having second thoughts...

[Booknut]

Well, i'm not sure I see the logic behind that, I mean, money shouldn't stop you doing things but the reality is that it does stop us doing things when we don't have it. And i'd never go into debt or sell all my possessions for a holiday, no matter how much I love Disney. I can find other ways of having special memories without losing too much sleep over how i'm going to pay for it.

The cost of WDW has become absolutely crazy. We have resigned ourselves to the fact that we can only go now every 4-5 years and that's ok. We do go to DLP mostly because we use airmiles for Eurostar and our good friend at WDW gives us free park hoppers so our tickets are free so we only need cheap accommodation and a suitcase full of snacks and drinks

Disney isn't so fun for me if its costing me an arm and a leg (and a thigh, elbow and scalp too...). Having said this we are planning a trip for my 40th in 2013 and i'm trying to prepare myself for the shock of the cost (piggy bank is already set...)

On a side note, I think the high increase in dining/snack costs is because of the dining plan. I can't believe the prices compared to 2005 and 2006 when we went (and the DDP was a relatively new thing).

Oh well, at least we have the DIS and Youtube for quick Disney fixes

 

[happytraveller]

The cost of living has gone sky high and for many stress levels too,me being one of them.I have an account that i save for holidays and we book according to what's in there. I have not been to orlando since 2004.We chose to see other places in the world after 6 times on the trot. Next year we will be lucky and realistically unlikely,to go back,due to cost, but we will go somewhere, as for me, as the rest of us,a holiday is a much needed tonic.

 

[buzz for boys]

Sorry i think you misunderstood me-i meant my post was unrelated in that i wasn't adding anything, but i found your trip report.I couldn't remember who it was by and had been looking for it.I completely agree with your sentiment as that's the mantra in my house I hope i've cleared that up-not being critical at all!

Thank you for coming back and clearing that up !! I thought I was going round the bend !! I read and then re read the origional post and then questioned myself several times as to wether I had just gone off on one !!

When really id just misunderstood your post !! Thank you x xx

 

[happytraveller]

Thank you for coming back and clearing that up !! I thought I was going round the bend !! I read and then re read the origional post and then questioned myself several times as to wether I had just gone off on one !!

When really id just misunderstood your post !! Thank you x xx

LOL -:

 

[T16GEM]

Excluding the cost of the flights I do think it's possible to reduce the cost of your trip by just being frugal, for example we have never stayed onsite, I just think the cost is ridiculous when you think that we spent two weeks in a hotel on the 192 which was exactly the same as an all-stars resort without the Disney theming for £225 for 15 nights.
We don't eat out every night either, we get a cooked chicken or somethig from walmart and this saves us $$.
If it's the choice of cutting down and not going I'd rather cut down. I know that a lot of people like the luxuries of the resorts but for me the hotel or villa is just somewhere to crash most of the time. This is just my opinion though

 

[buzz for boys]

Excluding the cost of the flights I do think it's possible to reduce the cost of your trip by just being frugal, for example we have never stayed onsite, I just think the cost is ridiculous when you think that we spent two weeks in a hotel on the 192 which was exactly the same as an all-stars resort without the Disney theming for £225 for 15 nights.
We don't eat out every night either, we get a cooked chicken or somethig from walmart and this saves us $$.
If it's the choice of cutting down and not going I'd rather cut down. I know that a lot of people like the luxuries of the resorts but for me the hotel or villa is just somewhere to crash most of the time. This is just my opinion though

I totally agree with this!!!
Our last trip we lost money due to the collapse of crown currency - many postponed their holidays we went with just $1800 dollars for 6 of us to last 3 weeks !! It didnt impact our enjoyment at all eating in the villa - in fact it showed us we can do disney on a budget and our september trip will be costing us just £5000 for 2 weeks for everything !!!
I looked at centre parcs in july and for 4 nights i got a quote of £4000 !!

 

[disneyholic family]

yeah we have found out that the prices have gone sky high.
I priced up a holiday for this october, exact same dates and hotel etc that we went in Oct 2010, and the price difference is that this oct is £2000 dearer. I'm not prepared to pay it so we won't be going. hopefully we will go Oct 2012 and will book as soon as I can as the prices don't seem to get any lower than they are on the release date

yes, when i priced for this past october i got sticker shock, but in any case we couldn't go (too much to take care of at home to go on holiday)...
i've been pricing august 2011 and having trouble coming to terms with it...september would be a little less, but my DIL is a nursery school teacher, so only august works for her.....i think this thread is therapy for me....helping me deal with the cost...

I havent read all the replies but I wanted to post before reading them !!

In our everyday lives everything is so uncertain and yes Disney and airfares keeping increasing in cost but I say can you really put a price on memories???

