Disney slowly losing our dollars.

[epcotisbest]

At our house there are currently a pair of 10 day no expiration tickets with a couple of days left, two expired WDW annual passes and two current annual passes to SeaWorld. On our next trip we will probably stay on site but only go to MK and Epcot then spend the rest of the time at SeaWorld. Can't see us getting WDW annual passes again and if they discontinue no expiration, I see us spending even less time and money at WDW. There are just too many other options. We enjoy staying on site and will continue to do so, for the most part, but will just spend less time and money in the Disney bubble. We have been going off property for a day or two for several years now. We even spent a week at Wilderness Lodge a couple of years ago and did not set foot in any of the parks or waterparks, just hung out by the pool, hit the outlet stores and resort hopped for a week. Of course, we drive so we have that option.

My wife and 5 others are going to the Princess half marathon in Feb. but are only planning on one day at a Disney park following the race. The rest of the time will be spent driving off property to some other parks and to the outlets in the area. If tickets were more reasonable, they would spend all their time and money at WDW. We can not be the only ones rebelling at Disney cost of admission, no matter how much we love it.

And to top it off, we go at least once per year, sometimes twice, with our Trip this past Sept. being trip number 22, with each trip being 7 plus days, often eating at on site restaurants 3 times a day plus snacks, no free dining. Of course we are small grains of sand in an ocean full of tourists, but Disney's constant price increases and upcoming next gen will save us a ton of money because we will be spending less by going to other places. Will our money be missed? I doubt it. I love Disney, but am slowly reaching the edge of loyalty. Hey that could be the name of a soap opera or country song...The edge of loyalty.

Am I the only one with these kinds of mixed feelings?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

At our house there are currently a pair of 10 day no expiration tickets with a couple of days left, two expired WDW annual passes and two current annual passes to SeaWorld. On our next trip we will probably stay on site but only go to MK and Epcot then spend the rest of the time at SeaWorld. Can't see us getting WDW annual passes again and if they discontinue no expiration, I see us spending even less time and money at WDW. There are just too many other options. We enjoy staying on site and will continue to do so, for the most part, but will just spend less time and money in the Disney bubble. We have been going off property for a day or two for several years now. We even spent a week at Wilderness Lodge a couple of years ago and did not set foot in any of the parks or waterparks, just hung out by the pool, hit the outlet stores and resort hopped for a week. Of course, we drive so we have that option.

My wife and 5 others are going to the Princess half marathon in Feb. but are only planning on one day at a Disney park following the race. The rest of the time will be spent driving off property to some other parks and to the outlets in the area. If tickets were more reasonable, they would spend all their time and money at WDW. We can not be the only ones rebelling at Disney cost of admission, no matter how much we love it.

And to top it off, we go at least once per year, sometimes twice, with our Trip this past Sept. being trip number 22, with each trip being 7 plus days, often eating at on site restaurants 3 times a day plus snacks, no free dining. Of course we are small grains of sand in an ocean full of tourists, but Disney's constant price increases and upcoming next gen will save us a ton of money because we will be spending less by going to other places. Will our money be missed? I doubt it. I love Disney, but am slowly reaching the edge of loyalty. Hey that could be the name of a soap opera or country song...The edge of loyalty.

Am I the only one with these kinds of mixed feelings?

Welcome to the club. We really enjoy the Universal Parks and Resorts more these days. I suggest you give Portofino Bay Resort a 2 day test run. The pool concierge really did it for me. He carried 4 towels per person the the chaise lounges of our choice. Used one to cover the lower portion, one to cover the upper portion, made a pillow out of the 3rd, and then laid a folded one at the foot to use to dry ourselves with. And they had 2 types of complimentary ice water (Lemon/Lime, Orange/Tangerine). And this was at the Family pool. The "quite" pool was even better. And that was $183/night with my AP discount. Although it does usually run a bit more than that. And the room key acts as a Express Pass in the parks.

 

[epcotisbest]

Wow, only me and one other. I would have guessed more.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow, only me and one other. I would have guessed more.

