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

[TSM1993]

We were just talking to some friends about this. This past weekend. I just comfirmed what I had always been saying. Atleast my point of veiw. I live in Pa so the closes beach to us is either Ocean City MD or Rehobeth Beach in Delaware. My friend just told us that hotel rooms down there are going for about $200 a night. So for 6 nights down in OC MD you would pay around $1200 just for hotel room. For $500 more going to WDW (free Dining) We are staying at ASMO for 6 nights, Airfare, dining, 2 6day hopper passes and using ME, and WDW transport.So I still think Disney is a good deal. keeping tickets to use later have APs. ( Going Aug 16th)

We are also DVC members as well (going in Oct DVC). So our APS are still good on this trip need ticket for my son. Using a 6 day ticket for his admission.Only thing we need to pay for is our DDP and gas because we are driving down. ABout 500 dollars for gas and 800 for DDP. So our Oct trip is 1300. Once you get past a certain point in owning DVC resort rooms are sortof free in a round about way.

Total $3000 2 trips to WDW (8/16 to 8/22 and 10/15 to 10/22) Need money for souvies also but. Most of the major expenses are paid.

2 Weeks in OC MD just for hotel $2800.

I still think WDW is good deal.

 

[TSM1993]

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.

 

[Jill-in-MN]

I am being required to take a one-month leave from my job this December. When I found out about the leave, I started looking at week-long vacations at all-inclusive resorts (in warm places). I did a lot of research and factoring in all of the costs, Disney (with the dining plan) was a lot less expensive than almost every thing else I looked at. We had made a trip to Disney last year, and I felt like we should try something new. But in the end, Disney won hands down.

Do I wish the prices were lower? Sure. But I still think it's one of the better values for what you're getting out of your vacation dollar.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

The way I look at it, many people spend $70+ per person to go to a concert, theater, sports event, etc. where the show lasts a few hours. For that same $70+ I could go to a Disney park and spend the whole day and evening!

I'm starting to feel this way, too. I spent $127.50 per ticket to see Aerosmith last year. And someone mentioned $26 for a Mickey t-shirt. I always buy a concert t-shirt and I've never spent less than $35.

Now that I think about it, I went to 6 concerts last year...about 12-18 hours total...tickets + souvenirs = $1480.00. I could have spent a week at Disney for that amount of money!

I just came back from Chicago as well...I think the cheapest meal I had there was $22. And that wasn't even a fancy one. I was lucky enough to stay with family, but I'd researched hotels, and the cheapest I found were $220/night - 3-star hotels at best. So frankly, after that, Disney is looking a bit inexpensive to me

 

[mickeyholic]

They do keep raising prices and we continue to go... We love it... But, with the price of gas, we are rethinking our trip, possibly going from moderate to value and shortening the length of stay... Discounts are never during the summer months... we can only go when kids are out of school...disney knows we are addicted to them and we will come no matter what...

 

[mrsltg]

Of course they are raising their prices. The current economic situation forces their hand. Look at all of the buses they have. The boats. The delivery trucks. These things don't run on pixie dust. The cost of fuel impacts their bottom line, too. The cost of electricity hits them hard. They may have their own power supply but it costs Disney to run it. Food prices have gone up due to inclimate weather in other parts of the country. If Disney wants to provide fresh produce on its buffets, prices are going to go up. This doesn't seem outrageous to me.

I'm a fan of capitalism. If Disney gets out of hand in their pricing they will suffer for it. Thus far it hasn't happened. I cruised DCL two years ago. I didn't feel the value was worth the price therefore it's likely I won't cruise them again. If enough people feel similarly there will be a change. If not, things will be status quo. No big deal. WDW is not a right.

