Maybe one reason folks are still going to WDW

[eliza61nyc]

I think one of the reasons I'm never shocked at Disney prices is because I live in the "high as heck" Northeast.
Shore rentals are insane. Lol saw this article in the newspaper.

Priced out of the Jersey Shore: Some travelers opt for all-inclusive resorts instead as rental costs soar

Families across the region say they can no longer justify the cost of an annual week at the Jersey Shore. Some have found cheaper vacation spots elsewhere.

www.inquirer.com

“If I’m going to spend $3,000 to $5,000 by the time you’re done, with the house and the food and stuff and all the tchotchkes you buy … I’d rather go to Disney World,” she added. “If I want to spend that money, I’d rather have a bigger experience.

Vacations prices every where seem to out of control. I do admit, I'm amazed when folks tell me they can do Europe for the same price as Disney. We're going to portugal and it's costing me 6K in airfare alone.

disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting that Disney is cheap, just that for a new coming it ain't all that bad either

 

[SaucyBoy]

Some people on this forum like to make sweeping claims that since they are "fed up with Disney and hate everything they're doing to DESTROY the very fabric of my childhood", everyone else must feel the same and act as they do. I went for Memorial Day Weekend and will be going again in August. Nothing has gotten expensive or pricey to the point it feels "too much." I can't imagine any scenario where I don't go to WDW at least 2-3 times each year.

 

[MadderAdder]

Yeah we pay $7000 up front to get a rental here in Boston. Four months of rent before moving in. Haaaah.

 

[Disstevefan1]

As long as there are single folks, couples and even families with enough disposable income, these folks will flock to Disneyparks. There are more of these folks from all over the world than you think.

That is why TWDC and their theme parks are.......... Invincible

 

[JIMINYCR]

People see Disney as a place where they will enjoy family time, a range of entertainment and attractions that please. Cost for anything and everything in life has continued to raise over the years. Deciding to go to WDW may take longer to save for or cause more sacrifices for the type of trip you want, but people will do what it takes if they really want to go. It remains a vacation spot that’s desired still.
Those who find it out of their reach are willing to find a way to spend similar amounts of money on other things.
Decisions to spend for everything in life has to be decided upon whether it’s worth it for the individual. We still find it worth the time and money spent.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I think one of the reasons I'm never shocked at Disney prices is because I live in the "high as heck" Northeast.
Shore rentals are insane. Lol saw this article in the newspaper.

Priced out of the Jersey Shore: Some travelers opt for all-inclusive resorts instead as rental costs soar

Families across the region say they can no longer justify the cost of an annual week at the Jersey Shore. Some have found cheaper vacation spots elsewhere.

www.inquirer.com

“If I’m going to spend $3,000 to $5,000 by the time you’re done, with the house and the food and stuff and all the tchotchkes you buy … I’d rather go to Disney World,” she added. “If I want to spend that money, I’d rather have a bigger experience.

Vacations prices every where seem to out of control. I do admit, I'm amazed when folks tell me they can do Europe for the same price as Disney. We're going to portugal and it's costing me 6K in airfare alone.

disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting that Disney is cheap, just that for a new coming it ain't all that bad either

I have always said this. You rent some house at the beach, which for anything decent is usually at least 2k for a week, and thats for a place blocks away from the beach. You have to bring all your own linens, have to cook and clean the place. If the weather is bad for the week, which happens there is not many options to do anything else. The food options are often VERY limited(pizza fried foods) and you spend a bunch buying ride tickets at much less thrilling amusement centers. I find it can often be equal to a Disney vacation cost wise.
Now that said some folks just LOVE the beach, but my kids are not really into it and prefer mountains for hiking or cities for culture if we are not doing Disney.

 

[kingdead]

National parks/city vacations are the new beach/Disney World. It just seems classier and you're guaranteed a good Insta shot

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

I’m always amazed going places how expensive entertainment is. 50 dollars here for an escape room, another 30 dollars for a ropes course, mini golf for 25 dollars… it really adds up after a while. Disney really isn’t that bad if you consider you’re getting a full day of entertainment, which is extremely valuable and expensive nowadays.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Jersey shore inflation is insane. I think that’s because you have a ton of wealthy people in that area and they bought up former rental units as weekend homes during Covid (also, for whatever reason shore towns don’t always have the same insane property taxes as other places in NJ, so some likely moved there as a tax cut.) Some towns have also consciously tried to zone out rental houses to keep out the hoi polloi (You know, the heathens making low six figures. The horror!) My family has gone there since I was an infant and I have family in Jersey who I only see once a year so I tried to make it work, but I’m over it now. You’re staying at a New Jersey beach, for goodness sakes, not the tropics. The sand is literally grey and the water is freezing. Yes the local juice bars and vintage bicycle rentals are charming, but not $5K a week for a unit you stock and clean yourself charming.

