Being a Florida Resident

[ULPO46]

Let's be honest, one of the greatest perks about being a Florida Resident is, we don't have State, county, or local taxes. Although we have Sales tax as any other state in the union, you don't get screwed when you work in another city and county and have to pay those right to work in that city tax. Where am i going with this. As expensive as Disney, Seas, and Universal Florida Annual rates are going. These theme parks are the reason why we don't have extreme taxes. You don't have to go to the parks but the parks in essence are where you get the freedom of not having state tax. A few years ago i wrote a thread about how much was too much. And although it drew criticism, i was right and saw the price increase overtime. Indeed there are a ton of new offers and expansion happening all across the I-4 tourist Corridor, but i also understand that salaries aren't going up for the vast majority of florida residents. Is it Financial Bias to stop the poor from being able to afford annual passes, yes an no. The reason being TWDC wants the flow of the parks to be more dispersed. Although a vast majority of guest at the MK can be foreigners and out of Florida state US Citizens, the vast majority of day to day guest are Florida residents. Once it looked great on Excel Spreadsheet, but today it affects the livelihoods of families that wish they could afford to take their kids to Disney. It's not entitlement to the newer generations or the luxury of affording Disney. Because Disney was always meant for a safe, fun place to spend time with families. Where do i want to take this thread, as a quasi appreciation for not being taxed to my teeth, for being grateful i work with great people to put smiles on little kids face, and to voice my concern that even as an employee, i too think its expensive for lesser income families.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Lets be honest... ANYONE that wants to go to Disney can go IF they want to save for it. I dont care what income level you are at. Save, sacrifice, budget. We all do that to different levels in our lives and for all kinds of reasons other than vacationing. Disney doesnt lock anyone out, families lock themselves out by choosing to spend their money in other ways. Sure, there are families who decide a more costly resort isnt in their budget and will never afford to spend time at GF, but they have other choices. I have to choose at what level and amount I will save for and I do it, no different for me or anyone else. My priorities and desires drive my level of sacrifice to afford my vacation. I happen to have the willpower to save instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on.

 

[Phonedave]

I would not go far as to say ANYONE can go if they save. There are families out there that are barely making their rent and food bills. Forget all the things you mentioned like cars, clothes, etc. There are people out there that live paycheck to paycheck, pay for rent and unhealthy food (because, ironicaly enough, healthy food costs more) and that's about it. I would venture that if they had any money saved, maybe healthcare would be something on their radar, before a trip to WDW.

As far as taxes are concerned. New Hampshire has no income tax or sales tax - they do tax interest and dividend income, but not your salary. New Hampshire also does not have any huge parks like WDW (they do have bunch of smaller ones - but they are seasonal, and quite nice). So what do they have? Well, the state owns all of the liquor stores in NH. Beer and wine is sold in grocery stores, but if you want hard liquor, well, the State sells that to you.

-dave

 

[epcotisbest]

Lets be honest... ANYONE that wants to go to Disney can go IF they want to save for it. I dont care what income level you are at. Save, sacrifice, budget. We all do that to different levels in our lives and for all kinds of reasons other than vacationing. Disney doesnt lock anyone out, families lock themselves out by choosing to spend their money in other ways. Sure, there are families who decide a more costly resort isnt in their budget and will never afford to spend time at GF, but they have other choices. I have to choose at what level and amount I will save for and I do it, no different for me or anyone else. My priorities and desires drive my level of sacrifice to afford my vacation. I happen to have the willpower to save instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on.

Wow.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

"Too expensive" is subjective. Chef Mickey did a great job outlining comparative value on another thread. Disney is not "too" expensive.

 

[rob0519]

Lets be honest... ANYONE that wants to go to Disney can go IF they want to save for it. I dont care what income level you are at. Save, sacrifice, budget. We all do that to different levels in our lives and for all kinds of reasons other than vacationing. Disney doesnt lock anyone out, families lock themselves out by choosing to spend their money in other ways. Sure, there are families who decide a more costly resort isnt in their budget and will never afford to spend time at GF, but they have other choices. I have to choose at what level and amount I will save for and I do it, no different for me or anyone else. My priorities and desires drive my level of sacrifice to afford my vacation. I happen to have the willpower to save instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on.

The view must be nice from up on that high horse. No, Disney does not lock anyone out, but "instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on." Really? There are plenty of people who don't buy those things because their money barely covers, shelter, utilities, heat, food and minimal clothing. There IS no more money to save. Let's be honest. YOU appear to have no clue of what it's like to be unemployed or severely underemployed in America.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

The view must be nice from up on that high horse. No, Disney does not lock anyone out, but "instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on." Really? There are plenty of people who don't buy those things because their money barely covers, shelter, utilities, heat, food and minimal clothing. There IS no more money to save. Let's be honest. YOU appear to have no clue of what it's like to be unemployed or severely underemployed in America.

