HELP! I think my eyes just popped out.....pricing Disney for first time in years and years!

[T00dles]

Statistics assume all debt is created equal which it's not. The more realistic stat which no one provides(I don't think) is how long does it take you fo pay off your Disney vacation simply saying someone uses a cc to pay for any vacation means nothing.

"75% of respondents said that their Disney trip did or would take six months or less to pay off"
More here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...y-vacation-parents-children-debt/74102655007/

 

[Rogue1677x]

Oh that is an idea, thank you. I did see that they are still pretty high in cost, but maybe. LOL. I am still in the beginning stages of trying to see what I can afford.

Hi Mousetriper: I feel your pain on trying to make plans for such an expensive visit. You mentioned staying at Universal and going to disney for that one event? I believe someone mentioned it. Universal is expensive too. It is Not a cheap place to stay. However, their value resorts (especially Cabana Bay) are really nice and on par with a moderate at disney. But tickets and express pass can add up pretty quickly.
I would recommend staying off site or at one of the sister resorts where you can walk to Epcot and go to the parks from there.
I don't think there is an inexpensive solution at this time for Disney or Universal. It's something we all struggle with and must decide if the cost is worth the experience, IMO. Hope something works out for you and your family

I brought that up as an option and mentioned it's not cheap.

Just looking at what the OP was mentioning about the holiday feel, I put that forth as a possibility. Only the OP knows what their monetary threshold is.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Actually, if you want cheap, consider a SeaWorld parks vacation, including a Discovery Cove day. The day ticket to Discovery Cove can include 2 weeks to SeaWorld, Aquatica (water park), and Busch Gardens - which makes it really cost effective per day and lots of stuff to do. You can easily be under $250 for the DC ticket including the other parks, if booked well in advance and/or during one of their sales (actually, you can be closer to $150 for slow times too).

 

[reddog21]

"75% of respondents said that their Disney trip did or would take six months or less to pay off"
More here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...y-vacation-parents-children-debt/74102655007/

Good find, six months or less is nothing for as expensive as Disney is. I would consider 6 months or less good debt and not how it's being portrayed in the article.

 

[cruising spud]

Are you driving or flying to Disney?

 

[tinkerhon]

Have you looked into rates at the hotels at Disney Springs? Do you have any club memberships/affiliations that might get you a discount rate (AAA, Military for Shades of Green, etc.).

I've booked a December trip once with 3 days notice, stayed in Disney Springs, was able to walk there and use their transportation to the park. I split meals with my daughter (granted, we're not much for eating), but it saved money.

Edit: not that Universal is super cheap, but they are fun around Christmas and you can see Grinchmas there.

We have stayed at the Wyndham Gardens Disney Springs our last six trips, and we absolutely love it ! Love being so close to DS, it’s much more affordable, and there’s a Joffreys in the lobby! )

 

[LAS2AMS]

Disney has never been an affordable vacation it requires planning and saving.

Disney was very affordable through the 2000s. Since then, its popularity has exploded, travel has swelled… and capacity within the WDW is largely stagnant. More demand than supply = high prices. WDW regularly closed portions of its hotels throughout the 2000s. And who can forget when the All Star resorts were on Priceline bidding for $25/night?

Air travel is more affordable than ever, which helps fuel the travel boom. When I was growing up in the 1990s, flying to Orlando was a big deal. Now I hear Gen Z ‘oh, after work on Thursday we’re flying to Orlando. We’re doing to hit Univeral for the weekend, then we’ll be home for dinner Sunday.’

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Statistics assume all debt is created equal which it's not. The more realistic stat which no one provides(I don't think) is how long does it take you fo pay off your Disney vacation simply saying someone uses a cc to pay for any vacation means nothing.

That is very true. I use my CC to pay for everything. Good travel protection and the points I use to pay for my next Disney cruise. The card is paid in full every month.

 

[MouseTriper]

I'm not sure if it still works, but we found Sam's Club to offer really affordable tickets compared to other venues, including Disney, and we didn't have to be members. If you have a Costco membership, you can save up to 10% off gift cards if they are offering that deal. Target has Disney gift cards at 5% off all the time. There are savings all around. It's just a matter of whether or not they move the needle for a trip.

Thank you, I will look into park tickets via Costco or Sam's Club. I need to research though because don't they need to be date tickets? Or are they tickets you can use anytime?

ps. the needle is definitely tipping in the right direction...

 

[MouseTriper]

We are going back for Christmas and these are some of the breakfasts I’m planning to provide to cut back on expenses:

Buy quart container of yogurt and fresh fruit salad to add to it.
Boiled eggs
Box of granola which can also be mixed w/ yogurt
1 qt of OJ, 1 qt of passion fruit juice, 1 qt of guava juice, 1 ltr of club soda = approx. 1 gal POG juice spritzer. Great all day long.


