Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I can't really afford the DL hotels. And even if I could save the money, I'd rather stay longer, go more often, or have more money to spend on nice restaurants, etc while at the parks.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance That said, I'd be SUPER excited if they opened a value resort at DLR. I know, I know, not going to happen you say, but I can still dream!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Plus there's the whole argument that WDW is more of a 'destination' than DLR, since it offers so much more beyond its parks." Maybe WDW does, but Orlando can't begin to compare with LA for the variety of things to see and do, at least for me. If I were a tourist traveling a long distance I'd be much more compelled to build a vacation exploring Southern California than Orlando.
Originally Posted By tashajilek That's the same with me Constance, i travel a lot and every penny counts. I really didn't mean a WDW vs DL, just I think it's crazy the MK is more expensive than admission to DL.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I think traditionally the MK has always been priced higher because of the transportation requirement. In other words, unlike DL you can't just ride the parking lot tram from your car directly to the MK's gate; it's either bus, monorail or ferry. Way back when there were ticket books you also got a little ticket that was valid for the WDW transportation system for the day and the their was a dollar value attached to it.
Originally Posted By tashajilek The transportation into the MK is annoying and I can't stand it. It was nice the first time coming on the ferry in the evening and seeing all the Xmas lights, but the second time around it wasn't much fun.
Originally Posted By Blufusion12 For us. We live in Florida and we haven't been to the world in 5 yrs. But for us we only do 2 parks a DW. The Studios and EPCOT Center. As for rooms partner works for Marriott and we get to stay at the JW Marriott or the Ritz or the Rennasance brand for 75% off of the room rates and we get 25% off meals at the hotel. But we are planning a trip next yr. to Orlando for SW Celebration at the Convention Center. We will Rent a car. Take stay The JW Marriott for 4 days go to SW. Then the Convention for a day. Kennedy Space Center and the Studos for a half day. Typhoon Lagoon for the rest of the day.Then the studios for the night then shopping at Downtown Disney and Dinner . Then 2 days at the Hard Rock Hotel and do Universal for 2 day then back home with 3 days left to relax after vacation. For us wee have put aside at least $2500.00 for all that and expect to come home with maybe $500.00 after expensive and gifts. But I believe Disney is getting out of hand with the prices. Ours will be paid for in cash and we save for our trips. No credit cards. We don't have any. But there are a lot of people that do max out their cards and I was one that did that going to DW in the 80's and 90's over 10 times from 1982 to 1997. But I can't justify doing that now. At least not doing it on credit. Unfortunately this will probably be my last trip to the World . I have severe heart kidney and liver problems and this may be the last time I get to do something like this ever.
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips Blufusion12.....enjoy your trip! And best thoughts for your health
Originally Posted By Blufusion12 Thanks LUvs . I think I will be ok . Just have to go day by day . But everything is a whole lot better than last few yr. I did get to go to Hawaii for 8 days last yr and stayed at a Marriot. and was right down the path fromAulani. Beautiful place . But costly as well.
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips I have checked out Aulani and it is very expensive ....I probably will go one day but, not right now
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn MK is more expensive because it's "Disney World". Haven't you met your hundreds of friends who say "I'm going to Disney World, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom"? Disney knows this. So they're capitalizing on it... (while they raise $ for Obamacare)
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn Good question. There is indeed an answer to that. They do have a large number of employees you know.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 "I confess that I stayed 3 nights at the DLH on my last visit. It was expensive, but honestly, it was pretty much a near perfect experience. Being single I can afford things that families with children cannot, so I was very perplexed by the number of families with kids staying in the hotel." Disney doesn't charge more for additional people in the rooms- the rooms cost the same whether you have a single person or a family of 4 staying in them. We always stay in the resort hotels because we really love being right in the middle of everything. Usually we choose the GCH, be we have done the DLH too, and they are always pretty packed with families. Until that is no longer the case Disney is going to keep raising prices each year. They are beholden to their shareholders, who would get very crabby if Disney did not increase their profits on a regular basis. Most publicly traded companies are the same way.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Good question. There is indeed an answer to that. They do have a large number of employees you know. " There is an answer, he just doesn't know what it is, because there actually isn't an answer.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Honestly, despite Disney's low wages, they offer a pretty good health care package. They give you a menu of options that you can opt in and out of various parts of it. And they offer a couple of different health care providers including one that has an office in the CM parking lot of EPCOT with extended hours including weekends, an in house pharmacy among other things...all at a reasonable price.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Just one further note. What Disney does is give their CM's a $ amount to spend on their health care benefits so you can spend that money on the options that work best for you. It is a nice system and I wish my current employer would follow. My current employer offers a terrible health care package.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "There is indeed an answer to that. They do have a large number of employees you know" Oh, I see. You're blaming Obama(care) for Disney raising its gate admission prices even though they've done it annually for the past decade. Aren't you clever. "They are beholden to their shareholders, who would get very crabby if Disney did not increase their profits on a regular basis." But they have increased their profits, even when they don't raise prices. Unless Disney's costs have skyrocketed, the projected increase in attendance and guest spending this year would increase revenue even if they didn't raise prices at all.
Originally Posted By xrayvision "What Disney does is give their CM's a $ amount to spend on their health care benefits so you can spend that money on the options that work best for you." When you said "Walt Disney", I assume that you're primarily referring to Disney Park CMs as this topic is about Disney Parks. Unfortunately, that health care benefit isn't offered across the board for all Walt Disney employees (CMS). My girlfriend has worked for Disney Stores for 3 years as a CM and they do not get such generous health care packages, or any real benefits at all beyond their CM discount at Disney locations, and two tone-day tickets to Disney Parks every six months or so. While she LOVES her CM job, they make a little over $9.00 an hour, are only offered part-time status except for the general manager and assistant GM, and are offered a VERY basic health plan (actually called Limited Basic Plan), without much options. Disney takes out of her paycheck about $14.00, either bi-weekly or monthly, for a plan that really doesn't cover that much at all. I guess that it's better than having nothing. But, I actually pay for all my girlfriend's health bills when she needs medical attention and her Disney health care plan has yet to kick in to help out. We're trying to find a better health care plan for her, which we'll pay fully out of pocket, or find her an additional job that offers better benefits. She would rather die than leave her Disney CM job, lol. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
