Why we are not going to WDW this year

[kandb]

We are from NJ and have gone to WDW yearly for the last 8 years. We love our yearly trips and I will always cherish the memories. We have decided to not go this year due to the increase in prices and fp+. The prices in the last 3-4 years have gone up considerably and we loved the original fp system. We are going to Busch Gardens/Water Country in Virginia instead. Tickets for my family of 5 will be around $400 for BG/WC for 7 days. Tickets for my family in WDW for 7 days will be approx. $1600. Yes, I know BG will not be as great as WDW. Also, a deluxe hotel at WDW is now creeping up to $500/night, which is insane. We are getting a nice Marriott in Williamsburg with a hot breakfast for a little over a $100/night. I know people will say I am comparing apples/oranges, and I know there is no other place like Disney, but I just feel like the prices at disney are getting out of control. We also don't have to fly, which will save us around $1200. We will see how it goes. To be honest, I will miss Disney but feel like at this point we have to try something else.

 

[Disneylover99]

Enjoy! and think of the money you will save!

 

[aubreysmom09]

I hope you enjoy. I live in the Williamsburg area, and go almost weekly. Our DD4 loves Water Country. We go to WDW every other year, but this year is the first time we are staying onsite. I hope I will see the value on staying onsite. We normally go and book a season pass holder room at a participating SeaWorld hotel and go to SeaWorld and BG using or season passes, and normally add 3 days of Universal. I think last year including food we spent $1100 including gas for a 6 night vacation. Yes, I find WDW is getting too pricey.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We are from nj too! We usually alternate between WDW and Williamsburg. I LOVE Williamsburg. It's 1 of my favorite places to go. If I could move there I would lol. When we go we usually rent a timeshare hotel. Busch gardens down there is way nicer than the 1 in Tampa and water country is really nice. They have a lot of baby water slides to little kids. There is also historical places to visit that are really nice. We especially liked the Jamestown museum...it was an indoor/outdoor museum and outdoors was interactive with the kids. Even though you will be missing disney this year you should have an equally nice vacation in Williamsburg.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Good for you, but not sure how this is going to help anyone else plan a WDW vacation.

 

[momof2n2]

We are from NJ and have gone to WDW yearly for the last 8 years. We love our yearly trips and I will always cherish the memories. We have decided to not go this year due to the increase in prices and fp+. The prices in the last 3-4 years have gone up considerably and we loved the original fp system. We are going to Busch Gardens/Water Country in Virginia instead. Tickets for my family of 5 will be around $400 for BG/WC for 7 days. Tickets for my family in WDW for 7 days will be approx. $1600. Yes, I know BG will not be as great as WDW. Also, a deluxe hotel at WDW is now creeping up to $500/night, which is insane. We are getting a nice Marriott in Williamsburg with a hot breakfast for a little over a $100/night. I know people will say I am comparing apples/oranges, and I know there is no other place like Disney, but I just feel like the prices at disney are getting out of control. We also don't have to fly, which will save us around $1200. We will see how it goes. To be honest, I will miss Disney but feel like at this point we have to try something else.

We made a similar decision, opting for SW/BG/Aquatica. I'm sure we'll visit WDW again some day, but the changes are too much to chance.
Enjoy Williamsburg. We love that area!

 

[momof2n2]

Good for you, but not sure how this is going to help anyone else plan a WDW vacation.

It's a strategy! Go somewhere else and not be ashamed to say so?

 

[Sandy Fisher]

No doubt you'll get pros and cons from people who respond to your post. We've been Disney fans and regular guests for over 30 years. This coming May will be our final trip, probably, almost surely.
We don't live all that far north of Williamsburg and went to Busch Gardens when our boys were still boys. It's a whole different world, but as you mentioned, the costs are considerably less and you won't have the travel expense of going clear down to Florida.
I think this type of thread has a place on the Disney Attractions and Strategies. Maybe someone is thinking of comparing apples and oranges!! Not everything on the board lately has been helpful to planning.
Enjoy your trip. And keep your Disney memories close. The parks will be there when you can go again.

 

[Disworldluv]

All of us love Disney however the decision you have made is one many of us have to make. Disney is very expensive and with all of the other expenses we face raising our kids, cutting back is necessary and sometimes a little painful. But your quality of life is still great, so hold your head up high.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

There is fun outside of Disney World.

Have a great time! Williamsburg sounds really neat, I've always wanted to go there.