Haven’t finished reading this article but what I have looks interesting:

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/save-money-disney-world-vacation/

Those are all great breakfast ideas, totally doable for me and my kids. I read that article, some good information in there, thank you!

 

[MouseTriper]

Agree that Disney is pricey! We have enjoyed our WDW trips, mixing budget choices with a few splurges. We'll be tent camping at the Fort in early December this year. I know its not for everyone, but it works for us. We also really like the All Stars. Maybe more than the Moderates. We also like the "plus" tickets. That really stretches the fun across a longer time for us. Waterparks, foot golf, and mini golf mixed in with full park days. Hotel, tickets and food are the major costs for us. So after getting hotel and tickets squared away, I decide a reasonable food budget for our family and make choices based off that.

Another idea is Branson, MO. It will be cold in early December but still so fun! Silver Dollar City is decked out for Christmas and there's a variety of shows around town, somerging for everyone. That might be an option for your family.

Ohh we do love camping. One of these days I would love to camp at Disney, just not for this trip. Thank you for all the information. My brother lives in MO now so maybe one day we will make it to Branson. Silver Dollar City sounds fun!

 

[MouseTriper]

Hi Mousetriper: I feel your pain on trying to make plans for such an expensive visit. You mentioned staying at Universal and going to disney for that one event? I believe someone mentioned it. Universal is expensive too. It is Not a cheap place to stay. However, their value resorts (especially Cabana Bay) are really nice and on par with a moderate at disney. But tickets and express pass can add up pretty quickly.
I would recommend staying off site or at one of the sister resorts where you can walk to Epcot and go to the parks from there.
I don't think there is an inexpensive solution at this time for Disney or Universal. It's something we all struggle with and must decide if the cost is worth the experience, IMO. Hope something works out for you and your family

I agree, everyone needs to decide whether the cost is worth the experience. For me and my kids, at this point in time, it is definitely worth it if I can swing it. Long story short, we have been through some hard stuff the past couple years and I think a magical, stress-free Disney vacation is just what we need. Now given that, I know I have to make concessions and do things the way I can afford it. I now know I can not stay at a Disney resort but that is okay, I am looking into possibly using a combo of points and money at a nearby hotel.

ps. being able to walk to Epcot or any park would be awesome!

 

[Micca]

I hope you're able to put a trip together. While you're working out costs, please do take a look at renting DVC points. The DVC rooms with one or more bedrooms have a full kitchen. You could have food delivered and save a ton of money by eating at least some of your meals in the room. Not sure about the cost of renting points, but it's worth a look. There's a section right here on the Dis with folks looking to rent out points. We usually have 5 in our party--3 adults/two kids. Most meals cost over $100, every.single.time.

 

[MouseTriper]

It is definitely a steep cost curve at this point. I would say that there a a few ways to mitigate cost:

• Work with a reputable Disney Vacation planner. The good ones will actively hunt and apply discounts to your package
• If you're looking at staying on property, plan as far in advance if you can. It gives you longer to pay of the vacation, and there's better availability for some of the lower-priced resorts.
• Compare ticket prices on packages vs purchasing tickers from 3rd parties, such as UndercoverTourist
• If you want to stay at a Deluxe resort, renting DVC points is a great option (we're military, and we found point rental is still a better deal)
• Many folk are able to cut down on the "Disney tax" through purchasing discounted gift cards (easiest is the Target Circle card 5%).

We are able to afford Disney because: we invested in DVC resale (this is only a good option for folks who know they want to visit Disney deluxe resorts every 2 years or so) and we're a military family, so we're able to get heavily discounted tickets.

It is definitely a steep cost curve at this point. I would say that there a a few ways to mitigate cost:

• Work with a reputable Disney Vacation planner. The good ones will actively hunt and apply discounts to your package
• If you're looking at staying on property, plan as far in advance if you can. It gives you longer to pay of the vacation, and there's better availability for some of the lower-priced resorts.
• Compare ticket prices on packages vs purchasing tickers from 3rd parties, such as UndercoverTourist
• If you want to stay at a Deluxe resort, renting DVC points is a great option (we're military, and we found point rental is still a better deal)
• Many folk are able to cut down on the "Disney tax" through purchasing discounted gift cards (easiest is the Target Circle card 5%).

We are able to afford Disney because: we invested in DVC resale (this is only a good option for folks who know they want to visit Disney deluxe resorts every 2 years or so) and we're a military family, so we're able to get heavily discounted tickets.

Thank you for all the information. I will definitely look into all of it! I am so happy military families get good deals!!! I am not a military family but my Dad was a veteran. Love to see discounts for our military!!!

