Is Disney really that expensive?

[flynnibus]

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.

Any discussion helps when you actually start out with real numbers.

Where do you get paying $70 for a ticket at Frontier City? Right on their website, the default daily ticket is $39.99 (or $50 at the gate)
And you're comparing to WDW's 'cheapest' ticket.

And not everyone buys the front of the line pass.. so why are we including that comparison?

Why not look at your typical load... 2 adults, two children... one car load.

At six flags full price admission... $160 for tickets, $20 for parking. $180
At WDW, 2 adults, $109x2, 2 kids, $104x2. = $426 + $25 for parking = $451

Season pass.. at Six Flags = $80x4 = $320
at WDW, std platnium pass = $1120 x 4 = $4480!

We all know six flags food is expensive... it's just like a movie theatre or ball park.. that's where they make their money and why they discount admissions... to get bodies into the park where they can convert F&B sales.

 

[Minnie1976]

Yes! It is expensive. It is pricing people out.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We all know six flags food is expensive... it's just like a movie theatre or ball park.. that's where they make their money and why they discount admissions... to get bodies into the park where they can convert F&B sales.

Funny thing is...that was Disney’s design until fairly recently as well...get you in at a high, but reasonable price to generate merch sales.

But since big shot Bobby jacked everything 200%...and instituted ride rationing...we now ignore those prices and act like a Disney ticket is “all inclusive”.
And it’s way farther away than it ever was. Your $120 ticket doesn’t cover the full day at MK half the time.

 

[The_Jobu]

no one ever: "money's a little tight this year kids, so we're going to have to go to Disney World for our vacation this year".

 

[RobWDW1971]

no one ever: "money's a little tight this year kids, so we're going to have to go to Disney World for our vacation this year".

Unfortunately, it is more like "Money's a little tight this year kids, but we're going to go to Disney World for our vacation anyway this year and just put it on credit cards and pay 18.99% compounded interest for years".

 

[bryanfze55]

Lol...there’s that Dollywood again

I agree you can go in low season - especially if there’s a promo - and get wdw down to “competitive” in most scenarios. The problem is that’s the basement and it only gets skewed from there.

You can go on a high end royal Caribbean (we did one out of New York last year on a top of the line shop in a busy week) for about $2200 for four...

With food and most entertainment? That destroys the wdw pricing.

So I think it can be “comparable”...my frequent wdw trips are on “my terms” and I have cheap dvc and the ability to wait on ticket prices...but street prices are usually “elevated”
at a minimum

Signed,
“Pensin7”

Cruises just aren’t fun though. I was bored to tears.

 

[donaldtoo]

no one ever: "money's a little tight this year kids, so we're going to have to go to Disney World for our vacation this year".

That needs to me made into a t-shirt, bumper sticker, etc....!!!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Funny, we opted not to do WDW again this year in October in favor of another (non-Disney) cruise that will be our third...different strokes...!!!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Cruises just aren’t fun though. I was bored to tears.

You were on the wrong one...

Is waiting in line for big thunder for the 40th ride fun?

The point was the cost/value...and that’s a harder case to make for Disney parks as the years go by

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Unfortunately, it is more like "Money's a little tight this year kids, but we're going to go to Disney World for our vacation anyway this year and just put it on credit cards and pay 18.99% compounded interest for years".

And that’s the stupidity of the current, post bubble “boom”

Honestly...it’s not just this example. Dvc’s “financing” is 10%...

What a ridiculous waste of money. Do you want to pay interest on a hotel room from 2012?

No...you do not. Just the same as you don’t want to pay 18.99 % on eggs that ended up 3 years ago either

 

[bryanfze55]

You were on the wrong one...

Is waiting in line for big thunder for the 40th ride fun?

The point was the cost/value...and that’s a harder case to make for Disney parks as the years go by

I usually only go to Disney once per year, maybe twice, between DL and WDW. So it retains its freshness. At DL at least, I’ve never waited more than 15-20 minutes to ride anything.

Disney is still relatively new to me, so perhaps I’m overly shrouded in pixie dust. I’m aware of the company’s shortcomings and greed, but I still feel the magic particularly at DL. I don’t go just for the rides; I think it’s just a fun place to be, even if it is claustrophobic at times. A place like Six Flags or even Dollywood, I would go just for the rides. For me, I enjoy the atmosphere of just being at the park more than I enjoy the atmosphere on a cruise.

But, on a personal level, I think Disney parks helped me rediscover a childhood I lost out on. I had to grow up way before I should have due to some family issues. And now, being able to share the experience at the parks with my own child, there’s just something special about it that I’ve yet to recreate anywhere else.

Are other places fun? Yes. Are they special? Eh.

I will say, some of the logistical and operational issues at WDW have begun to make it lose its luster for me. I still am in love with DL, but I’m sure the day will come that Disney has lost all of its shine to me. Until then, I’ll continue to soak it up.

