Disney forcing us to $pend even more at their re$ort$

What is the most outrageous of the outrageous price gouging that Disney is currently engaged in?

  • Converting the FREE Fast Pass system to the PAID Genie+ with less benefits

  • Increasing Annual Pass prices while slashing the benefits

  • Eliminating FREE parking at the resorts and charging a per night fee

  • Raising resort room rates dramatically and forcing guests to book a minimum of 2 nights

  • Charging $5,000+ for the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience

  • Eliminating FREE Magic Bands for resort guests and charging for them instead

  • ALL OF THE ABOVE!


Results are only viewable after voting.

JAB

Well-Known Member
Ticket prices have risen more than 3,000% over Walt Disney World's history. When the Magic Kingdom first greeted guests in 1971, the cost to enter the theme park was $3.50 for adults, and $1 for children. In 2021 dollars, that would equate to roughly $24 and $6.75, adjusting for the rate of inflation.
There's no arguing that Disney has aggressively increased ticket prices; however, this is not exactly a fair comparison. That $3.50 only got you into the park - you had to pay extra to ride any rides. A better comparison point would be 1983 (when they started including rides with admission) when ticket prices were $15-$17 for adults and $12-$14 for children ($41-$47 and $33-$39 adjusted for inflation).
 

eliza61nyc

Well-Known Member
At least in Vegas you have a slim, slim chance of having a good time and leaving rich. You ain't leaving rich from Disney. That money path is all one way and you are not the one coming out on top in the last category.
??? because the purpose of Disney is not to give you wealth or to win money. It's to provide entertainment, so I'm not sure that's a good comparison, did you ever go to wdw with the expectationsl of winning money?? the money path is supposed to be one way in exchange for an "experience ". Now last time I was in Vegas gambling was not included in the price of anything. YOU absolutely pay extra to play any game of chance.
Lastly and this is a question. If you don't park a car you don't pay a parking fee?? Correct? Last time I was in Vegas I paid the resort fee whether or not I parked or ate breakfast and what tickles me is they tax your resort fee😜
 
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eliza61nyc

Well-Known Member
I suspect that the latest changes are enough to create some level of inflection for Disney. It will probably take three to five years before it really becomes apparent, though. It will take a lot of people showing up, determining the cost for what you get isn't worth it (most likely in retrospect), sharing this with friends and neighbors, and deciding there are other things to do with their time and money rather than return to WDW. If Disney is smart, they'll detect it early and course correct. Given the current management, though... even if they detect it they may not adjust enough to make a difference... leave it as a problem for the next guy to fix.
True but again, we've been screaming this for years You don't remember the meltdown when the tickets went over $100 bucks? I specifically remember quite a number of posters saying that was it, no one would go. or how about when they started having after park hours parties? and yet I started looking at some dates for the merry Christmas party and quite a few are sold out.
Now the bolded is where the mouse world has the advantage, if (and that's a big if) they see any massive slow down they'll throw the magical word at us...Discount :D:p

I'm voting "leave it for the next guy". right now I don't see a massive dip within the next two years, while we here on this site revolt against these price hikes, I've got young mom in my development who have been home with the kiddies for over a year and have said they will give up a kidney NOT to have to wait in line with 3 youngins.
 

RoadiJeff

Well-Known Member
Very true! Vegas gives guests odds / a chance. The House Of Mouse gives guests 0 (Zero) odds / no chance to leave w any money.
Well, they can leave Disney with money but they have to work for it. On the morning that I was going to fly back home the other week my wife wanted me to stop by the World of Disney store in Disney Springs and get her a Minnie Mouse T-shirt, similar to the Mickey Mouse version I bought on my last trip. I arrived at the store a little over 1/2 hour before it opened and there were at least 20 people already standing in line. By the time they opened the doors at 10:00am there were maybe 100 people in line. I thought that was strange but I didn't think much more about it.

Once inside the store, I found the closest shirt to what my wife wanted and texted her a pic. As I walked around the store and waited for a reply several workers mentioned various 50th Anniversary items on the shelves that were selling like hotcakes on eBay. $90 purple shirts going for $250, $50 Starbucks tumblers going for $150, etc. I started grabbing a few things and thought maybe I could pay for some of my trip when I got back home and sold them.

I was still waiting for a reply about the Minnie Mouse shirt and so I got on eBay to check what these things I had in my hands were actually selling for. Maybe they had sold for what the workers claimed the first few days of the 50th Anniversary but not anymore. Prices were $10-$15 plus shipping above what they were going to cost me. It wasn't worth my time and effort so I put them back. I can see some local residents going to that store each day, buying bags of 50th Anniversary stuff and making $10 or so profit per item and making some money if they sell a few dozen things back home each day but it wasn't for me.

