Prices just hit my threshold :-(

[Bluegrrl]

OMG, I wasn't going to go there, but you are so right! Disney is trying to shuffle peeps around using the lego micromanager/kragel system, when they should go all out and actually make that price increase worth it. 1/2 of Epcot's people swallowing rides are empty and stagnet. Why leave them that way when you could be making new attractions/overlays of them. Wonders of Life is a great example - a pavilion gone all Mad Max - a wasteland. In fact, nearly all of Epcot is a wasteland, and it's basically a Mall of America with outdated 80's rides, and the occasional food and/or garden festival that tricks you into spending more money that a regular meal at a nice TS place. My darling home park, DHS, (I worked at Great Movie Ride), is now a shell due to all the construction that will be complete in who knows when. DTD is ripped to shreds and is just hoping to complete with Uni's Downtown area, and the whole park is just a mess.

Yes, yes, Star Wars, Avatar, Frozen, and DS is all coming. Just like winter is coming. Disney is becoming the G.R.R. Martin of theme parks.

I am sounding so bitter - I hate to, but its super galling to me that Disney thinks that this price hike is "best for business".

(my little boy and I have been watching a lot of Lego Movie. Does it tell? However, not everything is awesome with Disney currently)

Edit to add: I called the passholder folk today (or yesterday, since it's like 3am), and they said they had no idea about the switchover, and were hearing tons of complaints from people that day. My phone hold was about 15+ minutes to speak with someone, and she said she'd never heard so many complaints since that day. She was amazed that Disney hadn't warned them or given them a script before that day - it blindsided everyone.

 

[momof2n2]

nd it's basically a Mall of America with outdated

I got a tremendous ROI at MOA this summer. I have lower expectations for WDW this next trip.

 

[btk2333]

Comparing the Poly Bungalows to those in the Maldives is comparing apples to oranges. Or rather, clear blue salt water to brain eating amoeba filled stagnant lake water. Or clown fish to water moccasins.

Sure to you- however it costs much less to get to Florida for most people considering vs getting to many other over water bungalows. I have no idea if they are being booked but if they're not Disney can sure lower the prices to get people to book them. If they are getting booked then Disney has priced them accurately- only time will tell

 

[jsmla]

I am neither an economist nor a sociologist so will refrain from posting a grand thesis on either aspect. I just know that something inside me snapped with this latest round of increases. Maybe it was just one too many of those "Look at what we've done for you just because we lurrrve you so very much!" Disney emails that, in actuality was announcing something that I decidedly did not want. For the first time I agree with my DH's opinion that I'm an idiot when it comes to Disney. He once said that they could package mouse poop, wrap it up in Mickey paper, tie it with a Minnie bow and I would stand in line to buy it. For the first time I feel foolish.

I have no idea why this round of increases bothers me so much but, after 25 years, I may be done.

ETA: We won't be canceling this next trip-we have plans to meet up with friends from out of the country whom we only see once a year-but I did cancel our December trip. We'll visit our daughter instead. She's lived away for her residency for almost two years now and has very little vacation time. We'll spend time with her when she's off and see the sights while she works. My husband has limited time off and, as I sit here now, I can't believe that I thought that yet another visit to a theme park took priority over family.

All this over what for me amounts to a less than $200 increase! I'm not deep enough to figure out why, why now, why this price hike. I just know that my attitude has definitely changed.

 

[Jennasis]

OMG, I wasn't going to go there, but you are so right! Disney is trying to shuffle peeps around using the lego micromanager/kragel system, when they should go all out and actually make that price increase worth it. 1/2 of Epcot's people swallowing rides are empty and stagnet. Why leave them that way when you could be making new attractions/overlays of them. Wonders of Life is a great example - a pavilion gone all Mad Max - a wasteland. In fact, nearly all of Epcot is a wasteland, and it's basically a Mall of America with outdated 80's rides, and the occasional food and/or garden festival that tricks you into spending more money that a regular meal at a nice TS place. My darling home park, DHS, (I worked at Great Movie Ride), is now a shell due to all the construction that will be complete in who knows when. DTD is ripped to shreds and is just hoping to complete with Uni's Downtown area, and the whole park is just a mess.

Yes, yes, Star Wars, Avatar, Frozen, and DS is all coming. Just like winter is coming. Disney is becoming the G.R.R. Martin of theme parks.

I am sounding so bitter - I hate to, but its super galling to me that Disney thinks that this price hike is "best for business".

