Disney forcing us to $pend even more at their re$ort$

[the.dreamfinder]

Based on a few personal attempts at making reservations at Walt Disney World resorts over the past few months, I had suspected and it was confirmed today by a cast member that not only has Disney increased their resort rates to outrageous prices (value resorts are charging $700+ a night over the holidays), but they also are forcing you to pay those rates for a minimum of 2 nights and are not booking single night reservations.

A few folks have said it in the last few months, but it really is time for a strong message to be sent that enough is enough because we can't let our beloved DISNEY become DI$NEY.

Based on all this, I had to ask, what you think is the most outrageous of the outrageous price gouging that Disney is currently engaged in?

Also, I figured it's time to re-share this petition...

Sign the Petition

Say NO To Genie PLU$

chng.it

Losing Disney’s Magical Express should be on that list.

 

[Lilofan]

The parking fee at the resorts is totally egregious. You’re literally getting nothing for that money you’re spending, it’s just a price gouge. When you get that hefty bill thrown at you at the end of your stay, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

The sales pitch for a Disney resort nowadays is “Hey, come stay at a Disney resort! We’re twice the cost of our competition, we won’t clean your room any more and you’ll get the middle finger via a fat parking bill when you check out! See ya real soon!”

Parking fee at resorts? Have you been staying at other non WDW resorts? Some of them charge for parking also and similar limited cleaning services. It is the sign of the times.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Parking fee at resorts? Have you been staying at other non WDW resorts? Some of them charge for parking also and similar cleaning services. It is the sign of the times.

Exactly. Many of the non-Disney hotels in the area also charge for parking, although it is not clearly stated when someone is checking room rates. You usually have to dig around on their website to find where it mentions a daily fee. I stayed 7 days at a Comfort Inn close to Universal a few weeks ago. No parking fee, except for a $3.95/day resort fee. For $70/day (through Priceline) for the room I thought it was a pretty good deal, especially since it included a buffet hot breakfast each day. No more Disney resorts for me.

 

[Lilofan]

Exactly. Many of the non-Disney hotels in the area also charge for parking, although it is not clearly stated when someone is checking room rates. You usually have to dig around on their website to find where it mentions to daily fee. I stayed 7 days at a Comfort Inn close to Universal a few weeks ago. No parking fee, except for a $3.95/day resort fee. For $70/day (through Priceline) for the room I thought it was a pretty good deal, especially since it included a buffet hot breakfast each day. No more Disney resorts for me.

Love staying in those hotels throughout the Southeast, - Comfort, Days, Home2Suites, Hampton, etc. Full buffet hot breakfast in the AM and we even manage to snag some baked and packaged, fruit etc goodies to brown bag as snacks later in the day.

 

[John park hopper]

Exactly. Many of the non-Disney hotels in the area also charge for parking, although it is not clearly stated when someone is checking room rates. You usually have to dig around on their website to find where it mentions to daily fee. I stayed 7 days at a Comfort Inn close to Universal a few weeks ago. No parking fee, except for a $3.95/day resort fee. For $70/day (through Priceline) for the room I thought it was a pretty good deal, especially since it included a buffet hot breakfast each day. No more Disney resorts for me.

posted this else where
Disney picks and chooses what fees they will charge and justifies it by saying others do it i.e. resort parking fees. If thats the game they play the majority of other hotel chains provide at a minimum continental breakfast, rewards for frequent guests ( points for future stays., free parking, snack bags on check etc, etc). Come on Disney get with the program and do what others do---------- touch of sarcasm

 

[GimpYancIent]

It can be like this!

 

[spock8113]

"Disney forcing us to $pend even more at their re$ort$"​

Disney can't force you into anything or any resort. They know that you basically force yourself.
"Just say NO" and "Be best", two of the most ridiculous phrases ever manufactured.
The Force is with you, not Disney.
ya think Disney would look at this and say "Hey! What are we doing to our 'guests'????"
They don't care. It's all about dividends and stock options.

PS-Looks like the Chapek thread has mysteriously been moused out!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Your last line can't go to WDW and send kids to college, can't do both.

OK, I apparently didn't word that properly or use a to show that it was just a slight bit of sarcasm directed at the enormous cost of going to a Disney theme park. For some it is true, but it was meant as a joke. There are always other options, but the idea that going to Disney means that whatever available money there is in the family is used for Disney instead of College.

 

[eliza61nyc]

Parking fee at resorts? Have you been staying at other non WDW resorts? Some of them charge for parking also and similar limited cleaning services. It is the sign of the times.

Lol they definitely have never been to Vegas

 

[Goofyernmost]

Lol they definitely have never been to Vegas

At least in Vegas you have a slim, slim chance of having a good time and leaving rich. You ain't leaving rich from Disney. That money path is all one way and you are not the one coming out on top in the last category.

