Greedy Drawf

[jtowntoflorida]

We just got back from an 8 day trip to Orlando where we stayed at Disney for the first half and Universal for the second half. I was chuckling at some of the add-one, especially preferred parking and the express bus service. To me, these are no more than Disney's attempts to increase guest spending due to lower attendance. When you start charging for stuff that used to be free that sends a signal that you're looking for new sources of revenue to protect profit margins. It didn't lessen my experience at all, but it did remind me constantly that Disney is a business. They used to do a better job hiding that fact.

 

[ucfknight]

Disney has made no secret that they are happy to have slightly lower attendance if they are able to achieve increased per guest spending. In the end it equals a better profit margin for them. It should come as no shock to anyone that we've seen massive price increases for annual passes, more modest increases for multiday tickets, and the introduction of numerous extra cost features. I wouldn't call it greedy, though. It is just business.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney has made no secret that they are happy to have slightly lower attendance if they are able to achieve increased per guest spending. In the end it equals a better profit margin for them. It should come as no shock to anyone that we've seen massive price increases for annual passes, more modest increases for multiday tickets, and the introduction of numerous extra cost features. I wouldn't call it greedy, though. It is just business.

True. And when you think about it, how many posts have you seen complaining that the parks are too busy, that there is no longer any quiet time? Raising prices, having a better in park experience for fewer guests, and still make more money? Sounds like a win win.

 

[jsmla]

I continue to be shocked about how outraged people get about everything.

This, this, this, this! I don't think I would enjoy a perpetual state of outrage.

I don't have a dog in this particular fight-I book the extras that make sense for me and have never felt any major impacts from the things I skip on my experience. I actually prefer party days at the MK because the crowds are usually lower. It probably helps that I'm not a night owl.

 

[klbrow11]

I do not find it greedy as it provides something of value for people. Just because you find no value does not make it a cash grab. These are all extras people can do and it really does not take away from a vacationers experience if they do not participate. If it does then the problem may be with you.

For example I have no desire to do the dessert party at MK as fireworks are meh to me. But there is someone who never sees fireworks and wants a special celebration with their family.

In the past we have never done parties and did not care but this year we are because we added a day on our vacation and thought hey why not. In the past we would always do a day at MK with no party and a day with a party, yes shorter hours but less people so it was fine. We ended our day at our ONE nice meal for the week at Ohana and watched hallowishes from Polly..was still a great day despite going on an MK party night! We stayed at pop cause thats all we could afford and dreamed about staying deluxe but had fun visiting. We were never mad at Disney and thought they were greedy for having hotels we could not afford. We ate counter service because that's what we could afford.

Fast forward 6 years and things have changed a lot! We bought dvc so staying for the first time at Poly. Should I be upset we only bought enough points for a week when others have more or can stay in a bungalow? No!!! Does not affect MY vacation. We are doing a sit down meal every day this trip because we now have a daughter who loves characters and I don't want to waste my TIME in the park. The money is worth it to me. We are doing MNSSHP for the first time and I debated but the little is still free so thought good time to try it. We are doing fantastic dinner package and ROL. Why? Because waiting for the show for longer than 40 min is torture with a toddler. Please don't ask disney to take away these experiences because they dont benefit YOU. Very selfish.

Your vacation is what you make it. I had just as much fun on our low budget trips than the ones where we kept adding more stuff in. We know in the future our trips will change again. We want to add more points and have a one bedroom and cook more when character meals arent a big thing. We will skip some other options. I am glad those options are available!

 

[Auntie_Maim]

^^^This, to the infinite power. Every person/group/family has their own priorities, and a WDW trip offers something for everyone. I put MK on my lowest priority of parks, don't care much about my room view, don't care about fireworks or parades, and don't do DDP because I want us to be able to eat whatever whenever and not fuss about it (plus DS is underweight and I want to encourage him to fill his tank as often as possible). Others will have priorities that are completely in opposition to mine, or somewhere in the middle, and it's all good. Others' choices do not affect you. As I tell DS sometimes when he complains about something someone else did: "Worry about you, not them."

 

[Delirium]

Why in the world do you feel it's ok to judge how other people spend their money? I really do not understand this logic.

I was not judging. I offered an opinion. Same as someone that says "Flights of Passage is the greatest ride of all time!". One is an opinion about a ride. The other is an opinion about the value of a dessert party. Not everyone agrees with either opinion.

So, why is an comment about a ride an 'opinion', and a comment about the value of a dessert party 'judging'?

 

[MrsDuck]

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

Exactly.

Honestly, everything is still available to people. "Upgrades" like firework parties don't prevent the guest who chooses not to pay from seeing them.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I was not judging. I offered an opinion. Same as someone that says "Flights of Passage is the greatest ride of all time!". One is an opinion about a ride. The other is an opinion about the value of a dessert party. Not everyone agrees with either opinion.

So, why is an comment about a ride an 'opinion', and a comment about the value of a dessert party 'judging'?

Calling people irresponsible for spending their money how they like is not even close to being the same as an opinion on a ride.

