Disney Debt!

[disneypharm]

How Disney Vacations Became Too Expensive For Many Americans​

Are you now changing your vacation spot from Disney to other places (eg, cruises)? We have been to Disney World several times over the years. Our last family trip was last year, but because of college costs, our previous trip was in 2014. So, we don't go every year. Before our last trip in 2023, DH and I agreed that that trip will be our last because of the price increases. Well, we are going back again in 3 weeks. We had a great time in 2023, even though we all came back home with Covid.

So, is Disney too expensive for you?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

All depends on what you prioritize.

I don't spend much money for non essentials the rest of the year so I can easily afford 1-2 trips per year.
That said I'm single with no kids and don't have too many other bills.

I'm never in debt over a Disney vacation.
And I've actually been to a number of other vacation destinations and none of them live up to Disney so Disney is typically my go to these days.
About the only place I've been that I'd like to return to is Hawaii

 

[NYCgrrl]

It’s not too expensive….yeah but then again maybe it is.
I need to think on this more before answering.

 

[barkley]

it HAS gotten much more expensive but it honestly got to the point after we went in (i want to say 2013) that my then soon to be college kiddo and mid high schooler just were not feeling it anymore. they had grown up with both disneyland and disneyworld being places they enjoyed wandering around as much as riding the rides and they just found the newer crowds overwhelming. they also did not like us having to hardwire plan out to the minute where every resie meal was going to be (seems it was so much more free form when they were a bit younger). when we talked of going again after oldest graduated college neither were up for it but did jump at the opportunity to do universal (we had done a day or two there on a previous visit). i was AMAZED at the savings for comparable if not better accommodations than we had traditionaly done at disney (even during our dvc ownership days). the pace was much more relaxed. the one and only day we did anything disney during that trip was a visit to house of blues and despite it being off season/mid week/non prime time-that whole area was a madhouse of people and felt so much less magical/more overpriced shopping mall.


it's not too expensive for us-it's not worth it at any price.

 

[2010dvcfan]

I just watched that CNBC video this afternoon, I do believe they are on to something when they say Disney is targeting the upper middle class, instead of maintaining a viable option for all income levels. The problem is they aren't offering enough to make it worthy of upper middle-class vacation time. The overall maintenance of the parks and hotels is faulty of as late, and the loss of the live entertainment and lack of investment back into the parks is beginning to show.

I've expressed this in other threads my hope is when new leadership arrives in the office there will be a swing back to more traditional Disney we grew to love in 90's and early 2000's even if the price continues to be high make it worth it.

I do enjoy my Disney trips, but I have to agree the "magic" isn't as easy to find as it once was. We are cruising on DCL more then park visits this year and 2025.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Disney’s definitely getting insanely expensive, but we still love to go and as long as we enjoy going we’ll continue to pay those insane prices. The thing that really bothers me though is that they’re increasing prices but offering less, and quality is declining. Giving less and less but demanding more.

 

[iuki]

The price to cruise on RCI is so much cheaper than a Disney vacation. Haven’t been to Disney for about 6 years. Hopefully we’ll be able to move back to Florida next year and get an annual pass again. So expensive for families. I don’t know how they do it.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I do believe they are on to something when they say Disney is targeting the upper middle class, instead of maintaining a viable option for all income levels. The problem is they aren't offering enough to make it worthy of upper middle-class vacation time.

BINGO!!!

It wasn't very long ago that Iger (or was it Chapek?) stated that they were targeting a higher income demographic. However what they're offering is a lower middle class vacation with a luxury price tag. They're not at the point of being compared to Six Flags but they're not far away. With Epic Universe opening down the road next year, one has to wonder what kind of impact it will have on Disney? Will it be the rising tide that lifts all boats or the tidal wave that swamps the mouse's house?

 

[DanceDisney23]

I saw several articles about Disney debt lately, and how many families go into debt to be able to go. However, the average debt from a Disney vacation was $2000. Hardly crippling.

I wonder if that includes people who can make interest free payments on vacation expenses for a period of time, like you can on the Disney visa. That technically is debt, too, because you carry a balance, but you don’t get hit with interest.

Or perhaps they are even counting credit card balances right after the trip, or even right after booking, that will get paid off before the billing cycle ends? I couldn’t find much info on their methodology. The articles were more focused on clickbait-y titles than explaining how they came to their conclusions.

That being said, Disney vacations have never been for the masses. Millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and should not be thinking about any vacation spending before achieving more financial stability. I know it doesn’t stop some (many) people from living beyond their means, but that’s not really Disney’s fault.

But I also agree with PPs that the value isn’t there anymore at the current price point. That definitely is Disney’s fault.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I saw several articles about Disney debt lately, and how many families go into debt to be able to go. However, the average debt from a Disney vacation was $2000. Hardly crippling.

I think that really depends on one's personal finances. $2K in car repairs can set someone back quite a bit and unlike a Disney trip I would consider that a necessity. Given how high interest rates can be (averaging between 21.51%-22.76% APR), that amount can be debilitating for some families.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I think that really depends on one's personal finances. $2K in car repairs can set someone back quite a bit and unlike a Disney trip I would consider that a necessity. Given how high interest rates can be (averaging between 21.51%-22.76% APR), that amount can be debilitating for some families.

Oh definitely. But those aren’t the families who are (or should be) in the market for a Disney vacation.

I don’t know what the average cost for a Disney trip for a family is. But let’s conservatively say it’s $6000 for a family of four who fly. If they can consider paying that for a vacation, a $2000 car repair should not sink them financially.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

Oh definitely. But those aren’t the families who are (or should be) in the market for a Disney vacation.

