Disney Prices

[FigmentForver96]

Ok so I was asking a question about the prices of the DVC rooms over at the Poly, and seeing what the regular price would be in this economy and with inflation. Take away what Disney makes them, but what the normal price would be on this market. It got me thinking about ticket prices as well as room prices across the resort. (I apologize if this has been discussed before) What would the prices for Disney resort hotels be, and what price should the tickets be for the parks?

 

[Cocalo]

hard question to answer but when you look at ticket prices 10-20 years ago and match them to inflation something is not adding up. 1994 ticket were approx $35 compare that to todays $100 ticket! I am pretty sure the avg American has not seen their income triple during that time. When you look at a family of four in 1994 it cost $126 to get into the park, that same family now costs close to $400. Sadly it is getting near impossible for the avg family to make this trip.

 

[FigmentForver96]

I just feel 2100 bucks a night can't be the normal price even in this market, and surely 100 bucks for one day tickets can't be right?!

 

[Cocalo]

Well the $2100 I suspect is to make the DVC members feel they are getting a major benefit in time share ownership. No different then food prices going up as most people are on a dining plan etc.

 

[kap91]

My standard reply is basically that there is no question that in general the prices Disney charges for tickets and rooms are mostly in line and well worth the experience you get. (Contrast a $100 ticket that gets you up to 18 hours of entertainment with a concert or play ticket or the like which could easily cost the same or more For two maybe 3 hours. It's also in line with other theme parks. If six flags costs $60 then obviously Disney is worth much more). The hotels are a bit more of a mixed bag but given location, amenities, experience, etc I'd also say that they're generally worth it.

BUT....and it's a big but...it's still really, really expensive - far more than it has been historically, and honestly beyond the reach of many families, somewhat even beyond my own (in lucky enough to have a pass paid for by a family member)-especially when you take into account multiple family members * a week * meals. Locals can't really afford just to drop by for a day like they used to and families coming down for vacation must put away what is probably a substantial percentage of their income.

I personally would love to go back to te days of a $50 or $60 ticket and average hotel prices several 100s lower. I want everyone to be able to experience Disney. But I'm not sure if that's a smart option as far as the business is concerned. People clearly are willing to pay the prices now (because as discussed above it IS worth it) and the parks and (to a slightly lesser extent) resorts are already overcrowded much of the time. It really is a complicated issue.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I agree that it is insanely priced, but people keep paying so they will keep charging, and raising, and raising, and raising. And for scary evidence that people are willing to pay just about anything, look no further than the recent three million page thread started by the guy who wants Disney to double their prices.

Fun side fact - it is not just Disney. A recent Broadway play called The River that starred Hugh Jackman charged $175.00 per ticket and it was not even 90 minutes long. Most performances were sold out. The average Broadway ticket is now around $150.00 and premium tickets can be $400 or higher.
Of course, in this example, there is a half price tickets booth and discount codes flow like the River Jordan if you know where to look. I know Disney discounts its resorts regularly but I've never seen a half price park ticket.

 

[kap91]

I agree that it is insanely priced, but people keep paying so they will keep charging, and raising, and raising, and raising. And for scary evidence that people are willing to pay just about anything, look no further than the recent three million page thread started by the guy who wants Dismey to double their prices.

Fun side fact - it is not just Disney. A recent Broadway play called The River that starred Hugh Jackman charged $175.00 per ticket and it was not even 90 minutes long. Most performances were sold out. The average Broadway ticket is now around $150.00 and premium tickets can be $400 or higher.
Of course, in this example, there is a half price tickets booth and discount codes flow like the River Jordan if you know where to look. I know Disney discounts its resorts regularly but I've never seen a half price park ticket.

There's little need for a half price park ticket because nearly all guests buy multi day tickets which are already severely discounted. By the time you get to 6 or 7 days additional days are practically free. The only time it would make sense is for Florida residents - and they occasionally do what equates to about 50% off a single day (though having to buy a three day-not sure what the current 3 day price is )

I'd like to see them go back to a traditional "this is what a ticket costs" - no discounts for more days - but have the price be much lower than the current $100. Hell if you took the current 275ish ten day ticket and divide by ten days a park ticket would only cost $30!

I think it's been pointed out before though that the affordability issue really comes down hotel prices. Though I imagine that that $100 barrier to entry is problematic for some. It means you have to have at least $400 for a family of four to visit four just one day - now very few people would visit for just one day but it does sorta function as way to prevent lower income people from visiting. Currently the difference between visiting for one day and 4 days isn't all that much. Meaning that if you want to visit for one day you basically have to be able to afford four days. But in the cost structure I think they should adopt then that barrier is removed and people can visit for the exact amount of time that fits their budget. You could even raise the price to $40 per day - make more money on the normal 7-10 day tickets but still make it more accessible to everyone. Unfortunately because disneys current business model is based on hotels and meal plans - eliminating the incentive to stay longer cuts into their income.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Ok so I was asking a question about the prices of the DVC rooms over at the Poly, and seeing what the regular price would be in this economy and with inflation. Take away what Disney makes them, but what the normal price would be on this market. It got me thinking about ticket prices as well as room prices across the resort. (I apologize if this has been discussed before) What would the prices for Disney resort hotels be, and what price should the tickets be for the parks?

