Planning a May trip. Wow, what a difference in price three years make.

[Mr. Pricklepants]

I am/was in the beginning stages of planning a trip to WDW for mid-May, and after calling for a quote, financially I don't know if I see the value in a Disney vacation. I may have just been priced-out for a Disney vacation.

Like I said, today i called Disney to inquire into a Disney All Star Movies-preferred room, dining plan for seven nights/eight days and park hopper tickets for six days. The rep gave us a quote of $3450 and this is after the fun and sun package pricing. I thought this seemed a bit high, so I started digging up the confirmation and receipt from our May 2014 trip. When I saw the price and details of the previous trip I was a bit shocked.

Some details of the 2014 trip: May 10-17, 2014 we, my wife, my DD age 5 stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, had the Disney dining plan, park hopper tickets for six days and the memory maker for $4039. Loved the Wilderness Lodge. We had a good trip despite an issue from something that I attribute to Disney's fault, but I have no way to back up my claim and something else that cast a small shadow on the trip. It could have been better, but it still was nice.

Our 2014 trip was our most expensive vacation that we have been on and I thought we could go to Disney, stay at a value resort for a lot cheaper than a deluxe and try to have a better overall trip to cancel the bad vibes we had on the last one. As of right now I don't know if I will bother putting down the $200 deposit to hold the current price quote. I was really looking forward in going back, but the price for tickets, hotel, Disney dining, airfare, parking, and various other little things such as a few sovereigns, dessert etc., makes renting an airbnb house on the ocean for a week sounds a heck of a lot better and so much cheaper.

Any one else have a similar story where you thought you were going to go to Disney for cheap, but it just didn't happen or was I just spoiled in the pricing that I received for the 2014 trip?

 

[Chaset24]

While in college (where I received my Bachelors in Hotel, Restaurant, Casino, and Tourism Management) we use to talk about how certain hotels calculate The revenue per available room or REVPAR... Most hotels and companies in the lodging industry will take the results of a Star report, which is pretty much a compilation of what other hotels (competitors) are setting each of there rooms rates at. One really good thing for Disney is that they don't (technically) have competition on property at Walt Disney World due to its size, so they don't have to be extremely competitive with there rates. I almost believe that before they publish there rates, that they put hundreds of numbers out there and get an average on how truly expensive they can set the room rate at without the number of bookings declining. They could greatly reduce the rates of there rooms, but why would they when people keep booking rooms at the higher rate. Also, I believe that they set some of the prices higher than what is suggested to see if numbers are steady. If the numbers are not steady, then they can discount it to the suggested rate while making people feel as if they are receiving a discount.

 

[Mr. Pricklepants]

Yeah, it's pretty true about the competition since I consider the Disney resort truly part of the overall vacation and the idea of having to get back into a car at the end of long day at the parks, dealing with traffic and unfamiliar roads has never sat well with me.

If the price was like a $1000 difference or if we were looking at a moderate and not a value, I wouldn't be quibbling about the price, but a deluxe to a value just seems like a deal breaker.

I sent a reply to the CSR's confirmation thanking her for her help and with my concerns to see if someone will respond. I am not going to hold my breath on it but who knows. I have nothing to lose.

 

[SAV]

IMO if it is a decision of going and staying off site vs. not going, then I'd just go and stay off-site. It really isn't a big deal to hop in the car and drive to your off-site hotel. Many times the accommodations are better for less money.

And another way to get savings is to not do the DDP or Park Hop. Neither are necessary.

 

[Chaset24]

I have a friend who goes to Bonnet Creek a lot when they go to Disney and they said it is extremely close to the park for not being a Disney hotel. Also, the rooms and price are pretty cool.

 

[Mr. Pricklepants]

Going to Disney World is not necessary to me either, but the options that I listed above is what I find important when I do go. I'm not big into sticking with a schedule and if one park is busy i like having the option of heading over to another one or . Again, a vacation to me is not taking the time to rent a car, driving around looking for a parking spot, then having to pay to park and then do it again at the end of the day when I just want to collapse and let someone else take me home. My idea of a trip is a destination based one. Beach house, Disney, large city that I can get to places by cab, bus or walk, etc. I wish that I liked to drive, but I am prone to anxiety and driving in strange places sets me off and I know that there is a high chance that it would ruin my trip.