To your larger point - yes, I think vacation inflation is up all across the board. It’s the “experience economy” at work, I guess. Recently looked at hotel rooms in DC this summer and nice-but-not-crazy-luxurious ones there were even around $400 a night. Sitters in my area charge $17 - $20 an hour (which is close to starting wages at, say, Target in many places, so not unreasonable) so a dinner out costs at least $60 just in childcare. Everything entertainment related is $$$$$ these days.

 

[jaklgreen]

I have always said this. You rent some house at the beach, which for anything decent is usually at least 2k for a week, and thats for a place blocks away from the beach. You have to bring all your own linens, have to cook and clean the place. If the weather is bad for the week, which happens there is not many options to do anything else. The food options are often VERY limited(pizza fried foods) and you spend a bunch buying ride tickets at much less thrilling amusement centers. I find it can often be equal to a Disney vacation cost wise.
Now that said some folks just LOVE the beach, but my kids are not really into it and prefer mountains for hiking or cities for culture if we are not doing Disney.

And people seem to forget to factor in that you are being entertained for 12 hours a day at WDW. If someone went to another city and had all day entertainment, not just sitting at a beach, it would way more than $120 a day. Heck, ski lift tickets cost that much just to bring you up a mountain. Not to mention how much concerts and sporting events cost. The problem is that people spend more time at WDW and pay to be entertained every day. Travel is expensive, no matter where you go.

 

[Lilofan]

I have always said this. You rent some house at the beach, which for anything decent is usually at least 2k for a week, and thats for a place blocks away from the beach. You have to bring all your own linens, have to cook and clean the place. If the weather is bad for the week, which happens there is not many options to do anything else. The food options are often VERY limited(pizza fried foods) and you spend a bunch buying ride tickets at much less thrilling amusement centers. I find it can often be equal to a Disney vacation cost wise.
Now that said some folks just LOVE the beach, but my kids are not really into it and prefer mountains for hiking or cities for culture if we are not doing Disney.

Savvy Orlando locals back in the day I saw listed were renting out their homes to willing ones who want go pay their price for the week 12/25-31 including damage deposit. That reminds me on my friend in Brazil whose friends rented out their condos for top $$ during the Olympics in Brazil.

 

[iamgroot61]

For me, the "magic" of Disney is what Walt intended. He created the parks (as if anyone on this forum is unaware) as places where parents could play with their children. There is a long laundry list of reasons why I love visiting the parks, with or without my (now adult) children (they are safe, clean, and for the most part still well-maintained, and provide an immersion in things of my childhood that I have continued to love as an adult). So yeah, the magic is mostly still alive for me. With that having been said, I have also watched the prices go up and, particularly under Chapek, seen the blatant monetization and some things of value removed (and now restored, thanks Iger!) Prior to relocating to FL, Disneyland/DCA were my go-to parks despite being roughly a 7-hour drive. For 4 years or so I was a Premiere AP holder there. Prices for that pass peaked out at around $2200/PP and I could no longer justify, nor afford to pay that. When I visit any theme park (but particularly Disney or Universal), I expect to pay "resort prices" for everything right down to the bottled water, but the annual price increases for entry into the parks (for all tickets/passes) and the upcharge events (paying around $170PP to attend a holiday function seems a bit much to me, especially when Disney merely changes their official park hours that day, screwing ticket and AP holders out of time in the parks), bugs me.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

Savvy Orlando locals back in the day I saw listed were renting out their homes to willing ones who want go pay their price for the week 12/25-31 including damage deposit. That reminds me on my friend in Brazil whose friends rented out their condos for top $$ during the Olympics in Brazil.

Renting and services like VRBO are so interesting for a Disney vacation. Short term rentals, including things like VRBO are (mostly) illegal in Orange County. Needs to be more than 30 days in everywhere not zoned for a short term rental. In addition, if zoned, the person leasing their home will need a short term rental license as well as a business license.

Most communities surrounding WDW have an HOA that bans short term rentals all together, or rentals under 6 months and 1 day.

