Blast from the past (Disney cost)

[sam_gordon]

I wish Disney would slow down their increases so more families could afford to go.

I think it's truly "supply and demand" though. If they lower prices park prices, parks will be more crowded than what they currently are (poor guest experience). If they lower room costs, it will be harder to get rooms.

I don't like what Disney prices have gotten to either, but as long as they're selling, why would/should they lower prices?

 

[China Expat]

I just visited the Disney Family Museum on Saturday in San Francisco. Talk about cheap prices!!!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

It always amazes me how crowded the parks and resorts are with the prices being as high as they are. I’m a huge Disney person and will likely pay whatever they ask to experience the parks but most people arent like that. I’m surprised that attendance hasnt declined with the steep increases.

 

[MillauFr]

It always amazes me how crowded the parks and resorts are with the prices being as high as they are. I’m a huge Disney person and will likely pay whatever they ask to experience the parks but most people arent like that. I’m surprised that attendance hasnt declined with the steep increases.

People have far more money than they used to. People in the Puget Sound are spending like drunken sailors. My coworkers would take their 3 kids and always stay at the Grand Californian and get VIP tours. I said doesn't that cost you a fortune? Her attitude was you only live once.... My neighbors are always buying new cars even though they cost $50k+. Of course both of them complain about the price of eggs.

 

[MillauFr]

I just visited the Disney Family Museum on Saturday in San Francisco. Talk about cheap prices!!!

We will in SF next week. Would you recommend it? If the weather is nasty we may look for inside activities.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think it's truly "supply and demand" though. If they lower prices park prices, parks will be more crowded than what they currently are (poor guest experience). If they lower room costs, it will be harder to get rooms.

I don't like what Disney prices have gotten to either, but as long as they're selling, why would/should they lower prices?

The fact that they have never made a sincere attempt to address capacity while the parks raked in dollars that were funneled to finance struggling arms of the company and obscene executive pay is inexcusable in my eyes. The crowding we experienced on our last visit in 2013 at a time of year when crowds weren't even near peak levels was a major turnoff. The feeling of being herded was far from enjoyable. Understanding the changes that have been made since then requiring extra financial commitments AND ongoing technology monitoring and management via our phones, nah, we'll leave that to those willing to consider that a vacation.

 

[sam_gordon]

The fact that they have never made a sincere attempt to address capacity while the parks raked in dollars that were funneled to finance struggling arms of the company and obscene executive pay is inexcusable in my eyes. The crowding we experienced on our last visit in 2013 at a time of year when crowds weren't even near peak levels was a major turnoff. The feeling of being herded was far from enjoyable. Understanding the changes that have been made since then requiring extra financial commitments AND ongoing technology monitoring and management via our phones, nah, we'll leave that to those willing to consider that a vacation.

OK.

Doesn't explain why Disney should lower prices if people are willing to buy at current prices.

 

[cabanafrau]

OK.

Doesn't explain why Disney should lower prices if people are willing to buy at current prices.

I didn't say they needed to lower their prices. I'm merely highlighting the fact that they repeatedly made the deliberate choice to collect the revenue the booming crowds showered down while avoiding increasing capacity to improve the customer experience -- make no mistake, it's absolutely customer, and distinctly not guest. Now it's rather obvious that they were creating the circumstances wherein that very situation would result in additional ways customers would hand over even more $$ in order to ameliorate the lack of capacity by purchasing access to shorter wait times.

That style of management doesn't generate the level of customer goodwill the company traditionally enjoyed. Eventually it will catch up with them and Disney will struggle to keep the whole together.

 

[sam_gordon]

I didn't say they needed to lower their prices. I'm merely highlighting the fact that they repeatedly made the deliberate choice to collect the revenue the booming crowds showered down while avoiding increasing capacity to improve the customer experience -- make no mistake, it's absolutely customer, and distinctly not guest. Now it's rather obvious that they were creating the circumstances wherein that very situation would result in additional ways customers would hand over even more $$ in order to ameliorate the lack of capacity by purchasing access to shorter wait times.

That style of management doesn't generate the level of customer goodwill the company traditionally enjoyed. Eventually it will catch up with them and Disney will struggle to keep the whole together.

OK.

I was reacting to a PP saying they wish Disney would lower prices. Then you responded to me, which is why I'm confused.

You think the customer experience is bad. That's fine. Enough people think the experience is good enough AND worth the cost Disney is charging.

Will Disney see customers stay away at some point in the future? Probably. At which point they'll either reduce pricing or add to the experience, just like any other business.

 

[Magical2017]

I remember when we were able to get airfare to Orlando for $50 each way, non-stop. Those were the days! When I saw those sales I quickly booked our Disney trips.

