Is Disney really that expensive?

[thomas998]

Is Disney really that expensive?

This week I went to frontier city, the Six flags owned amusement park in Oklahoma. It has roller coasters, a log flume, a white water raft, a “dark ride shooter”. Theming is static mannequins if there is theming on a ride, the roller coasters are short. Its like six flags jr. Now I know what there strategy is for the ticket pricing. Make it expensive enough that you buy a membership or the season pass that gets you free parking and entry into all six flags and subsidiaries and water parks.
But….
IF you a one time sucker visitor.
Here are the costs. (same for all six flags) with none of their marketing discounts
One time entry
69.99
Parking
20.00
The fast pass equivalent (which is not included in season passes, daily passes, or memberships)
40.00
So 129.99 for one single park with no theming no story lines to the rides no other parks. There isn’t an epcot, animal kingdom, Hollywood studios or DCA if you get bored. There are no Restaurants, there is chicken strips, hot dogs or pizza. They do have dole whips though…


Disney with park hopper (which gets substantially cheaper the more days you stay) and yes I know the prices change depending on what day you choose.
109.00 (free fast pass)
60 for park hopper
20 (I think) for parking
So 189.99 for 4 parks that lets be honest are a bajillion times better and sit down restaurants, amazing theming and story telling. And beautiful park like theming.
Remove park hopper (if you are only there for one day, you don’t really need it and there is no equivalent at six flag style parks, and also gets much cheaper the longer you stay)
And you are at 129.00 the EXACT same price as a step up from a state fair.

I know this prob sounds like Disney propaganda.. but Disney kind of ruined this park for me (hadn’t been for 20 years, and was bored in an hour), I then compared prices and I was a bit shocked. And its not just this park... Six flags, Silver dollar City and many others are the exact same way.. no theming... no story.. they are really not competitors but one day tickets are about the same.

I think you were robbed. We went there this summer when we were visiting relatives and it isn't 69.99 for a one day ticket it was 49.99.... Which frankly was over priced given the disrepair in the park. I don't think I would really compare the park to Disney in any way shape or form.... Six Flags over Texas is probably a better comparison as it probably has a more equivalent number of rides and attractions and while its declined significantly since its heyday in the 70's and 80's, its still better than local carnival which is where I would probably rank Frontier City.

Even given the much lower price at Frontier City, it is still a much bigger rip off than Disney would be at 150 a day.

 

[marni1971]

Perhaps you can define the word "cabal" for us, so that we can be sure you are using the word in a manner consistent with it meaning.

Let me help... Here are some synonyms: Clique, gang, junta, pressure group. The purpose of a cabal is generally to, through force of numbers, elevate one perspective to the exclusion of others that would provide a more balanced state.

I assume you know it since you used it. You answered your own question.

 

[George]

And who pays full price at a six flags park when a can of coke gets you 15 dollars off.

No one pays full price for 6 flags. You quote full price for a dumb comparison. Only reason full price exists as far as I know.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

IDK I guess we just have to agree to disagree then because I can look at it dollar for dollar.
I could pay $1,200 on a new phone or forgo that new pone because mine still works fine and pay for a trip to Disney for 4N/5D for the same amount of money.
I'm going with Disney.

What 4 night/5 day trip to a Disney park are you getting for $1200?

The one in Afghanistan

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is Disney expensive? Compared to some things sure it is, but to other things it definitely is not. It all comes down to the persons priorities and if they want to commit whatever amount of money it takes to spend for a luxury in their life. Is a vacation to Hawaii expensive? Sure it is. An Alaskan Cruise? Sure it is. A European Vacation? Yes indeed. People still go because it is something they commit to and it is a priority to them. We are all on the forums because we have a common interest and that being we like Disney. Sure I think we's all love it to be a heck of a lot cheaper, but when it comes down to it when it comes to vacation planning Disney seems to pop into our heads. At least it does for me.

To support your case...you probably need to supply examples of things that are “more expensive”?

One or two maybe?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No one pays full price for 6 flags. You quote full price for a dumb comparison. Only reason full price exists as far as I know.

I would suggest quoting full price for comparisons because it’s the only chance of consistency.

Even if nobody ever paid full price at six flags (hell...the gas station down the street has a a stack of 50% coupons on the counter at all times)

But...in the Disney price discussions the shield always tries to straddle that line. Quoting high end on all comparisons and then using discounts for Disney pricing.

