DISNEY if you don't want the average Joe to stay at the parks just say so...

[5kidsmommy]

I'm frustrated at the idea of a resort fee. Mostly just because I am already paying to stay at the resort so it's kind of frustrating to pay an additional fee. I guess I'd rather just have them raise the cost per night. One thing I like about WDW is not having hidden costs. I know the resort will cost X, I know park tickets will cost X and I know how much food will be. To me a resort fee is a hidden cost and I don't like it. Will an additional $15 make me stay elsewhere, doubtful but I am free to whine about it.

 

[mickeymom629]

I don't think a trip to WDW was ever for the Average Joe. All of us who can afford trips are very fortunate indeed.

I agree! We went to WDW when my kids were 2, 4, and 6 (I was pregnant with #4) in December of 1993. I remember trying to save $2,500-$3,500 for us to go so that I could get us tickets, stay offsite (no values then), pay for the gas to drive and the hotel stay for overnight on the way, food, etc. It took me about 2 years to save that and we didn't go again until 4 years later. Now we are DVC members (only because I worked at the Disney Store and was able to get a discount). I have bought tickets when I could get the money together to save in our safe until the next trip because I know prices keep going up. I even have some that we still haven't used.

My kids are now in their 20s. We did go quite a bit through the years as they were growing (because we had DVC, mostly), but it was always as economical as possible - maybe one or two TS meals, we always drove from MD, and other cost-saving things.

DH and I just came back from a solo trip. We only went to the parks 3 of the 9 days because of the discount tickets I got for the trip. We went to Disney Springs 2 days, which didn't cost anything except for the meals we ate. We stayed 3 nights at ASMu for a great price! Then were lucky to have DVC for studios the rest of the nights.

We plan to go back with the kids when we can "afford" to.

I'm happy to go often, I'm happy to go less often. We go when we can and do what we can. If something is overpriced, we don't do it. There are restaurants, tours, shows, etc. at Disney that we haven't tried because of the prices, but that's just the way it is and always has been.

Disney is our happy place. I miss some things they used to have but there is always something new that thrills me!

...to get back on topic I don't think the "average" person has ever found Disney to be cheap. Honestly, that might be what I subconsciously have always liked about it. When they made it where it was affordable - values, free dining, etc. etc. - I started noticing things about the guests who were not appreciating Disney the way I do. ...ooops, I know I have said that before on this forum and that's a whole other can of worms/thread!

 

[MammaMoe48]

Here's the thing. The entirety of WDW is 40 square miles, slightly smaller than San Francisco (46.87 sq. mi.) and almost twice as large as Manhattan (22.82 sq. mi.). You can fit two Disneyland's (160 acres) into EPCOT (300 acres) with some space leftover. The Animal Kingdom is 500 acres. You can't look at going to Disney as just going to another amusement park. It is literally like going to SF, LA, NY or London or any other major tourist spot. There are ways to save money but in the end you have to pay however much you have to pay if you want to go on a big vacation. It never was meant for "Joe Blue Collar" to go every year and it probably never will be. If people were able to go every year for a while in the 2000s it's because as a PP pointed out, after 9/11 they needed to get people back on planes and back in their hotels, parks and restaurants. The crisis has passed and they can go back to charging whatever the market will bear. That said, sure it would be great if everyone could afford it and who knows, if Bernie Sanders becomes president he'll find a way to give everyone free college and a free trip to Disney every year.

 

[MammaMoe48]

...to get back on topic I don't think the "average" person has ever found Disney to be cheap. Honestly, that might be what I subconsciously have always liked about it. When they made it where it was affordable - values, free dining, etc. etc. - I started noticing things about the guests who were not appreciating Disney the way I do. ...ooops, I know I have said that before on this forum and that's a whole other can of worms/thread!

This is how I feel, I was afraid to say it because I was afraid to offend anyone. It's the same reason I will pay more for DCL as opposed to say Celebrity or Carnival, you don't get as many people who are there just for the free buffet, so to speak.