Us, too. Y'all aren't the only ones. We've kinda moved on to Disney cruising for now but some of their pricing during traditionally busy times (summer, holidays, etc) can be put-off-ish. Honestly, we're a slippery step away from Disney's competition for both parks and cruises. It is what it is.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Am I the only one with these kinds of mixed feelings?

Not at all, with the lack of serious re-investment in the parks, newer and better offerings off-site and at comparable resorts (under the Disney name or not), I'm sure their are plenty of others.

 

[epcotisbest]

Us, too. Y'all aren't the only ones. We've kinda moved on to Disney cruising for now but some of their pricing during traditionally busy times (summer, holidays, etc) can be put-off-ish. Honestly, we're a slippery step away from Disney's competition for both parks and cruises. It is what it is.

We are still going to do one of those Disney cruises some day, but recently both RC and NCL have been offering some very tempting prices out of Port Canaveral.

 

[steamboat wil]

I canceled my trip to WDW this year. I replaced it with a week long stay at a condo and 3 days at UNI/IOA plus some beach time. I was upset with our trip last summer and really started noticing the Disney difference has faded. Dirty restrooms, same rides in poorer condition, and food quality has dropped. We still love Disney, but our yearly trips to the world are over until they get their act together. I have a 4 day trip in March at DLR so the WDC will still get some of my money, just not in Orlando.

 

[koryadams]

well, some people only go to these places once in their life or not at all. I think you just need a break from going and then maybe in a few years, you will want to go back to all the parks.

 

[epcotisbest]

well, some people only go to these places once in their life or not at all. I think you just need a break from going and then maybe in a few years, you will want to go back to all the parks.

Yes, absolutely. Someone who has never been should go. I was just commenting as a frequent visitor who is going to visit less frequently for multiple reasons. Still love WDW and realize how fortunate we have been over the years.

 

[ParentsOf4]

There are many of us on these threads who feel the same way. WDW is heading in the wrong direction and, after being big fans for decades, it stinks. Declining quality, skyrocketing prices, stagnation. We WDW fans could handle one, maybe even two, but the combination of all three is just a death spiral.

Rather than aspire to the standards that once set them apart, TDO seems to be going out of its way to find how far it can lower those standards. Rather than focus on providing value, TDO focuses on double digit price increases. Rather than creating new experiences to attract guests, TDO seems to concentrate all of its efforts on squeezing every penny it can out of this once magnificent venue called WDW.

No, you are not alone. There are plenty of us who feel the same way.

 

[JafarMaleficent]

Us, too. Y'all aren't the only ones. We've kinda moved on to Disney cruising for now but some of their pricing during traditionally busy times (summer, holidays, etc) can be put-off-ish. Honestly, we're a slippery step away from Disney's competition for both parks and cruises. It is what it is.

We've been leaning more towards the cruise lately. Seems like there's actually more to do then the parks. We didn't even do half of what we wanted last time. Meanwhile we go to the parks and are ready to leave by lunch. Its the same food everywhere and its not great. plus its expensive now for everything. Were annual pass holders but its getting to where I don't know if I wanna renew this year.

 

[BigRedDad]

We make a Summer trip so all of our college friends and family can get together. We go to Universal and really enjoy it. There is a lot to offer and it is less expensive. The crowds are lighter and if you stay on site, you can virtually walk on to every ride. The other benefit is that you can be done by lunch, go back and enjoy the resort all afternoon, back to the park at night for more fun. There is also adult nightlife which makes it fun for the parents.

We went to Sea World this past Summer as well. The package deal was incredible and far less than WDW. We stayed 2 nights at the Portofino Bay resort, 5 nights at the hotel right across from Sea World. The total cost of the trip was about half of what I spend at WDW.

 

[marni1971]

Indeed. We used to do two Uni days and the rest at WDW.

Now it's 3+ Uni, 2+ Seaworld, 2 Busch, 2 Aquatica. MK and Epcot still get days, DAK less than a day, DHS a few hours here and there.

