News Disney Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro Says Pricing Model Aims to Keep Vacations Affordable for Families

[drizgirl]

I just love seeing people defend big corporations. Don't understand it one little bit.

 

[Laketravis]

"When pressed for further examples of affordability, Josh responded that Mickey Pretzels continue to be an excellent value for a family of four when they share one."

 

[Lilofan]

We use the bottle filling stations at the parks.

Whatever it takes to save $$ . Some don’t even bother but still complain about the prices.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The value for each $ spent by Disney theme park guests has been decreasing for years, and seems to be decreasing almost exponentially now. But thanks, Josh, for trying to gaslight us into thinking it' still affordable and a "great value".
“We know we’re delivering value because that’s what our guests tell us.” Did they just survey the Disney-bounding, "sooooooo magical!" pixie-duster moms?

Every consumer should be offended when a company tells you what their opinion is of their “value”

And it’s been tolerated when the emperor and his sock puppets have thrown it around for 10 years (and there’s a key part of history along those lines missing there as well)

They don’t determine their value. They have no say and no right to speak on it. The customer determines that. And they have gotten more and more frequency of negative business/travel press on that “metric”. It has accelerated in the last 5 years - for sure

 

[Lilofan]

I just love seeing people defend big corporations. Don't understand it one little bit.

Big corporations support the areas they are in and provide many jobs directly and indirectly tied into their industry. A number of CEOs are geeks and nerds. As one CEO said - be nice to nerds because one day you will be working for one.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

"When pressed for further examples of affordability, Josh responded that Mickey Pretzels continue to be an excellent value for a family of four when they share one."

How bad is it that I didn’t question this one for a second?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I just love seeing people defend big corporations. Don't understand it one little bit.

That’s not our job…and never was/will be

And I’m sure everyone who defends the monolith “loves” the “free market”, correct?

And that is key to a functioning market

 

[drizgirl]

Whatever it takes to save $$ . Some don’t even bother but still complain about the prices.

Filling a water bottle isn't a requirement for complaining about prices.

 

[drizgirl]

Every consumer should be offended when a company tells you what their opinion is of their “value”

And it’s been tolerated when the emperor and his sock puppets have thrown it around for 10 years (and there’s a key part of history along those lines missing there as well)

They don’t determine their value. They have no say and no right to speak on it. The customer determines that. And they have gotten more and more frequency of negative business/travel press on that “metric”. It has accelerated in the last 5 years - for sure

100%

 

[seabreezept813]

There’s a reason they are pricing the summer low(er) IMO Epic is part of it but also, it’s disgustingly hot and gets worse every year. It is only May and already in the mid 90s in Orlando. Every year it seems to get hotter, earlier. Who wants to be there in August? Even when I was a local, summer was definitely my least visited time and I assume many feel the same way. It’s just not fun when you are immediately suffocating from the heat and drenched in sweat. August and September are also prime hurricane time.

I get for some people it’s the only option, but there’s a reason it’s cheaper, both cash and DVC stays.

As regular August visitors (teacher here) this take always confuses me. We're from MA and it hardly ever feels hotter in Florida in August than it does in Ma in August. Summer is hot everywhere. Disney has so much AC and indoor options that it's much more pleasant than a day at 6 flags up here. I think because summer is already hot, it just doesn't feel that dramatic.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Hello, can I interest you in a $4 bottle of water or a $5.50 Coca Cola?

Throw in one of those fun size bag of stale cheez-its from the DVC lounges and you’ve got yourself a deal.

 

[Biff215]

If you continue to complain about pricing there are other FL options to take your money and or some families brown bag or line up with me at the water fountain to fill up the water bottle.

$4 water or line up with guests on line like myself at the water fountain to fill up empty water bottle. Cost -$0. Or ask a CM for a cup of ice water.

Go to Orlando premium outlets on International Drive and buy your Disney merch at non park prices.

Please give it up, you’re the one sounding ridiculous here. Of course everyone can find ways to save on their vacation. For most families though that doesn’t move the needle when it comes to affordability.

Plus you’re only proving our point on the value argument.

 

[JD80]

Please give it up, you’re the one sounding ridiculous here. Of course everyone can find ways to save on their vacation. For most families though that doesn’t move the needle when it comes to affordability.

Plus you’re only proving our point on the value argument.

Not sure what you're arguing here. The conversation is about affordability. A baseline WDW vacation is hotel and ticket costs. You can't control those.

Food and transportation are things you can control. When I think affordability I think of how to minimize cost just so you can access the entertainment at a minimum level. Thinks like better accomodations, ride skipping access, souvenirs are all extra.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

As regular August visitors (teacher here) this take always confuses me. We're from MA and it hardly ever feels hotter in Florida in August than it does in Ma in August. Summer is hot everywhere. Disney has so much AC and indoor options that it's much more pleasant than a day at 6 flags up here. I think because summer is already hot, it just doesn't feel that dramatic.

Similar here (from NY) and we go end of August a lot

In some ways easier to deal with heat in Florida as, at least mentally I am like "we are traveling south for vacation, it is supposed to be hot"

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As regular August visitors (teacher here) this take always confuses me. We're from MA and it hardly ever feels hotter in Florida in August than it does in Ma in August. Summer is hot everywhere. Disney has so much AC and indoor options that it's much more pleasant than a day at 6 flags up here. I think because summer is already hot, it just doesn't feel that dramatic.

I know it’s got everywhere in August m
But Highs of 98, lows of 84 and 80% RH?

…the cape doesn’t feel like that. It’s next level

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not sure what you're arguing here. The conversation is about affordability. A baseline WDW vacation is hotel and ticket costs. You can't control those.

Food and transportation are things you can control. When I think affordability I think of how to minimize cost just so you can access the entertainment at a minimum level. Thinks like better accomodations, ride skipping access, souvenirs are all extra.

Honestly…what kindergarten passed you?

You can’t not pay for food and travel…so there is a locked in cost whether you go big or small that’s mandatory

Everytime disney comments on “value”…they look stupid…because they can’t hide the disingenuous part of the commentary

Things weren’t always so…they absolutely should be doing (below) now…not fast tracking dvc trailer parks with $2000 annual dues…

 

[coffeefan]

Are we ignoring the cost of food, transportation, upcharges, etc?

“Great family vacation” is still debatable these days, even if you can find a half decent deal.

Do you not have transportation or food costs when you visit other places or even at home?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you not have transportation or food costs when you visit other places or even at home?

Yes…but I don’t need the guy selling the amusement Park tickets telling me not to worry about that

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Are we ignoring the cost of food, transportation, upcharges, etc?

“Great family vacation” is still debatable these days, even if you can find a half decent deal.

…that’s how the cherries are picked,baby

 

[DisneyHead123]

As regular August visitors (teacher here) this take always confuses me. We're from MA and it hardly ever feels hotter in Florida in August than it does in Ma in August. Summer is hot everywhere. Disney has so much AC and indoor options that it's much more pleasant than a day at 6 flags up here. I think because summer is already hot, it just doesn't feel that dramatic.

It depends on your age, health, and what part of the parks you’re visiting. My parents (in their 70s) got a bit ill walking around World Showcase midday in August and we’ve avoided summer months since then.

We’re almost traveling with one set of grandparents so thus far we’ve avoided summers, but if deals are still this good next year we might do a summer visit without extended family next year. I wouldn’t want to be in a shadeless area midday but I think if you’re strategic with park times it can be a lot of fun at a better price.