I feel so poor...

[afan]

I would agree with you except this is a Disney forum. Most people on here are probably pretty detached from middle-class hardships.

This is the budget board. All you have to do is look around at some of the threads and you'd know that's not true. Plenty of people here that are middle or lower middle class that are working to reduce debt or save money for Disney or anything else.

I would say some of the reactions in this thread also show that a lot of people here do understand and that's why it's all been so divisive.

 

[DCLMP]

This is the budget board. All you have to do is look around at some of the threads and you'd know that's not true. Plenty of people here that are middle or lower middle class that are working to reduce debt or save money for Disney or anything else.

I would say some of the reactions in this thread also show that a lot of people here do understand and that's why it's all been so divisive.

I don't know that much about the budget section I was referring to the board in general.

 

[tzolkin]

When is the last time a family of 5 with an income below $50K could afford much of a vacation to any sort of destination like Disney? I could barely afford to go anywhere myself when I was making $41K between basic necessities, student loans, health insurance, taxes, etc, can't even imagine with a child or more than that. I'm talking long before the pandemic.

Although I'd point out that with your example you're using things that your average guest did not have such as the YES program.

There were plenty of families on the budget board a decade ago with relatively modest incomes and lifestyles who found Disney to be affordable. We went basically every year from 2008-2019. Income was above $50k starting in 2014, but our expenses also went up because we moved to a more expensive state.

The YES tickets were just one example (that we probably used 3 or 4 times, not every trip). That said, anyone who had a child between the ages of 5-17 had access to the YES program. In the past they offered Individual Enrollment which was open to anyone. Even if only one child did a class, every member of your family could purchase the discounted tickets. They no longer offer that. Which was my point. There used to be various discounts that you could find by doing just a little bit of research to be able to make the trip more affordable for an average family.

I understand that prices go up over time with inflation, but I think the reason people are bothered by Disney pricing specifically is because it has increased at a much more rapid rate than everything else. The price of our first trip today (same room and tickets based on the ages kids were back in 2008) is currently over 3 times the price we paid. (We bought a package from Disney for that trip, not YES tickets or anything) The cumulative price change from then to now should be about 35% not 300%.

 

[DCLMP]

This is exactly it for us. Our income has recently tripled since we started going to Disney 14 years ago so we have more money that we could spend, but we just don't feel the value is there to justify the price anymore. Our more recent trips have been more stressful and disappointing. When you feel that your $10k+ vacation is significantly less overall enjoyment than a few years ago when you paid $2-3k for a better experience, it definitely feels like it's overpriced.


Of course there is some privilege involved in being able to take vacations at all, but I believe that Disney used to have affordable options for average middle-class families that they simply don't offer anymore. For many years we went annually (usually for 12 nights) as a family of 5 with an income under $50k. We got discounts on rooms (sometimes 35-40%) and purchased discounted tickets through the YES program. Our first trip (8 nights in 2008) was around $1700. That was a manageable amount of money for an average family to be able to budget and save throughout the year. Now the park tickets alone for my family cost $4100. So when you add in food and lodging the total price is way out of reach for a family with a $50k income.

Disney is going to run into some problems when even upper middle class families can’t afford It. Some of it is no fault of their own. They didn’t cause inflation and they are not responsible for families disposable Incomes shrinking, but they sure havent helped the cause with all these extra costs. I think they are going to have a rude awakening next year when attendance falls off a cliff.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There were plenty of families on the budget board a decade ago with relatively modest incomes and lifestyles who found Disney to be affordable. We went basically every year from 2008-2019. Income was above $50k starting in 2014, but our expenses also went up because we moved to a more expensive state.

The YES tickets were just one example (that we probably used 3 or 4 times, not every trip). That said, anyone who had a child between the ages of 5-17 had access to the YES program. In the past they offered Individual Enrollment which was open to anyone. Even if only one child did a class, every member of your family could purchase the discounted tickets. They no longer offer that. Which was my point. There used to be various discounts that you could find by doing just a little bit of research to be able to make the trip more affordable for an average family.

I understand that prices go up over time with inflation, but I think the reason people are bothered by Disney pricing specifically is because it has increased at a much more rapid rate than everything else. The price of our first trip today (same room and tickets based on the ages kids were back in 2008) is currently over 3 times the price we paid. (We bought a package from Disney for that trip, not YES tickets or anything) The cumulative price change from then to now should be about 35% not 300%.

