Snack price increases?

[21stamps]

So you don't think that Disney, after capturing the "regular" middle class market such as yourself, may not be trying to lure a more upscale customer with the recent offerings? While I don't care for a few of them (such as Tiana's Riverboat party), the vast majority of them affect a regular customer experience not at all. We do a few of them each trip, and find value in them.

Have you ever paid for Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue? That is an upcharge event that has been around for decades. Do you honestly think you're getting anywhere near the amount of food that you are paying for? Or that the show is worth that much? To some, such as us, we are good with it, and pay the money. Others think it isn't worth it, and decide not to go.

As far as snack prices go, well, we don't ever buy them. If someone wants it, they will pay for it. It's really no different than someone buys a Lexus, and someone else buys a Chevy. Both do the same exact thing, but one costs double or more of the other. Some people will bring in their own snacks to eat, and some will pay for the Disney treat. What people choose to spend their hard earned money on is none of our business and we have no right to judge anyone as well.

I drove 2 hours to fly to Orlando, and I have an airport 30 minutes from my house.

Here's why I did it-
Flights are one thing that drive me crazy!!!! Maybe I'm spoiled from living in SoFla for so many years, and the great airline options within the 3 airports that I had there...but I just hate Delta's redic prices where I live now.
To fly out of my airport round trip was over $418 pp + bags, and we had 3 checked bags = $85 each way= $170. That's absolutely nuts to me for a flight to Orlando Florida.

So I looked at other options. We flew Southwest 1 Way to Orlando... 2 hour drive from our house..for $74 pp, free checked luggage.

Return flight- Delta 1 Way MCO-Our airport for $130 pp + $85.

I also chose odd times to bring the cost down.
Not a ton of money saved, but enough for me to feel the drive/boarding time was worth it. Some things I can justify spending, some I can not. I think this is true of ALL people.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

So you split a meal and had basically no beverage just the complimentary water... Not sure why you would be surprised at $40 for three people having their own meals at a QS restaurant.... I guess I could get a side of coleslaw and a complimentary water and act outraged that anyone could possibly spend more than $3 for a meal at CHH... but that does little to illustrate the point.

What it illustrates is that you don't HAVE to spend $40 for a QS meal. I never stated surprise. I know exactly how expensive the items are there. Sometimes we pay, sometimes we split. But it is always OUR choice.

 

[Bocabear]

Where do you spend $45 at a QS for 3 people???? My wife and I eat at places like CHH, and spend $12 for the 2 of us. Even adding a third person would keep it under $20.

the exclamation points and multiple question marks make it seem as though you would be surprised at the cost...and adding a third person, unless they were eating the remnants off your plate or just a side dish and condiments, would take the cost well over $20...but yes absolutely it is your choice to eat what you like when you like...not that it adds anything to the discussion....

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I drove 2 hours to fly to Orlando, and I have an airport 30 minutes from my house.

Here's why I did it-
Flights are one thing that drive me crazy!!!! Maybe I'm spoiled from living in SoFla for so many years, and the great airline options within the 3 airports that I had there...but I just hate Delta's redic prices where I live now.
To fly out of my airport round trip was over $418 pp + bags, and we had 3 checked bags = $85 each way= $170. That's absolutely nuts to me for a flight to Orlando Florida.

So I looked at other options. We flew Southwest 1 Way to Orlando... 2 hour drive from our house..for $74 pp, free checked luggage.

Return flight- Delta 1 Way MCO-Our airport for $130 pp + $85.

Not a ton of money saved, but enough for me to feel the drive was worth it. Some things I can justify spending, some I can not. I think this is true of ALL people.

You and I totally agree on that one. When we do fly, it is always Southwest. I refuse to pay any kind of baggage or change fees. We never rent a car while there, as it just isn't worth it to us. We have had excellent service utilizing the Disney buses (unlike, it seems, everyone on this board who claims it sucks), and I have no desire to drive on vacation. Of course, being DVC members, we go multiple times per year (it will be 4 trips on our current APs), so we never commando the park, make minimal reservations - except for those we know we want - and take it easy on vacation. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

the exclamation points and multiple question marks make it seem as though you would be surprised at the cost...and adding a third person, unless they were eating the remnants off your plate or just a side dish, would take the cost well over $20...but yes absolutely it is your choice t eat what you like when you like...not that it adds anything to the discussion....

The discussion is the prices. If people do zero research before going to a place like Disney, then they are foolish in the extreme. If you have never been to New York City, would you spend a week there without knowing how much meals are going to cost, and maybe making a few reservations? The WDW website lists pretty much every single restaurant on property - with prices - so there is NO reason to be surprised by it. When @alphac2005 stated that he spent $40, it seemed like he was surprised at the cost, but he should have known pretty much what it was going to be prior to the visit. If not, then that is on him. People going to WDW and then coming here to complain about the prices that they should have known about beforehand just seems disingenuous to me.

