I've never minded paying for what I perceive as value, but I hate feeling like I haven't paid enough

[gratefulfred]

Theres no shortage of folks distraught with the escalating costs with little to show for it.

My question is what is anyone doing about it?

I’m going to Dollywood next summer, then Cedar point the following.

 

[LYSE]

I've been saying this for a long time, charge more and make more per guest I'm fine with that if I have a great experience..get straight to the point and charge more for the ticket/AP but nickel and diming is just an all around loss.

 

[B-Ride]

I am just glad that we got 10 trips in with our 2 boys back when crowds were manageable and the cost was reasonable.

I have always been a big advocate for WDW and was the "expert" at work. The kids and I even wrote a 180 page "book" on Disney that I gave out at work to co-workers planning their first trip.

The only way things will change is if everyone says "enough is enough" and boycotts the parks for a few years.

Easy for me to say because we have enjoyed enough trips to do this.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I am just glad that we got 10 trips in with our 2 boys back when crowds were manageable and the cost was reasonable.

I have always been a big advocate for WDW and was the "expert" at work. The kids and I even wrote a 180 page "book" on Disney that I gave out at work to co-workers planning their first trip.

The only way things will change is if everyone says "enough is enough" and boycotts the parks for a few years.

Easy for me to say because we have enjoyed enough trips to do this.

That line is always gonna be crossed for somebody. For some it was 10 years ago, some it's now, others it will be 10 years from now. Just because you are in the group of those where that line is crossed now, doesn't mean it has been for everyone. People are continuing to enjoy their trips and continue to find the value. Yes, there are definitely people who aren't, and that's their opinion which is fine. My trips in the last 2-3 years have been far and away more enjoyable than they were 10 years ago. I'm nowhere near the tipping point. So no, I will not boycott the parks. I've got 3 upcoming trips planned over the next year-year and a half and don't see any signs of slowing down. Sorry you feel that way, I just find it annoying when people generalize their feelings to everybody and expect everyone to feel the same way they do.

 

[moesy4]

We had a trip planned for November that was going to cost us around 7,000 before any extras like Memory Maker or souvenirs. Then all the changes came out and things stopped reopening and we called it. I honestly think we will never go, I just can’t justify the cost when I could take 2 to 3 other amazing vacations for the same price.
it does make me sad as I LOVED our other Disney vacation and the kids were probably to young to remember. I have been envisioning this trip for years now. But the fact of the matter is even if we had the money, I wouldn’t give it to Disney.
We are staying club level Portofino Bay with 5 day 3 park passes. So lots of our food and express passes are included. That plus an Airbnb and rental car for 3 days in the Tampa area are cheaper than just our park tickets at Disney.

 

[CBMom01]

I perceive for many of us that we made comittments to others regarding this year's Disney vacation well prior to their behaviors. We see it and feel it. We won't forget it either. Overpriced with lowering value. We look at each other and agree we will not be back for a long time...maybe, as there are other destinations providing greater value, respect and relaxation.

This, exactly

 

[annekablam]

That line is always gonna be crossed for somebody. For some it was 10 years ago, some it's now, others it will be 10 years from now. Just because you are in the group of those where that line is crossed now, doesn't mean it has been for everyone. People are continuing to enjoy their trips and continue to find the value. Yes, there are definitely people who aren't, and that's their opinion which is fine. My trips in the last 2-3 years have been far and away more enjoyable than they were 10 years ago. I'm nowhere near the tipping point. So no, I will not boycott the parks. I've got 3 upcoming trips planned over the next year-year and a half and don't see any signs of slowing down. Sorry you feel that way, I just find it annoying when people generalize their feelings to everybody and expect everyone to feel the same way they do.

Genuinely curious, do you not mind having to pay per ride on top of the base admission and on top of Genie+? Wouldn't you rather just have a higher ticket price than be shaken down at every turn? I am personally so frustrated by that alone - as it makes it impossible for me to estimate the cost of a day in the parks (and that's no accident) - that this is now my tipping point.

