Is Disney Expensive?

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The humor I see in this entire thread...is that if you don't agree that "Disney is Expensive" you get flamed. Look, I'm not Bezos (Buffett and Gates have been knocked down a notch)....but I do okay. I feel in certain areas Disney may be overpriced, in others they are on par, and in yet others they are of great value.

Overall, Disney is priced equivalent to other vacation alternatives....sure you can go to Six Flags - but try going to Vail, Geneva, or London (with the conversion) and tell me Disney is expensive.

If you are maxing out a credit card to go to Disney (which I wouldn't recommend) then Disney is very, very expensive. If you are paying with available funds (which I would recommend), Disney is of average cost weighed against equal options....considering you can control everything outside of the admission price.

I don’t see anyone getting flamed...though if you’ve gone hundreds of times and you DON’T Live in Florida? - the writings on the wall there.

I’m no different than you...I just recognize Disney parks for what they always are and will be: “upscale middle class themparks”

A couple years back dusters started saying “it’s luxury now”...
Nope...you don’t slap a label on what’s already built and hold that line for long. Ski lift isn’t making pop century a $400 Hotel with its tie dyed cupcakes.

I don’t think disney is on par with vail and European culture centers...it’s not and was never built for that.

Vegas...maybe

Definitely better than great adventure...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I get flamed for this comparison all of the time, but I’ll make it again.. here’s my top “family destinations/resorts” (in no particular order)

1. Atlantis, Bahamas
2. A Beaches Resort, Caribbean.
3. Boca Raton Resort or Beach Club. Florida (a “beach vacation”)
4. Casa Marina, Key West, FL (another beach with a lot of activities destination)
5. A cruise with fun (usually fairly expensive) excursions at every port.. and a higher than avg priced stateroom.
5. Disney World. Preferably a monorail resort, maybe Epcot resort in future years.

Now, compare the overall costs of each.. they are all expensive.. and Disney park tickets are by far the best “entertainment value” out of all 5 options.

Compared to your list, Disney is a good value. Those are some notoriously overpriced places...Atlantis leading the pack.

But to each her own...I still can’t see why paying disney employees $15 an hour is so offensive though ...especially at the prices you’re paying.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Again... only if you buy into the entire brain washing rhetoric. It can be done much cheaper, it is up to the people and those that find it worth the money are what is feeding TWDC right now. There is nothing wrong with those prices as long as people continue to pay them. My oft used example is... I'd love to own a Rolls Royce, but, all I can afford is a VW. No one is screaming that Rolls Royce needs to lower their prices, but, why not... I'd like them to do so. We tend to forget that WDW was not built to big hotel area. That came later when the saw the cash cow grazing in the background. We can still go to MK, Epcot, DHS and DAK and not have to mortgage the house. We collectively chose to spend the big bucks for the utility purpose of having a place to sleep and eat. Which isn't necessary. I've gone a lot of times and have never slept out in the car or eaten out of dumpsters.

A rolls is a luxury item...the poly is not. It’s a motor lodge built long ago.

 

[21stamps]

Compared to your list, Disney is a good value. Those are some notoriously overpriced places...Atlantis leading the pack.

But to each her own...I still can’t see why paying disney employees $15 an hour is so offensive though ...especially at the prices you’re paying.

I agree with Atlantis being ridiculous.. they always have been.. but Aquaventure has become even more crowded over the past few years which lessons the value for me. I emailed after our last visit and said that I wouldn’t be returning due to the way too common day pass folks. I was a loyal customer for well over 10 years.. at least two visits annually and a lot of money spent at their casino.

So, I haven’t been back. I will be back eventually, but I’ve been content with my own personal boycott for now... but., kiddo...so we will return.. and they’ll get me again.

However, even with my discontent, you know what I don’t do? Go on travel boards bashing Atlantis every day, or ever.

Anyway, I should point out that we do camping trips as well. I don’t need expensive vacations., I choose destinations and hotels for convenience and family entertainment.. but for our one “big” vacay per year, they always end up about the same money when all said and done.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree with Atlantis being ridiculous.. they always have been.. but Aquaventure has become even more crowded over the past few years which lessons the value for me. I emailed after our last visit and said that I wouldn’t be returning due to the way too common day pass folks. I was a loyal customer for well over 10 years.. at least two visits annually and a lot of money spent at their casino.

So, I haven’t been back. I will be back eventually, but I’ve been content with my own personal boycott for now... but., kiddo...so we will return.. and they’ll get me again.

However, even with my discontent, you know what I don’t do? Go on travel boards bashing Atlantis every day, or ever.

Anyway, I should point out that we do camping trips as well. I don’t need expensive vacations., I choose destinations and hotels for convenience and family entertainment.. but for our one “big” vacay per year, they always end up about the same money when all said and done.

