Greedy Drawf

[sharonabe]

Want a car with leather seats? There's a charge for this.

Want to sit in first class? There's a charge for that, too.

These are EXTRAS. They're not denying anyone the opportunity to see fireworks because they didn't buy a special package. (This does not take into account hard-ticket parties, but nights when the fireworks are open with the park.) Shows and things with capacity are always subject to capacity.

AGREE!! None of the things being discussed here are an "upcharge." They are EXTRAS and everyone can choose to buy or not to buy. The only EXTRA that has any bearing on the general public are the number of party nights from Sept to Christmas. That's four months out of the year where everyone is getting less for the same amount of money. Yes, you can choose to go at another time, but four months is 1/3 of the year. Unfortunately, this is not likely to change since the parties are very lucrative for Disney and many more nights continue to sell out.

Oh, and as to the Star Wars/Marvel comments....both of those are now Disney! Disney owns them the same way they own Mickey and they have a right to put them in the parks.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I'm I the only one that thinks with the advent of all the extra cost of " add on " specialty services, price increases and the like, is making Disney seem greedy?
Seems like more & more things are becoming an " add on " I thought the days of ticket system were over. Want a good viewing of the fireworks? Sure pay $80 a person and we'll throw in a few snacks. Want to ensure you get a viewing of a show? Sure, make an advanced dinning reservation and pay for your family's character dinning experience & you get a so called " free " fast pass for the show.
I'm sure with in new renovations & installment of the gondola system we'll see a significant price point increase to certain " value & moderate " resorts.
Maybe I'm " wishing upon a star " here but I'm missing the Disney of the 90's where the " mouse " was king, not marvel, Star Wars and the like.

Some certainly agree with you.

I disagree completely. Opportunities to customize and upgrade our experience is an expectation of many consumers these days. We love it, as do many -- evidenced by how successful these up-sells are on the whole.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I beg to differ. While you don't have to choose to pay for a dessert party, $80 for a few pastries and a view of fireworks that you already paid for with your admission is a ripoff no matter how you look at it.

If you're a family of four, that's $320. No way can you say that someone is "cheap" for not wanting to spend that on top of what a Disney vacation costs without it.

It wasn't a "ripoff" for us. We purchased tickets to the Star Wars Galactic Dessert Party last year and enjoyed every minute of it! It was one of the highlights of our trip!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Nope. They're a business and nobody is being forced to buy anything.

I'm always surprised when people forget Disney is a business.

Exactly! And when people forget the basic rules of supply and demand

 

[KittyKitty]

I know if all the "extras" were included, the park ticket would be way higher(Is that possible?). I like having the choice to pay for what I want to do, and not pay for what I don't want to do. Most of this trip is with Newbies, and I am not doing anything extra. They will think WDW is special as is.

Tho I am thinking of getting dessert tickets for MK fireworks.

 

[Delirium]

A lot of you will probably disagree with this, but here goes.

1) It would be very interesting to see the percentage of Disney visitors approving of the up-charges based on size of travel party (where the same household is responsible for all finances of the trip). I think it's safe to say that parties of 1, 2, & 3 have less of an issue with the up-charges than parties of 4 & 5.

2) The reality is that the majority of posters on Disboards have greater financial flexibility to not only attend Disney more often than others, but would also be more apt to pay these up-charges. The percentage breakdown of actual Disney visitors that perceive these up-charges positively is nowhere nearly as high as the percentage of Disboards posters that do.

3) In theory, I have no problems at all with Dsiney finding creative ways to make money. If there is money to be made, go for it. My main issue is the rapid frequency in which these have been coming out over the last couple of years. Disney has to be very careful. When they offer something 'special' to one segment of the customer base, they are in essence taking away something from a different segment. And, yes, charging extra for prime fireworks viewing spots DOES negatively impact the customer segment that cannot afford the charge. They can no longer watch from that spot.

4) The very core of Disney's customer base has always been, and should always be, families with young children. That segment of the population is the least likely to be able to afford to pay for up-charges. Kids are expensive even without Disney. There's a tipping point that Disney does not want to reach where fewer kids between the ages of 3-8 can fully enjoy what the company has to offer. Each up-charge runs the risk of taking a little bit of the magic away from the majority of that group.

 

[~AristoCat~]

When it comes down to it I love Disney and I will continue to go so yes they will get my $$$, but they will only get my money on the things I feel that will provide me value in the end. Everyone has there on preferences when it comes down to it so that is why Disney offers so many things like this. Some people buy it and others don't. If enough people spend the money on something they will keep it and if something bombs they will get rid of it. They are a business and they want to make money in the end. I think they are doing just fine in that area so they are doing something right.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

A lot of you will probably disagree with this, but here goes.

1) It would be very interesting to see the percentage of Disney visitors approving of the up-charges based on size of travel party (where the same household is responsible for all finances of the trip). I think it's safe to say that parties of 1, 2, & 3 have less of an issue with the up-charges than parties of 4 & 5.

