Is Disney becoming too expensive?

[momx2]

I can't believe I am asking this question. We have been lots of times. We've stayed value, moderate and deluxe. We've eaten everywhere and spent lots and spent very little. I was just asking my DH this question a few days ago.

The hotels are way to expensive IMO. The food price is becoming absurd. I just read that Chef Mickeys is now $30 per adult and $15 for kids.

I used to tell all my friend that I could go there as cheap as I could about any other place. I buy APs and use them at least 2x. But I don't think I can make that statement any longer. Is it just me or does anyone else think WDW is getting out of hand with prices?

 

[scanmom]

It is amazing to me how much the hotels and ticket prices have increased in the last few years. But, as long as people come, Disney will keep on charging higher prices. And people are coming, more and more. This is evident in the fact that there really isn't a "low" season anymore. It is always pretty crowded. Even during the dates that used to be so slow the parks were like ghost towns. Wow, I really miss those days!

 

[TnTWalter]

I have to say that I've tried to price out ski vacations and caribbean vacations and WDW is MUCH cheaper even without any discounts.

It's really hard to beat the bang for the buck IMHO.

 

[momx2]

I have to say that I've tried to price out ski vacations and caribbean vacations and WDW is MUCH cheaper even without any discounts.

It's really hard to beat the bang for the buck IMHO.

Maybe just all vacations cost a lot more now? We just started vacationing in 2001 as a family. Then it seemed so reasonable. Now it seems ridiculous. Your right though about it being expensive everywhere. A 2 bedroom condo on a beach is over $2000 per week. Thanks for the response.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Try finding a hotel room in Chicago for under $200 a night. Try finding a hotel on the RiverWalk in San Antonio for under $250. a night. Give me a $100. a night clean room at Pop Century anytime and I am a happy camper.

Yes, the food is becomming more and more expensive but have you bought a hot dog and drink at a pro sports game lately? Talk about outrageous!

 

[kandeebunny]

We are spending what we would spend on 8 nights at Pop or Allstars with NO discount for 3 nights in NYC. Food prices are simiar between the two. At WDW we don't have to pay to park at the hotel so factor in another $40 per 24/h for parking in NYC. Broadway tickets are *much* more than park tickets.

Hotels in Key West are the same as NYC pretty much. LA was more than a week at WDW too. Do a week on Cape Cod and your spending more than at WDW.

 

[Maddie2]

EVERYTHING is becoming more expensive ... a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, gas, .... EVERYTHING. And, since those daily living kinds of things are increasing, unfortunately, that leaves less $$ for fun = Disney.

It's only natural that their prices would go up with everything else, I guess -- which all the more reason we all have to make the most of every dollar spent at Disney -- thankfully the Disboards help with that!

 

[Kay1]

Yes, it's pretty expensive. The prices didn't bother me until a year or so ago. Businesses can charge what they do because as long as we pay what they ask. WDW is really tough because it's an international destination and our weak dollar makes it affordable for those not paid in dollars.

 

[mamalle]

I think it is. we are florida residents and really have cut back on our trips up there. I had thought maybe we could make it up there for my 40th in June for 3 nights/4 days at the CSR. I dont think so. Im looking at a good $1000 to go there for us. I agree that as long as people keep coming they will keep the prices the way they are. Im not sure what the future brings with our economy but if it goes down the tubes our state of Florida is really going to take a hit with its tourism.

 

[powellrj]

we have been going as a family for over 20 years and I have just noticed that this year its almost reached the point that I am rethinking our trips. DS is performing next month and I am pricing a quick trip to watch and pop is $119 going up to $129 during our trip for a standard room. Thats way over the top and we are staying off-site.

I realize they can charge whatever people are willing to pay, but there reaches a point were people say enough. I think I have reached that point.

 

[RIDisneyFan]

We've been the last couple of years in Sept during free dining and we stay at a value. For a 7 day trip for me, DH, DD7 and DD9 it was just over $2,000 including airfare. This year it will be a little more, DD is now 10. But I priced other vacations, and WDW is still the best deal for us. We all love it and everyone has a great time.

 

[averill94]

Although I agree that it is becoming more expensive - you still can't beat its value.

You get so much for your money in my opinion.

 

[HelenePA]

this year airfare is thru the roof!! We are going to drive We did get the 40% off code so its not too bad and our son is still 2. Next year is going to be the killer when he is 3 and we have to pay for him and a moderate.

 

[IDoDis]

I priced the same trip (Pop Century - same hotel, same # of nights, dining plan, etc.) for us to go this May and compared it to what we paid in May of '06 with everything being the same it will cost us almost $500 more to go on the same exact trip two years later. That does not factor in the airfare which is $20 per person higher (not too bad considering the cost of fuel has gone up so much). The lodging and park tickets are almost a 25% increase over what we paid 2 years ago. Also, when we went in '06, we got free upgraded park hopper tickets that included the water parks and DisneyQuest. Not to say that offer won't come around again because it might, but comparing apples to apples right now, the cost is $479 higher.

I think the big chunk of that has to do with the dining plan increase. Also, DD is now considered an adult for dining, although she eats like a bird. So, we won't be doing the dining plan this time. It just isn't worth it. Just for fun, I priced the trip with the deluxe dining to compare to the regular dining plan and the deluxe is $1300 more than the regular dining plan! There's no way to justify spending over $2100 for food for 2A 2K for a few days.

