Disney Is the Happiest Place on Earth, if You Can Afford It

[Nayan]

Free article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/...e_code=1.hk8.XhM3.rOJvRY4OWwi_&smid=url-share

Two different visitor experiences, but it really shows that the more you pay, the more you can get done. I do feel bad for Ms. Cressel however with scooter issues right off the bat, as that would sour my day too.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Thanks for the link…
I might have to subscribe to the NYTimes …I wonder how much that costs.
It was berry interesting…I never considered that guests using a travel company have the advantage also with bookings…
Also that $900 AP that automatically gives access to front of line would be nice!

 

[cruising spud]

A great article. Thanks for sharing.

 

[RivShore]

In other Captain Obvious headlines:

First class, the only way to fly, if you can afford it.

Front row, the only way to go to a concert, if you can afford it.

A skybox at the 50 yard line, the only way to see a game, if you can afford it.

etc, etc...this is nothing new and nothing unique, but put WDW and high cost in the headline and you get clicks, I guess...

 

[reddog21]

In other Captain Obvious headlines:

First class, the only way to fly, if you can afford it.

Front row, the only way to go to a concert, if you can afford it.

A skybox at the 50 yard line, the only way to see a game, if you can afford it.

etc, etc...this is nothing new and nothing unique, but put WDW and high cost in the headline and you get clicks, I guess...

That all news is now, we report the obvious and hope people click. What better headline that anything related to Disney.

 

[_19disnA]

Got tired of reading a long/rambly editorial piece which seemed designed to be a certain number of words. Skipped over most of it after seeing it wasn't going anywhere. Disney is a pricey place to vacation, that shouldn't be news to anyone familiar with Disney..........LOL.

 

[focusondisney]

In other Captain Obvious headlines:

First class, the only way to fly, if you can afford it.

Front row, the only way to go to a concert, if you can afford it.

A skybox at the 50 yard line, the only way to see a game, if you can afford it.

etc, etc...this is nothing new and nothing unique, but put WDW and high cost in the headline and you get clicks, I guess...

Exactly! And newsflash to the author….plenty of middle class families couldn’t afford a trip to WDW back in the good old days in the 70s & 80s either. Nothing new that not everyone can afford any vacation they want.

 

[xdan0920]

I always love the comments on these types of articles/posts.

“lol poors. They think they deserve more than 3 rides a day. Tell your husband to make more money”

 

[Miffy]

I always love the comments on these types of articles/posts.

“lol poors. They think they deserve more than 3 rides a day. Tell your husband to make more money”

I had to stop reading the comments since most of the ones I saw were of the "why would anyone go to Disney World" variety.

 

[Miffy]

Thanks for the link…
I might have to subscribe to the NYTimes …I wonder how much that costs.
It was berry interesting…I never considered that guests using a travel company have the advantage also with bookings…
Also that $900 AP that automatically gives access to front of line would be nice!

NYT subscription can be very expensive. I subscribe to the Games there and last year they offered me a hugely discounted rate for the entire digital paper + the games so I took it. When it expires in October, I'm probably going to drop the non-games portion since I won't spend $250/yr for the NYT.x

 

[RivShore]

NYT subscription can be very expensive. I subscribe to the Games there and last year they offered me a hugely discounted rate for the entire digital paper + the games so I took it. When it expires in October, I'm probably going to drop the non-games portion since I won't spend $250/yr for the NYT.x

OK, another one for my headline list:

All the "news" that's fit to print, a NYT subscription, if you can afford it!

(sorry I could not resist lol)

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I always love the comments on these types of articles/posts.

“lol poors. They think they deserve more than 3 rides a day. Tell your husband to make more money”

I think you're missing the point that many posters are making. This isn't an "lol poors" subject. It's about how the cost and experience at Disney World vary based on one's willingness to spend.

The woman in the article  chose to stay offsite. That comes with certain disadvantages. She  chose to go in July, when the parks feel like you're on the surface of the sun. She  chose to meet up with friends at their Disney hotel in order to avoid paying for parking at the theme parks, which meant arriving at the parks later than rope drop.Those were all choices on how she wanted to spend her money and time. Still, she admits that she and her family had a great time AND she wants to go again but will choose to use her money in different ways.

I'm not a fan of how Disney nickle and dimes customers at every turn. But they aren't much different than other businesses. Airlines are removing economy seats and adding more business class and "premium economy" seats to their aircrafts in order to appeal to higher spenders. Want to choose your seat in economy? Pay a fee and take your pick. You can take the autotrain to Florida, pay to upgrade to a sleeper cabin and even more to have your vehicle offloaded first. You can choose to ride Mears from MCO but upgrade to Mears Express so that you are dropped at your resort first. Cruiselines charge more if you wish to choose your cabin. They charge more for midship, different decks and cabin types. You can upgrade your dining on the ship to their specialty restaurants for a price. I can go to the grocery store every week, spend time picking out my own meat and produce or I can pay a premium to have a shopper do it, even more if I want it delivered to my home instead of picking up.

There are lots of examples where companies offer an upgraded experience for a price. As annoying as it is, Disney isn't alone in doing this. They are just a convenient target.

 

[Brian Noble]

I had to stop reading the comments

Never. Ever. Read the comments.
https://socialmediapsychology.eu/2016/10/05/onlineandsocialmediacomments/

 

[hardcorestitch]

Free article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/...e_code=1.hk8.XhM3.rOJvRY4OWwi_&smid=url-share

Two different visitor experiences, but it really shows that the more you pay, the more you can get done. I do feel bad for Ms. Cressel however with scooter issues right off the bat, as that would sour my day too.

Actually I did plenty of things while in Disney parks even if I didn’t use LL or EE. I just prepared which attractions I walked through (usually about 2 or 3). The cost of LL doesn’t exist thanks to that scripting ahead. On top of that, I also was able to use the Disney buses to visit other resorts without staying. That’s as much as $55 removed from what would have been non guest parking. My non Disney hotel also had free (but not so fabulous) bus service to the parks. Up to $85 saved.

There are some hidden Mickeys that you can do to save while there… and STILL ENJOY!