October 2025 Price Increases

[Chi84]

When things are marketed in tiers and with classifications like "Deluxe", that offer club level rooms and concierge services.
To go along with "Exclusive Bungalows" and "private fireworks shows" that supplement the "VIP Experience of a private all access tour" that is not accessible to the regular Joe without a hefty investment. And you can combine that with "Special Event Access", "Signature Restaurants" and "Exclusive Experiences"...on and on and on...

Sometimes when a skunk walks into a room, you don't need people yelling "Look. A skunk" - in order to be made aware of its presence.

Many of those words are used so frequently that they have no meaning. Like a deluxe cheeseburger from some fast food place.

There certainly are upgraded experiences at Disney such as VIP tours and better restaurants that are available to purchase if you like. Apparently the very expensive breakfast with Santa is selling out fast.

But at the end of the day no one is getting or expecting an elegant or extremely comfortable experience at a theme park. At best they’re paying to be less uncomfortable than they would in an ordinary theme park.

Disney is offering a pretty standard experience (that can be upgraded in some instances) at ridiculously high prices that fewer and fewer people can afford.

 

[Chi84]

I don't think that at all.
Here is what I'm saying. Disney is not a luxury vacation. It's luxury in price only. I know there is a difference.
Disney isn't selling the promise of luxury but at the same time they are pricing it like they are a luxurious vacation.
That's the point some are making. They people they priced out were the ones that liked the Disney product. Unfortunately those who they are trying to go after now, don't give a rats about Disney.

You never indicated that you think that way but it’s a good summary of the posts he is referring to.

 

[Jrb1979]

Many of those words are used so frequently that they have no meaning. Like a deluxe cheeseburger from some fast food place.

There certainly are upgraded experiences at Disney such as VIP tours and better restaurants that are available to purchase if you like. Apparently the very expensive breakfast with Santa is selling out fast.

But at the end of the day no one is getting or expecting an elegant or extremely comfortable experience at a theme park. At best they’re paying to be less uncomfortable than they would in an ordinary theme park.

Disney is offering a pretty standard experience (that can be upgraded in some instances) at ridiculously high prices that fewer and fewer people can afford.

Bolded is the problem. They are pricing themselves as equal to River Cruise or a week in St Lucia.

 

[LittleBuford]

I don't think that at all.
Here is what I'm saying. Disney is not a luxury vacation. It's luxury in price only. I know there is a difference.
Disney isn't selling the promise of luxury but at the same time they are pricing it like they are a luxurious vacation.
That's the point some are making. They people they priced out were the ones that liked the Disney product. Unfortunately those who they are trying to go after now, don't give a rats about Disney.

I didn't mean you! I understand the point you're making, though I don't fully agree with it.

 

[Chi84]

Bolded is the problem. They are pricing themselves as equal to River Cruise or a week in St Lucia.

Disney is not for people looking for a luxurious experience. It’s for people who want to go to Disney’s theme parks and don’t mind paying higher and higher prices. I don’t think anyone is confused by the pricing.

 

[LittleBuford]

When things are marketed in tiers and with classifications like "Deluxe"

They've been using that terminology since at least the '90s, which undermines your point, since, according you and others, the issue is a recent one.

 

[Jrb1979]

I didn't mean you! I understand the point you're making, though I don't fully agree with it.

I understand what you're saying. Just cause they price themselves as luxury vacation doesn't mean they are a luxury vacation.
My response is then don't price yourselves as one if you aren't one.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just officially…cause I probably said it 5,000 times (low end)

My stance is this:
Disney is not…nor ever was…”affordable”for everyone. Nope.
All travel is a “luxury” in that sense. It’s not a necessity. So it does fit definition 1 in the OE Dic…

But…within the travel market…its own ecosphere…it is not “luxury”…not a luxury item.
Not conceived, built, or operated that way…and the notion they can “flip a switch”…because cable collapsed…ain’t gonna work

That might be definition 3?

