Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation

[lowlight]

What’s happening at Disney is just a minor parallel to what’s happening everywhere in the world in all sectors. Capitalism is reaching the unsustainable stage, where year over year growth cannot be accomplished without either charging ridiculously more or lowering quality, or in many instances, both. People pay more and get less for everything they eat, drink, touch, wear, drive- you name it, it’s worse and more expensive than ever.

That alone isn’t a new development, but the economy isn’t doing well for the bottom 90%. New millionaires and billionaires are being printed daily, but that money is coming from the bottom 90% who are finding they are worse off than their parents, and most of their grandparents were as well, despite having a “higher education” and a white collar job.

Why is Disney seemingly still busy? Well, the top 10% are doing so well, they can take 3 trips a year now. They buy every add on that lets them skip lines, sit in good places for fireworks, and have a party at the TOTWL. This is what Disney wanted, to focus on them and not the AP holders. They promised us higher prices would result in allowing them to lower attendance and keep their bottom line upwards. Instead they now act like they have no control over attendance- we tried to price them out and they still came, not our fault.

I used to think Disney was going to suffer in the long run, but they have all the data and are much smarter than I am. They know they can survive off just the 10%- if the rest of us want to go it’s just icing on the cake. If not, they truly, seriously do not care how many people we tell negative things to, we are of no consequence anymore.

As someone with many in family in the trades, many contractors recently started modeling their entire business around the wealthy- they won’t even consider you as a client. The wealth gap is going to eat this world alive, it has in the past and it will in the future. It’s showing its ugly head in discretionary spending first, because that’s the part most people can live without.

 

[Brian Noble]

I took that to mean that they were focusing first on the well-off families who could afford their prices. The annual passholders (and IMHO, Floridians and those within a short drive) who stay less and spend less are used to fill in the gaps.

As @tjkraz points out, I don't think this is particularly new.

I haven't looked at this for several years now, but back in the day, there was a very curious pricing pattern at the resorts. During late winter and spring, the Deluxe resorts were near peak pricing---second only to the December holidays. But, during summer, the Values and Mods were near peak pricing, while the Deluxes were relatively affordable.

My guess as to why that was so: the winter/spring crowd is flying in from the cold weather states, and those folks were in a position to spend money, because they were already springing for airfare. The summer was dominated by drive-to folks, because that's the one time of year it's actually nice to be up here in the otherwise frozen tundra.

 

[Cfabar1]

That said, there are areas where Disney could/should "take one for the team" and add some value. I've never really understood why resort package delivery hasn't returned. Everyone has that moment where they decide not to buy something because they don't want to carry it around. And then either forget to buy it later or change mind. I'm sure it's a logistical headache to manage, but at worst, it has to come pretty close to paying for itself.

Yes, I agree with this... Some of the "value adds" I believe that Disney over the years took away probably at worst paid for themselves, and at best made them a little bit of money. Another opportunity is the kids club/babysitting space. Swolphin has been able to keep making it work, even though Disney exited the space years ago....Even if every resort didn't have it, at least take some space at GF or Contemporary to allow those high end Deluxe MK resort guests to have a place to drop off the kids while they go to V&A...

 

[dreamer17555]

The loss of the childcare programs at Disney I am still sad about even though my children are well past that age. My DD23 loved Neverland Club at the Poly and going through "window" to enter. My son 17 just reminded me the other day about Pixar Playzone at the Contemporary and he also did another one with Capt hook stopping by and the kids hunting for treasure at Y&B Club.

As adults I loved the being able to have a wonderful adult only dinner and my kids both loved just being and playing with other kids. Disney can be overwhelming and the kids club spaces actually gave them a place to just play without being rushed from one attraction to the next...

Sad how many things Disney has taken away that always seems to at least break even with costs and improved the experience for guests.

 

[RickNJane]

It more people take kids under age 5 then every before and more people keep strollers for kids up to age 8-10 when you use to never really see strollers past age 4.

Agreed. Too many strollers. Our 4 year old DGD walked all over the parks. Never once complained. Kids today need more exercise, not more excuses to be couch potatos.

