How high is too much for you?

[KalamityJane]

We just bought tickets to turn into APs (or possibly just use those tickets when we visit - family in Orlando and no expire tickets). After that, we will either do cruises, DL or go to the beach. We live somewhat near Yellowstone (driving distance) so maybe we will go camping

 

[rt2dz]

I wonder how much of the price increase is due to the number of people that will do anything to get free days and meals by the unbelievable complaining in guest relations. Me heard some stories last trip that made my hair curl. My response was this is why prices continue to climb, and a few weeks later they did. When people are willing to cause a scene because they burnt their mouth on a pizza and will scream and curse because it should have been the right temperature when they took a bite, and cause such a commotion that we were embarrassed to be I the room, so much that a manager gave them their lunch money back then park admission refunded to shut them up. I was happy they refused to refund their room cost.

I wish I had the net e to. It up the wAy they did over their own stupidity, but I don't and I don't think I would ever, but prices go up because of the economy and people that feel entitled.

You know it's funny that you wrote that. I've read (many times) other similar things. I kind of wonder if the growing "entitlement" people have at the parks, the feelings that if anything, no matter how minor, is lightly less than perfect that people feel they are "owed" something is because of how much it costs.

Most people I know do take their families at least once. Others save and save. A "once in a lifetime, magical trip" should be perfect in many people's eyes. A trip that took 2-3 years to save for should be perfect in many people's eyes. It makes people unreasonable. Rather than getting rid of "these types of people," I think price increases grows them. Those who spend the money regularly at Disney, are probably the type who have higher disposable income that isn't as hard to lose. But they are also those that will move on to vacationing elsewhere since the price point has become on par with other vacation destinations.

Just a thought...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[KalamityJane]

You know it's funny that you wrote that. I've read (many times) other similar things. I kind of wonder if the growing "entitlement" people have at the parks, the feelings that if anything, no matter how minor, is lightly less than perfect that people feel they are "owed" something is because of how much it costs.

Most people I know do take their families at least once. Others save and save. A "once in a lifetime, magical trip" should be perfect in many people's eyes. A trip that took 2-3 years to save for should be perfect in many people's eyes. It makes people unreasonable. Rather than getting rid of "these types of people," I think price increases grows them. Those who spend the money regularly at Disney, are probably the type who have higher disposable income that isn't as hard to lose. But they are also those that will move on to vacationing elsewhere since the price point has become on par with other vacation destinations.

Just a thought...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

SO true!

 

[ajcrusher]

We've not been priced out yet but we've always gone "on the cheap" so to speak. My parents have Wyndham points and have enough for us all to use it each year so we stay off-site for free. Most of the time in years past, we've fixed sandwiches and taken our lunch with us. We have found some really pretty areas to stop and take a breather while we eat. It's very relaxing and we've enjoyed the down time. We've only eaten table service once at Cinderella's Royal Table about 10 years ago. We don't get a lot of souvenirs. We also drive so the tickets are the biggest expense for us. For us, it's still worth it as DH & I love being in the parks. Maybe at some point, they'll hit the limit for us but it's our one big splurge and we love it.

 

[mpetti]

I would pay what ever the cost to go to WDW....if I had money! LOL We love going to WDW. Our last trip was in 2011 and wish we could go back this year, but just can't afford it. My two DS are both now considered adults 10 & 15. But what really puts it over the edge is the cost of flying. So we are going to save and see if we can afford it in 2014. It's so magical going to WDW and I wish we could afford to go every year. However I know even if we have to wait longer in the end it will be worth it.

 

[bwang123]

For me, it's all about perspective.

It cost DH and I $42 to see the 2.5 hr Star Trek movie in an IMAX theater last week. So, the way I look at it, spending $58/day for 12+ hours in a Disney theme park (based on the increased price of a 5-day ticket), is a relative bargain.

thats why we dont go to the movies anymore. they priced us out.

disney tickets are expensive but the experience is still worth the cost for us.

 

[Planogirl]

I never understand the comparisons to a day at the ballpark or a concert when it comes to price. I agree that a musical can easily cost over $100 to see but that is a one time fee. Maybe a family can just afford that. However, they might still not have the $1000+ needed to go to WDW. It just isn't the same thing.

As for movies, we usually just see the movie on a regular screen and go during matinee time which lowers the price considerably. I can't figure out a way to lower WDW admission prices though.

I'm one who often pays too much IMO to fly to Florida and then we stay offsite. We enjoy a lot in the Orlando area and even beyond. It's well worth it for us to fly to Florida and then stay in a nice offsite hotel. Onsite is great too but only if the price is right.

Different strokes...

 

[Minnie222]

I did't read all the responses, but these are my 2 cents.

