No Disney this year!

[JimmyV]

I used that wording because we ARE talking about a post someone has made on these boards. Do I believe they are the only ones that decided not to go back? Heck no. I am not an idiot. So I would appreciate it if you did not put words into my mouth or read into things that are not there.

What I AM saying is that Disney has been posting profits and increased attendance. So far, those who have decided not to return are not having a financial impact. It is not going to make Disney look at MBs, FP+, or prices and go "Well, this wasn't a good idea because some people decided not to come back." That will only happen when things reach a point where Disney is losing money. Obviously, Disney doesn't think it has found equilibrium with supply and demand and thus believe they can still increase prices.

1. I did not put words in your mouth. I quoted exactly what you wrote. If there was an implication in your earlier post that guest dissatisfaction was more pervasive, I missed it.

2. Disney does not "post attendance figures", so there is no way anyone on any side of any argument could use attendance increases or decreases to support their views on FP+. We simply have no way of evaluating its impact, especially when the vast majority of visitors since mid-January planned their trips far in advance of its implementation or known impact.

3. Disney is engaged in extensive follow-up studies to determine people's reaction. If you think that Disney looks at profit statements from 1/15-3/15 as its basis for weighing the impact or success of its new system, you give it way too little credit. If this were true, then we should expect no changes whatsoever to the system. Yet even FP+'s most ardent supporters are saying "give it a chance...this is still in the testing phase...we don't even know what the final product will look like." Do you think that adjustments will be made based purely on balance sheet statements or on guest feedback?

 

[Shaden]

Do people honestly believe this? Newsflash! There are millions of people who go to WDW every year, and many, many of them discover that it is not for them or that they are done and elect to move on. Only an unmeasurably small percentage of those people who elect not to return post here. In fact, this board is made up of people who LOVE WDW. Perhaps irrationally so. This board is comprised of the people who are most willing to and most likely to overlook Disney's warts. The "general public" or "typical guest" is far more likely to cut ties with Disney than someone who posts here. This is not an "I hate Disney" board. It is the opposite. So let's put an end to the silly and unsubstantiated pronouncement that the only people who are disappointed with WDW (whether that be for price or operational issues), are 14 Board members who post here. Disney cares about every person who elects not to return. They may not be able to do anything to win back their business, but they don't shrug it off and attribute the loss to being just a single voice from the Dis Board.

I used to try to make people see this, but sadly they just can't.

 

[Shaden]

1. I did not put words in your mouth. I quoted exactly what you wrote. If there was an implication in your earlier post that guest dissatisfaction was more pervasive, I missed it.

2. Disney does not "post attendance figures", so there is no way anyone on any side of any argument could use attendance increases or decreases to support their views on FP+. We simply have no way of evaluating its impact, especially when the vast majority of visitors since mid-January planned their trips far in advance of its implementation or known impact.

3. Disney is engaged in extensive follow-up studies to determine people's reaction. If you think that Disney looks at profit statements from 1/15-3/15 as its basis for weighing the impact or success of its new system, you give it way too little credit. If this were true, then we should expect no changes whatsoever to the system. Yet even FP+'s most ardent supporters are saying "give it a chance...this is still in the testing phase...we don't even know what the final product will look like." Do you think that adjustments will be made based purely on balance sheet statements or on guest feedback?

I saw what you quoted, and read the PP's original post.

1. There was no such implication, the implication, while not the PP's words, was that it is only people here on the boards who are complaining, and Disney doesn't care about such a small an insignificant group.

2. Josh at easywdw seems to have some attendance figures, as well, the people at Touring plans seem to be able to get their hands on some of this type of data. Josh has been very clear that as of early March, wdw had seen an uptick of 1.5% in attendance in 2014 over 2013, nothing that could account for the massive changes in crowds. The people at Touringplans survey schools to determine when the peak spring break crowds will be, they should peak the second week of april.

 

[DOOM1001]

For those indicating that inflation is a main player in cost increases at wdw, you may find this article interesting:

http://micechat.com/59088-cost-inflation-disney-world/

The author has actually done the math to show what WDW would cost today based on 1975 ticket prices and inflation.

Using just inflation, a room at the poly should cost 182.60 (it was 42 in 1975)...they are definitely increasing prices beyond accounting for inflation.

I don't think I needed that article to figure out WDW prices are outpacing regular inflation.Sorta like how I'm in my 30's and I remember paying $1.07 for gas as a high school senior.I know that in 20 years it's basically tripled in price,that's not regular inflation.The cool thing about the article was that whoever stayed at the Poly on that visit in 1975 stayed there 10 days before I was born.