OK.. Let's say I want to take my family to Manhattan to see the lighting of the tree in early December. Maybe while I'm there I want to take them to a (meaning singular) show on Broadway and catch a decent meal or two in the city (I'd probably outspend my Disney budget----which has been the case on a number of occasions). So I guess NYC would fall into the same "high horse" category......yes? Shall we talk about Breckenridge, or Vail? How about a European trip to Berlin,Madrid or Champs de Elysee? Disney is still a reasonably priced vacation....whether you want to accept that fact or not.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Wow.

Wow, I guess some have never been in the position that they earn enough to make it from month to month and if there is some extra it certainly would not be spent on the high price Disney ticket but more at a local theme park or carnival to treat the family to something special.
There was a time in my life where there wasn't enough money to get by on.
Yes Disney is reasonable priced sure but it depends on your financial ability and priority.

 

[rob0519]

OK.. Let's say I want to take my family to Manhattan to see the lighting of the tree in early December. Maybe while I'm there I want to take them to a (meaning singular) show on Broadway and catch a decent meal or two in the city (I'd probably outspend my Disney budget----which has been the case on a number of occasions). So I guess NYC would fall into the same "high horse" category......yes? Shall we talk about Breckenridge, or Vail? How about a European trip to Berlin,Madrid or Champs de Elysee? Disney is still a reasonably priced vacation....whether you want to accept that fact or not.

If you're living paycheck to paycheck, or are unemployed or are even less fortunate, Applebee's could be be a "high horse destination".
Disney may be a "reasonably priced vacation", but if you're walking several miles to work because you can't afford bus fare, it's far from reasonable.

You obviously misunderstood my intent. I was commenting on the OP's obvious lack of compassion for those less fortunate than him and also his lack of just how devastating it can be to be poor. I've been on both sides of this equation and can tell you for a long, long time, Disney was an impossibility for us.

 

[ULPO46]

If you're living paycheck to paycheck, or are unemployed or are even less fortunate, Applebee's could be be a "high horse destination".
Disney may be a "reasonably priced vacation", but if you're walking several miles to work because you can't afford bus fare, it's far from reasonable.

You obviously misunderstood my intent. I was commenting on the OP's obvious lack of compassion for those less fortunate than him and also his lack of just how devastating it can be to be poor. I've been on both sides of this equation and can tell you for a long, long time, Disney was an impossibility for us.

I have compassion, but as an employee I see it first hand, i know even members of my own family who are so full of themselves that they take vacations when they don't even have the money. Again it was never my intention to spark a debate on the poor. This was and foremost as the title states about why we should be grateful about disney for not having a state income tax. I know there are poor, even when Walt Disney opened Disneyland, there where people who could not afford the cross country trip to Anaheim to visit the park, there are always going to be people less socioeconomically fortunate than the people on this forum who visit often or live next door to the parks. What i meant by this posting is how people complain that the prices go up, but don't realize because of that, they don't have to pay a state tax. Not everyone in Florida is poor, and not everyone in florida likes disney, but what we can all agree on is that thanks to the toursit industry, the state economy is ok. Because lets be honest the tech industry is all but gone from Florida. NASA is a joke, and i'm sorry but i still don't trust companies like SpaceX being the answer to this countries space program. I'm a proud Floridian and employee of the only company other than for NASA i ever wanted to work for. I get that not everyone will be able to afford Disney, but yet again not everyone in this state will be able to pay tomorrows rent or the gallon of milk they need for their kids. This is in no way a way of saying that poor are poor and shouldn't go to disney, i don't get how you assumed that, but its about how and why Floridians should be grateful about Disney even if the price hikes for residents can be and is unfair to our very own pathetic minimum wage.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Tell that to the starving people in africa dieing from the AIDS and Ebola epidemic. I'm sure that even people who can't afford life saving medications could go to Disney if they wanted!... I hope you understand that our health care in america causes addiction and substance abuse. Doctors prescribe opioid painkillers to patients and they become addicted, once the prescription ends they need more or look for a cheaper alternative (Heroin). Ironically Weed/Pot/Marijuana could be a substitute to ending the epidemic and not have the effect of addiction, however many people are uneducated about the substance. This epidemic of painkiller abuse isnt caused by the poor either, it's mainly white middle/upperclass families trying to relieve there pain, unfortunately they become addicted. Having will power has NOTHING to do with addiction, once you're hook, you need SERIOUS need of help.

