Don't forget the exchange rate for you, which is terrible right now. We are looking at hotels in downtown Toronto and thank goodness we're paying in USD!Just a shout out to another Storyland fanI love the parks in NH. As far as ride mechanics, they have many of the same/similar rides as Disney, but the cost is a mere fraction - you can get a season pass for less than the cost of a one day ticket to DW. The lines, compared to Disney, are non-existent. Many times my kids can ride multiple times in a row with little to no wait. The parks are also VERY clean. Santa's Village is also a good value - now it's showing it's age a bit, but I also know they're in the middle of updating the park, and when you consider you get access to both the theme park and the water park (which is quite nice), it's a great value.
As far as when is it too much - my husband would say 5 years ago. He doesn't find Disney worth the money. While he fully agrees that they are in a class of their own with regards to the shows, parades, characters etc... he also fully considers them over priced, especially when compared to the regional parks. I am bordering on the same thoughts - now, I think income/budget influences perceived value, and we're a one-income household with two special needs kids - in other words, the budget is small, a mere fraction of what many people here have to play with. So, thinking logically, I too, am really in the camp of the cost is too much to justify, and if we have to start paying for the FP+... then yes, it probably will mean we don't go back. However, if we had more disposable income, then honestly, I probably wouldn't be as bothered by the price, and I would gladly pay for the FP+.
Though therein also lies part of the "moral dilemma" (if you can call it that) - the fact that Disney is fast becoming a playground for the wealthy. It's not attainable for the average Joe like it used to be. Way back when, having free admission (or a very small admission fee) then paying for rides, made the park pretty much affordable to almost everyone. Sure, some people would be able to afford more rides than others, but they all waited in the same line. They all watched the parade and fireworks from the same place. Everyone had the same access opportunities. Now, you have essentially a class system: the "uppers" get to pay for better viewing, or less crowds (before/after events), earlier booking of FP+, private front of the line access, and now possibly better access to FP+ in general... while the "commoners" have to just take the leftovers. And I think that is what is leaving such a bad taste in so many people's mouths. It's also what makes this next move a bit risky for them.
Disney has substantially more onsite value rooms, moderate rooms and campsites than they have deluxe and DVC rooms. They care a lot about filling those rooms. To fill those rooms they have to appeal to much more than just the upper middle class and higher.
It wasn't that unpopular since it lasted for decades. It stopped because of Epcot, as Disney could not think of a comprehensive way to monetize World Showcase using tickets.
And they are all about the dough!!
How about try $415 for a “value” at Art of Animation!!
That's almost $100/night more than what I paid for a room at GF this past summer (I paid $350/night). Though the high prices at AoA are usually for the family suites, which are much different than a standard room. The LM rooms are usually more in line with Pop, though not always.
I believe there are more moderate and deluxe, versus value rooms. Either way, they aren't trying to fill those rooms. It happens for them. They really only have to show up every day and value hotels are getting filled. They just opened Riviera, which is DVC only, and Gran Destino, which is moderate plus. Moderate hotel rooms are pretty expensive. And they just keep adding more and more pay to play experiences, not less. They have various private tours, VIP tours, the ultra $12k VIP tour, Villians after hours, regular after hours, club level, paid fast pass at club level, early morning magic, and Halloween and Christmas parties. And that is just off the top of my head, I'm sure there are more. Disney Cruise Line is also adding more concierge rooms to their current ships and building more to start in the new ships. Yes, Disney wants to fill value rooms, but they are catering to the high class clientele, not the average American.
If you're saying that Value rooms sell themselves and they're always full, what more can Disney do to cater to what you consider the "average American?" Lower ticket prices? Then people will complain the parks are too crowded. Lower hotel rates? Then people will complain they can't get into their favorite resort because they're full.
I am not saying that they should cater more to the value group at all. We just stayed deluxe in December and had a great Club Level visit and enjoyed the perks immensely. The original comment was that Disney does not cater to the average American, it was not a complaint, more of a statement.
If they aren't going after the upper and middle upper class, why do they keep building DVC and moderate and deluxe hotels? And why do they keep adding extra payable experiences and taking away the non-paid stuff? Yes, it's a niche market. But it's a niche market with a lot of money to spend.