Of course I'll pay ANYTHING to ride Expedition Everest once I'm at the ride stile having travelled 1000's of miles and paid 1000's of dollars to come to WDW. And just knowing they are taking advantage of me in that moment makes me SO mad I can't even tell you... just really looking forward to UOR now!

 

[CBMom01]

The only thing that makes me hesitant about Genie+ as a concept is the certainty that Disney will oversell it.

 

[JakeAZ]

The only thing that makes me hesitant about Genie+ as a concept is the certainty that Disney will oversell it.

Death, Taxes and If Disney offers it, they will over offer it

 

[JakeAZ]

Exactly!!! And I'd bet the average 9-12 year old doesn't give a f*ck about WDW right now and in fact, might prefer a trip to Hogwarts. It's their parents that are driving the business and Disney is completely missing that. Remember "I'm going to Disney World!"? When I was a kid, WDW was THE place you wanted to be. Every kid had either been or was dying to go and there was no in between.

This is such a great point. Those of us taking our families there now are doing it based on the experiences we had as kids with our parents. But kids are different now. Mine are excited to go, but before we planned this upcoming trip, never asked to go.

We're also doing Universal and my bet is they both walk away liking Universal better (especially with EPs and not having to wait in most lines).

 

[samsteele]

This is such a great point.

This. WDW is riding a baby boomer and Gen X bubble. Parents and grandparents have booked the trips and paid the bills because of their wish to share their love of Disney with the next generations. My teenage niece couldn't be bothered going to WDW. Only Universal esp Hogwarts is of any interest. Millennials may be a bust market for WDW parks. So short-sighted to rack up the prices, drop the experience and fail to build a 5th gate that appeals to younger demographics.

 

[Disneyliscious]

My question is what is anyone doing about it?

According to Universals numbers, they are going there (and I am one of them!)

, I just can’t justify the cost when I could take 2 to 3 other amazing vacations for the same price.

The BEST thing I ever done was break the Disney bubble and venture to another destination. It literally opened up a whole new world and we've never looked back.

This is such a great point. Those of taking our families there now are doing it based on the experiences we had as kids with our parents. But kids are different now. Mine are excited to go, but before we planned this upcoming trip, never asked to go.

We're also doing Universal and my bet is they both walk away liking Universal better (especially with EPs and not having to wait in most lines).

In 2019 I took my kids and grandkids to Disney and Daytona Beach. We did MNSSHP, Bibbibity Bobbety Boutique, All the Princess dinners, you name it. I spent sooooo much money making sure my granddaughter felt like a true Princess at least once in her life (grandson was only 2 at the time so he couldnt do much).

When I asked her where she wants to go next year she said "the beach!" and she said it so enthusiastically. I even reminded her about all the Princess stuff and she still chose the relaxed, calm setting of Daytona Beach over Disney. I had to begrudgingly accept that the Disney I enjoyed as a kid is not the same Disney anymore so its not going to have the same effect on her.

 

[Dismama2boys]

That line is always gonna be crossed for somebody. For some it was 10 years ago, some it's now, others it will be 10 years from now. Just because you are in the group of those where that line is crossed now, doesn't mean it has been for everyone. People are continuing to enjoy their trips and continue to find the value. Yes, there are definitely people who aren't, and that's their opinion which is fine. My trips in the last 2-3 years have been far and away more enjoyable than they were 10 years ago. I'm nowhere near the tipping point. So no, I will not boycott the parks. I've got 3 upcoming trips planned over the next year-year and a half and don't see any signs of slowing down. Sorry you feel that way, I just find it annoying when people generalize their feelings to everybody and expect everyone to feel the same way they do.

This is a thread about people who are disappointed. That’s the “everyone” they were referring to. No one would expect those that aren’t disappointing to do anything. We get that you aren’t disappointed - you go on every.single.thread about it and remind people. That’s great for you! But there are lots and lots (and lots and lots….) of people who are. There are other threads where your enthusiasm might be better appreciated.

 

[dismedvc]

It is impossible to plan in the dark!

