Im Really Curious

[duffdo]

I would like to start by wishing everybody Merry Christmas (I know it is over ;-)) and a Happy New Year. I have a really detailed question to ask, so thank you to those who bear with it and answer.

I know these forums get a large audience from USA and you guys are whom this question is aimed at. It all has to do with comparing the cost of a Disney vacation in US Dollars and Great British Pounds.

I realise that vacation profiles vary greatly - UK tourists tend to take longer vacations less often than their counterparts, but if you could give me an idea as to whether you think my vacation offers value for money.

The below assumes that 1GBP = 1.55USD


I have just booked my vacation for 21 nights at the end of October 2013 with direct flights from Manchester UK with Virgin Atlantic staying at SSR for the 21 nights in a studio. We have regular dining plan, $200 gift certificate and plan on using DME. There will be 2 adults travelling.

The cost breakdown is as follows:

Flights (economy) - £1368 ($2120)
Accommodation - £3072 ($4761)
Dining Plan - £0
21 Day Ultimate Tickets - £568 ($880)

Total - £5008 ($7762)

I realise that this is quite an expensive vacation, but can't help feeling that Disney could have helped me out a bit more given the amount of money I am spending (A hotel upgrade might be nice!)

I was just hoping my fellow DISer's would give me an opinion.

I might add, the above was booked directly with Disney in the UK

Thanks

 

[Schmoodle]

Whether or not you are getting value for money is something only you can decide, but I can maybe give you some perspective or comparison. My trips are 5 - 10 days for 3 people and have ranged between $3,000 and $5,400. I am on the US East Coast so my travel expenses are much less than yours. If I am staying onsite, I usually have some kind of disount (room or dining plan).

If I am trying to save money, I'll stay offsite in a very nice condo and eat some meals in. If I am splurging, I'll stay onsite at a mod and maybe have dining plan. I just had a 5-day trip in November with 2 people, stayed at POR, went to the Christmas party, and had dining promotion, and that trip was a bit over $2,000.

I'm going to estimate that I'd expect to pay about $8,000 if we were staying for 3 weeks. I am planning to go for 10 days in August, stay onsite (a few days at Universal), and take 5 people, and I've budgeted $10,000 for that trip, though I hope to do better. I'm sure there are other places you could go for less, and there are things you could do to reduce your costs at Disney, but for that length of trip, and $2,000 flights, that seems a reasonable cost to me.

If you decide it is worth it, I hope you have a wonderful trip, and Happy New Year!

 

[Ginny Favers]

That's just about how much a 9-day trip cost us, and I live on the East Coast of the US. We went Deluxe and there were 3 1/2 of us, though.

If you feel that vacation is too expensive, then you can always go for a less expensive resort, or for fewer days. I wouldn't expect Disney to help you out just because you're paying a lot, as there will always be people who spend more than you do! It's up to you to choose the option within your budget

 

[runsandjumps]

For us to travel from the west coast with similar accommodations it would be around 7k for just adults. Now add in my three kids and I am looking at even more. The tickets are a steal. I would love to spend 21 days at Disney. You will have a fantastic time, I think the deal you got was great.

 

[pat fan]

If you divide that by 21 (the # of days you will be there), then by 2 (the # of people) it works out to be $184 pp. That's a little more than what my DS is paying for a shorter trip, but not including airfare. So it will probably be about the same. Just seems like a lot because you are going a lot of days, hence a lot of money Enjoy!!

 

[Green Tea]

The price sounds more than reasonable to me for an all inclusive vacation. But golly, I can not imagine spending 21 days at Disney World. What in the world will you do there for 3 weeks?

 

[ScrampShopper]

I wish the US people could get deals like that for 21 days. My 10 day trip will cost $5000-$6000, and that is with AP discounts.

 

[wiigirl]

The price sounds more than reasonable to me for an all inclusive vacation. But golly, I can not imagine spending 21 days at Disney World. What in the world will you do there for 3 weeks?

lol....I have a few ideas

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would make one change to your calculations.

