Actually I could name many businesses and products for which profits and markups are extremely more percentage wise and dollar wise, than those things you think you are being "gouged" for.

But I won't, because it will make no difference to those who have this Disney hate thing going on. Nor to those who don't understand the economics of products and services.

If you think profit gouging is obscene, you certainly would never wear jewelry or use a lightening fixture.

You can do Disney a lot cheaper. Just like you can do European cities cheaper if you opt for a smaller room, or one that is not in the city center.

We did Disney about 10 years ago with our 12 & 14 year old sons. We rented a house and a car (split with my sister)- $550 per family total. Each couple had their own bedroom and bath. Each couples kids had their own bedroom and shared the kids bathroom. We had out own kitchen, washer and dryer and a pool right outside the sliding doors to the living room.

It's not for everyone, but it was half the cost of a Disney hotel. The house was brand new and beautiful. It took about 10-15 minutes to drive to any of the parks - other than Universal.

We shopped for groceries when we got there and were home for dinner every night. Everyone had a bag that held their tickets, snacks and water. We ate only lunch at the parks and saved a ton.

I didn't think this was a sacrifice. Frankly, after a day at a park it was nice to come back to our own place. The kids would go swimming and we could relax and spread out. We could get away from the crowds and rejuvinate.

None of the kids complained - they were at Disney!

We also researched - as an above poster mentioned and went at a less busy time. The kids got to do and see everything the wanted with quite a few bonuses thrown in.

I also bought the tickets ahead of time through AAA.

Our airline tickets totaled less than $900.00 for the 4 of us. So now we're up to $1450.00 for 4 flights and 7 nights lodging for 4 adults. It was not our most expensive vacation.

The boys still talk about that trip. They call it their best vacation ever.

And to me that's priceless!

Personally I've always found WDW to be a reasonably priced vacation. I research, find the discounts, limit souvenier spending all to keep to a budget. Last year this family of 4 (including a teenager who was charged adult prices) went to WDW in Aug(low season) on a package that included airfare, 5 nights at a moderate WDW hotel, park passes, and meals/snacks (all at WDW restaurants) - for about $2500. Rental car and other expenses put us at about $2900.

There is no way I can get my family to Europe for that kind of money. Or if there is someone please tell me how because I'd love to go. Now, I'm not comparing a European experience with WDW - certainly Europe would be worth the money but when you are on a budget you have to make choices.

Well, karens, I guess we need to define "gouging," and I don't think Disney meets the definition.

Gouging takes place when people have no other choice but to purchase the product or service (ex.: gasoline, home heating oil, or water during an emergency).

I hardly think anyone is forced to go to WDW or pay the prices. It's really pretty simple: Don't like the prices? Don't go. And I just don't get this "I hate Disney because it's fake (and successful)" mentality. Of course it's fake. So are movies. So is Olive Garden.

And I'm not criticizing the OP. Seems like he/she was just making a simple observation that in many ways was informative to potential travelers.

Karens, where did I get the idea that you think Disney should be a charity? Easy. You said, they don't raise prices because they "need to". Of course, not. I repeat, good business is charging what the public will pay. Do you want to tell all the Disney stockholders that they shouldn't be allowed to make money on the stock? Obviously you don't like Disney. Fine, for you it is NOT good value, and you'd be silly to pay those prices for something you don't appreciate. But thousands -- no, make that millions DO appreciate it and are willing to pay those prices.
I know people who pay $1000 or far more for superbowl tickets --a game you can see for free on TV. To me, that's really price gouging -- but hey, it's big business. If people didn't want to pay that, they wouldn't charge that. Get over the idea that businesses should just make the minimal profit. No GOOD business whill charge less for their product than they can because they don't want to make MORE money. What a silly idea.

I also know people who compain about the high cost of movies. They complain bitterly because a ticket is maybe $11 or $12. But then they walk up to the refreshment stand and pay $6 for a tub of popcorn and $6 for a jumbo drink. Hey, should the theatre only charge 35 cents for the popcorn because that's all they "need to"? They'd be idiots to do that, while people line up willing to spend the current prices for the product.

JJ5 has it right. It's really pointless to argue this, because those who hate Disney are convinced it isn't worth it to them -- and that's fine. But please don't suggest that a business shouldn't charge what the public is willing to pay because they don't "need to".

