As you’ve likely heard by now (and likely heard ad nauseum), Walt Disney World pulled a fast one on the public this weekend, enacting across-the-board ticket price increases with no warning on all four of its Florida parks. This is the second price hike in less than twelve months, which in itself is unusual; the complete lack of notice also marks a departure from the company’s past behavior. On Twitter, at least, the increase has provoked a loud and spirited debate, with people generally falling into one of two camps: one incredulous bordering on outraged, the other indifferent to the change and/or openly hostile toward the former camp. (I realize I’m generalizing here, but let’s go with it.) Yes, it’s true that the average increase per ticket type was about $4, or roughly 4%. Yes, the price of everything goes up: milk, gas, condoms, cars, whatever. Yes, a Walt Disney World vacation is a luxury and not a necessity. I don’t deny any of these things. But reducing this argument to “Disney is a business; if you don’t like what it does, don’t give it your money, it’s just $4” misses the point. We’re having the wrong debate.
Growing up in the Midwest one learns a lot of aphorisms, and one of my favorites remains this: “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” I don’t deny Disney has the right to do whatever it wants, whatever the “market will bear,” as I’m reminded on Twitter. But should it? Does Disney really want to be the company raising prices for a second time within a calendar year, anemically touting its exciting new offerings to justify the hike? Sure, we’re getting (someday?) a new mine train, but we’ve also lost live entertainment, seen empty buildings and pavilions go neglected or turned into for-profit event spaces, and watched as resort hotel prices have gone from painfully expensive to just plain out of reach. Dining options have been homogenized across property, yet prices continue to rise there as well. Like parades? Well, hopefully not too much, as soon you’ll only have one park featuring one each afternoon. Meanwhile, what’s Universal up to? Oh.
So here’s my first point: I can take an annual price hike – after all, inflation and the cost of doing business does go up – but more than one in a year is either greedy or a sign of real concern, especially when we’re not seeing meaningful additions in entertainment, dining, and attractions. If we connect the dots, it seems pretty likely that this sudden, unannounced price hike has everything to do with padding the books before the next quarterly earnings call, a feeble effort to ameliorate the cost overruns and labor demands of MyMagic+ implementation. This isn’t about paying for innovation and new offerings; this is about executives keeping their jobs and trying to hide a boondoggle. Do you feel good about subsidizing a huge mistake? I don’t.
Secondly? Voting with our wallets just isn’t a viable – or advisable – strategy anymore. Walt Disney World is simply no longer catering to an American audience of repeat visitors; it is actively and aggressively courting international guests who have more expendable income and less institutional memory of what the Disney parks used to be. Remember President Obama’s 2012 announcement of a new national tourism strategy that would court international visitors? Let’s remember for a moment where he made that speech: the Magic Kingdom. And what have we seen in the parks since then? A proliferation of tour groups; the hiring of mass numbers of “super greeters” whose sole job it is to work with large groups from places like Brazil; and a reduction in discount offerings to American guests, while guests from the United Kingdom and South America are aggressively lured with hotel, dining, and ticket deals. So, quite frankly, Disney doesn’t care whether someone like me visits or not – it knows I’ll be armed with my annual pass, Tables in Wonderland card, and extensive knowledge on how to save money and maximize value on my trip. First time visitors – regardless of where they’re from, let’s be honest – are less likely to know these ins and outs, and are therefore more likely to spend. I’m expendable; they are highly desirable.
But there’s another reason I choose to poke the bear instead of abandon it entirely – like voting, if I don’t go, I feel I lose the right to complain. To critique. To wish for better and advocate aggressively for that. So yes, I’ll complain on Twitter, but I’m also going to write letters and emails, and you should, too. I’m going to press those I know with access to louder megaphones to hold Disney accountable on these issues and cut through the PR doublespeak. If I stop going – if my anger is replaced with apathy – I not only lose out on enjoying the parts of WDW I still really love, but I also inadvertently condone the company’s current behavior. There’s no way those of us who are angry can effect any change through opting out, so what’s the alternative? Speaking up, and loudly so.
