Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Probably. See, you hesitated. >> Mostly because I don't pay, nor ever see myself paying, for a single day. I have a WDW and a Uni AP right now.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I can't see myself paying for a single day either. Which is also why it's really hard to justify a single day side trip to Universal or some other place on our trips to DL.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Which is also why it's really hard to justify a single day side trip to Universal or some other place on our trips to DL.>> A single day at Uni isn't worth it anyway. Go for at least 2 days.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Trying to imagine myself at Universal for two days. No thanks. We went few years back for one day, that was enough for me. At least until Harry Potter opens.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I go to DL and DCA, haven't been to WDW with my famiy yet. Would try Uni in FL if we go down there, but it adds on like $3-$4 for one day, PLUS having to pay WDW tickets, it's too dang much.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Oh, you were talking about Universal hollywood. Ha. Yea, I wouldn't pay to go there either.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Just came back from Hawaii and I would say the cost was about the same as WDW last year and that's with two Islands, four condo rentals, two rental cars, and a hopper flight. We explored the two islands, did Volcano national park, tried wake boarding, stand up paddle boarding and snorkeled with tropical fish,beautiful coral and sea turtles. I'm glad I got my head out of the mouse's butt! Hawaii and a Disney park isn't even close.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Cost for my family to fly to Hawaii from Portland, lowest I found was $2,028.00. Cost for us to fly to Disneyland $800-$900. Cost for us to drive $500 or less.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Not that there aren't closer, cheaper alternatives to DL, but I'm just saying Hawaii would be way more, even figuring I have to pay for park tickets.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree with Tasha's point. Last year I spent 18 days in Europe, including several flights within the continent and a few days at DLP. Yet, per day, I think that trip came out to be the same (or even less) than my trip to WDW in January. Yes, I was able to get the same price per day after only 6 days instead of 18, but it just didn't feel like it had as much value to me. While many of the experiences that you can find in non-Disney tourist locales are also the same no matter when you visit, they are still new to me, which makes me want to visit them more. Despite what the marketing folks try to make me think, Disney really hasn't added *that* much to any of their parks in recent years to justify the cost, or to make it seem like a better vacation choice than a non-Disney destination. Yes, I'll still visit Disney, but not as frequently or as long as in the past (and really, only for their marathon and half marathons, which are also comically overpriced)
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Just came back from Hawaii and I would say the cost was about the same as WDW last year and that's with two Islands, four condo rentals, two rental cars, and a hopper flight." Did you spend the same number of days in Hawaii as Florida?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Last year I spent 18 days in Europe, including several flights within the continent and a few days at DLP. Yet, per day, I think that trip came out to be the same (or even less) than my trip to WDW in January." This is exactly what I'm talking about Ferret. Add in the hordes of people, long waits for attractions that you've experienced a million times, the stroller brigades, overpriced everything, Disney character brands at every turn, and the whole experience is diminished. I still love the parks, however, the "magic" I feel when I'm there mostly comes from nostalgia.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Yupp,both the exact number of days. The airfare was actually cheaper than Orlando. It probably came out to the same because there were no passes to buy and we saved by cooking some of our meals. We didn't stay at fancy five star hotels either, but rather affordable nice vacation rentals. Of course going to DL would be much cheaper, but we sacrificed a few quick DL trips and we're able to afford Hawaii. We will be going back to the Big island and Kaui next year too!
Originally Posted By tashajilek I think some people just don't know of think any other place will be as good as a Disney trip. This was my first major non Disney vacation and it really opened my eyes to how much I was a sucker and obsessed with Disney. I still love the parks too, but I would rather spend my money trying something new.
Originally Posted By hopemax We're going to Hawaii for 11 nights end of August. 4 nights rental in Maui, 5 nights rental in Kailua, 2 nights Aulani. When we were pricing everything out, we kept comparing it to our WDW Honeymoon we took in 1998. Granted, we don't know what food and souvenir costs are going to be in Hawaii. We spent $6000 in 1998 for a 10 night trip to WDW (6 nights at French Quarter, 4 nights at WL Honeymoon Room). For Hawaii, so far we're at $3800 for airfare and accommodations. We still need to eat, shop, play and book our car rentals but I'm positive that it will cost less than the $2200 it will take to equal the WDW Honeymoon. DH and I know, there is no way we could replicate our honeymoon because we couldn't afford it, despite having 3 times the income! Airfare to Hawaii is by far the most expensive thing. $1970 for Non-stop flights between Hawaii and Denver (7 hour transport time vs 15 hours for connections), and the one way from Maui to Oahu. The 2nd most expensive thing. The 2-nights we splurged on Aulani for our 15th Anniversary. We rented points and those two nights are $665. But if we hadn't rented points, the room for two nights would be over $1000!
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Look at the chart posted in #22 and you'll see that the incremental price increases at the parks have been substantial over the past decade." I don't find that fact all that notable. Disneyland will charge what they think the public will pay. This is standard business practice. Not sure why that's so alarming.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It's alarming because it's overpriced. It's no different than paying $600 for a iPhone (which is what the original 8GB unit retailed for) made by cheap Chinese laborers. Yep, millions will pay it, but that fact doesn't make the price any less outrageous.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub didn't somebody say the new wristbands say Made in China ... don't know if that was a joke... I also saw laborers working on the exterior of the new Grand Floridian Villas on Sunday the weekend of Memorial Day when I was at WDW. When I commented on it to the boat captain, he reminded me that he was working also this holiday weekend and quickly added the construction workers were not hired by Disney but subcontracted out.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I think some people just don't know of think any other place will be as good as a Disney trip. This was my first major non Disney vacation and it really opened my eyes to how much I was a sucker and obsessed with Disney. I still love the parks too, but I would rather spend my money trying something new.>> I went to Europe for 10 days last year, and loved it. That being said, it's no where near cheaper for me than going to Florida. Only reason I could even afford to do it is because I had a friend living in London at the time.