Could not agree more.

 

[jknc]

That line is always gonna be crossed for somebody. For some it was 10 years ago, some it's now, others it will be 10 years from now. Just because you are in the group of those where that line is crossed now, doesn't mean it has been for everyone. People are continuing to enjoy their trips and continue to find the value. Yes, there are definitely people who aren't, and that's their opinion which is fine. My trips in the last 2-3 years have been far and away more enjoyable than they were 10 years ago. I'm nowhere near the tipping point. So no, I will not boycott the parks. I've got 3 upcoming trips planned over the next year-year and a half and don't see any signs of slowing down. Sorry you feel that way, I just find it annoying when people generalize their feelings to everybody and expect everyone to feel the same way they do.

Interesting

 

[shawthorne44]

When I asked her where she wants to go next year she said "the beach!" and she said it so enthusiastically.

That is why we waited until DD was 10 (now 11) to go to Disney. When I was pregnant I read an article about a guy trying to convince his wife that they needed to go back to Disney so that their youngest could 'experience Disney'. So he asked his daughter over dinner about her favorite part of their Disney trip, "The Hotel Pool." When we've met families who've been to Disney, I ask the kids that question. It is shocking how many times it is the pool. Not always, but often.
To think of how much money could be saved by going to the Golden Nugget in Vegas for a few days just for the awesome pool.

 

[glamdring269]

The cost for Disney has basically made it to where we just go less frequently. And to be clear this isn’t due to the cost being prohibitive. It is just that at some point you really have to ask yourself if it is worth paying this much for the nth Disney trip when we still haven’t been to let’s say Germany. We could do that instead and likely for less $.

(This is from a dink perspective)

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

I was obsessed with Disney and loved to take my family every year, but now my interest has dropped from 100% to 20%. We booked a different vacation for next year.

 

[buffy71]

Agree. We've had so much fun in our Disney trips -- they were very expensive, but we could justify the cost. I had expected to share the same things with our new grandson, but I don't think we will -- even though we are much better off financially, the costs have soared to the point that the costs are not reasonable.
I've never been enchanted with DVC /have never seen it as a good value, but I do feel for you guys now. You've bought into something very expensive, and now the sands are shifting under you.

For me, I bought DVC over 15 years ago cheap. It paid for itself many years ago. I have no issue using my points at non park resorts. We loved Aulani and have visited the Hilton Head resort a few times. While my park visits might be significantly reduced going forward, I would now have no issue taking a resort stay vacation. I would never recommend the purchase to anyone right now. I think value has been lost.

 

[buffy71]

Totally agree, especially about not enough information. We are DVC, and with banking, borrowing, and trying to get multiple trips out of an AP, we plan our Disney trips over a three year time frame. Those plans may now need to be altered because of all the changes made by Disney with very little notice and a lot of missing details.

ETA: Way more detail than you probably want, but for our specific situation, our plan was to go in Mid Dec 2021 (room reservations made in January 2021 ) using a 7 day PH, and then to convert to an AP on the last day of that trip. (Some of the days in that trip were blackout days under the Gold AP and are also blackout days under the Sorcerer AP). In the past, Disney allowed "regular" tickets to be upgraded to the Gold AP, even if those regular tickets were used in a Gold pass blackout period. However, in the post quoted below that policy may have changed with the Sorcerer AP. We then planned to use that Sorcerer AP for additional trips in 2022 during non blackout dates. We did not book the weeks around Easter, because those were always blackout dates under the Gold AP. They are now not blacked out under the Sorcerer AP, but even if we wanted to go durring those now not blacked out dates, the DVC rooms we would want are not available for thase dates. We were planning on going Thanksgiving week in 2022, because that was never blacked out under the Gold AP. However Thanksgiving is blacked out in 2021, but Disney has not released the blackout dates for November and December 2022. Aggravating that Disney makes changes with so little notice, and when they do make changes they do not provide the details we need so we know if we need to adjust our plans because of those changes.

I hear ya... DVC members have to plan ahead and this makes it all difficult