How high is too much for you?

[larryz]

I think that I could appreciate the lower cost of other parks if we had a good one close to us. SeaWorld has a good deal but we know that we wouldn't drive to San Antonio often enough to make use of it. I'd love it if we had nice parks like a Busch Gardens or Kennywood close to us.

Still, you raise a valid point. A week in San Antonio (one day each on the Missions, Sea World, Fiesta Texas, golf, and the Riverwalk) would cost far less than a week at WDW, even staying at a luxury resort, and you'd be able to eat at restaurants far surpassing what you'll find at most WDW TS venues for about half the cost.

That said, when the daily entrance fee averages $50, that'll pretty much do me.

 

[Makayna]

Exactly the way we feel. There IS no comparison. We went to Silver Dollar City with some family in AR and it was awful because we kept 'comparing'. It was run-down and tacky to us. We didn't say anything (of course) because to them it was great (they've never experienced Disney).

Hands down, Disney has the highest standard in parks - there is none others to come close to comparing, whatever the size - our opinions, of course.

First of all, Silver Dollar City is in Missouri, not Arkansas.

Second, I agree with the PP who said it's different than any other amusement park in that it's a genuine THEME park. The theme is 1880's, so a lot of the buildings are built to look simplistic and "old-fashioned", which to some, might look "run down." I guess if you don't "get" the atmosphere of it, then you might think it's hokey. But if I had a choice between SDC or DL (can't compare WDW yet as I've never been yet), I'd choose SDC hands down! We're going to WDW in November because I've never been and want to try it out, but SDC has a special place in my heart, much like WDW does to many here. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. YMMV.

 

[minnie mum]

I think we will be going less frequently now. Like some other PPs, we have never been "Disney Only" vacationers. Just too many other places in the real world that we have wanted to visit. I think we will probably now spend even more of our vacations elsewhere. I'm content to wait until our grandson is old enough (or at least until his parents say he's old enough) to return to WDW.

As much as we enjoy our stays at WDW, I think we'll be fine with only going every 3-5 years from now on. It has never been an inexpensive vacation. But when I can price out a trip in Europe for less money....

 

[Nixie]

We are slowly, but surely getting priced outta Disney. My 2 year old will be turning 3 here soon. The days of staying onsite it seems will be over. I have 2 kiddos that are "Disney adults" which means no more dining plan for us. I can see us coming back after our currently scheduled trip maybe one more time as a family when like the littlest is 4 or 5. If we had a smaller family or lived closer or could take our kiddos outta school whenever we wanted to, I could see us visiting more, but when our vacations to Disney are costing us about the same as a decent used car it just isn't feesible or even smart to be blowing that kinda money all time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We might be priced out of flying first. It's costing us $1800 to fly for 3 people! Totally crazy But for Disney itself, we'll keep going, just maybe not every year though.

We flew to WDW twice, and that will probably be it for us. The cost is too high, we live 2.5-3 hours (in good traffic) from the airport, add in the need to be there two hours early, deal with delays, etc....then there are the luggage limitations, baggage fees on most airlines, it just isn't worth it. I'll take the 13-hour drive and be on my own schedule.

 

[nate4761]

Exactly the way we feel. There IS no comparison. We went to Silver Dollar City with some family in AR and it was awful because we kept 'comparing'. It was run-down and tacky to us. We didn't say anything (of course) because to them it was great (they've never experienced Disney).

Hands down, Disney has the highest standard in parks - there is none others to come close to comparing, whatever the size - our opinions, of course.

I agree with Makayna on this one. SDC is a fantastic park! You can go to SDC for the entire year (March-December) for the cost of 1 day at DL. The quality of entertainment you get at SDC is as good or better than DL. The rides at SDC are way more thrilling than WDW or DL has to offer too (although there are plenty of tame rides for those who prefer them or are too young for thrill rides)

http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/attractions/rides/Outlaw-Run.aspx

http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/attractions/rides/PowderKeg.aspx

http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/attractions/rides/Wildfire.aspx

I believe this is WDW's only inverted roller coaster but I am begging to be proven wrong so I have more thrill rides to choose from on my upcoming trip

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/a...s/rock-and-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith/

Perhaps I am somewhat biased because I grew up around there, but somehow it seems less "corporate" to me too.

BTW...I am not the only one who thinks that SDC is a pretty good theme park.

http://www.10best.com/TravelAwards/Vote/best-theme-parks

I would totally choose SDC over DL or WDW any day of the week because season pass holders don't have any silly blackout date restrictions

 

[DanInMN]

Disney will continue to raise it's prices as long as they can keep the parks and hotels full enough to maximize profits. We are not priced out of Disney, but there are many other vacation options in that price range. Cruises, Europe, and camper trips to National Parks are a few. The rising prices at WDW make alternatives more attractive!

 

[Makayna]

I would totally choose SDC over DL or WDW any day of the week because season pass holders don't have any silly blackout date restrictions

Not to mention FREE PARKING for EVERY guest!!! Nobody ever HAS to pay for parking at Silver Dollar City (though that's an option if you want to park closer or want valet) to go to the park!