To me, it's a perspective and feeling issue. If I FEEL it is too pricey, I will go fewer days or stay at value resorts. We don't have to go there. It gets boring after a few trips. Also, we like to bring the kids while they are still fascinated by Disney. It won't be too long till they say no to a trip to WDW.

To Disney, they only care about the revenue, not how we feel is reasonable. The price is not reasonable to begin with, even without the raise. If raising the price will decrease the crowd in the short run and still bring the same income, who cares? It is all the math of optimization.

And no, the raise is not deal to people who complained at the top of their lungs to get a free meal or park day.

 

[EagleScout]

I would pay hundreds of dollars a day for a front of line pass.

The problem is that vip tours ultimately cost thousands, although I believe it is for up to ten, so two families could split. 300/hour, minimum 6 hours, so two families would be 900/family. A huge indulgence, but if a once in lifetime trip, particularly during peak times, maybe worth it -at least for a day or two (and could likely more than overcome whatever inconvenience associated with staying offsite-ie, use the significant savings from staying offsite to have one or two truly magical days). As others have suggested, it is a very real possibility that the upcoming fastpass plus may effectively turn into a "mini" version of this by "selling" extra fastpasses beforehand (even the vip is not true front-of-line, but rather unlimited faspasses on demand and being escorted around park by a guide who in theory knows which areas to avoid, etc)

 

[chloelovesdisney]

The price of the trip has definitely been climbing these last few years, we used to get much better deals for a week there. I would like to continue to go each year while ds is young, but I can see us going elsewhere once he turns 8yo or so.

 

[EagleScout]

I did't read all the responses, but these are my 2 cents.

To me, it's a perspective and feeling issue. If I FEEL it is too pricey, I will go fewer days or stay at value resorts. We don't have to go there. It gets boring after a few trips. Also, we like to bring the kids while they are still fascinated by Disney. It won't be too long till they say no to a trip to WDW.

To Disney, they only care about the revenue, not how we feel is reasonable. The price is not reasonable to begin with, even without the raise. If raising the price will decrease the crowd in the short run and still bring the same income, who cares? It is all the math of optimization.

And no, the raise is not deal to people who complained at the top of their lungs to get a free meal or park day.

Minnie- I agree about the subjective/"feel" aspect of it. This is quite evident in parks in our area (northeast)- for example, hershey park "top" hotel is comparable price, if not often more than, contemp or grand floridian, but total trip costs us much less b/c no airfare (only about4-5 hour drive for us from nyc suburb, and even less for those near philly), much easier to eat several meals offsite due to more compact area and have a car, and also fewer days of trip b/c much less to do at hershey park than entirety of wdw (we will do three nights total)

 

[Minnesota!]

DH and I talked this morning and....this trip in August will be our last for a few years. I just am losing sight of the "value". Prices going up up up, but nothing being added/changed to keep me coming back to see new things. eh. I think this last increase put WDW into the "not a good value" category for us. We have gone annually, usually more than that, for the last 14 years. Sad to say it's just not gonna happen anymore..

 

[chloelovesdisney]

DH and I talked this morning and....this trip in August will be our last for a few years. I just am losing sight of the "value". Prices going up up up, but nothing being added/changed to keep me coming back to see new things. eh. I think this last increase put WDW into the "not a good value" category for us. We have gone annually, usually more than that, for the last 14 years. Sad to say it's just not gonna happen anymore..

This is how I feel but will continue to go for a few more years annually while ds is young and it's still magical for him. After that though, we're on to new places and will only do WDW every fews or so.

 

[larryz]

I can't figure out a way to lower WDW admission prices though.

The only way is to buy in bulk. AP. But you have to live close enough to use it frequently.

10-day MYW with the NE option is the next best way. That way you don't have to live close, and you still get a relative bargain on the per-day admission costs. Combining with one family member holding an AP saves the parking fees.

 

[Makayna]

You know it's funny that you wrote that. I've read (many times) other similar things. I kind of wonder if the growing "entitlement" people have at the parks, the feelings that if anything, no matter how minor, is lightly less than perfect that people feel they are "owed" something is because of how much it costs.

Most people I know do take their families at least once. Others save and save. A "once in a lifetime, magical trip" should be perfect in many people's eyes. A trip that took 2-3 years to save for should be perfect in many people's eyes. It makes people unreasonable. Rather than getting rid of "these types of people," I think price increases grows them. Those who spend the money regularly at Disney, are probably the type who have higher disposable income that isn't as hard to lose. But they are also those that will move on to vacationing elsewhere since the price point has become on par with other vacation destinations.

