This is why I LOVE Disney....

[bbak3030]

We are in Gatlinburg, TN for Thanksgiving week. We have a 5 bedroom cabin for a family of 12, I think we paid around 2,500 for the entire week. That is a good deal as far as Disney is concerned. That's where it ends for me. I feel SO nickeled and dimed to death!

I feel like it costs $200 for my family of 4 to do just about anything. And we aren't even talking about full day experiences. For example, we were in downtown Gatlinburg the other day and the skylift to take you to the top of the mountain was $15 for adults and I think $12 for children. So just short of $60. For maybe an hour worth of entertainment. Do we skipped that. Headed to Ober Gatlinburg where it cost $48 just to take the tram to the top. Snow tubing wasn't bad at $20 each. Then I made the mistake of checking the price for the mountain coaster, a simple coaster that lasts less than 10 minutes. $22 per person. Geez.

So yesterday we go to Dollywood. I love Theme parks (obviously). Hours from 11-9, which I think are awful hours for a holiday week. Cost was $238 for us 4 which I was fine with. Took over an hour to get into the park which I though was ridiculous. They had signs everywhere saying you could buy tickets online and bypass lines, but nobody could get it to load.
We finally make it into the park. I loved it, beautiful park with lots to do. The kids loved the rides, train, shows. We barely saw half the park. Food was way overpriced--which is to be expected. But we still had a nice time.
Oh, and they want to sell you a $20 pass per person that gets you to the front of the line and a guaranteed seat at the shows.

We still have tomorrow, which we will spend doing ATV rides, horseback riding and zip lines. That will also be expensive and take 3-4 hours. And then we will be expected to tip everyone.

The entire time I'm thinking about our Disney trips where I feel like once I'm in the park--I'm not constantly being asked to shell out additional money. Sure there are things you can pay extra for, and sometimes we do, but I'm the first person to say that you don't need all the extras to have a wonderful Disney trip!

I guess what I'm saying is that I feel like we get our money's worth at Disney. We get there, enjoy ourselves and have a good time. The park hours are long and we can take breaks if we need to. I don't feel nickeled and dimed to death like I do here and like I did in Branson last summer.

That is why I LOVE Disney. We are planning 2 trips next year

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

 

[Shaden]

Glad that you love Disney, but don't really understand what you are saying.

The 5 bedroom cabin, and the extras you are talking about would cost you like, $20 000 at Disney. Literally.

You are paying $2 500 and a little more ?

How is that a comparison to the value you you get at Disney world ?

 

[bbak3030]

Glad that you love Disney, but don't really understand what you are saying. The 5 bedroom cabin, and the extras you are talking about would cost you like, $20 000 at Disney. Literally. You are paying $2 500 and a little more ? How is that a comparison to the value you you get at Disney world ?

No I was saying that the lodging is inexpensive compared to Disney. That's all.
And it's possible that I just FEEL like we get more at Disney because it's paid upfront and that's it. We have just spent a lot of time trying to fill our days and nights with high priced entertainment here. That's all I was trying to say.

 

[2manypets]

I get what you're saying. I agree, at least at Disney you don't have to pay individually for each part of the entertainment. It's all an upfront price. It makes it a little easier to deal with when you know in advance what will be out of pocket.

 

[willowsnn3]

I understand what you are saying. When all my kids were little (5 of them), it was so expensive to do much of anything. My son is a single dad with 4 boys and he spends a lot when they go out.

 

[Shaden]

No I was saying that the lodging is inexpensive compared to Disney. That's all.
And it's possible that I just FEEL like we get more at Disney because it's paid upfront and that's it. We have just spent a lot of time trying to fill our days and nights with high priced entertainment here. That's all I was trying to say.

Yea I think I understood what you were saying, and I get that, its the reason some people prepay for the dining plan even though they know it doesn't actually save them money.

I just thought it was odd that you were talking about being nickel and dimed when it sounds like you are spending, in total, a fraction of the cost of a Disney vacation for that many people.

I guess what I'm saying is that I feel like we get our money's worth at Disney.

I know what you mean if you are paying for each individual element but your over all claim was that you get more (or feel like you get more) value for your dollar at Disney... I thought it was fair to point out that you would be spending over $20 000 at Disney for the week you are spending with your family atm.

Either way, hope you are having a great trip and enjoying your thanksgiving !

 

[disnut8]

Without even going into cost of anything, my biggest smack in the face about why I love Disney came a few years ago when my husband, myself, my son, my brother-in-law, my niece (same age as my son), and my in-laws went to another theme park in the Midwest. We drove down in one van and receive a park map when we parked. Once in the park, we split up in three groups so I went to get more maps. They had NONE inside the park. I was told that we had received one when we parked. I explained that we were now splitting into three groups. I was then told that only one of the groups would have a paper map and the other two groups would have to rely on the maps that were on boards throughout the park.