 

[North of Mouse]

First of all, Silver Dollar City is in Missouri, not Arkansas.

Second, I agree with the PP who said it's different than any other amusement park in that it's a genuine THEME park. The theme is 1880's, so a lot of the buildings are built to look simplistic and "old-fashioned", which to some, might look "run down." I guess if you don't "get" the atmosphere of it, then you might think it's hokey. But if I had a choice between SDC or DL (can't compare WDW yet as I've never been yet), I'd choose SDC hands down! We're going to WDW in November because I've never been and want to try it out, but SDC has a special place in my heart, much like WDW does to many here. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. YMMV.

Yes, I know where SDC is, I went there! I said I went with some of my family in AR. The 'run down' look I mentioned had nothing to do with the theme of the park - I realize what it was themed after - I was mentioning the condition of a lot of the buildings, which really needed the peeling paint scrubbed badly and repainted. We did enjoy the day, like I said, but it would not be something I could have a season pass for. One day was plenty. If you can, that's great.

I agree with Makayna on this one. SDC is a fantastic park! You can go to SDC for the entire year (March-December) for the cost of 1 day at DL. The quality of entertainment you get at SDC is as good or better than DL. The rides at SDC are way more thrilling than WDW or DL has to offer too (although there are plenty of tame rides for those who prefer them or are too young for thrill rides)
Perhaps I am somewhat biased because I grew up around there, but somehow it seems less "corporate" to me too.

I would totally choose SDC over DL or WDW any day of the week because season pass holders don't have any silly blackout date restrictions

That is great that you, too, can enjoy a season pass to a park near you. I do take issue with the entertainment factor being *as good as, or better* than the Disney parks though. It's fine, if that's the way you feel, but I doubt very many people would agree with that.

And, if you *prefer Silver Dollar City* over Disney, again that's your choice, and right for you, but for us, there is no comparison anywhere that compares with our enjoyment of Disney, or the cleanliness of the parks, or the service that we've always received, and expect.

 

[nate4761]

With the ticket increase now announced, I was thinking about this earlier.

How high will ticket and resort prices have to go before you and your family are priced out of vacationing at Disney? Have you already been priced out?

For some, it comes down to cost vs. perceived value.

Or does price not matter and you will pay whatever they charge, because it is Disney?

To answer the original question, I believe that many people would pay whatever it costs to take their children to WDW or DL once.

However, Six Flags (Season pass $67 for every Six flags in the country including Magic Mountain and bring a friend tickets) and other reasonably priced parks will ultimately reap the benefits (repeat customers), due to Disney's price increases.

Six Flags lines aren't any longer than WDW or DL and again...they have way more thrilling rides too.

 

[MondaysChild]

We love Disney. We typically rent DVC points and stay deluxe at the price of a value. If free dining is offered we stay at Pop. Our trip over Christmas week was about $5000 for three of us (8 days, rented points, added dining plan, peak season).

This year i am in love with the pace of sea world. We have super Grover passes for sesame place which get a good amount of use. The pass gets us in free to any sea world or Busch gardens so this year we will do two orlando SW trips, one Tampa BG trip, and a San Diego Christmas trip if I can score some good airfare. All those trips will cost only a little more than our one week in Disney.

We aren't priced out yet of Disney, but the prices certainly make me consider other options before booking. I agree with the sentiment that Disney does it best. 2014 is a 5 night disney cruise for us...great way to experience the disney magic without buying park tix!

 

[Makayna]

That is great that you, too, can enjoy a season pass to a park near you. I do take issue with the entertainment factor being *as good as, or better* than the Disney parks though. It's fine, if that's the way you feel, but I doubt very many people would agree with that.

LOL @ living close... I live in Washington State and have a season pass to Silver Dollar City... over 2000 miles away. But you do what you have to do to go to the park that you love (which, I think, is how many here feel about Disney). I guess this thread is making me realize that I feel about SDC the way you and many others feel about Disney. When I was at California Adventure 2 years ago, I did the same thing you did while at SDC in that I found myself constantly comparing the park (and not in a good way) to SDC. Now DL, I grew up going there, so being able to go again was reliving my childhood memories, so I can't make a fair comparison there (and that's another point I've heard so many here say that's why they keep going... to relive their childhood memories with their own children). Hearing someone "dis" the park I love evokes probably the same emotions that I think many in this thread are also feeling about hearing people speak badly about Disney.

So I guess I'm saying that i completely understand how you feel. I'm sure going to SDC as an "outsider" - not having gone there for years and years growing up, making precious memories along the way - is how I sort of feel about CA and WDW. So I can completely respect how you feel about Disney and even about SDC (even though I happen to disagree ).

 

[meredith1]

I think we will be going less frequently now. Like some other PPs, we have never been "Disney Only" vacationers. Just too many other places in the real world that we have wanted to visit. I think we will probably now spend even more of our vacations elsewhere. I'm content to wait until our grandson is old enough (or at least until his parents say he's old enough) to return to WDW.

