Anyone else feeling priced out of disney?

[kerry34]

The rooms have become way out of a decent price range in my opinion and without a pin or gp discount for our end of June trip, we ended up renting a house with the group we are traveling with and are splitting the cost. Our portion of the 7 bedroom house is 500.00. Even though we won't be on site it will be considerably cheaper for us.

 

[disykat]

There is a name for what you are feeling "diminishing marginal utility".

When you first started to go to Disney it was all fresh and new, and worth every penny. Now you have gone x additional times, and subsequently you are getting less excitement for your buck. Think of it this way (the way my econ 101 prof explained it) Say you looove donuts and are hungry. The first donut is worth every penny you paid for it - it smells great, looks delicious (if it is Krispy kreme) it might even be hot.... YUM! but by the third or fourth donut, well, the feeling isn't the same. Even if someone gave you that fourth donut for free, you probably won't want it. The value of each donut declines because you are already satisfied. That is what you are experiencing with Disney.

The thing is, the next guy in line hasn't had a donut yet, so he is perfectly willing to pay full price for that donut. As long as there are folks who haven't had their fill of Disney yet and will pay the price, then Disney can make money. Simple.

So I suggest going somewhere else for vacation once in a while, so you don't get burnt out on Disney. When you return it will seem fresh and exciting again. or go on a Disney cruise instead of the parks and get that excitement going. Disney offers a lot of options - Hawaii, parks in other countries, Disneyland and the World, Adventures by Disney - try one of them.

Great post!

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

OP, I am right there with you.

There is a limit as to what I will pay for something regardless of whether I can afford it or not.
For example, soda. If I was very thirsty and really wanted a soda and it cost $2 a can, I would drink water.

Disney has slowly eroded to that point with me.

Their dining costs have risen so high we refuse to pay it. We rarely dine on site.

We own DVC so we are immune to the cost of rooms (not dues though!). At least we can eat there.
Plus the food at Disney is not that good. No great loss!

Next to go will be the parks. The price of admission is so high. Once our Annual Pass and non-expiring passes are used up,
we will probably not even bother to go into the parks any more.
The parks are so much more crowded. No great loss!

The bean counters at Disney are really pushing their luck.

Agree with your post on many points! We are a family of 4 (all disney adults). We are driving 24 hours to get to Disney and staying at a value for 11 nights this August. The prices are so high for food and parks. We only bought a 2 day base ticket (plus we have one day remaining on non-expiry tickets). So yes, only 3 park days! We could easily afford to buy a 10 day base ticket per person but my family does not like to do parks everyday. Back in 2008 we did and we were exhausted after 8 days.

We debated buying the QS dining plan but that was $150 per day for counter service, no thanks. We will be eating many meals in our room (breakfast, sandwiches, salads, snacks) and most dinners offsite where a buffet place like Sweet Tomatoes will cost my family around $50 instead of $150 at Disney. It is all about value for us. Of course, on park days we will be eating exclusively in the parks for the whole day.

My kids love everything about Disney and even a value resort is an experience for them (and us). We plan on going to the beach, Tampa, shopping, exploring different resorts, DTD, and basically just relaxing with a little excitement thrown in with the parks.

This is the way we enjoy our vacations. We travel every year and staying home is not an option....we don't have a pool in our backyard

 

[Marionnette]

There is a name for what you are feeling "diminishing marginal utility".

When you first started to go to Disney it was all fresh and new, and worth every penny. Now you have gone x additional times, and subsequently you are getting less excitement for your buck. Think of it this way (the way my econ 101 prof explained it) Say you looove donuts and are hungry. The first donut is worth every penny you paid for it - it smells great, looks delicious (if it is Krispy kreme) it might even be hot.... YUM! but by the third or fourth donut, well, the feeling isn't the same. Even if someone gave you that fourth donut for free, you probably won't want it. The value of each donut declines because you are already satisfied. That is what you are experiencing with Disney.

The thing is, the next guy in line hasn't had a donut yet, so he is perfectly willing to pay full price for that donut. As long as there are folks who haven't had their fill of Disney yet and will pay the price, then Disney can make money. Simple.

So I suggest going somewhere else for vacation once in a while, so you don't get burnt out on Disney. When you return it will seem fresh and exciting again. or go on a Disney cruise instead of the parks and get that excitement going. Disney offers a lot of options - Hawaii, parks in other countries, Disneyland and the World, Adventures by Disney - try one of them.

I agree with you to a certain extent. There is nothing that matches that first-time experience with a lot of things. But in your example, the price of the doughnut remains constant. So the consumer is looking at the same doughnut for the same price and she says, "No, I've had enough doughnuts."

