October 2025 Price Increases

[Sirwalterraleigh]

But was it ever accurate of Disney to describe its "deluxe" resorts as such?

Of course not…it was a marketing tool to serve their clientele and they know what makes them tick…not as much recently…but still

Everyone knows where the “categories”
Came from and the day it happened, right?

Everyone should…for sure

 

[LittleBuford]

Everyone knows where the “categories”
Came from and the day it happened, right?

I actually don't! I could trace it back to the mid-'90s but don't know when it started or why.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A lot of the blowback here happens because posters don't always read each other's words carefully and/or aren't satisfied with opinions that don't totally align with their own. The present discussion, in which all the participants fundamentally agree that Disney is expensive but not luxurious, is a good example of that.

That’s a chatboard/forum…always has been that way dating to when gore came
Down off the mountaintop with the first server in hand

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

But was it ever accurate of Disney to describe its "deluxe" resorts as such?

It’s become a circular conversation at this point.

I and many others recognize the terminology Disney is using and the message they are trying to convey.

It doesn’t click with you and others. And that’s fine. You view it your way and I’ll view it mine.

But if you’re expecting this type of perception of Disney to shrink or at some point vanish altogether. I’ve a feeling you are going to be disappointed.

 

[Chi84]

There are many unethical companies out there. To me banks are unethical and predatory. They get their hand slapped every now and again. But the day-to-day isn’t really impacted. Nobody is cracking down on their advertising.

Who gets to decide when it’s no longer accurate? We do. And with that we can abstain, temper our expectations, or just outright refuse to accept that it is no longer accurate.

All three of those classifications exist on this forum.

There’s a fourth classification; those who still find a great deal of enjoyment in WDW and pay what it costs to vacation there.

That last classification may not be heavily represented on this particular site but don’t kid yourself into thinking that people are under some weird compulsion to go to WDW despite not having a good time there.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I actually don't! I could trace it back to the mid-'90s but don't know when it started or why.

October 1, 1988

It’s a good lesson in marketing

On 9/30/88…Disney had no “categories”

3 hotels…poly contemp and the Disney inn…

The next day…they opened the grand and Caribbean…matched Caribbean to the Disney inn price and doubled the poly and Contemp with the grand slightly ahead

Boom…”luxury” was born

Also…several weeks earlier John Stamos played the bongos in a pink tank top on the beach (closed almost immediately due to red tide) out front of the yet to be opened grand in a beach boys video

 

[LittleBuford]

It’s become a circular conversation at this point.

I and many others recognize the terminology Disney is using and the message they are trying to convey.

It doesn’t click with you and others. And that’s fine. You view it your way and I’ll view it mine.

But if you’re expecting this type of perception of Disney to shrink or at some point vanish altogether. I’ve a feeling you are going to be disappointed.

None of this has anything to do with my question.

And I don't really understand your final point. Of course I don't expect the criticism of Disney to shrink or vanish. A huge company catering to millions of people is bound to be poorly perceived by many, especially when it raises prices to the extent Disney has.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

There’s a fourth classification; those who still find a great deal of enjoyment in WDW and pay what it costs to vacation there.

That last classification may not be heavily represented on this particular site but don’t kid yourself into thinking that people are under some weird compulsion to go to WDW despite not having a good time there.

IMO the fourth type (which you are correct about btw). Just laughs at threads like this.

The ones that abstain aren’t as engaged as they once were. I envision those types formulating a post and then thinking to themselves “What’s the use?” Then deleting it and going back to lurker mode.

The front lines are made up of the other two.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

None of this has anything to do with my question.

And I don't really understand your final point. Of course I don't expect the criticism of Disney to shrink or vanish. A huge company catering to millions of people is bound to be poorly perceived by many, especially when it raises prices to the extent Disney has.

Kinda reinforcing that whole “circular” thang in your response…

He saying “opinions vary” and im
Sure you understand that

 

[LittleBuford]

IMO the fourth type (which you are correct about btw). Just laughs at threads like this.

I'm guessing @Chi84 would identify as being in that fourth group. As would I.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

IMO the fourth type (which you are correct about btw). Just laughs at threads like this.

I wouldn’t continue visiting if I didn’t enjoy it. I’m not going to be miserable.

 

[Chi84]

I'm guessing @Chi84 would identify as being in the fourth group. As would I.

Absolutely. In my opinion Disney is much too expensive and complicated to go in with tempered expectations or feelings of disappointment.

But I’m sure others have good reasons for visiting even though they don’t feel it has value for them.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I wouldn’t continue visiting if I didn’t enjoy it. I’m not going to be miserable.

No one visiting with any regularity finds it “miserable”

I’m a huge critic and yet acknowledge that there are still very unique and enjoyable parts about it…

But it’s not all or nothing.

You don’t “hate it” if you point out diminished or bad offerings and express why you think it…you actually love the place on a different level

It does not require total submission and silence of critique to book a room and have the Mickey head extract money from you when it spins.

And if this feels redundant…it’s because this one has been typed many…many times before.

I’m still waiting to have someone invalidate my stance convincingly

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I'm guessing @Chi84 would identify as being in that fourth group. As would I.

And I identify (as I said before) in the group that feels Disney no longer provides the type of experience it once did. That it is vastly overpriced for the type of experience it delivers. And that my expectation of what the experience will be is not what it used to be.


That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy FoP or PotC or the Haunted Mansion. Just means it has become a normal vacation. No higher standard than spending a week in Vegas, Pigeon Forge or taking a 4 day trip to Montreal to catch a hockey game and eat at Gibby’s.

 

[Jrb1979]

I wouldn’t continue visiting if I didn’t enjoy it. I’m not going to be miserable.

That's the other thing. For those who still enjoy it will continue to do so til they don't like it don't find value. Then they will move on.
Many don't care about Iger, or the business side.

 

[LittleBuford]

And I identify (as I said before) in the group that feels Disney no longer provides the type of experience it once did. That it is vastly overpriced for the type of experience it delivers. And that my expectation of what the experience will be is not what it used to be.

I know you do. Again, nothing to do with my point!

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I know you do. Again, nothing to do with my point!

You haven’t made a point.

 

[LittleBuford]

You haven’t made a point.

You said that those in the fourth category would simply laugh at this thread, which I took to mean that you didn't think they would be participating in it (I'm sorry if I misunderstood; please do correct me if I did). My response was meant to point out that at least two of us "Group 4" people are here taking part in the discussion.

 

[Chi84]

And I identify (as I said before) in the group that feels Disney no longer provides the type of experience it once did. That it is vastly overpriced for the type of experience it delivers. And that my expectation of what the experience will be is not what it used to be.


That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy FoP or PotC or the Haunted Mansion. Just means it has become a normal vacation. No higher standard than spending a week in Vegas, Pigeon Forge or taking a 4 day trip to Montreal to catch a hockey game and eat at Gibby’s.

People are different. I wouldn’t pay those prices if it became just another vacation to me.

We tend to go with the family every other year so it has to be special and something everyone will love.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

People are different. I wouldn’t pay those prices if it became just another vacation to me.

We tend to go with the family every other year so it has to be special and something everyone will love.

For me it’s proximity. I’m 2 hours away. Don’t have to stay on property. And drive so I can explore a variety of dinning an entertainment options.

What has changed for me is that I exclusively used to stay and eat on
Property for the most part. Now, not so much. But the silver lining is I’ve gotten to experience things I otherwise wouldn’t have. So it’s not all bad. Disney just gets less of my money. But it still gets some.