 

[Fourfun]

Sometimes, I wish we lived in Florida. Then at least we woudn't have airfare expense and we could get a Florida resident discount! LOL!!! Seriously, I do think their prices are outrageous, but not any worse than any other vacation. We went to Gulf Shores Alabama two summers ago for about a week, and spent about $2000(and that was just to lay on the beach plus we drove). We went to Disney in June and spent about $3500 total, which included airfare(for 4 people), park tickets, food, hotel, and miscellaneous. For all the entertainment, the price is really not bad. I am planning a trip for me and the kids next October, so hopefully airfare won't be too bad. We really wouldn't have the time to drive since our vacation will be not as long as the last one. My husband thinks Mickey is draining our wallet, but I will have two part time jobs this fall, so I am using the money from that to help pay for our trip. My kids love it so much, and they are only young once. Might as well enjoy it while we can!!!

These are my thoughts exactly .. the last 2 years in a row we have drove to the beach in North Carolina... and we spent over $3000 on just the house to rent for 7 nights... (no food.. gas.. and hotel stay for the way down included)
and we did the samething every single day.. Lay around the beach..)
am going to Disney in 4 days... staying for 10 nights at the POR..
free dining .. park tickets w/hoppers... Family of 4.. all ages 10 and over..
We are flying and this trip was only $3600 And we get to do something different everyday... In vacation $$ standards.. Disney isnt all that bad...

 

[mkingdon]

I guess the uk visitors are not the biggest part of Disney's considerations as we won't be as big a chunk of their profits as the US ones....but here's a view from one UK visitor of around 12 trips.

WDW is unique. Simple as that.

The customer service, atmosphere and experience cannot be found anywhere else (that I know of).

To travel to Florida from the UK is expensive, then to hire a car, rent a villa/room....it all adds up. For example for our next trip starting on the 13th of August, getting there, having a car and a place to sleep for 2 weeks will cost us $6650.

So yes, that takes some saving.

With the very good exchange rate now, the easiest thing to swallow is the cost of things once we get there.

Park tickets are not expensive IMHO. We can get 14 day tickets for $285 each for adults...great value!!

Yes, Disney food is "expensive" compared to off site eateries, so you make a choice as to how many on-site meals you have. Eating off site...is very,very cheap compared to the UK.

For my family of four I would pay around $120 for a three course meal in an average standard restaurant in the UK. We can eat at the same standard or better in Orlando for $60-70 or less.

You think petrol (gas) is expensive in the US......it's getting truly scary here I like buying gas in the US

So I can see WDW prices going up, but we love it, don't want to go anywhere else, and we'll amend our trips as and when we can't afford certain things. This time we're eating on-site much less for example.

Craig

 

[DVC Jen]

I guess this just validates the DVC selling point that room prices (and ticket prices too) will go up, but once you buy into DVC the room price is set. Man I love that DVC

I totally agree! Makes it kinda silly to NOT buy into DVC.. especially if you know you are going every year.

 

[patsal]

I think the prices are in line with what the customers will pay or the increases wouldn't be happening. I believe a significant number of people were spoiled by all the great deals on lodging expenses the first 3-4 years after 9/11 when the travel indusrty was hurting. The only reason to offer discounts is if there are empty rooms the lack of discounts shows there is not a lack of tourists.
As for the other travel options well we've tried them before and found that every vacation we spent the same amount of money but didn't have anywhere near the amount of fun and flexibility for the price. DVC has pretty much sheltered us from resort price increases, but ticket prices are fair, and from the wear and tear and downright abuse that was given to many of the attractions by many visitors while we were there the last two weeks of July it is no wonder they have to raise ticket prices to keep up with necessary maintainence. I'm hoping that the increase will result in better upkeep and more CM's.

 

[faindrops27]

Prices are getting high, and I am losing my husbands grandeur for even wanting to go. We spent 6000, in October, on our family of 5, to go to disney for 10 days, a few ts meals, mostly cs meals. He says he rather take two cruises. Then to spend the money on Disney. I dont know, I love Disney, so I will keep on trying to go, at least every other year. If, the prices get to bad, maybe it will be every 3 years. With sme cruises in between.

 

[micksterlee]

I just checked out a quote for POP for the two of us April 7-11th with 3 day park hoppers no dining and it came up around 1050.00. We want to go to watch our daughter play in the parade on Easter Sunday but at that price may just have to hear her tell us about it when she gets home.