Point made

...except the “bashing” thing. Every travel operator must defend their product and pricing. Especially Disney...who sells that “magic” snake oil that people fall for and defang themselves on.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

A rolls is a luxury item...the poly is not. It’s a motor lodge built long ago.

Yes. And there are people that will buy a Ghost without thinking twice. Many will buy a Submariner or Patek Phillippe without blinking. People will pay that and feel there is value. Disney has created options to cater to that type of individual. Unfortunately, this gets interpreted as a slight towards everyone else. But you have options. You don't have to buy Creed Aventus - you can go with Sauvage - or opt for a cheaper alternative.

I'm the first to admit Disney's nickel and dime approach wears on me, but this is present everywhere you go. If I'm boarding a flight and am not in "First Class" what exactly does that mean? I'm "Second Class", "Lower Class", "Last Class", "No Class"?

 

[larryz]

I'm the first to admit Disney's nickel and dime approach wears on me, but this is present everywhere you go. If I'm boarding a flight and am not in "First Class" what exactly does that mean? I'm "Second Class", "Lower Class", "Last Class", "No Class"?

It means, regardless of where you sit and how much you paid for your ticket, you're getting to your destination airport at the same exact moment those people who paid huge bucks (or cashed in miles) to sit up front do.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes. And there are people that will buy a Ghost without thinking twice. Many will buy a Submariner or Patek Phillippe without blinking. People will pay that and feel there is value. Disney has created options to cater to that type of individual. Unfortunately, this gets interpreted as a slight towards everyone else. But you have options. You don't have to buy Creed Aventus - you can go with Sauvage - or opt for a cheaper alternative.

I'm the first to admit Disney's nickel and dime approach wears on me, but this is present everywhere you go. If I'm boarding a flight and am not in "First Class" what exactly does that mean? I'm "Second Class", "Lower Class", "Last Class", "No Class"?

I agree with you...it’s just that Disney does not offer Luxury items...they just want the label. Fastpasses don’t cater to the rich and famous

 

[21stamps]

It means, regardless of where you sit and how much you paid for your ticket, you're getting to your destination airport at the same exact moment those people who paid huge bucks (or cashed in miles) to sit up front do.

...but not the same in cabin experience.

I could care less about a first class or even business class domestic flight. I could also care less about a sports car or Rolls Royce or Bentley or anything similar. I could also care less about a collection of fancy jewelry. And, I don’t need the biggest house on my block to be happy with my home purchase.

Other people might care about those things, and less about entertainment/travel.

Some might care about all of it.

But at the end of the day, people make a budget for each one of the above.. if something is out of your budget- Don’t do it.
If something is within your budget, but you don’t see value- Don’t do it.
What I don’t understand is the people who still do “it” yet complain the entire time.

What’s the enjoyment in that???

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Disney has not Luxury items...they just want the label.

Agree. Maybe V&A and Bull & Bear (which isn't really Disney but on property) - but I agree.

Fastpasses don’t cater to the rich and famous

Please don't give them any ideas.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Agree. Maybe V&A and Bull & Bear (which isn't really Disney but on property) - but I agree.



Please don't give them any ideas.

They’re already doing it

 

[eliza61nyc]

I agree with you...it’s just that Disney does not offer Luxury items...they just want the label. Fastpasses don’t cater to the rich and famous

They have location and as with any destination, home or business location is key. lol,I grew up in Manhattan, don't need to tell you the insane prices there. Very middle class row home, not luxury at all. Dad sold it for over 2 million bucks.

Poly maybe a glorified whatever but its location allows it to command luxury prices. 500$$/night and they stay full

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

Enjoying the Thread Title . OH YES, ITS EXPENSIVE .

Now - how to mitigate this?

Your major expenses will be...

1) HOUSING - Long term? Examine DVC.
2) AIR - You can't fix that. You MIGHT drive.
3) FOOD - depending on Family? TIW or DDP. DDP great for families with hungry children. TIW better for ADULTs. OR? Cook in room or campsite (we have no experience with this).
4) TICKETS: Compare AP and Daily Cost, DAILY .

Examine last trip - break these down. Attack the category with the highest cost.
All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They have location and as with any destination, home or business location is key. lol,I grew up in Manhattan, don't need to tell you the insane prices there. Very middle class row home, not luxury at all. Dad sold it for over 2 million bucks.

Poly maybe a glorified whatever but its location allows it to command luxury prices. 500$$/night and they stay full

A location that’s strapped to amusement parks and Dancing animals...just nice ones.

The problem will be if Disney pushes the prices beyond the aggregate point where their self created world isn’t enough to use “location, location, location”...that point would be a cliff, not a hill to slide down. Once something is overpriced in the broad
Market - you’re done. Discounting it 10% won’t reset the dial.

They’ve been wise to stay clear of that point over their history...but they’ve had better leadership before (knowing what the fundamental values were)...and don’t seem intent on those strong minds moving forward.

