Too much money and not worth it..

[21stamps]

View attachment 420632

Now add in the fast lane plus all season, or even 5 visits including $150pp per pop.

And no, it is not possible to ride everything unless you get fast lane plus, and even with it you’re still waiting for close to an hour on a few of the rides.

Or, look at a one day park visit + fast lane , plus extra charge for 2 rides, + games Etc.

Do a real comparison.

I go to WDW and I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point. I love all 3, but Disney hands down has the best value for admission price alone.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Now add in the fast lane plus all season, or even 5 visits including $150pp per pop.

And no, it is not possible to ride everything unless you get fast lane plus, and even with it you’re still waiting for close to an hour on a few of the rides.

Or, look at a one day park visit + fast lane , plus extra charge for 2 rides, + games Etc.

Do a real comparison.

I go to WDW and I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point. I love all 3, but Disney hands down has the best value for admission price alone.

Fast Lane Plus is a much different creature than FP+. FP+ is NOT unlimited rides on all the rides in the park (except for the upcharge SkyCoaster and Slingshot). And Disney also has upcharge games.

And yes, you can make CP expensive, like by buying FL+ and staying at one of their top tier resorts, such as The Hotel Breakers or Castaway Bay. But you can also buy single day tickets for as low as $45/day and get a room at the Express Hotel for around the same price as The Disney All Stars.

 

[xdan0920]

On the food prices it may just be me being use to our local park, but they seem in line with what I'm use to seeing. Is it high priced for what we're getting? Yes. At the same time a burger and fries at Kings Island without the drink is $13.49, another $3.99 for a soda. Seems more theme park prices in general are high unfortunately.

Imagine thinking this is a good defense of Disney.

 

[RustySpork]

Now add in the fast lane plus all season, or even 5 visits including $150pp per pop.

And no, it is not possible to ride everything unless you get fast lane plus, and even with it you’re still waiting for close to an hour on a few of the rides.

Or, look at a one day park visit + fast lane , plus extra charge for 2 rides, + games Etc.

Do a real comparison.

I go to WDW and I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point. I love all 3, but Disney hands down has the best value for admission price alone.

In your mind perhaps, but not out here in reality.

 

[21stamps]

Fast Lane Plus is a much different creature than FP+. FP+ is NOT unlimited rides on all the rides in the park (except for the upcharge SkyCoaster and Slingshot). And Disney also has upcharge games.

And yes, you can make CP expensive, like by buying FL+ and staying at one of their top tier resorts, such as The Hotel Breakers or Castaway Bay. But you can also buy single day tickets for as low as $45/day and get a room at the Express Hotel for around the same price as The Disney All Stars.

I’ve discussed this subject with friends quite often. All of us love Disney and KI/Cedar Point.

When you compare value to value- Disney wins on 1 day and they also win on annual passes if you’re within driving distance or an airport with cheap flights.

It is not realistic to go to Cedar Point without Fast Lane Plus.. even with it it’s still not possible to ride everything during a normal operating hour day. Certain FL lines can still be 45-90 minutes easily.

The value of Disney’s Photo Pass blow the value of Cedar Fair’s photo option out of the water. It’s not even close. All we get is ride photos and a park entry photo. Also-The former is included with a Disney annual pass, the latter is not included with a Cedar Fair pass.

Food is better and more original at Disney, similarly priced, cheaper for many meals/snacks/drinks.

Last but not least, if we’re talking annual passes, once you add in the photos and the discounts that Disney gives for resorts, you’re still getting more value. I don’t get 30% off Hotel Breakers.
You also get 4 parks at one location with provided transportation between each, open 365 days of the year. KI and CP have a little over two months of daily operation.
Even the “express hotels” at Cedar Point are typically more expensive than a ‘value resort’ at Disney, and include a heck of a lot less.

Disney extra cost games are no where near as visible or as plentiful as games at KI or CP, and there’s definitely no barkers around. I think you’ve visited those parks in the past, so you should know that. Disney has options such as Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Explorers etc, for no cost. I’ve played them and my kid enjoys it.


Yes, Disney is expensive.. but when you compare the value, they win.

 

[VaderTron]

Now add in the fast lane plus all season, or even 5 visits including $150pp per pop.

And no, it is not possible to ride everything unless you get fast lane plus, and even with it you’re still waiting for close to an hour on a few of the rides.

Or, look at a one day park visit + fast lane , plus extra charge for 2 rides, + games Etc.

