Blown Away By Prices

EddieK76

EddieK76

Member
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.
 
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captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Disneyhead'71 said:
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.
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See Fort Wilderness.
 
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captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
harryk said:
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.
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I've looked into DVC many many times. If anything, I would consider resale, but even that might be a stretch. No WAY would I buy DVC from Disney.
 
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Violet

Violet

Well-Known Member
captainkidd said:
I seriously feel as though Disney has just given up.
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This is where I get my theory from that they don't care so much about gaining repeat customers. As long as the parks and resorts are still clean, safe, and fun, and as long as they offer what families want (characters,"magical" moments, princesses and fairies, fireworks, parades), they will get the first-timers. You can even see this strategy in their current commercial on TV...it's aimed at getting people who haven't been there since they were kids to come back and bring their kids. So I don't think it's giving up, so much as a deliberate strategy.
 
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Violet

Violet

Well-Known Member
bubbles1812 said:
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.
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That's true, I don't know the breakdown. I guess they know the diehards will always come back. In my circle of acquaintances (people in their 30s/40s with kids), most people go once, twice, done.
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said: ↑
Disney hates hardworking middle class America. The young family's Disney vacation - there's yet another cherished tradition that's been taken away from the American family.

On behalf of Bob Iger I bid you farewell and thanks for all the memories.​
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.
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True, but also completely antithetical to everything Walt wanted for the Parks.
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Yellow Stone and the Grand Tetons are friggin' awesome.
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I also will put in a good (no, great) word for Colorado!

Actually, you could drive I-70 to Denver (KC is a good midpoint btwn Indy and Denver - BBQ). See what you want or can of CO, drive up to WY (Jackson and Tetons), and then to Yellowstone. Then from there go up into Montana. I would also then go up into Alberta. Calgary is a good town (actually kinda reminds me of Denver in ways) and then it is just a hop to Banff/Lake Louise. It is gorgeous up there and is different than the American Rockies.

Could hit Rushmore and Dakotas on the way back. Or reverse the trip.
 
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wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
We used to go twice a year, but the only reason we are going this year at all is because of the room only pin for Sept. I checked the prices for free dining, and the room only was still cheaper. We will probably drive, bring some of our own food and drinks. The room is only 760. for 7 nts. and I already had tickets from Undercover Tourist that I got last year before the price went up, so the whole week will only be around 1200. (sweet)
"Free" dining is anything but, and they have jacked up the prices of food so that if you don't have "free" dining you are paying for everyone who does.
I think WDW is finding out that without offering pins and free dining, many families that used to come often are opting out...
 
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bubbles1812

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
Hot Lava said:
I also will put in a good (no, great) word for Colorado!

Actually, you could drive I-70 to Denver (KC is a good midpoint btwn Indy and Denver - BBQ). See what you want or can of CO, drive up to WY (Jackson and Tetons), and then to Yellowstone. Then from there go up into Montana. I would also then go up into Alberta. Calgary is a good town (actually kinda reminds me of Denver in ways) and then it is just a hop to Banff/Lake Louise. It is gorgeous up there and is different than the American Rockies.

Could hit Rushmore and Dakotas on the way back. Or reverse the trip.
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Thats what my family did. We drove up thru South Dakota so stopped thru Badlands, Custer State Park, Mt Rushmore, and did a little detour as well to see Devil's Tower. Then we went into Wyoming. We stayed just outside Yellowstone for a weekish and then went and stayed in a ski lodge in Jackson Hole (It was summer so the ski lodges were at least discounted though not inexpensive but it was great). Stayed there a weekish too. Did horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, shows... You name it, we did it. Lol. And then we came back thru Colorado on the return. It was and still remains, far and away my favorite vacation I've ever taken. Our country is beautiful... It's unfortunate so many people never go actually look at it.
 
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rob0519

rob0519

Well-Known Member
Hot Lava said:
True, but also completely antithetical to everything Walt wanted for the Parks.
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Well, accept it or not, Walt is dead. His vision for the resort from the 1960s is as long gone as Walt. This is a money making, publicly traded entertainment conglomorate. Quarterly profits and shareholder value are the only two goals just like all other companies.

