No Disney this year!

[sethschroeder]

Disagree, if that was the case, why did they just invest in a value resort?

Simple - Foreign tourist kid groups, special groups (pop warner, cheer competitions), and the current "Value" resorts are full at times.

Just because they are value resorts doesn't mean its not for high income families...

 

[Angel Ariel]

OP could pay less to vacation elsewhere and still find less value for their cost at another location as you only get what you pay for. They may end up paying less but still end up with a "diminished experience"; as in "we paid $75 a day for this?????"

I'm not debating the merits of going to Busch Gardens over WDW. I'm just pointing out the factual difference between what the person I responded to said, and what the OP stated. The person I responded to talked about the OP not being *able to afford* Disney. The OP specifically stated that wasn't the case. That's all.

 

[ConnieB]

I thought you had already decided this.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3226817

Anyway, enjoy your new adventure!

 

[WillAustin]

Pretty sure the OP said they *could* afford to go, but they are choosing not to because they do not believe that the cost is worth it for their family, given changes at the parks (both financial and otherwise) that diminish their experience...

Right. The value may not be there for them anymore.

 

[mousefan73]

Yes WDW is pricey for us. We are paying around 3000 for 8 nites onsite, 2 adults, 2 kids, dining etc. Moderate onsite. Yes we could save tons doing offsite. I realize alarge portion are the park passes.

We did no hopper, water park option. When I figure in the entrance and what you get I dont see it's that bad. Think of the rides, shows, parades, fireworks, more shows, characters. A one day pass is pricey but the longer stay tiered thing is not bad.

When we go as a family to a county fair or something compared and would let the kids ride all the rides we are still at 50 bucks or more. And no shows, parades etc. Think about how much a show like Fantastic would cost let's say in chicago??? Or the Lion king. I realize these are not full lenght shows, but if you plan your park day right and see alot, you are getting your money worth.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Disagree, if that was the case, why did they just invest in a value resort?

Disney's "value resorts" already target upper-middle-class higher-income people.

 

[CAHarwell]

Which is exactly why we don't try to go every year. We will be in WDW this October. Our last trip was in October 2009. In between we go to other beautiful places here in the US like Washington state, Durango, CO., Gatlinburg, TN, Houston & San Antonio, TX. This year I just HAD to head back to the magic. I think those who go to WDW every year become jaded and want every trip to be more magical than the last. With a good long gap between trips, we forget everything BUT the magic, not how we obtained said magic. This trip, I believe, will be just as wonderful as our last trip because we believe it will. but, then again, I still believe in fairies, too.

 

[juliebug1997]

While I am not a fan of the limit on the number of FPs, especially at MK and then that you can't get more than one of your family's favorite (especially TSMM), I'm still taking my friends with me. We're still going to have fun, eat at fun restaurants, watch some fireworks, share popcorn and Dole Whips.

You do what's right for you and your family. You don't need to explain yourself to anyone here.

 

[LilyWDW]

Well, if you don't want to go for whatever reason, then don't go. Disney has been seeing an INCREASE in overall attendance so they are currently in no danger just because a few people on these boards decide not to go. In fact, unless there is a HUGE change in direction when it comes to profits and attendance, they could care less that a few people from these boards decide to travel somewhere else.

But to be honest, I read these posts and just go "Ok?" and shrug. I don't understand the point of these posts unless the OP wants people to respond with their own opinions (though usually the OP ends up coming back and says they are being attacked since not everyone agrees with them).

I personally still find value in a Disney vacation. I don't go yearly because I take my time to save up and travel as I want to. So I usually go every 3-4 years. I would rather go less often and do my trip the way I want to then to go more often and have to worry about my budget. Will there be a day where I don't find value? Maybe. But I have not gotten there yet.

And I am FAR from upper class btw... not even upper middle class. But I can still afford to do Disney as much as I want. And, to be blunt, people don't "deserve" a Disney vacation or any vacation. If they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Well, if you don't want to go for whatever reason, then don't go. Disney has been seeing an INCREASE in overall attendance so they are currently in no danger just because a few people on these boards decide not to go. In fact, unless there is a HUGE change in direction when it comes to profits and attendance, they could care less that a few people from these boards decide to travel somewhere else. But to be honest, I read these posts and just go "Ok?" and shrug. I don't understand the point of these posts unless the OP wants people to respond with their own opinions (though usually the OP ends up coming back and says they are being attacked since not everyone agrees with them). I personally still find value in a Disney vacation. I don't go yearly because I take my time to save up and travel as I want to. So I usually go every 3-4 years. I would rather go less often and do my trip the way I want to then to go more often and have to worry about my budget. Will there be a day where I don't find value? Maybe. But I have not gotten there yet. And I am FAR from upper class btw... not even upper middle class. But I can still afford to do Disney as much as I want. And, to be blunt, people don't "deserve" a Disney vacation or any vacation. If they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

I think you've flat our missed the point of this thread, the op said they can afford it.

