Does Disney care less about DVC members now?

[Sandisw]

$6000?! $12000?! This is insane. Does that even include food? Go on a cruise. For a family of 4, you can get on a cruise for a week for less than $6000. I recommend Princess. Or Royal. Or Carnival. Any line but Disney. We’re going on a 10 night Caribbean Christmas cruise with Holland America for $8000 for 5 people. A Christmas cruise. Which are always overpriced. That’s with their unlimited drink package and $200 per person for excursions and tips. Disney is making a fool of every one of us who continues to over pay for their sub par vacations.

Yes, it’s expensive and we have adapted to those changing costs, but for us, it’s still a wonderful and relaxing experience that gets us away from our day to day.

So no, those of us who still enjoy Disney are not fools.

 

[Chuck S]

So, Disney is roughtly $1000 to $1500 per person. But also figure the average length of stay is 4 to 5 days. Good seats in a statdium at a major fottball game will cost upwords of $350, when you figure food, and that is only for a few hours of entertainment. and no overniight accomodations. Add another $150 to $200 per night for a hotel room. That's about the same as a balcony cabin on a 5 day cruise on Carnival out of Galveston, by the time you add in shore excursions and such.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Glad it worked for you I did a mobile order, my friend did a regular walk-up order. He received his food abiut 15 minutes before I did at the Connections Cafe I'll be using walk up from now on.

If nothing else, it's nice being able to choose!

 

[tjkraz]

$6000?! $12000?! This is insane. Does that even include food? Go on a cruise. For a family of 4, you can get on a cruise for a week for less than $6000. I recommend Princess. Or Royal. Or Carnival. Any line but Disney. We’re going on a 10 night Caribbean Christmas cruise with Holland America for $8000 for 5 people. A Christmas cruise. Which are always overpriced. That’s with their unlimited drink package and $200 per person for excursions and tips. Disney is making a fool of every one of us who continues to over pay for their sub par vacations.

Regarding the poster who cited $12,000: It's for a 16 night stay during summer vacation months with some portion of the stay in 800 sq ft One Bedroom Villas. Also includes food costs and $2k for transportation. Not really an apples-to-apples for your 10 night cruise.

Frequent visits to any destination are bound to produce an element of fatigue. 1/3 of the Disney trip cost is for admission to the theme parks. That includes access to dozens of themed attractions, live stage shows, a wilderness safari, parades, fireworks, etc. Nothing on your cruise compares to what the 4 WDW theme parks have to offer. But that's where the fatigue part comes into play. It's easy to say "meh, I've done all that stuff before...it's not worth $4000 to my family!" Of course, if you take that same Caribbean cruise 5 or 10 times, it's probably going to grow old too.

Most DVC members made this commitment because of the repeat appeal of the parks. And for those who are feeling some element of fatigue, fortunately there are other destinations available, as well as a clear path to exit.

 

[New Mouse]

Regarding the poster who cited $12,000: It's for a 16 night stay during summer vacation months with some portion of the stay in 800 sq ft One Bedroom Villas. Also includes food costs and $2k for transportation. Not really an apples-to-apples for your 10 night cruise.

Frequent visits to any destination are bound to produce an element of fatigue. 1/3 of the Disney trip cost is for admission to the theme parks. That includes access to dozens of themed attractions, live stage shows, a wilderness safari, parades, fireworks, etc. Nothing on your cruise compares to what the 4 WDW theme parks have to offer. But that's where the fatigue part comes into play. It's easy to say "meh, I've done all that stuff before...it's not worth $4000 to my family!" Of course, if you take that same Caribbean cruise 5 or 10 times, it's probably going to grow old too.

Most DVC members made this commitment because of the repeat appeal of the parks. And for those who are feeling some element of fatigue, fortunately there are other destinations available, as well as a clear path to exit.

The shows on the cruise ships and often times the food outshine Disney. Disney has not been top notch for many many years now which is why the pricing is laughable.

 

[mom2missmous]

Regarding the poster who cited $12,000: It's for a 16 night stay during summer vacation months with some portion of the stay in 800 sq ft One Bedroom Villas. Also includes food costs and $2k for transportation. Not really an apples-to-apples for your 10 night cruise.