 

[MouseTriper]

Also look at Swan/Dolphin, they sometimes have discounted rates. Technically not Disney but on Disney property in the Boardwalk Area. Plus they get the same perks as the Disney Deluxe Hotels. Location can't be beat. Have stayed here many times.

We always eat something in the room for breakfast and then in the parks. The one expense you really can't change is the Park Ticket Pricing (maybe by a few dollars) - everything else depends on your budget.

Ohhhh that is so cool they get the same perks at the Disney Deluxe Hotels. I am definitely looking here as I may be able to use some points. I agree too, that location is awesome!

We will definitely be eating breakfast in our room. We are not huge breakfast eaters anyway and would rather get to the parks quickly. LOL. fresh fruit and yogurt, here we come!

Smoky Mountain Christmas has some of the better shows/performances Dollywood does any time of year. You could have a great time without getting in a single ride. The decorations are also fantastic.

Note that it is a Christmas festival. It is not a Winter festival or even a Holiday Season festival. It is unabashedly Christmas. If Christmas is an important religious holiday to you the Dollywood festival is hard to beat. If you come from another faith tradition and/or are agnostic it might not sit as well.

Full disclosure: I’m a spiritual-but-not-religious person and I had a great time. I am also a roller coaster person and that might have influenced things. If your family hikes that can be a pretty time to be in GSMNP, because there is often a dusting of snow at elevation. When I go to the area I usually hike during the day and go to the theme park at night. Lodging during that time of year should be cheap unless you are bleeding into Christmas week itself.

I absolutely LOVE Christmas! I love Christmas for the warm, nostalgic feeling it brings me, with its festive music, twinkling lights and just the joy of celebrating with my loved ones. I just love everything about Christmas! So with that said......an "unabashedly Christmas Dollywood" sounds amazing to me - and definitely something I will do one day (maybe sooner, if this Disney trip doesn't pan out).

We do like to hike too, we drove into GSMNP briefly when we went and I was in awe of how beautiful it was. The idea of hiking in there sounds good, as long as I took some deterrent with me. Hahaha!

Thanks again for all the information!

 

[MouseTriper]

I disagree with this.

My Seasonal Annual Pass cost $450 including tax. The AP rate at the Endless Summer resorts is $86 for weeknights. That is in fact inexpensive. Plus I can walk to offsite dining from Endless Summer.

Everyone (not just you, I see it most of the time when people compare) wants to compare Universal prices vs Disney, then says that Universal tickets are more expensive when you add the express pass. Well, yeah! Express pass is optional and expensive. If it's out of the budget, don't get express passes. Go early, stay late, add a day, keep an eye on wait times, use single rider lines, etc. How much more does it add to your Disney ticket to get LL & SingleLL daily?

Thanks for the information. I can see there are so many variables which differ for everyone, so it makes it hard to do a true comparison.

Pick the metric you like…

Adjusted for inflation, minimum wage, median household income, etc. a trip to WDW costs about two to four times more than it did in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Disney has increased prices faster than pretty much any income index.

Disney has never been cheap but it used to be much more affordable.

I agree with you that Disney has never been cheap but I did find it more reasonable and affordable in the past.

If you get an annual pass and are flexible with your dates, a stay at Universal’s Endless Summer hotels can be downright cheap. I’ve seen hotel rates lower than the $86 per night you mention.

But most people don’t have that kind of flexibility and end up having to go during the more expensive times of the year.

Unfortunately we are not able to be flexible on dates. I wish we could be. I will have to keep that info about Universal in the back of my mind for another time in the future. Thank you!

 

[MouseTriper]

Actually, if you want cheap, consider a SeaWorld parks vacation, including a Discovery Cove day. The day ticket to Discovery Cove can include 2 weeks to SeaWorld, Aquatica (water park), and Busch Gardens - which makes it really cost effective per day and lots of stuff to do. You can easily be under $250 for the DC ticket including the other parks, if booked well in advance and/or during one of their sales (actually, you can be closer to $150 for slow times too).

Ohhhh this sounds like a fun alternative, as well. We have never been to Discovery Cove. Thanks so much for the information, I will remember this one too.

Good find, six months or less is nothing for as expensive as Disney is. I would consider 6 months or less good debt and not how it's being portrayed in the article.

I haven't read the article yet. I know I do not like to go into debt and want to pay everything off right away. I would much rather save for 6 months (or more) than charge it and have to pay interest. BUT that is just my personal preference. Of course, that is not always the way it works out. lol

Are you driving or flying to Disney?

Flying. Which is another huge expense. How come whenever I do not need to fly anywhere I get bombarded with flight deals but the minute I sit down to actually try and book something, the deals are no where to be found? LOL.

