Does anyone else feel that Disney prices are getting OUTRAGEOUS!!!!

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

The prices are high.. But it's still worth it. <3

 

[Nebsky]

Sure, they are raising the prices. That is the way the system works. But as some pointed out, be careful Disney. You may alienate your base to some degree.

With that being said, my wife had a baby last year. Our 8 year old son was use to 2 trips a year to Disney. After Jake came, we told him that we wouldnt be going back until he could walk and was potty trained. We were all bummed about it but looked forward to the next trip in 2008 or so.

Well I was looking at rates back in early June and they announce the free dining plan. I "planned" a 7 night 8 day vacation for 2 adults, 1 8 yr old, with park hoppers and water parks plus the dining plan staying at Pop Century September 23-30 and the total was $1317.90. I couldnt believe it! I talked with the wife and we decided we would be wasting money if we didnt go. I also got airfare for $562.00 which brings the total to 1879.90.

If you divide that by 3 people and then divide it again by 7 nights, that comes to $89.52 per person per day. This total includes flights, park tickets, hotel and food. Some "fair-moderate" all inclusive resorts charge this much just for the hotel stay. I rank Disney much higher than those which made this an easy decision. Yes, I know I only get 2 meals and a snack a day so its its not a real apple to apple comparison, its more like Oranges to Tangerines. It might be a little difficult with a 1 year old who needs naps and isnt potty trained, but Im willing to try.

The best way to do it is to plan it out. If you can travel in teh off season, do it. Our son is in school but that isn't going to stop us from going.

 

[bubba73]

Yes, prices are getting outrageous. But I will continue to go. We have ben there every year for the past 3 years and my kids have already been 5 times each. So we will just take a few years off and do other things but I am looking at the possibility of getting a 10 or 14 day park hopper ticket with no-expiration on it. That way when Disney raises prices again, I will still be able to go at todays price (but of course, everyone here already knew that).

 

[cobbler]

Ok, the profit thing (still on page 2 in reading). I understand making a profit and have to for shareholders.

BUT how come then am I only getting 20 some odd cents a share in dividends -so sad.

 

[jjarman]

I agree somewhat about the prices. I have no problem with the ticket prices. We end up paying about $35 a day per person. It is very worth it to me. I do have a problem with the prices of the hotels. I only want to stay onsite because of convenience and the safety factor as I travel just with my son (of course he is 16, 6'2" and 180 pounds so he could protect me) We stayed our first family trip at POFQ in 2003 and with a code during peak season we paid about $110 a night. Our next trip was peak season 2005 at Pop and with AAA discount I paid about $100 a night. This next trip, March, 2007, I have Pop with AAA discount at $128 a night for a preferred room. I guess not a big increase but still a significant increase. We would really like to stay at a Deluxe resort but due to our having to travel at peak season because of school the prices are outrageous. During peak season the cheapest rooms at WL and AK ar $325, CR $339, YBC and BWI $429, Poly $449 and GF $495. I’m sorry. No room is worth that much money. Yeah, you get extras but honestly the resort we stay at in Ft. Walton Beach, FL at peak season has the most expensive rooms at about $200 a night. Those prices are why we will probably never stay at a Deluxe Resort at WDW. They can’t be worth that much money. Even if I had the money I don’t know that I would pay that much. Because of the prices we are only able to go every 2-3 years when we would love to go every year.

I realize for the stay on site you get the free transportation and that is why the values are such a good value. But I can’t see paying almost 4 times as much to stay at a Deluxe and get the same service basically. Sure the pool is better at a Deluxe but not $300 or more a night better.

 

[Fitswimmer]

One thing many people do not consider in the DVC calculations is the fact that you have kitchen facilities available. Having breakfast in the room even for even part of the trip saves a lot of money, as does keeping snacks and water bottles available. Sure, nobody wants to cook every night or even make breakfast every day, but if you even do just breakfasts most days you'll be shocked at how much you save.

