Greedy Drawf

[nicolej92]

My view is that the add-ons are there, and they are optional. I think I have taken this stance more now than ever before as I am planning a wedding there.

Could I easily rack up a $200,000 wedding at Disney? Absolutely. Can I afford to? Absolutely not.

We personally enjoy dessert parties and character dining. We haven't gotten to do a MNSHP or MVMCP yet, but we will pay for them when we do get the option. They are experiences that some are willing to pay extra for. Some aren't. I don't feel as though not paying for them makes my experience any less, but we enjoy them and can afford them, so we go for it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

As long as Disney is offering a product that doesn't detract from the experience of guests who chose not to partake, what do I care?

But that's just it, I think that's the distinction some folks are really starting to feel.

My local tennis court had no signs. Then they added a sign saying "no dogs allowed." Seems obvious, but okay. Then they added a sign about only white soled shoes. Then they added a no smoking sign. Then a no eating sign.

Until finally the whole entrance side of the tennis court was just a wall of signs all in different colors and fonts. It is very ugly, and people stopped coming.

We just didn't feel welcome any more. The place feels hostile. What's worse, all the posted rules are common sense. MOST tennis players wouldn't think to do ANY of the transgressions listed on the signs, but it FEELS hostile.
*********

Disney's had many upcharge offers over the years, and many are fine...but at some point upcharge offers just get tacky. Being constantly asked to shell out more money for things that should be included just gets tacky.

But that breaking point is very subjective.

I don't fault anyone who decides they no longer feel welcome at WDW. Sure, we'll take your money, but we don't really wants guests at YOUR price level.

 

[gogo]

I'm glad Disney offers these special events such as dessert parties, etc. We've been to Disney a lot over the years therefore adding a dessert party, tour, or hard-ticket event keeps our vacations interesting by adding new experiences while still enjoying old favorites. My son and I did the Star Wars dessert party last July and we enjoyed it. It was nice not having to fight the crowds and since my son was 21 on this trip, we got to experience some of the fun, specially themed alcoholic drinks and desserts. When the time came to view the fireworks, we were led by Star Wars characters through a roped walk-way to the special viewing area. It was a lot of fun and was a new experience.

I do agree that the costs can add up to an already expensive vacation, but it is nice to have these extras available if you have the budget. I also think because the parks are so crowded throughout the entire year that people are willing to pay more to see special things like parades, fireworks, etc. When we went last July, it was for a short 4 day trip. So, not having to stake out a location to view the fireworks an hour or so early was helpful. Sure, it would be nice if the parks were not crowded and arriving for a parade or fireworks display was less stressful and less time-consuming but this just is not the case anymore. And, I agree that if you have a large family, it would be tough to do these events on top of just the cost of normal tickets, etc.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney's had many upcharge offers over the years, and many are fine...but at some point upcharge offers just get tacky. Being constantly asked to shell out more money for things that should be included just gets tacky.

But that breaking point is very subjective.

I don't fault anyone who decides they no longer feel welcome at WDW. Sure, we'll take your money, but we don't really wants guests at YOUR price level.

I really don't get how it's "tacky" AT ALL. It would be tacky if they started to charge for a regular park map, or napkins, or drinking from a water fountain!

Charging for EXTRAS like a dessert party, or tour, or MNSSHP is common sense. They are outside the standard park experience, and importantly, PEOPLE ARE OBVIOUSLY WILLING TO PAY FOR THEM.

Nothing tacky about a free market business meeting a clear customer demand.

 

[Westcoastwild]

But that's just it, I think that's the distinction some folks are really starting to feel.

My local tennis court had no signs. Then they added a sign saying "no dogs allowed." Seems obvious, but okay. Then they added a sign about only white soled shoes. Then they added a no smoking sign. Then a no eating sign.

Until finally the whole entrance side of the tennis court was just a wall of signs all in different colors and fonts. It is very ugly, and people stopped coming.

We just didn't feel welcome any more. The place feels hostile. What's worse, all the posted rules are common sense. MOST tennis players wouldn't think to do ANY of the transgressions listed on the signs, but it FEELS hostile.
*********

Disney's had many upcharge offers over the years, and many are fine...but at some point upcharge offers just get tacky. Being constantly asked to shell out more money for things that should be included just gets tacky.

But that breaking point is very subjective.

I don't fault anyone who decides they no longer feel welcome at WDW. Sure, we'll take your money, but we don't really wants guests at YOUR price level.

No one has a "price level" at Disney though. I could "afford" to stay at a deluxe if I went 2 nights instead of 8. But I want 8 not two. That's a choice I make. I could choose to buy merchandise if I ate more counter service and less signature dining. I have a friend who spends thousands of dollars on merchandise but doesn't want to do table dining at all. Disney caters to both of us.

Your tennis signs happened because apparently there was a minority that was not following the rules. Disney upcharges happen because people will pay for addons that they like but not for stuff they don't like. If party days were open to all but the day tickets were significantly pricier, the people who don't care about the party events but just wanted to do the mornings would hate that. If you feel that the early closure makes it so you can't enjoy it, go to a different park on party days or don't go during party season.

 

[Planogirl]

I see people complaining about higher prices for all kinds of products, both necessities and extras, but Disney always gets a pass. It's interesting.

