larryz
I'm Just A Tourist!
FTFY. The bread makes the po-boy. Anything else and it's just a hoagy/grinder/sub.
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Too much money and not worth it..
- Thread starter parkerthebarker
- Start date
larryz
I'm Just A Tourist!
Does Sharper Image have those?
unmitigated disaster
Well-Known Member
I hate to break this to you but most hospitality and service industry employees everywhere are doing what you call forced happy. And the crazy? Pretty much everywhere. You think that front desk agent at the Ritz-Carlton is really naturally that cheerful? That the waiter at the local Italian restaurant is always chipper and upbeat? Me, I can turn it off and on like that after so many years of working in both.
I'm just back from our 4th Visit after a gap of 5 years.
I was shocked at how much everything had increased, Uni for same tickets were 50% more!!
For 3 Adults (1x 10yr "Adult") and 1x Child it cost us circa £2,000 for 5 nights on iDrive, 2 Days No P2P at Uni, 2 Days Midday Magic No P2P and MNSSHP which I thought was utterly insane and certainly not value for money in any sense of the phrase.
Don't get me wrong we had a great time but it was so exhausting to the point we didn't stay to watch RoL or Galactic Spectacular even though we hadn't seen them before.
I was shocked at how much everything had increased, Uni for same tickets were 50% more!!
For 3 Adults (1x 10yr "Adult") and 1x Child it cost us circa £2,000 for 5 nights on iDrive, 2 Days No P2P at Uni, 2 Days Midday Magic No P2P and MNSSHP which I thought was utterly insane and certainly not value for money in any sense of the phrase.
Don't get me wrong we had a great time but it was so exhausting to the point we didn't stay to watch RoL or Galactic Spectacular even though we hadn't seen them before.
Know some people in the industry. They love going to happy hour after work to let loose after a stressful day dealing with guests.
DisneyPan
Active Member
I was an entertainment CM from '99-'05 splitting between WDW & DL. After that, I vowed never to pay for Disney again (using my friends to sign me in)... Then I ended up getting an AP for years. I thought I would never be disloyal to the place that brought so much happiness to me as a former CM and as a guest for decades (I'm an 80's kid).... However, it's not the same anymore. I agree the Iger era has swung the cost benefit ratio out of line. It doesn't provide me the same feelings/experience I used to have. I was going just to go and I wasn't getting anything out it.
That said I let my AP expire, I haven't been in a couple of years, and to be honest I don't miss it. I still listen to park music, talk about the "old days," but I don't miss the crowds, waiting in line for the same attractions I've been on 500 times. And now with the exorbitant price increases, I don't see the value...
Now, that doesn't mean I'm never going back. I didn't turn my back on Disney. I have too many years and memories invested. All I'm doing is taking a break until Disney changes their management. This year has been rough for Disney (opinions may vary). Between the Skyliner accident, bad PR, low crowds and the SWGE lackluster debut, it's been a wake up call. I'm not excited these things happened, but I feel the C suites needed this - take a breath, slow down and listen. I don't want Disney to fail or have bad publicity - I want them to listen, take risks, and have imagination. Customer demand is a whole different story...
So long story short - I actually feel free, and I'm doing other exciting things. I support your decision.
That said I let my AP expire, I haven't been in a couple of years, and to be honest I don't miss it. I still listen to park music, talk about the "old days," but I don't miss the crowds, waiting in line for the same attractions I've been on 500 times. And now with the exorbitant price increases, I don't see the value...
Now, that doesn't mean I'm never going back. I didn't turn my back on Disney. I have too many years and memories invested. All I'm doing is taking a break until Disney changes their management. This year has been rough for Disney (opinions may vary). Between the Skyliner accident, bad PR, low crowds and the SWGE lackluster debut, it's been a wake up call. I'm not excited these things happened, but I feel the C suites needed this - take a breath, slow down and listen. I don't want Disney to fail or have bad publicity - I want them to listen, take risks, and have imagination. Customer demand is a whole different story...
So long story short - I actually feel free, and I'm doing other exciting things. I support your decision.
