I hear you and I used to think like you. The way the theme parks came out of the pandemic stronger than ever has changed my mind. TWDC is simply too big to fail.
I agree. It won't happen overnight. But in dribs and drabs, it's possible.
Good point --I grew up on the original Mickey Mouse Club and the Wonderful World of Color and the old Diseny movies. Thought not a Disney fanatic I totally enjoyed WDW in the early days- took my kids but--They don not have the same feeling as I do towards Disney. They vacation elsewhere. Now that they have kids they have gone to WDW but there is no desire to go regularly and that maybe a looming problem for Disney in the future. Time will tell
I mean, unless you're a bank or major car company, apparently.
I used to think Nothing was too big to fail, but I have changed my mind. TWDC is invincible
I'm with you. We've stayed at both Hard Rock and Royal Pacific, back-to-back with split stays at Beach Club and the Polynesian Villas. In both cases, our Disney deluxe room was no better, and the hotel offered no greater amenities, than the Universal premium ones, and in some aspects (e.g., charging stations, bathroom layout) the Universal rooms were better. Also in each case, the price for the Universal hotel rooms was over a third less expensive than the Disney DVC studios* -- more on par with the cost of a Disney moderate resort, and of course came with the hugely valuable benefit of Unlimited Express Pass.
Yes and no. If I'm paying deluxe rates, then I should get something extra that the moderates and value resorts don't get. However, the pool of extras shouldn't be limited to deluxe only. I always stay deluxe - either on the monorail loop or the Epcot trail because I like the proximity and the feel of being right there as close as possible to the gates. I know I'm not getting a room that equates to a boutique hotel, but the ease and convenience is worth it to me. Having access to these extras makes it even more of a no-brainer, but that shouldn't mean a guest at POP should be denied their share of magic.
Not sure about that - reference back to the study that was done a few weeks back that found the majority of people who plan on going to Disney are those least able to afford it. https://www.insider.com/middle-class-most-eager-to-visit-disney-parks-2021-6
I never found DME as a valuable extra. Nothing like getting off a plane and getting in line to wait for the Mickey equivalent of mass transit on a crowded loud bus with multiple stops to jump-start the magic. I started using Blacklane to get me to and from the airport. Limousine service on demand through an app. Much easier way to go.
A trip to WDW is a moment-by-moment exercise in opportunity cost.
Interesting survey IMO as inflation gets worse those that least can afford it my opt out of a Disney vacation
Excellent. Disney must know what they are doing by removing DME...
I agree that the convenience of location for several deluxes is a huge benefit in itself.
Easier, yes. But as you stated, many of the people who want to go to Disney are middle class. For them, DME (and not needing to lug bags around) was a huge convenience, especially when traveling with children, strollers, etc. For someone who is debating whether to stay offsite vs. an All-Star, DME was a great benefit that didn't cost extra. A limo service or even car service is a luxury many would not consider.
Why would you spend money when you have a free option that is more convenient? I could afford a limo, but would never be obnoxious enough to use one when a free option is available.
I don't think using a car service is obnoxious. Not having to wait in line for DME is more convenient for some people. I don't think either method of transportation is better than another. They all employ people. But for me, personally, DME was our method of choice for WDW.
Staying at a deluxe resort doesn't grant special access to areas of the parks others can't get. Paying more can get you perks, yes, but that's true of anything.
I'm not rolling into the Poly in a stretch Cadillac. That would be obnoxious. Think town car, not prom night. Plus it's significantly more convenient. Get off the plane, go to the same level that everyone is lining up to get onto DME except you're met with a driver (who knows your flight number and arrival times) who takes you directly to your hotel with amenities like cold water, snacks, and device chargers? Plus unlike Uber, you know exactly what kind of car you're going to get and since Blacklane contracts with professional drivers, the cars are always clean. For me, that is convenience worth the money charged. That's the lovely thing about the free market. I used the Minnie Van service to the airport until Disney canceled the program. Services like Uber, Lyft and Blacklane are there to fill the demand.