I actually priced out food estimates for the week without the dining plan and for the few places that we would like to go, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace and one or two other sit-down restaurants and the rest being quick-service and having breakfast in the room, the dining plan would still be a better option due to the savings from the buffets. It's not much of a difference but it's still a savings. We used the dining plan on our last trip and after we came back we figured out that we saved a few hundred dollars and didn't waste any meals or snacks etc.

That being said I will to figure out if off-site/on/site/non disney hotel would be a better option for my family if the hotel has reliable transportation or just use Uber/Lyft and then there would be no dining plan etc. That may be tonight's job.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I have a family of six and while we used to stay in deluxe resorts it no longer felt financially worth it once kids no longer took naps. We are never in the room so why pay a deluxe room rate when you are never in it. We find moderates that sleep 6 keep the price in check especially when you just go with the room discount offered. We never get our tickets from Disney anymore either. Parksavers has discounted tickets that you can add to your My Disney Experience. For the trip we are going on in May they had such an amazing ticket sale in November I couldn't pass up. I bought the tickets before I booked a room. I put the tickets in My Disney Experience and 2 weeks later I got a pin code for a nice hotel discount. Don't know if putting in tickets into MDE had anything to do with it but I had suspicions. We never do the dining plan because we worked out the math and it doesn't suit us. So my advise is to do Disney a la carte if you use their resort. We have also stayed in Bonnet Creek and I will agree that it is a nice resort. My kids love the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and Art of Animation although they always ask now to stay at the cabins.

 

[MickeyMomV]

Prices seem to be increasing by 5-10% each year as the attendance remains high. For our last trip in April 2016, for the first time ever, we brought groceries and cases of water to help keep the costs down. For the most part the only meals we ate out were dinners. For a family of 3 "adults", over 6 nights and 7 days I figured we saved $500 to $600. For hotel (All Star Sports) and park hopper tickets we only spent $1943 ($2039-4.7% for paying with Sam's gift cards). I have to say even with all of the price increases I think this was our cheapest WDW vacation since the early 2000's!!

 

[dmatt87]

I am/was in the beginning stages of planning a trip to WDW for mid-May, and after calling for a quote, financially I don't know if I see the value in a Disney vacation. I may have just been priced-out for a Disney vacation.

Like I said, today i called Disney to inquire into a Disney All Star Movies-preferred room, dining plan for seven nights/eight days and park hopper tickets for six days. The rep gave us a quote of $3450 and this is after the fun and sun package pricing. I thought this seemed a bit high, so I started digging up the confirmation and receipt from our May 2014 trip. When I saw the price and details of the previous trip I was a bit shocked.

Some details of the 2014 trip: May 10-17, 2014 we, my wife, my DD age 5 stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, had the Disney dining plan, park hopper tickets for six days and the memory maker for $4039. Loved the Wilderness Lodge. We had a good trip despite an issue from something that I attribute to Disney's fault, but I have no way to back up my claim and something else that cast a small shadow on the trip. It could have been better, but it still was nice.

Our 2014 trip was our most expensive vacation that we have been on and I thought we could go to Disney, stay at a value resort for a lot cheaper than a deluxe and try to have a better overall trip to cancel the bad vibes we had on the last one. As of right now I don't know if I will bother putting down the $200 deposit to hold the current price quote. I was really looking forward in going back, but the price for tickets, hotel, Disney dining, airfare, parking, and various other little things such as a few sovereigns, dessert etc., makes renting an airbnb house on the ocean for a week sounds a heck of a lot better and so much cheaper.

Any one else have a similar story where you thought you were going to go to Disney for cheap, but it just didn't happen or was I just spoiled in the pricing that I received for the 2014 trip?

I've noticed pricing has gone up since our 2011 trip, my wife and I had paid $3000 for 7 nights at CSR and 7 days Park Hopper, including flight and 1 day at Universal Studios. Only meals came out of our pockets.

However I find your pricing a little compared to what I got for our mid-may trip this year. We (me, my wife, DS4) booked at CBR - with water view room, DDP for 6 nights and Park Hopper for 6 days and our price was $3100.

Personally I can live with that pricing, but its the airfare that's killing me this time around - $1800.

 

[SAV]

I hope you are able to find what you are looking for, but some of these things (transportation all around property, DDP) are the Premium Price of staying on-site vs off-site. Off-site transportation is nowhere close to what Disney offers, so you will likely be disappointed in it. Most places have limited departure and pick up times and those shuttles take longer than the Disney ones. You will be paying for the Uber/Lyft rides back and forth which adds to the overall cost.