 

[21stamps]

Point made

...except the “bashing” thing. Every travel operator must defend their product and pricing. Especially Disney...who sells that “magic” snake oil that people fall for and defang themselves on.

I just read your edit. Have you seen Atlantis marketing materials? What do you think they do?

Swimming with dolphins, parasailing, yoga on a paddle board.. it’s all extra. The restaurants- ridiculously priced, every last one of them, even the mediocre buffet. The walk from the ‘heart of the action Royal Towers” to the beach- lonnnnggg. Lines for the slides? Ridiculously long.

I did it for many years because it was a cheap and quick flight, and I enjoyed the casino and atmosphere of the resort..but it wasn’t until I took my own child that I realized just how overrun with “day pass guests” it had become. The value wasn’t there for me anymore. It wasn’t a bad trip, just not ‘worth’ a repeat anytime soon, especially not with their pricing and slow service. To be fair, it may have improved over the past 4 years.. I hope they did anyway.. but it doesn’t look or sound that way when I look at/hear about friend’s trips.

 

[Goofyernmost]

A rolls is a luxury item...the poly is not. It’s a motor lodge built long ago.

No, Motel 6 is not... the Poly is a luxury item of high esteem by many.

 

[xdan0920]

Okay. Since my post referenced mid-80's lets look at some entertainment options available now (or recently) that didn't exist then

DHS
AK
Savannah at AKL
Downtown Disney (now gone)
Pleasure Island (now gone)
Boardwalk
Typhoon Lagoon
Blizzard Beach
Disney Springs
La Nouba (now gone)
DWWS
Trader Sam's
Ohana
MNSSHP
MVMCP
Food & Wine
Flower and Garden
Holidays Around the World
Osbourne Lights (now gone)
Illuminations

All Entertainment options not available in 1985. I could rattle off another 20 just as easily. And just to be clear...this isn't about Disney costing more. This is in direct response to Disney having less "entertainment options" today than they did 30 years ago.

This made me laugh out loud. You included a bunch of “options” that either

A. Cost extra.
B. Cost extra and reduce the value of standard theme park admission.
C. Are no longer available.

Fantastic!

 

[eliza61nyc]

A location that’s strapped to amusement parks and Dancing animals...just nice ones.

The problem will be if Disney pushes the prices beyond the aggregate point where their self created world isn’t enough to use “location, location, location”...that point would be a cliff, not a hill to slide down. Once something is overpriced in the broad
Market - you’re done. Discounting it 10% won’t reset the dial.

They’ve been wise to stay clear of that point over their history...but they’ve had better leadership before (knowing what the fundamental values were)...and don’t seem intent on those strong minds moving forward.

Very true, I still see them being successful because in the next few years they've got a few "rabbits " they can still pull out of their proverbial hat. Star wars I think is going to be huge and they'll get a ton of mileage out of that, updates to Epcot will also come on line, folks here maynot like what's coming but GOTG sells. After that it's the 50th anniversary that the magic gurus will spin to the public and Disney marketing is really good at their jobs.

So IMO definitely until lets say 2021-2022 the status quo is what you have now. So when folks say "vote with your dollars " its not being snarky or flippant. Disney has no reason to change because what leadership is doing is working, working well and will probably continue to work barring another economic meltdown for the next 5 years. Now whether or not the new leadership is following some "fundemental values" is moot mainly because everyone may have a different take on "value". I don't give a hoot about "original" ideas or whether or not there is too much "IP" in the park, crowds are a mix blessing for me, while I'm not loving the long lines, the reality is that I'm an investor. packed crowds helps my bottom line.

 

[eliza61nyc]

It means, regardless of where you sit and how much you paid for your ticket, you're getting to your destination airport at the same exact moment those people who paid huge bucks (or cashed in miles) to sit up front do.

But not in the same condition. Lol my late husband was pooh size. He sprang for business class because the seats were bigger and there was more legroom .

Huge difference if you spend 11 hours flying

But thats brings us to another industry that nickels and dimes you to death yet everyone feels Disney has some "obligation " to be affordable.

 

[correcaminos]

I compared the hotel we stayed at in NYC to an All-Star resort for the same time period. I would argue that the Disney resort has a much higher level of hotel service. If I stayed at a NYC resort that was $500/night, I would expect much higher level of service - but I'm not sure it would be all that much better than what we get at Old Key West (granted a lot of the staff there knows us by now). BTW, our hotel was $296/night and was an Apple Core hotel (which you mentioned in your other post).

I paid about $180 for my Apple Core hotel right by Times Square. Had free breakfast, use of gym, and same service at my DVC resorts. My Cambria Suites stay was even better. So I would disagree that service is same as Disney. Truthfully Disney misses the mark with high end level service. But anyway my thoughts from your post still remain, Disney is expensive and so is NYC. Your posts really just confirm it for me. I likely would never stay onsite at Disney if it weren't for DVC now.