No, sir...it’s 1:1. You ignore Disney’s base pricing and you have lost as a consumer already.

 

[ppete1975]

I think you were robbed. We went there this summer when we were visiting relatives and it isn't 69.99 for a one day ticket it was 49.99.... Which frankly was over priced given the disrepair in the park. I don't think I would really compare the park to Disney in any way shape or form.... Six Flags over Texas is probably a better comparison as it probably has a more equivalent number of rides and attractions and while its declined significantly since its heyday in the 70's and 80's, its still better than local carnival which is where I would probably rank Frontier City.

Even given the much lower price at Frontier City, it is still a much bigger rip off than Disney would be at 150 a day.

I never said I paid that much
IT was more a rhetorical question to get people think.. because all I hear is how expensive Disney is and they are losing their core demographic and only catering to the upper class. Just offering a different perspective, and giving people a talking point.

 

[ppete1975]

No one pays full price for 6 flags. You quote full price for a dumb comparison. Only reason full price exists as far as I know.

It was a rhetorical question, used to point out something to all of the people that create endless threads about how expensive Disney is and they wont be able to go 10 times a year for the rest of their lives anymore. I get a little tired of all of the negativity so I was offering a different perspective.
Am I a fan of everything they do, like paying to park at hotels absolutely not (although this is now as common as "hotel fees" its not just a Disney robbery but nonetheless is a scam". I also think paying to park at a theme park is a ripoff, but its seen as easy money in a situation that they have power (same thing ticket master the king of scum does). Personally I think half of the threads on here are DUMB but I ignore them if I don't have anything constructive to add to the conversation.

 

[ppete1975]

1 Day, 1 Park Disney theme park tickets (in USD, after tax). These are from the official sites, no 3rd party discounts:

Disney World: from $116.09
Disneyland: from $104 (no tax on park tickets in California)
Tokyo Disneyland: $69.15
Disneyland Paris: $96.50
Shanghai Disneyland: from $58
Hong Kong Disneyland: $81.70

Average price: $87.57 USD per adult

So yes, even by Disney standards, WDW is expensive. Ticket prices for DLP (regular and AP) have significantly gone up since Disney took full control of the resort.

Im shocked paris is as expensive as it is. Awesome comparison btw.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Im shocked paris is as expensive as it is. Awesome comparison btw.

They’ve tried to raise the prices at Euro A lot. But it’s a tough choice between getting people there and making enough to try to chip away at its massive mountain of debt

 

[ppete1975]

They’ve tried to raise the prices at Euro A lot. But it’s a tough choice between getting people there and making enough to try to chip away at its massive mountain of debt

I haven't kept up with it lately, but from the struggles that park has always had for a multitiude of reasons, I am a bit shocked. I assumed it would be much cheaper. Most youtube videos I see that show it usually looks pretty empty (Justin scarred). Its the one park that I have always struggled with as a fan. When I traveled all of the way to Europe (for probably a once in a lifetime trip) would I go, or would I rather do all of the other once in a lifetime things that are in the region or easily reached by train.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I haven't kept up with it lately, but from the struggles that park has always had for a multitiude of reasons, I am a bit shocked. I assumed it would be much cheaper. Most youtube videos I see that show it usually looks pretty empty (Justin scarred). Its the one park that I have always struggled with as a fan. When I traveled all of the way to Europe (for probably a once in a lifetime trip) would I go, or would I rather do all of the other once in a lifetime things that are in the region or easily reached by train.

I went for 1 day on a 11 day trip to the Paris area and I loved the original park. The studios was the most embarrassing thing ever built under the disney flag at that time.

But you identified the core problem: does it outweigh everything else from a tourism perspective?

And the continentals don’t lick it up like we Florida fools do.

It was an Eisner obsession that didn’t ever make complete sense. Like DAK.

 

[ppete1975]

I went for 1 day on a 11 days trip to the Paris area and I loved the original park. The studios was the most embarrassing thing ever built under the disney flag at that time.

But you identified the core problem: does it outweigh everything else from a tourism perspective?

And the continentals don’t lick it up like we Florida fools do.

It was an Eisner obsession that didn’t ever make complete sense. Like DAK.