 

[lentesta]

Wouldn’t someone over 10 being classified as an “adult” have a little to do with that as well? There’s only a 7 year window where a guest could qualify for a “kids” ticket.

Yeah, that could be one adult and one child too. Good point.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Agreed. Too many strollers. Our 4 year old DGD walked all over the parks. Never once complained. Kids today need more exercise, not more excuses to be couch potatos.

We ditched the stroller when my youngest was 5 , except one halloween party (Since i knew hew would end up falling asleep and he did) and it was so freeing. I respect medical needs and such but that is not that majority.

 

[dreamer17555]

We ditched the stroller when my youngest was 5 , except one halloween party (Since i knew hew would end up falling asleep and he did) and it was so freeing. I respect medical needs and such but that is not that majority.

I wonder how much this ties in to WDW removing benches and places to just sit without purchasing anything.

I also could see parents bringing strollers to help carry purchases since front of park and to resort pickup is no longer offered... And Maybe because prices are so high guests are using strollers to help bring in more snacks and lunches. If you have a child who might want to use a stroller and have stuff you need to haul around why not bring it?

Also Disney was until the new DAS rules went into effect seen as one of the best places to bring a child who might have medical needs, so I could easily see more strollers for that than at a typical amusement park.

 

[Instagramhusband]

If I were them I would be concerned about giving park goers reasons to go, vs the cost to go. I think the cost is reasonable over all in relation to other trips/vacations. I am more concerned about things not running as they should when you are there.

Multiple attractions per park down for refurbishments at once. Things that were shut down post covid that have not come back and things have'nt replaced those losses, whether it was shows or parades or whatever. The other issue to me is food. I think in many cases Disney is ok selling less food/snacks because of service concerns. Raise the price to a level you make more per serving but have less people to serve.

The other issue is just competitors, like Universal making their parks more of a value proposition across the board with perks.

 

[LAS2AMS]

It’s just a silly debate. If Disney slashed ticket and hotel prices overnight, they’d sell out years in advance and we’d be complaining about the fairness. It’s classic supply and demand. As you can see on these forums, Disney has a huge fan base that will spend no matter the cost. They’re not all high income earners, they’re just people spending disproportionate amounts of their income on Disney.

Unlike in the 1990s, flights are inexpensive and jobs are plentiful in Orlando, enabling more frequent visits.

If you have a problem with what WDW costs, blame yourself and fellow Disney fanatics who dream of spending 365 days a year in the Bubble and will do anything to maximize your time spent there at any cost.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I wonder how much this ties in to WDW removing benches and places to just sit without purchasing anything.

I also could see parents bringing strollers to help carry purchases since front of park and to resort pickup is no longer offered... And Maybe because prices are so high guests are using strollers to help bring in more snacks and lunches. If you have a child who might want to use a stroller and have stuff you need to haul around why not bring it?

Also Disney was until the new DAS rules went into effect seen as one of the best places to bring a child who might have medical needs, so I could easily see more strollers for that than at a typical amusement park.

Because pushing a stroller around the park is miserable and all the back tracking you have to do to park it. Medical needs is totally different.

 

[dreamer17555]

Because pushing a stroller around the park is miserable and all the back tracking you have to do to park it. Medical needs is totally different.

Some folks enjoy using a stroller for their children... or they wouldn't use it. They must find it more useful to have it than to go without it and with how WDW has cut down on benches and places to just sit without purchasing something I can understand why some parents would rather have it.

No one is getting brownie points for making a 5 yo walk through the parks if it is making both the parent and child miserable. If a stroller is something you enjoy forgoing then you are in luck! no stroller for your family. Assuming all families need to do the same is where the issue arises.

 

[Instagramhusband]

It’s just a silly debate. If Disney slashed ticket and hotel prices overnight, they’d sell out years in advance and we’d be complaining about the fairness. It’s classic supply and demand. As you can see on these forums, Disney has a huge fan base that will spend no matter the cost. They’re not all high income earners, they’re just people spending disproportionate amounts of their income on Disney.

Unlike in the 1990s, flights are inexpensive and jobs are plentiful in Orlando, enabling more frequent visits.

