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Disney is going to price us out of the Kingdom..
- Thread starter bjlc57
- Start date
NotAddictedToDisney
Member
Disney credits you the face value of the ticket. If you paid $500 on Undercover Tourist for a $570 ticket, Disney will credit you $570 towards the AP.
Raineman
Well-Known Member
What is that price point that would begin to have a significant effect on demand? Would it be at a level that would cause demand to drop sharply, ie lower demand to the point where even some of the guests who can usually afford the deluxe resort stays and all of the costly extras start to get priced out? The reduction in experience and the resulting reticence for park guests to keep returning would also work in sending that message to Disney that changes are desperately needed, but would need such a major movement among WDW visitors that I am not sure that it could ever be achieved, at least not in the short term, even though I think it would be hugely effective if it happened.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Disney's ability to counter act the blowback has been the topic of much debate for the last 15 years.
Ultimately it's an individual decision so it's hard to forecast at large. But money talks the loudest... and that's why discounts are usually the biggest stick in the closet.
Remember disney has data on nearly every visitor and their patterns for over a decade... and with MDE that data set is only getting stronger. That is huge for working out individualized incentives
susussudio
New Member
So sad to see the prices increase as a grandparent. We took our kids multiple times as they grew up, even did the Disney Cruise one year. Now both my son and dil work just to pay bills. We were hoping at some point to help them take our grands to Disney but it's way too much when they live paycheck to paycheck just to have a decent life. They vacation locally which doesn't cost so much. So sad that Disney is out of reach for many
SamandplanningUK
Well-Known Member
Speaking as a UK family our first holiday to Disney cost us £6000 including tickets, flights and staying at CBR IN 2016. We returned in 2018 which cost us £8000 including flights, tickets and staying at POFQ. This year it’s cost us £10,000 including flights, tickets and staying at POR. This will be our last trip for years as we could enjoy 3 or more 2 week holidays elsewhere each year for this money.
LaughingGravy
Well-Known Member
It's that the changes they are making and have made are resulting in us not wanting to go back, and not just recently either. It's been going on for quite a while.
SteamboatJoe
Well-Known Member
I have a Google sheet with formulas that I use to forecast trip costs. I currently estimate that a five-day, six night trip for 2 adults staying at a value resort in a non-peak season (1-time ticket since an AP doesn't make sense for me); driving over a period of 2 days (because it takes 14 - 16 hours from where I live), would cost about $3,600.
This doesn't include any add-ons like Memory Maker, any dining plans, or any special ticket items. This also doesn't account for any discretionary "fun" money for souvenirs; just meals and some snacks purchased in the park. Bringing your own food (especially breakfast) and snacks can help a little but, to be fair, the cost of those items should be accounted for in a trip budget.
Staying off-site at a decent hotel but still driving your car to the parks saves you about $100 total. Staying off-site at a hotel with a free shuttle would yield about another $125 in savings.
Flying isn't actually that much more expensive if you fly during the right time of year and right time of week. Driving is definitely more advantageous, in terms of cost, if you don't have to spend the night somewhere along the way.
If we keep the ballpark forecast at $3,600, a couple in my area wishing to go once a year, paying cash, would need to bank around $300/month (almost $70/week). That's relatively steep in my neck of the woods.
Reducing the trip down to 4 days obviously yields significant savings (approximately $400, give or take a little). Going once every other is also an option but it's unrealistic to think someone isn't going to go on at least a modest vacation during those off years
Each additional person adds about $900 total for a 5-day, 6-night trip. Again, this can be reduced by bringing some food and snacks with you, by not splurging on your park meals/snacks, and by taking advantage of free water.
I write all of this not only for discussion purposes, but also to give everyone the opportunity to point out additional cost saving opportunities for myself and everyone else.
This doesn't include any add-ons like Memory Maker, any dining plans, or any special ticket items. This also doesn't account for any discretionary "fun" money for souvenirs; just meals and some snacks purchased in the park. Bringing your own food (especially breakfast) and snacks can help a little but, to be fair, the cost of those items should be accounted for in a trip budget.
Staying off-site at a decent hotel but still driving your car to the parks saves you about $100 total. Staying off-site at a hotel with a free shuttle would yield about another $125 in savings.
Flying isn't actually that much more expensive if you fly during the right time of year and right time of week. Driving is definitely more advantageous, in terms of cost, if you don't have to spend the night somewhere along the way.
