Are Disney prices too high?

[Nancyg56]

Agree here. It feels snide to say "Oh, these people must be bank rolling their vacation with credit card debt." We absolutely live within our means. If a Disney vacation wasn't a financially sound decision, we would make different plans.

We have cancelled a trip when it was not the best decision for us. My husband had lost quite a bit of work while the Dr tried to find why he was in so much pain. He is seasonal, so he was laid off right after that. The trip would have meant he would tak a week off right after call back. THat would normally not be an issue, but because he had lost so many hours the Fall before, we decided we would be questioning every extra. WE don't roll that way, so we chose to go teh following year.

 

[flicx]

Hi there! I also remember there used to be a VALUE season and turkey legs were $4.95 and dinner at BOMA was $26.00 back in 2006 lol . It just seems like pricing is going sky high at the same time quality is diminishing, in my opinion.

You have a good memory brunette! To answer your question, Yes their prices are too high!

 

[WIcruizer]

The prices are neither too high or too low, they are prices. We can all choose to pay or not pay that price. Yes, if attendance and profitability suffer Disney will adjust. No different than any other product or service we purchase (or don't purchase.)

Years ago we would not have dreamed of staying in a deluxe resort or dining in TS restaurants every evening. We stayed off-site, drank only the free water we brought in, and ate mainly the food we brought in or had back in our hotel room. A QS meal was a luxury. But it was important enough to have that WDW vacation, so we found a way.

Take a look at the budget board, and you will see the lengths people go to save for a trip, budget every day, etc. It's not my place to say anyone is spending too much on a vacation.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Agree here. It feels snide to say "Oh, these people must be bank rolling their vacation with credit card debt." We absolutely live within our means. If a Disney vacation wasn't a financially sound decision, we would make different plans.

We are the same. We don't put our vacations on credit, we go on vacation once a year, it's not something we finance, it's something we budget.

 

[GPC0321]

Are they high? Sure. TOO high? No, else I wouldn't be going there.
Entertainment is expensive. Been to a movie lately? A couple can easily drop $40-$50 for two hours of entertainment (and the seats stay still! LOL!), some stale popcorn a box of candy, and two sodas.
And don't get me started on when I went to the Olympics in Atlanta. $10 hamburgers and bottles of Dasani for $4.75! And that was 19 years ago! You were not allowed to leave your venue (we were watching equestrian stuff) and re-enter, and you weren't allowed to bring food or beverages in with you (I don't believe). So you were captive and had to pay outrageous prices for basic food. BUT. It was the freakin' Olympics! A once in a lifetime for me (as an equestrian enthusiast) to see the riders and horses I'd only seen on TV or read about in magazines. It was worth it.

Now, I'm not going to buy bottled water at Disney (we're driving and there will be a 24-pack from Wal-Mart in the back of the car), nor am I going to throw money at things I don't really need (souvenirs, dessert parties). And you won't find me at a deluxe resort, 'cause this chick can't pay those kind of prices! But I'll enjoy my moderate resort and eating at some neat places, even if it is a bit more expensive than what I'd usually pay for food in the "real" world. *shrug* It's a vacation.

No one is forced to go to Disney. If someone thinks it's "TOO" expensive, there are other options. In fact, I encourage everyone who is planning a trip for Easter/Spring Break to choose somewhere more affordable to go! Please!

 

[Planogirl]

There are of course people who can't even afford to save for a Disney vacation. I'm not saying that Disney should be a charity but I feel grateful that we can still afford to go despite many financial hits over the years.

 

[smcabee]

Whether or not people are foolish with their money is irrelevant to the topic . The bottom line is Disney is still gouging its customers . I don't need a lecture on how to budget my money . It makes me wonder how many people find the recent 10 percent correction in the stock market a bad thing . Investing heavily now , is helping me find good value for my dollar. I am the kind of person that wants to see a good value for every dollar I spend . Spending 3.50 for a free commodity is a foolish waste of money . We have annual passes and do eat at counter services and maybe a table service.

I feel Disney is gouging it's customers, and I felt compelled to point that out.
Brunette

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[Lisaloo]

We just spent a fabulous week at Disney in July, a trip with all the bells and whistles including Vip touring and other premium add ons...the trip cost no more than our average big summer vacation we usually plan (sometimes at Disney, sometimes elsewhere). We didn't feel "gouged" at all and obviously the thousands of other park guests spending their money were ok with it too.

 

[subtchr]

To me, "gouging" is when a gas station doubles its prices after a storm knocks out power to an area and they're the only one open.

WDW is completely discretionary. I don't care if a family can afford a trip without blinking an eye, or saves ten years to stay at a value resort. It's still just a vacation.