Been to Pleasure Island once since to see the damage. Never again.

 

[real mad hatter]

At our house there are currently a pair of 10 day no expiration tickets with a couple of days left, two expired WDW annual passes and two current annual passes to SeaWorld. On our next trip we will probably stay on site but only go to MK and Epcot then spend the rest of the time at SeaWorld. Can't see us getting WDW annual passes again and if they discontinue no expiration, I see us spending even less time and money at WDW. There are just too many other options. We enjoy staying on site and will continue to do so, for the most part, but will just spend less time and money in the Disney bubble. We have been going off property for a day or two for several years now. We even spent a week at Wilderness Lodge a couple of years ago and did not set foot in any of the parks or waterparks, just hung out by the pool, hit the outlet stores and resort hopped for a week. Of course, we drive so we have that option.

My wife and 5 others are going to the Princess half marathon in Feb. but are only planning on one day at a Disney park following the race. The rest of the time will be spent driving off property to some other parks and to the outlets in the area. If tickets were more reasonable, they would spend all their time and money at WDW. We can not be the only ones rebelling at Disney cost of admission, no matter how much we love it.

And to top it off, we go at least once per year, sometimes twice, with our Trip this past Sept. being trip number 22, with each trip being 7 plus days, often eating at on site restaurants 3 times a day plus snacks, no free dining. Of course we are small grains of sand in an ocean full of tourists, but Disney's constant price increases and upcoming next gen will save us a ton of money because we will be spending less by going to other places. Will our money be missed? I doubt it. I love Disney, but am slowly reaching the edge of loyalty. Hey that could be the name of a soap opera or country song...The edge of loyalty.

Am I the only one with these kinds of mixed feelings?

. Now everyone on this site knows about my love of Disney.But I agree with what you say.Too much of the same things lead to boredom.Do you eat at the same restaurant every time you go out? Do you have the same meal? Do you watch the same movie,over and over? It's the groundhog theory.I visit WDW every two years and Ive yet to find it boring,of course it gets dearer.Tell me something that doesn't go up in price. So until I get to the point of saying to myself " Here we go again " It still is my number one vacation in the world,and long may this magic remain in my heart and my families also.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

. Now everyone on this site knows about my love of Disney.But I agree with what you say.Too much of the same things lead to boredom.Do you eat at the same restaurant every time you go out? Do you have the same meal? Do you watch the same movie,over and over? It's the groundhog theory.I visit WDW every two years and Ive yet to find it boring,of course it gets dearer.Tell me something that doesn't go up in price. So until I get to the point of saying to myself " Here we go again " It still is my number one vacation in the world,and long may this magic remain in my heart and my families also.

WDW's price increases have outpaced inflation by 300%. Just sayin'.

 

[real mad hatter]

WDW's price increases have outpaced inflation by 300%. Just sayin'.

Where does this info come from?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I saw an breakdown analysis somewhere that detailed the price increases. I see if I can find it.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

I used to spend some days at Universal and IOA but will no longer waste my money there. Sure, there are some good rides but waiting overly long to access them puts me off. Fast pass for all guests certainly makes longer lines for those of us staying at a Disney resort and I refuse to pay through the nose for the same priviledge.

Add to that the abuse of the child exchange system which just compounds the wait in the regular queue.

 

[BigRedDad]

I wouldn't doubt those increases. I use to be able to spend a week there for ~$1,500 (food, tickets, room). Now, that is closer to $2750. 300% is a little high, but it has doubled in 10 years. I can assure you my salary and my disposable income has not doubled. But, I can stay in deluxe accommodations with tickets and food to Sea World and Aquatica for ~$1250 for 6 days.

 

[BigRedDad]

waiting overly long to access them puts me off. Fast pass for all guests certainly makes longer lines for those of us staying at a Disney resort and I refuse to pay through the nose for the same priviledge.

If you go to Universal and not stay on site, you are a fool. Those "front of line" passes for staying on site makes it. If you pay separately for them, it is stupid. The cost of the passes usually come out to the price of a room.