Frequent visits to any destination are bound to produce an element of fatigue. 1/3 of the Disney trip cost is for admission to the theme parks. That includes access to dozens of themed attractions, live stage shows, a wilderness safari, parades, fireworks, etc. Nothing on your cruise compares to what the 4 WDW theme parks have to offer. But that's where the fatigue part comes into play. It's easy to say "meh, I've done all that stuff before...it's not worth $4000 to my family!" Of course, if you take that same Caribbean cruise 5 or 10 times, it's probably going to grow old too.

Most DVC members made this commitment because of the repeat appeal of the parks. And for those who are feeling some element of fatigue, fortunately there are other destinations available, as well as a clear path to exit.

And some of us find value in just the beautiful resorts alone! If you get bored with your own resort, then you can try another one at 7 month window (depending on availability of course.)

 

[BroganMc]

No I do not find that Disney has lost its magic. I resent all the money grubbing and I think park reservations are absolutely ridiculous, but I don't mind the use of MDE on my phone. I was always in on the flag planner and MDE actually makes it easier for me. I know what the crowd is doing based on the wait times. I can mobile order my food without having to stand in line.

I don't think the resorts have lost their charm at all. I don't like some of the remodel but most of it I really enjoy.

Crowds have always been at Disney. I used to go for New Year's every year for 10 years. I know Disney crowds. And yet you can still have a good vacation, you just know how to handle a crowded park.

It doesn't require any planning or any money other than a park ticket to walk in and enjoy a festivity. Epcot is absolutely beautiful right now at the height of flower and Garden festival season. One day last week my sister and I spent the entire afternoon just going on an Easter egg hunt through the countries. The cost of that was $10 for a map that gave us a prize at the end. But we didn't need the map. We could just hunt for the eggs on our own. And we took time out of our hunt to enjoy a concert by the Pointer Sisters. Then we topped off our night with Harmonious, one of the best fireworks and light displays I've ever seen.

Sometimes people get burned out of a particular vacation destination. When I was a kid my family went to the beach every single summer. Nowhere else, just the beach. I was so sick of it by the time I was in college I didn't want to go anywhere near the place. I would stay home and play video games instead of go to the beach. Fortunately I grew out of that phase and now I appreciate our beach vacations. You just have to shake it up.

One of the reasons why I have Marriott and Disney vacation club is so that I can have different kinds of vacations. I just got back from 10 days in Disney World. Next month I will spend a week in Williamsburg, Virginia. One trip has me going on roller coasters and the other has me talking to historical reenactors.

This is why DVC offers exchange programs so that you can do other things than theme parks.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

For those DVCers that are all talking jumping ship. Is it solely the loss of AP access? If one goes once a year for extended time, a 10dy really isn't more than AP. I can see those going 2-3 a year it really affects, but not the yearly.

I think that's what Disney is trying to figure out the sweet spot with DVCers too; offer APs vs encourage yearly visits instead and concentrate the spending and boost the per person spend in park to address overcrowding

The big cost difference is being able to do 2 vacations of 10 days so every other year the tickets are "free". Just have to go back 10 days sooner then you went last year.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

I will add this is not causing me to jump ship , just stating why I like the AP. Even if it didn't have a DVC discount.

 

[tidefan]

So a 'thinking out loud' post...

Just a thought about the "crowding" of the parks over the past few years and what Disney has been able to see in their numbers. I wonder how much this was affected by the lack of alternative vacation options, especially in 2021/2022?

My main thought here is cruising. Cruises are really picking up steam in 2023 compared to the past few years. Probably because a) it took a long time for companies to get all of their ships back online, b) the drop of all vaccination restrictions not to mention the dropping of required testing prior to a cruise, and c) the return of airline capacity to get people from point A to point B.

In 2021/2022, cruising was very suppressed. I mean I went on an Oasis of the Seas cruise in early 2022 that only had 30% capacity. That has changed. Everything is back at 100% and that has meant a much larger degree of vacation choice for people that Disney Parks have to compete with. I mean in 2021/2022 Disney was a much easier vacation to do because of the lack of alternatives. Now, there are a lot more choices for people. I wonder how that will affect the overall picture.

