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

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Great post. Listen im not saying Disney is ever going to be cheap but to sit here and claim the middle class is completely priced out is just an outright lie

Middle class can’t afford vacation club…that’s what has changed…because Bob

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Depends where you are coming from - we are flying down this November from NY for $885 total for the four of us and that include bags

But for some it can be more - but you would have that cost if you went somewhere other than Disney too unless you stay local

Yeah…I think Ayla is getting a Connector through Istanbul

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

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

With the average 2 working adults, that would be saving $50 each per week for a yearly visit or $25 each a week for a bi yearly visit. Which doesn’t seem crazy at all to me..idk maybe I’m just super lucky (I’m nowhere near top middle class where I live) but my fiancé and I each both can do that fairly easily. (My fiancé works customer service at a grocery store and I am a nursing supervisor so the actual amount from each of our paychecks would be a little different)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

With the average 2 working adults, that would be saving $50 each per week for a yearly visit or $25 each a week for a bi yearly visit. Which doesn’t seem crazy at all to me..idk maybe I’m just super lucky (I’m nowhere near top middle class where I live) but my fiancé and I each both can do that fairly easily. (My fiancé works customer service at a grocery store and I am a nursing supervisor so the actual amount from each of our paychecks would be a little different)

So you have any bills? Because that’s what those talked about in lens article do have/have to balance?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

With the average 2 working adults, that would be saving $50 each per week for a yearly visit or $25 each a week for a bi yearly visit. Which doesn’t seem crazy at all to me..idk maybe I’m just super lucky (I’m nowhere near top middle class where I live) but my fiancé and I each both can do that fairly easily. (My fiancé works customer service at a grocery store and I am a nursing supervisor so the actual amount from each of our paychecks would be a little different)

I agree - though I do think, and a point of the article, is some families that in the past could save $50/week now need that money for rent, food, etc which has generally increased more than wages

 

[Disstevefan1]

Middle class can’t afford vacation club…that’s what has changed…because Bob

Good point. The number of DVC rooms keep growing by the hundreds with each new tower yet the point prices keep going up too! Both the supply and prices go up!

 

[monothingie]

General rule of thumb if you’re going into credit card debt pay for your Disney trip, then you’re doing it all wrong.

 

[Splash4eva]

Middle class can’t afford vacation club…that’s what has changed…because Bob

To me tho thats like comparing housing prices my parents paid cs what i paid and now generations today. Tough to do imo. I looked into dvc secondary and its attainable imo. Heck i just know 2 people who bought direct from Disney for Poly and they are both definition of middle class but i get it. That was their annuity and its taken a hit.

 

[Andrew C]

That would be extra, but not required so I didn't include that. Also would need to put in transfer from MCO which would be extra - just putting a baseline for a package

Remember when all of this was included?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Remember when all of this was included?

Exactly so and a big part of the problem. Especially for us old people!! I remember when all of that was included, there was more entertainment in the theme parks, the food quality and quantity was better, Fastpasses and Magic Bands were free, Disney's Magical Express was included in your stay etc. Disney vacations were never cheap but in the past, the value was there for what you spent. Now people are spending more to get less. It's not a good look. Marie

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

To me tho thats like comparing housing prices my parents paid cs what i paid and now generations today. Tough to do imo. I looked into dvc secondary and its attainable imo. Heck i just know 2 people who bought direct from Disney for Poly and they are both definition of middle class but i get it. That was their annuity and its taken a hit.

Let me spell it out

My $14,300 upfront cost then would cost $38,700 now. Dues are double or more

 

[Ayla]

Yeah…I think Ayla is getting a Connector through Istanbul

Show me anywhere in the midwest (excepting Chicago) where you can get a flight for less than $400 per person, plus bags and then transportation once you are there. $2-3k additional for a family of 4.

 

[Splash4eva]

Let me spell it out

My $14,300 upfront cost then would cost $38,700 now. Dues are double or more

Yes for those who got in early its a steal. My best friend his Dad bought when it 1st was offered. No brainer now. Im not denying prices are out of control but i also dont think they are impossible but that 40k number definitely could scare people away

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Remember when all of this was included?

Yup - though everyone having LL/FP created other issues

But is part of why I say many people that have done Disney can an still do it, but you might not be able to do it the same way you did in the past

Some are fine with that and some feel if they can't do it how they used to they don't want to do it

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Exactly so and a big part of the problem. Especially for us old people!! I remember when all of that was included, there was more entertainment in the theme parks, the food quality and quantity was better, Fastpasses and Magic Bands were free, Disney's Magical Express was included in your stay etc. Disney vacations were never cheap but in the past, the value was there for what you spent. Now people are spending more to get less. It's not a good look. Marie

I agree with a lot of that - it was easier to justify the higher cost b/c you got more included vs other options

Food wise, especially quick service, I think is way better now than in the past and with a ton more variety

 

[wannabeBelle]

I agree with a lot of that - it was easier to justify the higher cost b/c you got more included vs other options

Food wise, especially quick service, I think is way better now than in the past and with a ton more variety

If you get the chance go over and check out the "Quick Service" options in the Harry Potter lands at Universal. I think the pricing and quality there is really awesome and is one of my favorite spots for quick service type of food. The food court at Cabana Bay is pretty incredible as well. Just as a comparison to the offerings at Disney. Marie

 

[networkpro]

I agree with a lot of that - it was easier to justify the higher cost b/c you got more included vs other options

Food wise, especially quick service, I think is way better now than in the past and with a ton more variety

I agree that there is greater food variety and quality in quick service these days, but table service has suffered under the dining plan forced homogeneity and profit margin shaving (aka ingredient quality decreased to support DDP value maximizers).

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Show me anywhere in the midwest (excepting Chicago) where you can get a flight for less than $400 per person, plus bags and then transportation once you are there. $2-3k additional for a family of 4.

It’s almost like it’s the Midwest… where flights aren’t very common and they charge more to supplement them instead of the obvious hubs where most of the popular flies out of and prices are lower due to competition. You can fly out of Dallas to Orlando for less than $200 round trip
Hell you can fly from Cali to Florida for less than $400 easily.. you know areas where MOST people in the us are.

 

[monothingie]

Remember when all of this was included?

Now it costs $200 each way for your minivan.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If you get the chance go over and check out the "Quick Service" options in the Harry Potter lands at Universal. I think the pricing and quality there is really awesome and is one of my favorite spots for quick service type of food. The food court at Cabana Bay is pretty incredible as well. Just as a comparison to the offerings at Disney. Marie

Oh been to Universal, was just at Epic. Those areas are rather good - especially in Epic. Epic overall has quite good food. The other parks, outside of HP leave a lot to be desired

Just think Disney has improved a lot too - AK overall has some amazing food options (Sautu'li, Tiffins, Nomad, etc), Coronado has a ton, lots of place and a ton more variety than 10-20 years go