 

[mickeymom629]

This is how I feel, I was afraid to say it because I was afraid to offend anyone...

I hope I didn't offend anyone by my comment, and I'm sure you don't want to, either. I tried to point out all my thrifty ways in getting to experience Disney through the years. I meant that I had to really want to go, and save for it, and then I really appreciated being there and treating the hotel, attractions, cm's, etc. with respect.

 

[MainMom]

For most people Disney is not a day trip or quick weekend getaway so they expect to pay $$$$. But I would argue that you'd have to pay $$$$ for any big trip. For example, if a family of four wanted to come to NYC for a week, they'd be looking at spending at least $1500 for a hotel room and if they wanted to stay in a nice hotel it would cost closer to $2000 for the week. If they are flying in, airfare would run around $1,200-$1,500 plus about $150 for the taxi from the airport and back. So right there, without even counting food, sightseeing, shopping, souvenirs, plus getting around the city, that family is spending a minimum of $2,800 just to get here. Maybe they get a free breakfast at the hotel but lunch will run about $50 per day and dinner about $200. Then there's tickets to a Broadway show, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Bldg, Rock Center and all the other tourist places - plus souvenirs. When all is said and done, they've easily spent $5,000. They want to come at Christmastime, it's even more expensive. And they are on their own here, no happy CMs to show them around. And they have to navigate the city alone, no special busses that go straight to their destination each day. The only princesses they will see are the fake ones at Times Square pushing them to take a picture. There's no "magic" and no fireworks, but it's a hell of a lot dirtier and smellier. And it was also much cheaper 15-20 years ago too.

So while it might be sad that "Joe" can't afford Disney every year, he probably can't afford to go on big vacations every year no matter where it is. Disney isn't to blame and they really aren't any more expensive than any other major tourist destination.

I was planning a 4 day trip to Chicago and came to the same conclusions. After pricing it out I kept thinking how all of these vacation $ could just go towards another Disney trip. I talked to DH and we both decided Disney would give us more bang for our buck. We choose the known vs. unknown. Maybe if/when the kids are tired of going there we will look more seriously elsewhere.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

If they use the extra revenue to expand parks, or open new ones....

They are using the revenue to expand parks and build new ones. The latest new park just happens to be in Shanghai and millions of dollars over budget. Shanghai isn't projected to make a profit until 2018 and they have to balance the books somehow. I think this is what gets to me the most, that visitors to WDW are being used to cover poor budgeting/planning for Shanghai, and if you think WDW is a once in a lifetime trip, trying pricing out a visit to China.

 

[GPC0321]

I agree that a Disney trip is not a right, but at some point it looses its value. If you went to the grocery store and an apple was $1, but you really like apples so you pay the dollar. A week goes by and the apple now is $1.25 ok that sucks but you buy it. The next week the apple is $1.50 and you only get half an apple are you going to be ok with that?

I don't think it's a question of whether or not anyone will be "okay" with it. It's a question of whether or not it's worth it to each individual. If I love apples enough, I'll pay $1.50 for half of one. If I don't think it's worth it, I won't. Plain and simple.

To me it's like gasoline. The prices fluctuate all the time. And I'm not getting more for my money. A full tank is a full tank and my vehicle gets the same gas mileage no matter how much gas costs per gallon. So when gas was around $4 per gallon, what did I do? I changed my driving habits.

I used to show horses. Over the years, showing has gotten OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. Not just the fees for actually competing (which are astronomical in some circuits), but the horses, tack, and apparel required to be considered competitive. I'd shown and shown and shown (almost 30 years), and I finally reached a point where it just wasn't worth it anymore to me. I wasn't getting any "more" for my money at all. So I stopped showing. And it was difficult because it's something I've done for most of my life...is a part of who I am. But I didn't BLAME the horse show associations and circuits because it was no longer worth it to ME.