If we keep the ballpark forecast at $3,600, a couple in my area wishing to go once a year, paying cash, would need to bank around $300/month (almost $70/week). That's relatively steep in my neck of the woods.
Reducing the trip down to 4 days obviously yields significant savings (approximately $400, give or take a little). Going once every other is also an option but it's unrealistic to think someone isn't going to go on at least a modest vacation during those off years
Each additional person adds about $900 total for a 5-day, 6-night trip. Again, this can be reduced by bringing some food and snacks with you, by not splurging on your park meals/snacks, and by taking advantage of free water.
I write all of this not only for discussion purposes, but also to give everyone the opportunity to point out additional cost saving opportunities for myself and everyone else.
Littleclown
New Member
Just a small addition to the price increases over the years. I made a trip to the world 13 years in a row cause I felt it was the happiest place on Earth. Now with all the increase in prices as well as the entitled additude it has all changed. Example: in 2011 it costs $1108.68 for a couple to stay 4 nights at All Stars Music in a preferred room the first week in December, in 2019 the same accommodations is now $2062.40. This with a 5 day park hopper to the parks. The Mickey Bar in the parks was $1.75 and today is $5.75. Now that is just an example of how they have made a trip to the Magic Kingdom out of reach for some of us now elderly people. We won't get into the added crowds that are in the me first generation and you don't stand a chance in the parks. oh and that costs does not reflect flights, food or souvenirs. That is just to be in the Magic of Disney.
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John park hopper
Well-Known Member
Sad analogy- - many companies have reduced the size of their packaging in order to keep the illusion the price has not gone up. Things that come to mind ice cream used to be a gallon now 3/4 of a gallon, laundry detergent, etc etc. People are doing the same thing in order to vacation at WDW reduce the length of stay, drop down to the next level of resort, cut back on TS restaurants etc. all to keep the cost in line with their earlier visits.
Willmark
Well-Known Member
I’ve read through all of this and have to afk: has anyone considered that WDW views AP holders as the “problem”?
I say this because they aren’t (usually the target family they want) let alone the demands as mentioned in this thread and others.
I don’t have access to Disney’s data but a guess?
It used to be the “customer is always right!” Smart companies look at it as “the right customer is always right.”
I know some win’t/don't like that, but it is what it is.
I say this because they aren’t (usually the target family they want) let alone the demands as mentioned in this thread and others.
I don’t have access to Disney’s data but a guess?
- Top 30% of income, the higher the better but my guess is 2% to 10% is their “sweet spot”
- Non AP holders.
- Staying in prem.
- Flying in without renting a car this keeping them dependent on Disney services to a degree.
- A family of four. The rooms are based on this when you think about it.
- At least one girl in the family, Bibiti Boniti botique anyone? (And note I’m simply talking demographics here not trying to start a fight).
- Staying 7-10 days.
- Comes on average every two years.
- Stays at moderates or deluded.
- Is fairly price insensitive (goes with the wealth equation at #1 above).
It used to be the “customer is always right!” Smart companies look at it as “the right customer is always right.”
I know some win’t/don't like that, but it is what it is.
Littleclown
New Member
looked at that week at the all stars and could not find a room available. Good luck finding other rooms.
mdcpr
Well-Known Member
I booked my room back in March.
Universal is expensive too. I tried to book a 3 day trip and it was going to cost me $2000 for 3 people . . . Without food.
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
You think she actually reads other people’s posts? No no, reading other peoples posts doesn’t adequately redirect the attention back onto her. Just skim and then write up a post about herself.
flynnibus
Premium Member
No I've realized what she actually wants is... people to just pay and be happy to do so ... or not pay and say nothing either. Because you can't possibly be unhappy with something and still pay you know....
Phil12
Well-Known Member
I really like those weight watchers trips.
Tinkswishes28jen
Member
When I was a kid I never went to Disney it was just a trip that would never happen . Now I have been lucky enough to take my family 4 times . However the cost is in insane . But then it is supposed to be once in a lifetime trip . I have now come to realise that whilst we could do an all blow out Disney trip every three years there are other holidays and other things to save for . If we lived in USA we would prob have an RV and try to go to F W most years as we love that resort .
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
Just a quick update...we just bought 4 platinum AP's from Sam's Club last night for the old price of $865.99 each. They don't sell them in the stores, you have to buy them online, but they're still available.