I don´t want to bring bad news but....

[mom2rtk]

Hmmmmm..... Disney has a LOT of rooms to keep full.

Disney has relied HEAVILY on free dining to keep those rooms full, especially in low crowd times.

Sort of makes me wonder if they are planning to "motivate" people in a different way this year........

Fastpass+. Cough. Cough. Fastpass+. Cough. Cough.

The latest rumor is that regular FP will go away when people enroll in FP+.

Things, they are a'changin.

 

[saskdw]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Price gouging is not the same thing as uncompetitive pricing. And pricing is only uncompetitive if people won't pay it. You always have other alternatives. You can just not go to WDW- take your money elsewhere. You can stay offsite. You can buy your tickets from other sources. You can dine offsite or bring your own food. You can use other discounts. The end of FD as we have known it is not price gouging. It's simply the end of a discount that was offered for a few years. They still offer other discounts. Their rack rates are not price gouging- they are just really expensive.

Are disney resorts over priced. Yes. Because people will pay what they demand. People still go there, paying rack rate, no discounts, even at the most expensive time of the year. The only time Disney will offer a discount is when they forsee a need to fill rooms. And they won't lower rack rates until they see a drastic fall off in room occupancy.

They honestly don't HAVE to offer anything in order to make your vacationing a less expensive proposition. If you don't want to pay the prices they charge, then that is your privilege. I just wouldn't count (right now) on seeing a huge backlash based on this latest development.

First off everything in your post is your opinion, you are speaking like they are facts.

The big error in your thinking is that WDW hasn't filled rooms at rack rate for years. They aren't suffering yet and are still filling rooms because they have continued to offer FD and other comparable deals. IF and that's a big IF, they managed to continue to fill rooms this year using the plan being discussed which is raising prices AND offering smaller discounts of those prices than I will be wrong and they will be right. I personally think there room occupancy will go down drastically if they stick to their guns.

And to clarify its not just the rooms, it's the total cost of vacationing there. The Value and Mod rooms themselves are only a little overpriced. The park tickets are starting to get up there and to me only make sense if you get the 10 day tickets. The really big thing is the food prices, especially at the TS restaurants. We just came back from a 10'day stay onsite at Universal and the prices at City Walk/Resort restaurants are significantly cheaper than WDW. I was actually amazed at how reasonable the prices were, we had budgeted more money for food than we spent. We also stayed in a Deluxe resort onsite for the price of a Mod at WDW.

 

[aaarcher86]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Hmmmmm..... Disney has a LOT of rooms to keep full.

Disney has relied HEAVILY on free dining to keep those rooms full, especially in low crowd times.

Sort of makes me wonder if they are planning to "motivate" people in a different way this year........

Fastpass+. Cough. Cough. Fastpass+. Cough. Cough.

The latest rumor is that regular FP will go away when people enroll in FP+.

Things, they are a'changin.

I had only heard someone doing FP+ wouldn't be able to participate in regular FP. It's one or the other. Never heard of FP going away entirely.

 

[mom2rtk]

I had only heard someone doing FP+ wouldn't be able to participate in regular FP. It's one or the other. Never heard of FP going away entirely.

Nobody knows. My own guess is that it will overlap for a while then likely go away. But as I said..... it's all guessing at this point.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Those that are unhappy need only to vote with your feet and stay offsite or vacation elsewhere. If Disney resorts are going unfilled, I would bet good discounts come back. We are staying at value rather than mod. This trip, but if discounts come out for our dates we will reconsider.

 

[saskdw]

Here's why I'm using the word gouged. Our family typically stays at WDW Dec. 14th-28th. Last time we stayed at CSR in a waterview room with 10 day park hoppers and watermarks/more. There are myself, DW, and DS17. This package priced out at $4713 and we got FD. For us its $2k for flights and say $1500 spending money and various other costs so your at $8k in a hurry.

That pkg for 2013 now prices at $5749 and the promo that comes out tomorrow would save my family at least $1000 less than FD. So we are looking at an increase of $2000 or more to take the same vacation.

Poking around on the website it seems that they have changed the days of value and peak seasons. So we used to get value season price the first week before going to holiday season pricing the second week. Now we would be paying peak season rates the first week and a price increase on rooms/ tickets as well.

 

[Shaden]

Here's why I'm using the word gouged. Our family typically stays at WDW Dec. 14th-28th. Last time we stayed at CSR in a waterview room with 10 day park hoppers and watermarks/more. There are myself, DW, and DS17. This package priced out at $4713 and we got FD. For us its $2k for flights and say $1500 spending money and various other costs so your at $8k in a hurry.

That pkg for 2013 now prices at $5749 and the promo that comes out tomorrow would save my family at least $1000 less than FD. So we are looking at an increase of $2000 or more to take the same vacation.

Poking around on the website it seems that they have changed the days of value and peak seasons. So we used to get value season price the first week before going to holiday season pricing the second week. Now we would be paying peak season rates the first week and a price increase on rooms/ tickets as well.

