Hmmm...wonder if this story is totally factual or not? if it is, must be a wonderful time to visit Disney World with shorter wait times right now!

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That was Data’s day…I do believe

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

In this economy I think a lot of people just simply can’t afford or justify it, especially with the nonstop price increases and nickel and diming of everything. WDW has always been expensive but when you can literally fly to the actual French Riviera and take a vacation for the same cost as staying at Disneys Riviera Resort something has to give.

The resort discounts are nice and do help, but it doesn’t defray the dining and park costs.

Well people try to splain it away with “it was always expensive…”

I disagree…it was never “cheap”…those are distinctly different assessments

It’s been death by a thousand cuts.

And even if you subscribe (to make yourself feel special) to the “it’s luxury now…” that’s not what it looks like…

There is a distinct flavor when you have cuts…or at a minimum “expense rationing” combined with increases. It looks like a store/product that is fighting off bankruptcy…

Doesn’t instill the “Rolex” kinda feel

 

[John park hopper]

Are they? Have you seen the prices of concert tickets?

you are comparing apples to oranges

 

[John park hopper]

Disney has adopted the Kohl's business model. Raise prices then cut the price (resorts) by 20% and the lemmings think they are getting a great deal. Mean while Disney has made an additional 80% on their price increase

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Are they? Have you seen the prices of concert tickets?

Don’t bother with this…sporting events and concerts are not comparisons

Lay off the dust and do better

 

[heapster411]

IMHO people have certain price points in their heads and wallets about a Disney vacation, that they will either tolerate or abandon. Disney is in that area that even the semi-hardcore are questioning their loyalty to the brand. We know that Disney will see the decline in on-site reservations and maybe give a pause in increases but never reduce it. Have you ever heard of a temporary tax? The DW and I have quit using Disney Destinations to book our rooms and opted to rent points and cut down the amount of days spent at the parks. Our price point is almost reached.

 

[TalkToEthan]

Are they? Have you seen the prices of concert tickets?

Have you seen the prices of a gallbladder removal or fishing tackle?

 

[John park hopper]

Disney is no longer concerned about the long time Disney fan/guest because we remember how Disney used to be. Our norm is those early visits and now we see what Disney has become IMO a greedy corporation. Disney is more concerned about the recent first time guest because that Disney is their norm.

 

[Stripes]

you are comparing apples to oranges

Don’t bother with this…sporting events and concerts are not comparisons

Lay off the dust and do better

Have you seen the prices of a gallbladder removal or fishing tackle?

I mean, great rebuttals all around! /s

Do concerts provide entertainment to guests? Are they a communal experience that lots of people enjoy together? Do they rely on a high number of largely domestic employees getting paid U.S. wages to facilitate and operate the concert? Do they offer a highly differentiated experience that you can’t get from anybody else?

In terms of value comparisons, I’d say there’s quite a bit they have in common.

Certainly, the price of a medical procedure or fishing equipment are just as good though! /s

 

[jloucks]

I was in an ECV because of an injury. I ceased caring as long as I could stay there and had my Kindle.

Kindle Lifehack!

I picked up a Steam Deck (powerful handheld game system) about 18 months ago. Airports, buses, taxis, anything with a 'sit and wait' situation has bothered me not since.

I'm not quite sure I could lug it around at WDW tho.

Ironically, or is it coincidentally, one of my fav airplane travel games is Dreamlight Valley.

 

[jloucks]

When young families are spending every single extra dime they have on housing..... good luck with luxury vacations.

Having young adult children, I can tell you that this for absolute sure, is ravaging young folks financially.

...yea yea... I know... don't live where housing is expensive. It is not quite that easy.

Tony the T mentioned that WDW prices didn't go up that much. I agree. I think it is a cumulative effect of EVERYTHING going up a little.

Except housing. That did not go up a little, that tripled or quadrupled (depending on exactly where you are in DFW over the last 7 years. (Dallas Fort Worth area).

We've discussed before whether WDW is (supposed to be) a luxury good or just general entertainment. I believe these trends support the designation of luxury good.

 

[jloucks]

Disney has adopted the Kohl's business model. Raise prices then cut the price (resorts) by 20% and the lemmings think they are getting a great deal. Mean while Disney has made an additional 80% on their price increase

Ha! Throw in a "free" dining plan and I'm in!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Kindle Lifehack!

I picked up a Steam Deck (powerful handheld game system) about 18 months ago. Airports, buses, taxis, anything with a 'sit and wait' situation has bothered me not since.

I'm not quite sure I could lug it around at WDW tho.

Ironically, or is it coincidentally, one of my fav airplane travel games is Dreamlight Valley.

