Len Testa - “Disney positions itself as the all-American vacation. The irony is that most Americans can’t afford it.”

[lentesta]

Just for fun, I priced out a stay for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids) next June.

I did June 21-26:
- 5 nights at the All Star Sports
- 4 park days, one park per day
- Disney Dining Plan (so 1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack per day)
- I assume would get water park on arrival day

Subtotal: $ 4,680.68 ... For the whole stay including food, and this is before any hotel discounts are available (rack rate was $180/night) ... Not cheap but I think doable for many

Obviously not staying deluxe, does have LL, doesn't have trader to MCO, etc, but not crazy

Thank you for doing this!

It would be useful to ballpark transportation costs as well. They're counted in travel expenditures, which is why I mention it. Keep in mind that most Americans do not live within a 600-mile drive of a Disney theme park. So for most Americans it's a one- or two-day trip down there (with associated food and lodging expenses), and likely another night in a hotel on the return trip.

America's middle class families - the 3rd of the 5 quintiles of household incomes - earn $71,000 annually and spend $1,900 on travel per year. That $1,900 includes debt-financed travel and families who save up for multiple years for one big trip. (Numbers are from the BLS, and I asked them specifically about the debt and savings things.)

Just reading this thread, I'm encouraged that everyone posting knows to be thankful for the trips we can afford to take the parks. I've read worse. Much worse. I'm thankful for this community.

The thing I didn't realize when I started this research was just how far out of reach a multi-day WDW trip is to the middle class and lower-income families. I'm guessing that with transportation, that trip is going to be closer to 3x the average middle-class annual budget.

If a trip was (and I'm spitballing here), say $2,500 for the trip on a budget of $1,900, I could see my way to "well, if they cut back in other areas, they can still afford this." I struggle to see how a family earning $71K is going to spend 7% of their pre-tax income on a single trip. It really highlights the income gaps between families.

 

[lentesta]

It is on the Star of the Seas so it is definitely a larger ship. It is cruising out of Port Canaveral going to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, then off to San Juan Puerto Rico, Philipsburg, St Maarten and then back to Port Canaveral (Orlando). I'll get you all of the other particulars when I get in this evening! Marie

OMG please let us know how this is. My wife is dying to get on the Star of the Seas! Safe travels!

 

[wannabeBelle]

OMG please let us know how this is. My wife is dying to get on the Star of the Seas! Safe travels!

Come along with us!!! We would love to have you, and you know the Boss!!! Marie

 

[wannabeBelle]

OMG please let us know how this is. My wife is dying to get on the Star of the Seas! Safe travels!

@lentesta Also you may want to touch base with Pam, as she went on one of the pre-inagural sailings and got to see a LOT of this ship. I have been on the Wonder of the Seas and it was incredible!!! Marie

 

[MR.Dis]

Again i get your point and understand but to me i think the claim that the middle class is completely priced out is a gross exaggeration but thats just my thought's

I am retired living on fixed income with my wife, but we still afford to go to WDW at least 2 times a year. We bought DVC 15 years ago. Get annual passes thru DVC, approx cost is $1000 per person, if we go 2times that is $500 per or $1000 for a trip (math gets even better if go 3 times). Biggest cost is food, but since we always book a 1 bedroom with full kitchen, order food to be delivered to room. This way we save mega bucks by NOT buying Disney food service which is not only costly but low quality. Want to save more dollars, fly out on Tues, Wed, or Thur--much cheaper than the weekends. Merchandise is rarely bought since we go so often there is not that great of new stuff each visit. Also, due to the elimination of package delivery to resorts, neither of us wish to lug around packages so even if we see something that catches our eye, we tend to pass buying. Our typical stay is about 8 nights with a cost of less than $3000 per trip. The advertising about buying DVC back in a day stated the great long term savings and boy has this turned out to be true-- our direct cost per point was Less than the current resale prices I see online.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

OMG please let us know how this is. My wife is dying to get on the Star of the Seas! Safe travels

I was just on the pre inaugural of Star of the Seas and I loved it!!!! Back to the Future was excellent!

Pam

 

[wannabeBelle]

Just reading this thread, I'm encouraged that everyone posting knows to be thankful for the trips we can afford to take the parks. I've read worse. Much worse. I'm thankful for this community.

I am truly blessed and thankful. Marie

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thank you for doing this!

It would be useful to ballpark transportation costs as well. They're counted in travel expenditures, which is why I mention it. Keep in mind that most Americans do not live within a 600-mile drive of a Disney theme park. So for most Americans it's a one- or two-day trip down there (with associated food and lodging expenses), and likely another night in a hotel on the return trip.

America's middle class families - the 3rd of the 5 quintiles of household incomes - earn $71,000 annually and spend $1,900 on travel per year. That $1,900 includes debt-financed travel and families who save up for multiple years for one big trip. (Numbers are from the BLS, and I asked them specifically about the debt and savings things.)

Just reading this thread, I'm encouraged that everyone posting knows to be thankful for the trips we can afford to take the parks. I've read worse. Much worse. I'm thankful for this community.

The thing I didn't realize when I started this research was just how far out of reach a multi-day WDW trip is to the middle class and lower-income families. I'm guessing that with transportation, that trip is going to be closer to 3x the average middle-class annual budget.

If a trip was (and I'm spitballing here), say $2,500 for the trip on a budget of $1,900, I could see my way to "well, if they cut back in other areas, they can still afford this." I struggle to see how a family earning $71K is going to spend 7% of their pre-tax income on a single trip. It really highlights the income gaps between families.

Do you see a way Disney could get to that scenario though?

I always got back to those old commercials with the parents around the computer and see the offer of, something like, "$1,600? For all of us? We can do that!"