Do a real comparison.

I go to WDW and I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point. I love all 3, but Disney hands down has the best value for admission price alone.

No, see that's not necessary. If you still have to wait an hour with a paid "fastpass" then they have no idea how to run a park and I wouldn't waste my money on it. I would go early and ride the most popular ride first, I would go during the week, and I would go more when kids are in school before and after summer break. You don't have to waste money just because.

 

[21stamps]

No, see that's not necessary. If you still have to wait an hour with a paid "fastpass" then they have no idea how to run a park and I wouldn't waste my money on it. I would go early and ride the most popular ride first, I would go during the week, and I would go more when kids are in school before and after summer break. You don't have to waste money just because.

This is a great example of what I was talking about above. They do not have daily operations once kids are back in school. They’re only open on the weekends, starting at 5 or 6pm on Fridays, not even an entire day. Sundays are 11am-8pm.

June and July are the only two months of the year with daily park hours. Compare that to Disney operating hours.

 

[VaderTron]

How many people are leaving KI to go eat? I don’t even leave Great Wold Lodge to drive to a fast food restaurant, we eat there, because- convenience... and we pay more for it.

How much is a cheese coney at kings island? And how much is a cheese coney down the street at a skyline outside of the park?
I assure you, the prices are vastly different.
No one expects them to be the same. Skyline locations are always busy at the park, so it doesn’t look like too many people choose to venture out.

How much is a bottle of water at KI? $3.99? And how much is a bottle of water at the gas station across the street?
Do you really think most guests are leaving the parking lot to go to pick up a drink at said gas station?

People who expect Disney food/drinks to match outside-of-disney food/drinks are just unrealistic from the beginning.

Also, regarding the ‘all day dining’. Yes, you could eat every 90 minutes at specific locations and the specific ‘dining plan’ meals.. most don’t. Most people eat 2 meals. Cedar Fair is counting on that.lol.

I typically spend more ‘incidental’ money at a Cedar Fair park than I do at a Disney park. Why? Because we like the additional-cost rides, and my kid likes to play games.. and we love the ice cream and funnel cakes and food trucks when applicable (none of which are included in any pre purchased dining option)... I don’t have games in my face at Disney... and I don’t have to pay additional money for certain rides, I don’t have to buy a Fast Lane Plus Pass.

I was at Cedar Point last month, our Fast Lane Plus alone was more than park admission to Disney, our hotel was similarly priced to the lower end deluxe resorts., and the restaurant choices at our hotel were horrible. Disney is a better value in that aspect.. but, I have different reasons for visiting each.

Last but not least- Cedar Fair parks do not allow outside food to be brought into their parks, Disney does. I take advantage of that while at Disney- a protein bar in my bag to eat when waiting in a line. Anyone could do that.

I wouldn't know as I don't go there, but I'm fairly certain with the reviews of food being considered worse than school cafeteria gruel at outrageous prices there are probably quite a few who do. I know I would. However, with the description of the waits (if anywhere near accurate) I don't think I would spend my whole day there. If local I would go half a day and rope drop with my pass that's less than $100. Ride a few of my favorite rides before the crowds bulk up, catch some less crowded rides, maybe go to their water park and then head out.

 

[Shouldigo12]

I’ve discussed this subject with friends quite often. All of us love Disney and KI/Cedar Point.

When you compare value to value- Disney wins on 1 day and they also win on annual passes if you’re within driving distance or an airport with cheap flights.

It is not realistic to go to Cedar Point without Fast Lane Plus.. even with it it’s still not possible to ride everything during a normal operating hour day. Certain FL lines can still be 45-90 minutes easily.

The value of Disney’s Photo Pass blow the value of Cedar Fair’s photo option out of the water. It’s not even close. All we get is ride photos and a park entry photo. Also-The former is included with a Disney annual pass, the latter is not included with a Cedar Fair pass.

Food is better and more original at Disney, similarly priced, cheaper for many meals/snacks/drinks.

Last but not least, if we’re talking annual passes, once you add in the photos and the discounts that Disney gives for resorts, you’re still getting more value. I don’t get 30% off Hotel Breakers.
You also get 4 parks at one location with provided transportation between each, open 365 days of the year. KI and CP have a little over two months of daily operation.
Even the “express hotels” at Cedar Point are typically more expensive than a ‘value resort’ at Disney, and include a heck of a lot less.