 

[21stamps]

You and I totally agree on that one. When we do fly, it is always Southwest. I refuse to pay any kind of baggage or change fees. We never rent a car while there, as it just isn't worth it to us. We have had excellent service utilizing the Disney buses (unlike, it seems, everyone on this board who claims it sucks), and I have no desire to drive on vacation. Of course, being DVC members, we go multiple times per year (it will be 4 trips on our current APs), so we never commando the park, make minimal reservations - except for those we know we want - and take it easy on vacation. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.

I don't have the option to fly southwest often. But even for our Alaska trip I will more than likely drive to Chicago, spend a night there, and fly RT from O'hare...and still save several hundred dollars over flying out of here.

Car rental in Florida is usually a must for me.. this recent trip was our one and only exclusively Disney World trip..it was nice not to drive, but I won't be able to do that in the future.

Back to the pricing-- the ONLY place that I saw that didn't list prices was Trader Sam's. Everywhere else the menus-with prices- were posted somewhere before you even walked in.

 

[alphac2005]

The discussion is the prices. If people do zero research before going to a place like Disney, then they are foolish in the extreme. If you have never been to New York City, would you spend a week there without knowing how much meals are going to cost, and maybe making a few reservations? The WDW website lists pretty much every single restaurant on property - with prices - so there is NO reason to be surprised by it. When @alphac2005 stated that he spent $40, it seemed like he was surprised at the cost, but he should have known pretty much what it was going to be prior to the visit. If not, then that is on him. People going to WDW and then coming here to complain about the prices that they should have known about beforehand just seems disingenuous to me.

Does the concept of out of control cost seem to be absent to you? That same darn meal was $25 just five years ago. Inflation of $15 over five years while food costs have gone down in this country? Get real. I deal in economics all day and you just make excuses snorting the pixie dust.

I lived in Orlando a decade ago and the same meal that my wife and I ate each week at Epcot is now triple the price. Give me a break. Making a healthy profit is one thing, but disgusting price gouging is uncalled for. And NO, when we visited for the first time in a few years, I was shocked by the increases in price.

 

[21stamps]

Does the concept of out of control cost seem to be absent to you? That same darn meal was $25 just five years ago. Inflation of $15 over five years while food costs have gone down in this country? Get real. I deal in economics all day and you just make excuses snorting the pixie dust.

I lived in Orlando a decade ago and the same meal that my wife and I ate each week at Epcot is now triple the price. Give me a break.

Good point. Do you think Orlando has changed in the past decade? Most things have..but central Florida has changed hugely in the past 10-15 years. I don't think there is too much that you can find priced the same as back then.

 

[Bocabear]

The discussion is the prices. If people do zero research before going to a place like Disney, then they are foolish in the extreme. If you have never been to New York City, would you spend a week there without knowing how much meals are going to cost, and maybe making a few reservations? The WDW website lists pretty much every single restaurant on property - with prices - so there is NO reason to be surprised by it. When @alphac2005 stated that he spent $40, it seemed like he was surprised at the cost, but he should have known pretty much what it was going to be prior to the visit. If not, then that is on him. People going to WDW and then coming here to complain about the prices that they should have known about beforehand just seems disingenuous to me.

Possibly he did not do research and was surprised at the prices, but sharing an entree and having a complimentary water does not illustrate the position that the prices are not expensive... lol This was a discussion about food costs going up... if you can't complain about food cost on a thread about food costs going up, where can you?

 

[alphac2005]

It has changed by leaps and bounds. We visit at least once a each year (not WDW though) and the area has grown so much in so many ways. From the UCF area over to the west, it's really something!

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Does the concept of out of control cost seem to be absent to you? That same darn meal was $25 just five years ago. Inflation of $15 over five years while food costs have gone down in this country? Get real. I deal in economics all day and you just make excuses snorting the pixie dust.

I lived in Orlando a decade ago and the same meal that my wife and I ate each week at Epcot is now triple the price. Give me a break.

Excuses? No. Options? Yes. I have never said that the prices haven't gone up a lot more over the last decade. Trust us we know. Yet you still pay it? Why? And then come here to complain about it? Last year, our local grocery store sold a gallon of milk for $1.86. That same exact milk this year is now $2.76. A 50% increase in one year. Do I come here and complain? No, I choose whether or not to buy it. If we need it we buy it. If not, we don't. At Disney, you have to eat, so you can choose to pay their prices, or go off-site for a lot cheaper. Your choice.

 

[21stamps]

It has changed by leaps and bounds. We visit at least once a each year (not WDW though) and the area has grown so much in so many ways. From the UCF area over to the west, it's really something!

It really is. Even Lakeland! It's so crazy.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Possibly he did not do research and was surprised at the prices, but sharing an entree and having a complimentary water does not illustrate the position that the prices are not expensive... lol This was a discussion about food costs going up... if you can't complain about food cost on a thread about food costs going up, where can you?

Well, he stated that he used to live there, so should know that Disney is expensive. I used to live there also, and it's always been expensive. You do have a point about people coming here complaining. Where else are they going to do it, but I guess I just don't understand that mentality at all. Makes zero sense to me to complain about something that we have no control over. If people don't think that it is worth the price, the only option is to not go. Harsh, but true.

