I will Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever........

[lovespugs]

These posts remind me of my DH's grandmother right before our last trip. She very seriously gave us $20 when we saw her for Thanksgiving and said she wanted to help us out with our trip because she had heard that "things are high down there." It really cracked us up. During our whole vacation, every time we would buy an expensive drink or snack we would say "well, things are high down here, you know..."

For the record, I would say that counter service is more than what we would pay here, but sit-down restaurants are about the same. It just seems like a lot because we don't usually eat out twice a day for 7+ days straight!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I feel like the food prices at WDW are very reasonable, but you have to be carefull at where you eat. I feel the counter service is not bad at all. Cheeseburger and french fries or chicken fingers and fries for around $5, seems reasonable to me. As far as sit-downs, we ate at Cape May Calm Bake and also O'hanas - both were around $22/person all you can eat. Both meals were excellent and the prices not bad at all IMO for what you got. Yes, these prices are a little bit more than what we might pay here at home, but not outrageously more like they could have been. Now if you go to some of the more upscale restaurants like Artist Point where the entrees start to push $30, I don't know about that. But then typically we're meat and potatoes type people and those more upscale places didn't appeal to us food-wise anyway.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We were at Gatlinburg Ten. Over the week-end of the 4th, and there we spent more on food per day than we do a WDW. The servings were smaller and quality was not as good at WDW. Now food in our home town is much cheaper, but as we travel other places, we find that the prices at WDW are not so out of line.




Jordan's mom

 

[Mic]

I took 3 of my kids to a local theme park a week after returning from WDW, and was surprised at how expensive everything there was. Up until 1999, we had season passes to this park(Paramount's Carowinds), but I decided that I would rather take 3 trips to Disney than 10 trips to this park, and I must have had a temporary lapse of memory when I took the kids last month. Parking had gone up to $8, and we ended up parking in a half-paved grassy area at the back of the lot(and there were no white vans with the word "Security" on the side, either). We passed through metal detectors on the way into the park(this did not bother me), AND bag-check tables that were not as efficient as the ones at WDW. I watched as a teenager(nothing against them, have 2 of my own)rudely informed a woman that she could not carry her bottled water or soda into the park. The teenager suggested the lady "drink them now or throw them away". I noticed there were at least a hundred soda bottles in a plastic bn under the bag-check table. Once inside, I first purchased a drink at a booth, and it was $2.59 for the small(Disney price is currently $1.99). Lunch prices were outrageous,several dollars more than Disney counter-service, so we got a hand-stamp and went to a fast-food place down the street. I debated on whether to return to the park at all, but decided to since it was $40+ for a one-day ticket, and I was sure I was not coming back again! After lunch, we waited in the line from hell to ride something that was similar to Kali River Rapids, but without all the special affects, and there were no castmembers monitoring the sometimes-rowdy crowd. And more importantly, my youngest daughter could not find the fastpass machine! After an hour-and-a-half wait for this 1 ride, we went home. And on our way out, my oldest(who does not share my love of all things Disney)remarked "Give me Disney anyday!". I would have paid more than $170 to hear that again!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Mic,

We too are near carowinds and we think the same thing! BD (That's before disney), we thought carowinds was great. We too had season passes and DS and I went often. After our first trip to WDW, Carowinds all of a sudden looked overpriced, dirty and very dated. Tickets are now 42.00 and as you said the food has gotten way too high. Yes, counter service is higher than WDW and the quality is no where near as good. We now go only once a year when DH's company has their free day. It's amazing how WDW changes you view on so many things.


Jordan's mom

 

[barbeml]

I'm from New Jersey. I am immune to "sticker shock." Prices in Hawaii seemed reasonable to me, so WDW is almost a bargain.

 

[photobob]

Food is rather pricey at WDW, but no higher than other resorts. The thing I do very much like about Disney World is that there is a wide price range to choose from. You can pick up an egg roll at the egg roll cart for 2 or 3 bucks, have a burger for 5 or 6, have a sitdown meal for 12-18 bucks or go high end with some very nice restaurants. There are choices, you don't have to break the bank to eat, but you can if you wish....

 

[SheriB]

We were just at WDW in June, and my husband was craving a pizza really bad. We went to the Boardwalk, stood in line to order, and while waiting, my husband noticed that a medium pizza was $12. He said, "Are you kidding me? I'll wait till we get home and get a large pizza for 8 bucks." Other than pizza sticker shock, I didn't find any of the prices extremely outrageous. I do, however, refuse to pay $2.50 -$3.00 for a bottle of water. We always bring our own in the parks.

Sheri

 

[DrTomorrow]

Minor comment about bottled water. We just got back from Las Vegas, and $2-3 was the going rate for bottled water at any hotel/resort/casino. And, in the desert with 106 degree days, you need your H2O a lot more than you do at WDW.

