News Disney Park Pass System announced for Walt Disney World theme park reservations

[Goofyernmost]

Well, you've lost @Sirwalterraleigh with that last sentence.

There is no arguing with the fact that Disney is way more expensive than it used to be. However, there are over 50 million people who visit Walt Disney World each year and it is still the most popular vacation resort in the world. Either it's still more affordable overall than folks here like to admit or there are way more rich people around than I thought.

It's not more popular in the seeable future. Right now the wealthy or those willing to get deeply in debt are going. But the overall sustainable business is gone. I went to WDW 48 times in 35 years. I even brought or convinced others to go. Now I am priced out just when I was able to visit anytime the mood struck me. Believe me the wealthy will quickly find some other toy to send their money on and the indebted will run out of credit. The business model sucks. The management have their golden parachutes and just plain don't give a damn.

 

[Touchdown]

This whole economy is being driven by the top 20% of income or net worth (>130k salary, >500k net worth) those are the only people spending discretionary right now due to the increasing cost of basic goods and stagnant wages. The only thing that hasn’t stagnated is the stock market which of course, these people have significant holdings (if you had 500k invested in a S&P index fund with your dividends factored in you’ve made $73,650 this year or almost half the salary needed to be in the top 20) or enough room to spend on non essentials (not saving properly for retirement can be viewed as future debt.) When the stock market falters again (and it will because it always falters at least for a little while) these people will feel differently.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I stayed in the Waldorf Astoria (or the Marriott Marquis, or the New Yorker, or any of a dozen higher-end hotels) in NYC even 15 years ago, for less than some people pay for moderates today. Never mind deluxes.

Who cares what the price of those places were 15 years ago?

The Marriot Marquis in NY right now is about $650-$700 per night, at normal times, excluding special events or the insane Christmas/NYE prices.

The Alqonquin in NY is $850 per night.

The various Marriots in Boston, range from $700--800 per night. You aren't finding anything like you are describing for less than moderate Disney prices, unless you are using a time machine.