What is your price where Disney just isn't worth it anymore?

[rtbreneman]

With the recent ticket price hike, I went back to the Disney website to check the price of my family's potential trip this fall. Two adults, two children (one 11 and one 6) in the cheapest room possible in the cheapest hotel possible (A.S.S.) with a 6 day park hopper and a dining plan - $4800, before buying MNSSHP tickets. Our family has gone several times to Disney over the past few years, and each time, the price tag ticks up slightly and the experience creeps downward.

It got me thinking, what is the tipping point where you just say: "you know what, Disney, I'm going to sit this one out for a year (or two or three). I love Disney, my wife and kids love Disney, but spending $5000 in a week for an "All Star Sports" vacation just makes my head, heart, and pocketbook hurt. It's not that Disney has priced us out (we can still afford it), but I don't know if I'm getting $5000 worth of entertainment value. I haven't ruled out the trip, but we are creeping closer and closer to the point of exploring a number of other options for our fall vacation when Disney used to be a given, and it makes me sad.

 

[piccolopat]

I suppose the first question you might ask yourself is what are you willing to cut in order to continue to go? For example would you be willing to stay off site or not have the dining plan? For us, the cost is not the issue but rather that there are just so many other places to see in this world that to us are a better experience. We'll wait until there are more new things open before we go back.

 

[rpb718]

Depends on what you qualify as a "tipping point". There may be a time when the price will get so high were we consider staying offsite. And since we don't do the dining plan that would never be a factor.

However, when the "add on" experiences that cost extra $ start to creep in on areas that used to be free, it'll lessen the trip. For example, a few years back you could get a FP+ for Wishes viewing areas near the hub. The FP+ went away, and half the area was reserved for dessert party attendees. Now the other half will be reserved for those resort Club level patrons who can then purchase the extra 90 day FP+. There are other examples, but this one shows how over a short period of time something that use to be free is not anymore.

In truth, my biggest "tipping point" has nothing to do with financial concerns. It's the crowds. When WDW gets too crowded during the periods when we prefer to go to WDW, that would be our "tipping point".

 

[Mome Rath]

I don't think there is any set price, but rather a formula each person/family will have to use to figure it out at the time. If I look at the price of a discounted room, added to the lowest plane fare I can get, plus tickets from UT, (no dining plan, as that's way too much too begin with), and I add those together and there is something different that I want to do with that amount of money, then I won't go. Right now, I'm happy with that balance and am planning a return trip this fall.

 

[rtbreneman]

I suppose the first question you might ask yourself is what are you willing to cut in order to continue to go? For example would you be willing to stay off site or not have the dining plan? For us, the cost is not the issue but rather that there are just so many other places to see in this world that to us are a better experience. We'll wait until there are more new things open before we go back.

I agree with your statement. We have stayed offsite with no dining plan and saved money that way, and had a good time. The "magic bubble" was burst slightly but at a greatly reduced price. I guess my real concern/point was close to yours - Disney used to outweigh everywhere else in terms of enjoyment per time and money spent. Now it seems like they have fallen back into the pack or behind. Crowds and prices are up, while price, service, etc. have all dipped.

 

[bbak30]

I was wondering that myself earlier today. They are also doing a good job pushing all the "extras" like desert parties, buying extra FPs, character meals--it's hard to feel like you are doing everything you want to do when you start cutting back. I'm not to the point of not returning yet, but I have begun to wonder when that will be. I definitely notice the increased crowds with a decrease in quality and everything else. Still love it though!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it depends on what each person needs to feel as if they are on a worthwhile vacation. Some people simply have to have the dining plan. Some think it is easily skipped. Some have to have park hoppers, some are fine with one park a day. Cutting the park hoppers from 6 day tickets for 2 adults 2 kids will save around $250. Take the dining plan off, and that saves another $150 a night. Lose the dining and the park hoppers and you save about $1000 on that trip.

 

[missnic]

In truth, my biggest "tipping point" has nothing to do with financial concerns. It's the crowds. When WDW gets too crowded during the periods when we prefer to go to WDW, that would be our "tipping point".

This. We have had APs for several years, and let them lapse in November 2016 due to ever worsening crowds, but more importantly, room availability. We're a 2 hour drive away, and often decide to go on a few days notice. Prior to 2016, I had zero problems getting a value room a few days to even the day of at a reasonable price. We like being on site if at all possible, and often use Disney transportation for a mid day break. In 2016, it became almost impossible to get a value room, let alone with a discount, so we let our APs expire. We recently got them again due to finding a great offsite resort that fit our needs well enough, but when that goes away, we probably won't renew again.

From a financial standpoint, we are probably different than most people. $400 for an AP, spread out over 9 months, plus the cost of hotel/food/gas isn't much more per trip than a night out for dinner and a movie.

 

[rwdavis2]

Since we only go every 4-5 years, the price over the long run is not as important as it would be to more frequent visitors. So, we will keep going.