 

[Mic]

Jordan's Mom-
We, too, thought Carowinds was great when the kids were younger, and we had season passes from the time the youngest was 1 until she was 6. Every year, the price of the pass went up, while the level of enjoyment went down. For 2 whole seasons, the log ride was closed every one of the 24+ days we visited, and the park's habit of hiring 15-year-old's does nothing to improve it's image. The place is dirty and over-priced, and the fact that a person can not bring a water bottle into the park in 90-degree weather says it all! I may have to drive 10 hours to WDW, wait in long lines(even with fastpass, you can't avoid them all),and pay out the nose for an annual pass and accomodations. But when I get there, the security guard who checks my bag will smile when he tells me "I see you've been to Florida before; you brought your own water. Have a great day."

 

[grinningghost]

Just last night when I saw Pirates at the movie theater, I was disgusted by the food/drink prices. $3.00 for a small drink, $3.75 for a small popcorn and $3.00 for a bottled water. And this place wasn't WDW - not even close.

 

[KDawnLily]

grinningghost- you took the words outta my mouth!
We went to the theatre and it cost close to $30 for popcorn and drink for 2 people... and we don't even eat most of it....craziness I tell you.. craziness.. Disney is affordable when you pay over $60 for 2 hours worth of entertainment at home.. I mean add it up...
if it cost that much to go to Disney it would be $10080 for two weeks worth of popcorn and drinks!

 

[Planogirl]

I never buy anything at the theater! I sometimes crave the stuff but it's just way too expensive.

 

[sha_lyn]

It's just a shame that average folks on average wages can't enjoy a Disney vacation even if they are willing to eat hot dogs and hamburgers. (Or a trip to their local zoo for that matter, or a ball game at Turner field).

Sure they can, just as we do. They don't have to stick to burgers either.You just plan way ahead. We are planning our 3rd WDW trip (1st in 2000). We will be giong in Jan 2005 with another family of 4. We always like to eat well on vacation (rarely eat out at home) as does the other family. They are already looking over the menus at Deb's site so they can give me a list of places they want to try. They like us will be saving for the next 18 months for the trip and will have to set a budget for meals, sourviners etc

Anyway back to the OT

We went to 6Flags GA in May. Gave $8 each for their group catered meal. A cold grilled chicken breast on a cold bun(only mustard and mayo as toppings), an apple, a bag a chips, a prepackaged cookie and self serve soda.

Give me a meal at Peco's Bills any day over that. Which BTW cost a little less than our local Furuckers (who has a comparrable toppings bar, but PB's has better toppings IMHO)

Just spent $3 a piece for coffee at the Knoxville convention center during the kids karate tournament. A cold typical ham sandwitch (2 pieces of white bread, a slice or 2 of ham and a slice of american cheese) was 7.50. Give me WDW prices anyday.

 

[Joe T.]

In our opinion, the food pries are reason. Plus the fact that all the places are very accommodating to sharing.

However, the wine prices are obscene. Generally a mark up of 3 or 4 times the retail price. Still pay it because some meals just need a little wine.

 

[LAWalz23]

Another person from the NY Metro area and WDW prices are less or the same as some of the local theme and/or ball parks in this area. In fact they are not that outrageous period when compared to the prices here.

Actually thinking about it, I will agree that $20.00 for breakfast is excessive. However to paraphrase the credit card commercial, Breakfast with the princesses $20.00, seeing my niece's and nephew's faces light up when a character comes to talk to them while they are eating breakfast....priceless. The memories are more than worth the extra few dollars spent on food.

 

[mrsltg]

Being a native New Yorker transplanted to DC, nothing shocks me in the world of prices! I think WDW is very reasonable for a theme park. $2.00 for a soda is far from outrageous and $7 or so per person for lunch seems alright with me (of course, I have no problem whatsoever with spending $8 on a salad for lunch while at work so.....). Anyway, I just budget at least $1500 or so per vacation for food and we eat well!

Have a great trip!

Erin

 

[natcam1996]

I agree it's not cheap but I think for the most part the prices are not out of line with other recreational venues. And in many places, including some of the counter service areas, the portions are generous enough that they can be shared. My wife and I find that we'd rather share during the warmer weather when we're on the go in the parks because it makes us feel less sluggish. Often enough, we'll order 2 things for three of us (our daughter is 7) and we're usually satisfied.

 

[BuffaloDisney]

Our views of Disney DInning Prices;

1) The food is worth the prices charged but are a little high
2) Prices are basically equal to any other vacation spots
3) the quality is very good, tasty food
4) Huge portions are given to you
5) WIth the huge variety of restaurants, they can meet the price ranges of different people.
6)Where else can u find restuarants with such beautiful themes and scenery? and so many different restaurants?
7) FOr those who want to save $ on eating at restaurants, there are other alternatives like eating breakfast ( cereal ) in their rooms or getting rooms w/ kitchens to cook their meals.