NickMaio
Well-Known Member
9o
Honestly, I don't know why a non character meet spot is do expensive. The theming and food are ok.
And I think that's what Disney preys on. Orlando proper (well let's say the I-Drive corridor and surrounding areas) have really stepped up in the way of food, drink, and entertainment. It's a lot different from the "Redneck Riviera" that it was, say, 15 years ago. Sadly, Disney has forced me to explore off property more. Obviously price is a factor, but it is value and quality that really drive that decision. That being said, it's opened my eyes a bit to other things. So there is a silver lining.
Baguette. It is the "French Quarter" after all. But then again, the architecture there does have a lot of Spain in it. I'm just glad it's available before 10pm . But then again, if it were the Spanish, it would come with a very, very, very large glass of wine (like a Big Gulp). So, I'm kind'a torn.
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BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
Disney prices most definitely have gotten out of control. We buy less and less stuff at the parks with each trip; so much so that we got a couple of T-shirts and a bubble wand on the last trip and that's it. With the upcoming trip I suspect we'll be buying even less. Food is a bit of a... Requirement, but we'll be keeping that in check too. We used to do a couple of ADRs per day; we're down to one and will likely cut some here and there. Then there's the cost of entry. I resorted to buying 14-day Ultimate Tickets from the UK when even Underground Tourist and the like were too much. Between the cost breakdown for our ten day trip and the (then) excellent exchange rate, it was a no-brainer.
I suspect it will be quite a few years before we go again - certainly not before all the construction dies down.
I suspect it will be quite a few years before we go again - certainly not before all the construction dies down.
Patcheslee
Well-Known Member
On the food prices it may just be me being use to our local park, but they seem in line with what I'm use to seeing. Is it high priced for what we're getting? Yes. At the same time a burger and fries at Kings Island without the drink is $13.49, another $3.99 for a soda. Seems more theme park prices in general are high unfortunately.
Sonconato
Well-Known Member
As someone who has been going to the parks for 45 years, these are the same thoughts I've been having. I have seen the good and the bad. It seems that the mentality these days is to cut as much as possible, and that can get on your nerves. The Disney experience is so scheduled these days, I can't tell you how many times I have heard parents yelling at their kids to go to the bathroom so that they can get to their reservations and fastpasses. I'll tell you it's become a bad environment to be in.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I've never been much for souvenirs but I do buy T-shirts that I wear everyday since my retirement. I spent an hour and a half in World of Disney on my last trip, wandering around, waiting for my sister to show up and found nothing at all that interested me much less made me willing to spend that much money for it. Since I do stay offsite (on I-drive this time) I wandered off to 192 to my favorite gift shop and bought one Disney T and one Orlando T and that was that. More a clothing purchase then a souvenir. Sort of a multi-tasker. On Disney property that same Disney T was $28.00, in the gift shop $14. Walmart and Targets in Orlando and Kissimmee all carry them. Real official Disney T's.
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Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
This was a no character spot that morning. I don't know if they do at other times or not.
eliza61nyc
Well-Known Member
We change up. Now we are dvc so it makes going a bit easier, we no longer do 10 days.
This year we did Greece. We also love the beach. My budget is very general, we do like deluxe accomodations and sit down so that lends a bit to the price tag. I budget about 1000-3000 per person depending on the location.
The buy buy buy mentality never bothers me, I mean the entire economy is based on consumerism and I remember my first trip, lol we brought so much junk. I think that's pretty normal.
Last, I find the internet is my friend. Prices haven't shocked me because by the time I get to the world I've looked up the food prices.
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HongKongFu
Well-Known Member
You have told us absolutely nothing.
Unless you specify which resort and which level of room and the pricing, you said nothing about the conversation regarding "too much money and not worth it".
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
There's some great food at Disney, but it's mainly at table service restaurants. The meal I had at Flying Fish was one of the better meals I've had anywhere (and yes, I'm pretty well traveled so it's not like I'm comparing it to Chili's). I've also had some excellent brisket at Polite Pig in Disney Springs, and the Boma breakfast buffet is fantastic. Be Our Guest, on the other hand, is incredibly overpriced and you're essentially just paying for the theming -- which is good, but not as good as I was expecting. I don't plan on ever eating there again.