Quite frankly it doesn’t bother me in the least that the ticket price is going up by four dollars. It doesn’t bother me that Walt Disney World is a business. What bothers me is that a company I grew up on – one that actively encouraged me and all of us to hold it to the high standards it set for itself – is abandoning its historical business philosophy in favor of short-sighted board pandering and greed. It bothers me that thoughtful executives who loved themed design and entertainment have been replaced by MBA graduates who are beholden only to the bottom line. It bothers me that middle class American families are being priced out of a vacation experience that – like it or not – they are socially conditioned to strive for, and used to be able to afford. It bothers me that Disney PR representatives have become a little too good at spinning half-truths into exciting nuggets of joy they think we’ll swallow like obedient children. It bothers me that maintenance and infrastructure investment are relative afterthoughts. It bothers me that I’m effectively being told by certain people that “good enough” is, in fact, good enough, when I know this company is capable of so much more.
So please don’t misunderstand: I’m well aware that the world has far bigger and more pressing problems. But I for one believe life is big enough for the sublime and the ridiculous and everything in between. This four dollar price hike won’t take any lives, but I dislike the condescension that suggests it doesn’t matter at all. It’s not about the four dollars, it’s about what this change represents for a Fortune 100 company whose greatest talent right now seems to be shooting itself in its own foot. It matters because it’s a window into the operations of a company that has a role in countless American lives, and into a company that is – I’d argue – in the midst of a large and troubling reimagination. So in itself, it’s a blip; taken as a microcosm, I would argue this price hike has a lot to say about Disney specifically and American business and global tourism more broadly.
I’ll get off my soapbox, but I’ll leave you with this: where I come from, apathy is far worse than anger. If you fundamentally disagree with me, I respect that. But if you expect me not to bat an eye because it’s Disney and it’s “just” four dollars, I’m sorry I can’t do that. Big Al isn’t the only one who can’t.
Nerds in Wonderland 
It is surprising and gross, but it has to be related to the bomb that was/is magic bands and all of the + stuff, right? I mean, it’s sort of a mess (though everything worked pretty well on my last trip)… and messes are expensive. Seems like we’re getting pinned for something that didn’t launch well.
I wish I could fully respond with every thought I have toward the matter, but I can’t. All I can say is I love how passionate and articulate this post is! Well done!
I agree! Well done!
I’ve never been to WDW, but trust me, I know the feeling. Being an annual pass holder here in California, I understand exactly where you’re coming from. I cannot agree more with what is written here. It’s maddening when they pull this kind of stuff on us. Just an excellent piece that you have written here. Simply masterful. Here’s to the Disney company coming to their senses.
As you said, it’s the MBA grads beholden to the bottom line. It’s not just a problem at Disney, but any corporation where the most profits in the shortest amount of time is the SOP. They don’t take the long view, just the now view.
Bravo!!!! Could not have said it better myself.
Well I couldn’t have said it better my self!
Bravo! I have had similar observations and share your concerns!
Reblogged this on threestrandswdw and commented:
This makes somebgood points! Spread it around!
Question: why push WDW to UK travelers when they can more easily go to Paris? Doesn’t that cannibalize business from their French park?
Its the whole USA/Florida/exotic tropical destination experience Brits are going for. They have easy access to Paris and WDW there and its not really a getaway for them. Its like us Floridians opting for Orlando when we would rather go to Paris thank you very much!
With the pound so strong to the dollar, it is a bargain for the Brits to come here.
Very well said. Many of us remember WDW as it was, and that is a WAY in the rear view mirror. I love Disney making a profit, I am a stockholder. But the bottom line has become the only thing they look at. UO is doing amazing, impressive things just up the road and that Disney is taking little notice is disturbing. I totally agree with your theory on why a second price hike in 12 months and I agree voting with your wallet will not work so add my voice as someone that will vote loudly. *reblogged and tweeted.
Reblogged this on The random thoughts of wfmaguire and commented:
Great piece on the latest price hike and ongoing issues at WDW
Its true, the prices go up with little to nothing new added, while things we do have are taken away or fall into terrible shape. Its sad to see and with Universal pulling out all the stops over the next few years, they could be digging a bit of a hole for themselves in the future.
