Do Disney ticket prices seem like they are getting out of hand to you?

[SoCalKDG]

I think it's the fact that the broke $300, and that kids' prices are so much. The kids' tickets seem really out of whack to me. My son is only 4, but paying almost as much as I am.

I'm going to check out Universal tickets.

Then again my 4 year old daughter has as much fun as my wife and can go on over 90% of the attractions at WDW.

 

[bicker]

Comparing WDW ticket prices to sporting events, concerts, or local amusement parks is a little misleading since those are all one day events.

I disagree that it is misleading: For multiple days worth of tickets folks get multiple days worth of recreation.

Then again my 4 year old daughter has as much fun as my wife and can go on over 90% of the attractions at WDW.

That's what I was thinking. We're bringing our 1.5 niece and she's going to have a great time for free. I suspect she's going to have more fun than the adults.

 

[Maribel]

As much as I don't want to see prices go up, I have to say I still find Disney the best deal around. Fast passes are included in the cost of your ticket, which I believe would cost you extra from Universal. (or so I'm told by friends of ours who vacation at Universal...I'm pretty much a Disney fan and have only gone to U. once.)

Partially true. Yes, you can buy a special ticket that allows you to use the fast pass line at Universal for each atraction once without having to wait for a specific time or going back and forth getting fast passes. This is completely optional and the regular fast passes are available for the ones that don't want to spend the extra $16 per person/per day, in the same way that you would do in Disney. I particularly like that system and used it the last time I went to both Universal parks. Since these parks are layed out in a rather circular way, it was very convenient to just go in one direction getting into all the attractions with fast pass without having to wait or go all the way around the park to get into the attraction at you scheduled time. I wish Disney will do something similar and give us the option to get a book of fast passes for the day, and of course, give a discount to us DVC members

 

[dbm20th]

Yes ticket prices go a long way towards making trips to WDW alot less frequent and they are expensive no matter how you cut it, but when you look at the parks with all the rides, parades, millions of fireworks, buses, monorails, security, health and safety costs, as well as the thousands of employees that do an amazing variety of jobs from janitors, to boat operators, to retail managers, it is hard to believe they can keep the place as big, fun, clean, and evolving as they do on $60 per day!

 

[jarestel]

I disagree that it is misleading: For multiple days worth of tickets folks get multiple days worth of recreation.

Let me 'splain why I feel this IS misleading. Most folks don't go to sporting events for 7 days in a row, or movies, or concerts. Comparing a single day admission to these events to a single day's admission to WDW is, in fact, misleading because Disney isn't meant to be a one day event. It's a comparison of activities that aren't similar in their usage. This makes the statement sound like a massive justification, rather than a logical argument, in the eyes of non-Disney freaks.

Additionally, MOST times, people drive to these local events and go home afterwards, thereby eliminating most travel costs and accomodations expenses. There's no doubt that many people would find a trip to WDW more fun than any of the other events mentioned, but we're talking cost, not fun factor. Way more people in my town attend sporting events, concerts, movies, etc on a far more frequent schedule than they plan trips to WDW. I suspect cost plays a part in this behavior or they'd be flocking to Florida.

As I said, I happily pay the price because it's worth it to me, but trust me, we ( disney fanatics ) are not the main stream on this one.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Believe me folks... I feel the AP's are priced VERY fairly. a true bargain!!!! I used mine for 4 trips last year. But lets be honest.. Disney got 100% of my vacation dollars last year because I had purchased those AP's. and have for the last 4 years.

This year I need to renew my Ap's and am not going several times. Because I just can't take the kids out of school. And $1200 is alot to shell out for one trip.

I will go back to my AP's in 2007. But that means my Vacation dollars will almost entirely go to Universal this year.

I will do disney this summer as well. But no parks instead the kids are going to do things like the fishing excursion, kids cook at the Grand floridian, surf classes, Things we would never do with passes. So instead of $1200 plus for passes I figure our actvities will cost less than $400 for the kids.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Current Universal promotion is buy one adult 2 day ticket for $99 and get a childs 2 day ticket for free with each adult. There is also a bonus of 3 free days with each of these tickets even the free ones.

Bottem line, for us with 4 kids.. 1 over 18... I purchsed 3 adult tickets w/tax and shipping somewhere around $323. and got 3 free kids tickets.

5 days of admisson for 6 people for $323. That works out to about $10 per day for me to do Universal this summer.

If you like Universal that's cool. Personally, I think Universal is only SLIGHTLY above Seaworld and Six Flags in service and quality. The studios to me is a disappointment as well. IOA is pretty cool, but while some of the theming is cool, the overall atmosphere just doesn't compare to Disney. I am all for going once every few years, but I couldn't stomach doing 5 days of Universal. But we all have our favorites.

 

[yitbos96bb]

WDW has that uniqueness factor which always let them overcharge. They have a special brand that demands a premium; they really are the gold standard.

I agree that they could go a little less on the 10 yrs olds. it hurts to think that my children will no longer be children at age 10 in Disney's eyes. You almost think they could come up with another price category for 10 - 15 yrs old.

Compare the rack rates of all the Theme Parks in Orlando. Disney does not Overcharge, they are actually very competitive with the rest of the area. I believe they are only $4 higher than Seaworld at this point and Universal hasn't announced increases yet. Yes Universal is cheap now due to their promotion but a 7 day MYW ticket is pretty comparable in value.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Believe me folks... I feel the AP's are priced VERY fairly. a true bargain!!!! I used mine for 4 trips last year. But lets be honest.. Disney got 100% of my vacation dollars last year because I had purchased those AP's. and have for the last 4 years.
This year I need to renew my Ap's and am not going several times. Because I just can't take the kids out of school. And $1200 is alot to shell out for one trip.
I will go back to my AP's in 2007. ...

