Reality check and sticker shock

[Canadian Girl]

I made a reservation for my eleven year old and myself in March for CRT forgetting that it is pre-payed. Imagine my shock when the bill posted on my no fee exchange card as $90.00 each for lunch, not even dinner. I may have to re-think this one.

 

[prairiesarah]

I can relate - we are going at Christmas and were planning to go out for Christmas dinner at one of the hotels. I was able to get a reservation at Cape May Cafe (not a lot of options since we aren't staying onsite and couldn't book at 180+10 even though I have been stalking ADR's since then) and then checked out the price - $47.92 per adult plus tip, so approximately $56/$57 per person USD. Works out to about $75 CDN each depending on the exchange rate. Now, I know 2 things for sure.....the food will not be THAT GOOD to justify $75 per person for a buffet. And the other is that my ds who will be 10y 1m old at Christmas will not eat enough to justify $75 a piece for dinner. We changed our plans and are going to go for brunch that day (got a 10:45am ADR at Boma). It works out to about $37 CDN inc tax and tip. Still expensive, but I can at least justify that price.

 

[princess_jamie]

If it makes you feel any better, my boyfriend and I did the Napa Rose Chef's Table in the Grand Californian hotel in September for our 4 year anniversary. Dinner and wine pairing, plus gratuity, after exchange.. I think it came to about $502 Canadian. Most I've ever spent on a dinner ever. But well worth it.

 

[dis_guy]

Now, I know 2 things for sure.....the food will not be THAT GOOD to justify $75 per person for a buffet. And the other is that my ds who will be 10y 1m old at Christmas will not eat enough to justify $75 a piece for dinner.

Exactly! This is why people need to really think critically about what things cost at WDW. I've overheard "Yes, princess, whatever you want!" Way too many times there and I wonder what those vacations will cost them.

 

[dsneygirl]

I can relate - we are going at Christmas and were planning to go out for Christmas dinner at one of the hotels. I was able to get a reservation at Cape May Cafe (not a lot of options since we aren't staying onsite and couldn't book at 180+10 even though I have been stalking ADR's since then) and then checked out the price - $47.92 per adult plus tip, so approximately $56/$57 per person USD. Works out to about $75 CDN each depending on the exchange rate. Now, I know 2 things for sure.....the food will not be THAT GOOD to justify $75 per person for a buffet. And the other is that my ds who will be 10y 1m old at Christmas will not eat enough to justify $75 a piece for dinner. We changed our plans and are going to go for brunch that day (got a 10:45am ADR at Boma). It works out to about $37 CDN inc tax and tip. Still expensive, but I can at least justify that price.

We just got back and only had 1 meal over $100 (Garden Grill was like $140) and we ate well all week. You definitely don't need a character meal every day and don't get caught up in the frenzy of ADRs and missing something amazing. Nothing we ate all week was "make or break " for our vacation.

 

[Misha72683]

We had originally planned on upgrading to the DxDP, but at over $1000 CDN for a 5 night stay, we couldn't do it. We also won't do as many OoP meals as we'd planned.

 

[LemonNeko]

We had a counter service meal for 3 at AK two weeks ago and when I got home with the exchange it was $58. I appreciate my mom paid for our breakfast at Chef Mickey's so I didn't have to see a breakfast bill over $100.

We're going to Orlando in January and still debating on Universal or Disney. Universal is winning right now due to the cost. Right now I only have one ADR booked and that's for Cape May Breakfast.

 

[Canadian Girl]

Still undecided. I have time to think it out I guess for CRT. My more immediate issue is whether or not to book the Christmas party. I am going for a week at the beginning of Dec with three of my daughters and staying DVC. Even with the dvc discount it is about $100.00 CAD for a few hours. My oldest coming works and pays for herself but the younger two will be on my tab and both are now Disney adults. Seems like a lot of money for a parade and some fake snow. When we did it before, we were tired before the party ended and left. It was beautiful and the ambience was lovely, but prices are so much higher now than they were two years ago and the dollar of course, has tanked.

 

[ixmnrs]

Disney has become my go to comparison as to how expensive things are. If entrees at a fancy restaurant here cost $30+ , hey, it's still cheaper than Disney! It is truly unreasonable how much things cost at Disney, but the sticker shock has unfortunately worn off after so many trips / years of sucking it up and taking it! It definitely was more fun when our dollar was at par!