Blown Away By Prices

[EddieK76]

We are looking at going to Disney from October 13th till either the 19th and or 18th. We have 3 children 9,8,5 and have gone to disney quite a few times before and always did the dining plan and we were always under 2 grand easy. I'm looking now and it's ridiculous? I mean I'm talking 4 grand before airfare at a moderate hotel like Port Orleans and Animal Kingdown was 1k a night...What gives? The chat guy tried to tell me those are normal prices....Mind you those prices were without park tickets and or the dining plan...With those we were at 4 grand for Port Orleans.

 

[xdan0920]

Well, having done over 15 trips since 1996, I would have to say yes, they are pricing out the middle class, lower middle classe and everyone below. Amazingly, the parks are still crowded, occupancy is high and the management has the confidence to keep building (GF_DVC). Until they see a downturn in capacity, they will keep increasing prices to keep up the "value to their shareholders".

We are a family of five and were fortunate enough to go once maybe twice a year. Then it became once every 18 months, then once every 12 months, now we're lucky if we can afford every other year. Ten day trips became seven day trips, then 5 day trips. Since we are all adults, we do get two rooms and until now we have been fortunate enough to stat at deluxe resorts. A brief search found our costs for six night stays with Park Hoppers and Water Park Tickets in 2 deluxe rooms:

2007: $4,304
2009: $5,852
2011: $6,867
2013: $7,821


I don't think WDW will lose first time guests. People will still save and save for that once in a lifetime vacation. What I do think they will lose are those guests that used to come every year and will now be only able to afford to come every two or three years.

Those are some pretty staggering numbers. Crazy increases.

 

[smk]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

Bring a little plush "mouse" to sneak into your other adventure pics and voila! No need to miss him if he's w/you. Right???

 

[lego606]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

Keep heading west and you'll find another Disney

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

Yellowstone/Grand Teton is one of my favorite places. Old Faithful Inn is the Original Wilderness Lodge:

And I am still waiting for Disney to build one of these:

 

[bubbles1812]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

Yellow Stone and the Grand Tetons are friggin' awesome. It is the only vacation I have taken that beats out Disney in terms of "favorite vacation ever." And it beat Disney by a long shot, to my complete surprise.
Seriously, you won't even think about the mouse. I sort of get about the "best deal" being a driver as cost is important... But that is also so so limiting. Please dont miss out on life like that. And WDW is never the best deal. As discussed in this thread, the prices are sky high. If you'd like some recommendations for out west for things to do, I would be glad to send you some. There is so much out there to see and some fun stuff to do. (My personal fav was white water rafting... Guided of course, and in a big group, but a blast nonetheless)

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Disney does not hate anyone, they simply price their resorts and ticket as high as they can without losing too much business, supply and demand fundamentals. If they charged less they would not be doing what companies do best, looking out for their shareholders.

Prices will only drop if attendance and or room nights drops for an extended period of time. Right now they are using heavy discounts to cut rates during times when they need to to keep full rates up and attendance at the parks. Free dinin is only done when the restaurants do not have enough reservations to keep them full, it is business 101.

They have a highly profitable business that guests will travel 1000s of miles to visit and pay whatever it costs if they can afford it and based on attendance at MK and room fill rates prices will continue to rise.

Well, no, as a company Disney does not 'hate' anybody.

But that 'Disney hates American family values' language is picked quite deliberately. Disney is build on being an all-American company, catering to hardworking, middle class America. But if you are exactly that, a middle class American working for living, doing the right thing, trying to raise your family, then you can no longer afford Disney. Disney World is for rich Brazilians, or rich Americans, or those Americans who blow away their health care insurance and kid's college money on vacations.

TWDC has forgotten who their base is. Disney does not respect the American family anymore. Somewhere along the line, that might just cost a corporation that is build on family values.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

2007: $4,304
2009: $5,852
2011: $6,867
2013: $7,821

What I do think they will lose are those guests that used to come every year and will now be only able to afford to come every two or three years.

Wow, those numbers are staggering.

Indeed, the once-a-year guests might choose to go once every other year. Which begs the question: would Disney profit be any less if instead Disney (had) increased capacity at its two resorts?

 

[Violet]

I don't think WDW will lose first time guests. People will still save and save for that once in a lifetime vacation. What I do think they will lose are those guests that used to come every year and will now be only able to afford to come every two or three years.

I don't think they care about return guests. For return guests, they are focused on DVC sales. But even that is a one-step transaction, they don't have to earn your business after that.