 

[RobWDW1971]

And that’s the stupidity of the current, post bubble “boom”

Honestly...it’s not just this example. Dvc’s “financing” is 10%...

What a ridiculous waste of money. Do you want to pay interest on a hotel room from 2012?

No...you do not. Just the same as you don’t want to pay 18.99 % on eggs that ended up 3 years ago either

Yup. Paying compounded interest and financing depreciable assets (or even worse non-assets like vacations, cruises, etc.) is the pathway to hell.

Personal finance isn't hard:

1) Live below your means as bumps will always come.
2) Never use credit cards to pay for anything, ever. (EDIT: Unless you religiously pay off the balance every single month and never incur high interest fees)
3) If you can't pay cash or save up to pay for it, you can't afford it.
4) Never finance anything besides appreciable assets (perhaps auto on <2% financing deals but only if you keep it for years).
5) Debt is the enemy.

Mystery solved. Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey are obnoxious, but they are right. But if Americans stuck to those basic principles, Disney World and Disney Cruises would shut down in a year. Sorry for the rambling, I'm a professional finance nerd.

EDIT: YMMV - These are basic (and now surprisingly controversial) tenets of personal finance, they don't apply to everyone and every situation, not saying you shouldn't do things differently if that works for you, if you disagree that is fine and no reason to take it personally one way or the other, and just keep doing whatever works for you. In my career, I have dealt with countless families with financial issues and had they followed those general principles, it would have been greatly beneficial. NOT saying there aren't other ways to manage your money.

 

[bryanfze55]

Yup. Paying compounded interest and financing depreciable assets (or even worse non-assets like vacations, cruises, etc.) is the pathway to hell.

Personal finance isn't hard:

1) Live below your means as bumps will always come.
2) Never use credit cards for anything, ever.
3) If you can't pay cash or save up to pay for it, you can't afford it.
3) Never finance anything besides appreciable assets (perhaps auto on <2% financing deals but only if you keep it for years).
4) Debt is the enemy.

Mystery solved. Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey are obnoxious, but they are right. But if Americans stuck to those basic principles, Disney World and Disney Cruises would shut down in a year.

Rewards?

 

[RobWDW1971]

Rewards?

If you're talking about credit card rewards, that can be a losing proposition for most consumers unless you religiously pay off your credit card balance every single month and never incur any high credit card interest (EDITED to ensure peace and harmony). Your reward if you do the above is you can sleep at night, weather any macrofinancial storm, and be in charge of your life.

Credit card companies don't give out "rewards" for free - yes, you can dutifully charge every single item to a rewards card and pay it off every single month forever and never get charged a dollar of interest, but those people are the very rare minority. Generally speaking, it's better to just say no credit cards. The credit card companies are gambling (and their house always wins) that eventually you won't pay the full bill and they will recoup your "rewards" in interest (they also obviously get money from the retailers in transaction fees when you spend more so they have double incentive). Safer for most consumers to target reward programs that reward for specific purchases, but aren't coupled with a potential interest charge penalty (Expedia, airlines, hotels, etc.).

YMMV. EDITED: If you are a responsible credit card user, then this doesn't apply to you, just making the broader point about today's unfortunate use of high interest credit card debt.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I usually only go to Disney once per year, maybe twice, between DL and WDW. So it retains its freshness. At DL at least, I’ve never waited more than 15-20 minutes to ride anything.

Disney is still relatively new to me, so perhaps I’m overly shrouded in pixie dust. I’m aware of the company’s shortcomings and greed, but I still feel the magic particularly at DL. I don’t go just for the rides; I think it’s just a fun place to be, even if it is claustrophobic at times. A place like Six Flags or even Dollywood, I would go just for the rides. For me, I enjoy the atmosphere of just being at the park more than I enjoy the atmosphere on a cruise.

But, on a personal level, I think Disney parks helped me rediscover a childhood I lost out on. I had to grow up way before I should have due to some family issues. And now, being able to share the experience at the parks with my own child, there’s just something special about it that I’ve yet to recreate anywhere else.

Are other places fun? Yes. Are they special? Eh.

I will say, some of the logistical and operational issues at WDW have begun to make it lose its luster for me. I still am in love with DL, but I’m sure the day will come that Disney has lost all of its shine to me. Until then, I’ll continue to soak it up.

Ok...id say that fair.

I also can compliment you - as I will anyone - for actually making your points and being fair to concede that they aren’t absolutely true or it’s impossible to ever consider anything else.

That’s what doesn’t happen enough...at all

 

[RobWDW1971]

no one ever: "money's a little tight this year kids, so we're going to have to go to Disney World for our vacation this year".

But back to the question of the thread: No, I don't really find Disney World too expensive as long as you only pay for what gives you the most joy (utility as they say in finance). For us, the cost of the park hoppers is relatively cheap (gets cheaper with every day added on) and we don't stay on site any more as the prices are now out of alignment to the value they bring to stay onsite. Many other hotels, even the Disney Springs area hotels aren't very expensive and the Kissimmee ones are really cheap.