Disney extra cost games are no where near as visible or as plentiful as games at KI or CP, and there’s definitely no barkers around. I think you’ve visited those parks in the past, so you should know that. Disney has options such as Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Explorers etc, for no cost. I’ve played them and my kid enjoys it.


Yes, Disney is expensive.. but when you compare the value, they win.

Alright, well, now I'm a little curious about what times you're going to KI because I've never had an issue with my group hitting everything we want to. If you're going on a weekend or a holiday, sure, it'll be slammed. But usually if you do even just a little bit of planning and hit the most popular rides first thing in the morning you shouldn't have an issue. That goes double if you're planning to stay from open to close.

I don't know how you can say it's not realistic to go without fastlane when me, my family, and my friends do it all the time and don't have any problems.

 

[21stamps]

Alright, well, now I'm a little curious about what times you're going to KI because I've never had an issue with my group hitting everything we want to. If you're going on a weekend or a holiday, sure, it'll be slammed. But usually if you do even just a little bit of planning and hit the most popular rides first thing in the morning you shouldn't have an issue. That goes double if you're planning to stay from open to close.

I don't know how you can say it's not realistic to go without fastlane when me, my family, and my friends do it all the time and don't have any problems.

Cedar Point and Kings Island are two different parks. I think you might have misread that comment-

It is not realistic to go to Cedar Point without Fast Lane Plus..

I’ve never done an open to close day at KI, we live 9 minutes from the gates so typically just visit for a couple of hours, not riding everything.

I did the season long fast lane for 2020 because we don’t get to do Mystic Timbers and Diamondback on every visit, I know for sure the Orion is going to be nuts next summer... and I hate putting out the money for Fast Lane Plus when considering a Cedar Point trip, it has deterred me from going as often as I like when they’re at $155 per person per day, it’s tough to justify. I’m hoping the season long fast lane will be a good value for us next year, and we’ll actually visit Cedar Point more often. We’ll see.

This is the first year that an all-park Fast Lane Plus pass has been offered, prior to this you had to choose one park only. This is an add on to the price of the platinum pass, and another $60 for ride photos.

 

[VaderTron]

This is a great example of what I was talking about above. They do not have daily operations once kids are back in school. They’re only open on the weekends, starting at 5 or 6pm on Fridays, not even an entire day. Sundays are 11am-8pm.

June and July are the only two months of the year with daily park hours. Compare that to Disney operating hours.

Sounds like another place I wouldn't waste my time and money then. If they can't stay open outside of school summer break that tells me it's a teen hangout more than an enjoyable theme park. No thanks.

 

[VaderTron]

You’re proving my point perfectly

But they are family parks, with no where near as much included as Disney even when all of the “extras” are added (fast lane and photos), bringing the price between platinum APs close to same.. and daily prices more expensive than Disney.

No. The price is $99 for a pass to the teen hangout park in your backyard. Add $47.99 for "photopass" if you must. They overcharge big time for the fastlane and others say you can ride what you want without it. Just go during the week (which is when we used to go to Disney.) So $146.99 vs $1219 for the Platinum Plus (Kings Island includes the water park in their pass, so you have to compare Disney's water park included pass).


Even if you want to ignore all the other weekends Kings Island is open and just say that buys you 3 months that extrapolates out to $588 should Kings Island be open all year and charge the same rate as summer. Still less than half price of what Disney charges.

In reality though, you only pay $600 for a family of four top have passes to a park that costs you less than a gallon of gas to get to. It would cost $4800 for passes to Disney that are 15 hours away.

 

[21stamps]

No. The price is $99 for a pass to the teen hangout park in your backyard. Add $47.99 for "photopass" if you must. They overcharge big time for the fastlane and others say you can ride what you want without it. Just go during the week (which is when we used to go to Disney.) So $146.99 vs $1219 for the Platinum Plus (Kings Island includes the water park in their pass, so you have to compare Disney's water park included pass).


Even if you want to ignore all the other weekends Kings Island is open and just say that buys you 3 months that extrapolates out to $588 should Kings Island be open all year and charge the same rate as summer. Do less than half price.

What are you googling? Platinum passes are on sale for one more day at a price of $197, if you’re renewing.
Fun Pix is $51.99. It includes ride photos and park entry, it’s not all comparable to Disney’s photo pass.

Please see my post to Disneyhead. It breaks it down simply. I’ve had APs to both. Disney included a lot more, including 30% off resorts which basically paid for the pass when combined with the included memory maker.