 

[Mad Hattered]

2. Josh at easywdw seems to have some attendance figures, as well, the people at Touring plans seem to be able to get their hands on some of this type of data. Josh has been very clear that as of early March, wdw had seen an uptick of 1.5% in attendance in 2014 over 2013, nothing that could account for the massive changes in crowds. The people at Touringplans survey schools to determine when the peak spring break crowds will be, they should peak the second week of april.

Speaking of Josh...
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/characterpalooza-more-boozy-lemonades-is-there-anything-to-do-here-32514/

 

[STXMom]

So is FP+ a bad idea? I'll be there May14th and 15th for my daughter's birthday and was contemplating get FP+ for one or two events. Is it worth it, or is on par with just waiting in line with no FP+?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

So is FP+ a bad idea? I'll be there May14th and 15th for my daughter's birthday and was contemplating get FP+ for one or two events. Is it worth it, or is on par with just waiting in line with no FP+?

Def get FP+ if you can. Mesaboy2 has a link in his signature with suggestions on which rides are more useful than others. For example, Anna & Elsa meet n greet is one hot FP+ but you probably wouldn't need one for Stitch.

 

[STXMom]

Def get FP+ if you can. Mesaboy2 has a link in his signature with suggestions on which rides are more useful than others. For example, Anna & Elsa meet n greet is one hot FP+ but you probably wouldn't need one for Stitch.

Excellent! Thank you!

 

[Shaden]

Speaking of Josh...
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/characterpalooza-more-boozy-lemonades-is-there-anything-to-do-here-32514/

Interesting throughout the whole article he keeps mentioning that crowds are "average" ...

And yet people here keep trying to talk up the "huge increase in attendance" ... being the reason Wait times are so high ...

 

[Mad Hattered]

Interesting throughout the whole article he keeps mentioning that crowds are "average" ...

And yet people here keep trying to talk up the "huge increase in attendance" ... being the reason Wait times are so high ...

Math.

 

[Planogirl]

Speaking of Josh...
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/characterpalooza-more-boozy-lemonades-is-there-anything-to-do-here-32514/

Nice article. But speaking of high prices, $60 for the Star Wars character meals?

 

[deanimal]

For the last few years we've been alternating, Walt Disney World one year and Disneyland the other. Boy, am I ever glad we did WDW in 2012 and California this year! I just saw the Easy WDW post with the hub all torn up with the water all drained and rubble everywhere. Add that to the chaos of FP+ (I'm not about to say whether it's a positive or negative overall, I think it's too early to say. However I feel that they could have done a lot more to decrease the impact of the implementation of the new system). I think that 2014 may be the perfect year to skip WDW when you factor everything in. I'm tentatively planning a trip for early 2015 but there's plenty of time to change that. I hope that everyone who's thinking the same way as us are still able to have great family trips!

 

[2Tiggies]

OP here.
I am looking forward to our Busch Gardens vacation but am a little hesitant since we have done Disney 8 years in a row and my children have been fond of those vacation. 2

Is it possible for you to do BG and add in maybe a day or two at Disney so you don't feel like you are missing it completely?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Is it possible for you to do BG and add in maybe a day or two at Disney so you don't feel like you are missing it completely?

The OP has chosen to visit BG Williamsburg, not Tampa.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don't think I needed that article to figure out WDW prices are outpacing regular inflation.Sorta like how I'm in my 30's and I remember paying $1.07 for gas as a high school senior.I know that in 20 years it's basically tripled in price,that's not regular inflation.The cool thing about the article was that whoever stayed at the Poly on that visit in 1975 stayed there 10 days before I was born.

I wasn't responding to your post...there were 2 immediately before mine specifically mentioning inflation, that's what I was responding to.

 

[2Tiggies]

The OP has chosen to visit BG Williamsburg, not Tampa.

You're right, that was my mistake. She did say so

 

[dadofgoofy]

While I agree that Disney prices seem outrageously high, I also agree that if we as a nation want to live in a free market system, with a supply/demand concept that works, this will go one of two ways. Either people will continue to pay these prices (and the increased ones in the future) and Disney's sales will continue to grow year over year, or sales will slip to the point where they need to react with price decreases or increased offerings. I tend to believe that long term, they will have to offer more, but don't see that happening for another 7-8 years.

