Has Disney gone too far to make a buck?

[tinkerone]

WDW isn't meant to be overly affordable, I don't think it ever has been. I think people keep forgetting that.
BUT- if you WANT to go to WDW it does accommodate several different types of budgets.

Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money. Walt Disney

 

[Kimberly9701]

Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money. Walt Disney

I think the key word in that sentence is "JUST".

After returning from my son's first trip, this is the first comment I had-

"Disney can make you empty your pockets with a smile on your face."

Because, yes- that trip was a ridiculous amount of money (to me), but I knew that going in. I knew that I've spent 28 days in Turkey for about the same money. I know that I could go to other more exotic places for the same or less than what I spent on that vacation. But I chose to go to WDW, and it was magical. And I'm choosing DCL and WDW again this year.

The point is- you aren't just spending money, they somehow make you feel that it is all worth it.lol.. Which is more than "just"

 

[tinkerone]

I think the key word in that sentence is "JUST".

After returning from my son's first trip, this is the first comment I had-

"Disney can make you empty your pockets with a smile on your face."

Because, yes- that trip was a ridiculous amount of money (to me), but I knew that going in. I knew that I've spent 28 days in Turkey for about the same money. I know that I could go to other more exotic places for the same or less than what I spent on that vacation. But I chose to go to WDW, and it was magical. And I'm choosing DCL and WDW again this year.

The point is- you aren't just spending money, they somehow make you feel that it is all worth it.lol.. Which is more than "just"

The point is, it WAS meant to be affordable for families. It WAS meant to be inclusive. Its no longer both for some people. Its no longer of value for others.

I'm just voicing my thoughts, there not right or wrong. There just thoughts. Your (and everyones') thoughts are also not right or wrong. They are just perfect for us. I'm glad lots are still going to WDW and enjoying it but just because some are and still see value, not everyone will. Disney can put the cost of vacations were ever they want and that's okay but not everyone is going to, or can, pay that. That's my point.

 

[Kimberly9701]

The point is, it WAS meant to be affordable for families. It WAS meant to be inclusive. Its no longer both for some people. Its no longer of value for others.

I'm just voicing my thoughts, there not right or wrong. There just thoughts. Your (and everyones') thoughts are also not right or wrong. They are just perfect for us. I'm glad lots are still going to WDW and enjoying it but just because some are and still see value, not everyone will. Disney can put the cost of vacations were ever they want and that's okay but not everyone is going to, or can, pay that. That's my point.

I agree we all have our limits. i.e. Like I said, I won't pay DCL crazy (imo) pricing for their 11 night cruises.

I just know that my parents took us to Disney every year as kids...and I don't think they would ever refer to any of those trips as "budget friendly". Thankfully for me they did purchase extra tickets every year, and when myself and my 2 siblings became adults, my parents gave us each 20 non expiring 3 day hoppers...I just wish I would have saved some of those now that I have a child..lol. Instead I pretty much used them all up during F&W, I have 1 2 day ticket remaining that I didn't use last trip, but probably will on our upcoming one.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The point is, it WAS meant to be affordable for families. It WAS meant to be inclusive. Its no longer both for some people. Its no longer of value for others.

I'm just voicing my thoughts, they're not right or wrong. There just thoughts. Your (and everyones') thoughts are also not right or wrong. They are just perfect for us. I'm glad lots are still going to WDW and enjoying it but just because some are and still see value, not everyone will. Disney can put the cost of vacations were ever they want and that's okay but not everyone is going to, or can, pay that. That's my point.

Disney has already put vacations out of reach for the average family. In fact, for my family, while I was growing up, it was always out of reach. My parents could never afford a trip like that. If it was meant to be inclusive, we certainly weren't included.

So this isn't new. It is just new to those that starting now are questioning the value.

 

[Kikisstar]

A little on the dramatic side don't you think? The OP asked a question, and didn't get the answers she wanted. It happens, no need to make this into something it isn't. Some people see Disney for what it is, a business whose only purpose is to make money. I think too many people wish it was something different, but it just isn't.

I find it amusing that you think there was an answer I 'wanted' from the responses. I certainly have my opinion, yes. But what I actually wanted was a dialogue (preferably without an attack). I wanted to know what everyone else thought of this current trend. For me and my family of 4, I found a FD package that still works for us in Sept. and so we are still going. I will not be attending Mickey's NSSHP. I will not be attending DAH. I will use EMH if it suits my children. But for my extended family who could not get a FD package or a decent room rate discount, the trip was no longer an option, and so two of our party of 8 had to cancel.

