Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 13, 2015 20:56:07 GMT -5
Interesting article about the price of a Disney vacation.
www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/how-theme-parks-like-disney-world-left-the-middle-class-behind/ar-BBl3Gn4
When Walt Disney World opened in an Orlando swamp in 1971, with its penny arcade and marching-band parade down Main Street U.S.A., admission for an adult cost $3.50, about as much then as three gallons of milk.
Disney has raised the gate price for the Magic Kingdom 41 times since, nearly doubling it over the past decade. This year, a ticket inside the “most magical place on Earth” rocketed past $100 for the first time in history.
Ballooning costs have not slowed the mouse-eared masses flooding into the world’s busiest theme park. Disney’s main attraction hosted a record 19 million visitors last year, a number nearly as large as the population of New York state.
But rising prices have changed the character of Big Mouse’s family-friendly empire in unavoidably glitzy ways. A visitor to Disney’s central Florida fantasy-land can now dine on a $115 steak, enjoy a $53-per-plate dessert party and sleep in a bungalow overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon starting at $2,100 a night.
For America’s middle-income vacationers, the Mickey Mouse club, long promoted as “made for you and me,” seems increasingly made for someone else. But far from easing back, the theme-park giant’s prices are expected to climb even more through a surge-pricing system that could value a summer’s day of rides and lines at $125.
“If Walt [Disney] were alive today, he would probably be uncomfortable with the prices they’re charging right now,” said Scott Smith, an assistant professor of hospitality at the University of South Carolina whose first job was as a cast member in Disney’s Haunted Mansion. “They’ve priced middle-class families out.”
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 13, 2015 20:57:14 GMT -5
So, would you say a trip to Disney world is a childhood entitlement? Do you plan to take your kids to Disney land/world? Would you if you had kids of the appropriate age?
Do you feel the middle class is being priced out of Disney?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2015 21:08:33 GMT -5
Most people don't go for a single day ticket... Lots get 'packages'... I don't think it's undoable. That said, not sure I would have taken the kids when we did if dad didn't pay? It just wasn't that high on my list. And that said, we actually might go back next year. Older. With different relatives.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jun 13, 2015 21:30:44 GMT -5
I grew up in Miami. We went to Disney World almost every year. Mostly would stay in campground and maybe 2 aye in the parks.
I only took my kids once even though we only lived 5 hours drive when my kids were young.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Jun 13, 2015 21:33:25 GMT -5
I remember tickets being $49 as a child. Hell yeah I feel priced out!!! Tickets, lodging, food and travel We can scarcely afford a small vacation let alone Disney Someday though.
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Ryan
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Post by Ryan on Jun 13, 2015 21:43:32 GMT -5
Hasn't Disney been expensive for a long time? I remembered my parents complaining about how much disney cost when I was a kid.
Besides, any nice vacation is pretty expensive these days when you're figuring in the cost of planes, accommodations, food, etc.
I think you'd pretty much find Disney filled with MOSTLY middle class families these days; they just are creating a space for higher priced options now. And if you can't go to Disney, so what? Most kids that don't have a trip to disney probably don't care that much in the grand scheme of things.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Jun 13, 2015 21:46:18 GMT -5
Walt Disney is not unconfortable but he's rolling in his grave. He must have an itch on his back due to the swarm of locusts that took over his creation and name.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2015 21:46:49 GMT -5
Adult 5 day tickets are 315$, 63$ a day. Hersheypark is more than that full price. Dianey also sometimes they run 3 for 2 or 5 for 4 deals.
I guess es what im saying is that people don't often pay the 105$ a day price...
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 13, 2015 22:00:17 GMT -5
I always wanted to take my kids to Disney Land or Disney World.
We went to Universal Studios on a Business trip for DH 3 years ago. My kids were 18 and 15 at the time and my niece was working at WD for the semester. We were on a company trip and did not need a rental car unless we tried to go to WD. WD would have been about 100+ per person, but I was able to extend our passes and extra 2 days to Universal for less than $100 for all of us. I told my kids if they wanted to go, we would go, but it would add about $500 to our trip. They said they were fine with staying at Universal.