We would sell everything we own to take another trip to dosney and to see the kids smile as we never know when that trip will be our last as a complete family!! I never want to sit and think I wish we had . . .
Purely because of finiciancial reasons.

I know im in minority with this thinking but really the good emeories are what will get you through any tough times you encounter.

Sorry if thats deep x x xx

i agree with you...the memories are worth everything....i was just going through our picture albums (looking for pictures of my daughter's friend when they were little)...and found a zillion WDW pictures starting from when my daughter was 2 years old (her first trip) to our last one a few years ago...lots of very happy memories that are certainly priceless...

I don't shop very often but when I do I price every single item. I can get home with 50 items and I could tell you every price I have paid. Karen does not enjoy going shopping with me because almost guarenteed when we get to the tills I question the price of something thats scanned wrong.
Upto recently we would just goto ASDA and buy at whatever price it was but the last year or so I have started going elswhere, for example the Simple shower gel we buy is £1.99 in ASDA but 99p in Home bargains, same store has 2L 7up and Pepsi Max at 79p, ASDA £1.50+ you don't need many items to be worth going another mile down the road.

well i guess i lied....i do price things in the sense that i won't buy some items except when they're on 2 for 1 sale .....we almost ran out of toothpaste last week because of that...i've been waiting and waiting....finally on thursday they ran a sale on our brand (sensodyne) and i bought 4 tubes!! woo hoo! and they finally had the instant coffee on sale so i bought a jar....so yes, i price it in those terms....but so far i haven't switched grocery stores to get specials, but i'm thinking perhaps i should....

On a side note, I think the high increase in dining/snack costs is because of the dining plan. I can't believe the prices compared to 2005 and 2006 when we went (and the DDP was a relatively new thing).

Oh well, at least we have the DIS and Youtube for quick Disney fixes

when i was there in June (on my own for a conference) i thought the very same thing....that they'd increased the dining/snack costs because of the dining plan....i still think that...every snack i bought in june was $4......even ones that were only $2 when i was at disney 2 years before that....i figure it's just so that it's now a snack item.....so if you're not on the dining plan, you REALLY feel that increase...

Excluding the cost of the flights I do think it's possible to reduce the cost of your trip by just being frugal, for example we have never stayed onsite, I just think the cost is ridiculous when you think that we spent two weeks in a hotel on the 192 which was exactly the same as an all-stars resort without the Disney theming for £225 for 15 nights.
We don't eat out every night either, we get a cooked chicken or somethig from walmart and this saves us $$.
If it's the choice of cutting down and not going I'd rather cut down. I know that a lot of people like the luxuries of the resorts but for me the hotel or villa is just somewhere to crash most of the time. This is just my opinion though

you're right.....way back when the kids were little, we always stayed in a super cheap little suite motel, where we had a bedroom/living/and full kitchen....we had breakfast/dinner in the room and i packed sandwiches to eat in the parks - the only thing we bought in the parks were drinks...
maybe i'll have to revert to that...unfortunately, i still have to house 3 couples...which means more than one suite....the villas also seem pretty expensive to me...

 

[igk]

I agree too - am in the process of hunting around trying to find flights less than £500pp - and that's end of Aug to Miami (can't afford Orlando ). At least there's still a decent OKW/DDP offer (though that's gone up too especially adding tickets)...

 

[mikki.young]

Reading this I am realising that DVC can be good in the long term. I locked in my accomodation costs in 1992 and despite annual dues the type of accomodation and number of nights remains good value. I also get a big discount on annual passes which helps too. Can't do anything about the flight cost but I think DVC is making Disney more economic for me. Pity I am not going this year! But I do intend to start planning a trip for Jan/Feb of next year!

 

[disneydaft]

Prices have definitely rocketed. Our first trip in 2004 cost us less than 750 for the 2 of us the flights were about 260 each. Now you are lucky to get even off peak flights for under 500 each. Our trip in September last year cost us about 3000 not including spends.

We are off on Friday for 2 weeks ( it was one week but we extended it to 2) for about 1500 plus fuel and parking at Manchester. We are not planning on doing Disney as it adds a large amount to the price. Saying that we do have a character breakfast booked at hollywood and vine for the 26th so Alex can meet special agent oso. However I think we will skip it as that one day will end up costing about $300 which is a lot for 2 adults and a 1 year old.


I agree too about the dining plan being poor value even if free (with the added cost of staying on site.
We first had th ddp in 2006. Then you still got a desert and gratuities included. Even the snack credits were better as you could buy a box of entermans? doughnuts or other multi pack snacks.

 

[wayneg]

Reading this I am realising that DVC can be good in the long term. I locked in my accomodation costs in 1992 and despite annual dues the type of accomodation and number of nights remains good value. I also get a big discount on annual passes which helps too. Can't do anything about the flight cost but I think DVC is making Disney more economic for me. Pity I am not going this year! But I do intend to start planning a trip for Jan/Feb of next year!