 

[fla4fun]

I set a vacation budget for each trip, and then the costs of the trip have to fit into that budget. Period. I don’t book the trip first and then try to figure out how to pay for it. If it gets to the point that Disney doesn’t fit in the budget, I will go elsewhere. I get six weeks vacation and usually spend four at Disney and two elsewhere, so I am not opposed to going to other places. WDW is convenient and fun and so far I have been able to make it work within my budget by mixing in mod and value stays on the solo trips.

 

[bumbershoot]

It got me thinking, what is the tipping point where you just say: "you know what, Disney, I'm going to sit this one out for a year (or two or three).

It’s happening already for us. Husband (who was behind our Dvc purchase) and son haven’t been to a Wdw park since this time 2015.

We all used our Dvc Points December 2016 before and after a cruise. I’m using the rest of our points for “cousin trips” with rundisney as the focus. Last year we went to the moonlight magic, sonove been to a Wdw park since my family has, but that’s it. We’re going again for Princess but we aren’t entering parks.

It’s just too high with not enough value. I can see a time where we drop it entirely.

Since we only go every 4-5 years, the price over the long run is not as important as it would be to more frequent visitors. So, we will keep going.

Whereas for us seeing the price hikes from our 2015 tickets or APs (can’t recall what we had) to today makes it worse.

 

[robinb]

I suppose the first question you might ask yourself is what are you willing to cut in order to continue to go? For example would you be willing to stay off site or not have the dining plan? For us, the cost is not the issue but rather that there are just so many other places to see in this world that to us are a better experience. We'll wait until there are more new things open before we go back.

We are also taking a break to do other things. Certainly one of the reasons is because of the jacked up prices for park passes and food. Everything just goes up and up and up. We are insulated from room charges because we own DVC.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

It's not about the money for us but we do budget. We decided to do CL this coming September to get the extra FP+ at 90 days only because its getting so crowded. We already decided to go to universal in 2019 so we can let the SW:GE crowds die down for a year but if we do go back in 2020 and the prices keep going up we may decide to take a whole different vacation. We spent right at $13K this time and that's with free dining. If the prices continue to rise at the same rate, it will be around $15K in 2020. I know we could shave some off that by staying value but I just can't bring myself to do that.

 

[Elle23]

I spent over $5000 on our trip in December. And I didn’t feel the trip came close to that in value. When I think of what I could have spent that money on, it makes me a little sad.

Honestly, I’m a little hesitant to ever spend that kind of money again because I’m afraid of a repeat experience.
I don’t mind spending money when I actually get my “money’s worth”. We had a great trip in January 2017, which is why I was so eager to return (and plunk down thousands more), but now I’m much more cautious about any future trips.

 

[alldiz]

I agree prices are very high!!!!
We bought DVC in 2006 and I am extremely happy with that purchase.

Early on dining plan was very reasonable and tickets weren’t crazy. We bought AP for reasonable price and went multiple times a year for years.
Prices went up combined with oversaturation. Which turned out to be a great thing.
Because Wdw was “pricey” when we decided to go to Europe it was kind of in the budget except for airfare ugh! We were point stripped so for a few years we traveled the “world”
Went to Italy, Holland, Mediterranean cruise, Baltic cruise.
And finally..... Hawaaiin cruise with a magical stay at Aulani

Disney has so much expansion happening that I don’t see A cut in prices. I personally am psyched to go back to see all the new changes.
They had a great AP rate and will strip my points yet again for 3 trips and then wait for 2 years.
Kerri

 

[kagmypts]

I don't think there is any set price, but rather a formula each person/family will have to use to figure it out at the time. If I look at the price of a discounted room, added to the lowest plane fare I can get, plus tickets from UT, (no dining plan, as that's way too much too begin with), and I add those together and there is something different that I want to do with that amount of money, then I won't go. Right now, I'm happy with that balance and am planning a return trip this fall.

This summarizes how I feel very well. It's not so much about the actual dollars that are spent, but more about what are we getting for those dollars. As long as we think that the money spent is a good value in terms of entertainment, relaxation, accommodations, food, etc., we will continue to go. For example, we would be willing to pay more to stay in a deluxe resort. Spacious accommodations are a must for us so we wouldn't spend any amount of money to be in a small, cramped room.

The trip has to fit our needs. As long as it fits our needs, we are willing to pay a price commensurate without the amount of enjoyment we receive. Since our last few trips have seen a decline in the overall guest experience, the amount we are willing to spend on Disney is actually falling.

At some point though, our money will actually be able to afford us a true luxury vacation. As soon as a luxury (or international) vacation becomes the same price or cheaper than Disney, we will be jumping ship since I value those types of trip more than theme parks.

I spent over $5000 on our trip in December. And I didn’t feel the trip came close to that in value. When I think of what I could have spent that money on, it makes me a little sad.

Honestly, I’m a little hesitant to ever spend that kind of money again because I’m afraid of a repeat experience.
I don’t mind spending money when I actually get my “money’s worth”. We had a great trip in January 2017, which is why I was so eager to return (and plunk down thousands more), but now I’m much more cautious about any future trips.

Very well put.