However, there is the other story about when we were at Universal many years ago and I found a genuine Ben Franklin $100 bill laying on the ground as we walked through the park. That paid for 2 of our 3 park admissions that day. :)
 

Lilofan

Well-Known Member
??? because the purpose of Disney is not to give you wealth or to win money. It's to provide entertainment, so I'm not sure that's a good comparison, did you ever go to wdw with the expectationsl of winning money?? the money path is supposed to be one way in exchange for an "experience ". Now last time I was in Vegas gambling was not included in the price of anything. YOU absolutely pay extra to play any game of chance.
Lastly and this is a question. If you don't park a car you don't pay a parking fee?? Correct? Last time I was in Vegas I paid the resort fee whether or not I parked or ate breakfast and what tickles me is they tax your resort fee😜
Last time I was in Vegas I chatted with one of the casino hosts who was behind the velvet rope where the high rollers were playing blackjack. While sharing many things in common with the host, he asked me if I was hungry. I told him yes . He then said just make it quick and he showed me the small buffet of food in the back of the room where the high rollers were playing at. I helped myself to a plate of hot food , covered it with a napkin and left the area. I didn't have to pay for lunch that day. That resort fee in Vegas is steep but the pools and gym are nice to enjoy during part of the day.
 
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Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
Well, they can leave Disney with money but they have to work for it. On the morning that I was going to fly back home the other week my wife wanted me to stop by the World of Disney store in Disney Springs and get her a Minnie Mouse T-shirt, similar to the Mickey Mouse version I bought on my last trip. I arrived at the store a little over 1/2 hour before it opened and there were at least 20 people already standing in line. By the time they opened the doors at 10:00am there were maybe 100 people in line. I thought that was strange but I didn't think much more about it.

Once inside the store, I found the closest shirt to what my wife wanted and texted her a pic. As I walked around the store and waited for a reply several workers mentioned various 50th Anniversary items on the shelves that were selling like hotcakes on eBay. $90 purple shirts going for $250, $50 Starbucks tumblers going for $150, etc. I started grabbing a few things and thought maybe I could pay for some of my trip when I got back home and sold them.

I was still waiting for a reply about the Minnie Mouse shirt and so I got on eBay to check what these things I had in my hands were actually selling for. Maybe they had sold for what the workers claimed the first few days of the 50th Anniversary but not anymore. Prices were $10-$15 plus shipping above what they were going to cost me. It wasn't worth my time and effort so I put them back. I can see some local residents going to that store each day, buying bags of 50th Anniversary stuff and making $10 or so profit per item and making some money if they sell a few dozen things back home each day but it wasn't for me.

However, there is the other story about when we were at Universal many years ago and I found a genuine Ben Franklin $100 bill laying on the ground as we walked through the park. That paid for 2 of our 3 park admissions that day. :)
Just curious - when you looked at ebay, did you look at current auctions/listings in progress or completed ones? There’s a big difference.
 

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
??? because the purpose of Disney is not to give you wealth or to win money. It's to provide entertainment, so I'm not sure that's a good comparison, did you ever go to wdw with the expectationsl of winning money?? the money path is supposed to be one way in exchange for an "experience ". Now last time I was in Vegas gambling was not included in the price of anything. YOU absolutely pay extra to play any game of chance.
Lastly and this is a question. If you don't park a car you don't pay a parking fee?? Correct? Last time I was in Vegas I paid the resort fee whether or not I parked or ate breakfast and what tickles me is they tax your resort fee😜
When I go to Vegas I have no expectation of winning anything I just know there is a chance a possibility, I do receive the entertainment I expect and do not leave feeling ripped off. Lately after a Disney trip I feel ripped off, cheated, maybe my expectations are too high?
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
Well, they can leave Disney with money but they have to work for it. On the morning that I was going to fly back home the other week my wife wanted me to stop by the World of Disney store in Disney Springs and get her a Minnie Mouse T-shirt, similar to the Mickey Mouse version I bought on my last trip. I arrived at the store a little over 1/2 hour before it opened and there were at least 20 people already standing in line. By the time they opened the doors at 10:00am there were maybe 100 people in line. I thought that was strange but I didn't think much more about it.

Once inside the store, I found the closest shirt to what my wife wanted and texted her a pic. As I walked around the store and waited for a reply several workers mentioned various 50th Anniversary items on the shelves that were selling like hotcakes on eBay. $90 purple shirts going for $250, $50 Starbucks tumblers going for $150, etc. I started grabbing a few things and thought maybe I could pay for some of my trip when I got back home and sold them.

I was still waiting for a reply about the Minnie Mouse shirt and so I got on eBay to check what these things I had in my hands were actually selling for. Maybe they had sold for what the workers claimed the first few days of the 50th Anniversary but not anymore. Prices were $10-$15 plus shipping above what they were going to cost me. It wasn't worth my time and effort so I put them back. I can see some local residents going to that store each day, buying bags of 50th Anniversary stuff and making $10 or so profit per item and making some money if they sell a few dozen things back home each day but it wasn't for me.