I don’t know what the average cost for a Disney trip for a family is. But let’s conservatively say it’s $6000 for a family of four who fly. If they can consider paying that for a vacation, a $2000 car repair should not sink them financially.

I think you overestimate the financial acumen of a great number of people. There are a lot of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck and still go to WDW because the kids are only young once and YOLO. They don't care about the debt so much because they can afford the monthly minimum. Or so they think. But when a major life event happens and they're late with a payment (more fees and interest) or they have to put that new expense on the CC they end up floundering when their interest rate goes up and the new monthly minimum is more than they can afford.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I think you overestimate the financial acumen of a great number of people. There are a lot of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck and still go to WDW because the kids are only young once and YOLO. They don't care about the debt so much because they can afford the monthly minimum. Or so they think. But when a major life event happens and they're late with a payment (more fees and interest) or they have to put that new expense on the CC they end up floundering when their interest rate goes up and the new monthly minimum is more than they can afford.

I know those people exist. I know some personally. I’m commenting on the articles that suggest it’s somehow Disney’s fault that families have to go into debt to go there.

Edit: The video does address this, but again no info on the nature of the debt. I agree more families get priced out. Not just at Disney. Other recreational costs have gone up like crazy as well. Who is at fault? Perhaps the corporations. Perhaps a system that prioritizes profit maximization and shareholder value. I don’t know. Perhaps it is time for people to decide it’s not worth it and let supply and demand do their thing.

But back to the type of person you mentioned. I’d argue they were never able to afford a Disney vacation in the first place. If you have to charge it with no plan on how to pay it back, then you can’t afford it.

If someone is debilitated by an unexpected car repair because they don’t make enough money to set some aside for emergencies, then I sympathize. It’s shameful that families have to live like this in one of the wealthiest countries.

If someone is debilitated by an unexpected car repair because their credit cards are maxed out for an expensive vacation, then that’s financial irresponsibility. Again, I personally know people like this. But I can’t get myself to feel bad for them.

 

[summerlvr]

I have an AP and Disney resort prices are pushing me to off site hotels. My next trip is the end of this month and I cancelled my Pop Century reservation because I can stay much cheaper elsewhere, even when adding in a rental car. I'm retired now, so even though I have the time, I don't have the money to go as often as I used to.
Also, unless I can find some good gift card discounts, I'm not sure if I will renew my AP.

 

[fofinia]

I find that everything is so expensive. That in comparison Disney doesn't feel as exorbitant.
For Example. Our local county fair. Admission went up to $20 per person. It used to be under $10 only a couple summers ago. They have a wristband special for riding the rides. $40 per person unlimited during special hours. Or you buy tickets to pay for the rides individually. The ticket route makes each ride on average $5. $5 to ride one time. So for the wristband you need to ride 8 rides to "break even" to the ticket cost. The lines to ride were so incredibly long. My kids just got to the break even point. Never exceeded it. Regardless of going early and staying late.
The food rivals Disney in cost. $5 for a small soda. $14 for a ice cream sundae. Used to be a hotdog/soda combo was less than $5. They didn't even have that food truck at all this year.
All of the carnival games started at $5 per game. Which is of course a waste. Because they are designed for you to fail. And if you do win your prize is so tiny and junky. But kids love to play these games.

So $60 for just entrance and rides. When I compare that to a full day at Disney even at current prices I don't feel Disney as horrible. And at least at Disney the rides are safe. And the atmosphere is picturesque. And you're not walking around a dirt field.

 

[DCLMP]

Yes, it’s too expensive.
The people that hang out on this forum are the fortunate ones that can afford it. Most people can not and many people that could can’t anymore.

 

[DCLMP]

All depends on what you prioritize.

I don't spend much money for non essentials the rest of the year so I can easily afford 1-2 trips per year.
That said I'm single with no kids and don't have too many other bills.

I'm never in debt over a Disney vacation.
And I've actually been to a number of other vacation destinations and none of them live up to Disney so Disney is typically my go to these days.
About the only place I've been that I'd like to return to is Hawaii

The question was is it too expensive for most Americans.

 

[gmi3804]

Affordability is different than expensive. I can well afford Disney vacations, but they've become way too expensive for me, i.e., value perception for the money. They just don't do it for me anymore. The experience has really been devalued.

 

[DCLMP]

Affordability is different than expensive. I can well afford Disney vacations, but they've become way too expensive for me, i.e., value perception for the money. They just don't do it for me anymore. The experience has really been devalued.

There are people like you who can easily afford it, but feel it's too expensive now. Others that can't easily afford, but can if they prioritize and save, but no longer feel it's worth saving up for{that's me}. There are probably a lot of people that have been priced out with everything else going up in price.

It was a lot easier to pay for trip a few years ago. When everything is going up in price your discretionary income shrinks. I can't say that's Disney's fault.

 

[Frank4202]

I think Disney World has become way too expensive. We found receipts in our email and my wifes first trip in 2013 cost about $1200 for 5 days which included the quick service dining plan.

We plan on going in January for 9 days and that cost is about $2800 at the same hotel. We are going because its just before my sons 3rd birthday and once he turns 3, the trip because a lot more expensive.

I think Disney would rather have 100 rich people in the park that are going to spend money on extras compared to 200 middle class that might have a tougher time dishing out for the extras.

I personally don't see the value anymore. Im spending more for less. Plus, add another 40% for the Canadian exchange rate. After this trip, we are going to try other places such as Tennessee and cruises.