Just back heres the real truth

[mickeyfan2]

Where did you eat that 2 cheeseburger (6 - 7 at counter service), a grilled cheese and 3 sodas (~2) cost you $45? That is $15 per meal.

 

[java]

They charge it because people pay it! Beaches is one of the most crowded places at Disney- we don't eat there because we just don't think it is worth the hype- but you are paying for the "atmosphere" So if you don't want that- head offsite and go to McDonalds- heck or even go to Emeril's for a great meal. But we don't mind the $ because we love the whole experience. We live in the tri state area and the meal prices are similar to what we see at home. So is it expensive- YES but didn't you know that before you went? Everyone knows Disney is not a "budget" vacation- but neither are many other places. We choose to go because we enjoy it and think it is worth the $$ I have a DDE card and we save 20% on food and drinks at the TS restaurants- I am sorry you had sticker shock when you went. And so did I read this correctly- you are DVC members? Or did you just rent some points? And on the Photos- did you do the review at home option? For some reason I am much more logical when I am at home on my computer reviewing my photos than I am standing in Disney. And have you seen how much some other resorts are charging these days? Great Wolf Lodge for example? And they are expanding like crazy- so people are paying it!(ours is booked for months)

 

[canwegosoon]

I think that as prices go up(everywhere) and people are working longer and harder...it is really difficult to meet expectations. ITA with your comments-this last trip was our worst...and I love disney(have a trip planned at Christmas), but if the next trip does not go much better...I think we will cut back to every other year. SOme times you need a break. I do agree-some crowds are a lot worse(the smokers in non smoking areas drives me insane ) I wish you the best-

 

[joeytiffany118]

Everything you are complaining about except for the room cleanliness is close to avoidable. When you choose to go to Disney you are aware of the cost correct? Don't buy the pictures the CM's take; have them take one with your camera. There are ways of getting the photopass pictures without buying them. Your local craft store sells nice mats, and the pictures fames at Disney are like 10 bucks. My wife buys a lot of picture frames at home, and that seems to be only a buck or so above regular frame cost. We eat at Earl of Sandwhich and Wolfgang pucks to go a lot. The prices are the same as subway and less than Quizno's. Buy Suvi's at the outlets. Shop at CVS, there is one on every corner, same prices as home just trash what you don't carry home. We stay offsite as well. DVC is a neat idea, but the cost of a bed to sleep in because we spend a lot of time in the parks is to high for us. We are staying off site this year for 285.00 dollars for 9 nights. It is 2.5 miles from the World.

Our first trip as a family (me and my wife) cost us 2700 for 7 days/ 6 nights at royal plaza and little or no spending to spare after food. Last year was 8 days/ 7 nights and only spent 2900 with plenty of extra money (brought home like 300 bucks). This year we are spending 3300 on 10 days/ 9 nights, tickets, suv, running money. That leaves like 180 a day to eat on. I know you have kids and that is a higher cost, but some of us have a disease and think we need everything Disney. My wife and I have that, so we make up for what our kids would have cost.

I hate to sound rude, but if you are that unhappy and dislike it so much sell the DVC point and go to holiday world. It is in Ohio free soda's and free parking. It is your choice to go and spend money and time at the world. If money is an issue choose somewhere else.

 

[hollyb]

DH and I look at it this way. We plan for this vacation. We are not using our bill,food or rent money on this. So yes it may cost a lot but what dosent?

For two kids and two adults to go see a early movie plus popcorn and soda it runs us around $60 bucks.

Sometimes you just gotta say oh well and enjoy!

 

[Tortuga Joy]

I've only been to The World a few times. Took the kids last October and had a blast. Yes, it was expensive, particularly for 5 of us. Yes, it was a shock to see the masses at breakfast at POR and I admit, by the 6th day, I wanted to go home. Sick of it all...take me home country roads!

However, Disney is like childbirth. It hurts like the dickens and you say "never again will I subject myself to this pain" but....then you come home...be it from the hospital or Disney and after a few months...."bam" it hits you. Ya gotta go back for more pain!

Seriously though, it cost us a bundle but to see my dd's face, who is only 4 and believes and lives for the magic, it was worth the pain. So much so, we are going to go thru more pain this September.

I have read so many posts on other threads and boards of DVC members complaining about the cost, accomodations, etc., but do they realize how blessed they are? I would love to be able to afford that and give that to my family but we just can't right now; maybe someday. But as for the cost, common sense tells you "it ain't gonna get better" "just put or shut up."

 

[In a hurry]

I never thought I'd sound like my parents taling about rising prices...but I do! Everything has gone up so much! My husband thinks pizza should cost $5! Sorry it was such a shock. I find spending a bit more time researching helps me to avoid unexpected surprises!

 

[lookingforward]

The prices have sure gone up, thats for sure! I just got back from another great trip and did notice the increases. It is definately a measure of will I or won't I? For now we choose to keep paying and enjoying what has become a family tradition. But it does take some real know how to save dollars, thank goodness for the disboards! Someday there might come a time when we take a step back or stop going all together, I just hope that day never comes. I stopped trying to rebook a second disney cruise when the prices became, to me, way too high.

 

[bbump]

We were in the World March 18th - 25th.
We stayed offsite to save $$ and only ate 1 counter service meal in each park and ate a big meal after leaving the park....
( I agree that the counter meals were blah and were too much money)

We didn't notice any rude CM's, they all seemed very nice and we even traded some pins with them.
The bad part about our vacation was that I came down with 2 health issues, Hubby got a tummy virus and DD had to visit the urgent care clinic....
But we didn't let anything bring us down, because we realized how lucky we were to be on vacation in the World.

I am sorry you had a tough time on vacation, hope that you will have some good memories from your trip.