Could they do some more structured all-in packages that are maybe limited in when valid but could allow a family to have a stay for like $2,500?

I just looked at undercover tourist and the 4-day tickets for that family alone are $2,579 ... So you basically would need to give them hotel and food for free

Could they do that? Obviously while trying to max out spending by guests from higher income brackets?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just for fun, I priced out a stay for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids) next June.

I did June 21-26:
- 5 nights at the All Star Sports
- 4 park days, one park per day
- Disney Dining Plan (so 1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack per day)
- I assume would get water park on arrival day

Subtotal: $ 4,680.68 ... For the whole stay including food, and this is before any hotel discounts are available (rack rate was $180/night) ... Not cheap but I think doable for many

Obviously not staying deluxe, does have LL, doesn't have trader to MCO, etc, but not crazy

That is the absolute, shaved to nothing, “bottom rung” level of on property trip…and doesn’t account for $0.01 of extra cost nor travel…

Remember when I said $6000 for a week?…you just calculated that cost at higher than that.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I was just on the pre inaugural of Star of the Seas and I loved it!!!! Back to the Future was excellent!

Pam

We haven't done Star but we did do Icon and we loved it. Newer RC ships are definitely a bit pricey for larger families - we went in one of the family infinite balcony rooms so could fit all five of us- thankfully we booked super early so got in at a reasonable price point - but the ship is great and the entertainment is amazing .

Kids have been asking about when our next cruise will be, but just not sure when we can fit it in - timing or budget wise (especially as after being in the newer ships they don't want to do the older ones lol)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you see a way Disney could get to that scenario though?

I always got back to those old commercials with the parents around the computer and see the offer of, something like, "$1,600? For all of us? We can do that!"

Could they do some more structured all-in packages that are maybe limited in when valid but could allow a family to have a stay for like $2,500?

I just looked at undercover tourist and the 4-day tickets for that family alone are $2,579 ... So you basically would need to give them hotel and food for free

Could they do that? Obviously while trying to max out spending by guests from higher income brackets?

They said 5 days would cost $2600 outloud about 18 months ago and were mercilessly destroyed in fandom, on social media AND main stream media for a month after…it was in our threads.

So guess who’s not gonna say something like that again?

Disingenuous statements can’t hide in a web based, modern tech world. They’re better off outright lying and saying “so what?” Like some we know.

 

[Nunu]

It is on the Star of the Seas so it is definitely a larger ship. It is cruising out of Port Canaveral going to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, then off to San Juan Puerto Rico, Philipsburg, St Maarten and then back to Port Canaveral (Orlando). I'll get you all of the other particulars when I get in this evening! Marie

I'm interested too.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As far as”privilege” goes…I fully admit that even on my “unluckiest” day i’m more lucky that 95% of the sapiens on this planet.

That’s not lost on me. You have to be grounded.

At the same time, you have to hold the supplier accountable for their product as the consumer at all times. Don’t lose sight of that. If you yield the field…they go off course and the product you loved goes away…and that does no one any good

 

[wannabeBelle]

I'm interested too.

We would love to have you as well. PM or e mail me to get you started. Also if you start now, the deposit is $500.00 per stateroom and is refundable until final payment. Also if you book now and want to make payments along the way, we can totally do that, either a set amount each month or you letting us know to pay the amount of x on this Friday (for example) and we can do that so you can pay off a smaller amount at a time, instead of one big payment at the end. Marie

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

We haven't done Star but we did do Icon and we loved it. Newer RC ships are definitely a bit pricey for larger families - we went in one of the family infinite balcony rooms so could fit all five of us- thankfully we booked super early so got in at a reasonable price point - but the ship is great and the entertainment is amazing .

Kids have been asking about when our next cruise will be, but just not sure when we can fit it in - timing or budget wise (especially as after being in the newer ships they don't want to do the older ones lol)

This is one of the reasons why I grab group space early. I grabbed it for next years sailing right when they announced the itineraries and locked it in. We are over $2000 cheaper than the refundable rate for this cruise right now. Yes, the newer ships are pricey but do come down in price when you book the following year or 2. Feel free to reach out to Marie or I, we can always run numbers for you and we are always thankful if you utilize us.

Pam

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I remember way back when, when Pop Century first opened and you could get rates of $79 & $89 a night. Did I just date myself? lol Yes, I have been doing this a long time and so has @wannabeBelle

Pam

 

[Disstevefan1]

There are plenty of people that could afford Disney, but are deliberately choosing not to vacation there due to the massive loss of value (like me).

I understand that and agree, but there are still plenty who are choosing to vacation there despite the massive loss of value, that was my point.

The breaking point has not been reached yet.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I remember way back when, when Pop Century first opened and you could get rates of $79 & $89 a night. Did I just date myself? lol Yes, I have been doing this a long time and so has @wannabeBelle

Pam

And party tickets for $59 per person, OMG I feel old......................Marie

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I remember way back when, when Pop Century first opened and you could get rates of $79 & $89 a night. Did I just date myself? lol Yes, I have been doing this a long time and so has @wannabeBelle

Pam

The base rate for Caribbean in 2001 was $74…I think all stars was around $49

Wilderness Lodge was $130

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I remember way back when, when Pop Century first opened and you could get rates of $79 & $89 a night. Did I just date myself? lol Yes, I have been doing this a long time and so has @wannabeBelle

Pam

Just checked and Pop opened in 2003. $79 -$89 in 2003 is $138.79-$155.49

I stayed at an All Star earlier this year for $124 and have an upcoming stay at $155 ... (I know Pop is better than an All Star but didn't have the Skyliner back then) ... So I do think the value prices, adjusted for inflation, really are in line with before, granted don't get DME now.