2) The reality is that the majority of posters on Disboards have greater financial flexibility to not only attend Disney more often than others, but would also be more apt to pay these up-charges. The percentage breakdown of actual Disney visitors that perceive these up-charges positively is nowhere nearly as high as the percentage of Disboards posters that do.

3) In theory, I have no problems at all with Dsiney finding creative ways to make money. If there is money to be made, go for it. My main issue is the rapid frequency in which these have been coming out over the last couple of years. Disney has to be very careful. When they offer something 'special' to one segment of the customer base, they are in essence taking away something from a different segment. And, yes, charging extra for prime fireworks viewing spots DOES negatively impact the customer segment that cannot afford the charge. They can no longer watch from that spot.

4) The very core of Disney's customer base has always been, and should always be, families with young children. That segment of the population is the least likely to be able to afford to pay for up-charges. Kids are expensive even without Disney. There's a tipping point that Disney does not want to reach where fewer kids between the ages of 3-8 can fully enjoy what the company has to offer. Each up-charge runs the risk of taking a little bit of the magic away from the majority of that group.

Not sure I'd agree with all of the reasoning here. All evidence so far is that people are eating up these add-ons.

And some have talked for YEARS on Dis about how Disney is going to reach some sort of "tipping point" with these up-sells. Clearly hasn't happened yet. Quite to the contrary, frequency of new offerings being introduced is increasing. And when/if it does hit some sort of "tipping point", there's every reason to be confident that they will adjust.

Hard to argue with results. Stock price is obviously not the full picture, but it is a pretty good data point as to whether a "tipping point" of ANY sort has been reached for a company.

 

[JerseyJanice]

It wasn't a "ripoff" for us. We purchased tickets to the Star Wars Galactic Dessert Party last year and enjoyed every minute of it! It was one of the highlights of our trip!

Once or twice a year, we go to a local MLB game. Tickets, food and drink easily cost us $250-$300 for the day. We enjoy it greatly, but I still think it's a ripoff.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Once or twice a year, we go to a local MLB game. Tickets, food and drink easily cost us $250-$300 for the day. We enjoy it greatly, but I still think it's a ripoff.

To me, there is a "fraud" or "not worth it" element to the word "ripoff"... otherwise it seems like you're just talking about something expensive...

rip-off
ˈrip ˌôf/
noun
informal
noun: ripoff

1. a fraud or swindle, especially something that is grossly overpriced.
   "designer label clothes are just expensive rip-offs"
   synonyms: fraud, cheat, deception, swindle, confidence trick

 

[MandLBee]

A lot of you will probably disagree with this, but here goes.

1) It would be very interesting to see the percentage of Disney visitors approving of the up-charges based on size of travel party (where the same household is responsible for all finances of the trip). I think it's safe to say that parties of 1, 2, & 3 have less of an issue with the up-charges than parties of 4 & 5.

2) The reality is that the majority of posters on Disboards have greater financial flexibility to not only attend Disney more often than others, but would also be more apt to pay these up-charges. The percentage breakdown of actual Disney visitors that perceive these up-charges positively is nowhere nearly as high as the percentage of Disboards posters that do.

3) In theory, I have no problems at all with Dsiney finding creative ways to make money. If there is money to be made, go for it. My main issue is the rapid frequency in which these have been coming out over the last couple of years. Disney has to be very careful. When they offer something 'special' to one segment of the customer base, they are in essence taking away something from a different segment. And, yes, charging extra for prime fireworks viewing spots DOES negatively impact the customer segment that cannot afford the charge. They can no longer watch from that spot.

4) The very core of Disney's customer base has always been, and should always be, families with young children. That segment of the population is the least likely to be able to afford to pay for up-charges. Kids are expensive even without Disney. There's a tipping point that Disney does not want to reach where fewer kids between the ages of 3-8 can fully enjoy what the company has to offer. Each up-charge runs the risk of taking a little bit of the magic away from the majority of that group.

I have no problem with Disney doing whatever they want. I am free to participate or not, so that's what I want to say at the outset.
I agree with all your points!
1. We are a family of 7. We already have to do several things differently to enjoy a Disney vacation. We are tent camping to be able to afford staying on a Disney property, which will afford us a more enjoyable park experience overall. It's a trade-off because sleeping basically outside for five nights is tiring. But I have too many people to stay anywhere on property for under $350/night in the same room/s guaranteed.
2. We have a 2-3 year savings and points and discounts time frame to work with, not a lot of financial wiggle room. So yeah, it's a wonderful splurge but we have to wait and plan and save.
3. The parties DO take away from families like mine. We have ONE day to do Magic Kingdom on a five night/6 day stay where there isn't a party or we aren't setting up/taking down camp. One. The other three nights are party nights. And we also do not eat desserts or grains so the dessert parties with the prime viewing spots are a complete waste of money for us. Again, that's not Disney's problem, but it's disappointing to be kept out of certain things by cost or content or exclusivity.
4. Yes. The more the company decides to "Upsell the Magic" the more disappointing to those who can't pay for it. A park day without hopper is already $7-800 for our family. Thinking I should be able to access everything for nearly One Grand doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

 

[Delirium]

Not sure I'd agree with all of the reasoning here. All evidence so far is that people are eating up these add-ons.