(my little boy and I have been watching a lot of Lego Movie. Does it tell? However, not everything is awesome with Disney currently)

Edit to add: I called the passholder folk today (or yesterday, since it's like 3am), and they said they had no idea about the switchover, and were hearing tons of complaints from people that day. My phone hold was about 15+ minutes to speak with someone, and she said she'd never heard so many complaints since that day. She was amazed that Disney hadn't warned them or given them a script before that day - it blindsided everyone.

I almost choked on my Lucky Charms!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We are DVC members as well, joined in 2001. While I never like it when prices increase on anything...who wants to pay more we will adjust and work with these changes, as we've done adjusted to other changes over the years...some we felt were positive for our family, some negative.

I don't think Disney has any sort of obligation to be affordable for everyone...there are people who work hard, but the income level isn't there, who live paycheck to paycheck, some are homeless, others have trouble putting food on the table .....at any price they can't afford a Disney vacation or any vacation.

 

[goofy4tink]

They are not being greedy they are increasing revenue, that is there job. The fact of the matter is their "most loyal customers" are likely also among the least profitable because they know all of the tricks to save money.

The people acting entitled are all the ones that act as though being able to afford to go to Disney is their right. Its not. If you can go and you want to, thats great. If you can't afford to, or you think your money is better spent other ways, thats great too, but people need to stop acting like Disney owes them something.

Disney does owe me something. I bought DVC, back in '03, with the knowledge that I could go whenever I wanted. Yes, my point usage would be much higher if I went over Christmas, or during spring break. But, with my AP, I could go to any park I wanted to. Now? Unless I upgrade my AP, I can't go to a park over Christmas vacation.
Sure things change. I get that. But, I am also free to complain about it.

Ive only been on these boards for a couple of weeks and I was shocked by how much Disney hate their is here. I was coming to try and get information and share experiences with other people that like Disney as much as I do... man did that not work out!

I just don't understand all of the hate and complaining. I mean seriously, like you said, if you don't like it, don't go. If you are going to go, you are "voting with your wallet" and all of your complaining is meaningless.

'Disney hate'??? Hardly. You won't find anyone who loves Disney more than I do. Just as I can love my children but be very disappointed in their behaviour, same goes for Disney. Why am I disappointed? Because I am now paying more, on many levels, for less return. My DVC points are being used for villas that are not nearly as well kept as in years past. Food at WDW has gone waaaaay downhill! So, what does Disney do? They raise the cost of the food! There is nothing new in the parks. Yes, we got the SDMT and the other stuff in that area. Two basically kiddie rides. Epcot and DHS? Shells of their former selves. DHS is barely worth spending more than a few hours in.
It used to be that you could find really unique items in different shops. Not anymore...there is a mind-numbing sameness to the shelves in the shops. You no longer need to go into all of them so you could see what different things there were. Now, just one stop does it all. And this means much less spending for me. Quality of merchandise has gone downhill as well. I have tee shirts that I bought on my first trip, back in '99. Still wear them. But a tee shirt that I bought in '12? Nope, it has shrunk beyond wearing, with holes in the seams.

When one comes to an internet site to gain information, they really should expect to get the good as well as the less than good. Disney isn't perfect. It is the purpose of these boards to let people get the most up-to-date info there is....the good, the bad, and the ugly. that's the only way anyone can plan a trip.

This thread was titled aptly.....I doubt anyone has come here, expecting all pixiedust and roses.

Comparing the Poly Bungalows to those in the Maldives is comparing apples to oranges. Or rather, clear blue salt water to brain eating amoeba filled stagnant lake water. Or clown fish to water moccasins.

Okay, that's pretty funny!!! True but funny.
There is no way I would ever shell out the money it takes to rent one of those bungelows. Nor would I use my points for them. Nope, not happening.


I can well afford to continue going to WDW in the same way I have been going. This isn't about the money! It's about the principle. Disney is charging me more, to get less. Sure, they're building new stuff. But, I really resent having to pay more, for 2 years, while waiting for those things to be built. I get to live with empty buildings at Epcot, closed attractions at DHS, but pay more. If that makes me a Wendy-whiner, so be it. And no, I don't work hard for my money...but my dh sure does!!!! Believe me, WDW isn't what I would call a 'luxury vacation'...nor would I call WDW 'deluxe' resorts truly deluxe...not when compared with resorts/hotels in the outside world!!! Disney is a whole different thing. There are ways to cut costs. I know how to cut costs. Disney knows we do this.....and as long as we keep coming, they don't care that we eat peanut butter sandwiches in our rooms vs paying $15 for a mediocre burger in a park!