I think they want every family in America (and Brazil, and the UK, and Canada etc etc) to come at least once and drop 5-10K.

 

[xdan0920]

Yellowstone/Grand Teton is one of my favorite places. Old Faithful Inn is the Original Wilderness Lodge:

And I am still waiting for Disney to build one of these:

Yes, but where are the Princess M&Gs?

 

[bubbles1812]

I don't think they care about return guests. For return guests, they are focused on DVC sales. But even that is a one-step transaction, they don't have to earn your business after that.

I think they want every family in America (and Brazil, and the UK, and Canada etc etc) to come at least once and drop 5-10K.

Yes, but a lot of their revenue comes from those repeat costumers... though I'm sure they like the one times too. But think how much revenue they gain from return guests.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Now that a Disney vacation is approaching the cost of a new car, a lot of middle class Americans are exploring other options. Fortunately, there is a world class resort up the road that is aggressively courting disillusioned former WDW guests with things like state of the art attractions and a new "value" resort that will actually be a value. Disney's hubris is going to eventually bite them in the .

 

[captainkidd]

Now that a Disney vacation is approaching the cost of a new car, a lot of middle class Americans are exploring other options. Fortunately, there is a world class resort up the road that is aggressively courting disillusioned former WDW guests with things like state of the art attractions and a new "value" resort that will actually be a value. Disney's hubris is going to eventually bite them in the .

The problem is, as much as I love Universal and go every year, it's not a world class destination in the same sense. The food isn't as good. And there aren't NEARLY enough recreational activities.

 

[captainkidd]

It's definitely becoming more of an issue. It could be just me and the way I think about things, but here's a thought - We've been very fortunate to go every year for at least the past 8 years. And I don't skimp. I like staying in the nice resorts. We're gong in July as always this year for 17 nights (6 at Universal, 11 at Disney). Normally right about now is when I would book NEXT summer's vacation. However, when I called Disney and quoted for next year's room prices, I nearly went into shock. Yeah, I've got the money that I could put a deposit down and pay it off but I haven't done it yet and am not sure I will. For me, a WDW vacation just isn't the same unless we're staying onsite. The issue is, from a principle standpoint, I can't justify paying Disney's asking prices anymore. With a 30% discount, eh, I'm OK with that. But those don't come out until about 2 months ahead. We want to go to Disneyland and know that will b an expense, but it's something new, so it's worth it. Quite frankly, as much as I love WDW, I don't feel as though they're giving us anything new that's worth the cost. Personally, I think the FLE is an absolute bust. If that was their answer to WWOHP they apparently didn't understand the question. Only reason I can see for heading to Orlando next summer is the WWOHP expansion. Heck, even this summer we've got a new Transformers ride. I'm not a fan, but damn, at least they're trying. I seriously feel as though Disney has just given up.

 

[harryk]

It's definitely becoming more of an issue. It could be just me and the way I think about things, but here's a thought - We've been very fortunate to go every year for at least the past 8 years. And I don't skimp. I like staying in the nice resorts. We're gong in July as always this year for 17 nights (6 at Universal, 11 at Disney). Normally right about now is when I would book NEXT summer's vacation. However, when I called Disney and quoted for next year's room prices, I nearly went into shock. Yeah, I've got the money that I could put a deposit down and pay it off but I haven't done it yet and am not sure I will. For me, a WDW vacation just isn't the same unless we're staying onsite. The issue is, from a principle standpoint, I can't justify paying Disney's asking prices anymore. With a 30% discount, eh, I'm OK with that. But those don't come out until about 2 months ahead. We want to go to Disneyland and know that will b an expense, but it's something new, so it's worth it. Quite frankly, as much as I love WDW, I don't feel as though they're giving us anything new that's worth the cost. Personally, I think the FLE is an absolute bust. If that was their answer to WWOHP they apparently didn't understand the question. Only reason I can see for heading to Orlando next summer is the WWOHP expansion. Heck, even this summer we've got a new Transformers ride. I'm not a fan, but damn, at least they're trying. I seriously feel as though Disney has just given up.

The price increases is what caused us to finally make the jump to the DVC option. Now we go every year and only get concerned as to prices of flights and we work the annual pass purchases into the budget. Overall it was our way out. What with only going once a year we have always been able to get two visits to WDW on a single purchase of an annual pass. So, if WDW is viewed as a multi-year vacation destination for many years this may be something to look into.