 

[rootbeerkid]

From a record of a trip 9/16 to 9/22, 2007 (6 nights)
- 2 adults, 1 child
- Rate type: September Magic Your Way Package plus Dining
- Package name: Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining
- Tickets: Upgraded to 10-day, non-expiring, park hopper
- Cost: $1828.90
- 9/14 MNSSHP: 2 adults, 1 child under 10, total cost - $121.08
- On the "Thank You" email: Keep in mind that Disney Resort Guests enjoy more convenient, relaxing benefits than ever, including an enhanced benefit called Extra Magic Hours. Each day one of the Theme Parks opens an hour early or, as a new feature, stays open up to three hours after regular closing, so Disney Resort Guests can enjoy select attractions (valid Walt Disney World Resort ID and Theme Park admission required).

There were some days in summer when MK was open to 3AM with the EMH. @Robo used to talk about that.

 

[goofyernmost]

In February 2008 I took my family on a group trip to WDW. I don't remember the individual costs but I do have the total. I'll list the kind of things I spent money on during that trip.

I drove my car down from Vermont early so there was the cost for travel, hotels, etc.
I bought 8 seven day non-expiring passes to the parks
I paid for a spectacular 6 bedroom villa just offsite w/huge Florida room. Inside it was a (private) full size pool and Hot Tub
I rented two additional vehicles for use while there (my sister and nephew were part of it, but paid individually)
There were four groupings so I paid 25% of groceries for the villa.
I paid for a number of outside meals for myself and the others paid for their own but I also paid for the 11 of us at the Hoop Dee Doo Review plus about two other times offsite for the whole group.
Round trip airfare from Vermont for 7 people
The return trip with my vehicle plus hotels
I paid for 4 disposable phones, that was before everyone had their own cell phone, for inside the parks communication (we didn't all go to the same attractions together).
Plus before hand we had at least 3 planning dinners to plan and get input from each other.

Try doing all that now for only $7880.00

 

[bobbiwoz]

We will in SF next week. Would you recommend it? If the weather is nasty we may look for inside activities.

I am not the person you are asking. We did visit the Disney Family museum in 2019, and I definitely thought it was worth the visit.

 

[mmouse37]

I was cleaning out some cabinets and found a receipt from Walt Disney Travel.

5 Nights Contemporary Standard Wing Room
5 Day Passes for 2 adults and 2 kids
1 Minigolf Voucher
1 Planet Hollywood Merchandise Voucher (amount not noted)
1 Planet Hollywood $15 Meal Voucher
1 QS Meal/Night/Person
1 Snack/Night/Person
1 Table Service/Night/Person
1 Sea Raycer Vouncer

So, not only all that, but 12/29/08 - 1/3/09 (so the busiest time of year.

This was all booked in October of 2007.

How much do you think that package cost?

$3515.76

For Comparison:

View attachment 949529
That price doesn't include the Sea Raycer, Mini Golf, or Planet Hollywood vouchers.

Honeymoon in 1979 at Polynesian….. Lagoon view room…..$65.00 a night . Still have our invoice

 

[wabbott]

We will in SF next week. Would you recommend it? If the weather is nasty we may look for inside activities.

I concur on the Disney Museum visit. Many, many historic artifacts there, including the ORIGINAL sketches of Mickey Mouse!

 

[Pink Partridge]

I wish Disney would slow down their increases so more families could afford to go.

I also feel this way, and then I go and the parks are PACKED. Apparently, they can keep raising the price of everything and people will still go. What will be the tipping point?

 

[rndmr2]

In February 2008 I took my family on a group trip to WDW. I don't remember the individual costs but I do have the total. I'll list the kind of things I spent money on during that trip.

I drove my car down from Vermont early so there was the cost for travel, hotels, etc.
I bought 8 seven day non-expiring passes to the parks
I paid for a spectacular 6 bedroom villa just offsite w/huge Florida room. Inside it was a (private) full size pool and Hot Tub
I rented two additional vehicles for use while there (my sister and nephew were part of it, but paid individually)
There were four groupings so I paid 25% of groceries for the villa.
I paid for a number of outside meals for myself and the others paid for their own but I also paid for the 11 of us at the Hoop Dee Doo Review plus about two other times offsite for the whole group.
Round trip airfare from Vermont for 7 people
The return trip with my vehicle plus hotels
I paid for 4 disposable phones, that was before everyone had their own cell phone, for inside the parks communication (we didn't all go to the same attractions together).
Plus before hand we had at least 3 planning dinners to plan and get input from each other.

Try doing all that now for only $7880.00

These days just the tickets alone would cost about that much

 

[ford family]

We will in SF next week. Would you recommend it? If the weather is nasty we may look for inside activities.

When we were in San Francisco a few years ago on a cruise we went on the Alcatraz trip (pre booked) and then took a cab to the Disney Family Museum at the Presidio.
We thought the DFM was excellent with a unique range of exhibits all of which were very well presented.
Looking back, what a great day!

ford family

 

[BlueStarryHat]

In the scrapbook of our first trip together, my sister and I pasted a receipt from the SciFi Dine In because we could not believe how expensive that dinner was. It came as a great shock to us to pay...$33.50. This was in 1994.