Theme park inflation

[epcotty]

It’s not just inflation, but also supply and demand. Disneybkeeps raising its prices and people keep going. It even seems like more people go even though Disney raises its prices!

I wonder if a lot of that is the price increases have people feeling they need to go now while it's not out of reach or not worth it anymore to them

 

[mshanson3121]

Our last trip, from late October to early November, cost us $2000 apiece (for two adults). In the past, we have always been able to do our theme park vacations for roughly $1500 apiece, for approximately the same number of days.

I was just wondering if it's the same with all of you. Has theme park inflation swollen the cost of your vacation (hey, that rhymes!) And has that induced you to change your vacation plans?

Most definitely. I don't have the exact numbers, but I know it's increased significantly for us.

Definitely prices have increased far more in the past 10 years than inflation for the parks and the hotels, outpacing inflation far more than they ever did in the years before that. The problem with targeting wealthier people is that eventually at some point they will really start to lose the middle class. Not to mention it goes against the whole previous philosophy of the parks supposed to be generally affordable. If the typical person on these boards (who would be a lot more well off than average) becomes the typical Disney parkgoer, then it'll be far less people in the parks. I wonder how close a lot of people are to feeling it's not worth it anymore

I think that's exactly what Disney is going for - trying to price out the middle class, so there'll be less people in the park, and they can just gouge the upper class for more money on everything else to make up the difference. And yes, knowing that really ruins the Disney image. As one of the people on this board whose pockets are far significantly smaller than most on here, we're very close to it. In fact, my husband is already there. He in no way feels that Disney is worth the cost, and has absolutely 0 desire to go back. The only reason I will ever get him back is because of Star Wars Land (he's a huge SW fan) and knowing how much the kids and I want to go. He would have no problem never going back, and pretty much sees it as a waste of money. Quite honestly, even myself - I love Disney, my kids love Disney, but even I am struggling with the cost factor, and whether or not I can justify the cost. I'm really not sure if I can, no matter how much I want to go back.

JUST the theme park tickets for 5 days at Disney, cost us the same as an entire 10 day vacation elsewhere - which includes great lodging (a 1600 sq. ft, two story townhouse), meals and a few days at a couple small (but great) theme parks.

Comparing Disney to Sea World, 3 days at Disney (basic passes) would cost our family $1120 before tax, not including parking. We can do a Discovery Cove package for $1020 doing the all inclusive day at DC (with Dolphin swim), plus 14 days of admission to Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, with free parking at all parks. So almost $200 less (when you factor in parking), for 11 more days.

Comparing Disney with Universal since that's the closest "apples to apples" comparison, 4 days at Disney would be $1320, vs. 4 days at Universal for $920 - that's a significant difference.

Comparing Disney to say a place like Knott's Berry Farm, we could buy a season pass for Knott's that includes their water park for only $440... compared to 1 day at Disney for the same price. Comparing annual pass prices, the "cheapest" option would be $3116, LOL.

So yeah, Disney is definitely far out-pricing themselves when compared to their competition. I would like to think that it's only a matter of time because it bites them back.

 

[jenna326]

I think we have reached/are reaching our not worth it point. We used to go every other year and the last few, we went once a year but we left this last vacation saying we might be taking a few years off. Between the high cost, crowds, lack of “magic” we felt when we first started going - they all play a part. While I’ve found some great cast members on each trip, I feel so many are just going through the motions, no above and beyond. I felt like cattle most of our trip earlier this month. Add in having to make reservations for dinner and rides, watching the clock to get here or there - it’s just too much stress!

 

[epcotty]

Most definitely. I don't have the exact numbers, but I know it's increased significantly for us.



I think that's exactly what Disney is going for - trying to price out the middle class, so there'll be less people in the park, and they can just gouge the upper class for more money on everything else to make up the difference. And yes, knowing that really ruins the Disney image. As one of the people on this board whose pockets are far significantly smaller than most on here, we're very close to it. In fact, my husband is already there. He in no way feels that Disney is worth the cost, and has absolutely 0 desire to go back. The only reason I will ever get him back is because of Star Wars Land (he's a huge SW fan) and knowing how much the kids and I want to go. He would have no problem never going back, and pretty much sees it as a waste of money. Quite honestly, even myself - I love Disney, my kids love Disney, but even I am struggling with the cost factor, and whether or not I can justify the cost. I'm really not sure if I can, no matter how much I want to go back.

JUST the theme park tickets for 5 days at Disney, cost us the same as an entire 10 day vacation elsewhere - which includes great lodging (a 1600 sq. ft, two story townhouse), meals and a few days at a couple small (but great) theme parks.