 

[midwest_mice]

The price increases is what caused us to finally make the jump to the DVC option. Now we go every year and only get concerned as to prices of flights and we work the annual pass purchases into the budget. Overall it was our way out. What with only going once a year we have always been able to get two visits to WDW on a single purchase of an annual pass. So, if WDW is viewed as a multi-year vacation destination for many years this may be something to look into.

That is exactly what we did. We had stayed at Contemporary and then decided that it was crazy spending that amount of money per night, so we visited DVC, loved it, and bought in. Since then, we have added on BLT and love it.
We buy the AP and get at least twice a year out of it. We also hopped on last fall and got the Premium pass that DVC was giving such a huge discount on and plan to use it this Dec, then next Labor day and then late Novemeber next year. Plus, it includes the water parks, DisneyQuest and free golf(at one course). That's the only thing keeping us going back is having DVC and not having to worry about shelling out big bucks for accomodations.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The problem is, as much as I love Universal and go every year, it's not a world class destination in the same sense. The food isn't as good. And there aren't NEARLY enough recreational activities.

Universal is addressing the counter service issues as we speak. But WDW has some of the same issues with their counter service restaurants, Cosmic Rays I'm looking to you for for your inedible burgers. And I think Universal Signature restaurants are BETTER than WDW's offerings (no menu dumbing down because of DDP). The Palm at the Hard Rock Hotels is fantastic. The 20oz. Veal Chop I had on Valentines Day was to die for. BiCE at Portofino Bay is the best Italian I have ever had. Emeril's Orlando easily compares to Californian Grill. And Tchoup Chop is better Pacific Rim fare than ANYTHING at the Poly. And I can have a delightful time with a bottle of wine and a cheese board sitting Harbor side at The Thirsty Fish.

On the recreation front Universal did just add 2 Mini Golf courses. They have the Golf Universal Orlando program with Preferred Tee Times and complimentary transportation to Windermere Country Club and Grand Cypress Golf Club. They have the Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay. All the hotels have fitness centers, there are Dive-In movies (Poolside movies), game rooms, a sand volleyball court, Bocce Ball Courts, Kids Camps, etc. Aside from water mice I think they are pretty comparable to WDW's recreational offering.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Only reason I can see for heading to Orlando next summer is the WWOHP expansion. Heck, even this summer we've got a new Transformers ride. I'm not a fan, but damn, at least they're trying. I seriously feel as though Disney has just given up.

And that's what I love (a word I used to reserve for WDW) about Universal today. Universal is trying to win my business. Lately, WDW's idea of trying to win my business is to fracture its product to identify new up-sales. (Think what happened to WDW's park tickets in 2005 with the introduction of MYW.) That's what they are doing with MyMagic+. Quoting Iger:

We also know that it will deliver some up-sell opportunities in terms of the array of products the basically digital technology will allow, and we also think it's going to give us somewhat of a competitive advantage.

Today's Disney executive is focused on getting their theme park "guests" to pay more for the same product. That's no way to win customers and shows how they've become completely disconnected from the people who ultimately pay their salaries and who have made WDW a financial success for decades.

WDW is essentially the same vacation it was 15 years ago. Universal is not.

People will pay more if given more. Universal understands that. Disney's idea of giving "more" is having me wear a bracelet.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

UOR is OBVIOUSLY trying hard to gain market share. WDW is simply trying to strip mine the guests they have.

 

[willtravel]

I waited for the discounts, even got a pin code in the mail yesterday, however, I am not sure just yet if we are going to go. Truth is, my husband has decided he has had enough disney for the near future and he wants to travel out west this year. I just need a vacation, and I could miss Disney for one year if I have to....just not sure I want to. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone may be in my future for vacation and that sounds good too, just will really miss the mouse. We'll see, I have to keep checking prices, maybe even priceline to see what the best deal will be for any vacation this year. Deals are what will drive me, not destinations I guess.

My husband and I did that almost same vacation last year. We flew into Denver (for us the cheapest) drove up to Mt. Rushmore and stayed there for 4 nights 5 days doing attractions in area and then drove over to Gillette (remember Devils Tower) and then stayed for a nightin Gillette, WY and then drove back down to Denver but staying in different cities along the way, seeing attractions and history. Really had a good time. We leave tomorrow for Disney and then probably won't go back for 2-3 years. So many beautiful things and history to see in this country. Next year we are going to New Mexico and Montana (and Yellowstone) and it will cost about the same as our Disney trip is costing us this year.