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[Dayzy]

I just see the dessert parties and dining/show packages as add-ons and I don't think they are necessary to having a great trip. My family went twice in 3 years. The first trip I went all out with the fireworks parties and special things to make it great. This past trip I didn't add anything on and the kids still had a great time and are already trying to convince the hubby to let them go again.

I think of it like a cruise - sure I could book all the super shore excursions like swimming with dolphins and horseback riding on the beach. Or I could do my research, find other things to do, and still have a great time.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I see people complaining about higher prices for all kinds of products, both necessities and extras, but Disney always gets a pass. It's interesting.

Well, there are extras I wouldn't pay for in any vacation, Disney or not, so I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that anyone here is giving Disney a free pass just because they're Disney.

I think the express line pass at Universal is spendy, and I don't actually like Universal much, but I don't blame them for charging me for the pass. They're a business, and it's an extra I'm willing to pay for so that I get to cover more ground.

I don't see the point of complaining if you are going to buy anyway, at least not for vacation stuff. Necessities are a different topic entirely. But you have the agency to choose your vacation. If you don't want to spend your money on a particular vacation, do something else you do want to spend your money on. Disney isn't a necessity.

 

[Allison]

I see people complaining about higher prices for all kinds of products, both necessities and extras, but Disney always gets a pass. It's interesting.

The premise of this thread is Disney not getting a pass.

 

[Elle23]

I decided to cancel a trip in November mainly because there were 4 nights out of the 6 we would be there where MK closes early for parties. I think that DOES affect regular paying guests.

The other stuff I don't really care about as it doesn't affect me, but I think closing MK early 4 nights a week for 4 months is a little over the top.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I see people complaining about higher prices for all kinds of products, both necessities and extras, but Disney always gets a pass. It's interesting.

Just a personal thing, but I don't really complain about the prices of extras for anything. They are extras. Necessities... that's a different matter.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I decided to cancel a trip in November mainly because there were 4 nights out of the 6 we would be there where MK closes early for parties. I think that DOES affect regular paying guests.

The other stuff I don't really care about as it doesn't affect me, but I think closing MK early 4 nights a week for 4 months is a little over the top.

I take your point, but MK is one out of 4 parks. It would be a big deal to me if they closed every park down early this way -- which they never do.

 

[Elle23]

I take your point, but MK is one out of 4 parks. It would be a big deal to me if they closed every park down early this way -- which they never do.

I understand that. But I also figured MK would be a madhouse on the 2 nights I could actually go and see HEA, since everyone else can only go those 2 nights as well.

I'd much rather go in January like we did this year. No parties to mess with.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I'm ok with the upcharge events (so far), as long as they're not taking away stuff that we used to get for free and making us pay. I just booked a dessert party for August, mainly because it's on my DDs bday, so I wanted to do something special. I didn't think $59 for adult and $35 for child were that bad. We are huge dessert people - believe me, DD will probably get close to my money's worth in the desserts, lol. For me personally, I'm happy to pay for the fireworks viewing (well, I haven't attended yet, so maybe I won't be happy once I do it!). But it seems like a good spot to see the fireworks, and I am not one to stake out a good spot an hour early......to me, time is money, I like to get my spot for fireworks or parades 2 minutes before they start, so if I can pay a few bucks to guarantee a good last minute spot, I'm all for it.

I did do the EMM and loved it. Loved getting to ride the 3 rides without lines, loved being back in the park with practically nobody else....plus the breakfast. To me, that is worth the money to be able to ride those 3 without using FPs, and then use my FPs on other rides.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I decided to cancel a trip in November mainly because there were 4 nights out of the 6 we would be there where MK closes early for parties. I think that DOES affect regular paying guests.

The other stuff I don't really care about as it doesn't affect me, but I think closing MK early 4 nights a week for 4 months is a little over the top.

It averages out to more like 3 nights a week, I think.

Take September:

• September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 and 29, 2017

11 nights, 4 weeks.

You could fly in 23, do 24 and 25 in MK, 26 in AK, 27, 28 in MK, 29 in HS or Epcot.

7 night trip, 4 of those days at MK, which is still too much MK for me. So I honestly don't understand how the party is such a limiting factor.

 

[maxiesmom]

*********

Disney's had many upcharge offers over the years, and many are fine...but at some point upcharge offers just get tacky. Being constantly asked to shell out more money for things that should be included just gets tacky.

But that breaking point is very subjective.

Disney isn't suddenly charging for things that were once free. Unless I missed out on a bunch of free dessert buffets. Or free buses from inside one park to another. They are finding new things to offer for an additional fee. They haven't taken anything away or suddenly demanded guests pay for things that were once free.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I understand that. But I also figured MK would be a madhouse on the 2 nights I could actually go and see HEA, since everyone else can only go those 2 nights as well.

I'd much rather go in January like we did this year. No parties to mess with.

It's all subjective, to be sure. I've had very bad luck with Jan weather. Unseasonably cold in Jan is miserable... unseasonably cold in Nov is more tolerable to me (10 degrees higher on avg.). I'd take early MK closures and Nov weather over Jan any day.

 

[Jennasis]

Every time Disney announces a new add-on experience I roll my eyes. Dessert parties and such are not my thing. Neither are "express transportation" or extra morning magic. I have done the Halloween and Christmas parties, and don't see a need to repeat them anytime soon. It feels like a cash grab to me, and I don't feel the need to participate but I hold no ill will towards those who do.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is in the business of making money, they have to, Iger just cashed in 80 million dollars in stock options.

Bill