The Dining Plan is not free; it is built into the cost of your room.
Consider the cost of the Dining Plan to be $2,520
That makes the cost of the room $2,241, or $106.71 per night (including taxes). (Or about $95 per night plus tax).

The room is a mini-suite, about 50% larger in size than a normal hotel room and it includes a sitting area and small kitchenette.

Not knowing what air fares are currently running, you have gotten a good deal on the room, dining and tickets.

 

[duffdo]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm glad to see that the general consensus is that I got a good deal,

I am the sort of person who likes good value for money, particularly when it comes to Disney, especially since they are so good at relieving you of your money in the theme parks!

As for 3 weeks at WDW, I will find lots to amuse myself!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Considering 10 days cost me $3000 for 1 adult and 1 child (7 years old) a few years ago I think your price is absolutely amazing. We stayed in a value resort, didn't have the dining plan (only 2 table service meals the entire time) and didn't have to fly out of the country (northwest US). With the price increases the last few years (both Disney and airlines) the same trip would probably cost me $4000 now.

 

[pigletto]

We average about 5000 U.S. per 10 day trip. That's staying deluxe or moderate with discounts , visiting Universal onsite for 2 nights, all food, air travel and a car.

This next trip is closer to 4000 but only because it's a little shorter, I had flight credits and annual passes, so there is no ticket cost this time. Your price looks pretty darn good to me for 3 weeks.

 

[plummer925]

I wish the US people could get deals like that for 21 days. My 10 day trip will cost $5000-$6000, and that is with AP discounts.

Is prices different for US vs non-US?

 

[akcire]

I would like to start by wishing everybody Merry Christmas (I know it is over ;-)) and a Happy New Year. I have a really detailed question to ask, so thank you to those who bear with it and answer.

I know these forums get a large audience from USA and you guys are whom this question is aimed at. It all has to do with comparing the cost of a Disney vacation in US Dollars and Great British Pounds.

I realise that vacation profiles vary greatly - UK tourists tend to take longer vacations less often than their counterparts, but if you could give me an idea as to whether you think my vacation offers value for money.

The below assumes that 1GBP = 1.55USD

I have just booked my vacation for 21 nights at the end of October 2013 with direct flights from Manchester UK with Virgin Atlantic staying at SSR for the 21 nights in a studio. We have regular dining plan, $200 gift certificate and plan on using DME. There will be 2 adults travelling.

The cost breakdown is as follows:

Flights (economy) - £1368 ($2120)
Accommodation - £3072 ($4761)
Dining Plan - £0
21 Day Ultimate Tickets - £568 ($880)

Total - £5008 ($7762)

I realise that this is quite an expensive vacation, but can't help feeling that Disney could have helped me out a bit more given the amount of money I am spending (A hotel upgrade might be nice!)

I was just hoping my fellow DISer's would give me an opinion.

I might add, the above was booked directly with Disney in the UK

Thanks

Flights are flights Disney has little control over those costs. Lately i have been using lots of miles. I think your park tickets are reasonable.

I would not want to be stuck at one resort for 3 weeks.

Your room and food are costing $225 per day. I am assuming that is for the "regular" dining plan- one sit down, one counter, one snack.

I would be more inclined to find off sight accommodations and get a rental car for freedom. You could certainly find something nice for around $100 a day. Then you have more food options, for food or grocery. Outside of Disney $125 a day for two goes far.

I would also rent a car. Our last trip was 10 days and our rental car was $167 all inclusive. We drive all over Florida.

The only other thing to consider would be getting annual passes. If you had interest in two trips you could for example go in December of 2013 then visit in January 2014.

I don't think your deal is bad. I just would like more freedom. Lots if Brits rent houses in Davenport FL and the Publix grocery store has foods to cater to their lists.

 

[djy252]

I am a travel agent and I think you got an awesome price for what your getting - I just had a client stay at same resort, with dining and passes and paid alittle over $6000.00 for 7 nights. Thats did not include any air fare. You will have a wonderful time and the resort you picked is my favorite resort to stay at. Happy New Years!!