So, again, I'm asking to the disboard public at large. Have you reached a breaking point? And if not, where would you draw the line?

 

[Kimberly9701]

I feel, and this is JMO, that Disney is going to see a bit of a slide. Yes, attendance is up and rooms are filling however they are turning off some very loyal people. Some are finally saying enough is enough. I'm reading this and hearing this more and more over the last few months. I am among those people.

This is the first year we are not sailing with Disney, we are sailing RCL. We went to an all inclusive resort in March, something that would have typically been a Disney sailing. This also marks the first year we will be splitting our Disney stay with Universal. Other than a night at Disney before a Disney cruise we have never stayed less than 7 nights, often 14 or more. This October we are only staying 4 nights and then moving over to Cabana Bay. I'm actually looking forward to the changes we have made for this year. I'm thinking we may not ever sail dcl again if Royal proves to be as good as I'm hearing, and with all the new things at Universal WDW may take the back burner to.

We can certainly afford both DCL and WDW however we are choosing not to. When we can do twice as much for what Disney costs us, well, we have to walk away.
We to are share holders and I'm glad they are doing well, I just don't think it will be able to sustain itself.
Again, JMO.

Do you think maybe your family is outgrowing Disney? For me it's a limited time dedication. Once my son is tall enough for all of the roller coasters at Islands of Adventure- we will definitely split our stays!

And RCL- I LOVE their new ships, and again, if my son was a little older I would have had no hesitation choosing an Oasis or Quantum class! I chose MSC over DCL for northern Europe...For myself and a 6 year old the price on the Magic would be $13,400 FOR 2 PEOPLE!!!! Cruise fare only.
UMM.... NOPE, I'll pass.
I'm looking forward to our December trip and sailing on the Fantasy, but that may very well be our 1st and only time on DCL.

And don't worry...you will be very happy with Royal Caribbean!

(Sorry, missed this post the 1st time, so just now commenting)

 

[tinkerone]

Do you think maybe your family is outgrowing Disney? For me it's a limited time dedication. Once my son is tall enough for all of the roller coasters at Islands of Adventure- we will definitely split our stays!

And RCL- I LOVE their new ships, and again, if my son was a little older I would have had no hesitation choosing an Oasis or Quantum class! I chose MSC over DCL for northern Europe...For myself and a 6 year old the price on the Magic would be $13,400 FOR 2 PEOPLE!!!! Cruise fare only.
UMM.... NOPE, I'll pass.
I'm looking forward to our December trip and sailing on the Fantasy, but that may very well be our 1st and only time on DCL.

And don't worry...you will be very happy with Royal Caribbean!

(Sorry, missed this post the 1st time, so just now commenting)

Oh, as far as my family outgrowing Disney let me give you a little back ground. My youngest is 36 this year, lol. He has yet to outgrow Disney. We have done Disney every way possible. With our young children, with our children as they grew, as a mother/youngest son special trip, as a husband/wife vacation, as parents and grown children (with their families), me and my siblings, girls only trip, trips with just me (the best!). No one has yet outgrown Disney, for us that's probably not possible. We have been going in one form or another since 1976. Dh and I have paid for every trip other than the siblings. We are often there two or three times a year. We have flown and driven (from Canada). I really don't think its a matter of losing interest. Its definitely more value driven.

And thank you, I am looking forward to our Oasis cruise, I'm very excited. We have sailed Fantasy six times, you will love it. It is a gorgeous ship and lots of fun but its time to move on for us. We took our two children and their families on the fantasy a year and a half ago and everyone loved it. Your son has something special to look forward to. Enjoy!

My most favorite/memorable vacation was in 1976. Dh and I drove to Disney world. It was the first time out of the country for both of us (other than trips to Niagara Falls U.S. side for my families vacation). We had been married 3 years and neither of us was making more than minimum wage. We didn't stay on grounds, there was not much for hotels then, I think only the contemporary, but we had a ball. Everything was so new and different. Yes, it was very affordable for two very young, minimum wage earners. Sadly, I don't see minimum wage earners doing that now though. A seven day ticket for two could be a months rent.

 

[ryansstitch]

I find it amusing that you think there was an answer I 'wanted' from the responses. I certainly have my opinion, yes. But what I actually wanted was a dialogue (preferably without an attack). I wanted to know what everyone else thought of this current trend. For me and my family of 4, I found a FD package that still works for us in Sept. and so we are still going. I will not be attending Mickey's NSSHP. I will not be attending DAH. I will use EMH if it suits my children. But for my extended family who could not get a FD package or a decent room rate discount, the trip was no longer an option, and so two of our party of 8 had to cancel.