With all that being said, you would assume that the cast members working at Wdw would be making enough to support themselves and their families. The funny thing about it is that we don’t. On average a cast member makes $8.50-9.00 an hour, and for the work that is expected and the cost of living most people rely on 2nd and 3rd jobs, working so much overtime that they don’t see their families, or government assistance. So think about that also as you spend that 4.00 more a ticket
Anne….as a 7 year Disney employee I now make a grand sum of $8.05/hr. I’ve said many times that “the mouse makes money in spite of himself” and I’ll stick to it!! Disney…get your hands out of my pocket and finish something that you’ve started. The “New Fantasyland” is a joke, the “mine” is a bigger joke, Universal has added at least three “new” attractions and is working on expanding “Harry Potter”. Try giving your “guests” their money’s worth of entertainment!! Launch the “new” parade NOW, dump the FP+ crap, and listen to the people who are paying the MBAs wages that the don’t earn.
I just posted something similar to what I’m about to tell you…If you want to continue to work in hospitality, move to Vegas, where their wages are double (if not more than) what Disney and Universal pay. This includes entry-level jobs. I did the college program twice, then moved to Vegas
I think it is sad to see the hike (even if it is just four dollars) and the price reach is out of middle class reaches to stay considering Walt and Roy both grew up in a middle class family in Missouri and had to work for their dollar and one of the reasons they built Disneyland and WDW was so middle class families (Families in general) could enjoy a safe place for vacation.
I get it, WDW is expensive. But to quibble over a $4.00 price hike? Really?
Let’s get a little different perspective and place the responsibility where they responsibility lies…the economy. The cost of doing business has gone up with everything else. Why should WDW tie themselves at the pole and simply stand there for a whipping? They’re a business, plain and simple. They have hundreds of thousands of employees that they, too, have to support. Does their educational background matter? They have to eat and support families at all levels, not just an MBA.
As far as the international guest – heck yea! Americans fuel the international market with a ton of our money so I say, “let’em come” and give some of it back to the American economy. Why not? We go to war for their countries, we let our men in uniform die for them, we spend our hard earned money there – why shouldn’t we get some of that money back? If it means catering to them a bit – so be it. I want our economy to come back and here is one way to do it. Perhaps if the international guest spends more money in the U.S. of A. we wouldn’t be in this economic bind.
Just saying…..
So… you didn’t read past the headline.
The problem with saying these employees need to feed their families is true; IF the money were going to them, I would be fine with it…but it isn’t going to them. Like every other business in this country, the extra money is going into the top 1% of the 1%, not the people who actually do the dirty work…
What extra money?
You complained about things going away. And prices going up in general. You didn’t read past my first paragraph did you
Hi! I sure did read past the headline. However, I firmly believe that people feel that big business shouldn’t be able to make money. America is built on big business. So, when you are talking about a price hike of $4.00 you are talking about capitalism at it’s best. What America is built on. Why begrudge a big business that employs hundreds of thousands of people their piece? They are having to pay increased costs too – not just the little guy. I worked for a fortune 50 company for 13 years and I SAW how the economy ate up it’s profits and the lengths that they went to in an effort to keep people employed. Sometimes that meant raising their prices when they knew the market would balk over it.
So, yes, I read past the headline, but feel that it’s small minded to think that because it is an expensive vacation spot that they aren’t entitled to help consume their price increase too. Think about the alternative – putting people out of work.
I am the first to admit, WDW is expensive – I have said it twice now – but in the grand scheme of things it isn’t principle, it isn’t $4.00 – it’s purely economic. Talk to the law makers that are raising taxes, health care costs, and have a HUGE unemployment rate to battle then tell me I didn’t read past the headline.
We are a Disneyland family. But, I do appreciate this well written post!
You’ve said it much better than I could. I’m basically in the same camp as you; I’m still going to go to Disney World and enjoy it. However, I don’t have the same passion for the way the company does business in its parks. I’m always the guy they stop to ask questions in a survey, so I’ll be sure to be very clear on my thoughts about price increases, FP+, and most importantly to me, the lack of new attractions.
I understand that Disney is beholden to stock holders and must continue to make profits so the executives to keep their jobs. It’s a business. I have an MBA and understand the basics of how business works.
That said, price increases that make sense are typically combined with some sort of increase in the offerings. It may not be comparable, but at least they’re trying. The Mine Train and Avatar (years down the road) aren’t enough. They should be ensuring that all four parks offer top-notch experiences, not just a few headliners and our memories. That’s the sad part of it, and raising prices just makes it feel worse.