I get it,.. you don’t see value in Disney World, you don’t see value in amusement parks. That’s ok!! Not everyone enjoys them.
It’s probably better to not waste your money if you don’t see value.

 

[VaderTron]

What are you googling? Platinum passes are on sale for one more day at a price of $197, if you’re renewing.
Fun Pix is $51.99

I didn't mean to include Cedar Point. You said they have 2 hour lines for paid fastlane. Sounds like a hard pass. Stick to Kings Island.

 

[21stamps]

I didn't mean to include Cedar Point. You said they have 2 hour lines for paid fastlane. Sounds like a hard pass. Stick to Kings Island.

My CF platinum passes will be a good value next year when I’ll have the FL.lol. They haven’t been a good value the past 2 years because I always bulk at the price of fast lane and Cedar Point hotels sell out too quickly, or are priced higher than I want, or the crowd predictions are way too high. Usually a combination of all 4.

I look at value more than cost. That’s what’s important to me.

 

[VaderTron]

There is nothing you said that changes the fact that Disney is exponentially more expensive. You can say there are all these expensive extras you "must" add on... well Disney has those, too. They are even more expensive. You "must" pay for a breakfast early entry ticket to MK so you can ride SDMT and you "must" buy an after hours party ticket to enjoy rides with no wait and you "must" stay at a Disney resort for EMH, and you "must" order VIP white glove service to maximize your time for only $300 an hour...and that's just scratching the surface of Disney's insane extras on top of their already ridiculous prices.

 

[VaderTron]

Try experiencing both before trying to guess on something.

Disney includes fast pass choices at no additional cost, they include tons of extra entertainment, they have attention to detail, and employees who strive to make sure your day is better, they have magic shots and photogs all around, games that you can play with your family for free. 4 parks to hop around to if wanted, a monorail to hop on and visit themed resorts and more food choices..etc etc etc etc.
All of this is included in the price of entry.

If it’s not your cup of tea, that’s fine. I do hope you find something you enjoy. I love amusement parks in general, but I understand that not everyone does.

We could keep going round and round, but this is where I get off the ride. Nothing you say will ever convince me that Disney's prices are not too high. The simple reason is because they are higher than everyone else and they don't add enough additional value to pad that large gap.

You may have noticed that this thread is discussing the fact that Disney prices have reached the point that even more people are noticing how ridiculous they are. If you want a less type of conversation you might find a thread of people who are talking about the value they find in Disney pricing. If they're isn't one (can't imagine there is) you could start one. Trust me, I won't be there in such a thread trying to convince anyone they are wrong. I have enough interesting comments here and in other threads to read through and discuss.

 

[21stamps]

We could keep going round and round, but this is where I get off the ride. Nothing you say will ever convince me that Disney's prices are not too high. The simple reason is because they are higher than everyone else and they don't add enough additional value to pad that large gap.

You may have noticed that this thread is discussing the fact that Disney prices have reached the point that even more people are noticing how ridiculous they are. If you want a less type of conversation you might find a thread of people who are talking about the value they find in Disney pricing. If they're isn't one (can't imagine there is) you could start one. Trust me, I won't be there in such a thread trying to convince anyone they are wrong. I have enough interesting comments here and in other threads to read through and discuss.

I just now realized that you’re the poster who compared the rising Disney prices to the loss of a spouse.
my fault for not realizing that sooner, I wouldn’t have entered the exchange.

 

[RustySpork]

I just now realized that you’re the poster who compared the rising Disney prices to the loss of a spouse.
my fault for not realizing that sooner, I wouldn’t have entered the exchange.

You should make this the default for any thread.

 

[unmitigated disaster]

Is there anyway to find out just how many of those have been sold over the years?

I just had to buy a key fob for my car from a dealer. No one else had the software to actually program it. The cost was $400.00. That was $280. for the physical fob itself and $120. to program it. Made me appreciate the good old days of using a key. If you lost one all you had to do was go to a hardware store and have a new one made for about $2.00.

It's no longer $2 for a simple car key. My car has them - no automatic locks - and got charged $10 for an extra key.

Sounds like another place I wouldn't waste my time and money then. If they can't stay open outside of school summer break that tells me it's a teen hangout more than an enjoyable theme park. No thanks.

Yeah, Cedar Point is in Ohio. Not going to get a lot of interested folks when it's 33 out. Or sleeting. Or -40.