However, there is the other story about when we were at Universal many years ago and I found a genuine Ben Franklin $100 bill laying on the ground as we walked through the park. That paid for 2 of our 3 park admissions that day. :)
Please don’t become a scalper. There are enough out there already.
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
Lately after a Disney trip I feel ripped off, cheated, maybe my expectations are too high?
Since you know the costs involved before you go, and since gambling isn’t part of the experience, could you clarify how you feel ripped off and cheated? I’m not trying to undermine your assessment, but understand it.
 

RoadiJeff

Well-Known Member
Just curious - when you looked at ebay, did you look at current auctions/listings in progress or completed ones? There’s a big difference.
I was checking the current offering prices for that day - some were auctions, some were Buy It Now. As I left the store empty handed (wife didn't want the Minnie Mouse shirt) I saw handfuls of people walking outside with large bags of Disney stuff, so I'm pretty sure they were going home and selling them on eBay or elsewhere. It just wasn't worth it to me.
 

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
There's no arguing that Disney has aggressively increased ticket prices; however, this is not exactly a fair comparison. That $3.50 only got you into the park - you had to pay extra to ride any rides. A better comparison point would be 1983 (when they started including rides with admission) when ticket prices were $15-$17 for adults and $12-$14 for children ($41-$47 and $33-$39 adjusted for inflation).
Even with having to buy tickets for the various attractions added to the park ticket wasn't much at all

A Ticket: 10 cents
B Ticket: 25 cents
C Ticket: 50 cents
D Ticket: 75 cents
E Ticket: 90 cents
 

Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
I was checking the current offering prices for that day - some were auctions, some were Buy It Now. As I left the store empty handed (wife didn't want the Minnie Mouse shirt) I saw handfuls of people walking outside with large bags of Disney stuff, so I'm pretty sure they were going home and selling them on eBay or elsewhere. It just wasn't worth it to me.
As someone who supported himself on ebay for a dozen years (not selling Disney stuff) always check the completed listings.

What someone is asking doesn’t mean much. What it actually sold for does. (Many auctions shoot up in price in the last seconds.)

I’m not encouraging anyone to add to the Disney merch problem, just speaking in general terms.
 

Lilofan

Well-Known Member
As someone who supported himself on ebay for a dozen years (not selling Disney stuff) always check the completed listings.

What someone is asking doesn’t mean much. What it actually sold for does. (Many auctions shoot up in price in the last seconds.)

I’m not encouraging anyone to add to the Disney merch problem, just speaking in general terms.
Tony in regards to selling and items shooting up in value, you perhaps experience this with clients but it seems like death sells when celebrities / musicians pass away , and sales of their merchandise go up.
 

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
But you continue to go to WDW so you must have a reason for going.
Actually on hold right now pending the grand children giving me a reason to go again. Grand children are the deciding factor for me right now, and, they are not very enthused to go to Disney right now but have expressed interest in Universal. Hmmmm?
 

ParentsOf4

Well-Known Member
Disney has never been affordable to everyone. Sorry I clearly remember many a person complaining about the cost in the 80s. One of the problems is that people view a Disney vacation as some sort of "right". That since they went as kids they should be able to go forever at a price they like or since they grew up with Walt, he somehow was a benevolent uncle , if Walt wanted to make it accessible for all families he should have kept it privately owned and gave away tickets.
They unfortunately now have stockholders who are the first priority.
I agree with @Tom P. It's simple. yes Disney current game plan is to get the most money legally possible from its guest. It's up to each guest to decide if the asking price is worth the product.
Disney World never was cheap but for its first 30 years, it was affordable.

For example, the first ticket I ever bought with my own money was a 3-day hopper in May 1983. I paid $35 (tax included) for that 3-day ticket, today’s equivalent of $96. $96 is not cheap but it is affordable. I was a student and part-time lifeguard making $3.75 per hour. (Minimum wage was $3.35.). Even I could afford a 3-day ticket which, at minimum wage, represented 10.4 hours of work.

Of course people complained about paying today’s equivalent of $96 for a ticket. That’s close to $400 for a family of four. No matter how you slice it, $400 is a lot of money.

But let’s look at a 3-day ticket today. Even a 3-day non-hopper is $445 or more! At today’s minimum wage, that represents an incredible 61.4 hours of work!

WDW never was cheap but it once was much more affordable.
 

lewisc

Well-Known Member
None of the above. DME, including luggage service, lack of housekeeping and parking lot trams are my issues.

Starcruiser is new immersive experience experience. It has no impact on other guests.

Parking fees should include trams
Room rates should include housekeeping .
A 2 night minimum should be disclosed, not discovered by trial and error
 

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