I hear is a beautiful park, they are the only ones that have done the steam punk jules vern portion right, and the castle I want to see the most …. or at least under the castle..

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I hear is a beautiful park, they are the only ones that have done the steam punk jules vern portion right, and the castle I want to see the most …. or at least under the castle..

Correct...

Best Disney castle by far (Shanghai seems cool but I would never support Disney parks in China)

And the best Tomorrowland
by a “light year”

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

What 4 night/5 day trip to a Disney park are you getting for $1200?

I pay for myself only so usually the cost of the hotel is split.
Although I did go solo once and spent about $1,100 on flights, value resort, base tickets, and QS meals.
Also I had a FD BB last year that cost $1,245 for 2 people at a value, with park hopper and upgrade to regular DDP. And then flights were $218 RT PP. So I spent about $840 for the whole trip.

I did stay at the Contemporary CL in a TPV last week which was a huge splurge and spent about $2,100 for my half including flights.
Basically that was about 2 regular trips for me.

We do tend to go on quick and dirty trips and stay value resorts only get a 2 or 3 day park hopper and get a MK party ticket if we go during a holiday. We get a dining plan if it will suit our trip and don't if it will work out better to just grab a QS meal here and there.

My average trip costs anywhere from $900-$1,200.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I pay for myself only so usually the cost of the hotel is split.
Although I did go solo once and spent about $1,100 on flights, value resort, base tickets, and QS meals.
Also I had a FD BB last year that cost $1,245 for 2 people at a value, with park hopper and upgrade to regular DDP. And then flights were $218 RT PP. So I spent about $840 for the whole trip.

I did stay at the Contemporary CL in a TPV last week which was a huge splurge and spent about $2,100 for my half including flights.
Basically that was about 2 regular trips for me.

We do tend to go on quick and dirty trips and stay value resorts only get a 2 or 3 day park hopper and get a MK party ticket if we go during a holiday. We get a dining plan if it will suit our trip and don't if it will work out better to just grab a QS meal here and there.

My average trip costs anywhere from $900-$1,200.

Ok...

But that means the aggregate costs for a typical party mix is $5000 or so? Which changes the perspective.

And if it’s only one - the daily price at local parks, sporting events, etc. would fall to the $200-300 range?

Roughly 3-4 times the price

And we all get to pass “go” and collect $200

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Ok...

But that means the aggregate costs for a typical party mix is $5000 or so? Which changes the perspective.

And if it’s only one - the daily price at local parks, sporting events, etc. would fall to the $200-300 range?

Roughly 3-4 times the price

And we all get to pass “go” and collect $200

I never said I was a typical party.
You asked how I could go on a trip for $1,200 and I told you.
There really is not average here as everyone does Disney differently and has a different party size.
To answer the question for myself disney is not really too expensive.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I never said I was a typical party.
You asked how I could go on a trip for $1,200 and I told you.
There really is not average here as everyone does Disney differently and has a different party size.
To answer the question for myself disney is not really too expensive.

I gotcha...$1000 for a person for 3 days is expensive in the grand scheme of things though

It’s just hard to keep these things straight when the perspectives are all over the map. I enjoy a kiwi and a watermelon...However one doesn’t fit in my pocket the same

 

[mdcpr]

I gotcha...$1000 for a person for 3 days is expensive in the grand scheme of things though

It’s just hard to keep these things straight when the perspectives are all over the map. I enjoy a kiwi and a watermelon...However one doesn’t fit in my pocket the same

At this point this thread is all about perspective because our experiences, backgrounds and buying power are all different. What's expensive for one person is not for another. I live in NYC so the hotel and dining cost while they seem high, they don't seem outrageous. Flying to Florida during Thanksgiving, that's another story--never taking an out of state trip during major holidays.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

At this point this thread is all about perspective because our experiences, backgrounds and buying power are all different. What's expensive for one person is not for another. I live in NYC so the hotel and dining cost while they seem high, they don't seem outrageous. Flying to Florida during Thanksgiving, that's another story--never taking an out of state trip during major holidays.

From my experience...people from New York are less likely to defend the Disney prices than those from Ohio, Michigan, Colorado and most of the 33 states I don’t care to learn the names of.

But I concede yours and everyone else’s point that it’s always perspective.

We can not muddy the waters by trying to compare comparable though. Lots of fouls on this thread there.