Dis Con overpriced?

[MikoZuna]

So, I dont mean to sound like the odd man out here, Maybe noone else has wanted to post this.. However doesnt 229$ a person seem a bit High Priced, for a few character meals, and some special viewing areas? ( fantasmic i am assuming is the private area all the way in the back of the ampitheatre) and the illuminations is im sure one of the little roads off the main street...

Dont get me wrong here, I think the idea of members of the board getting together is a wonderful thing, however, 230$ a person is wayyy to high not to include anything but a few meals, and a couple of special events. Most of the really cool things are seemingly what the people are planning on their own, tours across the world etc. I just dont see how a convention room with pin trading, warrants a 229$ fee.... Character meals normally run 15-20$ a person.. Could someone please explain how they came up with these costs? It seems that a HUGE profit is going to be turned on this, but maybe I am just missing something.

I go to conventions all the time, and normally they are 20-50$ for a weekend admission, fiulled with panel rooms of stars talking about books, or movies, or giving helping advice on things of interest. With this, Im just seeing a 230$ price tag seemingly because "its Disney".

Im not saying the people planning this dont deserve a reward for their work, however excess being excess especially in these times, seems more unfair then normal.


I looked over the itinerary, and i just dont see the demand for such a high price tag, especially with nothing incuded room or ticket wise.

Someone please show me the light so to speak.

 

[NancyIL]

Hi, Miko! Nice to meet you in chat the other night.

I agree with you about the price. I haven't been able to make the events add up either, and at one point I cancelled my convention registration because money was (and still is) tight. However, I really wanted to be part of the first DIS convention, so I'm back in.

 

[mnbrowns]

I'm sorry DIS, but I have to also agree. I suppose there must be an overhead that absorbs some of this cost (Linda deserves every penney), but $230.00 does seem like alot for events only. I was worried to post this, because I love it here so much. But if I go, I'm going to cough it up and have a good time with these wonderful people.

 

[Linda]

Hi!

I know the prices do seem high however the cost of a convention at WDW is substantial and we have it budgeted down to the penny, and believe me as far as the events go we’ll be lucky to breakeven after paying WDW, the DIS is not making money from the convention events. I will give you a few examples of prices, for one ever look at the extra fees that WDW tacks onto you room service bill? All catered events are subject to a 20% service charge and 6% sales tax. The breakfast buffet alone (before service charge) is $23.50 per person then add on the price of the photographs (must use Disney photographer, one 5-7 per adult, character photo with just you or anyone you want to include in cardboard frame, that will be ready some within the hours everyone’s before the days out) and the characters – the price of them would make you cringe!

Character Appearances
$550 one character/one hour
$750 one characters/two hours
$850 two characters/one hour

We had originally planned to have 3 or 4 for the meal but we will now have 5 as when you pay for a character for 2 hours you really only get them for 1 hour or 2 - 30 min sets with a 30 min break in-between. The dessert party at Epcot is $22.50 per person (no discount for kids on dessert party) plus the service charge/tax – and we have to pay for a couple of CM’s (escorts) for our group that keep the private area blocked off and keep the party crashers out otherwise the general public would be eating dessert with y’all. We have both levels of French Island blocked for our group. Then add the price of the tier 2 dinner coupon to that. Did you know that WDW charges $55 a gallon for fresh fruit punch! You get about 10 cups per gallon we need at least 15-20 gallons at least for the reception on opening night. As you can see planning a spectacular but affordable event at WDW is not easy

I had also looked into some of the truly spectacular events I do with some of the corporate conventions, the cost of those alone would give some of y’all a heart attack so I decided to get the most I could for the smallest amount possible, and it was not easy. If we wanted to do lets say just one special dinner inside the Magic Kingdom with a few rides open after hours is could easily be the whole $229 each just for the one event if not more… Conventions that offer low fees and ‘stars’ often have commercial backers that sponsor the event, we just do not have that option currently, we are basically a group of friends getting together and this is more of a type of reunion then convention.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions. And please if anyone is skeptical please call WDW yourself and try to put on a convention just like ours, on property, just as nice for less.

 

[NancyIL]

Thank you for clearing that up, Linda. Yikes...$55 per gallon of fruit punch!!! Shame on Disney for charging more for punch than for dinner at Epcot!

 

[mnbrowns]

Thank you so much Linda for this breakdown of cost. I'm glad for this post to know that all if not more of the money is really being used. This was very informative and I would now appreciate the events that much more.

 

[disneycub]

Linda also did not mention that we have exclusive use to the Tower of Terror for two hours one evening, which means security, CMs operating the attraction, and heaven only knows what else. The price on that alone had to be astronomical.