 

[jwutony16]

So here is the way I see it, if you pay to get into Disney, the rides, shows, ambiance, parades, fireworks are included. Everything else is a luxury, do not want to pay Disney prices on food eat outside the park. Do not want to buy that Disney shirt, do not buy one. There is nothing in the Disney vacation guide telling you to eat, shop, or spend at the parks. You have to remember your time is money. Why do I choose to eat a 15 dollar hamburger? By the time I take the monorail back to the tram to my car to McDonalds on 535 I've lost a few hours. I am paying for the convenience of having everything right there. If that does not work out for your budget then you just have to plan accordingly.

 

[Virtual Toad]

Where do you spend $45 at a QS for 3 people???? My wife and I eat at places like CHH, and spend $12 for the 2 of us. Even adding a third person would keep it under $20.

Restaurantasaurus at AK. A sub-mediocre hamburger and fries (not including drink) --for me alone-- was nearly $14. Add a beverage plus tax and that's nearly $20 for just one person.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Restaurantasaurus at AK. A sub-mediocre hamburger and fries (not including drink) --for me alone-- was nearly $14. Add a beverage plus tax and that's nearly $20 for just one person.

And why would you pay $14 for what you call is a sub-mediocre burger??????? Go to Yak & Yeti and get a Dim Sum Basket for two or the Lettuce Cups for two for about the same price as the burger. Add an adult beverage, and you're right about $20 dollars or so, and a much better meal to boot.

 

[Virtual Toad]

The discussion is the prices. If people do zero research before going to a place like Disney, then they are foolish in the extreme. If you have never been to New York City, would you spend a week there without knowing how much meals are going to cost, and maybe making a few reservations? The WDW website lists pretty much every single restaurant on property - with prices - so there is NO reason to be surprised by it. When @alphac2005 stated that he spent $40, it seemed like he was surprised at the cost, but he should have known pretty much what it was going to be prior to the visit. If not, then that is on him. People going to WDW and then coming here to complain about the prices that they should have known about beforehand just seems disingenuous to me.

We're not just complaining about the prices, we're complaining about how the prices have changed-- as one of several aggressive pricing moves by Disney recently. There's been a sharp uptick in QS prices without an increase in quality. The prices have now become so high-- for so little value-- that QS at WDW has become glaringly expensive. The food quality and the blatantly expensive cost are leaving many with two bad tastes in their mouth after experiencing WDW QS, especially those who've been around long enough to remember much better WDW food at much better prices. Call me a Toad in boiling water if you want, but everyone has a tipping point.

My argument remains that WDW has now crossed the line on price increases which is damaging not only to the average family's pocketbook but to the health and viability of the Disney brand itself. As a customer I'm annoyed. As a shareholder I'm concerned and I think both points are valid.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

We're not just complaining about the prices, we're complaining about how the prices have changed-- as one of several aggressive pricing moves by Disney recently. There's been a sharp uptick in QS prices without an increase in quality. The prices have now become so high-- for so little value-- that QS at WDW has become glaringly expensive. The food quality and the blatantly expensive cost are leaving many with two bad tastes in their mouth after experiencing WDW QS, especially those who've been around long enough to remember much better WDW food at much better prices. Call me a Toad in boiling water if you want, but everyone has a tipping point.

My argument remains that WDW has now crossed the line on price increases which is damaging not only to the average family's pocketbook but to the health and viability of the Disney brand itself. As a customer I'm annoyed. As a shareholder I'm concerned and I think both points are valid.

While I certainly agree that the prices are getting a bit ridiculous, I totally disagree about the quality. Back in the late 70's, and into the 80's, even the food at the TS restaurants was bad. It is miles better nowadays. And again, there are other options. Share a few appetizers at a TS place. Share a meal at a QS place. Unless someone is a huge eater, it is more than enough food. We can never finish a QS meal by ourselves, and always end up sharing one, with an add-on or two. Again, not disagreeing at all that the prices are up, just sayin' that we all have options to combat the price hikes.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Yes, it's on us and we do feed our kids. But, by recent example, $45 for one parent and two kids to eat QS at WDW is ridiculous, not just for the prices charged but for the quality of food offered. We're fortunate that a) we can still afford this on occasion if we choose to and b) we know what to expect price-wise going in.

My points, echoed earlier in this thread, are that a) not all WDW guests are aware of the ridiculous pricing of QS food going in and b) our family and others are now actively changing our park touring and dining habits specifically to avoid being gouged.

The $45 experience was the breaking point for us. That means we're now constantly looking at ways to spend less money at WDW, not more. And our perception of WDW as interested in nothing but corner-cutting and short-term profiteering will make us much more likely to take our vacation business elsewhere. That begs the question of whether these blatant price grabs are worth it for WDW and the Disney company long-term.

I highly recomend Dollywood. We have found great value in vacationing in that area.

 

[21stamps]

I highly recomend Dollywood. We have found great value in vacationing on that area.

Is this sarcasm? I spend wayyyy too much money when in that part of Tennessee.

A Disney ticket is less than the cost of one day of go carts, games, food, skiing, etc.