Personally, I don't think the food prices are that bad. They're more or less in line with what I regularly pay for meals where I live (Atlanta) -- the quick service is slightly more expensive, but not significantly so (for the better items... some of the stuff like chicken fingers are definitely overpriced at Disney).
I think if you live places like Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, etc. the prices don't seem as bad as they do to people living in smaller cities like Greensboro or Rochester, and I'm sure it gets even worse as the population decreases.
Personally, I don't think the food prices are that bad. They're more or less in line with what I regularly pay for meals where I live (Atlanta) -- the quick service is slightly more expensive, but not significantly so (for the better items... some of the stuff like chicken fingers are definitely overpriced at Disney).
I think if you live places like Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, etc. the prices don't seem as bad as they do to people living in smaller cities like Greensboro or Rochester, and I'm sure it gets even worse as the population decreases.
HongKongFu
Well-Known Member
Exactly..........was it Pecos Bill or Cali Grill or food carts selling popcorn. Again, without specifics this entire post is meaningless.
Much-Pixie-Dust
Well-Known Member
To the OP, sorry your trip didn’t meet your expectations. That’s always a bummer, regardless of where you or how much you spend.
Up until this year, my family of 3 has gone twice a year for the last decade. We travel to other destinations too. Travel is important to us and is a line item on our budget. We didn’t go to Disney this year bc life circumstances have changed. My kiddo started high school this. Along with it came a higher tuition (private, not public), sports schedule, and more rigid schedule. My parent has cancer and lives several hundreds of miles from me. So right now, all of my travel goes to visit him.
Disney is expensive, but I am finding all the others places I travel to be going up in price too. We average about $5-6,000 on a Disney trip, including airfare and everything else. Sometimes a bit more and sometimes a bit less. Trips range from 5-14 days, but budget doesn’t change that much (however what we do changes). We always rent a car, eat at both parks and off property, and aren’t into a lot of souvenirs. We also go to Target and load up on breakfast food, snacks and supplies. We value accommodations and experiences. Some of those experiences include up charged events. We love Wild Africa Trek and have done it several times. We liked having a private fireworks cruise at Epcot. I pay for the “clamshell” at TL because I love to watch the wave pool and I don’t want to have to search for a place to sit.
My family loves Disney and we do find value in it. We like our park days and the ones where we explore the resort and lounge at pool. We enjoy Disney and find value in going there because we make great memories. I hope your family made some great memories on your trip, despite its shortcomings.
Up until this year, my family of 3 has gone twice a year for the last decade. We travel to other destinations too. Travel is important to us and is a line item on our budget. We didn’t go to Disney this year bc life circumstances have changed. My kiddo started high school this. Along with it came a higher tuition (private, not public), sports schedule, and more rigid schedule. My parent has cancer and lives several hundreds of miles from me. So right now, all of my travel goes to visit him.
Disney is expensive, but I am finding all the others places I travel to be going up in price too. We average about $5-6,000 on a Disney trip, including airfare and everything else. Sometimes a bit more and sometimes a bit less. Trips range from 5-14 days, but budget doesn’t change that much (however what we do changes). We always rent a car, eat at both parks and off property, and aren’t into a lot of souvenirs. We also go to Target and load up on breakfast food, snacks and supplies. We value accommodations and experiences. Some of those experiences include up charged events. We love Wild Africa Trek and have done it several times. We liked having a private fireworks cruise at Epcot. I pay for the “clamshell” at TL because I love to watch the wave pool and I don’t want to have to search for a place to sit.
My family loves Disney and we do find value in it. We like our park days and the ones where we explore the resort and lounge at pool. We enjoy Disney and find value in going there because we make great memories. I hope your family made some great memories on your trip, despite its shortcomings.
NickMaio
Well-Known Member
Nope..they never do character dining at BOG.
It's as expensive as other character meet and greets though.
With ok food.