 

[dlavender]

Growing up in Florida, Disney was always a big part of my life. We have since moved away, but, someone may have kept their FL DL....Anyway, Disney was my favorite part of childhood. Things weren't always great, but those days spent at Disney were so special and magical. We would get to MK at RD, stay till close, and ride everything, a few times. As the years passed, we would get there at RD, grab a FP or two, stay till close, and ride everything, a few times. As I posted before on another thread, when I started my own family, I tried to do it big, like I thought I wanted. Stayed in a moderate, made ADR's for character breakfasts for every meal. We hated that trip. Disney for me was not that luxury experience. We have since gone back to our roots, showing up early, staying all day, riding everything - well trying to. With the new FD system, you have to start planning 60 days out, and with serious commitment, you can still ride everything, just not everything a few times. That's fine. What saddens me, some, is that Disney seems to be trying to focus more on the luxury aspects. I can't blame Disney. Crowds are at record levels. They didn't build more capacity, didn't add any rides (they did add two, but in relation to the growth, its a drop in the bucket), just worked vigorously to implement MDE (a move to keep focusing on the luxury end). From a business perspective, they are maximizing profits by targeting their most profitable transactions. They now seem to be starting to refocus on the lower ends by working to increase capacity (this could be argued as they are replacing old attractions, not adding new ones in some places), but I am hopeful that they really are refocusing again on mass appeal. I love Disney, and we are always planning our next trip, just not sure when it will be. I want to give my children the magic that I had and always will remember. I just hope that one day Disney doesn't become only a luxury spot. We will continue visiting, and making changes to accommodate our budget. I just hope they don't forget us.

 

[bpadair32]

Disney does owe me something. I bought DVC, back in '03, with the knowledge that I could go whenever I wanted. Yes, my point usage would be much higher if I went over Christmas, or during spring break. But, with my AP, I could go to any park I wanted to. Now? Unless I upgrade my AP, I can't go to a park over Christmas vacation.
Sure things change. I get that. But, I am also free to complain about it.

Disney owes you the ability to use your points for the same value that you could in 2001. They are giving you that. There was nothing about joining DVC that required Disney to give you anything else.

 

[mom2rtk]

We are DVC members as well, joined in 2001. While I never like it when prices increase on anything...who wants to pay more we will adjust and work with these changes, as we've done adjusted to other changes over the years...some we felt were positive for our family, some negative.

I don't think Disney has any sort of obligation to be affordable for everyone...there are people who work hard, but the income level isn't there, who live paycheck to paycheck, some are homeless, others have trouble putting food on the table .....at any price they can't afford a Disney vacation or any vacation.

So then you're just good with anything they want to charge?

 

[lugnut33]

For those who say, "I hope the price increases mean less people in the parks", I want you to take a look back at previous price increases in Disney history and see what that has done to the crowds. OK, I'm waiting for you to find a time a price increase has made a difference in the crowd levels...... come on I'm waiting.

The only time crowd levels have dropped is when we head into an economic recession, but then Disney comes up with some good special offers and fills the parks back up. During those down times it does seem to force Disney to focus on quality.

 

[the advocate]

For the first time I agree with my DH's opinion that I'm an idiot when it comes to Disney. He once said that they could package mouse poop, wrap it up in Mickey paper, tie it with a Minnie bow and I would stand in line to buy it. For the first time I feel foolish.

And this is where the buck stops for Disney. When their loyal patrons who have stood by them for all these years only to be rewarded with price hike after price hike with less benefits, a sense of betrayal and embarrassment sets in and to befriend this entity again would be, in your words, foolish.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

So then you're just good with anything they want to charge?

of course they can charge whatever they want. It is up to the customers to pay it or not pay it. If enough of us don't pay it, they will charge less.

The way it's going now, even though they raise the prices, they get MORE customers paying. So they still have a product that people want, and want enough to pay the higher price. Something else will have to change for things to turn the other way (like another major recession or large numbers of potential guests deciding they are going to wait until all the construction is finished).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

It's not Disney hate for many of us. It is Disney disappointment. Many of us have been there too many times to count and are now shaking our heads.

I did vote with my wallet in 2014. We all out cancelled our WDW trip and shifted it to a SeaWorld/BG/Aquatica vacation. We had a stinking awesome time. This upcoming trip is a last hurrah of sorts. My mom in particular is keen on seeing my youngest girls experience princesses (which may or may not include A&E depending on how fast my mouse can click at 12:01AM March 8th...)