 

[nuke]

I don't think the prices are that bad. If I go to any of our local museums or attractions our family of three will spend close to $100 to get in.
Buying a 10 day non-expiring pass to Disney I am getting into the parks for about $35 a day.

For example at the beginning of Summer I took my son to the aquarium here. It cost us $50 to get in for the two of us. We saw the entire thing and all the shows in 3 hours time. For less that $70 the two of us could have been in Disney from 9am until Midnight on some days with something to do every minute.

Hotels are also not that bad in Disney. Even Motel 6's charge close to $100 and you get a room with the light on. At Disney you get well Disney.

 

[Cinerama261]

My wife and I and four children will be staying at a 3-bedroom time share at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club Resort August 13 to 20. The cost for maintenance on my time share was $875 this year. We will eat most of our meals at the time share condo so, the cost for food will be close to what we pay at home. I bought 8-day passes (our flight leaves Orlando at 6:50 PM) to Disney World for $206 each so we can go every day if we want to. The 4-day pass was $199 so it's a no brainer to pay $7 for the extra 4 days. I also bought tickets to the Arabian Nights dinner show for only $22. My wife and daughters wanted to see it again but, my son and I thinks its boring. I don't think it's that expensive a vacation.

Roland

 

[mking624]

One thing many people do not consider in the DVC calculations is the fact that you have kitchen facilities available. Having breakfast in the room even for even part of the trip saves a lot of money, as does keeping snacks and water bottles available. Sure, nobody wants to cook every night or even make breakfast every day, but if you even do just breakfasts most days you'll be shocked at how much you save.

Of course there's the spending money on groceries, the money to spend on a town car or renting a car so you can get to the grocery store...
But still, saving money on some food still doesn't justify $15,000 IMO.

 

[klwdisney]

I do think it's super expensive... almost TOO expensive. But on the other hand, it spaces out your trips a little more and makes the anticipation greater. Although, you are right... for all us "workin' folk" it's border-line UNaffordable... I just hope the day never comes that I can NEVER afford to go again

 

[swimmom]

We just got back from a week long trip and what struck me as pricey was the food. I think the quality and variety has dropped pretty significantly in the last 4-5 years and the prices just keep going up. We ate several meals off property just because I couldn't bring myself to pay the Disney prices for relatively mediocre food.

 

[donna in Oz]

This may sound foolhardy to say, but as long as WDW is the only place where we can get what Disney offers (atmosphere, attractions, cleanliness, etc.), we'll pay what it takes.

I can't imagine us ever deciding not to go simply because of the cost element involved. We generally stay off-site (rent a gorgeous vacation home that sleeps 8 with private pool & jacuzzi for $145 per night), eat breakfast & evening meals there, and eat CS meals during our park time, with an occasional character meal thrown in. Leaves us $$$ to use for things like DiveQuest.

Yes, we're giving up the atmosphere of staying at a Disney resort, but if it makes the difference between going and staying home, it's a no-brainer.

 

[mking624]

I think part of the problem is that people expect Disney to keep updating the parks and keep offering the same things and more, etc...all while expecting to pay low prices. Other vacation spots around the world cost the same, if not more. People cannot reasonably expect Disney to keep the prices low or at the same amount if they also expect to have a top notch experience. "Experiences" cost money...and Disney needs to be able to not only meet the cost of that experience but also be able to make a profit so they can continue to offer even better and more experiences.

 

[Princess Sammi]

Hersheyparks tickets are $41.95 this year for one day. In my opinion no where as special as WDW but then I am comparing an amusement park to a theme park.

We took the kids last summer to Hershey Park for the 1st time. We spent about $700 (hotel and park admission) for only 3 days. My kids thought it was just, "OK". We will never go back to Hershey. I'd rather save the money towards another WDW trip. There's no place like Disney. If you plan hard enough you can try to do it on a budget. We usually go every 2 - 3 yrs. We've always stayed on property. This Dec. will be our 1st. time during Christmas. To cut some costs, we booked the airflight early (3 weeks ago). Btw, the same flight is now almost doubled. We're also staying at the ASMo, instead of the more expensive hotels. (because it's "Holiday Season" prices)
IMO, vacations are expensive, no matter where you go. At least at Disney, you do get a lot for the admission. And after 4 days (park admission) it's only about $1-$2 per person for each extra day at the parks.