Comparing Disney to Sea World, 3 days at Disney (basic passes) would cost our family $1120 before tax, not including parking. We can do a Discovery Cove package for $1020 doing the all inclusive day at DC (with Dolphin swim), plus 14 days of admission to Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, with free parking at all parks. So almost $200 less (when you factor in parking), for 11 more days.

Comparing Disney with Universal since that's the closest "apples to apples" comparison, 4 days at Disney would be $1320, vs. 4 days at Universal for $920 - that's a significant difference.

Comparing Disney to say a place like Knott's Berry Farm, we could buy a season pass for Knott's that includes their water park for only $440... compared to 1 day at Disney for the same price. Comparing annual pass prices, the "cheapest" option would be $3116, LOL.

So yeah, Disney is definitely far out-pricing themselves when compared to their competition. I would like to think that it's only a matter of time because it bites them back.

Very well written. These boards and others need regular people like us to chime in sometimes to show how more typical parkgoers (at least as of now) feel about things. If Disney's not careful then more and more might choose Universal or somewhere else instead

 

[DisneyOma]

We'll always be WDW purists, but have found spending a week at Universal and Sea World much more affordable. We get AP's which are about half the cost of Disney's, and they let out of staters use flex pay. Plus their Deluxe Resorts are usually less than Disney Moderates. So sadly yes, WDW has priced us out.

A week at Universal? It takes us about a day and a half to do both parks, and then a day at Seaworld (when we used to go there - presently still boycotting until they stop the large marine mammal exhibits) What do you do for an entire week at Universal?

 

[LSUmiss]

Most definitely. I don't have the exact numbers, but I know it's increased significantly for us.



I think that's exactly what Disney is going for - trying to price out the middle class, so there'll be less people in the park, and they can just gouge the upper class for more money on everything else to make up the difference. And yes, knowing that really ruins the Disney image. As one of the people on this board whose pockets are far significantly smaller than most on here, we're very close to it. In fact, my husband is already there. He in no way feels that Disney is worth the cost, and has absolutely 0 desire to go back. The only reason I will ever get him back is because of Star Wars Land (he's a huge SW fan) and knowing how much the kids and I want to go. He would have no problem never going back, and pretty much sees it as a waste of money. Quite honestly, even myself - I love Disney, my kids love Disney, but even I am struggling with the cost factor, and whether or not I can justify the cost. I'm really not sure if I can, no matter how much I want to go back.

JUST the theme park tickets for 5 days at Disney, cost us the same as an entire 10 day vacation elsewhere - which includes great lodging (a 1600 sq. ft, two story townhouse), meals and a few days at a couple small (but great) theme parks.

Comparing Disney to Sea World, 3 days at Disney (basic passes) would cost our family $1120 before tax, not including parking. We can do a Discovery Cove package for $1020 doing the all inclusive day at DC (with Dolphin swim), plus 14 days of admission to Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, with free parking at all parks. So almost $200 less (when you factor in parking), for 11 more days.

Comparing Disney with Universal since that's the closest "apples to apples" comparison, 4 days at Disney would be $1320, vs. 4 days at Universal for $920 - that's a significant difference.

Comparing Disney to say a place like Knott's Berry Farm, we could buy a season pass for Knott's that includes their water park for only $440... compared to 1 day at Disney for the same price. Comparing annual pass prices, the "cheapest" option would be $3116, LOL.

So yeah, Disney is definitely far out-pricing themselves when compared to their competition. I would like to think that it's only a matter of time because it bites them back.

Pricing out the middle class & not feeling there is value for the price is 2 different things. There are still plenty of packages that can be affordable, but ppl may not think it’s worth it. That’s very different.

 

[LSUmiss]

Very well written. These boards and others need regular people like us to chime in sometimes to show how more typical parkgoers (at least as of now) feel about things. If Disney's not careful then more and more might choose Universal or somewhere else instead

I just don’t get this. When you go to the parks do you look around & see a lot of extremely wealthy? Most ppl I see appear to be regular ppl. I know I also see a lot of locals & first time visitors. I think those ppl alone are keeping the parks packed so they can push the limits on prices otherwise.

 

[hllb]

A week at Universal? It takes us about a day and a half to do both parks, and then a day at Seaworld (when we used to go there - presently still boycotting until they stop the large marine mammal exhibits) What do you do for an entire week at Universal?