Just a thought...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We are definitely in the "once in a lifetime, magical trip, saving 2-3 years to go" group, and yet, we're definitely not the "entitlement" type. Like, if my food is bad at a restaurant and they remake it for me, I want to be able to pay for my food. I won't say I never complain because if something is wrong, I want to give the establishment (whatever that might be) the opportunity to make it right, and if they do, that's good enough for me. I rarely expect, demand, or even request further compensation if the matter was resolved.

However, I do see your point. If I go to Applebee's and I have a horrible experience, I expect that it be made right, but my expectations of that restaurant were lower to begin with. If I go to a 5 star dining restaurant and have a horrible experience, my expectations are higher. In fact, what I might consider a "horrible experience" at that restaurant might be right on par with my expectations of Applebee's, but because it costs so much more and because it's a nicer establishment, I do expect more.

But again, I still like to believe that my expectations are reasonable and realistic, even in the higher-priced places. But I can see your point that not all people have reasonable and realistic expectations.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The problem is that vip tours ultimately cost thousands, although I believe it is for up to ten, so two families could split. 300/hour, minimum 6 hours, so two families would be 900/family. A huge indulgence, but if a once in lifetime trip, particularly during peak times, maybe worth it -at least for a day or two (and could likely more than overcome whatever inconvenience associated with staying offsite-ie, use the significant savings from staying offsite to have one or two truly magical days). As others have suggested, it is a very real possibility that the upcoming fastpass plus may effectively turn into a "mini" version of this by "selling" extra fastpasses beforehand (even the vip is not true front-of-line, but rather unlimited faspasses on demand and being escorted around park by a guide who in theory knows which areas to avoid, etc)

Yep, I agree with your comment, esp the last part regarding extra FPs.

 

[ArwenMarie]

This is how I feel but will continue to go for a few more years annually while ds is young and it's still magical for him. After that though, we're on to new places and will only do WDW every fews or so.

This is me. My DD is still at the age where it is truly magical (I know it's magical for all ages ) And I want to just enjoy that for as long as we can because time is so fleeting and my kids will be grown up and flown away before I know it. But I can definitely see us phasing out slowly.

 

[BlovesC]

Absolutely still worth it to us. We're there so often that each visit probably costs us less than half the price of one movie ticket! We get tons of enjoyment out of our APs.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Yes, the COL increases every year. Many wages/salaries don't, though.

Does anyone have data on this? How do Disney price increases compare to increases in average cost of living? It seems like ticket prices are rising faster than COL, and ultimately this would affect almost everyone's vacation plans in some way.

So how high is too high for us? In many ways, we are on our way to being priced out in part because, as FL teachers, we are among those who have not seen a salary increase in years and in part because the AP price increased seem so steep. From 2009-2011, we were PAP holders. The price for two Florida resident PAP's came in at under one thousand dollars. With the new price increases, the same would cost $1300 now. We have gone from spending 20 or more days in the parks to spending just four per year when Disney offers special FL resident ticket deals in the spring.

Chances of us becoming a PAP holder again in the future also declined when Disney changed the PAP merchandise discount from 20% to 10%. That is an effective 10% increase in the cost of merchandise for PAP holders.

Disney is our favorite vacation destination, but we can't keep up with the price increases indefinitely.

 

[scrappinannie]

We will continue to visit. It might come down to not as many days...or staying offsite and dining more offsite, or visiting less often than once a year. We already go during value season, drive 1,000 miles each way, bring our own snacks and water, and take advantage of discounts (either 20-30% off rooms or "free dining", depending on what's a better value).

During our 1 day trip to Cedar Point last year, I just kept saying, "This ain't Disney, folks!" due to the scowling ride operators, less than appealing restrooms and food options, and practically no air conditioned reprieves (but mostly due to the scowling ride operators). Disney has an unmatched show compared to other theme parks with lower ticket prices, and that's a lot of what we like. As long as they keep that going, we'll try to keep going!

But I agree that the price increases are getting more and more depressing.

This is how I see it, too. BUT, we plan up to a year in advance for our Disney Trips and we only go every couple of years. We have stayed both on and offsite and will continue to choose what's best for our family at the time of our trip. Disney is expensive. Always has been. I think most of us are just more aware of how much EVERYTHING costs, from groceries at home to week long vacations to our preferred destinations. That being said, Disney does put on a show like no other destination I've ever been, it's clean, safe, and relatively compact. Park hopping/resort hopping is fairly easy to do once you get on site and you really never need to leave property if that's what you want to do.

We'll continue to come to Disney as long as our children are into it. Sure, we may need to tweak our plans here and there, but we've never been made of money and have always tried to find ways to make traveling less expensive. Going every couple of years keeps our Disney magic alive, keeps us excited to see what's new since our last visit and gives us an opportunity to enjoy the many aspects of WDW based on the kids' ages and interests. Now, a Disney Cruise is EXPENSIVE.........