Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It used to be much moreso than it is now. And wasn’t labeled as such. A paradox.
…now I’ve gone cross eyed
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WSJ: Even Disney Is Worried About The High Cost Of A Disney Vacation (gift link)
- Thread starter lentesta
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Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
That’s a great way of putting it…
It’s a luxury spend…but not a luxury product
Econ 002 has served you well
DisneyHead123
Well-Known Member
I would say there are two common uses of the word “luxury”. One is “something you don’t need but want”, as in “I know every budget blog says to ditch Starbucks but I need my little luxuries” and the other is more a stylistic thing.
Stylistically, that second use of the word “luxury” invokes a certain snobbishness, the sense of belonging to an elite set, etc. There are plenty of things that are very expensive and provide great value that aren’t associated with that type of “luxury” - RVs, for example. And I don’t think that use of the word applies to Disney or should apply to Disney. No matter their income level, I don’t think that’s the vibe people are going for on a Disney vacation. It’s meant to represent many positive things - wholesomeness, Americana, playfulness, a focus on family, and so on, but I would never want Disney looking like an add for designer perfume, lol.
Stylistically, that second use of the word “luxury” invokes a certain snobbishness, the sense of belonging to an elite set, etc. There are plenty of things that are very expensive and provide great value that aren’t associated with that type of “luxury” - RVs, for example. And I don’t think that use of the word applies to Disney or should apply to Disney. No matter their income level, I don’t think that’s the vibe people are going for on a Disney vacation. It’s meant to represent many positive things - wholesomeness, Americana, playfulness, a focus on family, and so on, but I would never want Disney looking like an add for designer perfume, lol.
Chi84
Premium Member
I know. Someone uses the first definition for Disney and someone else responds that the second definition doesn’t apply.
I don’t think there’s any true disagreement here.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The tactic is where the disagreement lies…not with those definitions
LSLS
Well-Known Member
I didn't make the comment, but as someone who has been to OC Maryland each of the last two summers, that DEFINITELY qualifies. We aren't really planning to go back this summer, but I looked anyways for fun, and there is ONE place for rental under $1,100, and 3 others under $1,500. Hotels are really just budget lines/motels (again, all over $1,000.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
The first definition isn't really luxury. By that definition anything beyond food, water, a roof and a chamber pot would be a luxury. Everything beyond those is a discretionary expense. A cup of coffee is discretionary, Starbucks I guess could be considered a "luxury" to an extent but it is more just a "high end" cup of coffee.
A vacation where you stay at Motel 6 is not a necessity but is not a "luxury" vacation. The word implies high quality accommodations and service. If I choose to stay at the Grand Floridan instead of Motel 6 I'm expecting to pay a lot more to get a "luxury" experience.
I don't even know how any of Disney's theme parks could ever provide a truly "luxurious" experience. Even with LLPP there is still some waiting at the headliners and you still have to deal with walking through crowds. Something like Discovery Cove would be a "luxury" theme park experience.
Chi84
Premium Member
One of the definitions by Merriam-Webster is "something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary." Another is "an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction or ease."
The Cambridge Dictionary states one of the definitions as "something expensive that is pleasant to have but is not necessary." Another is "something that gives you a lot of pleasure but cannot be done often."
These are secondary but often-used definitions of luxury.
The only reason I point this out is people seem to be talking about two different things here.
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
I disagree. I think many, many people view any Disney vacation as a luxury vacation.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
That is thanks to great marketing. Nothing inside the parks is remotely luxurious save for maybe some TS dining.
Chi84
Premium Member
If you’re using luxury in terms of being opulent or sumptuous no TS dining inside the parks is luxurious.
Maybe a resort TS like V&A. The rest of the resort restaurants - FF and such - are better restaurants that are priced higher than they should be.
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
Every vacation, let alone one where you travel or fly, fits the definition of luxury.
Within the hotel/tourism industry, luxurious connotes a comparative extravagance (e.g. Four Seasons vs. Motel 6 or Extended Stay America). Where Disney resorts (at least the high end ones) fall on that spectrum is the real rub here.