I will reiterate - you are not getting gouged, you don't seem to know the meaning of that word.

Price Gouging - pricing above the market price when no alternative retailer is available, usually in reference to necessities.

You have lots of other retailers you can go to, if Disney continues to be a viable company while charging these rates, they are in fact market rates.


My wife and I went last year on our honey moon during peak prices, we are going again in May this year during regular season prices.

Both times it was/will be a lot of money, but we are willing to pay it for "Disney" Next year, we might go somewhere else, and pay much less. But its not gouging, its getting the most they can from the market, or at least, attempting to.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Unfortunately for our family we are being price "gouged" because #1 our calendar and work obligations cause us to go during a time they consider a "Holiday" and #2 they are counting on the new Fantasyland to draw bigger crowds. With a 14 year old girl and 11 year old boy, we really don't even plan on visiting the new Fantasyland.

Sorry no "gouging" going on here. "Holiday" pricing has always been there.They didn't just start it to GOUGE you. Holidays -summer-spring break all gonna be higher! This should not be a surprise unless you are planning your 1st vacation. Not really sure why you're going if your kids aren't interested in something like the new Fantasyland but guess to each their own Regardless of whether you want to visit Fantasyland or not MILLIONS of others are really excited about seeing it ! Disney knows this and is not going to give it away . They spend millions building these things for us to see and come back again and again. I love it ! That's why they get my $$ quality and new products all the time . Hope your schedule changes someday so you can visit during off seasons and enjoy the lower pricing and the lower crowds. lot's of Fun.

 

[saskdw]

I will reiterate - you are not getting gouged, you don't seem to know the meaning of that word.

Price Gouging - pricing above the market price when no alternative retailer is available, usually in reference to necessities.

You have lots of other retailers you can go to, if Disney continues to be a viable company while charging these rates, they are in fact market rates.


My wife and I went last year on our honey moon during peak prices, we are going again in May this year during regular season prices.

Both times it was/will be a lot of money, but we are willing to pay it for "Disney" Next year, we might go somewhere else, and pay much less. But its not gouging, its getting the most they can from the market, or at least, attempting to.

Everything in your post is stuff I have already posted previously. I manage a successful multi-million dollar company I don't need you to explain supply and demand to me. Focusing on my use of the word gouge is just starting an argument for the sake of arguing.

 

[olecow]

If you read my posts you would know I can afford to go. I refused to be gouged. This debate isn't about people that can't afford the prices, it's about people that can, but are smart enough not to allow Disney to gouge them with uncompetitive pricing.

I'm aware that you can afford to go. If you choose not to that's fine. I just don't get the thinking that "I really hope Disney suffers because I don't want to pay their prices." It doesn't make sense to me. And I wan't singling out your posts.

By the way, nice subtle shot that somehow I and others are dumb because we'll pay rack rate. I'm really glad I'm too dumb to avoid being gouged. My family has a wonderful time at Disney whenever we go. I hope everyone enjoys their future vacations, no matter where they are (or how much they spend).

 

[Shaden]

Everything in your post is stuff I have already posted previously. I manage a successful multi-million dollar company I don't need you to explain supply and demand to me. Focusing on my use of the word gouge is just starting an argument for the sake of arguing.

Not really, its the premise of your argument. There is a big difference between saying you think the prices are too high, or aren't worth it, verses saying you are getting gouged.

PS, you really love to number drop eh ? It doesn't make you look any better for the record, it makes you look more petty.

 

[Lynne M]

From your friendly neighborhood moderator....

Discussing is fine. Debating is fine. Personal arguments and sniping at each other on the boards is not.

 

[saskdw]

I'm aware that you can afford to go. If you choose not to that's fine. I just don't get the thinking that "I really hope Disney suffers because I don't want to pay their prices." It doesn't make sense to me. And I wan't singling out your posts.

By the way, nice subtle shot that somehow I and others are dumb because we'll pay rack rate. I'm really glad I'm too dumb to avoid being gouged. My family has a wonderful time at Disney whenever we go. I hope everyone enjoys their future vacations, no matter where they are (or how much they spend).

Actually wasn't my intent to indicate that you were dumb, I was just grouping together the people that share my opinion. If you feel you are getting the value for your money that's all that matters. Like I said before if there are enough people that feel the way you do then Disney will indeed have established market value, thus proving me wrong. Of course I want to be right. First off that means I'm right...lol, secondly means I can pay less to goto WDW.

 

[saskdw]

Not really, its the premise of your argument. There is a big difference between saying you think the prices are too high, or aren't worth it, verses saying you are getting gouged.

PS, you really love to number drop eh ? It doesn't make you look any better for the record, it makes you look more petty.

The numbers are facts, that's all.

 

[tinkbyday]

I admittedly didn't read through all of the posts on this thread, but did want to add that I was in complete sticker shock when I looked at the prices last night.