 

[Sandisw]

So a 'thinking out loud' post...

Just a thought about the "crowding" of the parks over the past few years and what Disney has been able to see in their numbers. I wonder how much this was affected by the lack of alternative vacation options, especially in 2021/2022?

My main thought here is cruising. Cruises are really picking up steam in 2023 compared to the past few years. Probably because a) it took a long time for companies to get all of their ships back online, b) the drop of all vaccination restrictions not to mention the dropping of required testing prior to a cruise, and c) the return of airline capacity to get people from point A to point B.

In 2021/2022, cruising was very suppressed. I mean I went on an Oasis of the Seas cruise in early 2022 that only had 30% capacity. That has changed. Everything is back at 100% and that has meant a much larger degree of vacation choice for people that Disney Parks have to compete with. I mean in 2021/2022 Disney was a much easier vacation to do because of the lack of alternatives. Now, there are a lot more choices for people. I wonder how that will affect the overall picture.

More options for travel could certainly play a role in someone not being a repeat visitor as much as in the past.

But, a cruise or an other choice is not going to give you the same thing as a trip to WDW.

I was talking to a few different people on my last trip and many of them were first time visitors who said this is a one time trip for now and it wouldn’t be on the plans in the future wit the cost.

But, some said they had planned this during the past few years to make it happen.

So, it may take a long time for things to get to a point to impact overall crowds.

 

[Chuck S]

And not all cruisers are comfortable yett with cruising, given the mechanical issues many ships seem to be having after being shut down for so long, and there have been complaints about food services, and things, too. I was planning a cruise with a goroup of about 10 people, but in the end, we all decided to wait a while longer, but we have been to Disney World.

 

[tidefan]

More options for travel could certainly play a role in someone not being a repeat visitor as much as in the past.

But, a cruise or an other choice is not going to give you the same thing as a trip to WDW.

I was talking to a few different people on my last trip and many of them were first time visitors who said this is a one time trip for now and it wouldn’t be on the plans in the future wit the cost.

But, some said they had planned this during the past few years to make it happen.

So, it may take a long time for things to get to a point to impact overall crowds.

Yes, but cruising is now operating at 100% occupancy and those people are cruising vs. other options, among them WDW.

Now is it a significant percentage? Probably not, just saying that there are a lot more options (you could also include international destinations in this) for someone’s vacation dollar than was maybe available in the last couple of years.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, but cruising is now operating at 100% occupancy and those people are cruising vs. other options, among them WDW.

Now is it a significant percentage? Probably not, just saying that there are a lot more options (you could also include international destinations in this) for someone’s vacation dollar than was maybe available in the last couple of years.

Sure, I am sure some cruisers are WDW visitors but not understanding why you think there is a correlation there.

Most people I know thar are cruise people, simply didn’t travel much until the cruises were back as an option. So, I don’t think an increase in that is going to change things because prior to Covid, both industries had a healthy travel market.

 

[tidefan]

Sure, I am sure some cruisers are WDW visitors but not understanding why you think there is a correlation there.

Most people I know thar are cruise people, simply didn’t travel much until the cruises were back as an option. So, I don’t think an increase in that is going to change things because prior to Covid, both industries had a healthy travel market.

Not specifically talking about cruising, all I am saying is that as more things have opened up, there are a lot more travel options available to people. Just look at hotel occupancy in Europe this year vs. the last few years. It seems that 2023 is the first "normalized" year we've had. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

 

[Sandisw]

Not specifically talking about cruising, all I am saying is that as more things have opened up, there are a lot more travel options available to people. Just look at hotel occupancy in Europe this year vs. the last few years. It seems that 2023 is the first "normalized" year we've had. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Got ya! But my point was that prior to Covid all those things existed and the parks had no problem filling up.

The way I see it is that WDW was fortunate that it was able to maintain things while the other industries, like cruising, could not.

So, I just don’t see those things playing a role in changing who will or will not be visiting WDW.

