Holy $#@!...Did you see the price increases?!

[lighteningqueen]

Its not about staying on property,to us. We would stay value there no matter what.Someone else drives your heiny around, and you don't have to pay 14.00 parking per day per park.. When you factor in the gas driving to and from your off site property plus that parking fee plus your high dollar bottle of water when you are there.You could have stayed on site. We dont buy souveneirs nor any water from the park, nor any extra food. We come out good.Our room is 89.00 night for Pop in Jan.. Sure I could stay off property pay 60.00 night and stay awake wondering if our car will be there in the morning and watch for that hord of bugs that comes with the room at no extra charge.I will stay on property and do the plan. Its hard to save $1000.00 for us 2 to eat on, on our trip to Disney that now will have to be every 2-3 years now due to all the increases.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It's just my opinion, but I think price increases are always all about the Dining Plan.

One thing you have to admit, Disney is genius with their Dining Plan. Want to eat at a sit down on property/ in the parks? Well, it will cost you big time. Want to save a little? Use our Disney Dining Plan! But, oh wait! You'll have to book a room at one of our hotels first!

In other words, by making the 'whole' Disney experience (character meals, etc.) just expensive enough to make people balk at the price, they get people to prepay for their food AND fill their hotel rooms. Genius! :king:

Right. And by getting people on the dining plan they're more assured to keep people on their property and not wandering off. Ya know?

Its not about staying on property,to us. We would stay value there no matter what.Someone else drives your heiny around, and you don't have to pay 14.00 parking per day per park.. When you factor in the gas driving to and from your off site property plus that parking fee plus your high dollar bottle of water when you are there.You could have stayed on site. We dont buy souveneirs nor any water from the park, nor any extra food. We come out good.Our room is 89.00 night for Pop in Jan.. Sure I could stay off property pay 60.00 night and stay awake wondering if our car will be there in the morning and watch for that hord of bugs that comes with the room at no extra charge.I will stay on property and do the plan. Its hard to save $1000.00 for us 2 to eat on, on our trip to Disney that now will have to be every 2-3 years now due to all the increases.

Yep. It hurts when the prices go up while pay goes down or doesn't change. then the worst (to me anyway) is the uncertainty. You just never know what's next anymore. If it wasn't for the insane OT hubby has worked all year we wouldn't be going. The dining fund was made possible by me selling my most valuable doll. The problem is DH isn't guaranteed OT forever and I don't have an unlimited supply of dolls in my collection (and collectibles have gone waaaaaay down in value). When we get back from the adventure next month I may be looking to rejoin the work force at least part time. Gonna be a real challenge with the boys schoolin' at home... :animwink:

 

[lighteningqueen]

We too are selling valubles.. Only becasue 1 if we don't they will get broken.2 lost or torn,3 its just taking up space and I do not decorate that way..We sold 2old pepsi signs for way more than we expected. BUT that is going to the huge elec bill this month 76 straight days over 103 most are 109 where I live and at 3 in the morning its only gone down to 90,s. Nothing cools off before it starts going back up before noon its already 100.. I will never sell our old items to take a vacation.If I have to we just won't go anywhere..

 

[Kerby626]

Kel- When we are pricing out our meals and such. We are being pretty selective with what we are choosing to eat. I think we are only going to do 3 of them an just wing the rest of it. It esp sucks since it was a last min trip before Sean deploys(with airfare thrown in there) and all the placed he would love to eat. I can't jusifty it with the kids and such. I don't wanna do the dining plan cause it will kill the deal we got on the Military discount we are using.

 

[MITCH 112198]

I also noticed the prices on Tuesday, and we were paying for our extra table service at tuskar house and now had to rethink it and now will pay for 50's prime time instead.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Kel- When we are pricing out our meals and such. We are being pretty selective with what we are choosing to eat. I think we are only going to do 3 of them an just wing the rest of it. It esp sucks since it was a last min trip before Sean deploys(with airfare thrown in there) and all the placed he would love to eat. I can't jusifty it with the kids and such. I don't wanna do the dining plan cause it will kill the deal we got on the Military discount we are using.

I hear ya, girl. I know I haven't told you this yet, but you are the absolute shiz-nit puting together a cross-country last-minute WDW adventure for Sean and for y'all's family before he deploys. You have so much on your plate with the twins and all. You are da-bomb! But, some of us already sorta knew all that. Y'all will have a wonderful time. Doesn't matter about the restaurants and things you're limited on with the little ones. You'll all be together and seeing your 'Happy Place' thru their eyes. That's just all kinds of drownin' in awesome-sauce!!! (<--love that word! LOL!)

I also noticed the prices on Tuesday, and we were paying for our extra table service at tuskar house and now had to rethink it and now will pay for 50's prime time instead.

Mitch, call WDW-Dine and ask them for the pricing for when you're traveling. The CM I talked to yesterday sorta mentioned different "tiers". The prices Allears was showing were the highest tier and are about to end. Be careful not to go canceling ADRs you might regret and not be able to get back. Ya know? Cancel it when you absolutely must and keep the opportunity there. Tusker House breakfast is soooooo yummy and a huge family favorite.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

$120 to take my family to Crystal Palace for breakfast. Not worth it. :brick:

That's just not funny anymore, is it?