The thing that kills me about Disney is that by paying their hyperinflated prices, you are essentially helping pay salaries for talentless hacks like Tim Allen to keep making his stupid Disney movies, and Regis and Kelly who get paid obscene amounts of money to yammer on about nothing, etc. My kid's only exposure to Disney has been some Baby Einstein videos and a black market DVD of Song of the South (SHHHHH), so he doesn't ask to go. He doesn't even know there is a Disney World.

For perhaps the very first time, I must agreee with jorr.
M

In 50+ years of travel I've visited hundreds of destinations, some have been inexpensive, some have been mid-priced and others have been pricy (so much so that they stretched my budget). In that same time period I looked into visiting hundreds of other places that for one reason or other (mainly budget considerations) I decided not to visit. In each instance the choice was mine. In that same vein no one is forcing anyone to visit WDW. While WDW is a popular destination it is by no means a "required" vacation spot and no one should think they have to take their family there.

The cost for visiting WDW is set by market conditions (Economic 101 - basic supply and demand) and it is either with your budget or it isn't. WDW is a theme park not an entitlement. Simple, really!

Having been to a number of conferences there, & essentially 'trapped' on the property, I was mad paying prices for things that I wasn't even paying for...One morning my breakfast cost $25 because the characters were wandering around, & that was my only option at my hotel. You'll never see me willingly go to Disney, I take my kids to Europe where they can learn something...

jorr - that's why we rented a house. We only paid Disney prices while at the parks - 8-6. The rest of the time, not.

Like many others, I figure that Disneyworld can charge whatever people are willing to pay. I wouldn't choose it for my vacation, but if others do, then it is their choice and their money. If it is too expensive, then don't go. Or come out to California and go to the original within the context of a larger vacation. Disneyland is not exactly cheap, but from what I understand, by virtue of its proximity to plenty of other things, you don't get the same "trapped" atmosphere you get at Disneyworld so it is easy to keep the spending reasonable.

Mikemo, You actually agree with me for the first time. I must be onto something. History has been made on Fodors! I'm freaking out.

angethereader, good idea.

Patrick, calm down.

I will be the first to admit I don't see the attraction for 'theme parks' in general anyway...I have a co-worker who is a major Disney freak, we made a little wager regarding costs. Roughly speaking - you could spend a long weekend @ Disney or a week in Europe for the same $$$.

I don't think it's OK for ski resorts to be expensive, I just don't see the comparision b/w skiing and a Disney theme park. They are totally different kinds of vacations. I would not choose to ski at Vail b/c of the inflated prices - we go to Utah.

Of course people have different values on how to spend their money. I'm not judging people on that - I'm sure people judge my travel budget. Who cares? No where did I say that people who pay to go to Disney are wasting their money. I do feel like *I* am not spending my vacation wisely at Disney.

My comment about the "needing to" charge money was based on the poster somewhere in here who said

"I imagine that Disney needs to charge so money to keep going."

I disagree that Disney is charging such high prices b/c that is what they "need" to just to operate. That is where my comments originated.

Patrick, I wont' respond anymore to your comments, b/c NO WHERE did I say businesses should only charge minimal profits. I do not believe that, and no where did I say that. You are way overreacting to what I said.

C'mon now, karens. You did say Disney was "gouging." Fess up.

Uh, j9, what's your point?

Yes, I did say gouging, it's in my reply. I use the term to mean charging over-inflated prices. That's my opinion on Disney's prices. Some people agree, like I said, some people think Disney is a good vacation value.

If I am not using gouging in the strict, dictionary term (I have not looked it up), I stand corrected. In that case I confess I have not used the word gouging in its proper, legal form.

Sigh.

>>Patrick, I wont' respond anymore to your comments....You are way overreacting to what I said.<<

Who's the one overreacting here? ;;)

Karens, I remember back in 1975 Vail Charged $8 for an all day ski pass!!!!
In recent years I too have skied in Utah. Park City and Sundance. Sundance is beautiful and the last time I was there was on a Sunday and only $35 for all day. We had a fantastic time.

Just remember the next time you come to Florida, "Walking on the beach is still free." There are no lines and if you go to Hallover Beach in Miami, "You won't have any tan lines, either."

As DVC members we go once, maybe twice, a year. Our room is paid for and all we need to budget for is food and gifts. I think we average $1200 per trip. We grocery shop so we can eat a full breakfast in our room daily and 3-4 full dinners. That alone will save you a bundle. I have told many people that you cannot go to WDW on a budget. That is not the place to worry about saving money. Yes, you can cut corners on your accomodations but you will pay for it when you have to eat out every meal.