Anyone see their yearly WDW vacations ending???

[Waddler]

We just took a family trip in January with our two little kids (ages 3 yrs, and 7 months). Sadly, I think we're done with our regular visits for awhile. We had some fun, but I don't think it was worth the money. Paying almost full price for admission for the 3-year-old was a little tough to swallow. We were also all very ill for most of the trip and spent a lot of time in our villa. It was otherwise too cold and windy to take the kids out for long most days.

The trip was just too expensive to take those risks again soon. We'll try some less expensive destinations in the coming years so we won't feel quite so invested in a great vacation. I don't think we'll be going again until we're done having kids and our youngest is past the always-sick stage.

 

[wendyt_ca]

The prices won't change our frequency at all. We are DVC members and because of different variables our trips to Disney are cheaper than vacations elsewhere. We get the best value for our money. We alternate how we travel because we buy an AP. We had our last one 2014-2015 so we went twice in 2014 and for a 3 week trip last March. Now we are getting an AP next month (paid for earlier this month) and we are going in April and Oct, then will go on one long trip for 3 weeks in March or April.

With that being said though we do travel to other places as well. We are going to Aulani in April (then stopping in Disney at no extra cost for our flight on the way home). And we have been to many other places including Paris, London, Iceland, NYC, Vegas, California, Bahamas, Cuba, etc. Currently we are "cutting down" trips to focus on savings and Disney is the most affordable for us.

We are Canadian so we are much more concerned about the dollar than the price increases...we were par or close to it but now everything we pay for we basically have to multiply by 1.50. That still isn't stopping us from going to Disney, just changing how we vacation. If a trip cost us say $2000 in the past it is now costing us close to $3000 today.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Prices increases I expect and have no problem with IF...the value remains intact. As a few posters stated the value simply isn't there anymore.

 

[pumpkinhead10a]

YEP, with Canadian dollar at 1.35 for a US dollar and the prices at Disney going up (1200.00 us increase since 2014 for 10 days)..we can and do other things here in Canada.

 

[disnut1149]

I wanted to take my DGD for a few days this year. We were there this past August and has asking me when we can go back. But our big trip this year is a trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah, going with my 2 DD s and DGD (13). We went last year and it was the best trip ever. Maybe we'll get to go to Dis in the fall. Have to see if I can afford it now that I'm retired and only work part time petsitting.

 

[disnut1149]

We're running on fumes, I guess.
The past few trips have been in dead August, and were very hot and very crowded. We're hoping this trip in early March will not wipe us out (physically, always wiped financially,lol). That said, our ticker now says 4 days, the suitcases are out and we're getting ready for a break from the overall yuck of New Jersey.
Retiring in just under 3 years, and need to focus on that, then we'll be residents of Sarasota, just under 2 hrs. from Disney. Not to rush, but am looking forward to seeing Disney with fresh eyes and wonder of a grandchild, just as our boys had way back when.

Being with grandchildren at Disney is so much fun! It's the best!

 

[Davey Jones II]

It does seem that Disney is marketing more and more toward upper middle class or wealthy travellers. As for the rest of us, our loyalty and repeat business over the years doesn't seem to be worth a damn.

 

[Planogirl]

We have decided to go elsewhere for the foreseeable future. I expect that we'll be back someday but we're in no hurry.

 

[Disneyliscious]

We never went to DW on a yearly basis anyway. For us now though, we will def be spending less time in the parks. On our last trip we enjoyed some of the dining that we hadn't experienced before (not a lot, just a few places) so we'll likely do one park day (cut back from 4 park days), do a little dining, and then visit Daytona Beach. Makes for a more relaxing and less expensive vacation.

 

[WDWLODGE]

I think we've missed going to WDW 1 year since '99. This year we will not be going. While we don't like the price increases or expanding crowds we are just at a point where it is a good time to show the kids some other things. We are headed out west for 18 days to see some of the National Parks and other things. The grand finale of the trip will be a few days at Disneyland, so we will still get our Disney fix.

 

[Disneylover99]

YEP, with Canadian dollar at 1.35 for a US dollar and the prices at Disney going up (1200.00 us increase since 2014 for 10 days)..we can and do other things here in Canada.