 

[mistysue]

Just a moment of perspective here, if I look right now at 21 nights next October, Disney would charge me $8,122.50. That does not include a dining plan, no airfare, no giftcard, no tickets.
21 day tickets are not an option here, I could either get a premium annual pass ($744.44 per person) and have to pay for ALL food out of pocket, or I could buy multiple separate packages to get up to 21 days. Assuming the offer us free dining, US residents can only get a package with up to 14 nights, so to get almost as many park days as you I would need to get two packages, each with a 10 day park hopper/water parks add on. That would be a total of 4 tickets that each cost $422.81 for the two people.

Just to get your trip before airfare, it would cost me either $9,611 (6,200)plus all of my food costs or $9,814(6,331). You also get a giftcard which US residents do not. Disney already is helping you out a lot. Your trip is thousands of dollars less than mine and I still have to figure out how I am going to get there. You are essentially getting the highest room discount they ever offer, plus free dining, plus a bonus giftcard. If you lived in the US you would have to pick between those three.

I can then get a flight with only one connection for about $300 before I pay to check my bags. So because I spend $1,500 less on a flight, Disney gives you $4,173 off of your package... plus a free giftcard.
They aren't going to help everybody out, so if they have to pick who needs a bigger discount I don't think you will get much sympathy with your numbers.

The below assumes that 1GBP = 1.55USD


I have just booked my vacation for 21 nights at the end of October 2013 with direct flights from Manchester UK with Virgin Atlantic staying at SSR for the 21 nights in a studio. We have regular dining plan, $200 gift certificate and plan on using DME. There will be 2 adults travelling.

The cost breakdown is as follows:

Flights (economy) - £1368 ($2120)
Accommodation - £3072 ($4761)
Dining Plan - £0
21 Day Ultimate Tickets - £568 ($880)

Total - £5008 ($7762)

I realise that this is quite an expensive vacation, but can't help feeling that Disney could have helped me out a bit more given the amount of money I am spending (A hotel upgrade might be nice!)

I was just hoping my fellow DISer's would give me an opinion.

I might add, the above was booked directly with Disney in the UK

Thanks

ETA: As I read over this again, I think I sound like a jerk. As I kept adding this up, it was making me mad how uneven the deals are based on geography.

 

[chimilady]

Is prices different for US vs non-US?

yes

 

[duffdo]

ETA: As I read over this again, I think I sound like a jerk. As I kept adding this up, it was making me mad how uneven the deals are based on geography.

Many thanks for your reply. You don't sound like a jerk at all. Looking at some of the examples in this thread, in order to get the same deal as a US customer, it would be $000's more. I would be a bit mad too! I honestly didn't realise that this could be the case.....I thought that Disney would be cheaper for US guests. The UK is Orlando's second biggest customer by tourist numbers, behind domestic travellers, but coming from a country where there is a VAT (sales tax) rate of 20%, an earnings tax of around 36% and where an airline can sell a flight to Orlando for £200 ($310) but then has £400 ($620) TAX and charges added to it I thought I would be paying a lot more in comparison


Anyway, now look who is sounding mad

 

[duffdo]

I am a travel agent and I think you got an awesome price for what your getting - I just had a client stay at same resort, with dining and passes and paid alittle over $6000.00 for 7 nights. Thats did not include any air fare. You will have a wonderful time and the resort you picked is my favorite resort to stay at. Happy New Years!!

Thanks and Happy New Year!

 

[pigletto]

I don't ever think the comparison on who gets the better deal is fair really. It's not like Disney is picking their favourite child to give special treatment to. Their marketing is careful and deliberate. They know exactly what they have to offer to get both domestic and foreign customers to make the trip. If they made UK prices equal they'd lose a good portion of what is a large and profitable customer base.
They don't give discounts to be kind to us. They give discounts to hit the exact point at which we're willing to part with our vacation dollars and chose them as the destination. It's economics and marketing, not favouritism.