And just like any other company, it's up to the individual or families to decide if the product is worth the current asking price. If anyone can't or won't pay Disney's price, there are obviously millions of people per year who will. At least for the forseeable future.
 
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erstwo

erstwo

Well-Known Member
Disneyhead'71 said:
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.
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Who eats the burgers at Cosmic Ray's? Walk a little farther and have the roast chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes!

smk said:
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.
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I've got Mt. Rushmore on my short list for the summer - hoping we can make it there! We'll leave from Chicago, so I'm hoping to see the Badlands too. You're an RVer correct? Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone sound like the perfect all American RV trip! I envy you the Yellowstone. Once we get to Mt. Rushmore, Wyoming will be so. close. It will be hard to turn back home! :)
 
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Violet

Violet

Well-Known Member
ParentsOf4 said:
Yes and no. I think WDW is going for repeat customers but primarily families with children of a certain age, let's say ages 3 to 13. Disney is hoping to capture these guests for 5-to-10 visits over the course of about 10 years and, after that, anyone who still is a repeat guest is just gravy. At that point, if they continue to go to WDW, Disney knows they have an addict who will go no matter what is offered and no matter what the price.
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I agree. I don't think they expect ten visits though, but maybe 3 or 4 trips. Let's say you have two or three kids, like you said, over the course of ages 3 to 13, kids are spaced 3 or 4 years apart. But for that they don't necessarily need new attractions, they just need to keep what they have clean and ensure families get their magical moments.

Ten visits is DVC territory :)
 
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C

CheshireCat12

Well-Known Member
So much negativity. Disney IS expensive, we all know that. But you can go for a lot less if you do the following:
1. Value resort stay WITH a discount rate-BOOK A ROOM-ONLY RESSIE (or even a Moderate if you want something nicer but still a discount)- remember that Disney isn't the only one with a discount ability- AAA, military promotions, etc. and even some employers I've heard get deals on resorts and/or tickets
2. Park tickets- NO hopper
3. No rental car- use Disney buses
4. Flights- book cheaply and way ahead and keep checking for rate drops
5. DON'T GET THE DINING PLAN!!! It's too much money and too much food. If you are not a big dessert eater or a three-meal a day family on vacation (we're not) it is a waste.

My feeling is, if you want to splurge, do it. If you don't, then don't. Only YOU know what level you are comfortable with. I personally am going more cheaply this year so I can go Deluxe for the first time next year (but I still won't take a dining plan!!!!)
 
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smk

smk

Well-Known Member
erstwo said:
Who eats the burgers at Cosmic Ray's? Walk a little farther and have the roast chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes!



I've got Mt. Rushmore on my short list for the summer - hoping we can make it there! We'll leave from Chicago, so I'm hoping to see the Badlands too. You're an RVer correct? Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone sound like the perfect all American RV trip! I envy you the Yellowstone. Once we get to Mt. Rushmore, Wyoming will be so. close. It will be hard to turn back home! :)
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We are not RV'ers, I would love to be tho. We just like to drive places, the journey, the talking, the time spent together is what makes it so much fun for us. We do like FW, but have always stayed in cabins.
 
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smk

smk

Well-Known Member
bubbles1812 said:
Thats what my family did. We drove up thru South Dakota so stopped thru Badlands, Custer State Park, Mt Rushmore, and did a little detour as well to see Devil's Tower. Then we went into Wyoming. We stayed just outside Yellowstone for a weekish and then went and stayed in a ski lodge in Jackson Hole (It was summer so the ski lodges were at least discounted though not inexpensive but it was great). Stayed there a weekish too. Did horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, shows... You name it, we did it. Lol. And then we came back thru Colorado on the return. It was and still remains, far and away my favorite vacation I've ever taken. Our country is beautiful... It's unfortunate so many people never go actually look at it.
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We live in Indy, love the trip thru CO. We will most likely head up to I90, spend some time in the Badlands then onto Yellowstone. Way home thru CO. I just hate driving thru Kansas!
 
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