So, again, I'm asking to the disboard public at large. Have you reached a breaking point? And if not, where would you draw the line?

People get feisty on here when you disagree with Mickey's business practices! Lol, but OP, I think I know what you mean, and my family is reaching the point where we are cutting WAY back. We live close and have gone 2-3 times per year for a long time. My family is also planning a big DCL reunion. I just cancelled our July trip and we are still going in December, but I doubt if we go back before 2018 or 2019 to see the new attractions. Even then that will be one trip. I personally feel it's disrespectful to your customers to jack prices up and reduce the actual value of what you're selling. I liken it to mcDonalds selling a meal for 3.50 today, then tomorrow selling it for 4.50, but you only get a smaller sandwich, a couple fries and no drink. Maybe technically it's still a meal, but will you really forget that your "meal" lost value? Won't you think about that while you eat? Won't you start thinking that you should eat elsewhere? Or worse, you feel that your hard earned dollar is so unappreciated, that you feel insulted while you're supposed to be enjoying yourself. Wouldn't it make you feel worse if the manager came out and told you what a great meal you were having and that you should be happy it costs 4.50? And that he can sell you a few more fries for just $2 more? Maybe a silly analogy, but really this is what WDW is doing. If anyone else did it, and as rapidly as they are, they'd be out of business fast. That said, everything hits a saturation point, and WDW is no exception.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

The current trend is in reaction to guest experience AND efforts to please shareholders. The economy is better and there are more international guests than ever before. Disney movies are juggernauts now and their products are a worldwide influence. All of this leads to many people wanting to enjoy the parks.

More crowds tend to lower guest experience...long lines, cleanliness issues, and maintence needs. How do they decrease crowd levels but continue to grow revenue? Increase prices and try ideas like the After Hours events.

Disney should have focused on expansion years ago, but focused on MDX. Now they are playing catch up and it could take many years before we see announced projects. Pandora is a perfect example.

 

[Allison]

Disney has already put vacations out of reach for the average family. In fact, for my family, while I was growing up, it was always out of reach. My parents could never afford a trip like that. If it was meant to be inclusive, we certainly weren't included.

So this isn't new. It is just new to those that starting now are questioning the value.

That would be my family when I was growing up also.

 

[Kimberly9701]

That would be my family when I was growing up also.

And a lot of families...

People get feisty on here when you disagree with Mickey's business practices! Lol, but OP, I think I know what you mean, and my family is reaching the point where we are cutting WAY back. We live close and have gone 2-3 times per year for a long time. My family is also planning a big DCL reunion. I just cancelled our July trip and we are still going in December, but I doubt if we go back before 2018 or 2019 to see the new attractions. Even then that will be one trip. I personally feel it's disrespectful to your customers to jack prices up and reduce the actual value of what you're selling. I liken it to mcDonalds selling a meal for 3.50 today, then tomorrow selling it for 4.50, but you only get a smaller sandwich, a couple fries and no drink. Maybe technically it's still a meal, but will you really forget that your "meal" lost value? Won't you think about that while you eat? Won't you start thinking that you should eat elsewhere? Or worse, you feel that your hard earned dollar is so unappreciated, that you feel insulted while you're supposed to be enjoying yourself. Wouldn't it make you feel worse if the manager came out and told you what a great meal you were having and that you should be happy it costs 4.50? And that he can sell you a few more fries for just $2 more? Maybe a silly analogy, but really this is what WDW is doing. If anyone else did it, and as rapidly as they are, they'd be out of business fast. That said, everything hits a saturation point, and WDW is no exception.

I think it's more like this- people get annoyed over statements that Disney has always been "affordable to all". That simply is not the case. And it never has been. They offer all different types of options, and still there has always been people who can or can not afford to partake in one or all of them or even any of them.

And price increases?

Look at cars for example-
Let's use a Honda Accord - "reasonably priced middle class car".
Now, go back and look at what a new Accord cost in 1991, @ $15k. Do you know what a new Accord costs now? Almost $10k more than that.

Is Honda a money grabbing devil? Nope. What they have done is add a ton of technology and safety features which is one example of why car prices are so much higher now.

Disney has essentially done the same.

I don't think people get "twisted when someone is insulting the mouse" But rather because it's just rather dramatic and unreasonable to not understand why things cost more today than they did several years ago.

 

[Marionnette]

And a lot of families...

I think it's more like this- people get annoyed over statements that Disney has always been "affordable to all". That simply is not the case. And it never has been. They offer all different types of options, and still there has always been people who can or can not afford to partake in one or all of them or even any of them.