 

[rigs32]

DH and I stay in the values and we save breakfast money, too. We bring things like granola bars from home and eat them while waiting for the buses.

As long as DH is in the military and we have SOG and nearby TSs for $300 total for whole week, DVC's price tag doesn't make sense for us - especially if we're stuck with points we can't rent out.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

As may of the UK posters have stated, Disney for us is great value due to a good exchange rate and the ridiculous costs of days out over here. For the entry price you can enter first thing in the morning and leave when the park closes. You get a couple of parades and fireworks and a selection of great rides in a clean and safe environment and, other than the cost of food and drink, you won't have to spend another penny.

 

[waltfan1957]

I don't like to see Disney prices go up but I DO still think thay they are a good value. We all love the place so much because it offers ALOT. Well, that all costs money. And, don't forget, Disney is a for-profit company. Yeah, they're going to charge what they can get away with (and as mentioned earlier, their share holders appreciate that). To tell you the truth, I'm surprised that Disney doesn't cost more than it does. DH and I can go for a whole week staying onsite, with the dining plan, and park hoppers for under $2000. That's alot of money but not bad for EVERYTHING that we are getting!

we live in the uk its costing us £1500 for the air fare alone virgiin said thats all they had

 

[KimberlyC]

Last year (2005) Disney paid Michael Eisner $10.1 million and Robert Iger received $9.7 million. Eisner will continue to receive $7.5 million annually through 2008. He receives an annual pension of $297,779 as well. But that's chump change really when you consider that that Michael Orvitz (the guy hired to be Prez in the mid 90's and lasted 14 months) got a severance of $140 million.

Lets all be happy that prices haven't risen even more.

 

[helenm29]

I SO agree with you there! we are also working people with three kids and affording a trip to DW is a BIG thing for us! I work for Walmart so I'm not exactly making a bundle if you know what I mean! that's why when we start discussing it we KNOW we are going to be spending a lot of $$$ from the start so we set up a savings account just for Disney. It usually takes us about 3 years to save enough for a really big trip with all the amenities like on property hotels, all the best restaurants and extra goodies etc. On Sunday when the package prices went up we looked at our package and figured the whole thing went up around $800.00! THANK GOODNESS we booked early!
anyway, I wish they would give everyone a break...we have to fight off hurricanes to get there! but the truth is, they HAVE you! they know people will still come, it may take a while longer....but you'll get there!

 

[BankBunny]

Just as Disney is the happiest place on earth it is also the most expensive vacation on earth, but I having said that I will never stop going. Can we afford to go every year-no. We save and save and go every 3-4 years. When I go to Disney it's the one time I don't think or care about how much I spend. I agree with so many other posters about the cost of other entertainment options. DH and I just saw Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium last month-$160.60 for 2 OK seats (including all ticketmaster fees), $15.00 for parking, $4.25 x 5 bottles of water (it was a very hot and humid day), plus other food and drinks. On top of it all the concert was cut short due to dangerous lighting. This past week end we went to Hershey Park tickets were $59.50 for 2 adults at the AAA price, $8.00 for parking and $40.00-$50.00 for food and drinks. We only stayed for about 1/2 the day and only rode about 7 rides (all roller coasters). Don't even get me started about how much Devils tickets cost and keep increasing every hockey season. The bottom line is Disney is worth every penny for what you get at that price. If I'm hot and tired I can go back to my room during the day and then go back to the parks. I ride so many more rides and there is so much more varity. I don't think that the food is any more expensive then most restaurants of the same quality anywhere else. I can count on Disney to be clean and safe. We've also been on several cruises which always seem like a value until you start spending money on alcoholic drinks, shore excusions, and souvenirs. Plus, out of every vacation we've been on our Disney vacations are the only ones that never disappoint, never have any major issues, and always live up to expectations.