Originally Posted By Blackie Pueblo Am I wrong in thinking Walt said he wanted his parks to be a once in a month thing? I could have sworn he wanted the parks to be a magical vacation for EVERYONE not just the rich. I could be wrong. But let's be honest. Unless your a Florida resident, don't you think visiting Disney World is becoming almost a once in a life time vacation for familes? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Newest short is in pre production! <a href="http://www.newlineagefilms.com" target="_blank">http://www.newlineagefilms.com</a>
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Speaking of which, has anyone besides me noticed how gas prices are on the way up again and this time without assistance from a natural disaster? No excuses this time. The next election will find me voting for whomever vows to go after the money grubbing oil companies and there wholesalers. Unfortunately, because of old gorgeous George the only topic will be the war. That needs to end too, by the way!
Originally Posted By Kylesmom When gas prices reach $4/gal that when Disney's going to have to start slashing prices. No one is going to want to travel any further than 50 miles for their entertainments.
Originally Posted By Blackie Pueblo Anyone else agree that Disney World trip is starting to be for one class? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our newest short film is in pre production! <a href="http://www.newlineagefilms.com" target="_blank">http://www.newlineagefilms.com</a>
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney ^^Not at all, Blackie. I have been at WDW since its early days and I find more lower income people now than ever. Perhaps they are getting a second mortgage to afford it? But seriously, I would think that the newer ticket options and $1500 seven day packages are affordable to many people who couldn't go even a decade ago.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn I'm going to vote for the highest level American oil executive as possible (Condi?). That person will be better equipped to prevent further Saudi ownership of the US. All of the oil figureheads in Michael Moore's movies should be candidates. And hopefully that'll help out with the price of gas to get to/from WDW.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <When gas prices reach $4/gal that when Disney's going to have to start slashing prices. No one is going to want to travel any further than 50 miles for their entertainments< a few years ago people said the same thing about $2 gallon -- what happened - the largest driving summer ever ....
Originally Posted By vbdad55 boy a casual mention to gas prices and World Events breaks out here ...I'll be more careful next time. I left that section 6 months ago...never to return
Originally Posted By Kylesmom I know I'd but cutting my recreational driving WAY back at $4/gal. Gas prices are part of the reason I'm not a pass holder any more.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn WDW should start its own nuclear power generation facility to run all of its power and expanded monorail systems.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>But let's be honest. Unless your a Florida resident, don't you think visiting Disney World is becoming almost a once in a life time vacation for familes?<< I know more than a few families for whom this is the case. How many people can afford airfare, $100+ hotels, in resort meals, hoppers, etc. We can never do a trip to either WDW or DLR for less than $4K. Sure we stay several days and eat more than just burgers, but still. Now if you are a local, then its different. You can get a local resident AP at a discount and visit a great many times. But unless you live in SoCal or the Orlando/Tampa area its kinda hard to pull off. Some people will be within driving distance, and will be able to take a shorter (and less expensive) trip. But even that demographic is limited. DLR gets Arizona, Nevada and the Bay Area. WDW gets some SE states.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>But seriously, I would think that the newer ticket options and $1500 seven day packages are affordable to many people who couldn't go even a decade ago.<< But those packages don't include airfare or meals. Factor those in and the price can easily double or more, depending on where you are flying from and where you eat your meals. And we are talking about All Stars or Pop Century accomodations. This isn't chump change for the average family.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I have been at WDW since its early days and I find more lower income people now than ever.<< I have learned never to make assumptions about people's incomes based on the way they dress or talk. For instance, a lot of people have been making a killing in construction trades, especialy electricians and plumbers. I know a guy who is a residential AC/HVAC subcontractor, and he is swimming in money. They might wear cammies and talk like Cletus from the Simpsons, but perhaps they also made 100K+ last year.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Unless your a Florida resident, don't you think visiting Disney World is becoming almost a once in a life time vacation for familes?