When will the Disney Money Grabbing End?

[sarah4770]

California Grill is probably the worst example for a signature. The prices are higher and the portions are smaller than most of the others.

which one do you think is cheaper?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

which one do you think is cheaper?

This is exactly what DH got on our trip earlier this month. I choose to list his meals because he eats more than I do. I usually don't order app and dessert or I just take a little of his. Also, I added on soda, but we just drink water, so our meals were cheaper than listed. Everything was delicious.

Le Cellier - $76.00
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - $11
Pan-Seared Canadian Salmon - $40
Camembert Cheesecake - $11
Soda - $4
Tip - $10

Artist Point - $70.50
Steamed Mussels - $14
Saltwater Prawn Pho - $33
Old Fashioned Butter Cookies with cereal milk shake - $10
Soda - $4
Tip - $9.50

 

[kymom99]

Well, if I ever get to Disney again, it sure is going to look different than it did in 2010. I'll be like a newbie!

I think the appeal here is for people with lots of disposable income, who like an exclusive feel. As it is now, or recently anyway, discounts have made Disney affordable for a wider range of folks. Having exclusive (expensive) events allows them to lure in the people who want to purchase something above the typical park experience. Now, the number of tickets sold will effect that experience, and I am betting if it catches on, they will continue to sell more and more tickets.

I also think it appeals to those who only plan a day in the park, as pointed out here.

 

[jsmla]

I think I need to take a break from the DIS. I have a trip in less than two weeks and all of this is soooooo depressing!

 

[HM]

I think I need to take a break from the DIS. I have a trip in less than two weeks and all of this is soooooo depressing!

Probably a good idea. Yet, you'll probably feel like you'll miss something if you don't keep looking, right?

 

[robinb]

And now they're doing it for mornings, too!
http://www.disboards.com/threads/is-this-a-sign-of-things-to-come.3494867/#post-55406752

Possible premium price to enter the parks early for pre-opening ADRs.

And the beat(ing) goes on!

O-M-G What a mess.

 

[FINFAN]

well.....until I am a resident and can do frequent visits (please let it happen before I am too old to take advantage) looks like a trip in a few years to see the Star Wars stuff will be it. We may even scrap that for Disneyland. I mean, once FP+ hit and your 3 whole rides were guaranteed, ANYTHING to get more is awesome right? It all seems so stressful now. My Disney bubble blocking out real life has started to pop.

 

[cjnix29]

I was stunned when I read that, but really shouldn't be. Seriously, we used to be die hards.....but it is really out of control with the money grab now! Glad we got our memories when it didn't seem so greedy!

 

[sarah4770]

This is exactly what DH got on our trip earlier this month. I choose to list his meals because he eats more than I do. I usually don't order app and dessert or I just take a little of his. Also, I added on soda, but we just drink water, so our meals were cheaper than listed. Everything was delicious.

Le Cellier - $76.00
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - $11
Pan-Seared Canadian Salmon - $40
Camembert Cheesecake - $11
Soda - $4
Tip - $10

Artist Point - $70.50
Steamed Mussels - $14
Saltwater Prawn Pho - $33
Old Fashioned Butter Cookies with cereal milk shake - $10
Soda - $4
Tip - $9.50

Ok,fair enough. 20-25 saved per head is something. I don't eat like that either, but my 24 year old linebacker can, and his sister comes a close second. And they like the soda's or smoothies or special drinks.
My point is ... I get to get together with both of them once a year because they live in different states. And Disney was always an agreeable spot, and flights are relatively cheap. So I like to take them to a few special restaurants while we are all together. It is a good, safe, family spot, and they can go their own ways when they feel like it without worrying about driving.
So its just getting to be a bummer that you have to plan so far out, manage your days in advance, and spend so much money now. Even with my DVC, it is getting to be quite an OOP expense. At least before you could put a no exp. on the tickets and not have to worry about them again for a few years. The whole point of being with family for a few days is to relax and enjoy yourselves together. That is getting harder and harder to do at Disney. We get together this year for 5 days after Easter. After that, I am looking for a new destination.

 

[tarheel618]

Say goodbye to extra magic hours for free. Im sure there is no limit to the amount of tickets that they will sell. We haven't been in 5 years- considered it this year and the more I read the more I think I will just stick to Universal for my theme park needs.

 

[katyjeka]

We have discovered all that we've been missing by visiting WDW year after year. It's a shame when our family can spend ten days in Puerto Rico, including airfare, for less than a week at Disney. We have fallen in love with Arizona, Northern California, New Mexico, and Nevada. This year we are visiting Hawaii for a little less than a Disney trip would have been. Allegiant, I know everyone dislikes the airline but we've had great luck with them, had great prices on airfare to Hawaii. I never thought we'd see the day that our family of 6 could visit Hawaii for less than a Disney trip. Crazy!!! I think our girls are embracing the break from the parks and seeing the same thing time after time. I never realized what fun a vacation can be not waiting in lines and so very relaxing. They can keep adding the extras and charging what they like until people wise up and say enough.

