CNN article on Disney parks

[GoofGoof]

There's a DVC discount in the fall? Go on...

I think he meant the $400 PAP this past fall.

 

[googilycub]

We're trying to understand why you think current WDW prices are acceptable, especially since prices are significantly higher than they were just a few years ago, maintenance is deplorable by traditional WDW standards, and it looks like WDW will go over a decade without a major "good" expansion after building 3 entire theme parks in 16 years. I've repeatedly used historical data to support my position yet you still stay WDW is not overpriced. When I ask you what you would consider overpriced, your answer is: "I can't say a magic number for when I will feel that WDW is overpriced."

You have used historical data to prove that the price has gone up, I see no one argueing that. One could use the same numbers to say that Disney was underpriced in the 80's and 90s and has now only found a sweet spot. As I pointed out, "overpriced" is a perception, just like whether FL was a "good" expansion, or maintenace at WDW is "deplorable." Again, I still feel that I get good value for my familys dollar in the last year at WDW. No matter what figuers you post from 1982 (I was 3 and my wife wasn't born yet, so they don't really matter to me) they will not change the feeling on if I got a good deal for my dollar in 2012.

For those of us who have loved WDW for decades and are frustrated by Disney management's treatment of it in recent years, your attitude is disappointing. Frankly, it exactly because of people like you that Disney management thinks they can get away with 8% price increases year-after-year, all the while letting their attractions fall apart. Your attitude is like writing a blank check to Disney which, unfortunately, affects the rest of us who don't feel Disney management deserves a blank check.

If you want to blame me for your feelings on Disney, go ahead, I will sleep well tonight. I am not sure why having a different attitude than you is "disappointing." If we all had the same attitudes, this would be a boring board.

I look forward to reading more posts from you but hope you can put into better words your view of WDW's prices. Perhaps if you could word your position strongly, it would help us realize WDW is a good value.

I don't think anything I could say would make some of you on this board realize that WDW is not overpriced. And it really shouldn't. As I have said overpriced is a perception, I am not out to change anyone's perception.

However when someone posts "He/She wants to disagree with us. or doesnt get it. or has unlimited funds" just because I don't have the same perception as someone else is ignorant.

 

[DVC4bestvacations]

There's a DVC discount in the fall? Go on...

there was a discount last fall on anual passes $300 OFF

 

[rufio]

there was a discount last fall on anual passes $300 OFF

Ahh, okay. I got free APs with my wedding. If they offer a discount this fall, we'll be on top of it!

 

[litaljohn]

Ah, my least favorite WDW topic, affordability. I've posted the below before but it always seems to have new audiences each time I post it so I'll post it again.

Disney started offering hopper tickets that included all attractions with the opening of Epcot in 1982. Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, followed by DAK in 1998. The following 10-year spans compare median household income with ticket prices, assuming a WDW vacation in 1982 was 3 days (2 days for MK, 1 day for Epcot) and grew by one day as each park was added.

1982
Median Household Income: $19,004
3-Day WDW ticket ($35) price-per-day: $11.67
Ticket/income percentage: 0.0614%

1992
Median Household Income: $29,448
4-Day WDW ticket ($130.46) price-per-day: $32.62
Ticket/income percentage: 0.11076%

2002
Median Household Income: $41,620
5-Day WDW ticket ($243.89) price-per-day: $48.78
Ticket/income percentage: 0.11720%

2012
Median Household Income: $50,054 (estimated)
5-Day WDW ticket ($484.58) price-per-day: $96.92
Ticket/income percentage: 0.19362%

What's obvious is that even the ticket price-per-day has grown tremendously since 1982. In addition, WDW has grown (which is good), meaning that the length of a "full" WDW vacation has grown as well, making it even more difficult for families to afford WDW. Of course, families can simply buy three-day tickets today but, as we all know, today's WDW tickets are heavily front-loaded. Today's WDW comes out significantly less favorable (in terms of cost) when comparing a 3-day ticket in 1982 to a 3-day ticket in 2012.