Just because people choose not to go to disney because of increase in prices, doesn't mean they can't afford it. People value their money differently....

 

[Darcy03231]

OP I'm sure you'll have a great time at Busch Gardens. It's one of my children's favorite parks.

After being annual (and sometimes 2-3x a year) visitors, we stopped going yearly once the kids got into their teen years. We've done a lot of other great vacations instead (cruises, all-inclusive resorts, dude ranch, Toronto, Branson, San Diego, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, etc) and had just as much fun (if not more) that we've had on our WDW vacations. We've been back a few times since we stopped going annually (last time was 2012), but for our family we've found we can vacation in other places for less than the cost of WDW. We don't have any upcoming WDW trips planned and from what I've been reading I think I'm going to wait until the new system has been in place for a while.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[2Tiggies]

Makes you wonder if people who are like that in here, are that rude in "real life"......

I don't think the response left much to wonder about on that count. I couldn't even think of a response.

Responses like those bug me for a couple of reasons, aside from plain rudeness:

1. There was nothing of substance in the response. No offering of a different point of view or attempt at a reasonable argument.

2. It's just unnecessary. I have my views on some of the changes at Disney which are very different to those of many others on here and have participated in some fairly heated discussions on the boards; but never has anyone been outright rude to me.

All threads like these are relevant IMO because it is giving us an overview of how the same changes are having different impacts on various people and the discussions that follow highlight the how's and why's. We don't have to agree with each other to benefit from information and shared points of view.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, rough group.

OP, I hope that you enjoy Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I've always wanted to go there and someday we will. I won't announce it here though because even though many here keep on saying that it's good to go elsewhere and mix it up when you actually decide to do so some just ridicule you.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

wow. my family has no problem making it Disney and we aren't making "higher income" there are ways to go to Disney and not spend an insane amount of money.

Exactly. I could never just afford to like, go on a whim. I'd have to take time and save up for it, or put it on a credit card or something.

 

[Glennie5]

We can
afford to go to Disney but I am unwilling to go when I feel like over the past few years Disney prices have gone up, up, up and what you get is going down.

It's become reality that Disney vacations are for people who have higher incomes. Hate to break it to you, but Disney is doing just fine even with the price increases. The only way you're going to be able to go back to Disney is if you get a job that gets you a higher income.

If you can't afford to go, you are not Disney's target customer anyway.

And I am FAR from upper class btw... not even upper middle class. But I can still afford to do Disney as much as I want. And, to be blunt, people don't "deserve" a Disney vacation or any vacation. If they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

Maybe I read something wrong here but I am pretty sure the OP said they could afford to go to Disney but were choosing not to this year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe I read something wrong here but I am pretty sure the OP said they could afford to go to Disney but were choosing not to this year.

The OP did - but as demonstrated in the three posts you quoted, LilyWDW was responding to ethanwa's comment.

 

[JennCa]

I think you will find BG incredible, I love the Williamsburg location, beautiful location and very affordable for the quality of the park. Lots of side trips possible.

I love Disney, but I love other places also and for the price they may work out a better choice. I also think changing it up is a good thing.

I have to pay for airline flights anyway so am going to do the main Disney parks for only 3 days, water parks 2 days and then the rest Universal. After that, heading to the beach. If it weren't for the bad reviews, long crowds, etc. we would have spent more days at the main parks. Figure we will save it for another trip.

I think there are lots of choices in Orlando/Florida area without the main Disney parks.

Do what you need to do and I'm sorry there have been some rude people. I understand your post perspective because I do think the lines have been out of control lately and as the economy improves Disney should be expecting higher attendance and needs to update to attract people to visit or else they will be losing possible revenue.

I wish they were add more attractions to AK, EP and HS so that way it spreads the crowds better.

Jenn
Jenn

 

[disneyAndi14]

I highly doubt you are done with disney!

 

[bella2117]

The OP did - but as demonstrated in the three posts you quoted, LilyWDW was responding to ethanwa's comment.

I agree. I think a lot of people were responding to ethanwa's ridiculous comment.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

I think those who go to WDW every year become jaded and want every trip to be more magical than the last. With a good long gap between trips, we forget everything BUT the magic, not how we obtained said magic. This trip, I believe, will be just as wonderful as our last trip because we believe it will. but, then again, I still believe in fairies, too.

Exactly This!