$120 for breakfast. Uh-uh. No way. I work for a living.

When compared to other monthly and daily expenses, the house and healthcare and study, $120 is just too much for a single breakfast. :shrug:

 

[disneygirl1]

Don't freak out! Allears has holiday surcharge pricing posted! Knock $4 off their prices on those that were just updated with the crazy hikes. :wave:

Well that's good to know, but I too still think prices are getting a little out of hand!

It's just my opinion, but I think price increases are always all about the Dining Plan.

One thing you have to admit, Disney is genius with their Dining Plan. Want to eat at a sit down on property/ in the parks? Well, it will cost you big time. Want to save a little? Use our Disney Dining Plan! But, oh wait! You'll have to book a room at one of our hotels first!

In other words, by making the 'whole' Disney experience (character meals, etc.) just expensive enough to make people balk at the price, they get people to prepay for their food AND fill their hotel rooms. Genius! :king:

My thoughts TOO!!! Disney is giving people a reason to HAVE to buy the DDP upfront. Definitely a genuis move by them!

 

[jmcdougall]

Also, my problem is I'm booked with a Florida resident PIN and we're APers. Unless I change to an AP rate or GP special I can't even add the DDP. So now Disney is screwin' me on the food because I booked a good discount.

And, yes, if LesChefs is any indication the ala carte menus are up, too. The price fixe for dinner seems higher to me. I think it was $33-ish or $35-ish. It's up to a hair under $40.

I totally agree with everyone on this thread. However...it seems to me and my husband that every entertainment venue has gotten out of hand. We go to disney every year and try to budget as best as we can. People I work with tease me about my love of disney and tell me I need to get a life! However,,,, I work with tons of Saints fans (we live near new orleans) and when they tell me what they spend on season tickets, tailgating, etc my eyes role. one of our friends said he spent $12 each for bottled beer he bought at a pro basketball game. My husband and I went on a trip by ourselves (first time alone in years) in june to disney and we had breakfast at the crystal palace. we were both appalled at the price but he does love breakfast and we enjoyed it. We consoled ourselves with the thought that it cost 1/3 of the price it would have cost us to go to a saints game. haha
I love all of your trip reports and look forward to more, Janine

 

[JAG107]

inflation

I remember 45 years ago paying $2,900 for my Ford Mustang (loaded) and paying $0.18/gal for Shell premium gas. So, what's your point?

According to an online inflation calculator, this is what you'd pay in 2010 in comparison to 1982 dollars ("28 years ago"):

What cost $110 in 1982 would cost $245.20 in 2010.

I guess with meals included back then, it was a much better deal than what you'd pay today.

 

[Kerby626]

I hear ya, girl. I know I haven't told you this yet, but you are the absolute shiz-nit puting together a cross-country last-minute WDW adventure for Sean and for y'all's family before he deploys. You have so much on your plate with the twins and all. You are da-bomb! But, some of us already sorta knew all that. Y'all will have a wonderful time. Doesn't matter about the restaurants and things you're limited on with the little ones. You'll all be together and seeing your 'Happy Place' thru their eyes. That's just all kinds of drownin' in awesome-sauce!!! (<--love that word! LOL!)

I know it will be worth it. I took them to DL the other day by myself since Sean was gone. We did the tea cups 3 times per Gabs request so I am def going to make this trip the best we can. We are going to do grocery delivery to help out(iknow it will be cheaper on the end) not too much I can pack a long the way iwth baggage fees and all.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I totally agree with everyone on this thread. However...it seems to me and my husband that every entertainment venue has gotten out of hand. We go to disney every year and try to budget as best as we can. People I work with tease me about my love of disney and tell me I need to get a life! However,,,, I work with tons of Saints fans (we live near new orleans) and when they tell me what they spend on season tickets, tailgating, etc my eyes role. one of our friends said he spent $12 each for bottled beer he bought at a pro basketball game. My husband and I went on a trip by ourselves (first time alone in years) in june to disney and we had breakfast at the crystal palace. we were both appalled at the price but he does love breakfast and we enjoyed it. We consoled ourselves with the thought that it cost 1/3 of the price it would have cost us to go to a saints game. haha
I love all of your trip reports and look forward to more, Janine

We miss "home" so bad! We lived in Covington for several years. The year I spent working at the engineering firm my hubby was working for I got sick to death of hearing "Who Dat?" from every man who walked thru the office door on Monday mornings...particularly when there were about 120 of them. Sacrilige, I know, but that was like 3 years before they won the Super Bowl. I started leaving random stickies and white board messages in many offices: "Lesson of the day - Who is that?" :lol: I hear ya on the cost. I've been to a couple NBA games and it was pretty pricey, for sure. I've not been to MLB games since I was a kid. I'm 37 years old and I have never been to an NFL game. Don't think I ever will. That is absolutely ridiculous amounts of money. Things like that I look at the $$ and think: that's 5 days worth of food at WDW! LOL!