I agree. While we had a great time at Universal, we had 3 day tickets because they were buy 2 get 1 free. We definitely didn’t need that third day. We spent half of it hanging by our resort pool then did the Harry Potter magic wand stuff in the evening. It’s definitely not in the same vein as Disney.

 

[mshanson3121]

I just don’t get this. When you go to the parks do you look around & see a lot of extremely wealthy? Most ppl I see appear to be regular ppl. I know I also see a lot of locals & first time visitors. I think those ppl alone are keeping the parks packed so they can push the limits on prices otherwise.

This has come up before. Most "rich" people don't "look" rich - they look like "regular" people. So judging by looks is pointless and inaccurate.

 

[mshanson3121]

Pricing out the middle class & not feeling there is value for the price is 2 different things. There are still plenty of packages that can be affordable, but ppl may not think it’s worth it. That’s very different.

Not sure what your point is. Who said it was the same thing? The person I was replying to brought up both individual topics. I replied to it.

 

[epcotty]

I just don’t get this. When you go to the parks do you look around & see a lot of extremely wealthy? Most ppl I see appear to be regular ppl. I know I also see a lot of locals & first time visitors. I think those ppl alone are keeping the parks packed so they can push the limits on prices otherwise.

That's what I was meaning, the people currently going to the parks are quite often regular people. The question is how long that will be

 

[tinkerjo]

The rise in Disney theme park & resort prices has been steep, but that's child's play compared to the rise in Disney cruise costs. Yes, vacations are getting more expensive all the time...

Your telling me!!! I love DCL- been on 3 cruises and they have just priced me out the last couple years. WDW is expensive but I budget well and we bring a lot of our own food. Even in a mod you can do your own breakfast and pack lunches so we can splurge on dinners. My family doesn't mind, they are at Disney!!! I just can't afford the cruises though ( well technically I could, I just refuse to pay that price for vacation)

 

[LSUmiss]

Not sure what your point is. Who said it was the same thing? The person I was replying to brought up both individual topics. I replied to it.

I thought you said that you thought Disney was trying to price out the middle class but then the post was all about the value.

 

[LSUmiss]

This has come up before. Most "rich" people don't "look" rich - they look like "regular" people. So judging by looks is pointless and inaccurate.

Maybe some. And it depends on what we are calling rich.

 

[mshanson3121]

I thought you said that you thought Disney was trying to price out the middle class but then the post was all about the value.

Outpricing and value aren't mutually exclusive. They do in fact go hand in hand. People can be outpriced because they no longer can afford it or because they no longer feel it's worth it. Or both.

 

[LSUmiss]

Outpricing and value aren't mutually exclusive. They do in fact go hand in hand. People can be outpriced because they no longer can afford it or because they no longer feel it's worth it. Or both.

I see. Well I guess it just feels like this a minority of ppl b/c it’s always packed now. So it certainly doesn’t feel like anyone is no longer going or there is somewhere there it take their place.

 

[randumb0]

Yeah the increase in DCL prices have been enormous

 

[Captainkidd76]

A week at Universal? It takes us about a day and a half to do both parks, and then a day at Seaworld (when we used to go there - presently still boycotting until they stop the large marine mammal exhibits) What do you do for an entire week at Universal?

Actually, we do 9 days. We stay at Hard Rock, sleep in, have a nice breakfast. We head to the parks for a few hours. We go back to the hotel and go swimming. Head back to the park for a few more rides, then have dinner at City Walk. My kids love the rides at Universal and we go on them several times each time we go. We never get bored in the least.

 

[Captainkidd76]

I agree. While we had a great time at Universal, we had 3 day tickets because they were buy 2 get 1 free. We definitely didn’t need that third day. We spent half of it hanging by our resort pool then did the Harry Potter magic wand stuff in the evening. It’s definitely not in the same vein as Disney.

Depends what you're looking for. Each Universal park has more attractions than Animal Kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood Studios. I love World Showcase but my wife and kids don't. My kids could spend 2-3 hours in Diagon Alley. They spend 1-2 hours in Jurassic Park.

There's a different mentality that comes along when you have Express and don't have to wait for anything. Or when you know you can leave the park at any time and be back in your room in under 10 minutes.

 

[HappyMomma]

We've noticed the jump as well. We only go about every three years ourselves. This next trip in April will be our last one for a very long time. We are planning a Universal Trip with a stop in the Keys for next year, then we will be doing a cruise either Princess or RC and then a trip to Mexico. And we'll be able to go every year, not just once very three on those trips. We love Disney, but we want more vacation for our dollar. Also the people who visit the parks are becoming increasingly rude and entitled so I'd like to avoid them for a few years.