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[StageTek]

I personally feel that a family of 5 could make better use of $400 than spending it on a dessert party, when they can watch the fireworks without that charge while standing 50 feet away. The benefit, in my opinion, does not warrant the cost. Others feel differently, and that's okay. Message boards benefit from people sharing different opinions.

Okay, this I understand. It's your personal opinion that people could spend their money differently. Can you see that calling my personal choice irresponsible didn't come off as your opinion? How we spend our money is OUR choice. You do not know what responsible decisions we make in order to afford a perk like the dessert party. The benefit, in my opinion, does warrant the cost so we (not in the 1%) sacrifice other things. If my wife and I do a few hours of overtime a month for six months we can put away $400 easily.

Please don't call it irresponsible when people make a responsible choice that is different than one YOU would make. I agree with you, message boards are for sharing different opinions - they are NOT for calling different opinion irresponsible.

I sure am glad to see that most people here do not agree with Delirium that we are bordering on being financially irresponsible by enjoying some of the perks Disney offers. I'm one who feels some of them do not warrant the cost; I can't IMAGINE calling the people who pay for them financially irresponsible.

 

[GeneralTso]

I don't think it's greedy at all. I think it's smart business. They know how to capitalize and they know they have consumers that will pay untold amounts to experience "special" things.
Some people can't afford it. Some don't blink an eye. Others prioritize it and place a lot of value on certain things that others just shake their heads.

I literally crack up when I see people fighting and getting all pissy on here about Disney. It's Disney. Relax people. It's vacation.
Comments about stranger's financial responsibility is crazy.

 

[amberpi]

I was not judging. I offered an opinion. Same as someone that says "Flights of Passage is the greatest ride of all time!". One is an opinion about a ride. The other is an opinion about the value of a dessert party. Not everyone agrees with either opinion.

So, why is an comment about a ride an 'opinion', and a comment about the value of a dessert party 'judging'?

I think that suggesting Disney is "greedy" is pretty judgy. Saying I hate Hoop De Doo, is an opinion. I'm not saying they shouldn't have it. People love it! I don't do the dessert parties, because - mass produced desserts does not sound like fun - if I had a small child who wanted to be able to see the fireworks and would love the crap out of some cupcakes? Sure. I don't think diddly squat about those extras - except they're cool for those that want them. I wish the extra I loved had been more popular/better promoted. I've been a shareholder since childhood - my dad was that guy that bought us stocks of our favorite things - it's pretty awesome now - so I'm all for WDW increasing guest spending. Like others, the parks are so crowded, if the cost surges and it drives down attendance, I wouldn't be sad. I think maybe it was just in the delivery.

 

[bettybooplove]

OP you're preaching to the wrong choir.

People are becoming very defensive in this thread. Nerves have been struck.

No one is saying you shouldn't spend your money on what you want to spend it on. No one is saying you're thousands in debt and you feed your children beans and weenies during the year so you can afford dessert parties and Early Morning Magic.

The poster is simply saying they don't understand when enough is enough and why Disney is attempting to drain every cent you have from your wallet.

OP, to answer your question: Disney does it because they can and because clearly people are willing to pay for it. People don't care if you can't afford it or if it cuts into your park time, or the very fact that they are willing to pay $69 per person to ride a kiddie coaster for an hour only encourages Disney to charge more ridiculous prices for something that's already included with your park ticket.

 

[maxiesmom]

OP you're preaching to the wrong choir.

People are becoming very defensive in this thread. Nerves have been struck.

No one is saying you shouldn't spend your money on what you want to spend it on. No one is saying you're thousands in debt and you feed your children beans and weenies during the year so you can afford dessert parties and Early Morning Magic.

The poster is simply saying they don't understand when enough is enough and why Disney is attempting to drain every cent you have from your wallet.

OP, to answer your question: Disney does it because they can and because clearly people are willing to pay for it. People don't care if you can't afford it or if it cuts into your park time, or the very fact that they are willing to pay $69 per person to ride a kiddie coaster for an hour only encourages Disney to charge more ridiculous prices for something that's already included with your park ticket.

They haven't started to charge for anything that was included with your park ticket. That is where your argument goes off the rails. But you are not alone, another poster lumps the express bus service into the pile of stuff Disney used to give for free and now charge for. That is a brand new service.

This thread is turning into a bunch of people being mad that Disney is expensive.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Personally, I feel if I want something above or beyond the standard offering, I should have to pay for it. It would be tacky to expect something special for free.

I don't think anyone expects to walk into the Magic Kingdom for free, as you suggest. Where I object is when WDW takes away items that used to be (or really ought to be) standard offerings.

Sure, WDW is smart enough to label many of their upcharges as "new" offers, but many aren't really new, they're non-included replacements for things that used to be included.

ALL standard issue tickets USED to come with a PROMISE, "WDW tickets NEVER expire!" Except now they do. If you buy a 7-day ticket, and injure yourself/get ill an hour after you enter the park, too bad. You are out over $500! If I'm a single parent, and it is my child that gets sick/injured an hour into day one, we're out over $1,000! And there's no way to recoup any of that $, unless we manage to cough up another $313 to convert them to annual passes. OUCH!

