Disney Prices - Do you have a breaking point?

[AquaDame]

Over the past few weeks, I've seen numerous threads pop up about how Disney isn't what it used to be, Disney is greedy, Disney is charging too much while not being innovative. However, the same people who are complaining are still visiting the parks which is totally cool. But that means that Disney is doing exactly what they should be doing.

So the question is, is there a price at which you would no longer go to Disney World? And I don't mean cut back on food or souvenirs. I just mean, flat out, not going to WDW anymore.

Yes and no. If we are JUST talking about money then yes of course. DCL hit it for us recently and it was the point where we realized sailing on the Fantasy the week we wanted at opening day prices was more than double going on RCCL. Easy choice. The issue is that there isn't really anything to compare WDW to. We went to Universal a couple of years ago and we did not like it much (just our opinion!). DLR is great, but different too - their hotels already hit our breaking point and we don't stay in them so maybe thats the breaking point? They have no 'values' there and are not as many benefits so we stay offsite.

I've said it before and will say it again though, the introduction of FP+ hit our breaking point for now. We did not enjoy our trip in January as much as we had prior (we went every year if not twice since 2008) but after this we really are not planning on going back for awhile. Absolutely until the kinks and adjustments are done and I can see the final product. The system changed our opportunity cost and coming back we looked over the receipts and just felt like we were cheated this time for what we got out of it. TS meals weren't that great - expensive but not very tasty with few exceptions - we didn't get on as many rides as we had with FP-. I'm not saying NEVER AGAIN!!! but I'm not sure when we will go back at this point. Its the first time in years that I haven't had a trip planned, we have other places planned now through 2017 unless we decide to drop something in favor of WDW (which at least seems unlikely now).

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Breaking point..... it is almost there. For me, it isn't really the prices, though. It is more about what they are pushing on their guests and the fact that we almost need a vacation after planning the vacation. At one time, planning a Disney vacation was part of the fun.... not anymore.

We no longer eat table service once a day. We now do a table service meal two or three times in a trip and we share meals. We also reduced our souvenir spending by about 75%. When they start charging for fastpasses, I am completely out!

 

[lugnut33]

Our vacationing habits have changed as the prices have changed. Like many we do not eat many TS dinners because of the cost and quality issues. We eat a lot of off-site meals and find renting a car saves us money and time. We don't buy nearly as many souvenirs as before.

We have tried to incorporate discounts into our trips as much as possible. Being DVC owners is a pretty substantial savings on our accommodations, and it also allows us to get a good discount on an AP. I think this year I will have spent around 20 days in the parks. I also use our DVC and annual pass discounts as much as possible, like seeing Cirque Du Soleil for a 50% discount.

Taking a daddy/daughter trip at the August and I had to book two nights at All Star Music because nothing is yet available on the DVC side for those nights and was was able to get them for $92 per night. Yes, it's expensive, but not horrible. After that we are staying in our DVC room where I'll have some drinks and breakfast foods delivered from the store. That's a pretty big savings. Beyond that it's basically the cost of the flights and some QS meals while in the parks.

Still reasonable.

Going forward we will probably take a year off WDW because we want to travel to Europe.

 

[minnie mum]

We are very, very close to the breaking point. But it is not just the ever upward spiralling of all of the costs of Disney- tickets, resorts and food. We have also been looking at the enjoyment factor. With all of the cost cutting measures, plus the incredible unreliability of MDE, visiting WDW is becoming more work and less fun. The magic is harder for us to find.

We are going less often now. And with the exception of an occasional family visit with our DGS, we will be vacationing mostly in other places in the future. I can get a fabulous cruise for less than the cost of a WDW trip. Heck, even our last trip to Europe was cheaper. And more fun. With better food.

 

[disneyseniors]

That's true. 30 dollars to enter Madame Tussauds, 15 to use an elevator to the top of the Empire State, 15 to tour a gothic church and 20 to ride a boat. Go to Las Vegas and it's the same. Go to Europe, and yeah, it's the same.

Tourism is expensive in most places. And for a ticket that includes two parades, fireworks, theater shows, a magical environment, character meetings and lots of wonderful rides you won't find at your local fair, I think Disney is a good deal. It is expensive, sure, but a good deal nevertheless.

I do agree other places are comparable, but the value of just what you get for your money can't be beat, in my opinion. We have stayed at a condo on Sanibel Island twice, and spent a lot of money plus the high price of the beach front condo. The food was not cheap, as driving to other attractions. So, all in all, those trips were comparable to WDW prices. The difference is, what kind of experience do you want? I find walking the beach, picking up shells, each day kinda boring and doesn't feel like a vacation to me. I love the pace, excitement, new shows, and old attractions at WDW. It's the place for me til I can't walk anymore

 

[CinqueTerre]

I do agree other places are comparable, but the value of just what you get for your money can't be beat, in my opinion. We have stayed at a condo on Sanibel Island twice, and spent a lot of money plus the high price of the beach front condo. The food was not cheap, as driving to other attractions. So, all in all, those trips were comparable to WDW prices. The difference is, what kind of experience do you want? I find walking the beach, picking up shells, each day kinda boring and doesn't feel like a vacation to me. I love the pace, excitement, new shows, and old attractions at WDW. It's the place for me til I can't walk anymore

I could go to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a week and stay in an ocean front room. Eat really delicious food every day and mix in a few sight seeing adventures like hiking in the rain forest, going to Bacardi Rum Factory and going to the old city for a few days. Trip would be much cheaper than Disney for the same time period.