We just came back from Disney World and while we don't need maps anymore, I was picking up times guides for any special entertainment. I didn't need to pick one up at the entrance, I could stroll into any store and get one at any time.

 

[sabrecmc]

I totally get what you are saying. We grew up in Florida and had a lot of tourist-type attractions around where we lived. We always said, wow, we're paying $50 each or whatever for this rather average experience when we could just pay $80 or whatever it is now for a day at Disney and get all that comes with it...made no sense. I won't go so far as to say Disney is a bargain or something, but when you compare the price of a ticket there to tickets for far less impressive attractions and experiences, I really don't think the prices are that bad.

 

[BrianL]

Wow, I haven't been to Gatlinburg since I was a kid, but I don't remember things being so expensive! We did all those things, the sky-lift, the bobsled type slide ("mountain coaster?"). I always thought we went there because it was cheaper than Disney. I do remember having fun there and liking that little tourist town.

It's amazing how much is included at Disney. I'm not saying Disney is inexpensive, but the value you get surpasses most other theme parks. I recently did DL and Uni Hollywood. A one day ticket costs the same. Universal Hollywood (which I really like btw) has like 7 rides and 4 shows...DL has like 30+ rides, 2 parades, fireworks, Fantasmic!, other shows, etc. At the same price, Uni is in a tough spot! At DL though I was asked by like every member of my family and friends group about FastPasses, "How much do they cost?" They're free. Yes, something is free at Disney!

 

[GovieMom]

Two of our favorite destinations are WDW and Gatlinburg. Of the two we spend FAR less money in Gatlinburg, reason being we are there primarily to enjoy the gorgeous national park.....which is free! The dining options there cost much less than in WDW also.

 

[SmithSmith]

This is what I've been wondering! I've read many times on here that "Disney is too expensive" & "I could go somewhere else for a fraction of what it costs at Disney". I don't understand those statements. I would if I were comparing it to a beach getaway but when I vacation I like to see and do as much as possible, I do not go to relax. So I price out vacation spots (that have a comparable activity level to Disney) and this is what I come up with: $40 pp for museum/zoo/aquarium tickets, $100 pp for theatre tickets, $60 pp for mlb tix, $30-$60 pp for city tours, $70 pp for amusement park, $20 pp observation decks, etc.

When we travel we like to do something cultural/educational in the morning and something fun at night. For example: art museum in the a.m and a ball game in the p.m. That would cost us $100 pp for one day, and that's not even including transportation and parking. However, my husband and I will spend $50 pp/pd for all our entertainment/transportation/parking needs on our next Disney vacation.

Also, at least in Disney you have the option to stay in an economically priced hotel room. It would be near impossible in cities like Chicago or Manhattan to find a hotel room similar in amenities and cost as a Disney value.

Maybe someone here can explain this to me.

 

[bbak3030]

This is what I've been wondering! I've read many times on here that "Disney is too expensive" & "I could go somewhere else for a fraction of what it costs at Disney". I don't understand those statements. I would if I were comparing it to a beach getaway but when I vacation I like to see and do as much as possible, I do not go to relax. So I price out vacation spots (that have a comparable activity level to Disney) and this is what I come up with: $40 pp for museum/zoo/aquarium tickets, $100 pp for theatre tickets, $60 pp for mlb tix, $30-$60 pp for city tours, $70 pp for amusement park, $20 pp observation decks, etc. When we travel we like to do something cultural/educational in the morning and something fun at night. For example: art museum in the a.m and a ball game in the p.m. That would cost us $100 pp for one day, and that's not even including transportation and parking. However, my husband and I will spend $50 pp/pd for all our entertainment/transportation/parking needs on our next Disney vacation. Also, at least in Disney you have the option to stay in an economically priced hotel room. It would be near impossible in cities like Chicago or Manhattan to find a hotel room similar in amenities and cost as a Disney value. Maybe someone here can explain this to me.

EXACTLY! All i could think about was $100 a day would get me into any park!

Now that it's all said and done, we spend just over $2500 for food and entertainment only for a week. Our last Disney vacation cost $4k total. And we we busy from sun up to sun down!

 

[KimBean]

Two of our favorite destinations are WDW and Gatlinburg. Of the two we spend FAR less money in Gatlinburg, reason being we are there primarily to enjoy the gorgeous national park.....which is free! The dining options there cost much less than in WDW also.

You probably have been, but next time you go, drive into Pigeon Forge and go to the Old Mill Restaurant and have a piece of pecan pie. It is what I judge all pecan pie against. I have found none even coming close. Good food too. Okay, I know SO off topic.