We have been 6 times so far and are planning a trip in December this year (19th - 25th). Since we do spend alot of time in the resort, we like to stay deluxe - but at about $650 per night for a regular room seems outrageous to me. I wouldn't pay rack because, at minimum, I would use my AAA discount, but the price is still way higher than I can believe.

We have decided to split the stay - we will stay on property for a few nights, but then we are moving over to the Ritz Carlton (at about half the price) for the remainder and will spend some time at Universal.

This will also sadly be our last trip to Disney - as much as I love it, for what we spend on a Disney vacation, we could go on two or three vacations a year and that is the choice we will make going forward. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that we had already purchased park tickets, we probably wouldn't even take this last trip.

 

[minnie mum]

[Oh never mind.

 

[saskdw]

I admittedly didn't read through all of the posts on this thread, but did want to add that I was in complete sticker shock when I looked at the prices last night.

We have been 6 times so far and are planning a trip in December this year (19th - 25th). Since we do spend alot of time in the resort, we like to stay deluxe - but at about $650 per night for a regular room seems outrageous to me. I wouldn't pay rack because, at minimum, I would use my AAA discount, but the price is still way higher than I can believe.

We have decided to split the stay - we will stay on property for a few nights, but then we are moving over to the Ritz Carlton (at about half the price) for the remainder and will spend some time at Universal.

This will also sadly be our last trip to Disney - as much as I love it, for what we spend on a Disney vacation, we could go on two or three vacations a year and that is the choice we will make going forward. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that we had already purchased park tickets, we probably wouldn't even take this last trip.

I guess the question I would ask Disney management if I had the chance is do they want to be a yearly vacation destination or more of a once in a lifetime "dream" vacation destination? The first time we went we would have paid pretty much any price with in reason. We always wanted to go, were finally in a position to afford it and we would have paid big bucks if that's what it took. However as a yearly destination most people are only going to spend so much.

 

[minnie mum]

First off everything in your post is your opinion, you are speaking like they are facts.......

. We just came back from a 10'day stay onsite at Universal and the prices at City Walk/Resort restaurants are significantly cheaper than WDW. I was actually amazed at how reasonable the prices were, we had budgeted more money for food than we spent. We also stayed in a Deluxe resort onsite for the price of a Mod at WDW.

I will stand by everything that I said in my post. And don't consider much of anything to be opinion. Glad to see one of the other posters supply you with the actual definition of price gouging. I'm surprised that a big time business man running a multimillion dollar operation wouldn't know the proper use of the term.

Looks like you have your answer of where to spend you hard earned big vacation dollars now that you've fallen in love with Universal. So happy for you.

I'm really not sure why someone who spends his life in the upper regions of management would not be aware of Disneys strategies when it comes to pricing and discounts. They announced YEARS ago, when the real estate bubble burst, that they would continue to raise their prices as necessary, but would be offering discounts AS NECESSARY UNTIL the economy showed signs of recovery. Apparently they feel that they are seeing those signs, and as promised, have started backing off some of their discounts. For some reason you have reacted as if they have summarily cancelled every and all discounts and special offers. But that is not the case.

You don't have to like it. And you don't have to pay for anything you don't want to. But I will bet my bottom dollar that Disney will continue to fill their resort rooms, their parks, and their restaurants until the vast majority of the world decides it is too much. Apparently your threshold has already been reached. Disney is betting that this is not the case for the vast majority of their customers. No offense, but I think I'm going to have to give Disney credit for more expertise and a keener business sense than you when it comes to the running of a multi-BILLION dollar multi-national corporation.

 

[Laketravis]

Orlando is an oligopoly, and WDW is the price leader. Unfortunately for all of us, when Disney starts to eliminate discounts and raises prices, the rest of the market (hotels, eateries, resorts, attractions) will raise their prices as well.

I'm disappointed to see that happen, as it certainly costs more since ALL options will eventually rise in price.

But I also understand that there are two possible outcomes to such a strategy - higher prices will enable WDW to generate as much or more profit from lower crowd levels, thus increasing the quality of experience for those who do participate, or it won't generate as much or more profit from lower crowd levels, and Disney will return to lower prices and/or increased use of discounts to increase the crowd levels.

The third option is that the same or larger numbers of people continue to buy at ever increasing prices, but I don't see that as an option because vacation dollars don't have the same price elasticity as, say, food or utility dollars.

I'm looking forward to an interesting year ahead - Disney is trying to do what fast food has been trying for years (moving away from dollar menus) and you can bet that anyone with an economic interest within a 50 mile radius is hoping Disney succeeds because that means they can raise their prices also.

 

[TinaLala]

Well this stinks. One of the reasons why we go during the late summer months is because of the FD, but to hear QSDP for moderate and deluxe - that stinks!

We haven't been in 3 years and I saved a bunch of money so we could go to a deluxe, based on this it sounds like we'll be at a moderate and upgrading to the BDP. There's always so much manipulation!!