Really... dying from aids... OK... poverty stricken mongolians cant go either, ... I can come up with some absurd examples too. I was talking about the typical American that most OP's bring up as being locked out of Disney. Substance abuse? Yeah I agree its a tough situation people get stuck in, but again, people choose to buy heroin or other drugs to keep their addictions going. As tough as it is to get clean, its their choice to do so ...theres help available to everyone but again they choose to avoid getting it. The point being they arent locked out of Disney, they are locking themselves out by their choices. As far as being poor... Ive been there, down on my luck with no money to pay bills, been there too. But I found ways to save and work to get things I wanted. America is a great country and no one is locked out unless they lock themselves out.

The view must be nice from up on that high horse. No, Disney does not lock anyone out, but "instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on." Really? There are plenty of people who don't buy those things because their money barely covers, shelter, utilities, heat, food and minimal clothing. There IS no more money to save. Let's be honest. YOU appear to have no clue of what it's like to be unemployed or severely underemployed in America.

High horse... no. I've been extremely poor and hit rock bottom in my life. Been unemployed/ underemployed.. looking for a job, killing myself to provide for my family. I know the struggle to survive. There is money to be made and opportunities to change your life around .... if one looks for them and works for them instead of giving up on themselves and take the road of relying on others to provide for them. Not all but many people saying they need assistance have given up on themselves and want to cry how bad they have it. Yeah... Ive been there and still have friends who wallow in their self pity preferring to refuse to help themselves out of a pit, not of their making. Again... anyone wanting to go to Disney can save for it... it may take years but they can do it if thats their dream. Not saying its an easy road for everyone but it is possible.

 

[raven]

Lets be honest... ANYONE that wants to go to Disney can go IF they want to save for it. I dont care what income level you are at. Save, sacrifice, budget. We all do that to different levels in our lives and for all kinds of reasons other than vacationing. Disney doesnt lock anyone out, families lock themselves out by choosing to spend their money in other ways. Sure, there are families who decide a more costly resort isnt in their budget and will never afford to spend time at GF, but they have other choices. I have to choose at what level and amount I will save for and I do it, no different for me or anyone else. My priorities and desires drive my level of sacrifice to afford my vacation. I happen to have the willpower to save instead of buying cell phones, costly footwear, cars, beer, liquor, cigarettes, pot, and on and on.

I believe what the OP was getting at is the cost of the parks keeping getting higher and higher and certain families in some income brackets that used to be able to get a pass can no longer afford it without having to give up even more things. It's not saying they are spending the money on other worldly possessions but if they want to continue to keep their passes they will have to give up everyday items like cutting back on food, gas, clothing and such.

It's no secret that in the past few years Disney has been aiming for guests with deeper pockets. Higher priced tickets, less offerings, extra ticket purchase for things that used to be included in hard ticket events, food prices getting higher while portions are getting smaller, starting special event MK parties weeks early to grab more money, etc.

I know Disney is a company and have every right to raise prices as high as they want but it's beginning to effect their image.

 

[Phonedave]

I believe what the OP was getting at is the cost of the parks keeping getting higher and higher and certain families in some income brackets that used to be able to get a pass can no longer afford it without having to give up even more things. It's not saying they are spending the money on other worldly possessions but if they want to continue to keep their passes they will have to give up everyday items like cutting back on food, gas, clothing and such.

It's no secret that in the past few years Disney has been aiming for guests with deeper pockets. Higher priced tickets, less offerings, extra ticket purchase for things that used to be included in hard ticket events, food prices getting higher while portions are getting smaller, starting special event MK parties weeks early to grab more money, etc.

I know Disney is a company and have every right to raise prices as high as they want but it's beginning to effect their image.

That's about how I feel. However, without sounding like I am braggng, I can afford WDW. It's not a drop in the bucket, but it is something that is accomplished without having to use credit, or to save for multiple years. But, as I said, it's not a drop in the bucket, it is a significant outlay of cash for me, and not something that I take lightly. WDW prices have gone up - well in excees of inflation while at the same time, the product has either stagnated or declined. I am a capatlist at heart, and I don't fault TDC for trying to get as much cash as possible. But, I am also a consumer, and will vote with my wallet, WDW not longer gets as many of my vacation dollars as it used to - plain and simple. The value, for me, is not there. Going to WDW now feels like a cash grab. WDW may be making record profits as of late, and if so, good for them, but the share of those profits that I contribute to has diminished.