And price increases?

Look at cars for example-
Let's use a Honda Accord - "reasonably priced middle class car".
Now, go back and look at what a new Accord cost in 1991, @ $15k. Do you know what a new Accord costs now? Almost $10k more than that.

Is Honda a money grabbing devil? Nope. What they have done is add a ton of technology and safety features which is one example of why car prices are so much higher now.

Disney has essentially done the same.

I don't think people get "twisted when someone is insulting the mouse" But rather because it's just rather dramatic and unreasonable to not understand why things cost more today than they did several years ago.

So what did Disney do between last year and this year to justify the tremendous leap in ticket prices? Shorter operating hours. Fewer CMs. HS is a construction zone. Closed more attractions in Epcot. Still no Pandora. River of Lights opening postponed indefinitely. The cost of tickets rose but the quality of the product declined. I understand that they need money to make improvements and introduce new attractions. But you wouldn't overpay for a 2016 Honda so that the 2018's are better. And Disney shouldn't expect customers to pay more now because the parks are going to be so great later.

 

[Kimberly9701]

So what did Disney do between last year and this year to justify the tremendous leap in ticket prices? Shorter operating hours. Fewer CMs. HS is a construction zone. Closed more attractions in Epcot. Still no Pandora. River of Lights opening postponed indefinitely. The cost of tickets rose but the quality of the product declined. I understand that they need money to make improvements and introduce new attractions. But you wouldn't overpay for a 2016 Honda so that the 2018's are better. And Disney shouldn't expect customers to pay more now because the parks are going to be so great later.

I haven't noticed "shorter operating hours" yet. I guess the coming months will tell though.

As far as HS- Star Wars!!!! That's huge to a lot of people, my family included. The construction won't have an impact on us.

Epcot will have a new Frozen attraction and a revamped Soarin. Rivers of Light will open sometime relatively soon.

Also, you can now add additional fast passes thru the ap.. This to me is a giant plus.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I just don't see why so many people claim "declining quality". Unless something has changed drastically in the past 7 months since I've been.. I'm excited for the new stuff that will be open since then when we go back in December!

 

[Marionnette]

I just don't see why so many people claim "declining quality". Unless something has changed drastically in the past 7 months since I've been.. I'm excited for the new stuff that will be open since then when we go back in December!

The emphasis is on WILL be open. Not what is open now. Disney raised prices and offered nothing in return. If I were visiting this summer, I would not want to be told that I'm paying a premium price for my ticket because there are plans for wonderful things that will be open in December (maybe).

 

[Kimberly9701]

But plenty of it IS open now. Star Wars fireworks. Launch Bay. New shows at AK..

 

[Marionnette]

But plenty of it IS open now. Star Wars fireworks. Launch Bay. New shows at AK..

The new shows were added at AK to make up for the failed RoL launch. Fireworks don't occur during the day, so no draw for anyone to visit HS before dusk. Launch Bay was tossed in there to quiet the fans who have been clamoring for an expanded SW area since Disney obtained the rights. Are you seriously implying that a fireworks show and one hastily assembled themed area is justification for the hike in ticket prices across the board?

 

[Kimberly9701]

I don't like when prices rise for ANYTHING. From fuel to park tickets to food to my cable bill.

But price increases happen. So I either pay them and enjoy what I knew I was paying for, or I don't pay and find something else.

 

[tinkerone]

Using the example of the car being $15,000 in 1991 and almost $25,000 today, that is an increase of about 60%. Using Disney one day tickets in 1991, they were $33 for an adult. Today, if you go during a value time, they are $95. That's an increase of about 200%. If you go during peak times that ticket increases to $119, so the percent goes farther up.

If you look at Hollywood Studios, its pretty bleak right now. There is so much closed and a lot of construction. I kind of see that as a half day park now where as I would have called it a full day in the past. Yes, it will become a full day park again in the future but theres really not enough to fill my day, I would need a park hopper, so even more $$.

I'm really not trying to change anyone's minds. This is just how we see it. The value just isn't there any longer. Its to much for to little. Now, in the future, I fully intend to visit and check out the new star wars part with my adult boys and my grandson. I see that as a ways down the road. For now, I am going to get my 3 day park pass with my Airmiles Rewards and after spending a few days there move on to Universal and pay the price for room and tickets, which I see as more reasonable. For now........the door is open.

ETA-I changed my percentage as I think I originally got it wrong. Its only a 200% increase so if you read this before my change, I apoligize.