Somewhere I saw estimated attendance figures for WDW, DL, and universal parks for 2013, not sure which site it was on, maybe theme park insider's article. In it, All 4 disney parks in orlando beat universal. So, if universal isn't even beating DHS or AK in annual attendance, then Disney is probably not worried... yet. If and when they do pass DHS or AK, then I think disney will react.

The fact is costs will continue to rise, it's just up to each family to decide whether is a good value for them.

 

[HM]

OP, if Disney is the only vacation you take each year, I do think it's time to try new places for your family. I really like Wiliamsburg and Busch Gardens is a nice park. Make sure you visit Jamestown Historic Park, it's my favorite part of that area.

I really regret not taking my kids to more new places when they were young. We also did WDW every year from 1999 to 2013 (sometimes not all of us). We also took yearly vacations to the beach or relatives as well and before we started WDW we did do other parks in the US. But we did not get to some of the destinations that I've always wanted to see and would have made great family vacations because we spent the funds on the (easy to plan) vacation to WDW. Now my kids are almost out of the house and fitting vacations together in is going to be hard to do.

My DD/mother trip in December 2013 is probably the last one for WDW for a while for me. The prices are my biggest gripe right now too. I just feel like WDW is going crazy with what they are charging for all aspects of the vacation and I'm just not willing to pay them right now. Maybe sometime later we'll get back, but I don't have any date in mind.

 

[*disgal*]

I think you will have a wonderful time at Bush Gardens in Williamsburg. And hey you might want to go over and do some of Colonial Williamsburg which is also wonderful. It's like you are at the American Adventure. (without the audio anamatronics.)

I think it's taking a hard look out there and seeing other places you and your vacation dollar could go. There no anger just an opening of the eyes.

This, so this. Even though we have visited practically every year for I don't know how many years, we have cut down the nights per year to about half. And after this next trip, we prob won't be back for many years. We have done other things than disney for a few years now including cruising and we have beach trips planned for the future. Those vacations are really nice and I love them.

For those indicating that inflation is a main player in cost increases at wdw, you may find this article interesting:

http://micechat.com/59088-cost-inflation-disney-world/

The author has actually done the math to show what WDW would cost today based on 1975 ticket prices and inflation.

Using just inflation, a room at the poly should cost 182.60 (it was 42 in 1975)...they are definitely increasing prices beyond accounting for inflation.

Ok, so glad you posted this because when I talk to DH about WDW prices we always mention this but never had hard facts. Had NO idea it was THAT off though. Very interesting.

Our family pulled out of staying onsite all the time because of price/value a long time ago. But how has disney responded from people like us doing that? They have built more value resorts(I say that tongue and cheek really lol) and DVC is going crazy!! Our economy is just starting to recover, our debt (personal not just as a country) is outrageous, the last few years tons of homes being forclosed on.....I could go on. But disney still manages to sell these things. Of course I realize mostly are purchasing thru more debt but still. It's amazing to me.

I saw what you quoted, and read the PP's original post.

1. There was no such implication, the implication, while not the PP's words, was that it is only people here on the boards who are complaining, and Disney doesn't care about such a small an insignificant group.

2. Josh at easywdw seems to have some attendance figures, as well, the people at Touring plans seem to be able to get their hands on some of this type of data. Josh has been very clear that as of early March, wdw had seen an uptick of 1.5% in attendance in 2014 over 2013, nothing that could account for the massive changes in crowds. The people at Touringplans survey schools to determine when the peak spring break crowds will be, they should peak the second week of april.

Oh, GREAT!!

 

[Goofey Drool]

Our family went in 2006-2008-2010. We stayed on property at a moderate with the meal plan and park hopper passes so we could go wherever, whenever in the "world". We decided in 2012 to go somewhere else that we have not seen. We rented a pool home in Davenport and went to Sea world, Busch Gardens, and Universal Studios. April 2014 was suppose to be a return trip to Disney but the prices were beyond what I am willing to shell out. I totally understand that everything has gone up etc. But I broke the numbers down and to go with the same disney vacation as we did in the past(moderate resort, meal plan etc.) it would be approx. $650 + per day. I just cant justify it....so we will be skipping this years vacation. Next year we will stay off property and just visit a park or 2 and maybe Sea world again. We could cut corners but our 2 boys are 12-14 and the cheaper Dis resorts are cramped. In addition, my wife teaches so we are only able to go during school vacations $$$$. Again , no blame on Disney...its just too much for our budget.