You know? it's posts like these that keep me a happy Disney shareholder. Now if Iger and Jobs could agree on a new Disney/ Pixar deal...

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I totally agree 5 days at Universal is over the top. I like Universal in the summer for several reasons.

Number one is that there isn't that much to do, I don't do well in the heat so tend to do one or two rides and then hit the pool.
Combine that with FOTL access and it makes a summer trip doable for my family.

I will gladly pay for any AP for December, October, cooler less crowded months at Disney. But knowing my summer touring style of somtimes less than 2 hours in the parks. It is in no way worth it.
Now Universal for those prices a few rides to satisfy the kids? Totally works for me. it is just enough without melting!!!!!

I will also say.... This trip was requested by all 4 kids in the house because they LOVE the HRH's Pool area. It's thier hands down fave, of all the hotels.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I totally agree 5 days at Universal is over the top. I like Universal in the summer for several reasons.

Number one is that there isn't that much to do, I don't do well in the heat so tend to do one or two rides and then hit the pool.
Combine that with FOTL access and it makes a summer trip doable for my family.

I will gladly pay for any AP for December, October, cooler less crowded months at Disney. But knowing my summer touring style of somtimes less than 2 hours in the parks. It is in no way worth it.
Now Universal for those prices a few rides to satisfy the kids? Totally works for me. it is just enough without melting!!!!!

I will also say.... This trip was requested by all 4 kids in the house because they LOVE the HRH's Pool area. It's thier hands down fave, of all the hotels.

That seems like such an expensive pool visit. Couldn't you just join a neighborhood pool near your house and save the money? Guess since I am not a pool person on vacation, I just don't get it.

 

[InstImpres]

I have to agree (it's a no brainer) Universal is significantly cheaper but I feel you get significantly less. I went there last Feb for the first time. I am a TA and had clients that wanted it so I wanted to see.

There were no daily parades and no evening shows. The park closed by 8pm each night. DD and I didn't know what to do with ourselves at that point. The week before we had been at BWV and the parks were open until 11 or 12 and up to 3AM with EMH. So - we took our AP's and left for a show each night.

Though I paid less, I was also less than thrilled with the experience and felt it was cut short each day.

JMHO

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Actually I have a pool here at home. And I belong to the local club.

To each his own, I guess. It is not comparable to staying home doing my laundry, feeding the dog, and Not being on vacation.
Compared to sitting by the HRH pool or the( BWV pool for that matter) having a nice frozen drink and doing absolutely nothing.
Orlando is a vacation bargain in my opinion.. for people with kids! And there are many choices for all which is why I love it.

 

[bicker]

Let me 'splain why I feel this IS misleading. Most folks don't go to sporting events for 7 days in a row, or movies, or concerts.

I understand what you're saying, but let's say I did go to such events for 7 days in a row. Celtics on Monday, Bruins on Tuesday, Rolling Stones on Wednesday, then another Celtics game, etc. I'd expect to pay the same amount each day, regardless of the fact that I'm doing things many days in a row.

Here's another analogy: Just-plain hotel rooms -- I traveled on business for five years straight, five days a week, 45 weeks a year. Sometimes I'd stay in the same city, and therefore the same hotel room, the entire week. Other times, I'd be scheduled to spend Monday in San Francisco, Tuesday in Dallas, Wednesday in Atlanta, Thursday in Washington DC, and Friday in New York. Five different hotel rooms (though all at the same hotel chain -- I always stayed at Marriott). Yet, I was charged the same per night for either itinerary.

 

[cobbler]

You know? it's posts like these that keep me a happy Disney shareholder. Now if Iger and Jobs could agree on a new Disney/ Pixar deal...

Me too. Too bad our stock has been stagnant for years!

 

[DukeStreetKing]

It would be nice if Disney would have a payment plan similar to what SeaWorld has. You can buy a two year pass to SeaWorld and spread the payments over the two years. It also locks you in to the purchase price when the admission price increases.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Actually I have a pool here at home. And I belong to the local club.

To each his own, I guess. It is not comparable to staying home doing my laundry, feeding the dog, and Not being on vacation.
Compared to sitting by the HRH pool or the( BWV pool for that matter) having a nice frozen drink and doing absolutely nothing.
Orlando is a vacation bargain in my opinion.. for people with kids! And there are many choices for all which is why I love it.

ORLANDO is a vacation bargain, but it is not just for people with Kids. I have no kids yet, and my wife and I both love to go to Orlando. I just feel like I am wasting my money doing things like a pool that I can do at my home, when there are so many things to do in Orlando. Waterparks I can understand, beach I can understand too. But the pool... just not for me.... 10 minutes and I would be board out my mind unless some activities are going on. But to each his own as you said.

 

[colleen costello]

All of these increases make the DVC discount on AP's so much more wonderful! With tix going up so high, the AP's are really a no-brainer for my family, as we go at least twice a year. I thought of getting just one AP for me -- to qualify for various discounts - -and getting the rest of our group park hoppers, but the discount makes the AP's cheaper than the tix I thought I'd buy instead. Thanks for the discount, DVC!

 

[OneMoreTry]

WDW ticket prices are a great deal compared to many other entertainment options. Ever price a few junky rides at the county fair? AGreed, it's not the cheapest way to stir up your inner ear -- so go somewhere else for that. For our family it prices about the same as a ski-in-ski-out ski vacation.

I would take it as a bad sign if they had to LOWER their prices to attract guests.