Conjecture

[SlightlyGoofy]

I was thinking that if gas prices do go to $4 or$5 a gallon things will have to change so much.

I already think twice before driving to the bigger town to shop. It costs us $6 in gas to go, if we do not drive around a bunch, so we do not just hop in the car and go as we used to.

It used to cost us about $100 to drive to DW and now it appears it might go to nearly $400.

That being said I am thinking that there will have to be deep discounts on motels etc. to get people to be willing to hit the road.

What kind of discounts do you think DW would have to make to entice more people to travel there?

BTW, hand onto your hats folks cause every layer of our lives are going to be impacted since it takes energy to produce or distribute almost everything we use or want.

Slightly Goofy, who is hoping that she is wrong

 

[gigi1313]

i concur completely... i think if the free dining proved profitable (or at least did not result in a loss of revenue) would be something wdw would offer again to entice reluctant travellers... i don't anticipate room rates going down in response... i also think we will see some last minute airfare deals because planes that are half full are not as profitable as full ones and better to sell a seat for $49 than not at all...

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am not an expert on flying, but I am thinking that $49 fares might not pay for the fuel necessary to fly from one place to another.

Free dining might take a bit of the pain out of the gas prices.

Slightly Goofy

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

this year. We usually drive and it takes anywhere from 11-13 hours and last year over $150 in gas. This year with gas much higher we just decided to fly for the first time to wdw. We may end up not saving any money, but paying less than $50 more to not have to waste 2 days driving down and back are worth it to me. Now if I would have just booked our flights before Hurricaine Katrinia hit I would have saved another $40. Oh well you live and learn.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

For us the hassle of getting to the airport and all that entails just makes us more apt to drive the day and half even if it does cost a bit more. If I had small children to contend with the plane would look mighty good. I like having my own car as well. I have found that when gas prices rise hotel costs and such go down at least some so it is usually a wash.

My heart goes out to those who were already living on the edge and have to contend with all of these increases with little or no discretionary room in the budget to fill in the gaps. We were there back in the 70's. I hope I am wrong in where we are headed.

Slightly Goofy

 

[barbeml]

The cost of all energy is rising and will continue to do so. Disney and every other business will see their costs go up in many areas too. Air fares will have to go up, as jet fuel is going up. Also, we saw a huge jump in insurance costs due to 9/11. Katrina and Rita will dwarf those costs.

Right now, we have no plans to travel after our October WDW trip (flying). Our travel budget is going to have to help pay for energy and the doubling of our property tax bill next year. And we're the lucky ones...we have friends who will not be able to afford their heating costs this winter. PSE&G had an ad in today's paper saying home heating costs are expected to rise 70%.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

barbeml, I hear you on being 'lucky'. We are expecting a 70% rise in heating bills as well and we live in an 18 room house. Luckily it is older, well built and laid out in such a way that I can close off parts of it.

I feel for those who have bought into those newer homes with the 20 and 30 foot ceilings that will be paying to heat 12 or more feet above their heads as well as those who have to drive long distances to work.

Slightly Goofy

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I know my electric bill went up nearly nearly $60 since last year (and it just really happened in the last month and a half). When I called them, they said that they aren't "increasing thier per killowat hour rates" but they have included a "power cost price adjustment"... that is a rate hike & they aren't kidding anyone. Everything is going up! Our local Dollar store has just increased every thing to $1.50 & said if gasoline & electric go up again this month, he will have to pass that on as well..making the Dollar store to have "Everything $2.00" I know I heard on the news that some are saying the gas may get to $5.00 per gallon. If that happens, we are going to see a steep drop in park attendence (except for real locals that are withing an hour from there). Along with that, there will be an even deeper drop in hotel occupancy, those within an hours drive, usually do not stay overnight. If that really happens, we will see some good discounts (or WDW will be shutting down 1/2 of its rooms to save on costs).

 

[barbeml]

barbeml, I hear you on being 'lucky'. We are expecting a 70% rise in heating bills as well and we live in an 18 room house. Luckily it is older, well built and laid out in such a way that I can close off parts of it.

I feel for those who have bought into those newer homes with the 20 and 30 foot ceilings that will be paying to heat 12 or more feet above their heads as well as those who have to drive long distances to work.

Slightly Goofy

We live in a 1400 sf townhome, and we have two common walls and a brick front. My utility bills are nothing compared to some, but we saw a $40 increase in our electric bill last month! Our high electric usage is in the summer, because of the AC. Winter will be interesting, since our heat, hot water, dryer and cooking are all gas. Luckily, we prefer to sleep in a cool house, the back of our house gets excellent sun exposure all day, and we have an energy efficient ceramic heater that keeps our toes warm when we watch a movie downstairs at night (slab floor equals chilly toes!). We spend a lot of the winter upstairs in our cozy little den.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

A Mickeyfan, I know it is hard to believe but it might not be an increase, for your local utility company. They are now breaking down our bills to show what the actual cost of the fuel is and what it costs to deliver and such. Our delivery costs were more than the fuel costs this past month because we only have a gas hot water heater in the summer. Our state mandates that they can only increase costs if approved by our government HOWEVER if the costs that they have to pay for the fuel increases they can pass that on so it is the company selling the fuel to our local utilities that is making the bucks. Hurts anyway though.

barbeml, a townhouse sounds better and better. We are a retired couple thinking of downsizing. Not sure I want my fate that closely tied to other people though. The unknown is always scary. LOL During the 70's I bought electric mattress pads for each bed. It was cozy while we were in the beds but those dashes for the bathroom in the middle of the night were a bit cold. I may even be forced to start wearing shoes. Brrrrrrr!!

In times like these people who owe interest will be hurting but those who have money to invest will thrive. This go around we are in the later rather than the former. No way am I rooting for the double digit interest rates some earned during the last energy crisis. Would be greedy at the expense of others and the Mouse would not be pleased.

Slightly Goofy