Speaking as an insider, you’ve hit the nail on the head. And it saddens me.
Rick M
Wow. You clearly don’t understand the way things work at Disney. I am a cast member. Have been for 14 years now. And I’ll let you in on a secret: the company doesn’t make money off of ticket sales. Period. When you stay at a resort, buy that plush Mickey, autograph book, or lunch, we, as a company, make money. The ticket to enter the park is the company’s insurance policy against you. It pays for the lawyers that protect against frivolous lawsuits and deserved ones. It pays for the cost of medical assistance when “a brick falls out of the castle” or your three month old baby gets severe sunburn because you just had to take them in august or an unknown heart condition, back problem, etc., presents itself while you are visiting the parks. If you don’t believe me. You can look for yourself, ticket prices go up everytime insurance premiums go up or when government forces companies to change insurance coverage. The reason that the company didn’t announce the $4 price increase was because we didn’t have time to properly prepare for it ourselves. So the next time you think we are “padding the books” over mistakes look outside of Disney’s world and you will see that the market forces the company to do the changes.
Now, as for the parades and entertainment: you are correct. Soon, only one park will be offering parades but let’s look at the break down shall we?
1. The Main Street Electrical Parade. This parade, in one form or another, has been running in one Disney park since the late 1970s. It’s old and tired but everyone still wants to see it. So it will still run till it’s dead. It’s also called a classic. We’re not allowed to “let it go”
2. Dreams Come True Parade. I use this name because it has run with three different versions since 2000. Everyone is sick of seeing the same floats every day. It’s time to go. I can’t speak of the new parade, haven’t seen it. I understand it’s beautiful though. So you see, it’s being replaced.
3. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. Another one that has been performing since 2000. It’s “attraction” for the guest has wained. Over half the parks attendance, on a daily basis, didn’t watch it. Many though of it as something in the way. Speaking of which, construction started for “avatar land”, guess what step off location is in the way? That’s right, where the parade steps off and steps down is currently where construction crew will work from on a daily basis so that we may bring you something new in the park. Does that mean Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will never have a parade again? Nope. Wait until construction is complete.
4. Countdown to Fun/Block Party Bash.
Ran since mid 2000s. Fun, high energy parade with large floats and a large cast. Too large, in fact. Guest complaint that their favorite section didn’t stop in front of them and the had to “chase them down” led to a reimagining of the parade. Guest complaint, it didn’t stop anymore. Add to that, the massive redesign of practically the entire park that is soon to begin, it to was in the way. Actually, half the park is in the way of this redesign. It had to go to make way for new. Does that mean the park will never have another parade? Nope. Again, wait for construction to finish.
So you see, the company listens to the “comments and concerns” of the guest. And, just like at your job, changes happen. Just not as fast as you want them too. Things have to close and get torn down for something new. Walt Disney himself said that Disneyland would never be finished, the same goes for his other parks. In today’s society, everyone wants things to happen NOW. well, I’m sorry. You teach your children to be patient, take a lesson from that book. Wait. Good things are coming, you just need to stop complaining and watch what we’re doing.
Oh god. The pay rate came in as I was typing. How much money should a cast member make? Well, take it out of the Disney context. How much money should someone make that just pushes a button to make a ride go? How much should someone make to say “hi, how many? Right this way!” Just because it’s Disney, people think they need to be paid more. You’re paid for the work that is done, not the name of the company you work for. Should the office runner make the same amount as the lawyer when all they do is make copies? Good grief, look at what you do for the company versus what other people make for doing the same job at other companies and tie that in with your health benefits, you’ll find you make more.
I agreed with all your points except for the pay rate. You say, “How much money should someone make that just pushes a button to make a ride go?” More than $7 an hour I say. Working on an attraction is not just pushing buttons, it requires technical knowledge and extensive training in safe procedures. From my experience on working with Disney World attractions, being on a position where you are controlling the ride is the most stressful. Cast members are completely responsible for your safety on the ride and making sure you don’t do anything silly while on the ride. Furthermore, positions where you are dealing with guests can be even more stressful. Have you ever been in line for a ride where is has suddenly stopped working? Cast member usually don’t know what has gone wrong, specially if they are standing right in front of you when it happens. Cast are verbally abused everyday and in some circumstances (mostly in busy periods) abused physically. A lot to handle for any person and if you are a Disney College Programmer you don’t have access to any health benefits or union membership.
