How WDW dumped the Middle Class

[MikeNamez]

The only thing this article did for me was confirm that I'll be getting Premier pass next week.

 

[DCLMP]

The top 1-5% are not vacationing at Walt Disney World. It's the middle class, they make it work, even with increasing prices. And Disney knows this.

The top 1-5% are absolutely vacationing at WDW. Who do you think is paying for the 800+ a night rooms at the deluxe resorts. Who books the suites and the club level rooms. It's not the middle class. We used to book CL at WDW and we are middle class. No longer can we do that. A moderate is now the cost of what I paid for a Club level room at AKL 7 years ago. Sure if I desperately wanted to go I could figure out a way to do it on the cheap. It's not the type of vacation I want so I don't go.

It's not just the cost the experience isn't what it used to be. I feel the same way about DCL I hate their new ships. The cost is tripled since we started cruising. I'm starting to book other cruise options.

 

[focusondisney]

The top 1-5% are absolutely vacationing at WDW. Who do you think is paying for the 800+ a night rooms at the deluxe resorts. Who books the suites and the club level rooms. It's not the middle class. We used to book CL at WDW and we are middle class. No longer can we do that. A moderate is now the cost of what I paid for a Club level room at AKL 7 years ago. Sure if I desperately wanted to go I could figure out a way to do it on the cheap. It's not the type of vacation I want so I don't go.

It's not just the cost the experience isn't what it used to be. I feel the same way about DCL I hate their new ships. The cost is tripled since we started cruising. I'm starting to book other cruise options.

Please don’t speak for the whole middle class. We have never been in the 1-5%, always middle class. We have been staying CL since the late 90s. And we still stay CL, including an upcoming 10 night stay. Everyone has different costs of living & priorities for how they spend their money.

CBNC’s report from earlier this year considers incomes of almost $200K middle class. Certainly enough money for CL if that’s how people choose to spend it.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/income-you-need-to-be-middle-class-in-every-us-state.html

The upper bound of what’s considered middle class for households exceeds $100,000 in every U.S. state, according to a SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data, the most recent available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report, which crunched the numbers for all 50 states, is based on Pew Research’s definition of middle class: two-thirds to double the median household income.

On that measure, Massachusetts has the highest threshold for middle-class salaries, overtaking New Jersey from last year’s rankings. A household there needs between $66,565 and $199,716 to be considered middle class, with the upper boundary increasing by nearly $11,000 from the previous report.

 

[DCLMP]

Please don’t speak for the whole middle class. We have never been in the 1-5%, always middle class. We have been staying CL since the late 90s. And we still stay CL, including an upcoming 10 night stay. Everyone has different costs of living & priorities for how they spend their money.

CBNC’s report from earlier this year considers incomes of almost $200K middle class. Certainly enough money for CL if that’s how people choose to spend it.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/income-you-need-to-be-middle-class-in-every-us-state.html

The upper bound of what’s considered middle class for households exceeds $100,000 in every U.S. state, according to a SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data, the most recent available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report, which crunched the numbers for all 50 states, is based on Pew Research’s definition of middle class: two-thirds to double the median household income.

On that measure, Massachusetts has the highest threshold for middle-class salaries, overtaking New Jersey from last year’s rankings. A household there needs between $66,565 and $199,716 to be considered middle class, with the upper boundary increasing by nearly $11,000 from the previous report.

I was responding to the comment that the 1-5% don't go to WDW. Of course they do. I'm glad you as a middle class person can comfortably afford 800 dollar a night rooms at WDW. That's awesome.

I'm guessing since you have been going since the 90"s and staying Club level that you are not a young person with young kids. You probably have some savings and a lot of assets, maybe retired? I don't think there are many young middle class families with young children that can take a WDW that costs as much as a car.

 

[focusondisney]

I was responding to the comment that the 1-5% don't go to WDW. Of course they do.

And I’m responding to your comment that no one in the middle class stays CL. Of course they do. You’re as wrong as the other poster.

 

[DCLMP]

And I’m responding to your comment that no one in the middle class stays CL. Of course they do. You’re as wrong as the other poster.

I stand corrected. I was wrong you are a middle class person that spends 15- 20k on WDW trips. Totally normal. The bigger question is why? The last time I stayed Club level it was for 400 a night for three nights and it was barely worth it at that price. I get worth is subjective, but the snacks and drinks aren't worth more that an extra 50 dollars a night. An executive lounge stay at Hilton Hyatt or Marriott is far superior.

I also think class should be defined by more than just your wage. You have to consider a person total net worth.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Please don’t speak for the whole middle class. We have never been in the 1-5%, always middle class. We have been staying CL since the late 90s. And we still stay CL, including an upcoming 10 night stay. Everyone has different costs of living & priorities for how they spend their money.

CBNC’s report from earlier this year considers incomes of almost $200K middle class. Certainly enough money for CL if that’s how people choose to spend it.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/income-you-need-to-be-middle-class-in-every-us-state.html

The upper bound of what’s considered middle class for households exceeds $100,000 in every U.S. state, according to a SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data, the most recent available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report, which crunched the numbers for all 50 states, is based on Pew Research’s definition of middle class: two-thirds to double the median household income.

On that measure, Massachusetts has the highest threshold for middle-class salaries, overtaking New Jersey from last year’s rankings. A household there needs between $66,565 and $199,716 to be considered middle class, with the upper boundary increasing by nearly $11,000 from the previous report.

$200k is not enough for CL if someone also has a big mortgage payment along with car and college loan payments.

But I personally don’t see the appeal of CL. I prefer the size of DVC 1 bedrooms.

My opinion is that the 1-5% do go to Disney but it’s not their ‘main’ or only trip for the year. They’ll probably also stay for a shorter time and pay to not wait in line.