The cost of WDW through the years

[mjtm610]

After listening to the podcast last week, I wanted to comment on the email regarding the price of WDW and how Walt would be disappointed that everyone can't go to the parks.
My husband and I have 4 kids. We have been going to the parks since 1972. At that time you had to make a reservation YEARS in advance. I don't remember the price we paid that year, but I do remember paying $79 for the parking lot view at the Poly. Pool view was $89, park view was $99/night. We LOVED the parking lot view! We didn't stay a full week either. The rooms were more expensive on the week-ends, so we stayed sun-thurs. At that time my husband take home pay was $164/ week.
We didn't go every year, or even every other year. We started saving the day we go home from WDW. (which we drove to) I'm not saying we were remarkable. I'm saying that going to the World was very special. It was an extravagance. But if you want to go you have to plan for the expense. You have to come up with a plan to make the whole family involved. That's part of the reason it is so special.
Now, after all these years our 4 children have spouses, and children. It's still an extravagance to take everyone to the world. I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[SydneyFalco]

I kinda had the same reaction when I was listening. From our trips in 1974 or so onward, I recall WDW as always being a fairly expensive proposition. Granted we were Canadians, and flying in.

In fact, at the risk of being really controversial, I'd prefer that prices stay way the they are and some of the heavy discounting go away. At least until another park gets built, or something else shows up to de-crowd the parks a little. For us right now WDW is every two years at best, and I'm content with that as long as quality stays up.

On the other hand, I think the podcast crew kinda stiffed the guy's premise. They brought out the whole "it's special enough" spiel--not a position I disagree with, at all, but also not that pertinent to the guy's otherwise valid inquiry.

There's probably another thread for this I haven't seen yet, but I think there's tons of things Walt would not be okay with. Branding getting in the way of the immersive experience comes immediately to mind. I think the tacky and unrelenting "synergy" would assault his aesthetics.

 

[WaDiWo]

I agree with the above ...

By keeping admission prices somewhat high, it reminds you (even subconsciously) that it is special, and because you scrimped and saved and saved some more for it, you may tend to appreciate it more ...

and ...

(here's my controversial part)

by keeping prices high ... the crowds tend to behave more. the theory goes, if someone just paid a high price for admission, they would not likely cause trouble enough to be kicked out (or so the theory goes. there are exceptions of course.)