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.

 

[focusondisney]

$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.

And that’s why I said everyone’s cost of living & spending priorities are different. Not everyone chooses to have a big mortgage or multiple car payments. The PP said no one in the middle class stays CL, which is absolutely not true. You can’t project for a whole class of people because of your own decisions & situation.

 

[Cfabar1]

I'm not quite sure what the point of the article was. These were my takeaways:

Disney, like many other entertainment companies is offering segmented experiences. It is no different than the "premium seats" frequently found in Broadway Theaters or sports arenas.

Disney is using the parks to be a revenue driver, and is looking at how to capture more travel dollars - particularly from high income individuals. This means that the experience for some who are not willing to shell out for these expensive experiences will arguably be "less good".

Disney, like many travel purchases, is becoming more expensive when compared to inflation. Historically, this was not always the case for Disney.

The result is that, like so many things, the people who shell out more money are able to have a "better" experience. But, based on the stories from the article, Disney is still providing a "good enough" experience for those at the less expensive end of the spectrum who wish to come back.

It does feel to me that Disney is aware of this "pricing publicity" they have been getting recently. My personal hope is that they "plus-up" the parks - which I feel they have been doing with things like Cool Kid Summer - and also "plus up" the resorts - add things like Kids Clubs back in, have Mary Poppins stroll through GF 2 times a day, etc. We also have noticed a lot more handing out of pins, buttons, stickers, etc. by CM over the past few months. Personally, I'd prefer they go that way rather than cutting prices.

Lastly, to me it seems like Disney has been pouring more money into discounts. DCL promotions have increased, WDW seems to have a number of various discounts on offer. So, are net prices over the long term much higher? Absolutely. Are net prices much higher 2022 vs. now? I don't know, but if I had to guess, after promotions on one end and inflation on the other, I would guess no, not really.

 

[Mle8308]

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.

It absolutely is the middle class. Are there ultra rich who go to Disney? Of course, but they are not who is filling up the suites or CL overall, it’s the middle to upper middle class. I’m paying that this next 2 weeks and I am not in the 5% nor do I own DVC. Now are people going into debt to pay for it? Maybe, but again, it’s generally not the 1-5% who are paying for CL or suites or lengthy Disney vacations. Upper middle class, yes, but they are not the 1%.

 

[DCLMP]

And that’s why I said everyone’s cost of living & spending priorities are different. Not everyone chooses to have a big mortgage or multiple car payments. The PP said no one in the middle class stays CL, which is absolutely not true. You can’t project for a whole class of people because of your own decisions & situation.

Can we ge past the no one and say the majority? I’m curious how you define middle class.

Being middle class with grown kids, no mortgage, lots of equity, saving, and a nice 401k is different the being in your 30s a mortgage, student debt, 2 young kids etc.

Our first trip to to WDW was in 2010. We spent 10 nights there at the Poly with deluxe dining. 2adult an 2 kids for 5200. It took me about a year to save up for it. The same trip now is around 16k with just regular dining. Throw a couple thousand more on there for Club level.

In my state middle class in 70k-200k. Spending close to 20k on theme park vacation doesn't sound like a prudent thing to do for a young middle class family. There's always the exception, some young people have gotten money other ways, but generally speaking and thinking of the young people I work with this seems a little out of reach.

In my opinion the people spending this kind of money are over the 200k income level and that's a lot of people in this country, but it's not necessarily the middle class.

 

[DCLMP]

It absolutely is the middle class. Are there ultra rich who go to Disney? Of course, but they are not who is filling up the suites or CL overall, it’s the middle to upper middle class. I’m paying that this next 2 weeks and I am not in the 5% nor do I own DVC. Now are people going into debt to pay for it? Maybe, but again, it’s generally not the 1-5% who are paying for CL or suites or lengthy Disney vacations. Upper middle class, yes, but they are not the 1%.

60% of the people in this country live pay check to pay check. Let's not even get into the debt problem.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I love Disney but if it wasn't just a 3 hour drive and I had to pay for travel I may have been to the parks 1 or 2 times in my life.

I've been going to Disney my whole life and never have I ever stayed more than 3 days. The only times I stayed at their " resorts" was when my in-laws sprung for the Swan years ago and next week because of a huge package summer discount we got.

And the extended weekends we spend there are getting harder and harder to justify. Dropping $2k for a weekend getaway isn't something we can afford often. And unless you get a 3 day ticket, discounts are scarce. I used to be able to get a 3 day ticket but space it out over the year. Now if i want to take my kids for 1 day at a park im in $800 deep before a hotel. So I'm that respect, it is pricing us out. My kids love it, but they also love Lego land and the beach.