We won't be cancelling our yearly WDW vacation, but we will be rethinking where we stay and shaving a few days off for this reason.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Prices increases I expect and have no problem with IF...the value remains intact. As a few posters stated the value simply isn't there anymore.

This is how I feel as well. The price isn't the reason we are scaling back on Disney, I just don't feel like it's the best vacation for our money the way I used to.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

As for being less of a value? That is to be seen. For 2016 Disney does not seem to be that great a value for the price (considering the construction and the cost-cutting measures). Once the new lands opens? That is to be seen.

I agree with this as well, which is why we aren't completely jumping ship. But we won't be back to WDW until 2018 at the earliest.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I went every year from 2000-2012...and haven't been back since FP+. With multiple family members in Florida, I have done 2 years of "the Dark Side and other Orlando" and 1 year of cruising when they visited us (to NE and Canada - wonderful cruise)...and this year will be my 3rd "Dark Side and other Orlando" trip. I bought a 1 day MK pass this year before the price increase to see the new Magic Kingdom stuff (once other parks open stuff so it dies down), but not sure I'll use it this year - may wait for 2018 (since 2017 will be another cruise, this time to Grand Turk and the Bahamas and private cruiseline beaches...none of my kids have missed Disney at all, so that's a big help...

 

[DizneyNutz]

I agree with this as well, which is why we aren't completely jumping ship. But we won't be back to WDW until 2018 at the earliest.

We did jump ship. Right into Disney Cruising. Far more relaxing and get to see some other destinations. We have still managed our streak of at least a visit every year since 2001, but have cruised far more days than days at WDW.

 

[k5thbeatle]

It does seem that Disney is marketing more and more toward upper middle class or wealthy travellers. As for the rest of us, our loyalty and repeat business over the years doesn't seem to be worth a damn.

I totally disagree and therein lies the problem, let me explain. On the surface their pricing may indeed say "we are marketing towards upper middle class or wealthy" but their product experience is lower (and continually going lower). To me everything they are marketing is to the "cheap" but they are asking top dollar or "upper middle class/wealthy" prices as you say. Hence I stand by saying that the value simply is not there anymore.

 

[agame2323]

Luckily, even with the new price change, my family and I can afford a Disney vacation once or twice a year. I'm actually happy they did increase the price because now it gives us a reason to try other destinations, outside of Disney. I personally think going to Disney every year is a ridiculous. I'd rather make a trip to WDW every 2-3 years.

I believe the price increase should help with the capacity issues. But at the same time, I'd like to see people give Universal a shot.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I totally disagree and therein lies the problem, let me explain. On the surface their pricing may indeed say "we are marketing towards upper middle class or wealthy" but their product experience is lower (and continually going lower). To me everything they are marketing is to the "cheap" but they are asking top dollar or "upper middle class/wealthy" prices as you say. Hence I stand by saying that the value simply is not there anymore.

Good point. Certainly there are a lot of complaints, on these boards, about cuts in the quality of service, food, upkeep, hotel accomodations, etc. However, I would argue that Disney hasn't skimped on spending to build or refurb new attractions. Yes, they could have done better in that category, and built faster...BUT they have built $100 million rides and new lands that cost hundreds of millions. The DCA expansion cost over a billion. My guess is that the new Star Wars lands will cost about the same.

My comment referred to the cavalier attitude they seem to have when they lose loyal customers because of crowding and other factors, while they do everything possible to bring in ever greater crowds of first timers and tour groups. Also, upcharge events like dessert parties with reserved seating for the fireworks, leaving less quality viewing spots for the rest of us to fight over.

 

[Bullseye]

We've been annual since 2005 and we love it as much as ever. Once thing that revitalized the past few trips was throwing in some US/IOA days. We're going this May, but I'm not so sure about 2017. If we do go in 2017 we may have to drive down or cut back on park days or table service. Sadly, it's just getting to be too much money every year.

 

[metzgardesign]

5+ years ago for us (after going yearly for about 13 years or so). And on that trip we realized that Universal was a far better value for us (and the on-site hotel was far nicer)....so any next trip will be staying at Uni and spending far more time there, with *maybe* a special ticket night at MK.