I think you're kinda missing the point of my comment. Affordable isn't even what I mentioned, or what your comment was in response to my original comment. You gave how many people, what your income was, what discounts you were getting and how much the cost was. I countered when is the last time those parameters could be met with vacationing especially to a place like Disney (which was long before the pandemic that those parameters would have been very hard to meet especially with a family of 5) and added in that when you're comparing what you spent in the past it's that you had something many people didn't have (YES discounted tickets). Affordable is a subjective term and it fluctuates over one's life. When I was in college making basically nothing $3 a gallon for gas was astronomical and meant I was losing money while working. Now $3 a gallon sounds affordable lol.

All my comment was was someone who was even able to go that many days, that frequently, year after year for 12 years straight was fortunate and that was in the context of saying one feels poor.

I was very specific in that I said " that does not take away from feeling the burn of once having been able to do that and now feeling like that is less and less realistic." because I think it's natural to feel that way regardless of the destination.

I've already hashed to death on other threads about the costs of Disney so I saw no reason to on this thread given what had been mentioned in the OP. I focused on something different as it pertained to the OP's comment. You don't need to feel like you need to explain to me about a rapid increase..our tickets were almost double the cost from 2017 (albeit purchased at 2015 prices)..I truly get it I appreciate the conversation but I'll agree to disagree and move on

 

[EllieBadgeAdventures]

I feel so poor now... Is it just me? I feel that Disney is starting to price me out, and I never considered myself impoverished before....

I get it, first world problems, boohoo, so sad, too bad.... but I've been going to disney for over 12 years consistently (anywhere between 5 days to 14 days every year) and I'm starting to feel as if I really can't afford the pricing anymore.

I just posted about Why I left WDW for UO. Never in a million years did I think that I would say that! But I feel ya, Baybee Yoda!

 

[DCLMP]

This is exactly it for us. Our income has recently tripled since we started going to Disney 14 years ago so we have more money that we could spend, but we just don't feel the value is there to justify the price anymore. Our more recent trips have been more stressful and disappointing. When you feel that your $10k+ vacation is significantly less overall enjoyment than a few years ago when you paid $2-3k for a better experience, it definitely feels like it's overpriced.


Of course there is some privilege involved in being able to take vacations at all, but I believe that Disney used to have affordable options for average middle-class families that they simply don't offer anymore. For many years we went annually (usually for 12 nights) as a family of 5 with an income under $50k. We got discounts on rooms (sometimes 35-40%) and purchased discounted tickets through the YES program. Our first trip (8 nights in 2008) was around $1700. That was a manageable amount of money for an average family to be able to budget and save throughout the year. Now the park tickets alone for my family cost $4100. So when you add in food and lodging the total price is way out of reach for a family with a $50k income.

Our income is up about 40% since our first trip in 2010. We stayed at the Poly. I don’t think I could afford the poly today even if they brought back the 40% off discounts. We could have easily gone in 2010 with a 50k salary. Maybe not the Poly, but Pop century for sure. It was possible for families to do it.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I feel so poor now... Is it just me? I feel that Disney is starting to price me out, and I never considered myself impoverished before....

I get it, first world problems, boohoo, so sad, too bad.... but I've been going to disney for over 12 years consistently (anywhere between 5 days to 14 days every year) and I'm starting to feel as if I really can't afford the pricing anymore.

I def don't think you're alone in how you feel and have read many comments from ppl on these boards stating they're done and never coming back. I think the announcement about the $110Kpp ABD trip just shows where disney's headed with their niche The only resorts being built are DVC/Deluxes, no values in the works that anyone's aware of and they're prices keep going up and will charge for things that used to be "free". However, so long as they're bringing guests in, they'll continue to do so. I get what you're saying and I hate it too, but as a business, I can't say they're entirely off the mark on this. Charge more + more guests = higher profits..... it's business 101.

I don't like that it makes a disney trip less attainable for visitors but they're not a non-profit. I disagree with a lot of stuff disney does, costs, political rhetoric, etc. but I don't go because I like their business model. If we had to fly to WDW, I'd definitely not be visiting much but since we're a state away, it remains in budget. We have found other places to travel as we don't go as often as we once did. Def done that a lot more the last few years as our kids have gotten older. More thrilling amusement parks, other countries, national parks, etc. I LOVE Disney but there's more to travel, see and do for us than just WDW.

 

[MomToOne]

Boy, some people around here need to lighten up. If one of your friends had said what the OP said, sitting across the table from you, I suspect you would have understood the feelings being expressed - even if the words were not perfect.