I agree Ripleys, the aquarium, sky lift, etc. You could easily spend $100 a day there on subpar entertainment (and then be out of stuff to do.)

 

[Shaden]

EXACTLY! All i could think about was $100 a day would get me into any park!

Now that it's all said and done, we spend just over $2500 for food and entertainment only for a week. Our last Disney vacation cost $4k total. And we we busy from sun up to sun down!

I am guessing you mean $2500 for the 4 of you or whatever, your immediate family, not the group of 12 ?

 

[twinspluscade]

Two of our favorite destinations are WDW and Gatlinburg. Of the two we spend FAR less money in Gatlinburg, reason being we are there primarily to enjoy the gorgeous national park.....which is free! The dining options there cost much less than in WDW also.

I was just going to post the same thing!

OP, you are missing the best part of Gatlinburg--the National Park! I realize at this time of year hiking might be out (snow?), but you can still drive into the park and enjoy the beautiful sights. It's FREE!

 

[Networth]

I visited Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge years ago, probably one of the worst vacations I have ever taken. The only saving grace was the smokey mountain. The rest felt like a cheap, dirty, tourist trap IMO. I agree with you OP makes Disney look like sangria-la.

 

[Turn the Page]

I hear you OP. So many people in my area think Mackinac Island is just the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful island with a great history behind it. But it's a tourist trap. It costs approximately $30 pp just to take the ferry over to the island. Cheaper hotels all cost about the same as a moderate at WDW during the high season. Food is about as expensive as it is in the Disney parks. Everything except walking around costs money. Say you go to the historic fort (which is a blast and well worth it IMO), that's about $14 pp. A trolley tour around the island is $22 pp. Renting bikes is about $10 per hour. If you want to so much as walk on the porch of the famous Grand Hotel (featured in the movie Somewhere in Time) that is $10 pp. Added together that is about $76 for a couple hours worth of activities.

It's a good time. But it's expensive. I find WDW to be a much better value.

 

[Shaden]

Just to be clear, I obviously think that Disney is worth it ... since I have yet another trip planned and can't wait to go back. I am honestly just asking questions.

Friends of ours always try to convince us to do Beach Trips with them, all inclusive they say, so its awesome. They just get hammered every day and lay on the beach or play volley ball or swim and blah blah.

They usually pay 1000-1500 per person per week. Sounds like a great deal.

We do 2 weeks, at Disney for about 4000, sometimes a little less.

So, while they are paying 2000-3000 per week, 4000-6000 for two weeks, we actually spend either the same, or even less, and get to do Disney, with SO much more to do each and every day, or, if we want, just kick back and relax.

We definitely see the value in WDW.

Also, I can sit at home or head up to the cottage and get drunk and swim if that's all I am looking to do

 

[SmithSmith]

Just to be clear, I obviously think that Disney is worth it ... since I have yet another trip planned and can't wait to go back. I am honestly just asking questions.

Friends of ours always try to convince us to do Beach Trips with them, all inclusive they say, so its awesome. They just get hammered every day and lay on the beach or play volley ball or swim and blah blah.

They usually pay 1000-1500 per person per week. Sounds like a great deal.

We do 2 weeks, at Disney for about 4000, sometimes a little less.

So, while they are paying 2000-3000 per week, 4000-6000 for two weeks, we actually spend either the same, or even less, and get to do Disney, with SO much more to do each and every day, or, if we want, just kick back and relax.

We definitely see the value in WDW.

Also, I can sit at home or head up to the cottage and get drunk and swim if that's all I am looking to do

I'm with you. The all inclusive beach vacation is incredibly popular with my friends and family. All they do on vacation is damage their livers, gorge on food, and come home with fuzzy memories. I do not see the point of this. Are they unaware they don't need to leave their house in order to get drunk and overeat?

 

[SmithSmith]

I hear you OP. So many people in my area think Mackinac Island is just the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful island with a great history behind it. But it's a tourist trap. It costs approximately $30 pp just to take the ferry over to the island. Cheaper hotels all cost about the same as a moderate at WDW during the high season. Food is about as expensive as it is in the Disney parks. Everything except walking around costs money. Say you go to the historic fort (which is a blast and well worth it IMO), that's about $14 pp. A trolley tour around the island is $22 pp. Renting bikes is about $10 per hour. If you want to so much as walk on the porch of the famous Grand Hotel (featured in the movie Somewhere in Time) that is $10 pp. Added together that is about $76 for a couple hours worth of activities.

It's a good time. But it's expensive. I find WDW to be a much better value.

Thanks for pointing this out. I went as a kid and loved it and have since been wanting to go back as an inexpensive getaway. I guess now I have to rethink that last part.