When looking off-site, pay attention to the bed size. Some offer doubles others offer queens in their standard room. So while the price may be a little cheaper at one vs the other, the bed size is smaller. I'm willing to pay the extra $ per day for the larger bed.

Deluxe to Value is a big step down for sure. But is it grounds for not going at all? That's what you need to think about and decide. We don't spend that much time at the resort, so Value isn't a deal breaker for us.

For us, the food aspect isn't that big of a deal, so DDP was never a savings for us. For you it looks to be important and that may limit you to on-site.

Park Hopping is another thing that is a premium price for what is offered.

It's really a matter of how flexible you want to be with your vacation and if you are willing to give some things up in order to go.

 

[Chaset24]

Our trip is 9 nights at Port Orleans Riverside, hopefully during free dining, with Water Parks and more tickets (park hoppers). I think the price was $3500 for two. We are driving though, since we live in Mississippi..

 

[21stamps]

I know that you said you want the hopper and dining plan... but I'm assuming your kid is 8 now, correct? Is this a trip that the child requested? If so, maybe cut out the hoppers and ddp.. or keep the hoppers, cut the DDP and only do 1-3 character meals? Or even one less night?
You should be able to shave quite a bit off with that.
We always buy a case of water for the room, and a pack of the horizon milk singles to cut down on beverage spending.

 

[docdebbi]

I think more than advice how to make the trip happen more cost effectively, Mr. Pricklepants just wants a little validation that prices have gone up, and unreasonably so. I give you that validation. I agree, the prices are crazy and going up at a far faster rate than the rate of inflation. Disney has indeed lost it's "value" for us too.

Therefore, last year was the first year that we ever stayed off property. And we were actually thrilled, and plan to do it again. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek, as mentioned by Chaset24, was fantastic. We used a company called vacation strategy which is a clearing house for timeshare points and got a unit bigger than several apartments I have lived in for $100/night. The property is basically on disney property between Epcot and DHS, literally 2 min drive to either, and has 5 pools, 2 lazy rivers, splash pad, 3 slides and is very clean and upscale. It was fantastic.

So if you can accept the unfairness and craziness of Disney upping their prices so ridiculously, just swallow you anger and show them you won't be pushed around. Take your business elsewhere: book at Bonnet Creek, eat breakfast in your full kitchen and dining room, and pay out of pocket for meals in the park (you can get gift cards before leaving home if paying while there bothers you). the drive is no big deal, or an uber would probably cost less than parking fees as it is so close. But don't cut off your nose to spite your face and deny yourself and your family a trip because you're angry.

WE ALL ARE!!

 

[RobbinsDad]

I think more than advice how to make the trip happen more cost effectively, Mr. Pricklepants just wants a little validation that prices have gone up, and unreasonably so. I give you that validation. I agree, the prices are crazy and going up at a far faster rate than the rate of inflation. Disney has indeed lost it's "value" for us too.

Therefore, last year was the first year that we ever stayed off property. And we were actually thrilled, and plan to do it again. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek, as mentioned by Chaset24, was fantastic. We used a company called vacation strategy which is a clearing house for timeshare points and got a unit bigger than several apartments I have lived in for $100/night. The property is basically on disney property between Epcot and DHS, literally 2 min drive to either, and has 5 pools, 2 lazy rivers, splash pad, 3 slides and is very clean and upscale. It was fantastic.

So if you can accept the unfairness and craziness of Disney upping their prices so ridiculously, just swallow you anger and show them you won't be pushed around. Take your business elsewhere: book at Bonnet Creek, eat breakfast in your full kitchen and dining room, and pay out of pocket for meals in the park (you can get gift cards before leaving home if paying while there bothers you). the drive is no big deal, or an uber would probably cost less than parking fees as it is so close. But don't cut off your nose to spite your face and deny yourself and your family a trip because you're angry.

WE ALL ARE!!

Question: did you use complementary parks transportation through Wyndham at all? If so, did you find it convenient/reliable? I've been mulling a stay here as well, but driving to the parks is not my favorite thing.