>> Disney isn't gouging, IMO (maintenance and quality issues aside.) They raise their ticket prices every year, just as most people get an increase in pay every year. What has driven the cost of a trip to WDW (or DL) up significantly in the recent past is the cost of getting there. Disney has no control over the price of gasoline or airfares. The other two costs are lodging and food. Staying in cheap motels and cooking your own food will save a LOT of money over the alternatives.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 All I can figure is that those who constantly bi%%% about WDW prices never: go to the show go to the theatre go out to eat spend any time in a major city buy gas buy a car look at their insurance bills travel anywhere else than WDW etc -- look at the YTY -- decade to decade increase % for these items - and then tell me how WDW is out of line ? It is not far to expect WDW to hold the line on prices , increase attractions , expand hours etc etc - it just doesn't work that way. I think things like AP's -- being able to buy 10 days worth of tickets without an expiration date and get the daily entry for far less than a one day ticket that seems to be the center of consternation here -- even if you don't go back for 10 years. not meaning to sound snobbish, because I have been both very poor and pretty well off in my life-- and the thing I learned is it's all about priorities -- there are times when food/ housing is a priority and WDW is a pipe dream -- and there may be times when you can afford both -- take advantage when you have the opportunities, -- as with companies axing pension plans ( trust me I know on this one) - and jobs moving 'offshore" - the future is guaranteed for no one.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I am a FIRM believer that you can do Disney on a budget. Believe me I'm an expert! You can drive, stay off property, and buy/ cook your own meals. There is no reason why anyone visiting Disney needs to go in hock. Disney just like any other company is about "using their magic" to entice you out of your money. Did I ever tell you guys about a buddy of mine who lives in Jacksonville, FL? He went on vaction last summer to Europe and was so angry at the 15% sales tax for meals in Venise, Italy he didn't leave a trip. When he told me this I laughed. He goes to Disney very frequently and doesn't have an issue with paying 11.5% sales tax for hotels in Orlando. I agree with vbdad, its all about priorities. I have in-laws that smoke four packs a day but complain about the price of a loaf of bread. Get Real!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>You can drive, stay off property, and buy/ cook your own meals.<< Hey, why stop there? You could hitchhike and sleep in hoboville (freeway under pass land). Kidding aside, for some driving is not an option. It would take 3 days each way from Denver. DLR is a day and a half, which is still a long drive (plus multiday drives require hotels, meals and you burn precious vacation days just driving). Sure you can cook, but then you need a kitchenette, which implies a suite, which are pricier. Plus who wants to cook while on vacation? (I guess you could stock up on frozen dinners).
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>not meaning to sound snobbish, because I have been both very poor and pretty well off in my life-- and the thing I learned is it's all about priorities -- there are times when food/ housing is a priority and WDW is a pipe dream -- and there may be times when you can afford both -- take advantage when you have the opportunities< True. Right now we are busy halping the Orthodondist pay for his 7 series BMW. >>as with companies axing pension plans ( trust me I know on this one) - and jobs moving 'offshore" - the future is guaranteed for no one.<< Sad but true. Which should make the average consumer less likely to crack the wallet open. Here's hoping for a "soft landing" as the housing boom (bubble?) comes to an end.
Originally Posted By wam0418 The way to save is to look around for value season. Cheaper flights and a budget. My wife and I are going to WDW in February which is regular season. We paid 1538.00 for the two of us to stay at Pop Century for 10 nights and 10 days. That included tickets and room. Where I saved my money was for the airline tickets. I got Southwest Airlines. Paid 54.88 for a one way there. x2 = 109.76 for the both of us. Then same for the return flight. And then I am bringing 1000.00 Cash to the trip which it covers both of us. I do not buy souveniers either. No Need to. Been so many times. I think it is fair pricing. Ande remind you, not value season. It is usually cheaper when I go in September. A couple hundred dollars cheaper. PS... Nothing in this world is cheap any way. It costs me 49.95 for a 1 day ticket to Six Flags in Mass. Which to me, doesn't even compare to A Disney theme park. Also a movie for us is 9.50 per adult. 3.50 fos a medium soda. 4.50 for a medium popcorn. Which me and my wife share becaus of the price. So WDW wants to make money. Thats the only way to continue to make children smile.To the people who want to go... The only thing you can do is SAVE! Book 6 -9 months ahead and pay as you wait to go. Im actually going again in Oct and Im going to book it when I come home from WDW on fEB 13. and then start to watch for the cheap tickets for southwest airlines.
