The Fleecing of Americans at WDW

[CoolPool]

I dont think anyone is blaming Disney for the lousy dollar. But fact is fact....the exchange rate favors international visitors, so logic says, international visitors probably have an easier time paying rack rates at the deluxes. As long as those rooms are full, Disney has no reason to offer more codes or lower prices.

It is what it is....

Then apparently you haven't read the jist of the arguement which about how Disney is apparently against Americans spending Christmas there because foreigners get an exchange advantage right now. And yes, it is what it is, which is laughable; the op's point that is.

 

[G8r4evr]

and exchange rates fluctuate every year. Ask the Canadians who were paying $1.54 for many many years, and are now paying $1.05 for the first time in 30 years.

I suspect that I am the ONLY person posting on this thread who pays taxes in three different countries every year. Believe me, I know the cost of income taxes, healthcare, and other fees in many countries. My work also brings me all around the world.

Americans do pay a very low tax rate in relation to other common WDW visitors - ie Canadians, Brits, Germans, and other Europeans.

I know that I said that I was 'out' on this thread, but frankly the amount of whining here just sickens me lately, in particular as I just came back from an extended trip to India. There I met some of the kindest, most sincere people I have ever met. They had very little but were willing to give a stranger whatever they could.

I would far rather return to India than to WDW, if I am going to be surrounded by the same type of whining I am reading online lately.

Last time I checked, there was a difference between voicing concerns and whining.

 

[fla4fun]

I save and work a little OT so I can afford the deluxe resorts, but I don't go during peak season either. I'd be thrilled if there was a better exchange rate between the US and UK. I'd love to take another trip over there, but not if I'm paying double for everything. So for now, I'll keep going to Disney. I'd rather spend Christmas at home anyway.

 

[canda]

You can't be serious? If so then all I can say is spoken like a true idiot.

Yes it was a joke.

I saw that it was a troll, so I had to keep it up. That why the popcorn is there.

, since I had the chance to respond first to the OP's dribble, I thought I would continue the foolishness, I did forget to add how it was also President Bush's fault.

I thought everyone would pick up on the sarcasm, cause I was laying it on pretty thick.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Are you serious, PLEASE tell me you are not

Anyway, yes the prices are going up and yes we have the right not to pay them. I would never go during Christmas and pay those prices or put up with those crowds. It's value season for us.

Value season here too. I was going to go in October until I saw the price difference between Sept and Oct. About $40 a night at a value resort!

 

[Sammie]

Years ago pre 9/11; I read an article about Disney room prices and a Disney spokesperson was asked by the writer of the article, why Disney did not offer discounted rooms similar to other hotels?

The comment was: "right now we don't need to discount them to fill them and if we ever do start offering discounts due to need, then when we take them away the complaints will be awful."

I understand the disappointment, as I love the Grand Floridian and I seriously doubt I will be there many days in the future, but I am not bitter about it. I can't afford a BMW and I don't begrudge those that can.

The parks are open to all and if staying off property is the only way some can afford Disney, then it won't be the end of the world. Many people do it all the time and have wonderful vacations.

A very appropriate quote for this thread: "Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.”

 

[jennib5426]

Sammie--I think you hit it when you said people got used to vacationing at Disney during the discounts of 2001 and beyond.

It would be interesting to see how deluxe resorts priced out in 2000/2001 before the travel industry came to a halt. I wonder if people were this upset over the prices then? How many discounts were available then?

I think many, me included, got used to staying at the deluxe resorts and now it's hard for people to downgrade their vacations. We are very fortunate that we are able to stay where we choose and to this point we have always gotten an AP discount. I will say, we don't travel during Christmas or spring break. I don't think it's worth it to pay those prices just to be there during a particular time frame. I also didn't pay those rates post 9/11 when the discounts were steep and readily available. It's just a personal choice.

I think the prices the last few years have been artificially deflated and now we are seeing them pop back up to where they could have been long ago.