 

[docdebbi]

Question: did you use complementary parks transportation through Wyndham at all? If so, did you find it convenient/reliable? I've been mulling a stay here as well, but driving to the parks is not my favorite thing.

we rent a car every trip because we have had up to three strollers at a time, diaper bags, etc., so we are not a good source to ask about transport.
but with what you would save on the room, you could more than rent a little economy car. plus lyft and uber are all over the place down there, even cheaper than a car.
Wyndham does charge for their shuttle.

 

[Mr. Pricklepants]

I'm not angry, just really disappointed and I guess I am looking at some validation at the price increases. In my mind I remember sitting down with my wife and going over projected costs for the 2014 vacation. The cost for everything: Hotel, tickets, airfare, parking, cat sitter, dog boarding, grocery delivery, tips, etc. you name it, I had planned for it in our budget excel spreadsheet, so there would be no surprises were coming out to over $6000. Along the planning process we kept thinking OMG the pricing is crazy, but we were splurging on a deluxe hotel etc due to some good fortune that came along the way and it would be my daughter's first trip. So the steep price at the time was worth it because of what we were getting.

Before that trip and since then, we are used to renting a really nice beach house right on the ocean for $750+- for a week and spend like $300 on groceries and have a blast. So spending over $6000 on one trip seemed like a insane amount of money.

So back to the future and we are planning a possible trip and thinking, we would save sooooo much more money if we just say at a value resort compared to the deluxe Wilderness Lodge. We stayed at the All-Stars on our honeymoon and had a great time even thought the rooms were small and a bit tired, but we were onsite darn it. Anyway, so we first use the Disney online vacation reservation planner and get back the $3,500 price back. That was a bit shocking, so I thought maybe calling would get a different price. So I call and still end up with the same price. The room price seems to be about the same what they were in 2014, but the tickets and food seem to be the culprit.

I know most of you said skip the dining plan because it's not worth it. If we don't do any of the character meals it would probably be worth to skip it. The break down with the dining plan is $185.36 per day for the six full days we would be there. To give an example: An estimate for a day at a quick service for lunch and Chef Mickey's for dinner and various snacks during the day would be about $254 and that does not include tip. The other days hovers right around 150.00-180.00 and I'm sure I could get it down to less than that we we shared lunch, don't have a sit-down dinner, skipped ice cream etc. but how much cutting this and that out of the trip takes away from the overall feel? A average lunch at the park seems to be around $50.00. So per my estimate, the $185 per day with the dining plan would be a saving compared to not having it.

The 2014 trip was amazing with an amazing price tag and now today I'm looking at a lesser experience at almost the same amazing price.(though we did find airfare for cheaper than what we paid for in 2014) At risk of repeating myself, I guess I am mainly disappointed in myself for under estimating the price increases, for not planning further out and having more $$ set aside in advance.

 

[21stamps]

I'm not angry, just really disappointed and I guess I am looking at some validation at the price increases. In my mind I remember sitting down with my wife and going over projected costs for the 2014 vacation. The cost for everything: Hotel, tickets, airfare, parking, cat sitter, dog boarding, grocery delivery, tips, etc. you name it, I had planned for it in our budget excel spreadsheet, so there would be no surprises were coming out to over $6000. Along the planning process we kept thinking OMG the pricing is crazy, but we were splurging on a deluxe hotel etc due to some good fortune that came along the way and it would be my daughter's first trip. So the steep price at the time was worth it because of what we were getting.

Before that trip and since then, we are used to renting a really nice beach house right on the ocean for $750+- for a week and spend like $300 on groceries and have a blast. So spending over $6000 on one trip seemed like a insane amount of money.

So back to the future and we are planning a possible trip and thinking, we would save sooooo much more money if we just say at a value resort compared to the deluxe Wilderness Lodge. We stayed at the All-Stars on our honeymoon and had a great time even thought the rooms were small and a bit tired, but we were onsite darn it. Anyway, so we first use the Disney online vacation reservation planner and get back the $3,500 price back. That was a bit shocking, so I thought maybe calling would get a different price. So I call and still end up with the same price. The room price seems to be about the same what they were in 2014, but the tickets and food seem to be the culprit.