I looked into it again last year and its still not for us, for this August the points required would have annual dues of £50/night before taking into account upfront costs. While I don't mind paying £110/night including our food I wouldn't want to be tied in a contract at £50/night just for annual dues but we are just as happy offsite when no free DDP, it would be far more tempting if we prefered onsite.
It would probably be more appealing without the upfront fees, I could maybe just about swallow £50/night but what does 250 points cost now, way too much for me. Works well for plenty of you though.

I agree too about the dining plan being poor value even if free (with the added cost of staying on site.
We first had th ddp in 2006. Then you still got a desert and gratuities included. Even the snack credits were better as you could buy a box of entermans? doughnuts or other multi pack snacks.

Free DDP can still work well, it does for us at OKW but only of you are getting a discount and free DDP, not so good paying rack rate to get free DDP, sometimes better if you can get room only with a good discount.

 

[choccieaddict]

I'd been watching flight prices to Florida since before Xmas and we had decided we couldn't afford WDW again this summer. However I can't bear the thought of not going to America so I started to look at other destinations. Vegas and San Fran were still quite pricey flights, but I managed to find some reasonable flight prices for 10 nights in October (during the school holidays, coming back once most kids are back in school to make it a bit cheaper) to LA. Still 'no go' though as we don't have the money 'up front' to pay for flights, so I popped into the travel agents and they gave me a reduction on a Virgin flight plus hotel package. For 4 adults we could stay in a room with two queen beds in Anaheim for under £3000. Of course, DH didn't know at the time that we booked this, that this is where Disneyland is I've put down a deposit and we are now saving like crazy. If we can afford it, we'll add a 3 day park hopper, and if we can't I'll get my Disney fix in Downtown Disney and we'll just do the whole LA thing, tour the coast, Santa Monica, visit Hollywood etc.

Might be worth a look if Florida is a no-go for you...

 

[PoppyAnna]

We haven't been since October 2007. Instead choosing other holidays, extending our home and new car.

Last summer we booked VA M+M return Miami flights for three weeks in April, costing £1600 for 2 adults and 2 children. Bargain!
This week we need to confirm out rough itinerary and booked hotels and villas, park tickets and car hire. I have been astonished at the cost, although I understood going for three weeks would up the costs, I never realised quite how much the prices have risen in three years. Coupled with the fact that our youngest is now five and must have park tickets for the first time
We were going to consider a Universal resort stay but now I think it's beyond our budget, instead I would rather spend the extra money going to Busch gardens, a character meal for the girls or a nice hotel in Miami for a couple of nights before returning home.

I think we will consider a few meals and bottles of wine in the villa and cut out a few of the TS meals we'd planned. If thats the difference between going and not going for us, I'd rather go "budget" everytime......

 

[disneyholic family]

i was discussing this thread with DH today - i don't know if this is representative or not, but i told him that based on this very unscientific sample, i think that WDW may be getting close to pricing itself out of a portion of the UK and european market....
of course, disney has no control over flights, but they do control ticket prices, food and accommodations.....it really seems as if they're pushing very close to the limits of what people are willing or able to pay....

but it is an unscientific poll....but i certainly know i'm feeling the pinch...

and if the only way i can get there is by staying offsite and not eating any onsite food, they're not doing themselves any favors by hiking the prices so much....that means, all they'll get out of me is the ticket fee....i'm sure they wouldn't be happy with that outcome...

 

[2Tiggies]

Possible. However for a lot of us it's the flight prices that have made the difference. That said, Disney has a UK sales office and would be fully aware of this. I also know that these boards are no secret to Disney But for what it's worth, I do hope you're wrong (I know you won't take that the wrong way). I know how special my Disney trips are to myself and DD and I don't like the idea of anyone not being able to go unless it is a conscious choice of their own free will.

 

[disneyholic family]

Possible. However for a lot of us it's the flight prices that have made the difference. That said, Disney has a UK sales office and would be fully aware of this. I also know that these boards are no secret to Disney But for what it's worth, I do hope you're wrong (I know you won't take that the wrong way). I know how special my Disney trips are to myself and DD and I don't like the idea of anyone not being able to go unless it is a conscious choice of their own free will.

oh no of course i wouldn't take it the wrong way!!
it's an interesting discussion....including some nice tips for ways to save money...

you're right that the flights are what's really driving the prices up significantly...
but disney has also raised their prices.....and i don't think it's all due to exchange rate differences....
i know that disney wants to make more money...but raising prices doesn't always achieve that goal...
sometimes raising prices actually causes revenue to fall as people purchase less, while lowering prices can cause revenue to rise as people purchase more....is that the laufer curve in economics?...maybe...
anyway...it's something you have to watch for when pricing any product....
so i'm just wondering if disney isn't getting close to that point on the curve where what they should be doing is lowering not raising prices in order to generate more revenue...
i certainly wouldn't mind...

as for us.....DD really wanted to do free dining this year, but i think i'm leaning towards offsite and preparing as much of our own food as possible....
it's not the perfect trip, but it's still a trip to disney....