OP - I get you. I used to take my daughter to Disneyworld every year. I made significantly less at the time than I do today, but flying cross country and staying for a week or even a few days more at a value resort was affordable.

We stopped when she hit high school and Disney became a bit boring after doing it so many times. But she really wanted to go again as a "last hurrah" upon graduating college, so I looked into it this summer. I priced it out - onsite value, offsite, a few other creative techniques for cheap places to stay - but quickly killed the plan. It was just too much. Now, I admit some of that was because of the absolutely ridiculous cost of airfare this summer. But a lot of it was Disney too - i had to have way more line items in my budget than before (transportation to/from airport, meals - free dining was the bomb!, genie+, etc). And I felt like I would be paying more for a lesser experience - like someone else said, it's about "perceived value". Could I afford it? Absolutely! Will I pay it? Nope. That money will be going towards paying down the mortgage.

Now I don't fault Disney for trying to make all the money they can. They just won't be making it from me. If there's a downturn and/or the supply chain issues resolve themselves so Disney is able to increase the value in some way, or they lower the cost, maybe we'll take a trip. But for now, I am keeping my eyes open for other trips at a reasonable cost, and honestly this summer, I am just staying home. It's too crazy out there!

 

[disney-inspired]

Our income is up about 40% since our first trip in 2010. We stayed at the Poly. I don’t think I could afford the poly today even if they brought back the 40% off discounts. We could have easily gone in 2010 with a 50k salary. Maybe not the Poly, but Pop century for sure. It was possible for families to do it.

Hotel prices have shot up dramatically, even in the past 5 years. We stayed at the Poly for 6 nights in January and I could only do that because I was sharing the cost of the room with my younger sister. My older sister and her family had saved a big chunk of stimulus money and tax return money. It was kind of a 'once in a lifetime' trip in that we probably won't stay deluxe again.
Disney's military discount is generous - IF you can find a room that qualifies for that discount. I think when they go again, not for several years, they are going to try SOG or stay at a USO hotel.
If we go 'off season' (say Sept) the Hardrock isn't nearly as expensive as the deluxe resorts at WDW and we'd get the express pass included.

 

[DCLMP]

Hotel prices have shot up dramatically, even in the past 5 years. We stayed at the Poly for 6 nights in January and I could only do that because I was sharing the cost of the room with my younger sister. My older sister and her family had saved a big chunk of stimulus money and tax return money. It was kind of a 'once in a lifetime' trip in that we probably won't stay deluxe again.
Disney's military discount is generous - IF you can find a room that qualifies for that discount. I think when they go again, not for several years, they are going to try SOG or stay at a USO hotel.
If we go 'off season' (say Sept) the Hardrock isn't nearly as expensive as the deluxe resorts at WDW and we'd get the express pass included.

We took advantage of the covid 40% off discounts, no fast passes, and lower crowds. We we took three 8- day trips basically because all of our international trips got cancelled. I’m so glad we did it. We stayed at BC, Riviera one bedroom CSR/ NBA upgrade and one bedroom at SSR. I doubt will see those prices or have the disposable income again for a while the way the economy is going.

I think a lot of people didn’t travel for a couple of years and saved all their stimulus money. I can’t think of any other reason so many people are willing or able to pay 800 plus a night for a deluxe resort. That’s just not normal.

 

[happiestpoe]

I know what you mean, OP.

We're planning our first Disneyland trip, with a pit stop at the Grand Canyon on our way from Mass. We're booking a King suite in a Marriott property in AZ, but a basic room at DL later that week is 3-6 times that price, depending which resort we pick. We love our Disney trips-- but is GC really six times 'better' than our hotel in Arizona? It's getting harder to justify, even if we are able to afford it.

 

[DCLMP]

I know what you mean, OP.

We're planning our first Disneyland trip, with a pit stop at the Grand Canyon on our way from Mass. We're booking a King suite in a Marriott property in AZ, but a basic room at DL later that week is 3-6 times that price, depending which resort we pick. We love our Disney trips-- but is GC really six times 'better' than our hotel in Arizona? It's getting harder to justify, even if we are able to afford it.

I stayed DL hotel on our last trip it wasn't worth the money. It's just old and run down for the price and of course no housekeeping all four days. The location is convenient, but the Courtyard by Marriott is just as close and less money. The new Westin looks pretty posh. GC is great for a price, but I wouldn't break the bank for it when you have so many options within walking distance.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Could I afford it? Absolutely! Will I pay it? Nope. That money will be going towards paying down the mortgage.