 

[tomerin]

recently i had to go to rhode island for my neices wedding and i stayed at a local motel there, a holiday inn. the rate was 149. when we walked into the room i was so disgusted with just how drab and dreary the room was. my DW looked at me and said "this isnt even close to anything WDW offers. this room almost cost us what we paid for the WL". you would think for the price you would get at the very least some decent service. not here. the next day we went to a local amusement park and paid 40 dollars each for each ticket for lines that were long, rides un-imaginative without any theming at all and a place that was definitly lacking in cleanliness.

another reason i dont think WDW places, prices are too out of whack is saturday night my DW and myself to go to Outback steakhouse for dinner. the total cost for our dinner with one drink each was 65 dollars. i know it really isnt an extravagent amount for a nice dinner here on long island but it seems in line with WDW prices in most resturants.

yes a WDW vacation is expensive, especially if you have two teen age eating machine DS's but what WDW offers us in the way of a total vacation experience is worth it to us

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I just posted in the Budget forum that my upcoming trip will actually cost LESS than an equivalent trip I took 4 years ago (both value resorts, same time of year, one more night this time, and Free Food!). I paid about $10 more for the trip in 2002, without adding in food costs, so I'm making out pretty well this year! I was a little shocked to realize this, as I do know prices have increased.

At the same time, I'm noticing prices going up everywhere, not just WDW. Our first trip in 2002, I was a little freaked out by the dining costs, but it's beginning to cost almost as much for a "good" (certainly not gourmet) meal here in our area. Nowadays I look at our local prices and tell myself I'd rather bank that cash toward more fun at WDW.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

If the Crystal Palace (or any character meal) is more than you want to spend, don't sweat it. You can meet the characters in the parks and eat a CS meal. The Pooh characters are in the 100 acre wood across from the Winnie the Pooh ride. There are plenty of other characters in Toontown Fair, near the entrance, etc, and other areas in the other parks. It is not required to eat at a character meal to meet characters or have a good time.

We have discussed trying other vacations with the girls now that they are a little older. When we price those trips they are more expensive than what we can do at WDW. And we are practically assured of having a great vacation there. We will be going somewhere else next summer and I am leery about it.

 

[Karibeth19]

Even with the price increase, Magic Your Way tickets are still cheaper than the old ticket pricing structure. In 2004, we paid $861 for 2 adult and 1 child 7 day park hoppers. In 2005, we paid $673 for 7 day MYW tickets w/ park hopping. For our Nov. trip, the price will be $758. More than last year, yes, but still less than the old tickets used to cost, which makes the price increase a little less difficult for me to bear.

 

[Poohbear123]

The way I look at it, many people spend $70+ per person to go to a concert, theater, sports event, etc. where the show lasts a few hours. For that same $70+ I could go to a Disney park and spend the whole day and evening!

Thats for sure, and get FREE Fireworks and FREE Entertainment, well, thats how I look at it! Guess what: IT WILL STILL BE CROWDED DURING PEAK TIMES!

 

[Karnak]

I think WDW prices are reasonable, especially when one considers all the things Disney does to make for a great vacation. Like transportation, landscaping, fireworks, upgrading resorts, maintance on all those attractions, and security inside all of WDW, making for a safe vacation for all. Seems like a bargain to me.

Enjoy.

 

[Simba22]

Something else just popped into my head....Another thing that makes Disney worth every cent is the fact that there is always something new to do or see....it's always changing! I've been there 4 times and still have not done everything! You can't say that about any other theme park...much less the movies!

And as a side note, I have never come across a dirty bathroom in WDW

 

[Simba22]

We have discussed trying other vacations with the girls now that they are a little older. When we price those trips they are more expensive than what we can do at WDW. And we are practically assured of having a great vacation there. We will be going somewhere else next summer and I am leery about it.

I had to laugh when I read this because my mom suggested doing a "family vacation" next summer to the Bahamas. The first thing out of my mouth when she said that was "what are we going to do there? There are no characters or anything!" Keep in mind, that I am 23 years old