 

[DCLMP]

I love Disney but if it wasn't just a 3 hour drive and I had to pay for travel I may have been to the parks 1 or 2 times in my life.

I've been going to Disney my whole life and never have I ever stayed more than 3 days. The only times I stayed at their " resorts" was when my in-laws sprung for the Swan years ago and next week because of a huge package summer discount we got.

And the extended weekends we spend there are getting harder and harder to justify. Dropping $2k for a weekend getaway isn't something we can afford often. And unless you get a 3 day ticket, discounts are scarce. I used to be able to get a 3 day ticket but space it out over the year. Now if i want to take my kids for 1 day at a park im in $800 deep before a hotel. So I'm that respect, it is pricing us out. My kids love it, but they also love Lego land and the beach.

I was thinking of something to do before our cruise and I priced out two days at WDW. It was 1400 2 people for 2 day base tickets and two nights at Coronado Springs. Throw in food it's coming close to 2k and that's just for two people for 2 days. Could I afford it yes. Do I think it's worth it no. I will not be doing that.

 

[Mouseforward]

It is total hyperbole. Summer deals on tickets , and the glut of great offsite hotels make it affordable.

In the 70's our first trips were at a Day's Inn and no more than 3-4 park days because that was all a working class family could swing.

The old offsite hotels were no better than a roadside motel with a small square pool , now they have slides and much better offerings for kids.

If anything it is easier than when I was young to go to WDW. It is the expectations that have grown.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I was thinking of something to do before our cruise and I priced out two days at WDW. It was 1400 2 people for 2 day base tickets and two nights at Coronado Springs. Throw in food it's coming close to 2k and that's just for two people for 2 days. Could I afford it yes. Do I think it's worth it no. I will not be doing that.

We were considering a long weekend in February. DVC villa paid with points. Airfare using credit card rewards. 4 day base tickets for 2 adults, 1 child ("baby" is 2) are over $2K.

That's a lot of money for a short trip, especially when you factor in non-Disney expenses like ground transportation and a pet sitter. Unless they come out with a ticket deal for early 2026, that trip isn't going to happen. "Kids eat free" isn't enough of an incentive to buy the dining plan.

 

[focusondisney]

In the 70's our first trips were at a Day's Inn and no more than 3-4 park days because that was all a working class family could swing.

This is so true. There have always been families who couldn’t afford Disney vacations, let alone Disney resorts. Heck, growing up, my parents couldn’t afford to take us on any vacations at all. Our 1st family vacation was the summer I was going into my senior year in high school. It was a road trip to DC, where most things are free. And that was only after my 2 older sisters had moved out of the house.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I don't want to create an account to read the article. Yeah I feel dumped.

We used to stay at deluxe resorts, buy the dining plan, AP's go multiple times a year and have a great time. I guess I could still go and stay in a value resort, but meh. There are better vacations for the money its costs. I spent two weeks in Japan this year and was considerably cheaper than a one week trip to WDW in a value resort.

How much was your vacation in Japan?

 

[DCLMP]

We were considering a long weekend in February. DVC villa paid with points. Airfare using credit card rewards. 4 day base tickets for 2 adults, 1 child ("baby" is 2) are over $2K.

That's a lot of money for a short trip, especially when you factor in non-Disney expenses like ground transportation and a pet sitter. Unless they come out with a ticket deal for early 2026, that trip isn't going to happen. "Kids eat free" isn't enough of an incentive to buy the dining plan.

We started doing DCL and WDW at the height of great recession when prices were much lower and there were deals galore. I feel very blessed that my kids were the perfect Disney age and we were one of the fortunate ones that kept our jobs and our house. Our first DCL cruise was 1200 dollars for two adults and 2 kids. Not happening these days.

I could not do the vacations we did then at today's prices. It's not even a question of worth I simply can't afford it. Like I said the vacations we did back then combing WDW with cruises would be 25k+ today. Yes we could stay offsite and eat offsite, but I don't like WDW enough to go backwards. I have some great memories of WDW, but don't feel the need to revisit it at todays prices.

We went to Japan for 2 weeks in February used miles and hotel points and it was fantastic. I'd rather spend the money doing international travel for less money.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

We use miles and DVC points for Disney trips. So it's actually cheaper for us to go to WDW than other places. Everyone has their own way of saving money to travel and preferred place to go.