If an office runner making copies makes a mistake, they answer to one of two lawyers and are expected to resolve the issue because they are responsible. Disney Cast Members quite often have no control over a situation but they are abused by more than a hundred people who all expect answers or some kind of reimbursement for their time spent in line. A lot more difficult to handle than a handful of lawyers.
Not everyone is suited to work in a Disney theme park because it takes more than just saying “hi, how many? Right this way!” So don’t discredit the men and women you strive for excellence in providing safe, fun and memorable experiences for your family.
I started in attractions. Training for four days. And I pushed buttons
Sorry Keith I gotta flip in my 2 cents. I worked for Disney for almost 3 years and the health benefits were good but costly. The pay sucked compared to other similar markets and Disney counts on its dazzling “perks” to make workers think they have something when in reality when they step out of the pixiedust cloud they realize they are giving half of their paycheck back to the company when they choose to use the so called perks. Sure getting friends n family in is cool. But come on. The only reason thst is a perk is they know damn good n well people need to eat.
“The reason that the company didn’t announce the $4 price increase was because we didn’t have time to properly prepare for it ourselves.”
So, you want us to believe that Disney was not prepared for the cost of business to change? I’m sorry, but I don’t feel for you. This is not something that should be passed on to the consumer, it should be a hit against your company’s bottom line because it is their failure and not the consumers.
The rest is just similar hyperbole, you only earned a few billion last year, cry us a river.
The Walt Disney company as a whole made how much? Check you numbers again. And then break down to how
Much Walt Disney world made. The. Break that down to how
Much each park made. Then compare that to, or let’s say, Exxon Mobil
“The Walt Disney company as a whole made how much? Check you numbers again. And then break down to how Much Walt Disney world made.”
Simple enough.
“Revenues for the year increased 7% to a record $45.0 billion.” – http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/q4-fy13-earnings.pdf
You are welcome to peruse the report for yourself.
“The. Break that down to how Much each park made. Then compare that to, or let’s say, Exxon Mobil”
Again, simple enough.
“For the year, revenues increased 9% to $14.1 billion and segment
operating income increased 17% to $2.2 billion. ” – see above report
It does not matter what Exxon Mobil made last year, this story isn’t about Exxon Mobile ripping off consumers, that is a different discussion for a different forum.
Everything in the USA has gone up due to inflation, however my paycheck stays the same. Some save for years, to take a family to Disney! It’s a shame they raise gate prices, don’t forget the increase of 30% on food inside the park. How can middle class workers afford it? They can’t!! Or they can only visit one park.
Disney will be catered to the rich!! Just FYI, take your child to Disney when they are old enough to remember “The Happiest Place On Earth”. I say “My Snow White A$$ it is”!! Not when you have to take a second mortgage out on your house. LOL!
Disney wants middle class workers to invest by purchasing a 10 day ticket that doesn’t expire until you have used all 10 days, which could last for 3-5-7 years. However, the down fall is that ticket with taxes for 1 adult cost 739.11. So Disney puts you on a payment program…..but many things could happen before it’s paid off. So who wants to sign up for that deal, when there are so many places to vacation where your money goes further and fun doesn’t mean standing in line for hours, in 100 degree’s! Shame on you Disney!!!! Walt is flipping in his grave right about now!
There are no payment plans for any ticket options other than select Florida resident annual passes.
A nice and fair article. If people keep coming why not raise the price. But, when will disney hit the ceiling? I also wonder about the middle class family who would love to bring the family down for vacation at Walt Disney World. That family would need to save for years just for 5 days of enjoyment. Luckly I work for a hotel and I can stay off property for 50% than a regular hotel guest and I still struggle with that discount.
Just a hunch here, but I’m guessing that guest counts for MK have increased since the last price bump, which to them would justify this price increase. Which brings me to the point of disagreement with you on how best to be heard. As long as park attendance numbers keep increasing, it justifies to the MBAs and the shareholders, the strategy they’re playing. You (we) can complain as loudly as we want, but it’s not going to change one thing at all, when they continue to see growth. Besides that, it would just be bad business from the shareholders standpoint to leave that money on the table. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the price increase either, but I really don’t see a good alternative to letting them know how I feel on this, except for withholding my money and/or choosing to spend it elsewhere. As much as I love WDW and going there as frequently as I can afford, I’m finding it less and less enjoyable due to their ever-increasing prices and lack of growth and new innovation.