-dave

 

[raven]

That's about how I feel. However, without sounding like I am braggng, I can afford WDW. It's not a drop in the bucket, but it is something that is accomplished without having to use credit, or to save for multiple years. But, as I said, it's not a drop in the bucket, it is a significant outlay of cash for me, and not something that I take lightly. WDW prices have gone up - well in excees of inflation while at the same time, the product has either stagnated or declined. I am a capatlist at heart, and I don't fault TDC for trying to get as much cash as possible. But, I am also a consumer, and will vote with my wallet, WDW not longer gets as many of my vacation dollars as it used to - plain and simple. The value, for me, is not there. Going to WDW now feels like a cash grab. WDW may be making record profits as of late, and if so, good for them, but the share of those profits that I contribute to has diminished.


-dave

It is very sad that this is what WDC has come to after growing up loving the company and going to the parks. I can afford it too but choose not to for the same reason. And I can no longer fully enjoy it when I'm there without thinking what else I will have to give up in the future just to visit.

I saw a receipt on the ground near Palm Parkway yesterday that someone dropped. It was for two single day tickets to the parks. Poor chap dropped $224 just to be able to walk in the gates with someone for a single day.

 

[Phonedave]

It is very sad that this is what WDC has come to after growing up loving the company and going to the parks. I can afford it too but choose not to for the same reason. And I can no longer fully enjoy it when I'm there without thinking what else I will have to give up in the future just to visit.

I saw a receipt on the ground near Palm Parkway yesterday that someone dropped. It was for two single day tickets to the parks. Poor chap dropped $224 just to be able to walk in the gates with someone for a single day.

I have said it a number of times, but it bears repeating. If WDW in 1999 (when I first visited as an adult paying my own way) was the same as it is today, I don't think I would have ever gone back. When I went in 1999 - married for 3 years, small child, new house and associated mortgage, etc. it was tough to pay for it. I had to save to get the money together. However, when I got to WDW on that first trip, I felt the money was well spent. Yes, it was expensive, yes it was a large potion of our family budget, yes we had to make sacrifices and save for a long period of time in order to go - but the product was worth the money. As time went on, and money was easier to come by, I moved to yearly trips, and then to multiple times a year.

Now, if it was not for nostalgia (and the fact that I own DVC) I don't think I would go even the once every other year that we do go. I can afford to go multiple times per year, but WDW is not worth the money, the product is just not there.


-dave

 

[flynnibus]

The value, for me, is not there. Going to WDW now feels like a cash grab. WDW may be making record profits as of late, and if so, good for them, but the share of those profits that I contribute to has diminished.

Exactly... my basement is full of toys that each could have bought a WDW vacation.. but I haven't bought one in awhile because it's not what it cost.. its about what I get for that money. And I'm not a lemming who buys because I'm told that's what I should be doing...

 

[21stamps]

I believe what the OP was getting at is the cost of the parks keeping getting higher and higher and certain families in some income brackets that used to be able to get a pass can no longer afford it without having to give up even more things. It's not saying they are spending the money on other worldly possessions but if they want to continue to keep their passes they will have to give up everyday items like cutting back on food, gas, clothing and such.

It's no secret that in the past few years Disney has been aiming for guests with deeper pockets. Higher priced tickets, less offerings, extra ticket purchase for things that used to be included in hard ticket events, food prices getting higher while portions are getting smaller, starting special event MK parties weeks early to grab more money, etc.

I know Disney is a company and have every right to raise prices as high as they want but it's beginning to effect their image.

I don't think they are aiming at people with deeper pockets, rather they are aiming at making people spend more money at WDW than elsewhere.

I.e. Not also going to the beach while in FL. Skipping Seaworld..only dining on property..etc

This will never fully be me, but I know that there are plenty of people who fly to Orlando..use ME to their Disney resort...ME back to MCO and fly home. Disney is getting their entire vacation budget instead of a portion.
That's the choice of an individual. Can't hate on a business for charging what people will pay.

 

[DManRightHere]

Disney is not about being affordable. It is about charging what the market can bare. If they are not gaining the results they want, they can always lower the price (or add something to make it more valuable).

 

[raven]

Disney is not about being affordable. It is about charging what the market can bare. If they are not gaining the results they want, they can always lower the price (or add something to make it more valuable).

This will happen the same time pigs fly, world peace concurs and Jesus returns.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

This will happen the same time pigs fly, world peace concurs and Jesus returns.

Must have happened earlier this year then. My AP last year cost $649. This year, it was only $549, and now I get the free MM as well. Saved $100 each and added value which we will gladly take advantage of. You really need to get off your high horse sometimes.