*******

Do you know the history of WDW?

Because WDW actually DID offer a WIDE range of activities that actually were FREE to any guest.

Do you remember the Year of a Million Dreams? We got lots of extra freebies that year! I still have many of them.

To name a few others:

The Boardwalk featured a variety of FREE live performers every day. It was fun to make an evening of inexpensive candy, food, art browsing, renting a bike, renting a paddleboat, playing a carnival game, watching fireworks, and maybe walking through the DVC showcase room. All free or a for nominal fee.

When we first stayed at the Swan, we were absolutely floored by all that was included! Every time we visited it felt like there were bonus special activities included for no additional fees. (Almost all open to NON-guests as well.)

AKL used to feature a wide range of FREE activities open to ALL visitors. All day/evening there were a host of free activities: storytellers, art tours, free drawing activities, music circles, scavenger hunts, free cookies, hula-hoop contests, night vision animal viewing...CM's just invited anyone present to go from activity to activity.

All of the above made us feel welcome and appreciated as customers. WDW treated us well, and we gave them lots of loyal business in return.

So it pains me that Disney no longer treats guests the same way. If you don't know OLD WDW, then I feel sorry for you, because it was a wonderful place.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

People are becoming very defensive in this thread. Nerves have been struck.

Defensive? Nope. Some are pointing out that people choose to spend their money differently, and that stating that for all but 0.0001% of the population a $400 entertainment expenditure "borders on irresponsible" is judgmental -- and not close to true.

That's not "defensive". I don't need to defend Disney. I think they're doing just fine.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I do not find it greedy as it provides something of value for people. Just because you find no value does not make it a cash grab. These are all extras people can do and it really does not take away from a vacationers experience if they do not participate.

I think we have different definitions of a price grab.

If my local grocery store price gouges during a snow storm (adds $10 to the price of a gallon of milk), that is indeed a price grab based on need, and rather illegal where I live.

Ticket scalpers are also classic cash grabbers, even though nobody HAS to see a music concert.

If my local law officer is lactose intolerant, and hates rock music, that doesn't matter. He still knows these are illegal price grabs.

How do you define a cash grab?

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think anyone expects to walk into the Magic Kingdom for free, as you suggest. Where I object is when WDW takes away items that used to be (or really ought to be) standard offerings.

Sure, WDW is smart enough to label many of their upcharges as "new" offers, but many aren't really new, they're non-included replacements for things that used to be included.

ALL standard issue tickets USED to come with a PROMISE, "WDW tickets NEVER expire!" Except now they do. If you buy a 7-day ticket, and injure yourself/get ill an hour after you enter the park, too bad. You are out over $500! If I'm a single parent, and it is my child that gets sick/injured an hour into day one, we're out over $1,000! And there's no way to recoup any of that $, unless we manage to cough up another $313 to convert them to annual passes. OUCH!

*******

Do you know the history of WDW?

Because WDW actually DID offer a WIDE range of activities that actually were FREE to any guest.

Do you remember the Year of a Million Dreams? We got lots of extra freebies that year! I still have many of them.

To name a few others:

The Boardwalk featured a variety of FREE live performers every day. It was fun to make an evening of inexpensive candy, food, art browsing, renting a bike, renting a paddleboat, playing a carnival game, watching fireworks, and maybe walking through the DVC showcase room. All free or a for nominal fee.

When we first stayed at the Swan, we were absolutely floored by all that was included! Every time we visited it felt like there were bonus special activities included for no additional fees. (Almost all open to NON-guests as well.)

AKL used to feature a wide range of FREE activities open to ALL visitors. All day/evening there were a host of free activities: storytellers, art tours, free drawing activities, music circles, scavenger hunts, free cookies, hula-hoop contests, night vision animal viewing...CM's just invited anyone present to go from activity to activity.

All of the above made us feel welcome and appreciated as customers. WDW treated us well, and we gave them lots of loyal business in return.

So it pains me that Disney no longer treats guests the same way. If you don't know OLD WDW, then I feel sorry for you, because it was a wonderful place.

The Swan is not a Disney owned resort. So what they do or do not do has nothing to do with Disney. The Year of a Million Dreams I remember for watching people chase the Cast Members around the parks, hounding them for "freebies". It was distracting and and borderline disturbing to see how some guests behaved trying to get the fancy Fast Passes. Not surprised they haven't tried anything like that again. Most of what you listed as happening on the Boardwalk was stuff you had to pay for. So not sure how any of that plays into your title of Disney offering a wide range of things free to guests.

By the way I think you are the first one to simply complain that Disney has taken some things away. Most are claiming they are now charging for things they used to give away which isn't true.

 

[maxiesmom]

How do you define a cash grab?

Not the one you asked, but I define a cash grab as something you have to have being way over-priced. For example a local radio station does a huge outdoor concert every year. It is actually this weekend. You are not allowed to bring in any drinks with you. No water, nothing. You have to pay for anything you drink. And nothing is cheap. To me, that is a cash grab.