The recurring theme I see is that most people don't seem that upset with the values and the moderates. I think some are okay with some of the deluxe prices, depending on the resort and view. It seems to be a real problem when you get into the deluxe resorts at holiday time. That is a killer. I will be interested to see how the room occupancy goes next Christmas. I LOVE, LOVE Disney and will continue to go, but even I won't pay Christmas rates. That's okay, I'll continue to go in Oct., Feb., May, you get the picture.


Rachel

I went to WDW 10 days after 9/11 and paid $109 for deluxe AKL savanah view room. This is right $109 No annual pass or FL rate, just a special for regular people.
The year after that I believe they did buy 4 nights get 3 free, including tickets. I believed we stayed at CSR for 7 days for around $1000 for 2 adults. Then they started with free dining the past few years. I have gone every year they have offered a decent deal.
Well I believe those years of good deals have come to an end. So I will be staying at values with the occational mod for a treat. I have stayed at every level of hotel in WDW and I have loved everyone.

Just like everything else this boom at WDW will come to an end. It may be in a year, it may be in 10 years. I will just have to ride it out and make it work for my budget.

 

[minnie61650]

Sammie--I think you hit it when you said people got used to vacationing at Disney during the discounts of 2001 and beyond.

It would be interesting to see how deluxe resorts priced out in 2000/2001 before the travel industry came to a halt. I wonder if people were this upset over the prices then? How many discounts were available then?

I think many, me included, got used to staying at the deluxe resorts and now it's hard for people to downgrade their vacations. We are very fortunate that we are able to stay where we choose and to this point we have always gotten an AP discount. I will say, we don't travel during Christmas or spring break. I don't think it's worth it to pay those prices just to be there during a particular time frame. I also didn't pay those rates post 9/11 when the discounts were steep and readily available. It's just a personal choice.

I think the prices the last few years have been artificially deflated and now we are seeing them pop back up to where they could have been long ago.

The recurring theme I see is that most people don't seem that upset with the values and the moderates. I think some are okay with some of the deluxe prices, depending on the resort and view. It seems to be a real problem when you get into the deluxe resorts at holiday time. That is a killer. I will be interested to see how the room occupancy goes next Christmas. I LOVE, LOVE Disney and will continue to go, but even I won't pay Christmas rates. That's okay, I'll continue to go in Oct., Feb., May, you get the picture.


Rachel

Compare 2007 prices to 1997

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since 9/11 2001 Disney has been giving deep discounts to woo the public back again.

Now the travel industry is doing better and Disney is raising their prices.

Between 2002 and 2007 we have enjoyed some great deals.

I looked at my 1997 Birnbaum's Official Guide book and here are some of the prices from 1997.

1997---7 day length of stay tickets good only for MK, Epcot and Studios theme parks. They included the water parks and Pleasure Island.
adult park pass $255

* The 1997 7 day length of stay pass did expire....

From this website:

http://pages.prodigy.net/disneyworld/dd/ticket1.htm

Length of Stay Pass
This pass is exclusively for Walt Disney World Resort Guests. Length of Stay Passes give you unlimited admission to The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's three Water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, as well as, Pleasure Island, Discovery Island, and Disney's Wide World of Sports. You also get free use of the Walt Disney World transportation system. This pass is valid from the time you check in to midnight on the day of your departure.
2007---7 day with water park and more adult park pass $269

A 5 day World Hopper pass which was non-expiring was $207 for an adult
they included the water parks and Pleasure Island for up to 7 days from the first use of the pass.

A 4 day value pass which only allowed 1 park per day I day MK, 1 day Epcot, 1 day studios, 1 day at the park of your choice. they were non expiring and cost $154 for an adult.