 

[2Tiggies]

I see Disney's influence as well. I think in the past, the UK always had some really good deals. Now that is fine if you want to nab a stay at OKW or SSR during free dining while the 40% off is available, but if those resorts are not your cup of tea it isn't necessarily as straightforward. While UK guest are not any worse off for booking free dining, in the US you have a choice of opting for a resort discount instead. Had I booked on the US site, that would have been a much better discount for me. The trouble is, once again, fluctuating exchange rates make this a gamble if you want to pay it off over time so you never know what it will cost you in the end ; and of course the big factor: flights!!! US guests don't need to book these 11 months out - so the offers and discounts (specifically the pin codes) are not released until much later as this is not a factor with US guests to the same extent it is for international visitors. This has an added advantage for Disney in that it allows them to ascertain a more accurate prediction of occupancy at the resorts closer to the time before releasing offers, without it having a negative impact on business through guests being unable to take advantage of said offers through lack of available time to make travel arrangements.

I don't think they can ride on exchange rates either (agreeing with you again). If you look at the rates from last year, the pound was buying you less $$ than it is at present, despite the recent drop in value.

 

[disneyholic family]

I see Disney's influence as well. I think in the past, the UK always had some really good deals. Now that is fine if you want to nab a stay at OKW or SSR during free dining while the 40% off is available, but if those resorts are not your cup of tea it isn't necessarily as straightforward. While UK guest are not any worse off for booking free dining, in the US you have a choice of opting for a resort discount instead. Had I booked on the US site, that would have been a much better discount for me. The trouble is, once again, fluctuating exchange rates make this a gamble if you want to pay it off over time so you never know what it will cost you in the end ; and of course the big factor: flights!!! US guests don't need to book these 11 months out - so the offers and discounts (specifically the pin codes) are not released until much later as this is not a factor with US guests to the same extent it is for international visitors. This has an added advantage for Disney in that it allows them to ascertain a more accurate prediction of occupancy at the resorts closer to the time before releasing offers, without it having a negative impact on business through guests being unable to take advantage of said offers through lack of available time to make travel arrangements.

I don't think they can ride on exchange rates either (agreeing with you again). If you look at the rates from last year, the pound was buying you less $$ than it is at present, despite the recent drop in value.

nice analysis!!
now that i think about it, disney may be seeing weak numbers - i just got another pin code email last week.....it's to my email address that they think belongs to someone living in america (it's associated with my former american address)....anyway....
for the first time, they offered a much larger discount for the value resorts...
i've received these pin emails a few times and usually the value resort discount is only 15%.....this time it was 35% for both the values and moderates.....that's a significant difference...and it's good for all of 2011 - with only a few blackout dates (e.g. december 25th to new years), but most dates are included....
so they must be seeing a problem on their side..

but you're right - they can entice the US market at the last minute and even if airfares go up, people can always jump into their cars and drive (wish we could do that )

my original point is that they're at risk of losing the overseas market if they're not careful with their pricing....while it's true they discount OKW for free dining, even that has gone up since last year. I priced it last year and this year, and it came out several hundred pounds more expensive just for the room with free dining (before adding in the tickets)....several hundred pounds is not good....especially when people are being hit by the increased airfares, something that the overseas guests can't get around....we can't avoid planes....well...maybe if we trained to swim the atlantic.....

i know they consider the UK market to be an extremely important one to them....so they have to be careful about their pricing...
how many posts have you seen on this board recently where people have said the disney tickets are just too expensive for them so they're going to go to orlando but forgo a visit to WDW.....maybe that's always been true, but it seems to me i've seen a lot more of that recently..

 

[arielrocks]

we've found the prices so high we ended up cancelling one booking because we couldn't afford it.

we are going to go next year but will stay onsite using dvc, and won't have a car, which will save a bit as well.

its just annoying that the flights have increased so much. I also wish Disney would cover Sanford with ME so that we could get a cheap last min charter flight and still go without having to hire a car!

 

[Laurafoster]

We were very very lucky that we were able to buy into DVC when they were offering fantastic discounts and the exchange rate was just over $2 to the pound. So for us it worked out a really good deal.

The problem for us now is definately going to be flights. Fortunately we can be totally flexible on dates and durations to find the best deals - whether thats indirect or direct,m+m or whatever. But the prices are still going up massively - especially now we have my daughter to buy a seat for.