Originally Posted By X-san Keep in mind, what might not be good economically for the consumer is not necessarily bad for the COMPANIES (think oil companies, food retailers such as wal-mart and other biggies). It's the same argument as with the falling dollar. Is it REALLY bad for America? Some would say yes, but another way of looking at it is that it helps companies' to compete overseas when their returns, turned back INTO dollars, are much greater. All in how you look at things.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well William, here in the UK people are starting to cut back on USA plans. Although it was a great deal to fly out over the last couple of years, they have upped the costs of flights tremendously this weekend (by about 50%) and the cost of fuel and food are skyrocketting, people are getting laid off, and the value of houses are falling. Add in that the average raise has been 2% when inflation is at 3.3% right now. Not great at all. All the more reason why it sucks that WDW are sticking it to vacationers.
Originally Posted By X-san Fifty percent overnight!? So a thousand dollar plane ticket suddenly costs $1,500? Wow...that's pretty crazy.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep - new fuel surcharges, increased taxes as a result and baggage handling charges.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Just let me know when yer all ready ta have me learn ya how ta fly a broom stick, ducklin's! Sure will save ya all lots a money on them awful pieces a flyin' metal! An' ya can even tote yer bags on the tip a the broom at no extra charge!
Originally Posted By X-san Wow, Dave. That's pretty incredible! How awful for you guys! I totally understand, too. The weirdest thing is, it always used to be cheaper to travel abroad rather than trip around inside Japan (sad, by true) so I often took trips from Japan to Hawaii, Guam, New York, Mexico, Boston, Florida, LA and Hong Kong (well, often meaning I went to each place once, *maybe* twice lol)... But with all these new charges coming about, now might finally be the time where I can feel it reasonable to more fully explore the wonders of Japan. (lemonade from lemons and all that)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Guys, the economy in the USA is great, great, great (or fantastic if you speak Cynthian) IF you're WalMart or ExxonMobil or Haliburton or any of hundreds of companies ... and I'd, at this point, include Disney too. But for people? Real people that live paycheck to paycheck? Or even the wealthier Republican crowd? Prices for everything are going through the roof. Our economy wasn't built to be sustained on $4.25 gas. You think people conditioned to flying coast to coast for $250 are going to pay $600-plus? Companies are laying off people by the thousands, something that started 20 years ago and just keeps going ... apparently, all those $80,000 jobs with 401Ks and insurance can be replaced with $8 an hour work (just ask our delusional president). I don't have to look any further than my own (quite upscale by SoFla standards) 'hood to see the affects of the economy as houses sit empty, some foreclosed ... neighbors that bought luxury cars every 18 months are now driving 4-6 year old models and even lawncare isn't up to what our community standards are. I just happened to pick up a copy of the local Travelhost magazine Friday when I spent the day at a spa on Fort Lauderdale Beach (some Marriott timeshares are coming to the nicest beach in the area, Dave!) and ALL the ads for real estate in the thing list prices in Euros and pounds not dollars. So even our tourist economy is clearly being propped up from overseas ... all it takes is one evildoer to send that crashing down for years. But since it really is WalMart and Exxon and Haliburton that runs the country (and all the evil institutional investors), so long as they're doing well, the USofA must be. I say bull&^%$ to that.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I hear you X - it used to be cheaper (or at least better value to go abroad than travel internally - $160 gets me a travelodge or Express by Holiday Inn in the UK. But sadly, the Euro is up 15% more than what it was this time next year, and overnight flights to the states have gone up. The british seaside resorts (that have suffered since the early 80's) are booming. Shame our weather is so poor. It has rained every day for a couple of weeks, and there are flashfloods at the mo in places.
Originally Posted By mstaft Let's not forget those wealthy Democrats, too, Spirit. Most all politicians have alot of cash to throw around, not just the elephants. It is the common people who hurt the most when the economy suffers; politicians are the last to suffer since they make the laws.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 <<As a matter of fact on 9/5/08 WDW will mark a milestone that shouldn't make anyone but an exec smile -- for the first time ever TWO parks will close early on the same night for hard-ticket parties as the Night of Joy Christian Music and Debauchery Fest moves to the Studios park. Why? Because this is WDW and they can get away with it.>> What is even more ridiculous about this is that neither Epcot or DAK has extended their hours for that day. DAK still closes at 5 pm and Epcot at 9 pm. I feel sorry for anyone vacationing that week and have to use a ticket that day because it is a rip off.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Let's not forget those wealthy Democrats, too, Spirit. Most all politicians have alot of cash to throw around, not just the elephants. It is the common people who hurt the most when the economy suffers; politicians are the last to suffer since they make the laws.>> Please do not misunderstand my negative (putting it gently) feelings for the current 'leadership' to appear as if I think the Dems are any better than the the Republicans are(n't) ... I have words to describe both parties that aren't fit for this forum. I just (rightfully) bash W's party more beacuse well, look who has been in charge the past eight years and how far we've fallen as a nation over that period! There needs to be a party that truly represents the people and not special interests and corporations and religious institutions not that the two parties will ever let that happen but ... back to Disney ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<What is even more ridiculous about this is that neither Epcot or DAK has extended their hours for that day. DAK still closes at 5 pm and Epcot at 9 pm. I feel sorry for anyone vacationing that week and have to use a ticket that day because it is a rip off. >> They won't either. They'll use the 'this is the least busiest time of the year excuse' ... I suppose if someone with a one-day ticket to one of the two parks with the hard-ticket events complains enough, they'll get upgraded to a hopper for free and maybe a quick serve voucher.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll Or as I have seen during past Night of Joys when people complained, Disney has actually given away tickets to the Nighth of Joy event. This was really true back during the year Disney promised fireworks at the Magic Kingdom every night and they did do a performance of Fantasy in the Sky during Night of Joy that year. Disney is not alone in having a hard ticket event that weekend either as Universal is holding Rock the Universe at their studios park, and it is usually much more crowded at Universal as Uni gives free admission to both their parks if you purchase a 2-day ticket in advance. I still believe Disney is making a very big mistake by having a Halloween event in early September and also moving Night of Joy to the smaller Studios park.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Just returned from a week at WDW four hours ago. Considering only Florida schools are out for the year, the parks were pretty crowded. I wonder if these vacation plans were made befor the price of gas skyrocketed, next year should be more interesting. I couldn't get over all the pampered pixie princesses wandering around. I don't know how much people were spending, but the lines at the registers were long.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We had the same experience in January. The parks are ususally slow....but not this year. Guess with the current situations in the world...people really need their vacations. Although we ran into MANY international tour groups!
