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I really don't think it is "baiting" when someone on Fodors asks another poster for examples regarding info they post.
We all do it all the time, we are all usually quite happy and able to post the reasons for saying what we say. Some of us have been to places over the years and have some experience or knowledge that enables us to give opinions or information that is based on that , rather than a once in a while visit.. Yes, it did sound a bit paranoid. Especially since we are talking about the prices at Disney World LOL |
My husband and I made our first trip to Disney World on Dec.1-8. We were advised that the lines would be shorter than usual the first two weeks of Dec. Since we had never been there before, we weren't quite sure what "usual" would be. We arrived at Epcot early, around 9:15AM. We could walk around a bit and admire the amazing floral arrangements(stunning!), but the international "exhibitions" did not open until 11AM. That entailed some waiting, but how amazing to see the IMAX type movie in the China pavillion all by ourselves! It felt like we were literally walking on the Great Wall. As we wended our way through the rest of the interntl. areas, the strolling was easy with few others about.
The initial ticket prices for Disney were shocking, but made us do more research on what we truly wanted to experience and where. Prices in the parks for snacks were extremely high, but a superb lunch in the Chefs de France restaurant was very reasonable. That said, I would not have enjoyed having to buy meals anywhere for a family with kids. The total for that would have burned the wallet a bit. But for two adults, we managed fine, often relying on our own water which we brought it or on the water fountains which are plentiful. We are not into "rides" so much, but my senior citizen husband said he would go back just for the Pirates of the Caribbean one, again a very short line, 4-5 people. The longest line was for the flying Dumbo ride. But the kids who were waiting with parents were so adorable and excited, we didn't mind the 10 min. wait. By the way, we were the ONLY Dumbo plane filled by two adults! We didn't care. It was a short ride, but fun. We stayed in a gorgeous time-share condo in Bonnet Creek which offered a free shuttle service to and from the parks. After the first day, we decided we could accomodate our visits with the shuttle, thus saving the $10 parking fee in each case. Not huge savings overall, but something. During our week's stay, we spent about 2 days in St. Augustine, which was wondrously decked out for Christmas. The lights at night were especially beautiful. We had never been there before and it was a nice break between our days in WDW. This is a trip report from two individuals over 55, but it does give some info which might be useful to others. Happy Holidays to all! |
Thanks, Scarlett, you are so kind.
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JJ5 -
You said that there is less commercialism. By that, do you mean that each attraction is not sponsored by a company ie the carrousel of progress was sponsored by GE and I remember some other attraction was sponsored by Monsanto. |
There are still sponsors, but more without. And when the "ride" does have a sponsor it just doesn't seem to be commercial mode in your face (such as Monsanto was- that's a good comparison)during the ride/show/venue. For instance on the safety track car ride, I didn't even realize it was GM. And then my guy noticed it on the facade AFTER the ride. He is a GM retiree, and he said that fact outloud to the employee while leaving the ride and he immediately sent us to a certain door. After showing his GM Electromotive Card- then we were taken underneath and inside and got some gratis snacks, beverages and were taken on a behind the scenes of the ride tour. It was outstanding. Says he'll always bring his old work card with him now to numerous places. You never know.
Also they didn't seem to advertise the latest movies as they once did. I, frankly this last time about 4 years ago, hardly knew half of the more recent characters. More sublime, not in your face. (It used to be- here's Belle, star of--------) |
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Disneyland ( I haven't been to DW) is always worth it. There are so many ways to do Disneyland cheaper. Why would you buy any of that stuff. Go to the store beforehand by snacks etc.. Eat at the restuaurants but order something inexpensive salad or soup. It is always delcious and it is nice to sit down and be waited on. Just be smart about what you spend your money on. Same with any vacation- Europe, Hawaii or Disney.
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Cimbrone -
I'm with you. My parents live in Winter Park - right outside Orlando (I went to high school there) and my in-laws live in Anaheim, so we are surrounded by Disney whenever we visit either set of grandparents. Fortunately one visit to Disneyland and one visit to WDW was enough for my kids - they liked it OK but were not smitten with it at all. I used to say that the one thing Disney hasn't thought of charging for - and for which I personally would have paid almost any asking price - was an EXIT fee. But obviously lots of people like the place. Not that there's anything wrong with that. |
Just a tip: Be careful if you book DISNEY "PACKAGES" on their website. Sometimes its CHEAPER to book your hotel through AAA or separately, and then buy your DISNEY park tickets at the hotel when you arrive. Packages seems to be more expensive for some reason and you're getting the exact same thing if you book the park tickets and the hotel separately. Like being ripped off!
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We go to Florida every other year to stay with my MIL in Sarasota and often take a few days in Orlando.
We've been to Magic Kingdom several times, both Universals and the water park. I told my older son that next spring we can visit MGM. He said he didn't want to. He said he'd rather do something else than wait in long lines all day. I'm not gonna argue with him! |
karens,
Do this - http://www.canoewekiva.com/ Absolutely amazing. It's hard to believe this natural, almost Tarzan-like canoe trip is not that far north of Mickey! |
"fortunately", for our family we have only been "twice"---yes with 3 kids.
My kids love WDW when we are there but they TRULY remember the rainforests, the snorkeling, the hiking in mountain vacations.... when we ask them what's special about Disney, they can't seem to remember too much... the Disney cruise we even did was not too appealing to us and we cruise once/year but they are anxiously looking forward to our first trip to Europe this summer!! |
I have a personal opinion about why the prices have skyrocketed so much. Two personal opinions, actually. One is, of course, the economy, everything has gone up. The other is that I believe that Disney wants to attract the middle to upper class people and keep folks that are in the lower class out of the park. Just my personal opinion, I could be wrong.