I started attacking our mortgage back when covid first hit and realized it would be a long while until we would be able to travel again.
Just watching the numbers drop is so motivating. We put every spare penny we could (not retirement funds) and paid off a crazy amount in 15 months. What a great feeling!! If you can stand to skip vacations for a while, and focus on your mortgage while the rest of the world pays crazy high hotel rates, that is something you won't regret. Even if you don't get it all paid off quickly, you will still see how much more of each payment goes to the principal instead of interest.

A $10K Disney trip, you might regret that later. Paying off your mortgage, you won't regret that.

 

[DCLMP]

I started attacking our mortgage back when covid first hit and realized it would be a long while until we would be able to travel again.
Just watching the numbers drop is so motivating. We put every spare penny we could (not retirement funds) and paid off a crazy amount in 15 months. What a great feeling!! If you can stand to skip vacations for a while, and focus on your mortgage while the rest of the world pays crazy high hotel rates, that is something you won't regret. Even if you don't get it all paid off quickly, you will still see how much more of each payment goes to the principal instead of interest.

A $10K Disney trip, you might regret that later. Paying off your mortgage, you won't regret that.

I've never regretted a vacation. Life is unpredictable at best, but I do understand not overpaying for a vacation there are always options.

 

[barkley]

I started attacking our mortgage back when covid first hit and realized it would be a long while until we would be able to travel again.
Just watching the numbers drop is so motivating. We put every spare penny we could (not retirement funds) and paid off a crazy amount in 15 months. What a great feeling!! If you can stand to skip vacations for a while, and focus on your mortgage while the rest of the world pays crazy high hotel rates, that is something you won't regret. Even if you don't get it all paid off quickly, you will still see how much more of each payment goes to the principal instead of interest.

A $10K Disney trip, you might regret that later. Paying off your mortgage, you won't regret that.

several years ago i wanted to attack our then mortgage. i started playing with a mortgage calculator and could not believe the difference just a few dollars paid to the principle in a month made. i was so excited so when a year after going on a balanced payment plan our utility company adjusted the payment down about $20 per month i plugged it in to see what would happen and applying it would take several months off. if we under spent on a monthly budget category i plugged it in-maybe a month off but that was a month down the line i would NOT be paying my entire mortgage payment. it got to be so exciting, seeing how just a few dollars at a time could take days off the mortgage which added up to months off. just throwing little bits at a time took years off our mortgage such that we paid it off over a decade ahead of time, and in that time-we enjoy paying ourselves. we still vacationed albeit more moderately but to be honest-neither our (then) kids nor ourselves felt shortchanged.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

.

 

[MomToOne]

I've never regretted a vacation. Life is unpredictable at best, but I do understand not overpaying for a vacation there are always options.

It's all about balance, and bang for the buck. A Disneyworld trip just doesn't have bang for the buck right now. So to the mortgage it goes - that has the bang I'm looking for Now, should a great trip come up and I feel it is worth it, then I have no problem spending the money on that trip.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Even if your mortgage is at 2.635%?

We just bought last year…..

If you have a low interest rate on your mortgage, you might be better off letting it be. That assumes that having a mortgage doesn't bother you--some people don't like any debt at all.

We have a mortgage at roughly the same rate as yours (don't remember the exact rate off the top of my head). I told DH I wanted the mortgage paid off before he retires. It could be the week before, I don't care. We're doing better leaving our money in investments (well, usually--it hasn't been a good year for the stock market). But, it's very much a personal decision.

Getting back to your original post, I think anyone who's filled up their gas tank lately is feeling "poor"--whether they have a good job, savings, whatever. It's tough NOT to feel the pinch when food and gas prices are all rising so quickly.

 

[pigletto]

Even if your mortgage is at 2.635%?

We just bought last year…..

I can’t speak for them but in Canada we don’t lock in a rate for the life of the mortgage, and most people (not all) get a five year term. So I have to renew every five years. Got the best rate there was at 3.69 three years ago and it’s going to be much higher when I go to renew. So paying down what I can now is important.

Coincidentally Canadians that bought in the last year or so with super low rates but very inflated prices are going to be paying a great deal more at the five year mark. There’s been a bunch of articles in our national news lately saying this is going to cause a crisis for these buyers. One poll suggested 25% of Canadians polled would have to sell if the rates go much higher. And they will.