Many years ago we were at Epcot in the fall. As we were leaving the park one day, I remarked about the plantings -- maybe they were marigolds -- at the entrance. There were literally tens of thousands of them. We talked briefly about that abundant use of flowers just for an impact as you enter, and what the staggering costs must be in not only planting them, but pulling off every single dead bud daily. But the next morning we returned to Epcot. I stopped dead in my tracks as I realized that ALL those marigolds were gone. In their place were tens of thousands of mums. They had all been replaced over night.

Disney does a lot of programs and I have a number of Florida friends who have gone to their "workshops" or "learning sessions". Some are about landscaping and floral usage. Everyone comes back dazzled by the logistics of the entire process. There are so many things that are done so RIGHT at Disney, all those things go into the high costs. Maybe they could cut the use of flowers, or only clean all the fountains once a month instead of every couple of days. Or maybe they could just clean up the trash once a night instead of hiring an army to constantly sweep up every little wrapper or scrap. Do the trash cans have to be painted almost monthly -- what if some had just a few rust spots showing? But frankly, I'd rather pay the extra to have it all just the way it is.

NeoPatrick, and it is SO appreciated by me. My good friend's daughter managed a restaurant in the Magic Kingdom for 4 years, and I have LOTS of Disney employee stories. But it IS as near to perfect clean that it is humanly possible to accomplish with crowds of those numbers. We can't even keep public washrooms clean in our libraries. I know what it takes.

And do I appreciate a little piece of earth that we can pretend is always clean, always happy, and always that way as if it all happened by "magic".
Is that fake? Then give me fake for some hours of my life.

Patrick - saw the Apple Tree last night. Absolutely loved it. That part was written for Chenowith. She is just adorable. Really, a great time. And I am thrilled with the seating at Studio 54 since they did away with those crappy cocktail tables. The seats are wider and there is plenty of leg room. Come up for a visit!!!!!

I book Disney Travel (and no, I'm not soliciting, I work for an agency). I also live near Disney, and there are a number of ways you can save money.

Mousesavers is a great resource.

There are several Hess Stations on property, you can get sodas and such from there as well - you can walk from Downtown Disney or drive over and stock up for the room). There is also one across from the Boardwalk, and the other one just reopened, and I think it's supposed to be much bigger (close to the MK).

Earl of Sandwich just went up in price, but they still are a good deal. That is at Downtown Disney as well.

Refillable mugs are great, but you can spend a lot less on soda buying 2 liter bottles at Hess.

I have never had a childre

I book Disney Travel (and no, I'm not soliciting, I work for an agency). I also live near Disney, and there are a number of ways you can save money.

Mousesavers is a great resource.

There are several Hess Stations on property, you can get sodas and such from there as well - you can walk from Downtown Disney or drive over and stock up for the room). There is also one across from the Boardwalk, and the other one just reopened, and I think it's supposed to be much bigger (close to the MK).

Earl of Sandwich just went up in price, but they still are a good deal. That is at Downtown Disney as well.

Refillable mugs are great, but you can spend a lot less on soda buying 2 liter bottles at Hess.

Childrens meals at counter service are $3.99 much of the time, I buy them for myself since I don't like to eat so much for one meal.

There are restaurants that are less expensive, like Trails End (a buffet, for breakfast or lunch).

AllEarsnet.com is a great resource as well.

You don't have to spend tons - and in some cases, you can certainly go to Europe for the same or less money. But many guests want to go to Disney (I'll be there this weekend - at value resorts, not spending much for food while I'm there). I am driving down, so I'm bringing fruit, Kashi granola bars and cereal, snacks and such with me.

I think I see gmoney's point. While there are differences between ski resorts and Disney, there are also many similarities. Both of them are purpose-built places designed exclusively for leisure use, and most significantly, they have a relatively low ceiling over how many people can be catered to at any one time. A limit on supply in the face of strong demand pushes prices in the way one would expect.

Meanwhile, the phrase 'totally different vacations' surely applies to comparisons between Disney and Europe vacations. Yet people insist on making such comparisons. If someone is in the mood for James Bond, there is little point trying to convert them to go see "A Room With a View."

as, if it's any consolation, location always plays a huge role in prices anywhere - on or off Disney. A drink in Venice is more expensive, as a rule, than a drink in many other European cities. And drink or food purchased in St. Mark's Square more expensive still. Is it worth it? I won't go into that one, but I think it eases the pain, if one knows up front what one is getting into.

Not sure anyone has thought of this but the dollar has lost value considerably against other currencies since 2000. This is bringing in tourists from all over the world to enjoy the US for shopping, particularly in New York City if you can believe that, and things like Disney since it's so cheap against their currency. I'm sure Disney realizes this so they keep the prices up since they know people will come thinking they are getting a bargain.

Just a little tidbit to consider. We were in the UK in July of 2000 with the GBP at 1.62, in 2003 we were there in May with the GPB at 1.72, now the GBP is almost $2. The Brits love to come to the US, they are getting a bargain.

karens: lighten up.

that was unnecessary

I agree that I would love to be spending British pounds at WDW. I spent strong US $ in London in 1985; hopefully I'll get another chance to spend a strong dollar abroad in my lifetime.

I just did, missypie, in Canada. You wouldn't have to go far either direction, actually.

Yeah, our family went to Canada two summers in a row. I can't figure out why everyone in Texas doesn't go to Canada in August - strong dollar and cooler weather - what could be better?

My recent experiences with Canada have been that although you get more Canadian dollars for your US dollar, everything costs more "dollars" anyway, so it never seems to come out a bargain. Spending several days each in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, for example, the Vancouver portion was considerably the most expensive, whether for similar hotel rooms, parking, car rentals, gasoline, nice but similar restaurants, cocktails, or even a cup of coffee at a Starbucks. I don't care if I get 20 Canadian dollars for each of my US dollars, if they're going to charge me 20 Canadian dollars for a cup of coffee instead of 1 US dollar, how am I coming out ahead?

LLinda: you, too.

$2.50 for a soda? That's highway robbery!

It very much depends. I did not have to buy Starbucks but the coffee that was local and excellent and cheaper than home in the USA. And I did high end lodging on Priceline, did not feel a pinch there either. The only place I felt was more expensive in dollar amounts than home for "goods" were in Toronto and right next to Niagara. And those city/tourist pull places are heightened prices in USA meccas, as well. Sometimes more, in fact.

In 2005, on drive Canada per day, I did not find it more expensive, per real value/goods exchange, at all.

mrsd2fan, if you think that is highway robbery, you have never been to an American sporting venue, anywhere- not even major league. Nor to public zoos, places like Kennedy Space Center, etc. etc. Or for that matter, a lot of college campus or public places in cities that have the water/pop machines.

JJ5-I work on a college campus and the soda/water machine is $1.00
And yes, I've been to sporting events...I agree that the prices are ridiculous.

They are not $1.00 on my campus and I'm not a city location either. The pop is $2.00 and the water is $2.00 or $2.50.

Disney World is just not any more expensive than any other amusement park, city zoo, or live entertainment place I've ever attended, although there may be some out there. And actually less than any major sports venue I attend. And the quality of surroundings, cleanliness, live plants etc. -all the way down the line, are superior at WDW than at the others with comparable prices.

The most expensive water, pop etc. I've ever experienced has been in Niagara Falls, both sides, both kinds of money.

I love to talk to my teenage students about expensive, hyped, plastic, 3 1/2 hour distant Disney World (which they all swoon over) versus the free, authentic, natural, half hour distant Society of the Four Arts Garden which they've never heard of. They've never been to the latter, and it's a shame.

It's warped values in my book.