A 2012 3-day base ticket (i.e. no hopping and no water parks) costs $257.73. Even as recently as 10 years ago, a 3-day Ultimate Hopper (which included hopping & water parks) cost $164.01, or $209.89 adjusted for inflation. Of course, as noted above, a 1982 3-day World Passport (included hopping) cost $35.00, or $83.50 adjusted for inflation. That's less than a one-day base ticket in 2012.

but is this even applicable? it seems like your examples are based purely on cost with consumers staying the same. but consumer demand has not stayed the same. as Disney grew early on so did it's popularity. you have to factor in consumer demand for the point of price comparisons to be relevant as a conclusive data wouldn't you? every park can only hold so many people. apart from paying for access to x more rides than before you are also paying a price for you to be at the park instead of another person. we as individuals can not say weather the tickets are over or underpriced, that honestly can only be determined by the parks. only when the park finally charges more than people are willing to pay for them to profit is it overpriced. looking recently at how often magic kingdom has been at capacity lately, meanin they can't take any more people despite a demand and the excess who don't mind paying the price it actually seems ticket prices are underpriced. perhaps you would not want to pay anymore to go to the park but if someone else is willing to then that helps keep the supply in check, and maximizes profits fiding the ideal price to check the demand. perhaps you do not think that higher price is worth your money, but one person is a drop of water in the ocean in these matters. to decide if something is overpriced requires us all, and what we we are willing to give up to get something not everyone can have.

( I think part of the problem is also that we think of others as being rational consumers as well, instead of how the market really acts. [ for example people waiting in line for days for an iPhone...... and a few months later see the same person in line for the same model that they have to get because *gasp* now it's in white! OMG!!!])

 

[katexo]

Yikes, that woman who wont take her daughters to WDW because of the princesses and how they might affect her children might be taking that a little too seriously. I was obsessed with princesses as a girl (heck I still think I am one ) but I turned out just fine. Im independent, have no need to be "swept off my feet", and I have the most un-princessy type job there is. But maybe thats because my mom had more of a role in my life than the tv or movies ever did.

Anyway I feel bad for her kids because theyre missing out and probably would be just fine if they went.

 

[draybook]

You have used historical data to prove that the price has gone up, I see no one argueing that. One could use the same numbers to say that Disney was underpriced in the 80's and 90s and has now only found a sweet spot. As I pointed out, "overpriced" is a perception, just like whether FL was a "good" expansion, or maintenace at WDW is "deplorable." Again, I still feel that I get good value for my familys dollar in the last year at WDW. No matter what figuers you post from 1982 (I was 3 and my wife wasn't born yet, so they don't really matter to me) they will not change the feeling on if I got a good deal for my dollar in 2012.


If you want to blame me for your feelings on Disney, go ahead, I will sleep well tonight. I am not sure why having a different attitude than you is "disappointing." If we all had the same attitudes, this would be a boring board.



I don't think anything I could say would make some of you on this board realize that WDW is not overpriced. And it really shouldn't. As I have said overpriced is a perception, I am not out to change anyone's perception.

However when someone posts "He/She wants to disagree with us. or doesnt get it. or has unlimited funds" just because I don't have the same perception as someone else is ignorant.

Sorry, but the ride/attraction maintenance issue isn't a "perception" thing. If we all watch that YouTube video of Splash Mountain, I'd like to think that we would all see the same broken effects.

 

[puntagordabob]

I didn't see a thread on this in a quick search, so I hope this hasn't been covered. I looked, but I fully admit to being blind as a bat sometimes.

CNN posted an article yesterday about why some people love Disney and some hate it. http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/travel/disney-travel-debate/index.html?hpt=hp_t5
.

I feel sorry for people who "Hate on Disney"..... the Rev should be ashamed of denying his children the joy of WDW since he will be right there in Orlando.

 

[wdisney9000]

I think by using the technical definition you are just doing that.. Getting technical. Use how most people think of nature. I think they'd say there is a difference between a nature of a national park vs WDW. They don't use that über technical definition. But I think most have a sense of the difference between the two.

Also, come on, you know there is a difference between The Disney Co and the US gov and what we are talking about here. You are again getting technical as well about the use of the word "maintained." I don't think street sweepers come out every night in Yellowstone as they do in the magic kingdom. Again, a difference most people seem to easily clue into though you seem to need the dictionary. But you want to be right, so ok... WDW is totally nature and any nature related vacation where you aren't butt naked in the wilderness making your own clothes miles from civilization is totally the same thing as being in WDW.

Nah, you had a solid point. I was just pushing your buttons. My sense of humor does not translate well into text. At the end of the day your a Disney fan like myself and I will always respect your opinion, even if we dont see eye to eye.