And some have talked for YEARS on Dis about how Disney is going to reach some sort of "tipping point" with these up-sells. Clearly hasn't happened yet. Quite to the contrary, frequency of new offerings being introduced is increasing. And when/if it does hit some sort of "tipping point", there's every reason to be confident that they will adjust.

Hard to argue with results. Stock price is obviously not the full picture, but it is a pretty good data point.
View attachment 244984

Disney's stock price is infinitely more impacted by opening new gates (like Shanghai) and upgrading the core of their existing gates (Pandora, Toy Story, and Star Wars) than it is by some dessert party upcharge.

And, yes, Disney can enhance the overall experience without upcharging. The Food & Wine Festival is perfect example. It's evolved over time to bring hundreds of thousand of extra visitors to WDW without a special upcharge, and without taking away anything from another segment of the customer base.

Edit: And Disney is not the only stock price that has increased significantly since 2010. Let's not overreact to what that means.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney's stock price is infinitely more impacted by opening new gates (like Shanghai) and upgrading the core of their existing gates (Pandora, Toy Story, and Star Wars) than it is by some dessert party upcharge.

OK. Then define "tipping point" for me, as it relates to "some dessert party upcharge" or the like? Either it has a significant impact at some point or it doesn't.... if the latter, no "tipping point".

And, yes, Disney can enhance the overall experience without upcharging.

Yes!! Indeed!! And it can do it WITH charging extra AS WELL! Both!

 

[shaycamp21]

I do get what the OP is saying. The thing is upcharges to me have gotten out of hand and yes I realize Disney is a business to make money but I do feel some of the pricing has gotten outrageous especially with regards to dessert parties. We did a Wishes dessert party in 2014 when it was around $25 pp which "seemed reasonable" for decent viewing and snacks for our family of 5. When we went back in 2015 it was $49 pp (from what I'd read there were less desserts offered than previously so paying more for less?) and it was no longer worth it for the 5 of us. Now it's over triple the price 3 years later (or more than double for the garden view option)-- and not much more is offered-- that just seems like corporate greed...I don't know.

 

[JennysSeven]

Family of 9 here, and we budget/save for our family Disney trips--I won't go into debt for a vacation. So no, not every family spending money on the extras is being "irresponsible." I have absolutely NO problem with the up sells/extras. We decide what we'd like to do and what has value for us, and budget accordingly. For us, the Christmas party is worth the extra $850-ish it costs our family. The dessert parties are not. So we buy MVMCP tix, but figure out an alternate spot to watch the fireworks. We've done FP for fireworks, and we've also just watched them from where ever we could grab a last-minute spot, since staking out a claim for 2 hours isn't our thing either. If others in the park are enjoying things that I am choosing not to spend extra on, wonderful!!--and I sincerely hope their experience is magical for them.

 

[JerseyJanice]

To me, there is a "fraud" or "not worth it" element to the word "ripoff"... otherwise it seems like you're just talking about something expensive...

rip-off
ˈrip ˌôf/
noun
informal
noun: ripoff

1. a fraud or swindle, especially something that is grossly overpriced.
   "designer label clothes are just expensive rip-offs"
   synonyms: fraud, cheat, deception, swindle, confidence trick

Semantics. To me, "ripoff" means being charged far more for something than it is worth, i.e., being price gouged.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Semantics. To me, "ripoff" means being charged far more for something than it is worth, i.e., being price gouged.

I think of price gouging as its legal definition, which involves prices of necessities being increased dramatically to exploit. Clearly, a dessert party isn't a necessity -- neither is a WDW trip at all.

If you still go to those baseball games because you think that despite the price it's worth it, I don't understand calling it a ripoff or gouging. Expensive? Yes.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think of price gouging as its legal definition, which involves prices of necessities being increased dramatically to exploit. Clearly, a dessert party isn't a necessity -- neither is a WDW trip at all.

If you still go to those baseball games because you think that despite the price it's worth it, I don't understand calling it a ripoff or gouging. Expensive? Yes.

You have a point about price gouging. LOL! The other members of my household insist we go to a game every year even though I keep telling them it's a ripoff. I have to admit that the game we attended when Mike Piazza's number was retired is a day we'll never forget. And we did get awesome free T-shirts.

 

[I_Heart_Disney_4_Lyf]

For people who've done the Festival of Fantasy Dining Package, did you find that having a reserved area was worth the food? I think it would be nice to have a reserved area since my mom and I sometimes got our spot 2 hours in advance. How good is the viewing and how early do we have to arrive to the reserved viewing area? I saw that there aren't any seats, standing only.

 

[FCDub]

The idea of an egalitarian society where everyone has access to everything equally is nice, but not practical. There is always a divide between people who can and can't (or will and won't) pay for something.

Going to freaking Disney World is not a constitutional right