I have actually thought about getting a Steam deck, lol. But I don't think I'd lug one around WDW. I had the flight from hell down last time and used my iPad mini for Disney Dreamlight Valley.

The Kindle I pretty much always have on me. Even had a case for it and took it in the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon. One trip I read like 7 books over the course of my trip. I wasn't using an ECV that time, but any type of wait, and out came the Kindle.

 

[lewisc]

I just came back from Japan. Given the choice I would to Japan every 5 years vs an annual trip to WDW. It's not that simple.

 

[jloucks]

Disney is morphing into the "we went a couple of times with kids when they were young. It was okay. But expensive." place.

And that's on Disney.

Correct me if you think I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that is what it was when I was a kid back in the 70's and 80's.

You went once, like a childhood pilgrimage, and you were happy if you got that.

I went twice in 20 years. That's it. ....and it was magical!

As a wise old adult looking back, I really sincerely appreciate my parents taking me, even if only twice. We were kinda broke and it was a sacrifice they made.

 

[John park hopper]

Sporting events and concerts don't occur 365 days a year like Disney. Sporting and concerts are only a few hours not like Disney 10-12 hours a day. That is why sporting/ concerts have to make their money in a short amount of time. Can't compare Disney

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Correct me if you think I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that is what it was when I was a kid back in the 70's and 80's.

You went once, like a childhood pilgrimage, and you were happy if you got that.

I went twice in 20 years. That's it. ....and it was magical!

As a wise old adult looking back, I really sincerely appreciate my parents taking me, even if only twice. We were kinda broke and it was a sacrifice they made.

I think that proves the point of how reckless their pricing strategy is…

That was indeed how it used to be when travel was not as common..then it became common and they developed that into a consistent customer group…which has supported it since the 90’s. Dvc was not created on a whim…

Now they have a couple of problems: that loyal base is outwardly questioning what they’re getting AND the pricing has eliminated a lot of the pool of people that can even make the occasional “pilgrimages”

They’ve pushed it. It’s not all their fault with the cost of living outside their gates…but it is their responsibility to navigate troubled water effectively. They are not.

“Screw whoever shows up” isn’t exactly a genius strategy.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Sporting events and concerts don't occur 365 days a year like Disney. Sporting and concerts are only a few hours not like Disney 10-12 hours a day. That is why sporting/ concerts have to make their money in a short amount of time. Can't compare Disney

Or to put it simply: you don’t go to a concert or football game for an average of 7 days that required lodging/food/ travel cost, etc.

Some people make road trips for a few days for those things…but the whole point of leagues plopping “home”teams in as many markets they can…because you have to get people there.

Concerts? That’s why they TOUR!!
if Taylor didn’t need to…she’d just charge you to show up to the backyard of whatever gaudy estate her and Mr. Wood end up living in…

 

[Stripes]

Sporting events and concerts don't occur 365 days a year like Disney. Sporting and concerts are only a few hours not like Disney 10-12 hours a day. That is why sporting/ concerts have to make their money in a short amount of time. Can't compare Disney

None of this negates the value comparison from a guest’s perspective. Consumers don’t evaluate experiences based on how often the business is open—they evaluate what they get for what they spend. A $200 concert ticket for a two-hour show delivers just a few hours of entertainment. A $180 Disney ticket, on the other hand, provides 10–12 hours of world-class attractions, live performances, and immersive environments.

The fact that Disney runs 365 days a year actually strengthens its value proposition: despite the constant operation and immense upkeep required, it continues to offer a consistently high-quality experience for roughly the same price range as a single evening event. Limited-time events like concerts or games can charge more because they’re scarce, but scarcity doesn’t translate to a better value from a consumer perspective—it simply justifies a higher price point.

Ultimately, the comparison isn’t about how often something runs—it’s about what a guest receives in return for their time and money. By that measure, Disney delivers substantially more entertainment, variety, and emotional impact per dollar than concerts or sporting events. And while Disney is more expensive than some other vacation options, I would argue that the value received per dollar remains greater at Disney than most other vacation offerings. Although an imperfect comparison of guest value, Royal Caribbean’s cruise business has a significantly higher operating margin than Disney’s domestic Experiences business, as just one example.

Obviously people find value in Disney vacations, otherwise revenue wouldn’t be setting new all-time records at Walt Disney World. I was at the resorts yesterday, and I’m hearing every accent known to man. These people have paid quite a bit to fly around the world to be here. I had a chat with a few of them. All of them were having a great time. For a British couple, it was their first visit. They were already dreading leaving and will be planning another trip soon! They said it was the best vacation they’d ever had.