BECAUSE of the honest trip reporting of many posters I am well educated and have worked (almost successfully) to lower my expectations. I won't start on the tiering and rationing here. But from the reports of posters I trust, I expect I will not get to do as much as I usually do. BUT ... I will be paying more than ever before. AND getting up at midnight to get what I do get.

This past trip was also a last hurrah of sorts for us. We also cancelled in 2014 due to the testing of FP+ and finally went last month. We had a great time.

I thought MAYBE we could go back in 2017 and do an US/IOA and WDW split but with these WDW price increases I don't see it happening. It's just not worth it to me for a full on family trip. Especially since everyone will be a Disney adult by then. I don't think the value was there like it was in the past. We stayed on the magical deal and paid food OOP and we spent an obscene amount of money. Double what we used to pay since DS is a Disney adult. DD9 was eating adult meals more than half the trip also.

I do look forward to maybe a mother/daughter and mother/son trip and maybe some adult only trips as the kids get older. DS will go in 2018 with his senior class. I'm trying to go with just DD that year also.

 

[Art 1]

Going to WDW is a luxury. And luxury items always cost stupid money. Just the way it is.

 

[opal]

Am I the only person not really bothered by this?

I mean, it's not as if it's unprecedented, or that WDW is anything but a completely luxury and whimsical want, not a need, not a right, certainly not owed to anyone. Frankly, I'm perfectly ok if a bunch of people don't go due to prices, I am willing to pay the prices and if it means I get less crowds for the higher price, all the better. Would I prefer it were cheaper? Sure, probably, unless it meant the crowds got even worse, than it starts to not be so clear cut.

The nice thing about luxury things is that you get them because you work for them, I like the idea of WDW being a higher end vacation place, I work hard for my money, and I earn the option to spend it on a trip like this. If I'm being totally honest I'm ok with it being a bit more exclusive, and the same goes for tiered ticketing/FPs. If I can work harder and get a better experience for my family and myself, I'm all for it. I frankly don't love the idea that my vacation is somewhat limited by a perceived need to cater to people that don't have the same disposable income. I'm not saying those people shouldn't have access, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to have value levels of the vacation for them, just as they have value resorts. Life isn't fair, and while some of my available funds are good fortune, it's mostly effort, and even the good fortune required the right skills and effort to leverage.

I'm sure this isn't going to be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it!

Adam

I'm all for working hard.....but let's not forget that "once upon a time" WDW was a destination to take your kids for a magical experience. Let's also not forget that most young families are in the "starting out" phase of their lives. They have new mortgages, student load debt and many have expensive child care costs. Unless they are fortunate enough to have well heeled grandparents, a lot of kids will never experience the Disney magic or if they do it will be a once in a lifetime event.

We have gone to WDW a least once a year since 1990. Many of those years we were annual pass holders. Our daughter and her cousins have wonderful memories of the annual family Disney trips and as a result every one of them are fans of all things Disney. The folks at the helm of The Mouse need to remember that if you price young families out of a Disney vacation, then who are your Park Guests of the future????

 

[MakiraMarlena]

when I have gone to Walt Disney World lately, I have seen no shortage of young families. I guess some are anticipating that will change.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So then you're just good with anything they want to charge?

...Disney and any other company can charge what they want....Our family decides if we are okay with paying it...be it for park tickets, plane tickets, hotels...cars..eating out etc...everyone decides what's best for their family

 

[bpadair32]

Heres the simple truth. This change is going to have very little overall effect on Disney, especially in a negative way and here is why.

There are a group of people that love Disney, love everything about being there, and are going to go to Disney. This won't change.
There is a group of people that do not love Disney, have no desire to go to Disney, and were never going regardless of changes. This won't change.
There is a group of people who were on the fence, either about going in the first place or continuing to go. Some of these people will go, and some won't.

Overall its not going to change much.

 

[dlavender]

Heres

Heres the simple truth. This change is going to have very little overall effect on Disney, especially in a negative way and here is why.

There are a group of people that love Disney, love everything about being there, and are going to go to Disney. This won't change.
There is a group of people that do not love Disney, have no desire to go to Disney, and were never going regardless of changes. This won't change.
There is a group of people who were on the fence, either about going in the first place or continuing to go. Some of these people will go, and some won't.

Overall its not going to change much.

What happens, however, is that with more increases, people move from group to group. People from #1 slide to #3. People from #3, slide to #2. Disney will have to entice more consumers to join group #1. Currently, they are doing this with luxury offerings. Those that are not into the luxury offerings, are rumbling that we are being moved and not lured back or kept in #1 by increased capacity, or other offerings of interest.