My Slow Divorce from Walt Disney World

[DCLMP]

To be fair, that decision was always being made. Disney vacations weren't ever at the bottom of the scale, there was no way my family could afford them annually growing up.

When the 10% of the population that can afford to go to Disney starts cutting back then Disney has a problem.

 

[john7994]

When the 10% of the population that can afford to go to Disney starts cutting back then Disney has a problem.

As has happened several times before, I can't say I am all that concerned with Disney's plans for recessionary pullback by consumers (or for other reasons that they lose vacationers) - its the business they have chosen to be involved with

 

[DCLMP]

As has happened several times before, I can't say I am all that concerned with Disney's plans for recessionary pullback by consumers (or for other reasons that they lose vacationers) - its the business they have chosen to be involved with

I have many things to be concerned about Disney’s longevity is not one of them, but this is a Disney forum and someone did bring up ticket prices.

 

[kymom99]

And what precisely would those perks look like aside from something like priority ADRs

What were they before? Nicer pools and grounds? Bigger rooms? They are closer to the parks

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Might I also but in and complain about the cost of the on site resorts at WDW? I can get a bungalow on the beach in the Maldives for far less. I can get a 5* luxury hotel with adjacent lush casino and on site bars and entertainment in Vegas for a tonne less. I can get an apartment in the heart of a 5* golf resort in Murcia, Spain, for literally HALF the going rate of a budget room. Why so expensive? Probably because they can get away with it...

 

[john7994]

What were they before? Nicer pools and grounds? Bigger rooms? They are closer to the parks

I have no idea what they were before - Seems like the other things are what someone is already paying for .. and proximity to parks may be true to the park they are closest too, but its not like any of them are close to all the parks - I guess I am not seeing the extra "perk" part. Personally wouldn't mind free Genie + or Park Hoppers - I can kind of care less about extended hours because I am exhausted by dinner time

 

[dvcgirl67]

Everyone pays the same for the park tickets. Deluxe perks should be had AT the resort.

Good point. And I hear that...the parks are for all kind of thing.

 

[longboard55]

For those canceling this summer, the Four Seasons Maui is available for $2400 a night.

 

[john7994]

Might I also but in and complain about the cost of the on site resorts at WDW? I can get a bungalow on the beach in the Maldives for far less. I can get a 5* luxury hotel with adjacent lush casino and on site bars and entertainment in Vegas for a tonne less. I can get an apartment in the heart of a 5* golf resort in Murcia, Spain, for literally HALF the going rate of a budget room. Why so expensive? Probably because they can get away with it...

Because I was curious, I looked up some costs, and I am seeing value resort rooms in July and August in the ~$180's and Moderates in the $270s - June clearly is all booked up for the most part and probably expensive due to being in the ~45 day range.

 

[dvcgirl67]

For those canceling this summer, the Four Seasons Maui is available for $2400 a night.

I think that’s the hotel where they filmed White Lotus…more than I’d be comfortable paying, but a gorgeous resort.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Because I was curious, I looked up some costs, and I am seeing value resort rooms in July and August in the ~$180's and Moderates in the $270s - June clearly is all booked up for the most part and probably expensive due to being in the ~45 day range.

Thing is, my examples are all waaaaay more luxurious than all but the most expensive on-site hotels at WDW.

 

[john7994]

Thing is, my examples are all waaaaay more luxurious than all but the most expensive on-site hotels at WDW.

Was I debating that?

 

[DCLMP]

Might I also but in and complain about the cost of the on site resorts at WDW? I can get a bungalow on the beach in the Maldives for far less. I can get a 5* luxury hotel with adjacent lush casino and on site bars and entertainment in Vegas for a tonne less. I can get an apartment in the heart of a 5* golf resort in Murcia, Spain, for literally HALF the going rate of a budget room. Why so expensive? Probably because they can get away with it...

WDW has benefited from Florida being open with no restrictions. It seems like everyone I know has vacationed in Florida over the last two years. Many people won't travel out of the country until the Covid testing to re-enter is dropped. Now Europe is opening up, but people are hesitant because of the war. WDW and our national parks are benefitting from all this..... so yeah they can get away with it for now.

 

[Jrb1979]

Before the pandemic hit I had planned to take my 2 year old daughter to Disney. The last few years changed that considerably. One being the way Disney treats their guests lately. All the added upcharges and the horrendous skip the line system that's Genie+. As a guy who visits amusement parks for vacations, the way the majority have worked to draw people back is an eye opener compared to Disney. IMO Disney is so focused on recouping losses from their closure that it's making loyal fans leave.

 

[SirDuff]

Everyone pays the same for the park tickets. Deluxe perks should be had AT the resort.

People staying off-site also pay the same price for park tickets - using this logic there should be no EMH for any onsite guests and no being able to reserve things earlier.

 

[Disneylover99]

Everyone pays the same for the park tickets. Deluxe perks should be had AT the resort.

Not really. People buy discounted tickets. They might have UK/Canadian deals. There are APH and Florida rates. A person who buys a 2 day ticket is paying significantly more per day then a person who buys a 10 day ticket.

 

[kymom99]

Not really. People buy discounted tickets. They might have UK/Canadian deals. There are APH and Florida rates. A person who buys a 2 day ticket is paying significantly more per day then a person who buys a 10 day ticket.

The cost of tickets generally doesn’t correlate to where they are staying

 

[Disneylover99]

The cost of tickets generally doesn’t correlate to where they are staying

Exactly. That’s why to me at least, it doesn’t bother me if deluxe resorts offer additional perks at the parks.

 

[longboard55]

For the record. Most theme parks have had some kind of skip the line program for years. Universal and 6 flags all do and they cost more than $20.

 

[Christine]

Doesn't Universal also offer "front of the line" passes for people who stay in their moderate to deluxe resorts? Or is it all resorts? I know they've offered that for years, just not sure where they stand now.

I do remember purchasing front of the line access for my kids when we went to Universal many years ago. Price was variable based on crowds and I paid an uncomfortable amount for it but we only had one day, I had already gotten discounted military tickets so I justified it that way.