 

[MomToOne]

We have discovered all that we've been missing by visiting WDW year after year. It's a shame when our family can spend ten days in Puerto Rico, including airfare, for less than a week at Disney. We have fallen in love with Arizona, Northern California, New Mexico, and Nevada. This year we are visiting Hawaii for a little less than a Disney trip would have been. Allegiant, I know everyone dislikes the airline but we've had great luck with them, had great prices on airfare to Hawaii. I never thought we'd see the day that our family of 6 could visit Hawaii for less than a Disney trip. Crazy!!! I think our girls are embracing the break from the parks and seeing the same thing time after time. I never realized what fun a vacation can be not waiting in lines and so very relaxing. They can keep adding the extras and charging what they like until people wise up and say enough.

Hawaii can actually be a very reasonable cost once you get past airfare. There are so many cheap or free activities like hiking, Pearl Harbor, museums, etc. Food costs are expensive, but depending on where you stay, the cost of renting a condo isn't bad so we rent one and just cook in most of the time. Cooking with a view of the ocean somehow doesn't seem like as much of a chore as it is at home LOL

 

[Darcy03231]

We haven't been back to WDW since 2013 and before that we were yearly visitors (sometimes 2-3x a year). I have no plans to go back until some of the new attractions open up and even then it will depend on the cost. We've always done a variety of other trips, but since 2013 have been branching out even more. Just for fun I priced out a WDW vacation for the same time period as our upcoming Sandals La Source Grenada trip.

WDW came in around $6000 for 2 people- Deluxe with summer saver promo, deluxe dining plan, 7 day park hopper tickets and airfare
Sandals came in around $5600 for 2 people - Deluxe accommodations, all meals, drinks (including top shelf liquor), everything at the resort is free, including snorkeling and scuba diving, with the exception of the spa and off-site excursions (although our package includes a catamaran trip), and airfare. Sandals does not allow any tipping.

Obviously the WDW vacation wouldn't include cocktails, but the Sandals vacation will require some OOP for any off-site excursions.

 

[katyjeka]

We were in Grenada for 2 days, loved the island and the people. I understand the Disney love as we've had it for many years but its an amusement park, yes a very nice one, but it is what it is. They are pricing large families out. On a positive note my dh is thrilled. He's tired of trying to decide what he'll be hungry for 180 days out and now what ride we should be on and what fastpasses we need in advance. Part of the Disney magic was walking around being surprised at what was around each corner. It's so planned now that it drives my family insane. Ushering them from one side of the park to the next for our fastpasses, not worth it. I'm not saying we will never do Disney again, it just is not our first choice anymore. Too many interesting things to see!!

 

[Juliet25]

Wow, that is expensive! It would cost my family ~$750 for three hours of entertainment. We'll pass.

I changed my plans around a bit for our June trip. I want to take advantage of evening EMH in the MK while we still can!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

So, help me to understand this. Disney will be charging for the same EMH's that as Resort guests we have always gotten for free? I thought this was always a advertised "perk" for staying on Property. Now will this also be offered to the general public.
Sadly, Disney has slowly been pricing this family out of our yearly sometimes twice a year right out.

 

[LizzyS]

I read that is morning. It's getting ridiculous!!! I for one, won't participate in that. I guess if people don't buy, then they'll discontinue it, but my guess is that folks will line up and pay the big bucks :/

True and as long as folks will pay for it, they'll keep looking for ways to increase their profits. They are a business with shareholders to answer to, after all.

 

[sheetz]

Hawaii can actually be a very reasonable cost once you get past airfare. There are so many cheap or free activities like hiking, Pearl Harbor, museums, etc. Food costs are expensive, but depending on where you stay, the cost of renting a condo isn't bad so we rent one and just cook in most of the time. Cooking with a view of the ocean somehow doesn't seem like as much of a chore as it is at home LOL

Also you can avoid the fancy resort restaurants and just eat like the locals do. Plate lunches are cheap and often big enough to share.

 

[katyjeka]

We found a property on vrbo. The couple are very nice to work with and have been sending stuff to the "newbies". We love trying local restaurants and try to avoid the chains. We have not liked food at wdw for several years. Some of the snacks are good but we find the sit down meals to be pricey and low quality. We were big fans of the food & fun package. It made for a great vacation and was a good value. I miss the good old days at the world. It had a different feel and seemed so special. I guess I'm getting old!!!

 

[flateacher]

Say goodbye to extra magic hours for free. Im sure there is no limit to the amount of tickets that they will sell. We haven't been in 5 years- considered it this year and the more I read the more I think I will just stick to Universal for my theme park needs.

Shhhh! Keep Universal a secret! It's our new happy place. We did not renew our Disney Annual Passes and instead gave our $$ to Universal. I am not sure even Star Wars can bring me back... and I am a HUGE fan!