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News Disney Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro Says Pricing Model Aims to Keep Vacations Affordable for Families
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
It’s sad that 57% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck according to Market Watch. A job loss or medical situation could drastically change lives. Affordable is a subjective term to the wealthy marketing that to the middle class.
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
Our last two visits we cut costs by driving and bringing a small microwave, cooler with drinks/snacks and food for breakfast and lunch. We would eat only one meal in the parks. It's just not worth the hassle so our Disney days are over.
Vegas Disney Fan
Well-Known Member
This describes us also, we still love the parks, we can still afford the parks… the only reason we’re not visiting the parks currently is we can’t justify the cost and hassle for what we get in return.
We paid thousands more for a 2 week long Viking cruise than we’d have paid for 2 weeks at WDW, the difference is the Viking cruise includes flights, includes transportation to and from the airport, includes food and drink, includes excursions… it’s a true luxury experience. Once you add in all the nickel and diming at Disney our cruise around the British isles will likely end up the same price, or even cheaper than WDW, all while being pampered the whole time.
WDW is still a great vacation, at its current price point it’s competing against truly amazing vacations though.
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
We did a 14 day Holland America cruise to Alaska the food was outstanding and available almost 24/7, The house keeping was outstanding (daily), nightly entertainment, the staff would but Disney CMs to shame. The cost I would say was far less than a 14 day stay at WDW as even their high end resorts would not come close to the cruise level of service. IMO Disney luxury resorts are way over rated ---by Disney
My friends who live in FL did similar cruises to Alaska . They like to get as far away from FL when on holiday and to see landscapes , change of weather and crisp cool air is wonderful. The rest of the world seems to come to what seems the holiday capital of the world — Florida.
Vegas Disney Fan
Well-Known Member
We’re doing a 12 day Alaska land and sea cruise package on Princess this fall, it’ll be my first trip to Alaska so I can’t wait.
One of the reasons we chose (the more expensive) Princess cruise over DCL was the convenience, with the land and sea package transportation and the lodges are included, etc. This is another good example of perceived value, we likely could have done the trip cheaper on DCL but that would have required booking rental cars/buses on our own, booking lodging on our own, booking flights on our own, etc but we’d rather pay a bit more, be taken care of, and have a simple vacation. Something WDW was formerly known for with Magical Express, luggage service, etc.
Disney has adopted the Spirit airlines business model where you pay less for the base package but then get nickel and dimed for everything else, which ultimately ends up being just as expensive as simply buying the better United flight, we’d rather just book United from the start and avoid the hassle.
WDW has never been an “easy” vacation with ADRs, FP+s, etc but it’s become far more difficult with the lose of ME and luggage service and the addition of LL, VQs, reservations, etc
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SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
Except they aren’t charging less for the base package, they’re increasing the price of that too….then still nickeling and diming. If it wasn’t for the pixie pass (aka known as weekday) in years past I couldn’t have afforded Disney. But no sense in renewing right now given nothing much is coming until 2026/2027
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
You will love it Alaska is unbelievable -eagles were every where like seagulls here in SC. we flew to Seattle got on the ship and did the inland water passage stops at Vancouver, Sitka, Icy straights, Anchorage (not impressed with), glaciers, animals --whales, seals, bears, otters, other stops can't remember. We lucked out and at one stop there was the (every 2 year) native Alaskan tribes meeting watched dance contest just great. On my bucket list is drive to Alaska on the AlCan Highway -talked to a older couple from Saint Pete Fla drove from there to Homer (one of our ports) said they spend 2 months in Alaska and have been doing it for 10 years. told me the scenery on the AlCan highway is absolutely gorgeous.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
As great as that sounds, I will say it I find it fascinating how so many of you choose a cruise in replacement of a Disney trip.
I'm always amazed that the many don't pick other parks to visit instead.
Chi84
Premium Member
A cruise is closer in nature to a WDW vacation than going to other parks, possibly with the exception of Universal now.
Other parks usually open seasonally are just glorified carnivals with rides . I don’t know anyone saying they are going to OH and PA to visit an amusement park.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
That's not true at all. They may not have the theming that Disney does but the top regional parks still manage close to 4 million guests a year.
I also think a lot of it also has to do with age group. Meaning if you are a family with young children or teens you will pick a Dollywood or Cedar Point 4 day trip instead.
Seasonal amusement parks have their fans but dwarfs the big theme park players Disney on top always in attendance to include Universal as distant second.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Part of that is being open 365 days a year. My point is not a Disney versus regional parks thing. More that if you aren't going to Disney, that the next choice is a cruise. Why wouldn't you pick another park for rides?
Or is it like I have always thought Disney parks fans aren't ride people. Meaning you go to Disney not for thrills but immersive experiences.
Dranth
Well-Known Member
Most folks don't go to Disney for thrills so is it really all that surprising they wouldn't look for that in other vacations?
Plus most people aren't going to plan vacations around regional parks. It is more something you do when you are already doing something else in the area. For example, if I am ever around Sandusky for some reason I might take a day and go to Cedar Point. If I head up to DC I might stop on the way at Kings Dominion, etc. but I wouldn't make more than a day trip for any of those on their own.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
I disagree with most just making day trips if in the area. If that was true parks like Cedar Point and Dollywood wouldn't have their own resorts. Most people visit those parks to 3-4 days.
As far as thrills go, I think it all depends on the family. For many with young kids or teens they may choose regional parks.
Bottom line I’ve never met a family saying they are going to fly or drive to a regional open seasonally amusement park for vacation. WDW , Uni , and DL , yes.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Maybe not a week long vacation but many do travel for 3-4 day trips. Maybe not across the country but many do 5-6 hour drives