In the case of Disney, the price keeps going up and what you are getting in return does not equal the price increase in a lot of guests' minds. It's more like the doughnut shop raising prices, reducing the size of their product, adding a few colorful sprinkles on top of it and expecting their customers to line up around the block to purchase the "new and improved fancy doughnut" for 15% more than they paid for the doughnut they liked.

Sure, some people who never had the original doughnut will get pulled in by slick advertising and the appeal of something new. The trick would be to draw in enough of the new customers to make up for the disenchanted former customers. In the meantime, those former customers are liable to discover that they love creme puffs much more than doughnuts and they don't return.

 

[Muushka]

The post went right over your head.

No my dear, it did not. I do not have to justify on a public forum why I feel the way I do.
PM me if you want more info.

 

[Southern Bell]

I really enjoy when we do other things in Florida, other than just Disney! In fact it is my favorite way to vacation in Florida. Some yrs we have divided our week at Disney with going to the beach, Sea World, Cape Canaveral, Fountain of Youth, St Augustine etc., I think you miss alot when you go to Florida and do just Disney! But I think it was easier to do that before they built MGM and Animal Kingdom. Seems like after they built more theme parks we found ourselves staying just at Disney so we could do or see it all! LOL! Well, that is a little harder to do now! Years ago you could see all of Disney in Three Days & then go do something else! I'm bad that after I pay for something I want to get my moneys worth! LOL! Thats why the dining plan is bad for me! LOL!

 

[Southern Bell]

I was thinking about this thread this morning, and thought to myself for the increase in prices, they could atleast upgrade the coffee that they serve

LOL! LOL! LOL!

 

[ilovemk76]

No my dear, it did not. I do not have to justify on a public forum why I feel the way I do.
PM me if you want more info.

Yes it did. I never asked for any justification. You will be waiting a while for that PM.

I really enjoy when we do other things in Florida, other than just Disney! In fact it is my favorite way to vacation in Florida. Some yrs we have divided our week at Disney with going to the beach, Sea World, Cape Canaveral, Fountain of Youth, St Augustine etc., I think you miss alot when you go to Florida and do just Disney! But I think it was easier to do that before they built MGM and Animal Kingdom. Seems like after they built more theme parks we found ourselves staying just at Disney so we could do or see it all! LOL! Well, that is a little harder to do now! Years ago you could see all of Disney in Three Days & then go do something else! I'm bad that after I pay for something I want to get my moneys worth! LOL! Thats why the dining plan is bad for me! LOL!

I agree with you. We love SW and do it most times we are in FL. We also add in Universal, Busch Gardens and other places too

Disney was smart and caught in to the way people were able to get cheap park enhances via the non-expiring option and raised the price to make it less appealing.

 

[bumbershoot]

They did. They now have Starbucks, how did you misses all the complaining about the MS bakery? They have also replace Nescafé but I forget with what brand.

Joffrey's. Hasn't happened quite yet though. Same with Starbucks. Isn't quite open.

 

[mrsklamc]

Here's the problem with the donut analogy; Let's say it used to be $6 for six donuts, and you were hungry and thrilled with the first one, & by the third or fourth one you weren't enjoying them as much. That's the scenario you described.

To line up with what we are describing, you have to take it a step further:

You go back and the place has changed management. Not only are the donuts now $10 for 3, they are smaller, and they aren't as good quality.

 

[robinb]

A Disney vacation has never been a cheap one. I don't know if it's just because my DD is a "Disney Adult" but I have really been feeling a lot of WDW Sticker Shock recently. We go at very busy times due to my DD's school schedule (Christmas, Spring Break, Summer) and even the DVC points are starting to kill us. We used to get the TIW card to help with meal prices but now that just had a 33% increase to $100. I now have to buy $500 worth of food to just break even. I guess if we were in still in the "Table Service Every Day" mode that wouldn't be a problem, but my "Disney Adult" teen DD just doesn't eat enough for me to justify the cost of the TS meals or the TIW card to try to get a discount.

 

[ssawka]

I think you miss alot when you go to Florida and do just Disney!

But, some of us like to be in the Disney bubble. I love the fact that I can escape reality for my entire vacation. Also, I live in a very congested area, so I love the fact that I don't have to drive for an entire week. You are correct though that there is a difference between visiting Disney and visiting Florida.

 

[dsneprincess]

I have really, really tried to avoid feeling this way. I don't want DS#2 to feel like he got cheated because DS#1 has been SO many times for so many different events. I felt this way when they discontinued length of stay passes for Magic Your Way. I am not & never was a fan of MYW tickets. For the first couple years, we use PAPs because we were used to coming, going, hopping, waterparks & DisneyQuest to our hearts content. Now PAPs are priced out of reach, so we have been piecemealing trips; winter hoppers only, no waterparks, last summer we were lucky & got yes tickets. This last trip we paid for 6dph what used to be price of APs without waterparks. This will be the the first year we don't go in the summer since 2003. I know everything goes up, but I really think ticket prices are out of hand.