We don't really do character breakfasts, etc. and the table service meals in the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs aren't that much more expensive than any other resort dining. We don't spend money on shopping, souvenirs, etc. so it's really just the ticket prices which are fine and frankly lower per day than any SoCal park. To me, it's just the perspective of what you are comparing them to and staying within your budget.

 

[Tank Man]

Any discussion helps when you actually start out with real numbers.

Where do you get paying $70 for a ticket at Frontier City? Right on their website, the default daily ticket is $39.99 (or $50 at the gate)
And you're comparing to WDW's 'cheapest' ticket.

And not everyone buys the front of the line pass.. so why are we including that comparison?

Why not look at your typical load... 2 adults, two children... one car load.

At six flags full price admission... $160 for tickets, $20 for parking. $180
At WDW, 2 adults, $109x2, 2 kids, $104x2. = $426 + $25 for parking = $451

Season pass.. at Six Flags = $80x4 = $320
at WDW, std platnium pass = $1120 x 4 = $4480!

We all know six flags food is expensive... it's just like a movie theatre or ball park.. that's where they make their money and why they discount admissions... to get bodies into the park where they can convert F&B sales.

Yeah
I would rather compare it to Universal Studios Florida Resort instead

 

[flynnibus]

1) Live below your means as bumps will always come.
2) Never use credit cards for anything, ever.
3) If you can't pay cash or save up to pay for it, you can't afford it.
3) Never finance anything besides appreciable assets (perhaps auto on <2% financing deals but only if you keep it for years).
4) Debt is the enemy.

Pfft.

I will use other people's money especially if they pay me to do so. Why take my money out of circulation and earning if someone else will give me free money?

Credit Cards give me up to nearly 60 days for free.. and pay me 2% to use their credit. Easy decision. That's nearly 2grand in free money every year for me in straight cash back.. let alone the opportunity cost gains.

Why pay a bill with a check if they will let me pay the same bill with a credit card, and still get my 2%? If they give me a discount for paying cash, or avoid a fee, I'll pay cash. Otherwise.. give me my free 2%.

I'll finance anything if it's to my advantage to do so.

Debt is not the enemy - lack of self control is the enemy.

If someone can't teach themselves how to spend within their limits within a few years... the problem isn't availability of credit.. It's the person.

People make two big mistakes with debt
1) Failing to account for all their ongoing expenses when estimating what they can actually afford for a purchase
2) Using debt to expand what they actually see their assets as

Neither really has anything to do with the points you raise.. it's the lack of foresight or simply hiding from the truth.

Your ability to survive bumps needs to extend beyond your month to month spending - you should have emergency liquid assets and you shouldn't put yourself in a recurring expense situation that you can't at least have some control over.

"Spending what you can't afford" is not synonymous with using credit cards.

 

[flynnibus]

Yeah
I would rather compare it to Universal Studios Florida Resort instead

That's like comparing yourself to your shadow though. Uni's prices are for all intents... largely based on Disney prices and expectations.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Pfft.

I will use other people's money especially if they pay me to do so. Why take my money out of circulation and earning if someone else will give me free money?

Credit Cards give me up to nearly 60 days for free.. and pay me 2% to use their credit. Easy decision. That's nearly 2grand in free money every year for me in straight cash back.. let alone the opportunity cost gains.

Why pay a bill with a check if they will let me pay the same bill with a credit card, and still get my 2%? If they give me a discount for paying cash, or avoid a fee, I'll pay cash. Otherwise.. give me my free 2%.

I'll finance anything if it's to my advantage to do so.

Debt is not the enemy - lack of self control is the enemy.

If someone can't teach themselves how to spend within their limits within a few years... the problem isn't availability of credit.. It's the person.

People make two big mistakes with debt
1) Failing to account for all their ongoing expenses when estimating what they can actually afford for a purchase
2) Using debt to expand what they actually see their assets as

Neither really has anything to do with the points you raise.. it's the lack of foresight or simply hiding from the truth.

Your ability to survive bumps needs to extend beyond your month to month spending - you should have emergency liquid assets and you shouldn't put yourself in a recurring expense situation that you can't at least have some control over.

"Spending what you can't afford" is not synonymous with using credit cards.

I’m not “anti-credit”

But carrying balances for small, easily affordable stuff is beyond self defeating.

And true everyone’s “intent” is to pay things off with little or no interest....but there’s a reason credit exists and it isn’t for that.

Generally speaking...minimal is best. I used dvc because that is a patently stupid example. That is a “cash up front” purchase. You save until you can pay it...and if you don’t, you haven’t shown you can afford or deserve it. Black and white.

The “cash back” stuff is a more recent gimmick as well. They wouldn’t do it if they didn’t profit incredibly.

Didn’t discover do it first?
You want Sears telling you how to make money?