I agree with Oped, I think the idea is to buy a multi day pass, and stay with one resort.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Jun 13, 2015 22:28:03 GMT -5
I took the boys to Disneyland when they were little. Actually I took my kids to Disneyland several times. But the grandsons only once. I haven't taken my granddaughters and I probably won't. They do go there every other year with music and we pay around $300 per kid for the 3 day experience for them. That includes hotel room. So I'm sure students get some break
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2015 23:07:30 GMT -5
The middle class must not be priced out because an amazing number of my Facebook "friends" have been multiple times. My ex bf's daughter must have been at least 5+ times. But she is definitely not the only one.
It amazes me. It is a nice family vacation, but I would think once or maybe twice if you went when the kids were little/teens . . . But this is her (and others') "happy" place.
I want to gag because I know people like this don't save money for the rest of life.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jun 13, 2015 23:21:15 GMT -5
Nope. We've never gone there. It was on the list of things that would be nice to do, but, never happened.
On the positive side, our kids HAVE enjoyed our extended road trips to visit family.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jun 13, 2015 23:50:32 GMT -5
When I started adding things up, I realized that for that kind of money I would rather go to Europe.
But I like old historical places much much better than fake movie places. My kids might disagree.
*I* can't see paying that much for that type of vacation, but I am finding out that I am paying all kinds of money for things that I don't get. But my kids love it.
For the record, I don't consider us middle class. Working poor is more like it
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 14, 2015 3:55:37 GMT -5
Hasn't Disney been expensive for a long time? I remembered my parents complaining about how much disney cost when I was a kid. Besides, any nice vacation is pretty expensive these days when you're figuring in the cost of planes, accommodations, food, etc.
I think you'd pretty much find Disney filled with MOSTLY middle class families these days; they just are creating a space for higher priced options now. And if you can't go to Disney, so what? Most kids that don't have a trip to disney probably don't care that much in the grand scheme of things. Nope. You can have a great Cuban vacation, including flight, hotel and meal plan for under $500. Why do you think so many of us go there, over and over again? I suspect with the influx of American tourists on the horizon, it's going to get much more expensive.
www.411travelbuys.ca/Landing/toronto-cuba-deals.php
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 14, 2015 8:18:42 GMT -5
Well, $400-$500 for a family of 4 doesn't seem THAT expensive to me. But I'm someone who values travel and doesn't think too much about spending $1000 or more on a nice vacation.
That said, Disney personally wouldn't be my first choice. If I had kids, I'd probably just go once. And I'd only go once the kids were old enough to remember it. I have no idea why you'd spend that much on a vacation for a 3-4 year old.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 14, 2015 8:23:45 GMT -5
From a business perspective, you have a right to charge what people are willing to pay. I guess sooner or later their enrollment will drop and the price increases will slow.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jun 14, 2015 8:30:51 GMT -5
From a business perspective, you have a right to charge what people are willing to pay. I guess sooner or later their enrollment will drop and the price increases will slow. I doubt it. I failed economics in college, both times, but I have noticed that there are certain things that don't loose demand no matter how much they cost. Cigarets come to mind as one example. I think Disney is another one
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Jun 14, 2015 8:32:22 GMT -5
The $3.50 admission price in 1971 did not include unlimited rides. You were given a book of tickets to go on individual rides. If you used up the book, you could buy more tickets.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 8:57:47 GMT -5
Legos are like that too. Lego offers you 5% off and free shipping and it's like a huge deal. But when you have a product people want...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 9:10:00 GMT -5
I remember tickets being $49 as a child. Hell yeah I feel priced out!!! Tickets, lodging, food and travel We can scarcely afford a small vacation let alone Disney Someday though. This is a good example of priorities though. Didn't you guys just buy an new, no-holds barred, every option Jeep? Disney is getting crazy expensive, but I don't think the middle class could ever afford EVERYTHING they wanted.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Jun 14, 2015 9:21:39 GMT -5
And I'd only go once the kids were old enough to remember it. I have no idea why you'd spend that much on a vacation for a 3-4 year old. I took my almost 4 year old DD to Disney World last month. She had a great time and talks about wanting to go back. If I can make it work with my work, then I plan to take her back in September when my niece (who turns 3 today) is in town as her mom wants to take her. FWIW, I live in Florida (3 hours south of Orlando) and we went on the Florida resident special. If we didn't leave so close, we wouldn't have gone and would have waited until she was older. Also, I went the first time when I was 8 or so but I don't remember much of it. Granted, my parents were separated at the time so that may have contributed too.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jun 14, 2015 9:28:02 GMT -5
Sure a one day pass is high, but as previously pointed out, it is significantly cheaper when you go for multiple days.
Also, FOUR theme parks are included in the price.
