheapo in me always says, "You already have a paid off suite with a full kitchen just outside the gates...."

Plus I live in Las Vegas, where you can get really nice rooms for less than what it costs to stay in a WDW value. Really comparing the prices between the two...just infuriates me.

 

[manning]

Because it is racist to point out that the family is black when being black has nothing to do with being "riff raff."



The poster did NOT mention race.



YOU mentioned race. I asked why. Why did you feel the need to say that the family was black? Why was that important to the story? Would you have said "white family" had they been white?

I just found it odd that you needed to point out that it was a black family. If you don't have a good explanation, then okay. So be it.

You bet I would if they were white.!!!! I've been around the block a few times. Many times the the mention of Riff Raff is code for poor and minority.

as Forest Gump would say " And that's all I have to say about that"

 

[crisi]

Disney doesn't have to provide picnic areas just for people who bring in their own food. Usually there are plenty of spots open to eat your sandwich or whatever. Plenty of outside seating areas or low walls or benches or other spots.

Btw, mugs are not bar coded. They did a test, which has ended, but nothing has changed as of yet. But I think that is more a negative statement on people than it is on Disney. If people would follow the rules Disney wouldn't have to try and bar code mugs, or make sure people actually will see their presentation when they purchase YES passes.

Really? I find there are never enough spots to eat the food I paid for. Or just grab a seat for a bit. I can't imagine trying to eat a sandwich.

 

[momof1princess]

I wouldn't either.

Can you go in summer?

the only other time DH can get off work (he switched jobs last year, after 22 years at the same job...yeah, bad move, and he regrets it now) is 4th of july week, which is just as crowded as Christmas at wdw, not to mention hotter than the 10th level of hades. he works in an automotive factory, and everyone gets 2.5 weeks of vacation per year (4th of july week and Christmas week up to january 2nd) plus their PTO, and he's only got 4 days of PTO this year, which he's saving in case someone around here gets sick. the problem with PTO is, they're not allowed to call out more than 2 days in a row, so you have to actually schedule the PTO in advance, and it goes by seniority, so DH's chances of getting good dates are zero, since he's only been there 10 months. we're kind of between a rock and a hard place. the pay is great, but there are SO many rules!