Everyone complains how crowded the parks are now, in spite of these "exorbitant" prices. What would the crowds be like if they lowered them?

Go, or don't go if you don't want to spend the money. Simple.

 

[pmaurer74]

Seem like a day at a football stadium. I do think the prices are higher but when I go to our local amusement park, I feel like I am gauged more than Disney. At least I feel like I am getting a quality product at Disney. I just wish other people would think it was to high so they would stop going and it would be less crowded. You really get a ton for $100 but when you add in the whole family it gets expensive... if you get 5-10 day passes, it is no longer expensive.

 

[Davey Jones II]

To me, "gouging" is when a gas station doubles its prices after a storm knocks out power to an area and they're the only one open.

WDW is completely discretionary. I don't care if a family can afford a trip without blinking an eye, or saves ten years to stay at a value resort. It's still just a vacation.

Everyone complains how crowded the parks are now, in spite of these "exorbitant" prices. What would the crowds be like if they lowered them?

Go, or don't go if you don't want to spend the money. Simple.

(Shudder) They would be horrific. Theme park hell.

 

[gdrj]

One additional thought for me is the perceived value. I have always told others that while WDW is not inexpensive I have always felt that I have gotten my money's worth. For me its not just the parks but everything from taken a boat launch to DTD, or to EPCOT or HS. Going on a Monorail lounge tour, to just hanging at the pools. I had mentioned ticket pricing and "dessert parties" etc where the perceived value of a 100 dessert party on a Ferry boat escapes me. I think its those types of things that are a bit dis-concerning. Part of it may also be that we have taken so many trips over the past couple years, and with all the construction and the lack of Park ride updates could be part of the reason. When you look at EPCOT it truly is a shell of what it was from Future World having minimal interactive and "Future" items, to a Horizon building that is in a time warp, to Ellen's Adventure being just old. The Countries have become more and more generic from merchandising to foods, I realize there are exceptions. While I am looking forward to the new attractions (more for them being new than for what they are) at HS and AK, it seems like a lot of things that should have been addressed awhile back are still not being addressed. Turning HS into Star Wars Land and Woody and Buzz land just isn't what I would say ground breaking. I can gtd there will be an overkill of merchandising. I truly hope that HS is fantastic when completed. It just would be nice to see quicker smaller changes in some of the areas.

 

[Etherflyer]

I don't know about too high as the number of visitors is still very high. Each year DW and I get closer to staying away when we look at the price tag but whenever we look at doing something else a comparable distance away it cost just as much or more.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Disney is not gouging any more then Uni is . They are charging what the market will bear and in comparison to other entertainment venues, like sports and concerts, Broadway shows etc.

AKK

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think there are a couple of steps in the Disney pricing that can make it hard for some families...The first is when you go from 2 to 3 kids (assuming 2 parents). Then the Values are off the option list. The next thing is when all of your kids are over the age of 3 and need a ticket. Then there is the slight increase in tickets when your kids are all over the age of 9. And then there is that really big jump in the dining plan when your kids go from Disney kids to Disney adults at age 10.

These jumps in price that can really add up for some families. I know there is nothing Disney can do about the room size that a family needs, but I think the jump at age 10 to a "Disney adult" for dining is harsh.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think there are a couple of steps in the Disney pricing that can make it hard for some families...The first is when you go from 2 to 3 kids (assuming 2 parents). Then the Values are off the option list. The next thing is when all of your kids are over the age of 3 and need a ticket. Then there is the slight increase in tickets when your kids are all over the age of 9. And then there is that really big jump in the dining plan when your kids go from Disney kids to Disney adults at age 10.

These jumps in price that can really add up for some families. I know there is nothing Disney can do about the room size that a family needs, but I think the jump at age 10 to a "Disney adult" for dining is harsh.

A lot of families run the numbers and choose not to buy the DDP. There are no perfect solutions in terms of pricing, but as in just about every aspect of discretionary spending, there are ways to keep the costs down. Are there compromises? Yes. WDW is no different than any other destination, if you are on a budget, and we always have one, you need to make decisions in regards to what you choose to spend your money on.

I am in the process of planning a short getaway to NYC with my dgd. She cannot take time from school and the amount for lodging on weekends is over my comfort level so we may take two trips and save that enormous bill for a room. For me, compromising on seats fir Aladdin is not going to happen, and I refuse to eat at McDonald's when she and I travel, so we need to figure out how best to use the money I set aside. We did the same thing last year, but since Cinderella was less expensive we stayed over and went to the museum.