Within the hotel/tourism industry, luxurious connotes a comparative extravagance (e.g. Four Seasons vs. Motel 6 or Extended Stay America). Where Disney resorts (at least the high end ones) fall on that spectrum is the real rub here.
Chi84
Premium Member
I wouldn’t call any of the Disney-owned resorts luxurious in that sense.
Seems to me people stay there because they’re on the monorail line or unique in some way (AKL).
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
I don’t disagree. But I suspect if you argued GF and Coronado Springs are anything less than luxurious (under the conventional definition) to some on this board they would jump down your throat.
flynnibus
Premium Member
It goes further than that.
Some think through prior expectations that someone says they are going to Disney and they are like "wow, big spender!" - because they are thinking Disney vacation vs some other alternative.. usually something without such travel.. like going to the local mountains, beach, etc.
Then there are some that really think Disney is "luxury" product.. because they've never really experienced what real luxury products are. They again, are comparing only against what they know.. like a regional park, or similar kind of experience.
What is common in all these things is a 'relative comparison' -- the thing is, what are you comparing against.. that's where usually things come off the rails because many truly don't have a good frame of reference.
DisneyHead123
Well-Known Member
It is a definition of the word luxury but maybe it depends on where you live? Some people might say “blessing”, “perk”, “indulgence”, “extra” etc. Like you could say having time for a long bath feels like a luxury, an indulgence, spoiling yourself, etc., even if it’s your kid’s leftover Mr. Bubbles in a tub you sorely need to clean, lol.
The ongoing debate on here has been whether or not Disney is trying to promote themselves as a “luxury” brand or market to the wealthy. I don’t agree with that theory although very occasionally they’ve done things that have made me wonder (the jet tour of all the Disney Parks that starts at six figures, the funnel suites on cruises, for example). For the most part I think they’ve kept the “vibe” of a Disney vacation very similar over the years, they just adjust the price based on demand.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
For me I can't get where many compare a Disney THEME PARK vacation to a cruise or a European vacation. They aren't even close. Price wise maybe but in terms of luxury, not a chance.
IMO Disney is a top tier THEME PARK that's more comparable to a Dollywood weekend but with better themed rides and a weeks worth of things to do instead of a weekend.
IMO Disney is a top tier THEME PARK that's more comparable to a Dollywood weekend but with better themed rides and a weeks worth of things to do instead of a weekend.
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
If you think WDW is a luxury vacation I got a luxury bridge to sell you
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
Perhaps I just use the term differently than some here. It wouldn't surprise me, since I think about many things differently than many people here.
For us, a Disney vacation is not something we can afford to do as a regular vacation spot every year. It takes lots of planning and saving for us to make it happen, which means it can be several years in between trips. While our family takes a vacation of some sort virtually every year, the Disney vacations are really special vacations for us, that nothing else we do really compares to in many ways.
So, yes, for us, Disney is a luxury vacation.
DisneyCane
Well-Known Member
I can see that perspective. However, the reason that it becomes a luxury for you is BECAUSE it is very expensive. It's not expensive because it's luxurious. If the pricing was more along the lines (relative to wages) as it was in the 80s then you could probably afford to visit more frequently.Perhaps I just use the term differently than some here. It wouldn't surprise me, since I think about many things differently than many people here.
For us, a Disney vacation is not something we can afford to do as a regular vacation spot every year. It takes lots of planning and saving for us to make it happen, which means it can be several years in between trips. While our family takes a vacation of some sort virtually every year, the Disney vacations are really special vacations for us, that nothing else we do really compares to in many ways.
So, yes, for us, Disney is a luxury vacation.
I do have a different perspective as a passholder that lives 3 hours away. For a relatively low, fixed yearly cost I can visit the parks for the cost of gas and tolls if I feel like waking up early and doing a single day round trip. I can also stay wherever is clean and not too expensive if I want to spend a night or two.