As much as we enjoy our stays at WDW, I think we'll be fine with only going every 3-5 years from now on. It has never been an inexpensive vacation. But when I can price out a trip in Europe for less money....

Exactly. We've considered DVC because in the three trips we have (intend) to take in total, we would have basically paid for it but, there's so many destinations that we can provide our children that they will be able to have conversations about as they get older with others. I mean, saying I've done Disney vs. I've been to Rome are two completely different things....

 

[disney1990]

And yet you still can't buy a ticket for longer than 10 days? Why exactly is that?

Because if you want to go over 10 days, you might as well buy an Annual Pass and go twice in a 12 month period. We buy an Annual Pass and go one year in a late month and the next year in an early month. We buy Gift Cards with our Target RED card and then purchase our passes at the local Disney Store (savings 5%). We also purchase extra Gift Cards to use for dining. Our next trip we are staying offsite because, even with the summer resort discounts, it is cheaper and comes with breakfast.

We carefully choose TS restaurants so that they don't cost us an arm and a leg and share meals when we can. We limit how many TS restaurants we go to while we are there and usually do lunch and not dinner. Some Epcot restaurants offer discounts to Annual Pass holders during lunch. We have a Disney Visa and charge everything to it so that we have Disney "money" for our trip. There are definitely ways to make it more cost effective.

 

[nate4761]

Yes, I know where SDC is, I went there! I said I went with some of my family in AR. The 'run down' look I mentioned had nothing to do with the theme of the park - I realize what it was themed after - I was mentioning the condition of a lot of the buildings, which really needed the peeling paint scrubbed badly and repainted. We did enjoy the day, like I said, but it would not be something I could have a season pass for. One day was plenty. If you can, that's great.

And, if you *prefer Silver Dollar City* over Disney, again that's your choice, and right for you, but for us, there is no comparison anywhere that compares with our enjoyment of Disney, or the cleanliness of the parks, or the service that we've always received, and expect.

Having been to SDC every year of my life, I can vouch for SDC as being a clean, well kept park, and have never noticed peeling paint. Then again, perhaps I am so focused on going from ride to ride to notice the older paint.

You have a good point about doing what's right for you. If you prefer Disney, that's great...for me it's a nice place to visit now and then

 

[2009CAN]

To answer the original question, I believe that many people would pay whatever it costs to take their children to WDW or DL once.

I think this is pretty true. Disney is expensive especially if you have to fly there and have several kids.
We're going this year and it will likely be our only trip with the kids unless we have another child, then I will feel obligated to take that child at some point.

 

[tkgdisney]

I wonder how much of the price increase is due to the number of people that will do anything to get free days and meals by the unbelievable complaining in guest relations. Me heard some stories last trip that made my hair curl. My response was this is why prices continue to climb, and a few weeks later they did. When people are willing to cause a scene because they burnt their mouth on a pizza and will scream and curse because it should have been the right temperature when they took a bite, and cause such a commotion that we were embarrassed to be I the room, so much that a manager gave them their lunch money back then park admission refunded to shut them up. I was happy they refused to refund their room cost.

I wish I had the net e to. It up the wAy they did over their own stupidity, but I don't and I don't think I would ever, but prices go up because of the economy and people that feel entitled.

 

[carrie6466]

We own enough points to do a week every year in a dvc studio. We buy annual passes now, with the intent of it being on the two-year plan. (ie: Last year we bought them in Sept, this year we're going in August.

We buy some groceries and do some breakfasts, lunches and snacks in the room.

Having said all that, the thing that will eventually price us out, IMO, is the CRAZY airfare. I can't believe what the airfare cost this year. Unfortunately, driving is no longer an option for us.

 

[jaykorf001]

First of all, Silver Dollar City is in Missouri, not Arkansas.

Second, I agree with the PP who said it's different than any other amusement park in that it's a genuine THEME park. The theme is 1880's, so a lot of the buildings are built to look simplistic and "old-fashioned", which to some, might look "run down." I guess if you don't "get" the atmosphere of it, then you might think it's hokey. But if I had a choice between SDC or DL (can't compare WDW yet as I've never been yet), I'd choose SDC hands down! We're going to WDW in November because I've never been and want to try it out, but SDC has a special place in my heart, much like WDW does to many here. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. YMMV.

Thank you. You expressed my point better than I did. Many buildings/rides are built to look run down in that sense but the actual park is beautiful. This part of Missouri is considered middle south from a landscaping perspective. We do have winter. So the kind of lush vegetation one will see at a park in central Florida is not possible -- just a fact of Mother Nature. However, the park is located in a beautiful hardwood forest IMO -- themed around Christian life in the 1800's. Really different theming than WDW.

 

[puffkins]

We always buy 10-day PH passes with no expiration and they usually last 3 or so years (three trips)...so our per day cost is still relatively sane and locked in. I love WDW and will continue going for as long as I can. There's still no other place like it.

Disney is a luxury and even with the increased cost, it's still worth it.