 

[helenk]

I think that we are getting a great deal, the cost of the hotel is reduced, we get our spots for illuminations and fantasmic some great desserts, a dinner at the location of our choice, our own character breakfast, 2 hours of TOT all scheduled and finalized by someone else!
I am looking forward to the events and appreciate all the hard work done by Linda.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I have to agree that I feel like I'm somebody special with this DIS CON group. We do have our own place to watch Illuminations. (Which I believe was where I was able to watch it one time before when my DS won a trip to WDW. It was a fabulous view!!!) A special Fantasia Dessert party with no worry about finding our seats to the Fantasia. I wouldn't have on my own eaten at one of the restaurants in Epcot because of the price, but with DIS Con I will enjoy this experience. I would not have taken the opportunity to go over to the YC (WAYYYY to out of my price range!!) but for the opening reception and breakfasts, I'll have another memory to file in the magical memories experience, Although this is not included in the DIS CON, I would not have went to the MVMCP on my own either.
So all in all, I'm very pleased that these things were all planned for me, w/o me having the chance to me indecisive

But Linda, OMG, I agree with the others, $55 for a gallon of fruit punch!

 

[Robin]

Linda,

Just out of curiosity.... Would the Swan and Dolphin resorts have been a better choice economically for the opening day? I only ask because they so often do specials for this site and are a big advertiser. I would have loved to attend the official convention but I don't get in till late on Nov 30th... I just couldn't justify the cost if only able to attend half the event.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm glad the question about the cost was asked - and by someone other than me! And I'm very glad Linda answered so quickly. I had NO idea that private groups paid so much more for a character breakfast, for instance, than for the regularly scheduled ones. Or that Disney charged $55 for a gallon of fruit punch that would cost a fraction of that at the grocery store. I feel a lot better now, knowing how the numbers DO add up to $229 per adult.

I'm very glad that Linda is coordinating the convention, with lots of help from Marsha and others whom I don't even know. It's enough for me to try to coordinate the schedule for my own family for a few days! Thanks for all your hard work.

 

[MikoZuna]

I would also like to thank linda for the run down,
And please I do hope everyone realizes, I was not condemming her, matter of factly i did mention all the work she was doing should be rewarded.

I do know about the costs at disney, The characters are , IMO, WAYYY to high for a couple hours. And that Punch, in all honesty I think you should take a vote.. Who really wants punch at the reception? Wont they just do a CASH Bar, soda service cart.. something like that.. for 55$ a gallon, thats obsurd! I work in the hospitality industry, so I know corners can be cut, even by Disney!!

I would STRONGLY contest that price quote Linda, With all the people planning to attend, and all the rooms, that will most likely be filled up, during this time especially, you would think the hotel would bend a bit on the economics! for 55$ a gallon times 20 = 1100$ IN PUNCH>!?!?!?! JUST WOW! I'd rather see some Hor'Doeuvres passed around!

 

[CarolA]

Having worked with places like Disney I am sure that Linda has done the best she can. Disney is not really inclined to negoitate on these things regardless of the number of rooms you sell. As a matter of fact they are the opposite the prices go up based on the rooms you DON'T sell (See Disney weddings!)

 

[BarryHom]

When the idea of a convention came up, the last thing I ever thought about was the price. When the price came out, I wrote my check without even thinking about it. I'm looking forward to meeting the people that hang around these boards. That is just priceless.

As for $55 a gallon for punch, all I have to say is that it better be good punch! I think I could have made some punch for every for $5 a gallon!

 

[Patrick IL.]

One thing I am convinced of is Disney never loses money. Any angle you take they will get you somewhere else, they just do not lose money. If you want the luxury of having a convention, with perks, on their property- you pay. If you want to stay on their property- you pay. We all love Disney so whether or not we go to the convention- we pay. I am sure coordinating this event- with 300 people was no simple task and I, for one, would never second guess anyone who did it. I am excited about meeting everyone from the dis and being at W.D.W. Its going to be a gas

 

[dvc_bwv]

I think Linda has done a terrrific job. My DH, DS and I were already booked for vacation when the DIS Con was announced and we didn't think twice about signing up for $229 each. I know that things for conventions cost alot and when we go to WDW we figure we are there to enjoy so we plan on spending more than we would around home for dinner, etc. We figure we are on vacation so we enjoy ourselves and don't think of the money we spend.

Not to mention the little surprises and things we will get at registration...lanyards, etc. Those cost too!

Sorry, didn't mean to preach. All I have to say is HOORAY FOR LINDA!!! and I'm glad to be attending!!

 

[ElaineMarch]

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to attend some special events including an appetizer reception at Boardwalk and a dessert reception and Illuminations at the French
Island. Both were very well run with great service and a wonderful selection of food and beverages. This was for a large group (maybe 400) and there were many cast members to provide assistance and service as needed. I think the experience of these events was well worth the cost and will always be fond memories of a special trip.

Elaine

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Originally posted by Patrick IL.
I, for one, would never second guess anyone who did it.

That's nice. But everyone has the right to want to know where their money is going and to ask; I don't consider that "second guessing".

 

[Patrick IL.]

I am not questioning that right- I am expressing my opinion, everyone is entitled to that.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.. I always appreciate your thoughts Patrick..