Your family will need to decide how best to use your finite amount of vacation money as well. In my opinion a compromise is usually still worth considering

 

[ArwenMarie]

A lot of families run the numbers and choose not to buy the DDP. There are no perfect solutions in terms of pricing, but as in just about every aspect of discretionary spending, there are ways to keep the costs down. Are there compromises? Yes. WDW is no different than any other destination, if you are on a budget, and we always have one, you need to make decisions in regards to what you choose to spend your money on.

I am in the process of planning a short getaway to NYC with my dgd. She cannot take time from school and the amount for lodging on weekends is over my comfort level so we may take two trips and save that enormous bill for a room. For me, compromising on seats fir Aladdin is not going to happen, and I refuse to eat at McDonald's when she and I travel, so we need to figure out how best to use the money I set aside. We did the same thing last year, but since Cinderella was less expensive we stayed over and went to the museum.

Your family will need to decide how best to use your finite amount of vacation money as well. In my opinion a compromise is usually still worth considering

I didn't say it was my family, I only have two kids and we never buy the DDP and we stay all kinds of places, onsite, offsite, etc. I was just thinking about all of the step-ups in price that can happen for families in general. I think 10 is outrageous to turn into a "Disney adult" for ticket and dining purposes. 13 would be more reasonable in my opinion.

Have fun at Aladdin! We saw that show this summer. It's a great show, but yes, very pricey. We went for the orchestra seats and it was worth it.

 

[Nancyg56]

I didn't say it was my family, I only have two kids and we never buy the DDP and we stay all kinds of places, onsite, offsite, etc. I was just thinking about all of the step-ups in price that can happen for families in general. I think 10 is outrageous to turn into a "Disney adult" for ticket and dining purposes. 13 would be more reasonable in my opinion.

Have fun at Aladdin! We saw that show this summer. It's a great show, but yes, very pricey. We went for the orchestra seats and it was worth it.

I have a bad habit of using "you" meaning " in general you." Sorry about that!!

Thanks for letting me know the orchestra seats are worth it! I'll be using my Disney Visa dovthstvis a help. I sure do miss the days when Kady could play hookey for a day! We saved a bundle of money then! Now it is always weekend prices for everything but worth it because she cares about her school work.

 

[5kidsmommy]

A lot of families run the numbers and choose not to buy the DDP. There are no perfect solutions in terms of pricing, but as in just about every aspect of discretionary spending, there are ways to keep the costs down. Are there compromises? Yes. WDW is no different than any other destination, if you are on a budget, and we always have one, you need to make decisions in regards to what you choose to spend your money on.

I am in the process of planning a short getaway to NYC with my dgd. She cannot take time from school and the amount for lodging on weekends is over my comfort level so we may take two trips and save that enormous bill for a room. For me, compromising on seats fir Aladdin is not going to happen, and I refuse to eat at McDonald's when she and I travel, so we need to figure out how best to use the money I set aside. We did the same thing last year, but since Cinderella was less expensive we stayed over and went to the museum.

Your family will need to decide how best to use your finite amount of vacation money as well. In my opinion a compromise is usually still worth considering

One of our favorite meals in NYC was actually in a little deli. There are so many amazing and relatively inexpensive food options there, no need to eat fast food. We aren't the type to spend a lot on fancy sit down meals but we also don't like chain, luckily NYC is full of amazing food options. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[safroim]

Yes, even punching in old ticket prices from even about 10 years ago into an inflation calculator shows that they've gone way beyond inflation (10 years ago the price was 59.75, 11 years ago it was 54.75). Even with going with the $2 a year increases they used to do before more recently (which still outpaced inflation) the price would now be $76.75, going from 11 years ago.

They feel they can do this but I do think that if they're too overconfident then they'll lose a lot of people who feel it's not worth it anymore or who feel it's too expensive. I would think a lot would be close to that point as it is. The high attendance now can be largely attributed to people who were saving during the recession (and likely people going now before they feel it'd be too expensive or not enough value).

That being said, not many people get 1 day passes and there are ways to get lower prices, although they seem to be getting rid of some of those now. Examples are getting rid of no expiration which always was possible to get until this year, and being a lot more rough on FL resident passes (no expiration was gone on that a few years ago, they now include blockout dates, no discount on 1 day, and only go up to 4 days).

As for resort pricing, as long as they don't go too high on the "value" resort prices people will feel the prices are ok enough probably. If they do maybe more will stay offsite.

I think as long as people feel they can get a decent price they'll still come, but I think Disney could be on a dangerously slippery slope if they become too overconfident, which they're starting to do in my opinion

Disney is a big-ticket luxury item. I don't think they have any moral or ethical obligation to only keep pace with the rate of inflation.