 

[tidefan]

Got ya! But my point was that prior to Covid all those things existed and the parks had no problem filling up.

The way I see it is that WDW was fortunate that it was able to maintain things while the other industries, like cruising, could not.

So, I just don’t see those things playing a role in changing who will or will not be visiting WDW.

Yes, but prior to COVID we had APs, hotel discounts, etc, and they also didn't have 6-7% inflationary headwinds.

At this time, there are hotel discounts again to be had this summer, so there must be a demand lull, at least there.

I just think that Disney is in a transitional phase now trying to find its way out of the Chapek era and also the best way to navigate the post-COVID environment. DVC sales are definitely not what they were in 2019 so that may be the canary in the coal mine, or, it may not. I just think that the next 2 years are going to be fascinating to see what they do...

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, but prior to COVID we had APs, hotel discounts, etc, and they also didn't have 6-7% inflationary headwinds.

At this time, there are hotel discounts again to be had this summer, so there must be a demand lull, at least there.

I just think that Disney is in a transitional phase now trying to find its way out of the Chapek era and also the best way to navigate the post-COVID environment. DVC sales are definitely not what they were in 2019 so that may be the canary in the coal mine, or, it may not. I just think that the next 2 years are going to be fascinating to see what they do...

Sure, those could all be reasons that there is an issue.

But I thought you were specifically discussing that since other industries were doing well, that would cause others to stop.

And, there have always Been summer discounts…we traveled exclusively then before DVC and most of my non DVC friends are teachers so what we see this summer is not new..might be a bit more but deals for travel then have always existed.

While I think the lack of APs is an issue for a subset of guests, some DVC owners included, I am not convinced that it is as big of a deal in the overall scheme of things that it is playing a huge role.

If it was, we’d have access to them. We don’t because they don’t need or want more APs in the traditional sense out there.

I have one but some of our family does not. Our plan is to simply make it worth with multi day tickets as best we can if they don’t come back..so some after hour events if they exist, skip the park hopping option and staying in the parks longer and then skipping a day during our trip.

I’ve been a lot in the last year..and crowds are there.

Now, DVC sales are down, but IMO, it is an economic reason based on what is happening today and not because of necessarily decisions made by Disney.

 

[tidefan]

Sure, those could all be reasons that there is an issue.

But I thought you were specifically discussing that since other industries were doing well, that would cause others to stop.

And, there have always Been summer discounts…we traveled exclusively then before DVC and most of my non DVC friends are teachers so what we see this summer is not new..might be a bit more but deals for travel then have always existed.

While I think the lack of APs is an issue for a subset of guests, some DVC owners included, I am not convinced that it is as big of a deal in the overall scheme of things that it is playing a huge role.

If it was, we’d have access to them. We don’t because they don’t need or want more APs in the traditional sense out there.

I have one but some of our family does not. Our plan is to simply make it worth with multi day tickets as best we can if they don’t come back..so some after hour events if they exist, skip the park hopping option and staying in the parks longer and then skipping a day during our trip.

I’ve been a lot in the last year..and crowds are there.

Now, DVC sales are down, but IMO, it is an economic reason based on what is happening today and not because of necessarily decisions made by Disney.

No, the point was just that there is a lot more competition/options this year for a family’s vacation dollar compared to the last couple of years. Disney (and Universal) being drivable and open gave them a leg up the last couple of years. I’m not saying that people are going to stop going to WDW, but it may have been the best choice they had over the last couple of years and now you have more choices. Look, it may not affect WDW one bit, but then again, it could. All I was saying was it will be interesting to see how the next couple of years shake out.

 

[Sandisw]

No, the point was just that there is a lot more competition/options this year for a family’s vacation dollar compared to the last couple of years. Disney (and Universal) being drivable and open gave them a leg up the last couple of years. I’m not saying that people are going to stop going to WDW, but it may have been the best choice they had over the last couple of years and now you have more choices. Look, it may not affect WDW one bit, but then again, it could. All I was saying was it will be I retesting to see how the next couple of years shake out.

I guess since these options were all there before, I am not not sure why there would be any different type of impact now vs when they were an option a few years ago.…and WDW had great attendance