I know it will be worth it. I took them to DL the other day by myself since Sean was gone. We did the tea cups 3 times per Gabs request so I am def going to make this trip the best we can. We are going to do grocery delivery to help out(iknow it will be cheaper on the end) not too much I can pack a long the way iwth baggage fees and all.

Wow! You took them to Disneyland by yourself?! That rocks! I hope your little man was cool with all those tea cup twirls his sis put him thru. That's just toooooo sweet!

We've done grocery delivery with Garden Grocer like 4 times and always had stellar service. Must-haves for us (not that I've had kids little as yours) were milk, sodas, bottled water, and bleach. Remember, you can also pack a USPS Priority Flat Rate box with dry goods and mail it to yourself at your resort. I've done that 3 or 4 times, too. I usually send beef jerky, Slim Jims, trail mix, M&M's, over the counter meds, bar soap, wipes, powdered laundry soap, etc. I swear, you'd think we were setting up permanent residence on our trips.

 

[Diane Hughess]

We will be in Disney on Friday. Skipped last year for the first time in 11 years. The trip is costing over $5000 including air, only a few days of the meal plan (changing resorts/deals). We went on a Royal Caribbean cruise last year from MD which we were able to drive to. 10 days, 9 nights, all meals/entertainment, 2 rooms, 2 adults, 2 children (11,9) for $2500 including tips. I'm thinking Disney won't be an annual event anymore. We all had a great time cruising, and for half the money! Sometimes you don't have to stay 'in the magic' to MAKE magic!!

 

[Missymoe4]

We're on the Free Dining Plan, although we did pay to upgrade to TS since we're staying at a value resort, so not really an issue for me. I know that technically we're paying for it somewhere in the scheme of things, but I'm okay with it. If you can't splurge a little on vacation then what's the point?

I mean that if people here are willing to pay 400-500 a night on a hotel room, then $30 for breakfast shouldn't be much to complain about.

Exactly.

I love the Dining Plan, and really, if it fits you, so what? I'm on vacation and really enjoy not worrying about money. It's the only time that I don't worry, and that's because I save up for the trip. I know that prices can seem crazy, but if you come to Chicago, Disney pricing isn't all too bad. Heck, I took a 5 day trip to Boston and paid just as much for my 10 day trip (staying in the Polynesian with Deluxe Dining). If you look at other places you travel to and see the prices, you'd see that Disney is keeping up with their competition.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

TS prices are steep. Chef Mickey's was our worst in July (character meal wise). You know, though, it's not just Disney jacking prices to get people on the DDP. Hubby went to Save-a-Lot for a gallon of skim milk and loaf of bread Thursday. It was almost $6. Grocery prices are insane. I know restaurants have to raise prices to offset that. I'm questioning how much is too much.

 

[JamieD]

Try your local Waffle House...dirt cheap and plenty of characters.

Sally Streetwalker, Carl Crackhead, etc..

That made me laugh out loud. Well said.

 

[lbrad]

Tugging at "heart strings" ... we decided ...
next summer we are going to Yellowstone :sohappy:

 

[Plowboy]

Tugging at "heart strings" ... we decided ...
next summer we are going to Yellowstone :sohappy:

You'll love it. We went in mid June and started in Rapid City and went through the Black Hills and then on to Devil's Tower, Yellowstone and finished in Jackson Hole. Lots of different things to see and do. The highlight for us was the cowboy cookout out of Tower/Roosevelt in Yellowstone. We did the 1 hr trail ride and the food and entertainment were great. Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We're going in mid November and staying on property with an AP rate and decided the DDP just isn't for us. I'm lucky, if I can eat just my entree, forget an entree AND dessert. While we love to eat probably one TS meal a day, other than that, I'll get maybe an ice cream or a cupcake and a hot dog. That's it. So a TS meal with dessert and a QS meal with dessert plus a snack credit would just be too much for me. Plus our timeshare is off-site so the times we go and stay off-site, we don't even have the option for the DDP. We're just going to get the TIW card that way we can use it even when we're staying off property.

 

[Lucky]

I was just looking over menus at Allearsnet and noticed a lot of updates so I took a quick look. Prices for character meals and buffets have taken quite a hike!

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's for an adult is up to $35.14! Crystal Palace breakfast is $28.75! An adult dinner at Biergarten is up to $39.40!

Look at the dates on the menus you are checking at AllEars. The places you referenced were updated this month and most likely reflect the $5 ridiculous peak season surcharge.

I just called Disney Dining to get current prices. They said CM's breakfast is $30.88 including tax for age 10 and up. So the $35.14 including tax must have been the holiday-gouging price. I also checked Boma dinner, and it's currently $35.14 including tax instead of the $39.40 listed on AllEars.

But it's true the price increases are way ahead of inflation. We paid $28.46 including tax at Boma exactly 4 years ago. Accounting for inflation over the 4 years it would be $30.58 including tax today. So the actual increase is more than triple the inflation rate.

And 4 years ago there wasn't a special "holiday" price covering 4 or 5 months out of the year. If you pay it, the actual increase is 5 times the inflation rate.