Resort prices through the roof!

[patsal]

Free Dining is not the only discount Disney offers. Room discounts come out fairly frequently too.

Don't forget too that while they cut a few things from the Dining Plan, they also added a mug to all plans. And I get more value out of the mug than I did having extra snack credits I had to try and use.

They cut the snack from the dinng plan that already had a mug with it...The regular dining plan just got a mug added to it and nothing taken away.

 

[Missytara]

If you're claiming every consumer good and service should only be allowed to increase in price in conjunction with inflation, you may want to restart that discussion on the Community Board.

If you mean only WDW resort rates should only rise at the inflation rate, well, that would mean poorly paid Cast Members, no renovations, minimal replacement of worn linens, maintenance cutbacks... These things cost. It's not reasonable to expect Disney to be paying the same for anything in 2013 as they were in 2009 - and it's even less reasonable to expect them to not pass on those costs to consumers.

This is true of ANY business.

Ditto. I could go on for hours about the rising cost of business, especially in the last few years. You put it best.

Those like you and I who get it, do not need to hear it again. Those who do not get, I tire of trying to explain it, because they will never understand how a business who has to straddle the universe between consumers and stockholders.

By the by, I always delight in your posts.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

It has gotten very expensive! But I never pay rack rate for a room. Always go for a discount. The room only % off discounts are usually the best, unless you get an annual pass discount. Depending on how long you stay it can be worth it to purchase an AP. then you can get the TIW card for dining discounts.

Also consider the Swan And Dolphin resorts. They offer great discounts to teachers and nurses, and other types as well. They are in a great location and have good restaurants.

This summer we actually rented a house for our June trip. It was quite different from on site but a great vacation anyway. And this is saying a lot for devoted WDW fans who have stayed on site for approaching 30 trips!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ditto. I could go on for hours about the rising cost of business, especially in the last few years. You put it best.

Those like you and I who get it, do not need to hear it again. Those who do not get, I tire of trying to explain it, because they will never understand how a business who has to straddle the universe between consumers and stockholders.

By the by, I always delight in your posts.

And I in yours .

Every time I post a response like this in a thread like this, I consider adding a disclaimer about not being a Disney apologist - as a preemptive move. But I know I'm referring to business in general and that this just happens to be a Disney-themed forum.

 

[disnut8]

Also, don't forget the average fuel prices. This time in 2009, gas was $1/gallon cheaper. You need fuel for everything. You can't get anything anywhere without trucks or other vehicles. Think of all the maintenance vehicles at Disney resorts. You can't telecommute getting your supplies to a resort.

And that's just fuel. There's a domino effect in that once fuel goes up, everything goes up because you have to use trucks to get things to their final destination.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Yeah.. I see this thread at least once a year or so.. different actors but always the same storyline.

Everything - not just Disney - has gone up big time for this kid.

I personally beat it the best way I can.. I look to travel with a deal or an offer of some kind.

And that's the best I can do.

 

[Missytara]

And I in yours .

Every time I post a response like this in a thread like this, I consider adding a disclaimer about not being a Disney apologist - as a preemptive move. But I know I'm referring to business in general and that this just happens to be a Disney-themed forum.

Kaytie - I have to tell you, my first trips to Disney, I did not know what rack rate vis-a-vis discount and I paid 175% of double occupancy and still saw it as a great vacation for the price......

I have learned a great deal from this site and my own "savvy intuition" to plan the best vacation. But I am ever the optimist and have a great time wherever I go. This site has been invaluable, but one has to take our advice and evaluate it for their own vacation.

No two vacations are ever the some.

 

[mom of lil princess]

If you're claiming every consumer good and service should only be allowed to increase in price in conjunction with inflation, you may want to restart that discussion on the Community Board.

If you mean only WDW resort rates should only rise at the inflation rate, well, that would mean poorly paid Cast Members, no renovations, minimal replacement of worn linens, maintenance cutbacks... These things cost. It's not reasonable to expect Disney to be paying the same for anything in 2013 as they were in 2009 - and it's even less reasonable to expect them to not pass on those costs to consumers.

This is true of ANY business.

But u are missing the fact that back in 2009 cast members where getting paid... Renovations where taking place... Replacements were happening...now of course that all costs more now but that is what inflation allocates ... That is why u would expect an increase of 10 percent( being nice)... What is true of any business is to maximize profits... And as long as I am will to pay they have figured correctly

 

[kaytieeldr]

But u are missing the fact that back in 2009 cast members where getting paid... Renovations where taking place... Replacements were happening...now of course that all costs more now but that is what inflation allocates ... That is why u would expect an increase of 10 percent( being nice)... What is true of any business is to maximize profits... And as long as I am will to pay they have figured correctly

Inflation is the difference between a dollar then and a dollar now. That's 7.9%. You're missing that most cost increases don't keep pace with inflation, they're in addition to the difference in the value of the dollar. Take linens, for example. There was a big(ger/much) than 7.9% increase in the cost of cotton in 2010, and possibly another surge coming. Nobody wants to sleep on holey or torn or marked sheets.