The fact that the number of international tourists is increasing is because of the deplorable state of the United States currency. Our fiat currency is continually losing its value. Raising minimum wage will only make it worse, raising the debt ceiling makes it worse. It’s a DEAL for many international visitors to visit Walt Disney World! Have you visited the outlet malls around Orlando? It’s more than Disney just trying attract international visitors. The US dollar is pathetic these days.
This is a really, really interesting article. I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said in this article. I spent a good deal of my childhood in Florida and our family took regular trips to Walt Disney World. We grew up watching Disney’s Wonderful World Of Color and then the Wonderful World of Disney. We witnessed, and contributed to, the expansion, growth and improvement on each trip. I am now looking forward to taking my 9 and 7 year old grandchildren on their first trip to WDW. They are much older than I would have liked but we have had a hard time getting to a place to afford such an expensive trip as prices continually go up faster than we can keep up and get ahead of it. Prices are going up even as we have been planning this trip for the last several months. It is sad to think we may not get to do this trip again becasue it is no longer affordable for the middle class. It is becoming, at least for us, more of a once or twice in a lifetime event rather than an annual or semi-annual pilgrimage. I would like very much to send this article with my support of it to The Walt Disney Companies corporate office.
I completely agree! I’m an annual passholder and I can definitely say I don’t feel as valued as the off the street guest that they know will be more profitable. I recently read another article about how every time another person talks about the problems with MyMagic+ (which I have test run more than once, and it has MANY MANY flaws) Disney spends more money attempting to fix it.. So I guess the price hike makes sense from that perspective, they need to keep feeding this money sucking monster that is MyMagic+ and this is one way for them to get the money they need to make their bottom line look better than what it really is. Which is a big loss on a project that is not attracting nearly enough visitors as they thought.
This is very well written.I wish Disney execs could read this.thank you for writing this.
Though this may be slightly off-topic, I wanted to chime in by saying I hope Disney starts to pay their cast members a higher wage. I’ve done the College Program twice, then moved to Vegas and worked in hospitality as well (at a strip resort). My job was entry-level and paid more than double what my Disney jobs did. That being said, I would work for Disney again! Great article though
We too have seen some changes we don’t like, an example when we started going there if we bought a mug we could use it forever,just bring it back each time,,,,well a few years ago it isn’t available anymore…….I have a hard time with the ticket not being used over a period of years…We paid the price and the company has had our money to use how they heeded too, and I have always been opposed to NO ONE but YOU can ever use that ticket……I believe we should be able to buy a ticket and use it forever and whenever…….I do see changes of keeping up the parks, like they use to and the smaller staff they are using…… I also DON”t agree with the CEO making so many millions, this is a place where all people can come and enjoy their day….At present it is so costly for a person that many will never get to feel the MAGIC of DIsney…..
Thank you to the CM who posted that the park price increase is due to an insurance increase! They are absolutely right! I am also a CM and I know that I don’t get paid because you visit the park! I get paid because you bought lunch for your family of four, ten pins, two buckets of popcorn and sixteen T shirts!
Best comment from a guest today: What do you mean I can’t buy more FastPasses?
Stupidity breeds ingenuity
Have a magical day.
This comment alone shows how the cast members treat their guests. Pathetic.
Great perspective and comments! We have been going AP holders and are DVC members. We probably average visiting twice a year over the last 20 years. We have decided that WDW is no longer our primary destination for vacations. Ticket price increase, CM attititudes, poor quality food and beverage, crowd attitudes……I am disabled and to be blunt was extremely insulted by how Disney treated the disabled customers last year. I have a huge problem with the Magic Bands. I find it very creepy to track and keep and use guest information like they are doing. I don’t want to plan what day and time I want to see The Hall of Presidents 6 months in advance.
The a Walt Disney Company has become a predator in my view. I would not want to stay in a friends condo on the beach if the payment for that is to allow them to monitor me 24/7, review my receipts, take my info and sell that to various parties so they can put me on another list. Why would I pay $200 -$500 per night, $100 per person for tickets, $50 per day for food and travel expenses getting there. This $4 ticket only affirms our decision last October. We had some great memories…….
