I'm sure a lot of the rancor expressed against the "entitled working class" is just to get others stirred up, but I'm still confused by it. Why is it so many people consider the working stiff who makes minimum wage or barely over to have an "entitlement mentality" for expecting a raise? If you work hard, are dependable and loyal to the company, you ARE adding value. Those qualities usually bring in more customers for the employer, raising revenue.
I guess I need to add that my DH's family owns several small businesses, lest I be accused of "not getting it!"
Apparently, some feel only those of us who own a business have any idea how business works or have any right to comment. Not true.
My Cost of Living has gone up. I want my pay raise. So do the 61,999 other Cast Members at WDW. Where is the money coming from? Maybe a price increase?
If it were announced there was a price increase to offset employee raises, I would be far less depressed at the idea of paying so much more for an AP! Unfortunately it sounds like this is not how WDW pay raises are determined.
In my opinion, everyone at the company deserves a raise when it makes record profits, not just those at the top. Everyone likes to feel their contributions are appreciated, and in my experience makes them more likely to go above and beyond.
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And I TOTALLY don't get people saying, "Disney costs too much now, so I'm off to Universal!" Because, really ...
Universal costs the same, unless you're local and can use one of the various discounts. And if you ARE local, then there are also plenty of WDW discounts for various types of APs. So then the complaint becomes less of a complaint and more of a way to dramatically declare, "I'm off to Universal!" as if that will instantly make someone at Disney stop in their tracks and say, "OMG, so-and-so is headed to Universal! STOP RAISING PRICES!!" Alas ... not gonna happen.
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What I WOULD love is for those folks who do say "Well ... I guess it's Universal for me!" would come back after they take their Universal trips and talk about how it went for them there. Did they find the value they missed at Disney? I wish people would come back and post their comparisons and break down why Universal was so much more economical or value-added. But no one ever does that. (Maybe they do on the Universal boards.)
I sometimes get discouraged over a perceived gouging, and take my money elsewhere (not speaking of Disney specifically, just in general). Doesn't mean I'm stomping off in a huff, expecting to be chased by said gougers - just that I've chosen to spend my money where I feel more appreciated as a customer. Don't we all? If our business raised prices to a point some customers felt it was unbearable, I would expect them to do the same.
They are the customer, they get to choose their provider, spend their money where they get the best value. It might make me reevaluate prices, or it might not, but I don't feel the customer is in the wrong.
Regarding your question: There are quite a number of DISers who post their experiences on the US forums. DD and I recently went to US/IoA due to the lesser overall cost of a vacation there compared to WDW. I did not report on the Disney forums as it did not pertain to Disney.
(this post will be wordy, sorry in advance)
We were able to get a non-resident Preferred AP for $259+ tax for me, and a Power Pass AP for my DD(adult) for $189+ tax. The Power Pass gets you year-long entry to the parks, with a few black out dates (very few, actually). With the Preferred Pass, we were able to get AP rates at the resorts and discounts on food and merch in the parks and CityWalk. **If you do not purchase the Preferred AP, you can get nearly the same food and merch discounts with a
AAA membership, which is nice.
Our rooms at Hard Rock and Portofino Bay with AP rate were $189+tax weekday/$209+tax weekend, and the two resorts are at least as luxurious as the deluxe WDW resorts we frequent at a much lower cost. Housekeeping was impeccable at both, no issues anywhere, which I can't say for our recent WDW visits. We received upgrades at both resorts due to our All Access (HRH) and LoewsFirst(PBH) memberships (both free to join). We were treated as valued customers everywhere we went, even though we only visit US resorts every couple years vs. the multiple trips per year at WDW.
Food at the US/IoA parks were - again, in my opinion - better quality and cheaper in price than our recent WDW visits. For example: we ate lunch at Mythos, inside IoA; ordered a salad and bowl of soup as appetizers, then split an entree of mushroom filet with risotto which was equal in quality and presentation to the mushroom filet at Le Cellier. Current OOP cost at LC for entree: $27.99; at Mythos: $15.99. With AP discount, our entire lunch with 2 ice teas was just over $30, which is unheard of for us at WDW restaurants these days, even with a TiW discount (which we don't have if we do not purchase APs). We found similar price/quality comparisons throughout the parks and in the resort restaurants.
Overall, we had a wonderful 7-day US visit. Love WWoHP, incredible theming which stands up to any at WDW, in our opinion. The thrill rides are exciting and fun, especially Hulk, Spiderman, Rip Ride Rockit and Ripsaw Falls.
On the other hand - I am Pooh-sized, and US/IoA is not as accommodating for those of us in this category. There were several rides I simply could not ride, even though I have not had this issue at a single WDW ride.
LOVE the ability to walk into almost any restaurant on US/IoA property - no need to plan out meals and make reservations months in advance. During busier times, a reservation may be necessary at a few restaurants, but can be made the night before or even day of - huge plus.
LOVE Unlimited Express Pass for most rides at US/IoA for US resort guests. Saves so much time, the vacation is truly relaxing. No need to rush around, if you prefer to sleep in (except for WWoHP, the main ride there has no EP).
No fireworks shows at night is a minus, we do love Wishes and Illuminations. We did not stay to watch the new summer night time show at US, though it is supposed to be very nice.
We prefer the theming and detail of the WDW parks, and I can spend a lot of time there without riding a single ride. This cannot be said of US -
for me. On the other hand, the layout of the parks with CityWalk is far easier to navigate and we love the way security is handled - for those entering from the resorts, you are checked at the end of the resort path to CW, where there is no line, and you are good to go for anything within the US/CW/IoA complex!
Our heart belongs to Disney, plain and simple, and we are planning a late summer trip. (first time in 12 months, almost unheard of for us) We do love US, though, and will probably start making more trips to this resort due to the increase in WDW ticket costs, rise in rack rates at the resorts coupled with a decline in discounts %, and lower quality/higher cost of food. We have also switched from being WDW AP holders to 7-day ticket holders. I do not expect Disney to mourn our defection, or chase us with cries of "if you'll only return!" I'm just choosing to change my vacation style in response to rising costs.
For the first time in many years we are forgoing our annual fall trip to WDW and staying the extra at Universal. While I understand that opinions vary, for us the additional cost wasn't worth the product anymore. We used to have APs for both Disney and Universal, but Disney has effectively priced us out - and like the OP, it isn't because we can't afford them, it's just that to us they aren't worth the cost anymore. For those that have pointed out the prices of Universal's single-day admission, I'd counter that, as with the OP, we look at the AP prices and Universal gives you much more bang for the buck. At roughly $250 for an initial purchase (and the renewal rate is only $157), you get better perks and nicer resorts. I'm sure we will visit WDW again at some future point, but it likely won't be for a number of years.
Agreed. Even though I have WDW tickets (bought at the prior cost) and a BC reservation for August, I am still toying with saving the WDW tickets for the future and returning to US - the cost will be less for us.
As someone who likes to hold onto my money I'm about as excited about the rate increase as a dog is a bath.
.... I'm going to WDW next summer and I'm not happy about the prices, but I will spend what I have to spend to go. BUT there will come a point(for all of us!) where we will say the cost outweighs the benefit. I don't know what that point is and how far away it is, but it's out there, and if WDW hits it, I'll stay home, or go somewhere else. Not because I want to, but because I'll have to.
My feelings as well.