 

[GimpYancIent]

At least in Vegas you have a slim, slim chance of having a good time and leaving rich. You ain't leaving rich from Disney. That money path is all one way and you are not the one coming out on top in the last category.

Very true! Vegas gives guests odds / a chance. The House Of Mouse gives guests 0 (Zero) odds / no chance to leave w any money.

 

[John park hopper]

Very true! Vegas gives guests odds / a chance. The House Of Mouse gives guests 0 (Zero) odds / no chance to leave w any money.

And you might even get a free breakfast in Vegas:

"There are many hotels on the Las Vegas strip that include complimentary breakfast for their guests. They are The Venetian, Hilton Collection Hotels, Fairfield Inn and Suites, OYO Hotel and Casino, Residence Inn by Marriott"

WDW breakfast :
Meal type: Buffet. Price: $38.33 – 44.50 for adults and $19.16 – 21.29 for children. Tax is included but gratuity is not. Characters: Breakfast: Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and friends; Dinner: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drisella.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

The only one that really bugs me is the resort parking fee.

That said, here’s the deal: they’ll never run out of customers. People keep having kids, and they want to take their kids to WDW.

It doesn’t really matter what % of them become “lifers” or buy DVC. Enough will.

 

[Lilofan]

Very true! Vegas gives guests odds / a chance. The House Of Mouse gives guests 0 (Zero) odds / no chance to leave w any money.

You are going to blame Disney for guests to leave with no chance to leave with any money? That's a poor argument. It's called credit cards and dealing with paying off the bill the following month.

 

[NickMaio]

Disney has never been affordable to everyone. Sorry I clearly remember many a person complaining about the cost in the 80s. One of the problems is that people view a Disney vacation as some sort of "right". That since they went as kids they should be able to go forever at a price they like or since they grew up with Walt, he somehow was a benevolent uncle , if Walt wanted to make it accessible for all families he should have kept it privately owned and gave away tickets.
They unfortunately now have stockholders who are the first priority.
I agree with @Tom P. It's simple. yes Disney current game plan is to get the most money legally possible from its guest. It's up to each guest to decide if the asking price is worth the product.

Google Disney ticket prices 19080's
You will find it was quite affordable.... accounting for inflation.

 

[John park hopper]

Google Disney ticket prices 19080's
You will find it was quite affordable.... accounting for inflation.

yes it was and we went pretty regularly ----not any more

 

[John park hopper]

Google Disney ticket prices 19080's
You will find it was quite affordable.... accounting for inflation.

Ticket prices have risen more than 3,000% over Walt Disney World's history. When the Magic Kingdom first greeted guests in 1971, the cost to enter the theme park was $3.50 for adults, and $1 for children. In 2021 dollars, that would equate to roughly $24 and $6.75, adjusting for the rate of inflation.
Went in 1972 and parking was 50 cents and the trams were working

 

[SteveAZee]

All I'll say is we've been saying that for st least the 9 years I've been hanging around ( at the beginning I was just reading). Almost annually we hear how this is the proverbial "end" for Disney, how whatever change is going to alienate all their "loyal" customers. Maybe it will, maybe it won't but if I was a betting gal I'd go with the old saying in Vegas...."the house usually wins ".
Attendance may dip but I'm betting in 10 years we'll be here repeating the same refrain

What's funny the people I know are the opposite. My friend and coworker just reserved his condo for the Jersey shore. $3500.00 for the week and nope it's not beachfront. He wasgrumbling that he might as well have gone back to Disney.

We don't have the emotional attachment to Disney per se as my family went to a variety of places. It's really simple for us, do we have an exceptional time when we go? We just came back from a vacation and the answer was a resounding YES so we'll be back. It won't be next year but no because of anything Disney has done but because we want to go to Yellowstone. I have no plans on doing Genie+ so that may effect how we feel

I suspect that the latest changes are enough to create some level of inflection for Disney. It will probably take three to five years before it really becomes apparent, though. It will take a lot of people showing up, determining the cost for what you get isn't worth it (most likely in retrospect), sharing this with friends and neighbors, and deciding there are other things to do with their time and money rather than return to WDW. If Disney is smart, they'll detect it early and course correct. Given the current management, though... even if they detect it they may not adjust enough to make a difference... leave it as a problem for the next guy to fix.

 

[GimpYancIent]

You are going to blame Disney for guests to leave with no chance to leave with any money? That's a poor argument. It's called credit cards and dealing with paying off the bill the following month.

Ahhhhhhh, the good old debt management block of instruction. Nope! Not blaming Disney for anything. Financial management is up to each individual guest. Just see it from a different point of view.

 

[Lilofan]

Ahhhhhhh, the good old debt management block of instruction. Nope! Not blaming Disney for anything. Financial management is up to each individual guest. Just see it from a different point of view.

True but some blame Disney?