Given this, most rentals are found in Kissimmee…


I just wanted to comment on how interesting the short term rental market is around WDW… basically can only legally get a home by AK.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

For me, the "magic" of Disney is what Walt intended. He created the parks (as if anyone on this forum is unaware) as places where parents could play with their children. There is a long laundry list of reasons why I love visiting the parks, with or without my (now adult) children (they are safe, clean, and for the most part still well-maintained, and provide an immersion in things of my childhood that I have continued to love as an adult). So yeah, the magic is mostly still alive for me. With that having been said, I have also watched the prices go up and, particularly under Chapek, seen the blatant monetization and some things of value removed (and now restored, thanks Iger!) Prior to relocating to FL, Disneyland/DCA were my go-to parks despite being roughly a 7-hour drive. For 4 years or so I was a Premiere AP holder there. Prices for that pass peaked out at around $2200/PP and I could no longer justify, nor afford to pay that. When I visit any theme park (but particularly Disney or Universal), I expect to pay "resort prices" for everything right down to the bottled water, but the annual price increases for entry into the parks (for all tickets/passes) and the upcharge events (paying around $170PP to attend a holiday function seems a bit much to me, especially when Disney merely changes their official park hours that day, screwing ticket and AP holders out of time in the parks), bugs me.

I’ve never been able to justify getting bottled water at the theme parks. All of them are legally required to give you a cup of tap water if you ask for it (not every location, but at least one place in the park… if they have a soda machine you can get water).

You can usually get ice as well, so iced tap water is always better than a $4 bottle of water that’s been cooking in you stroller all day to me.

 

[Lilofan]

Renting and services like VRBO are so interesting for a Disney vacation. Short term rentals, including things like VRBO are (mostly) illegal in Orange County. Needs to be more than 30 days in everywhere not zoned for a short term rental. In addition, if zoned, the person leasing their home will need a short term rental license as well as a business license.

Most communities surrounding WDW have an HOA that bans short term rentals all together, or rentals under 6 months and 1 day.

Given this, most rentals are found in Kissimmee…


I just wanted to comment on how interesting the short term rental market is around WDW… basically can only legally get a home by AK.

You are right, anything goes in Kissimmee.

 

[flynnibus]

Some people on this forum like to make sweeping claims [...]

I can't imagine any scenario where I don't go to WDW at least 2-3 times each year.

Pot meet kettle...

 

[flynnibus]

I have always said this. You rent some house at the beach, which for anything decent is usually at least 2k for a week, and thats for a place blocks away from the beach.

Obviously depends a lot on which vacation spot you goto.. but even if snuffing a nose at 2k a week where you gotta bring your own linens... doesn't really justify $500-1000 a NIGHT for a single room+bathroom Marriott level hotel room. Your house probably also has more than 1 bedroom+bath

Total cost of a beach vacation is high... but you also control most of what you are willing to spend on. You can eat out, or eat in. You don't goto the $100 amusement park EVERY NIGHT. Food is overpriced, but you typically can pick the price range you want. The beach is usually free (except NJ.. lol).

So a WDW spot differs in that you basically are locked in to spending at the parks, while another vacation you may opt to do less or do various things. In some ways WDW was better in that regards because 'buying in bulk' WDW park days used to get very cheap.. giving you very affordable all day entertainment.

Now, you are getting nickle and dimed after being in the park... they've eliminated most of the 'bulk buying' discounts... and they've raised prices on top of all of that.

When we are at the beach, at most we eat out at most once a day.. rest of the meals are typically at 'home'. Entertainment is $30-$50/head when we do stuff, but you don't always go out every day... and our beach is free

 

[SaucyBoy]

Pot meet kettle...

How so? Ever since I moved from Orlando in 2020, I’ve been back at least 2-3 times each year. I would visit more than that if I my husband wasn’t living in another country for the time being.

 

[flynnibus]

Maybe this quote from the article is fitting for a WDW thread...

“It was so expensive, and it gets really crowded down there, so you don’t really get the bang for your buck,” said Casalina, 45, of Glenside. “The whole idea of going on vacation is to relax, and the Jersey Shore was the completely opposite of relaxing.”

basically the article says people are finding cheaper destinations than Jersey Shore...

 

[hsisthebest]

Have you seen the prices for Disneyland Paris. Cheap Cheap Cheap! We are planning 1 week in Paris with 3 days at Dianeyland/Disney Studios PLUS 1 week of touring the mountians in France. Priced it out cheaper for our family of 6 than a WDW/Universal trip staying offsisite and driving from Illlinois.