WDW has significantly expanded since it opened. It is no longer just Magic Kingdom.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Jun 14, 2015 9:49:58 GMT -5
From a business perspective, you have a right to charge what people are willing to pay. I guess sooner or later their enrollment will drop and the price increases will slow. I doubt it. I failed economics in college, both times, but I have noticed that there are certain things that don't loose demand no matter how much they cost. Cigarets come to mind as one example. I think Disney is another one I have to agree with her there... thanks to marketing/merchandising... middle class families will keep on going to Disney. Maybe not every year, maybe just once... but they WILL go!
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jun 14, 2015 9:50:06 GMT -5
Also that article points out all the high priced item. There are hotel rooms that are less than $100/night and include transportation to the parks. There are a lot of meals for under $10, etc.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Jun 14, 2015 10:14:11 GMT -5
So, would you say a trip to Disney world is a childhood entitlement? Do you plan to take your kids to Disney land/world? Would you if you had kids of the appropriate age?
Do you feel the middle class is being priced out of Disney? I do think most people are priced out of Disney land/world. Why go there, pay the high entry/event fees then stand in line all day? Not worth the effort nor money. They have done a good job in convincing parents that it is a childhood entitlement.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Jun 14, 2015 10:39:56 GMT -5
I remember tickets being $49 as a child. Hell yeah I feel priced out!!! Tickets, lodging, food and travel We can scarcely afford a small vacation let alone Disney Someday though. This is a good example of priorities though. Didn't you guys just buy an new, no-holds barred, every option Jeep? Disney is getting crazy expensive, but I don't think the middle class could ever afford EVERYTHING they wanted. Sure did! We don't regret that purchase at all because we will have it for many, many years. I'm only talking about Disney, we could take a longer vacation somewhere else for what it would cost to go to Disney for a day or two. We will someday take a trip to Disney, just not now, plus DS will enjoy it more when he is a bit older. Our priorities are not focused on vacations at the moment anyway. One day though we will be driving the Jeep to Disney Maybe in about five years.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Jun 14, 2015 11:01:30 GMT -5
It is a matter of priorities. I think nothing of 12K for 7 to Alaska but won't 1k for 3 to Disneyland
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jun 14, 2015 11:03:12 GMT -5
Is $100 or $125 really all that expensive for a DAY of entertainment per person? It's pretty expensive to take your family to a professional sports game - unless you want to sit in the seats furthest from the field - at which point you pretty much illustrate to your kids that you are either 'cheap' or 'poor' - unless of course it's a play off/championship game - and then you'd be paying a lot for those 'cheap seats'... I think most 'local' amusement parks have ticket prices close to $100 for the day... and you might not need to pay for airfare or a hotel room to visit them. Then there's the museum (or zoo) entry fees - which might not be too bad (under $50.00 per person) for the day - but if you want to see any of the special exhibits it's another $10 per special exhibit per person you want to see (you might opt for the multi pass which is probably in the $30 to $40 range per person- ontop of your admission fee). I'm not up in arms about Disney (or Universal) upping their admission fees. It's already a couple grand just to get your family to Florida (by air or driving, hotel, restaurant, etc) so what's another couple hundred to get into the parks? I guess I'm poor because I don't always have 5K a year for 'travel' for those 2 weeks of 'vacation'. I'm not really complaining... I spend 5K a year on other entertainment stuff that I enjoy doing.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 11:06:11 GMT -5
Completely true tiny. I have dropped several hundred in tickets to a single show or conference. Without near the liability or upkeep of Disney... Or the duration of time spent.
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Ryan
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Post by Ryan on Jun 14, 2015 12:09:26 GMT -5
Hasn't Disney been expensive for a long time? I remembered my parents complaining about how much disney cost when I was a kid. Besides, any nice vacation is pretty expensive these days when you're figuring in the cost of planes, accommodations, food, etc.
I think you'd pretty much find Disney filled with MOSTLY middle class families these days; they just are creating a space for higher priced options now. And if you can't go to Disney, so what? Most kids that don't have a trip to disney probably don't care that much in the grand scheme of things. Nope. You can have a great Cuban vacation, including flight, hotel and meal plan for under $500. Why do you think so many of us go there, over and over again? I suspect with the influx of American tourists on the horizon, it's going to get much more expensive.
www.411travelbuys.ca/Landing/toronto-cuba-deals.php
Those places look kinda crappy to me to be honest.
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