LSLS
Well-Known Member
Funny enough, most theme parks. Six Flags/Cedar Fairs are cheaper now than they were 25 years ago (at least pass wise). Busch Gardens is less now than it was 8 years ago as well. I'm pretty sure Sea World is the same.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Len Testa - “Disney positions itself as the all-American vacation. The irony is that most Americans can’t afford it.”
- Thread starter Disstevefan1
- Start date
AidenRodriguez731
Well-Known Member
And I can tell you that guest experience keeps nose diving as they penny pinch in every other way they can. $18 chicken tenders, making you pay separate for haunted houses, tearing down their most unique rides, and making prices super loosely goosey with them saying they want to prioritize the “premium market” while not offering any premium experience. Their CEO’s keep changing because the parks are not doing well at all. They are closing down parks. Let’s not pretend like six flags is in a steady spot. They are rocky at best right now
Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
We just went to Legoland Florida for the first time in July. It was an overall positive experience, but the price was not far from a Disney trip with a noticeable difference in service and quality of the experience. The quick service spots were clearly understaffed and every spot sells very expensive chicken tenders that are objectively not great.
LSLS
Well-Known Member
Oh they are a mess, in large part for exactly that (insert your own comment about following the leaders). But point still stands that in those places, pricing is funny enough down. They were onto something in that when Disney started really laying into letting the service and perks of the parks go, Cedar Fairs upped their game. Then crashed it all down in like 1 or 2 years.
AidenRodriguez731
Well-Known Member
I feel simply put much more secure and well-treated on Disney property. Perhaps that’s part of the cast members but every cast member I’ve interacted with in recent memory has been an absolute delight. On our Disney cruise, I was treated to some of the best service I’ve ever had and had a ton of fun moments with the cast recognizing me everywhere ( I have very distinct features), me and the cast were singing poor unfortunate souls together as a duet randomly waiting to get into the theater. I’ve gotten a good amount of free stuff from cast members (last trip I got a free refillable popcorn bucket, sometimes I get a free pin or smth from the pin board as well)
At Six Flags, basically everyone is a super underpaid high school kid. You don’t get that level of theming or service which I think is a massive decline for not a massive price difference
WDW cast members are great. I cant remember ever having a bad interaction with any cast member in the decades we have visited WDW and I can remember several extra special cast member interactions.
Cast members are not the issue.
The ever increasing prices for the same or lesser offerings is the issue in my opinion.
Splash4eva
Well-Known Member
Vacations…. Pretty sure Six Flags is not a vacation
Be careful.... The same question can be asked about WDW.
Splash4eva
Well-Known Member
This is extremely true. Disney is anythng but a vacation hahahaBe careful.... The same question can be asked about WDW.
If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Cedar Point, Knotts Berry Farm can definitely be a long weekend vacation. Same can be said to Dollywood.
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
That's been happened for years though ... I remember being in the herds of people going for paper fast pass for Toy Story Mania and overheard one guy says "some vacation huh?" And another responded "this isn't a vacation, it's a trip to Disney!"
Splash4eva
Well-Known Member
Totally agree with you on that. Right or wrong its the way the go imo.If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
Splash4eva
Well-Known Member
Listen. I dk the price of Every destination in the world all im saying is this from my experience and those of close family and friends every place that people go to is expensive and has seen price increases for the most part. Are there discounts and exceptions to the rule? Im sure but lets face it. Disney is guilty of many things but singling them out as the ones who are raising prices to me is unfair. This is like the 4th different “hit piece” on them
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
Though there has most certainly been a shift in park touring. I noticed it when I went to Epic.
Years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed the first time I meandered through the Boardwalk area, slowly taking in the details.
With Epic though, I kinda strarted the day in 2025Disney mode: using the app to minimize waits, but rushing from ride to ride.
In the afternoon though, I slowed down so I could take in all the details. Glad I did. It was fun to discover all sorts of fun details.
I've been going to WDW since the early 70's, and some strategy has always been part of park touring, but (in the past) we only did it for a few rides. Most of the day our pace was more relaxed, especially in Epcot.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
In some ways yes, but in some ways it is sometimes fun just to be near the rush. In the middle of a place where things are happening.If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
Other times, the thrill of rushing/doing is the fun. Like a day where I'm in MK until 1am. I love walking IN the park near parade time, going upstream, when most park goers are leaving MK. Or at least that's fun when MK is open late. After that, the only priority is jogging down the hill in the LL of Space Mtn. Well, that and riding HM around midnight. HM is best at midnight.
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
It's funny as I have started to slow down a lot more at Disney and not stress and just take what I get.
Was at Epcot last week and only did a handful or rides and strolled WS, last time in MK we did get LLMP but would just pick a next ride after we used one, never spent more than 30 secs on my phone at a time. Just has become easier
Epic on the other hand we knew we only had one day so did do a lot of rushing to get in what we could - I am sure over time if we even go back we will learn to take is easier there too
I am sure folks that only come every 3-5 years to WDW or whatever feel like they have to rush more though
jah4955
Well-Known Member
adrenaline can help too!If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
If we are truthful to ourselves, we spend all this money, do all the planning, deal with all the stress to prepare for our WDW vacation, that once there, if we relax, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH, so we go all out to do the most at WDW!
Then we get home from our vacation and need a vacation to recover from our vacation.
Then you are discussing the valuation of a single trip of whatever duration, while my wife and I discuss its value in terms of what we get for a years worth of trips. that's a juxtaposition between a Disney Death March where value seeking means rope drop to close maximizing the number of things across all the parks verses targeting experiences and seasonal offerings. Quantity vs quality. Run through everything quickly as possible or stop and smell the roses and look at the details.
If you pick the right time of year where its still hot, rainy, and the majority of kids are still in the first weeks of school like we did the last two weeks (yes you have to dodge hurricanes and tropical storms) the parks can be fairly empty so you can knock out a full park before noon. It was miserable as it was 20+ years ago so we'll be sticking to our late F&W, F&G and toss a few more outside of Summertime.