I know most of you said skip the dining plan because it's not worth it. If we don't do any of the character meals it would probably be worth to skip it. The break down with the dining plan is $185.36 per day for the six full days we would be there. To give an example: An estimate for a day at a quick service for lunch and Chef Mickey's for dinner and various snacks during the day would be about $254 and that does not include tip. The other days hovers right around 150.00-180.00 and I'm sure I could get it down to less than that we we shared lunch, don't have a sit-down dinner, skipped ice cream etc. but how much cutting this and that out of the trip takes away from the overall feel? A average lunch at the park seems to be around $50.00. So per my estimate, the $185 per day with the dining plan would be a saving compared to not having it.

The 2014 trip was amazing with an amazing price tag and now today I'm looking at a lesser experience at almost the same amazing price.(though we did find airfare for cheaper than what we paid for in 2014) At risk of repeating myself, I guess I am mainly disappointed in myself for under estimating the price increases, for not planning further out and having more $$ set aside in advance.

I understand sticker shock. But as far as the DDP/character meals go.. do you have to do one every day? If you're there 7 nights why not just do 2..or even 3? Choose breakfast or lunch over dinner, that will cut the costs down quite a bit. Then you don't need the DDP. Plus, there's a lot of great food that isn't on the dining plan .
My thoughts are this- Kids are only kids for a limited amount of time. Enjoy it while we/they can. If it came down to No Disney Trip vs No hoppers, and 2-3 character meals instead of 7.. which do you think your child would choose? The character meals are nice but I learned from experience that 1-2 per day is not necessary, and the best part -not being on such a strict dining schedule was even more enjoyable.

I'm not telling you how to plan your trip, just offering some advice. Another suggestion- have you thought about Universal? Your child is probably tall enough for everything there.

 

[Mr. Pricklepants]

My estimate is to go Chef Mickeys one day and Crystal Palace for breakfast on another, without the dining plan and the rest going to the regular sit-down and quick-service.

Here is a quick break down. Since the crystal palace would be for breakfast, that day food estimate is about $230.00.

Crystal Palace
adult 1 $30.00
adult 2 $30.00
kid $18.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
total $90.00
tip $16.20

snack
ice cream $4.00
x3 $12.00

snack #2 $5.00
x3 $15.00

Lunch
Hamburgers at starlight
adult 1 $15.00
adult 2 $12.00
kid $15.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
Dessert $4.29
x3 $12.87
total $66.87

Dinner
Estimate
adult 1 $15.00
adult 2 $12.00
kid $15.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
Dessert $0.00
x3 $0.00
total $54.00

total for day $237.87

Universal currently wouldn't be worth it since my daughter is not interested in the properties and my daughter is really, really short for her age, so yeah she probably wouldn't clear the minimum height requirements

The Hopper is and extra $600 so that is something to think about too.

 

[Laketravis]

I don't know if I see the value in a Disney vacation. I may have just been priced-out for a Disney vacation....

In that case, I would seriously consider staying offsite and eating most meals at one of the many places just 2 miles from the AK parking lot if you go out Sherberth Road. Low-priced multi-bedroom condos right outside the main gate and Uber are your friends in this situation. You'll be amazed how much money you can save, how much better the food and accommodations can be, and how little of the 'magic' you'll miss.

 

[21stamps]

My estimate is to go Chef Mickeys one day and Crystal Palace for breakfast on another, without the dining plan and the rest going to the regular sit-down and quick-service.

Here is a quick break down. Since the crystal palace would be for breakfast, that day food estimate is about $230.00.

Crystal Palace
adult 1 $30.00
adult 2 $30.00
kid $18.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
total $90.00
tip $16.20

snack
ice cream $4.00
x3 $12.00

snack #2 $5.00
x3 $15.00

Lunch
Hamburgers at starlight
adult 1 $15.00
adult 2 $12.00
kid $15.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
Dessert $4.29
x3 $12.87
total $66.87

Dinner
Estimate
adult 1 $15.00
adult 2 $12.00
kid $15.00
drinks $4.00
x3 $12.00
Dessert $0.00
x3 $0.00
total $54.00

total for day $237.87

Universal currently wouldn't be worth it since my daughter is not interested in the properties and my daughter is really, really short for her age, so yeah she probably wouldn't clear the minimum height requirements

The Hopper is and extra $600 so that is something to think about too.

Understand.
Would your daughter be eating kid's meals? I think most include drinks and a dessert. But..would you really all be eating a dessert every meal and 2 snacks per day?

I'd do some more comparisons of DDP vs OOP...compare how you would eat, not how the plan dictates.
Good Luck!!!