 

[AliceandAriel]

We are from NJ and have gone to WDW yearly for the last 8 years. We love our yearly trips and I will always cherish the memories. We have decided to not go this year due to the increase in prices and fp+. The prices in the last 3-4 years have gone up considerably and we loved the original fp system. We are going to Busch Gardens/Water Country in Virginia instead. Tickets for my family of 5 will be around $400 for BG/WC for 7 days. Tickets for my family in WDW for 7 days will be approx. $1600. Yes, I know BG will not be as great as WDW. Also, a deluxe hotel at WDW is now creeping up to $500/night, which is insane. We are getting a nice Marriott in Williamsburg with a hot breakfast for a little over a $100/night. I know people will say I am comparing apples/oranges, and I know there is no other place like Disney, but I just feel like the prices at disney are getting out of control. We also don't have to fly, which will save us around $1200. We will see how it goes. To be honest, I will miss Disney but feel like at this point we have to try something else.

There's nothing wrong with vacationing somewhere else. I am a little confused as to why you had to make this post into a 'why we won't be going to Disney' post and not a more positive 'we're trying a different vacation!' post, but that's also your own choice and there's nothing wrong with it.

And to go to your comment of comparing apples to oranges, it's a yes and no the way I see it. You're getting a hotel at both, but one comes with crazy complimentary transportation across property, and the other is just a hotel.

If you ever want to try other vacation spots, I highly recommend renting a deluxe cabin in NC. Our family of 7 did that for a week in mid or early August (I believe, dates are hazy), and paid a little over $1k for the place. It was gorgeous, secluded, and really made you feel like you dropped into another world for a week.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We are going to Williamsburg this summer, and back to WDW next January. Best of both worlds.

 

[Hopefully]

Good for you, but not sure how this is going to help anyone else plan a WDW vacation.

I agree.
But I have noticed for awhile that OP has posted pretty negative posts here on the DIS. Maybe it makes him/her feel better to bash WDW here?

 

[ArwenMarie]

We went to BGW last year! Loved it! We stayed at Kingsmill which was a super nice resort and has gotten even nicer since we stayed with a whole new pool complex. Combined with Water Country and seeing the colonial sights, it is very easy to fill up a week there.

It was not Disney...but, it was just as much fun for our family. No plane tickets required, lodging was cheaper and tickets were way cheaper. I think it's a great Disney alternative if you are within driving distance especially.

Have fun!!!!

 

[Damien2213]

I'm a huge History Buff so any vacation to Williamsburg is a good one for me. I however have grown less impressed with Busch Gardens since it has become more of a Thrills/Coaster park versus a nice mix. Kings Dominion was another park with so much potential when Hannah-Barbera owned it. It's to bad they didn't have the bank account of a Disney. You will have a great time at Williamsburg. So many great things to do.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We made a similar decision, opting for SW/BG/Aquatica. I'm sure we'll visit WDW again some day, but the changes are too much to chance.
Enjoy Williamsburg. We love that area!

Glad to see you made your decision! I'm sure your family will have a great time at those parks, coupled with the cruise.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'm a huge History Buff so any vacation to Williamsburg is a good one for me. I however have grown less impressed with Busch Gardens since it has become more of a Thrills/Coaster park versus a nice mix. Kings Dominion was another park with so much potential when Hannah-Barbera owned it. It's to bad they didn't have the bank account of a Disney. You will have a great time at Williamsburg. So many great things to do.

We didn't ride any coasters and we spent three days (about six hours a day) at just BGW. Tons to do especially with the shows. I really like the mix of the animal exhibits as well. And it's such a beautiful park, just gorgeous especially in the spring

 

[blingbowsparkles]

There is fun outside of Disney World.Have a great time! Williamsburg sounds really neat, I've always wanted to go there.

Hey you sound just like my husband.

 

[Nancy F]

We were there in Dec. and FP+ worked out pretty good for us. We got to ride Soarin' three times and even got a FP or TSM (which we very rarely could) this trip. Do I wish that they will change FP+ to three rides per park per day... YES! But I'm not going to let it still my joy in just being there. Looking forward to my April trip as much as I did my first trip to The World.
Nancy

 

[DCbride]

Did you look into the Super Grover pass from Sesame Place? (You said you live in NJ) it is good for the entire year at all Bush parks including FL - SW, BG and Williamsburg.