So yes, I agree that Disney inflation has been high. Like anther poster stated though, as long as people keep coming, they will keep increasing the prices.

 

[canwegosoon]

we have been going as a family for over 20 years and I have just noticed that this year its almost reached the point that I am rethinking our trips. DS is performing next month and I am pricing a quick trip to watch and pop is $119 going up to $129 during our trip for a standard room. Thats way over the top and we are staying off-site.

I realize they can charge whatever people are willing to pay, but there reaches a point were people say enough. I think I have reached that point.

EVERYTHING is becoming more expensive ... a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, gas, .... EVERYTHING. And, since those daily living kinds of things are increasing, unfortunately, that leaves less $$ for fun = Disney.

It's only natural that their prices would go up with everything else, I guess -- which all the more reason we all have to make the most of every dollar spent at Disney -- thankfully the Disboards help with that!

ITA...if it had not been for the fact that we have DVC I would be panicing. My costs are kinda fixed...airfare 1000(for 4-and if it goes above 1200 we will drive), Food-being that we are in DVC units we have options(go less frequently and get a 1 brm or stuido and do more CS). So food I keep to under a 1K for a 8 day trip too.

I think the nickle and dimeing is making me mad...Holiday pricing for meals for months??? I can understand the addition of holiday pricing for rooms, because they seem fairly specific...but how many holidays are going to be included next year? The DDP which had been a huge savings, now is bairly that-you have to be willing to give up park time for an almost breakeven cost in some cases.

We all have a voice, we can choose to go somewhere else or spend our money in other ways...and Disney will always find people to replace us(Europeans will be here in force this year because the dollar is so weak). I continue to decide where and how to spend my money(like a carefully crafted chess game) Disney does this-and I will do this. I think more people will be staying off site, and doing less frequent trips. I can think of several posters that have had great recent trips on a shoestring-so it is all about choices.

 

[mamalle]

I think its what you make of it. I personally would go crazy in a value resort with my kids and hubby for 7 nights but thats just me. We do not have to factor in flying so that has always helped the costs in the past. I guess Im just lucky since my kids are asking to go other places and their favorite place now are the mountains in NC. We are going next week for $2000 for 8 nights that includes a townhouse that sleeps 8, food, skiing and gas. I compare our trips up their to disney now and find that I can go elsewhere for a longer period of time for less money.

 

[pearlieq]

I hear what you're saying. I've been pretty uncomfortable with the prices for the last few years.

Luckily we're DVC members, so we're pretty insulated from hotel prices, but I still some degree of sticker shock with the ticket prices. But then I think about trips I've taken to Vegas and other cities and I can't think of anywhere where I can get a full day of activities and entertainment (especially of the caliber offered at WDW) for $60-ish/day.

As for the food prices, though, I think they're inexcusable at some TS restaurants. I don't know if they've been raising them to encourage people to use the DDP or what, but I know that Kona Cafe is really no better than an upscale chain restaurant at home. I don't know where they get off charging $9 for chicken wings and $20+ for an average steak plate.

I agree that prices are up across the board, but I do feel more of an air of money-grubbing than I remember from before. Hasn't stopped me from going yet, but it does take a bit of the shine off of the apple.

 

[Tissa]

Try finding a hotel room in Chicago for under $200 a night. Try finding a hotel on the RiverWalk in San Antonio for under $250. a night. Give me a $100. a night clean room at Pop Century anytime and I am a happy camper.

Yes, the food is becomming more and more expensive but have you bought a hot dog and drink at a pro sports game lately? Talk about outrageous!

But you can't compare a hotel on the Riverwalk to POP Century. You would have to compare a Riverwalk hotel to A Deluxe on the Monorail due to location. I can find a $99 night hotel near the Riverwalk and drive to the action.

That being said I love the option of the Values at WDW, it does make it more affordable to go. What might price me out of going in the future are the cost for park tickets. That's a big chunk for a family of 4 with the kids being considered adults, and the prices aren't going down that's for sure.

 

[ceecee]

I have to say that I've tried to price out ski vacations and caribbean vacations and WDW is MUCH cheaper even without any discounts.

It's really hard to beat the bang for the buck IMHO.

That's what I think. The cost of all vacations have gone up, not just WDW. You do get a lot for what you pay. We have an amusement park near us and an icee and popcorn is $8.00! You can't eat for less than $10.00 a person. A coke costs $2.99 for a small, so even though our AP to that park was very reasonable once you get in they've got you! Oh and parking is $10.00 unless you have a gold pass which luckily we did. Sports arena AND movies too for that matter, entertainment costs more, so you may as well get some much more at WDW!

 

[TnTWalter]

I think its what you make of it. I personally would go crazy in a value resort with my kids and hubby for 7 nights but thats just me. We do not have to factor in flying so that has always helped the costs in the past. I guess Im just lucky since my kids are asking to go other places and their favorite place now are the mountains in NC. We are going next week for $2000 for 8 nights that includes a townhouse that sleeps 8, food, skiing and gas. I compare our trips up their to disney now and find that I can go elsewhere for a longer period of time for less money.

Please tell me details please...DH reallly wanted to go skiing next and I couldn't figure out how to with lodging, ski rentals, flights, lift tickets, etc. Wow. Must know....pm if you'd like but I'd really love information...and how does NC compare to say Colorado? We looked into driving to Michigan and for 4 nights it was close to $1K... [we live in IN].