A Theme park annual pass was $250 for an adult
A Premium annual pass was $348 for an adult and included admission to the water parks and Pleasure Island

Prices During value season:

Deluxes Including-,BWI,CR,Poly, WL,YC& BC

1997 Deluxe prices----- $165-$390
2007 Deluxe Prices-----$215--$475 (excluding the GF)

1997 Mod prices--------$114-$149
2007 Mod prices--------$145-$199

1997 Value prices------$69-$89
2007 Value prices-------$82-$129

So 7 day tickets are slightly more this year than they were 10 years ago.

Prices at the values and mods have gone up but have remained low compared to most of the price jumps in other consumer goods.

I agree the price of the deluxes has steady increased a bit more when compared to price increases of the mods and values.

Just my 2 cents

 

[aubriee]

I totally agree. The rates are so awful that I booked another trip for December using the Visa discount.

Me too! I'll be there in Sept 07, Dec 07, and again in May 08, next Sept 08, and again next Dec 08, next May '09, and so on. Unfortunately there are those of us willing to pay whatever Disney charges. We may have to go from Deluxe to Moderates, to Values, but we will keep coming and keep paying. Again the law of supply and demand.

 

[aubriee]

I have decided to violate my own rule and I will probably get the "nasty gram" from the mods, but......

This is about you. Look in the mirror. Know what looks back. AN UGLY AMERICAN. It's attitudes like yours that give our citizens a black eye all over the world.

The name VILLAN fits, there are lots of other things I can think of however.

With this type of attitude you don't deserve any Disney Magic so it's hard to feel sorry for you.

Please crawl back in your hole and STAY THERE!!!!!

I agree Carol. Notice this guy has only what 8 posts?
TROLL!!!!!!!!!!

OT: There was a post on here a few days ago from someone from I believe Denmark or Belgium maybe, asking if all Americans resented foreign visitors speaking in their native tongue to each other. I didn't respond to her question, but thought what a shame some Americans give that impression to our foreign visitors. I love talking to foreigners at WDW. I may not understand them, but I love trying. I would never resent them going to WDW and it would never cross my mind to wonder how much their trip cost them. It would be none of my business. Now, if they were being rude, cutting people off, cutting lines, and being obnoxiously loud, that's another story. No wait, that's rich, spoiled, American teenage cheerleaders.

 

[granmaz]

Hi all. I'm from the UK, so am enjoying getting everything in the US at half price!! But, Disney is the best half price bargain out there!

It is true that we are taking advantage of the exchange rates, but research has it that there are less and less of us visiting Orlando - we must all be in the Deluxe resorts I guess.

Anyway, we love coming over and have met some wonderful folk over there.

I've enjoyed the thread.

 

[WDWVillian]

I agree Carol. Notice this guy has only what 8 posts?
TROLL!!!!!!!!!!

Labeler ALERT! I reiterate, I didn't bad-mouth anyone. See comment number 71.

 

[PamNC]

I think you're all being hard on the OP. He/she was simply stating his/her opinion about the lack of AP discounts, availability, etc. What's the big deal?

Even with the increases and new rules, I will continue to go to Disney so obviously I don't mind being "fleeced" by them. But, if the prices continue to rise and AP discounts continue to decline I certainly won't take as many trips as usual. We typically go 2x a year and stay deluxe. I agree with the OP and also have no interest in staying at the moderates or values in the cramped quarters.

Hey - there is always the Swan and Dolphin. That's a great option.

pamNC

 

[WDWVillian]

I think you're all being hard on the OP. He/she was simply stating his/her opinion about the lack of AP discounts, availability, etc. What's the big deal?

Even with the increases and new rules, I will continue to go to Disney so obviously I don't mind being "fleeced" by them. But, if the prices continue to rise and AP discounts continue to decline I certainly won't take as many trips as usual. We typically go 2x a year and stay deluxe. I agree with the OP and also have no interest in staying at the moderates or values in the cramped quarters.

Hey - there is always the Swan and Dolphin. That's a great option.

pamNC

Finally, the voice of reason! Thank you for actually understanding my point.
My immediate family also loves the S & D and has stayed there many times. Thanks.