Too lazy to look it up. Watching Bernie and AOC…it’s got an “only murders in the building”’kinda vibe

 

[Miss Bella]

IMO a luxury vacation is a river cruise, a week in the Maldives or the Mediterranean. A theme park is not even close to that and shouldn't be priced like that.

A week in the med or maldives isn't necessarily luxurious. It depends on where you stay, what you eat and what you do. In some ways you could say the same thing about a theme park.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Disney is offering a pretty standard experience

Agreed

at ridiculously high prices

Agreed, again.


Let me ask you (keeping Disney out of it), if you won a prize and the prize was defined as "A 7 Night Stay at Deluxe accomodations where you will enjoy signature dinning and exclusive experiences while shopping at stores that offer Limited Edition collectibles and special after hours access to amenities. ---- You thinking a glorified motor lodge with over priced food, a parade, and hat with Mickey ears? Or are you thinking Bora Bora?

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

They've been using that terminology since at least the '90s, which undermines your point, since, according you and others, the issue is a recent one.

It actually reinforces the point. This is the terminology they are using more and more to justify the higher prices.

 

[LittleBuford]

You’re in the ballpark…

But be direct…don’t do the “some people” act. The last time I recall that it didn’t go well.

It’s beneath you…really is.

Do you think I'm referring to you? Because I'm not. We may disagree on much else, but we share the opinion that a Disney trip is in no way luxurious, even if it is expensive.

Individually, I've been direct with the posters I'm referring to, responding to their posts by quoting them. If I'm referring to them collectively, however, "some people" is a perfectly appropriate formulation to use.

 

[LittleBuford]

It actually reinforces the point. This is the terminology they are using more and more to justify the higher prices.

Yes, but it was in use back in what is being treated as the pre-price-hike golden age. And by the same token, I could point out that they're still referring to "value resorts", further undercutting the notion that WDW as a whole is being marketed as luxurious.

 

[LittleBuford]

I would love to know what everyone's definition of a luxury vacation is?

For me, somewhere fancy and exclusive, where dinner involves dress codes and changes of cutlery. Plastic forks and ear hats definitely aren't it!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you think I'm referring to you? Because I'm not. We may disagree on much else, but we share the opinion that a Disney trip is in no way luxurious, even if it expensive.

I've been direct with the posters I'm referring to, responding to their posts by quoting them. If I'm referring to them collectively, "some people" is a perfectly appropriate formulation to use.

Honestly…it doesn’t matter if it’s me…

Just respond to the direct comments as they are said…

Not the Spectre of “some”…
And i know i do it too…but i shouldn’t and will try to eliminate that habit

 

[Miss Bella]

For me, somewhere fancy and exclusive, where dinner involves dress codes and changes of cutlery. Plastic forks and ear hats definitely aren't it!

You can find those kind of restaurants in every city.

 

[LittleBuford]

I understand what you're saying. Just cause they price themselves as luxury vacation doesn't mean they are a luxury vacation.
My response is then don't price yourselves as one if you aren't one.

While I certainly agree that some of their prices too high, I actually consider park tickets a good value relative to my other outlays in life (including money spent on essentials like groceries). That's subjective, of course, but I personally feel I get more than my money's worth.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You can find those kind of restaurants in every city.

Sporks and Burger King crowns?

 

[Miss Bella]

I spent 2 weeks in Japan this year. We had a great time. I'm not sure I would consider it luxurious. Exotic location to some people. A unique experience for sure.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Yes, but it was in use back in what is being treated as the pre-price-hike golden age. And by the same token, I could point out that they're still referring to "value resorts", further undercutting the notion that WDW as a whole is being marketed as luxurious.

I'm the fist one to agree that Disney isn't luxury.

But the undertones and the buzzwords they use to justify $1000 a night rooms, $200 day tickets, $5,000 drinks, surge pricing, pay-per-ride attractions, overpriced hard-ticket events, overpriced and portion reduced meals etc. They most certainly are conveying a luxury message.