 

[ellie05]

I used to show horses. Over the years, showing has gotten OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. Not just the fees for actually competing (which are astronomical in some circuits), but the horses, tack, and apparel required to be considered competitive. I'd shown and shown and shown (almost 30 years), and I finally reached a point where it just wasn't worth it anymore to me. I wasn't getting any "more" for my money at all. So I stopped showing. And it was difficult because it's something I've done for most of my life...is a part of who I am. But I didn't BLAME the horse show associations and circuits because it was no longer worth it to ME.

My questions is for you pay more fees for less? It is Disney choices to implement or not implement the $15 fee. As I said before I have NO problem paying for resort fee if I get something back. What I am not ok doing is paying more for less. I enderstand that they raise prices yearly. I think we all expect that and understand, but this goes beyond that. Do I expect to get more for my money in Disney no, but I would expect to at least get the same.

 

[MammaMoe48]

I hope I didn't offend anyone by my comment, and I'm sure you don't want to, either. I tried to point out all my thrifty ways in getting to experience Disney through the years. I meant that I had to really want to go, and save for it, and then I really appreciated being there and treating the hotel, attractions, cm's, etc. with respect.

I don't think you did offend at all, and maybe I misunderstood you. Me, I prefer to pay more if it means the higher price will keep the....yes, I'm going to say it...."riff raff" away. Whew! Now I know I'll get flamed for that comment and I am sure that's not what you were saying but honestly, I'm surrounded by "average Joe's" everyday of my life, when I go on vacation I want to get as far away from them as possible. I want to go where "Above-Average Johannes" go.

 

[DisDadDVC]

My questions is for you pay more fees for less? It is Disney choices to implement or not implement the $15 fee. As I said before I have NO problem paying for resort fee if I get something back. What I am not ok doing is paying more for less. I enderstand that they raise prices yearly. I think we all expect that and understand, but this goes beyond that. Do I expect to get more for my money in Disney no, but I would expect to at least get the same.

Well, they DID just add purple magic bands...

 

[GPC0321]

I don't think you did offend at all, and maybe I misunderstood you. Me, I prefer to pay more if it means the higher price will keep the....yes, I'm going to say it...."riff raff" away. Whew! Now I know I'll get flamed for that comment and I am sure that's not what you were saying but honestly, I'm surrounded by "average Joe's" everyday of my life, when I go on vacation I want to get as far away from them as possible. I want to go where "Above-Average Johannes" go.

I kind of agree. Not that I'm NOT an "Average Joe" because I am.
All the talk of the parks being massively crowded all year long makes me think Disney needs to do something to weed some folks out. Whether that means people can't stay as long or go as often or stay on site or whatever, it seems to me that if less people are willing/able to go, that means less crowded parks and a more enjoyable experience for those who can and do still go. So, in essence, those who pay the higher prices WILL be getting more for their money, because they will not have to deal with such crowded conditions.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I don't think you did offend at all, and maybe I misunderstood you. Me, I prefer to pay more if it means the higher price will keep the....yes, I'm going to say it...."riff raff" away. Whew! Now I know I'll get flamed for that comment and I am sure that's not what you were saying but honestly, I'm surrounded by "average Joe's" everyday of my life, when I go on vacation I want to get as far away from them as possible. I want to go where "Above-Average Johannes" go.

Believe me I understand, but the pendulum also swings the other way. At some point (and I think we've already reached it to be perfectly honest) the riff-raff is replaced with the entitlement crowd. The ones who say "I paid $!!! for this vacation so I can do whatever and act however I want." As the price goes up this will only get worse and worse. If you don't believe me feel free to visit any Club Level. It's a trade-off and neither is a desirable crowd.

 

[MammaMoe48]

I kind of agree. Not that I'm NOT an "Average Joe" because I am.
All the talk of the parks being massively crowded all year long makes me think Disney needs to do something to weed some folks out. Whether that means people can't stay as long or go as often or stay on site or whatever, it seems to me that if less people are willing/able to go, that means less crowded parks and a more enjoyable experience for those who can and do still go. So, in essence, those who pay the higher prices WILL be getting more for their money, because they will not have to deal with such crowded conditions.