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I have been to WDW literally over 300 times since the day it opened. I have loved it every time. In the past 5 years or so, I have found OTHER places in the area to enjoy, for free. Whether it is the Gaylord Palms hotel or other Disney hotels. Just being there makes me feel like a kid. I no longer have to spend the admission money to have a nice time. Sometimes I go to CityWalk at Universal - free except for Parking and anything you buy, eat or drink. I believe that when people go to Disney, they are going with the knowledge that they are going to spend money. I am sure folks go with a budget, and others go when money is no issue.
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Amy, I am laughing hysterically over your post. Yes, that is sooooo true. It is the same reason for so many things today.
Mercedes charges a lot for their cars because they don't want them driven by lower classes. It would spoil their image. If it weren't for that they'd just sell their new cars for a couple thousand dollars. The reason designer clothing is expensive is strictly because they want to keep up their image. If they were cheap the "wrong" type people would wear them and then they wouldn't be special any more. We all know the only reason expensive restaurants charge a lot of money is not because their costs are high, but because they know if they were cheap then the lower classes would come and they don't want that. And even plastic surgeons only charge a lot for cosmetic work because they know if it were cheaper then some of the lower class people would get cosmetic work done too and that would ruin the image of plastic surgery. Were you actually serious that that's the reason they charge more money? You DID say you could be wrong. You are. |
Neo, I could be wrong. :-) ;-) LOL
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL |
I actually have known people, higher ups, who have worked for major companies (not affiliated with Disney, that I know of) who have stated this is their policy.
They DON'T want what they consider the "riff-raff". They have said there is too much begging, they are a liability because they SUE for monetary gain and they are more trouble than their money is worth. Makes SOME sense to me, then again, I could be wrong. Just my humble opinion and that of the people I have known. |
WOOHOOO!!!!!! This thread is from Dec 4, 2006, can you just IMAGINE how much more prices have increased since THEN???? :-) LOL
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As long as everyone is putting their two cents in I thought I would too! Now, I am planning a trip for Disney in the fall, I am also planning a trip to Europe for Christmas. Having done the research for both - there is NO WAY that you could have a trip to europe for the same cost as a disney trip. Disney will run us (family of four) $2,800 for 5 days lodging at a deluxe resort with Park tickets and food plan. Our trip to Austria will run us $2,400 for airfare alone!
As I consider which trip my five year old (and 10 year old) daughters will enjoy more - hands down- disney. It captures their imagination and attention like nothing else. We love disney for the looks that we see on their faces and for the fun of it - we go off season and relax. Think of it as Las Vegas for kids - you have to suspend reality for a bit! So, with that said, travel is expensive period. I am gratified that I am able to give my kids both the joy of disney and the beauty of Europe. But if I couldn't do both - Disney would still be very high on my travel list, it's just fun; and frankly, not that bad of a travel bargain... |
It's interesting that the Disney commercials that are airing now show a cost of $1,600 for a family of 4.
We haven't gone in 20 years, and it cost more than that then! |
Arizona, that is for lodging only at a value resort.
There are still "deals" out there. We got a fairly good deal for our trip in September but that is value season and we are staying a a value hotel. But heck, it is a kiddy vacation. DD6 and DD4 will be in heaven, and DH and I are investing in a good plastic flask! :) |
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I think the issue of whether you can go to Europe less expensively than WDW depends on the airfare you can get to Europe. I've had a couple of mid-March trips to Europe where the tickets cost in the low $600s each. But the fares I'm looking at this summer are more in the $1200 range.
I will tell you that the beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment, with kitchen and terrace we are renting in Barcelona costs $275 per night (and that's with a terrible exchange rate). We have a "garden view" room (least expensive) at the Polynesian booked for November at $346.50 (AAA rate). Over 8 nights, the flat in Barcelona costs $522 less (for about 5 times the room). |
It's apples and oranges to compare like that. I could do both for 1/2 of what others say they can and not been in any low end lodging. With airfares in the USA as they are in 2007, right now- Disney can be done MUCH cheaper than Europe re mid or large size family. They have many package deals that those who are "figuring" what Disney costs are not taking into consideration at all. I have also done Italy, for example, in Liguria and near Formia, very, very cheaply overall for elegant lodgings- so I do think re what country/ re what exchange rate- you can not say that Europe is cheaper. Not from Chicago, it isn't and never has been.
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coco, I think I love you!
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Amy, I agree w/ you that perhaps high prices have hidden motives, and am recalling a friend bemoaning a very unpleasant Carnival cruise for a similar reason...lower prices do change the customer base. I am not saying I agree with this kind of thing, but it seems within the realm of possibility.
My parents chose not to take us to DW, but I am looking forward to going with my son soon. We will only go for two days and we certainly won't see everything, but that's not our goal. More just looking to get the overall experience and check that trip off our list. It resonates with me all of the comparisons like skiing, movies, and pro sports prices...I am reminded of spending 100 bucks for hockey tickets almost ten years ago, and for only 3 hours of fun. The food is equitably overpriced at stadiums, too. I think it boils down to this: we all get to choose. One of my least favorite things about this site is that folks seem to get knocked for what they choose, and that's too bad. If you would rather canoe that go to a themepark, cool, but that doesn't make you a better person, and sometimes that's the vibe I get here. |
Amen bethmac.
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Amen is right. I know I have been trashed because of my thoughts on my way to spend my vacation on here
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So well said, bethmac. I have said the same and been flamed. It's rampant too right now. You said it better than I.
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