It seems like everyday some new adventure pops up for Disney. I think it is getting out of hand. I understand the party tickets for Halloween and Christmas. But you can now get glorified FP's for you family for 300 bucks each, see Frozen characters for 60/35 buck per person. I know people will pay for this stuff, or they would not offer it, but when you pay 100 to get into a park, it hurts a little to have to pay more to get the ultimate experience. I know several families that are going to Florida and only getting to do Disney for a day, because of the cost. It just seems like they are nickel and dimeing people every chance they get. what happened to buying a ticket and having it cover everything?
I understand what you are talking about. I don't think Disney is in any way alone in this regard, and they have every right to do this. I think it's a matter of the consumer needing to be aware and making wise decisions that work for them, which may mean in some cases not visiting.
My husband hasn't gone to one of their parks in years and hated being in their parks and onsite. I think for him the gift shops everywhere, heavy marketing to children, and overpriced items at the hotels are what really got to him. He also felt their vast property kind of had you trapped. If staying onsite, it feels pretty far out of your way to lets say go offsite to buy some groceries or get a better value restaurant meal. He felt Disney was much to blatant at getting people to spend more and more money (nickeling and diming to death). And he was there on a conference, so even had our room paid for by his company. He prefers to stay home vs. set foot in Orlando.
I'm absolutely blown away with how much Disney can charge for hotels (and that's after discount and dining offers) and how full they are able to keep their rooms. The value to me isn't there, and I stay offsite when I visit. Still I love watching their brilliant marketing in action though, as long as I don't feel like a victim.
The VIP passes and special tour items are an in thing for corporations to maximize profits. You should see all the behind the scenes things SeaWorld has, Kennedy Space Center has. You have opportunities to skip lines for a price at the Empire State building, all over. And Universal is doing a good job of filling up their overpriced hotels by offering early entry to HP stuff and some unlimited express passes.
One area where Disney beats out Six Flags, SeaWorld, etc. is that they have a very liberal policy that allows you to bring your own food and drink into the parks -- great for having healthy snacks like fruit and spending less money. // Six Flags offers horrible unhealthy food (more overpriced and way worse than Disney food. Disney food is at least edible.) and doesn't let you bring any food or drink in. That's a big pet peeve of mine.
As soon as Disney made multiday tickets non-expiry, I stopped doing multiple days at their parks on any one vacation. Although it's brilliant marketing, it bothers me that you really only get more than a very nominal discount on a Disney ticket starting the fourth day. The strategy is to keep you on their property spending your money there, so your ticket price per day is pretty decent. And then with more days and a good deal on those, some might find the parks a little ho hum, so there are special things you can buy and add on. At least that's my take on this, and one of the reasons for all the new special experiences.
Another pet peeve is the high charge for eleven year olds at table service buffets, $40 just like an adult. I just stopped doing these when DS turned 11.
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What do I do, as I still do like to do Disney parks.
I do budget trips (only one Disney park day per year) which means we don't go that often, so just the park admission without extras feels pretty special. They are getting lots of money from me though, like $100 per day per person.
I get a subscription to the touringplans.com website and get tips about maximizing my one day experience without extras.
I either bring my own food in or buy counter service meals.
Obviously many people make completely different decisions, multiday tickets, no days / no trips, frequent trips, trips only every so many years, etc.