 

[becca1976]

I really enjoy when we do other things in Florida, other than just Disney! In fact it is my favorite way to vacation in Florida. Some yrs we have divided our week at Disney with going to the beach, Sea World, Cape Canaveral, Fountain of Youth, St Augustine etc., I think you miss alot when you go to Florida and do just Disney! But I think it was easier to do that before they built MGM and Animal Kingdom. Seems like after they built more theme parks we found ourselves staying just at Disney so we could do or see it all! LOL! Well, that is a little harder to do now! Years ago you could see all of Disney in Three Days & then go do something else! I'm bad that after I pay for something I want to get my moneys worth! LOL! Thats why the dining plan is bad for me! LOL!

That is my problem as well! I can't NOT eat the dessert because it would be a total waste of money!

 

[Pier60]

I agree with you to a certain extent. There is nothing that matches that first-time experience with a lot of things. But in your example, the price of the doughnut remains constant. So the consumer is looking at the same doughnut for the same price and she says, "No, I've had enough doughnuts."

In the case of Disney, the price keeps going up and what you are getting in return does not equal the price increase in a lot of guests' minds. It's more like the doughnut shop raising prices, reducing the size of their product, adding a few colorful sprinkles on top of it and expecting their customers to line up around the block to purchase the "new and improved fancy doughnut" for 15% more than they paid for the doughnut they liked.

Sure, some people who never had the original doughnut will get pulled in by slick advertising and the appeal of something new. The trick would be to draw in enough of the new customers to make up for the disenchanted former customers. In the meantime, those former customers are liable to discover that they love creme puffs much more than doughnuts and they don't return.

Perfect explanation!
We loved the donut at the current price and ingredients.
We're now getting a lesser quality donut at a higher price.

 

[scrapquitler]

Sorry, have not read the whole thread, but have any of you considered renting DVC points? Depending on the time of year, you can get a one bedroom apartment at a deluxe Disney resort for under $2K per week. The only catch is that generally there are no cancellations allowed.

yeah, 'only $2k per week'. Or I could just stay offsite for less than $100 a night. I would not EVER pay $2K for a week for a room to sleep in. We sleep and shower in the room, that's it. Maybe we are in the room 6 or 7 hours per day, total. We could eat and stay off site and park for well less than $2k for the week.

 

[jls886]

I'm another one in support of renting points - it is the only way we do what we do.

We are going this December 14-22 (8 nights):

For standard rooms/views....not even getting into more expensive preffered/pool views,
Pop Century would cost $1610.97
Caribbean Beach would cost $2286.03
Boardwalk would cost $5179.51

We are renting 123 points at $11/point = $1353 for a preferred view at Boardwalk

My mom uses an ECV because she cannot walk so for us the Epcot resorts are of a huge value. Staying off-site or at a resort where the only option is the busses just isn't as good for our situation. And the way we do it we can stay at them for less than Disney's price of a value resort.

 

[Southern Bell]

But, some of us like to be in the Disney bubble. I love the fact that I can escape reality for my entire vacation. Also, I live in a very congested area, so I love the fact that I don't have to drive for an entire week. You are correct though that there is a difference between visiting Disney and visiting Florida.

LOL! I like that bubble, too! LOL! We've done both over the years! My husband would agree with you, he loves for someone else to drive him around after he gets there! LOL!

 

[Muushka]

So, is the general consensus that Disney has priced the tickets just right?

Will they continue to see the parks filled and happy visitors?

 

[davedmaine]

That is exactly the way I feel, only you put it better. the bean counters took the joy out of Disney. Even with AP we spent less time in the parks last Oct. (and decided not to even go this March) so sad I know Disney has to make money to stay in business but I think they can do better. Went to the Fantasyland preview and what a waste of money that was and now these bracelets to monitor our everymove.... and we pay for all that with higher prices and less joy. I never thought Iger got Disney he just knows about business not people and what WDW is all about. JMHO

I see what you're saying but this is a pet peeve of mine. Disney has always been a company about making money -- ever since Walt's time. Iger gets it and gets it very well. His main responsibility is to his shareholders. Yes, some people are getting priced out, but Iger's job isn't to make vacations affordable; it's to keep people coming in at record numbers balanced with them paying a premium over other vacations. It wouldn't be much different if Walt was still around, except that maybe smoking would be allowed throughout the parks..