Disney has busted my budget for future trips!!!

[OhMari]

I agree. While season passes are cheaper the non experation option gives people the option of a one day trip. I am sure that not everyone who purchase the non experation option ended up using the extra days purchased.

another question along the same line. If Disney does offer the FD this year and you have a season pass can you still save the 2 day ticket you are required to buy?

Yes, tickets do not expire if you do not use any of the days. If you use one day, then the other day will expire in 14 days.

 

[joannjoe]

As my DD18 would say. "I'm Salty!" Disney has completely discontinued the non-expiration ticket. We would buy those and get several trips out of them. It was always insurance for me that we would go back. I have been wanting to buy into DVC for a long time. In my mind (yes, I know it is expensive), if I bought a DVC (resale) and had my non-expiration tickets, some trips would almost feel free. Now they have burst my whole bubble!!

I agree!!

 

[C-CMom]

We used to go at least once per year. We did not go at all last year and won't be going this year. We can no longer work up any enthusiasm for it. Every single thing at Disney from tea at the GF to room rates to ice cream sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow has been analyzed for how they can be changed to reduce costs, increase revenue or both. That seems to have been Iger's entire goal for his tenure.

No new parks and no new resorts. Just DVC conversions at existing resorts. New lands and rides are promised -- but no real timelines for when those will actually materialize. Entrance fees rising constantly. The signature restaurants we loved have all been ruined by the dining plan. Desserts at every single restaurant have been reduced to refrigerated bombes that can be slapped quickly on plates. Why? Because every dining plan meal includes a dessert. We can never find things now like the original berry cobbler at Artist Point, the freshly made donuts at Jiko, etc. Restaurant menus have been pared down so much there are only 3-4 entree choices anywhere.

These days it makes sense to be a Disney stockholder -- but not a Disney guest. We go other places now -- just returned from two weeks in Switzerland. Spectacular. We are in Utah now, next is Arizona at the end of the month and Napa in April.

Iger's short term strategy has raised the stock price. But I can't imagine we are the only former Disney fans who have simply given up. I think the dissatisfaction eventually will cut into profits. It makes no sense long term to take from guests to line stockholder pockets. So to stockholders I say -- enjoy it while it lasts.

Interesting thoughts.
Certainly the Disney bosses want to maximize profit and I don't have a problem with that (I have some Disney stock in index funds myself, so I appreciate the concept). Ideally they make plenty of money to keep things improving and magical without allowing the customers to feel like they are merely "marks" in an economic game. Tough balance.

The thing about a place like Disney is that there will always be a fresh batch of new parents wanting to bring their kids to the parks, and they probably won't know how things used to be... New customers will most likely not even realize there was once a no expire option, or that you used to be able to save unused days on all tickets. Those of us who have gone numerous times feel the pinch.

Good point.

As a customer, I also weigh the costs and benefits of each travel opportunity. We will return to Disney (with our recently purchased non-expiring tickets like the batch we had before) but these will last years for multiple short trips. We will enjoy other destinations as we always have, but will return to Disney less often.

 

[candizfan]

Ya, that parking fee thing is coming. I have no problem with them making a good profit. But its getting to the point of just plain greed here lately. But I keep handing them the cash!

As a DVC owner, I think they would have a hard time charging me for parking when my maintenance fees pay for the upkeep of the lot. It would push me over the end to pay for a reserve fund for the lot replacement and then pay to park the car.

 

[mousehockey37]

The thing about a place like Disney is that there will always be a fresh batch of new parents wanting to bring their kids to the parks, and they probably won't know how things used to be. The first time I went was as an adult with my child. I was clueless and paid rack rate for everything. Took me a while to learn the ins and outs of getting the best deal. New customers will most likely not even realize there was once a no expire option, or that you used to be able to save unused days on all tickets. Those of us who have gone numerous times feel the pinch.

I am planning a trip for next year after several year away, and I am quite frankly a little intimidated by all the changes. It seems to be harder and harder to get what I would consider a good deal.

This is exactly it. Disney is constantly trying to reach out to a new crowd. They know they've either lost the faithful or the faithful have etched their loyalty in stone and Disney could care less. They want the new blood. They want the Anna and Elsa crowds, not the ones who actually know who the Fab 5 are.

This sort of topic has been discussed in other places and it's not pretty anywhere it's talked about. From the talk of Iger using reserves to buy back stocks to keep himself looking good to addressing issues and getting a complacent "stock" letter saying that "we care that you took the time to inform us of this" if you contact Disney about problems, the opinions and talk is all the same. Business is business and life isn't fair. It's not a right that everyone be able to go to Disney World, but Disney also shouldn't be killing their loyal fan base by having prices so high that they keep people away.