That is very true. I use my CC to pay for everything. Good travel protection and the points I use to pay for my next Disney cruise. The card is paid in full every month.

My Dad always taught me to not buy anything on credit unless I could pay it off in full each month. It has been great advice for me!

 

[MouseTriper]

We have stayed at the Wyndham Gardens Disney Springs our last six trips, and we absolutely love it ! Love being so close to DS, it’s much more affordable, and there’s a Joffreys in the lobby! )

- "your last 6 trips" - you lucky dog!!! Haha. I have been checking out the hotels by Disney Springs. I think the location would be amazing. ps. I have no idea what a Joffreys in, need to google that. Haha.

Disney was very affordable through the 2000s. Since then, its popularity has exploded, travel has swelled… and capacity within the WDW is largely stagnant. More demand than supply = high prices. WDW regularly closed portions of its hotels throughout the 2000s. And who can forget when the All Star resorts were on Priceline bidding for $25/night?

Air travel is more affordable than ever, which helps fuel the travel boom. When I was growing up in the 1990s, flying to Orlando was a big deal. Now I hear Gen Z ‘oh, after work on Thursday we’re flying to Orlando. We’re doing to hit Univeral for the weekend, then we’ll be home for dinner Sunday.’

WOW!!!! Disney hotel bidding at $25/night? That must have been incredible! Bring those days back...hahahaaha! I think air travel depends on where you are flying from. For me, it seems like flights have increased more too. But again, there are so many factors to consider.

I hope you're able to put a trip together. While you're working out costs, please do take a look at renting DVC points. The DVC rooms with one or more bedrooms have a full kitchen. You could have food delivered and save a ton of money by eating at least some of your meals in the room. Not sure about the cost of renting points, but it's worth a look. There's a section right here on the Dis with folks looking to rent out points. We usually have 5 in our party--3 adults/two kids. Most meals cost over $100, every.single.time.

Thank you so much, I really hope I can pull it all together, too. I have to admit renting DVC points sounds confusing to me but then, I have not checked out that section on here. I will look into it as well. I know cooking in a room would be cheaper, but I am not sure I want to cook and clean on my vacation. Gosh, that sounds bad, I don't mean it to though. I just desperately need a relaxing time. I am so not opposed to easy things that can be microwaved or things of that nature, like using hot water for ramen, mac' n' cheese, instant oatmeal, etc. I also think it would be great if I had a fridge and could buy stuff for sandwiches to take into the parks. Then I would just need to budget for maybe one meal in the park. Maybe a couple table service and the rest counter service.

Gulp - I hear ya on the $100 meals, I quickly looked at some Disney menus and was like whoa!!!! I may need to take up a collection. Hahahaaha. I wish. LOL.

 

[MICKIMINI]

It has become outrageously expensive in the past 10-15 years and I am sorry for your disappointment. Though I have never stayed at one, there is a new druryhotels.com on property just a stone's through from DS. They do offer free breakfast and "snacks" at 5:30 pm which, if it were me (back in the day) that is what we would have for dinner LOL! Disney Value Resorts, DVC rentals (cheaper IMO on disboards), AAA etc all worth looking into. Time "is" money is a HUGE factor for not going off site as traffic is crazy.

Lunch can be shared entrees at the parks as kids meals can add up too. DH and I often split meals. That could alleviate the food cost issue somewhat. I always consider what we spend at home per day (say $25) and put it towards food. Pack lots of snacks to bring. If you are driving, you will have more options to freeze and pack in a cooler.

Tickets are what they are, but if you don't mind doing single parks (easier in many ways) that is a savings. Resort hopping for a QS meal on the monorail is something we often do just because we enjoy it. Go to DS in the morning, have lunch at Earl of Sandwich or Chicken Guy (both splitters) and then spend the afternoon in the pool for a relaxing "middle day".

Budget a set amount for each child for spending money and maybe "advance" part of holiday gifts as cash? Little "jobs" for them to earn extra money by setting/cleaning up the table etc is a great lesson. Our son quickly learned the value of money when he had a Disney budget as a toddler.

If you share your goal budget, number of adults/kids and number of days, that would help WDW veteran's help you with recommendations. I hope it all works out for you!

 

[DanceDisney23]

Regarding DVC rentals, they are cheaper than booking the same room type through Disney, but I found them not to be cheap. For a 1 bedroom suite, which you would need to have a full kitchen, expect to pay at least $500 a night if you go through a rental agency. I’m not sure how low DVC owners on this board are willing to go but it would probably be at least on par with the cost of a moderate resort room.

It’s also a bit late to book something for this December. You have a better shot at getting something 7-11 months out.