I love this. It is so true, and thank you for saying it. Paragraph 6? Gospel truth. Loved it. Thank you for reminding the masses of Disney community folk where the real outrage should lie.
It’s interesting how Disney is held to a higher standard. The complaints here about rising prices, decreased quality, poor customer service and less value for the money can be made about most US corporations these days. Because we have a nostalgic view of what Disney World should be, we expect them to behave differently? As long as someone will take the job for the wage they are paying, why pay more?
As a long time visitor to WDW beginning in 1971 when the Florida property first opened it’s doors, I have watched, with great dismay, as the prices have soared since the old “E” ticket days when I would tell anyone who would listen what a great value the parks are. Fast forward to today, where I say to them that WDW has priced themselves out of the reach of the average family. Think about this, Disney management: WWWD?… What Would Walt Do?
I’m in the same Boat as Pritt. I’ve never been to WDW but i’ve been an AP at disneyland for a few years. What was written was well written and reflects exactly how I feel. in 2009 when I got my first pass the premium was around $389 and now it’s $669 with a hike due in may/june. But the saddest thing for me is that the original vision for Disneyland was for children and parents to have a place that they could have fun together, and as you mentioned families are getting priced out of it. Here at Disneyland it would cost a family of 4 $356 for one day at one park, so I know many Disneyland fans that once their kid turns 3 they just give up on Disneyland.
Our family has spent $58,596 at the parks since 1998, moved to Florida to be near Disney, and averages $4619 spent per year as a Florida resident at the parks. Have not renewed passes, and probably will not for a long while until things get sorted out. Read the article in today’s Orlando Sentinel regarding the treatment of the locals at the park. Clearwater Beach was happy to take our money yesterday… It is quite unfortunate as I am an avid fan of Disney Parks… ah the memories….
I will add this “nugget” of info to this entire conversation. My husband and I live and work in central Florida and have consistently gone to Disney during our 20 year marriage. We pay extra money to stay with our children several times a year as a family outing. We have gotten the souvenir cups at the resorts when we stay and if you are a loyal, returning guest you remember to bring back your $20 cup the next time to get your drink even though it supposed to be for the length of one stay. Every couple of years they change the design and everybody gets a “new” mug to use on vacation, but really the cast members are so nice they never say anything anyway. The last time we stayed (and I cannot tell you how expensive this is – we already have passes and live only 22 miles away so we could easily save the $1000+ it cost just for one stay), they have spent I can’t imagine how much money to have EVERY cup, disposable as well as souvenir, fitted with a chip in the bottom that ensures you only get to use it one time – at however much the drink machine determines you should have. So if your cup doesn’t fill all the way to the top, too bad. If you spill it or don’t like it, you’re out of luck. And the funniest thing of all is that the soda, tea, or coffee you are getting cost Disney ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! They get if for FREE! So now they have spend an obscene amount of money and wasted technology just to ensure that their dedicated repeated customers don’t get any free soft drinks, even though they are free to Disney. The level of greed this displays is stunning. So what if someone brings their cup back and gets a free glass of tea? They are giving Disney plenty of money for lodging, food, gifts, etc. And think of the waste?! All those cups are worthless after you spend a couple of days there so thanks Disney for adding to the landfills. You know what, charge me $50 for a “forever” cup and let me bear the burden of remembering to bring it back when I stay with you. That would make a lot more sense. Or, heaven forbid, give your resort guests free soft drinks during their stay. What a lovely gesture that would be…and you can always add the cost (which, again, is nothing) in somewhere else. like room charges or maybe tickets prices (HA HA).
We won’t be renewing our annual passes and I doubt we will make our many annual stays there anymore because this is just a sign of what is to come. I know many Disney “lifers” who are seriously considering career changes even this late in life because they can see the handwriting on the wall. And the previous comment is correct, Universal has added a bunch of new attractions and is getting ready to reveal the Harry Potter expansion. I only wish they hadn’t followed suit and raised their prices the day after Disney (which is what always happens). It would have made a much better statement to say “we choose not to raise our prices at this time” or even lower them by a dollar or two. They would bury Disney if they came out swinging like that.
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