We too are "AJs" but not on vacation. I live in NYC (natives, not transplants so we are the "real" NYers) so I know about crowds and tourists. In my opinion going to WDW is actually cheaper than going to NYC and I'm betting it's cleaner and smells a lot better too.

 

[MammaMoe48]

Believe me I understand, but the pendulum swings the other way. At some point (and I think we've already reached it to be perfectly honest) the riff-raff is replaced with the entitlement crowd. The ones who say "I paid $!!! for this vacation so I can do whatever and act however I want." As the price goes up this will only get worse and worse. If you don't believe me feel free to visit any Club Level. Neither is a desirable crowd.

Point taken. And if I haven't already mentioned it , I live in NYC so I know all about "The Entitled". Now if they could only figure out a way to make it pricey enough to keep a certain element away but make it so bourgeoisie that the tres riche won't want to come.

 

[GeneralTso]

This has been a very interesting thread to follow. It touches on class, money, privilege.
OP--you are absolutely right. Disney is pricing out the "Average Joe" and sorry to say, does not care. People will pay top dollar for the Disney vacation, and do.
The people who can't afford to go, won't. Simple as that.

There are many different levels of Disney experiences. Families who stay at All Stars or Pop and the folks at the Grand Floridian and Poly. It's like the real world--people do what they can afford, or are willing to go into debt for.

I know there are families who scrap and save for years to have a long weekend at a value resort and are toting in PB&J sandwiches so they save money inside the park. You get the idea.

It's all about where you place value for you vacation and for some, even that is a choice. Some people can't take a vacation every year. I always find it interesting when people (like the OP) seem offended or put off that something is too expensive so they can't do it anymore. That's how life is. Period.

 

[momof2n2]

OP - I hear you.

I think it all comes down to this: do you feel like you get what you pay for? a/k/a return on investment

This thread, and a few from yesterday, really grab my attention because so many people are speaking out that they no longer find WDW prices (fees) in line with what they get for their financial investment. I felt that way two years ago and cancelled a trip. At that point, however, my ire wasn't up because of tiered pricing, hotel fees, or increased costs of APs. I was turned off the moment they turned off legacy FP. I've lost track of all the changes since then, but they have been plentiful. And they just keep coming.

I feel like a hypocrite because I am going to WDW in 59 days. It's the trip my mom really wants to go on; and I admit it will be nice to show my youngest kids what was once our favorite vacation destination, princesses and all. But - NO. I do not believe that I will be getting the same ROI I got prior to 2013. And I do not intend to visit another Disney property for a long while (6 - 8 years??).

 

[GPC0321]

We too are "AJs" but not on vacation. I live in NYC (natives, not transplants so we are the "real" NYers) so I know about crowds and tourists. In my opinion going to WDW is actually cheaper than going to NYC and I'm betting it's cleaner and smells a lot better too.

NYC is my other favorite vacation destination, and I agree with your assessment. NYC is great for theater, museums, shopping, and dining. But it's expensive and more "work" to visit than WDW, IMO. They're two completely different vacations. WDW is the ultimate vacation to me. No worries once you're there.

 

[MammaMoe48]

Posted on the wrong thread, can't delete so I edited.

 

[kwdw]

IMO Disney can set their prices where ever they want - but I don't want them to go down the path of "nickel and diming" me for the expense of it because that's so STUPID. I really hope they don't implement a resort fee. If you want more money out of the resorts - then increase the price of the room per night. Done. Additional fees that I can't refuse to pay? Dumb, dumb, dumb. I get why they are playing with the idea based on that fee being a consistent amount that wouldn't get discounted when they do room discounts - but really - just adjust the math for the same net dollar goal. It also creates more work for Disney. IF the internet isn't working or the pool is under renovation or closed unexpectedly - Or if I wait more than a few minutes for the DME or it gets me to the airport too late - I'd demand that fee back... that creates WORK for them. Customer service nightmare. Disney is an expert at customer service - you would think they would already know folks hate fees like that.