If you have a problem with what WDW costs, blame yourself and fellow Disney fanatics who dream of spending 365 days a year in the Bubble and will do anything to maximize your time spent there at any cost.

This is undoubtedly true. My wife and I live well within our means at HOME. However, she has decided that 80 percent of her discretionary spending will go to frequent Disney trips. She spares little expense on the planning and the trips themselves.

 

[LAS2AMS]

This is undoubtedly true. My wife and I live well within our means at HOME. However, she has decided that 80 percent of her discretionary spending will go to frequent Disney trips. She spares little expense on the planning and the trips themselves.

We went to WDW twice per year in the 1990s. I spent middle and early high school on a diet of Mervyn’s brand $1 t-shirts and $5 Wrangler jeans from the outlet store. People thought we were poor but it was the sacrifices we made to go to WDW.

It’s disgusting to suggest only high income earners can vacation there - there bread and butter of WDW is a core group of guests who spend no matter what the cost.

The average WDW guest is staying and eating off property. They’re not buying LL and chasing trendy food and sourvineers.

 

[lowlight]

If you have a problem with what WDW costs, blame yourself and fellow Disney fanatics who dream of spending 365 days a year in the Bubble and will do anything to maximize your time spent there at any cost.

Yes, and if your gasoline costs too much, blame the Sunday drivers. If your groceries cost too much, blame the people who like to eat good food. Why are we excusing corporate greed and blaming the people who want to spend their money?

 

[LAS2AMS]

Yes, and if your gasoline costs too much, blame the Sunday drivers. If your groceries cost too much, blame the people who like to eat good food. Why are we excusing corporate greed and blaming the people who want to spend their money?

If you own a home, I assume you’re willing to sell
It at a deep discount so some Gen Z kid can afford it? It’s certainly not corporate greed to sell a product for what demand warrants.

And yes, you can blame the Disney fanatics for running up the prices at WDW. The only reason WDW hotels cost so much is because people want them bad enough they’re willing to pay. Stop paying and the prices will come down.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Some folks enjoy using a stroller for their children... or they wouldn't use it. They must find it more useful to have it than to go without it and with how WDW has cut down on benches and places to just sit without purchasing something I can understand why some parents would rather have it.

No one is getting brownie points for making a 5 yo walk through the parks if it is making both the parent and child miserable. If a stroller is something you enjoy forgoing then you are in luck! no stroller for your family. Assuming all families need to do the same is where the issue arises.

Actually my friend complains all the time about pushing a stroller but she won't get rid of it because she is afraid then her kids will want it even though they barely use it.

 

[dreamer17555]

Actually my friend complains all the time about pushing a stroller but she won't get rid of it because she is afraid then her kids will want it even though they barely use it.

But that’s her personal choice. She’s an adult who can make those decisions if she doesn’t feel like a stroller is good for her and her family, she will stop using it. If not, she can choose to keep using it.

The idea that other people shouldn’t use strollers because some people find them inconvenient is kind of ridiculous.

We don’t tell people to stop eating chocolate just because I might personally not enjoy it

 

[kathy884]

I wonder how much this ties in to WDW removing benches and places to just sit without purchasing anything.

I was just at the MK last week after not having been there for six years. I'm so glad you mentioned this. I was looking all over for a nice bench to sit on to relax, eat a Mickey bar, people watch, and couldn't find any. I specifically looked at places I thought I remembered benches from past visits going back a long time and just didn't see those. I had to just sort of lean against something that just half my butt could fit on for short breaks which weren't nearly so pleasant as in the past. / Nice breaks meant lunch at Casey's Corner buying food and Dinner at the Polynesian - nice lobby there for relaxing. We did though spend big dollars for a birthday dinner at Ohana, and we are talking a good two and 1/2 hour break from the park in our case anyway for transportation and dinner.

Benches would have been so nice in more areas of the park for me. I did though at the end of the day while others were shopping get to sit in the Rocking chairs outside the little movie place on Mainstreet near the entrance of the park and that was nice.

 

[Cfabar1]

Much of the entertainment has gone away - no more parades at EPCOT and AK, much less streetmosphere entertainment.

Do people care? Does it just make things more crowded? Who can say...