There's no valid reason WDW shouldn't raise its resort rates to both cover expenses and earn a profit for its shareholders.

 

[maxiesmom]

Inflation is the difference between a dollar then and a dollar now. That's 7.9%. You're missing that most cost increases don't keep pace with inflation, they're in addition to the difference in the value of the dollar. Take linens, for example. There was a big(ger/much) than 7.9% increase in the cost of cotton in 2010, and possibly another surge coming. Nobody wants to sleep on holey or torn or marked sheets.

There's no valid reason WDW shouldn't raise its resort rates to both cover expenses and earn a profit for its shareholders.

Exactly. Anything made of cotton has gone up a crazy amount. And don't even start on how much food costs at WDW. The price of every kind of meat has gone way up! Not to mention corn and apples.

Nobody likes to pay more than they have to. But as much as I complain about the prices at WDW I keep in mind that I am very fortunate to be able to go at all.

 

[mom of lil princess]

I am failing to see why u can't just say that disney has increased the prices to make a bigger profit... They are a business.... Don't get me wrong... I am going there and I love disney and will have an amazing time ... But I am not kidding myself with the idea that cost have increased 20% ...... And FYI I own stock and it has been a good 3 years

 

[maxiesmom]

I am failing to see why u can't just say that disney has increased the prices to make a bigger profit... They are a business.... Don't get me wrong... I am going there and I love disney and will have an amazing time ... But I am not kidding myself with the idea that cost have increased 20% ...... And FYI I own stock and it has been a good 3 years

Because getting more profit is not the only reason they have increased prices. Costs have gone up. Plus, they have a ton of stuff they are working on--resort refurbs and rebuilds. Ride refurbs and new rides to finish building. Restaurant refurbs. Disney is spending money hand over fist!

 

[Mom2six]

Aloha,

Lastly, it appears the parks also open later than the use to. It appears for the summer the park generally open at 9 AM. Yikes. So basically a family has only four hours to enjoy the park before the crowds, heat and humidity becomes totally unbearable.

What a head scratcher!

I've wondered myself why in a such a hot location, the parks don't open much earlier before the sun and heat are so bad. I would love to see the parks opening at 7 a.m everyday until cold weather sets in.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've wondered myself why in a such a hot location, the parks don't open much earlier before the sun and heat are so bad. I would love to see the parks opening at 7 a.m everyday until cold weather sets in.

Not enough people would take advantage of those hours. Heck, even during peak periods when they have morning EMHs at 8am the parks are surprisingly dead for the first 2 hours.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am failing to see why u can't just say that disney has increased the prices to make a bigger profit... They are a business.... Don't get me wrong... I am going there and I love disney and will have an amazing time ... But I am not kidding myself with the idea that cost have increased 20% ...... And FYI I own stock and it has been a good 3 years

Again, the inflation rate does NOT indicate or equal the increased price/cost of individual goods or services.

A sheet set that cost $50 in 1999 costs $65 now, just for the materials. That doesn't include increased labor costs, or higher fuel charges - all have gone up much more than 7.9% in the last three years.

Wages: I sure as heck hope Cast Members are making greater than 7.9% more now than in 2009. Each CM who was earning $8/hour in 2009 would be earning $8.63 an hour now; Disney, of course, has additional payroll taxes and other costs - for every single respect CM.

Utilities: I don't know the rates in LBV, but I wouldn't be surprised if electricity has increased more than 7.9% in the last three years; usage certainly has. WDW just added to its in-room tv programming. That's not costing them nothing, so it's entirely reasonable to pass that cost on. Wi-fi isn't free, it's included in the room rate (and personally, I resent subsidizing a service I won't use).

 

[mom of lil princess]

Of course some expenses have increased more then eight percent... Inflation is based on a basket of goods average.... Some are less then 8... And remember cm retire and leave there jobs usually meaning that they can be replaced with someone making less... I am sure an average employees pay has gone up more then 8 percent... But again it's the average. It is not an exact science..... All I am saying is disney is a business trying to get the most profit they can... I am not saying that makes them bad or wrong.....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Cast Members are unionized, so what they're paid, and their benefits,and Disney's additional payroll costs are determined by contract and entirely likely cost Disney a lot more than just 7.9% more than it all did three years ago. That was an example. Another example would be the higher-than-7.9% cost to replace items damaged or acquired by guests.

You keep talking about the inflation rate and average bucket. Walt Disney World isn't average; the guest expectations are higher, its costs are greater. And Disney - the overall company, not just the WDW resorts - isn't getting the most profit possible, they're getting all the owners (shareholders) the best profit possible.

 

[AntFarm]

But it is soooo worth it! The price goes up and we keep going. Disney is doing something right.

I know, same for us too.
It's a pricey trip, but the experience and memories are priceless. Where there's a Mickey there's a way!