Your question itself is flawed because Disney has no competition for a Disney themed vacation experience.

 

[kap91]

Your question itself is flawed because Disney has no competition for a Disney themed vacation experience.

Indeed that's a hard added value to quantify. The closest you can come is compare similar to similar. So say the grand fla or contemp to perhaps a fancy Hilton in an exotic location with a view - but that's a hard comparison to make because for instance the garden wing at the contemp is a completely different experience than the tower.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Indeed that's a hard added value to quantify. The closest you can come is compare similar to similar. So say the grand fla or contemp to perhaps a fancy Hilton in an exotic location with a view - but that's a hard comparison to make because for instance the garden wing at the contemp is a completely different experience than the tower.

You can't. There is a value to the immersion into the Disney Universe. Just like there is a value to the Uni Universe. You can't take the poly bungalows out of context for instance. The context being they are pert of the Disney experience. People decide to go to Disney, then choose lodging.

 

[Cocalo]

Yes a 10 day ticket is a great deal but it must be used in such a limited time. Which makes it irrelevant. Maybe these prices would make sense if expiry was not an issue. Also justifying it by saying others are overpriced is a false positive. In general you can spend 150 for a broadway ticket because you need not worry about buying 4 tickets for family or accomadtions/food more times then not Broadway is a single or two day destination. With Disney it is a bigger picture and the 400 gets you in the door. From there it's food , gifts etc. I'm not criticizing just wondering when will it be too much. Right now we are a culture that likes to spend the banks money and hopefully pay for it later.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Yes a 10 day ticket is a great deal but it must be used in such a limited time. Which makes it irrelevant. Maybe these prices would make sense if expiry was not an issue. Also justifying it by saying others are overpriced is a false positive. In general you can spend 150 for a broadway ticket because you need not worry about buying 4 tickets for family or accomadtions/food more times then not Broadway is a single or two day destination. With Disney it is a bigger picture and the 400 gets you in the door. From there it's food , gifts etc. I'm not criticizing just wondering when will it be too much. Right now we are a culture that likes to spend the banks money and hopefully pay for it later.

When that bubble bursts, you will see prices come down. The only problem is will there be a travel/ entertainment industry left afterwards.

 

[mousehockey37]

Oh geez, here we go again... The "Not So Magical" thread has all this covered. Basically, this is a loaded question and loaded thread...

It's expensive. Yes. To some it's way too expensive, to many others, it's not expensive enough... I'll just get me some popcorn and watch now...

 

[kap91]

Honestly I think another problem is that wages have basically not risen at all since WDW opened, and adjusted for inflation and various expenses have actually fallen. While the price for visiting WDW has risen faster than inflation, if wages had kept up it would probably be a good deal more affordable.

 

[kap91]

Oh geez, here we go again... The "Not So Magical" thread has all this covered. Basically, this is a loaded question and loaded thread...

It's expensive. Yes. To some it's way too expensive, to many others, it's not expensive enough... I'll just get me some popcorn and watch now...

Yep you're right. I remember that thread now. Maybe we should just stop now while a war hasn't started. I hereby bow out.

 

[mousehockey37]

Yep you're right. I remember that thread now. Maybe we should just stop now while a war hasn't started. I hereby bow out.

I understand what the OP is looking for, and hopefully someone can do the math and get them that answer. But, based upon the comments that have already been posted, this one's gonna get ugly quick. @BuddyThomas hit it on the head with his comment, which I added the conversation from the "Not So Magical" thread.

 

[FigmentForver96]

I understand now, no need to start a war.

 

[BigRedDad]

For me, ticket prices and resort prices are insane. When we plan trips, we plan 2 in a 12 month period. This way we can buy APs which saves a bit plus the discounts. We would stay in Value resorts as well. After finding the better than deluxe accommodations just off site for less than a Value resort, we will not be staying on site any more (except our trip in 17 days). Getting a 2BR suite in a luxury resort for $70 a night cannot be beat.

In order to afford it, you have to find places you can cut back. A place to sleep is one of those. With a car, I can visit any resort I choose if I wanted. I can even take a bus to the resort to check them out.

Between the 2 1-week trips, our cost break down is $1300 for 2 APs + $350 for MYW ticket, $1200 for 7-nights at Boardwalk, $500 for 7-nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We are at $3,350 for 2 weeks there. We spent a total of $600 when staying at WBC and will probably spend $1,000 this trip. We are at almost $5,000 for 2 weeks of vacation. That is not horrible

 

[yaksplat]

I have no problem spending $60/day for each member of my family, which comes to about $283/day. That's what it comes out to be with a 7 day park hopper. I've spent that much at 6 flags and been nothing but disappointed with the experience. Granted, you only go to six flags for a day, but you can easily spend a week at Disney.

Money well spent as far as I'm concerned.