Originally Posted By dshyates "^^^^^More room for me!" I think there may be plenty of elbow room in 09.
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^You mean WDW won't experience record crowds with the opening of American Idol at MGM?
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^^Geez, that's another problem I have with Disney. One of the banes of American television (the others include all those stupid judge shows, Jerry Springer and Maury Povich) coming to WDW. Yuck yuck yuck yuck YUCK! BTW, I got an email from Disney tonight offering 6 days/5 nights in a value resort plus park tickets for $371/adult for dates running through December 23. The bargains have begun.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <However, because I don't harp on those problems in post after post after post, I'm considered a pollyanna by some< I'm with ya Nikki - I don't think I've ever been called a Pollyana here, andI certainly agree with Davewasbaloo - but I don'thave the option of going to DL Paris for anywhere near the same cost. With the value of the dollar overseas my options don't leave me with much. As I said,I just re upped my AP for $335 ( I stillhave all kinds of pluses left on old media I use for waterparks) - I absolutely want all kinds of things fixed and improved - but I am OK with this right now. I showed the increase in AP over 5 years above. 13% over 5 years fr a deluxe AP ! For everyone who is outraged - how many other items have gone up only 13% in the last 5 years ? Cost of a McD value meal ? Gasolines ? Milk ? Property taxes ? new car ? suit ? Groceries ? health insurance ? Starbucks ? -- I'd like to have any of these at a 13% increase - so if I am going to boycott something- I'll make it McD's - that way I also get to lose someweight as an extra benefit. the fact of the matter is the economy in the US right now is whacked -it sucks. And we are getting nickle and dimed ( actually quartered and dollared) to death across the board on every single item. So if people cut out WDW because food and gasoline are more important - I totally understand, but compare the increases to everything else and it at worst falls right in line. Sad but true oh and candy bars, bottles of salad dressing, and many packaged items have gotten smaller over the past 12 months - and for an increased price. It's like the food companies figure you won't notice 2 ounces less here etc. - I wish it was different at WDW,I truly do - but they are not unique here
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I've recently priced weekend vacations in New York and Vegas and those would cost me as much or more than a week in WDW, even with the price increase. The fact of the matter is that the AP I'm going to buy come January is going to cover 14 days (or more, if I get my way) at WDW. I figured that I'm spending about $35 per day on my AP - even with the price increase, that deal is fantastic. Sure I could go to Universal for cheaper, but my mom would be limited as to which rides she could experience - it would be a cold day before she'd go on Twister or anything similar. In addition, it's NOT Disney. In my book, Disney is still the best in the business as far as guest service and guest experience is concerned.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>> Disney is still the best in the business as far as guest service and guest experience is concerned. <<< Try Marriott some time, it would open your eyes. Same with the service in Vegas and at good restaurants too. Disney used to be the best and that is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with them. Sadly I now question their position. And VBDAD, to me, DL in Anaheim is the very best. I would have thought that would cost about the same for you as WDW? Don't get me wrong, DLP is not perfect, far from it. There are many things WDW do better than DLP, but not worth the time and money for us (same debate as some have for defending WDW). And with -em's post, again, I wish some of the increases would go to the cast members. Great for them, and for us as guests, great for us as Disney hire the best people.
Originally Posted By dshyates Well, one of the reasons WDW is cheaper for some is transportation costs getting there. No matter how I break it down, driving is by far the cheapest way to get my family to a Disney Destination. Being in WV, WDW is still the cheapest Disney vacation for us. For me, its not just the cost, and I won't even call it the decline in quality, which is obvious, but the attitude in which Disney has decided to conduct business. I call it the money grubbing. Thier lust for my money is palpable. It makes me uncomfortable. I know most people don't notice, or if they do they shrug it off, or even laugh at it, but it bothers me.
Originally Posted By dshyates This doesn't bode well for liking Universal: <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2008/07/28/daily30.html" target="_blank">http://www.bizjournals.com/los...y30.html</a>
Originally Posted By danyoung >Even with these issues, I still love WDW and I still get excited when planning my trips. However, because I don't harp on those problems in post after post after post, I'm considered a pollyanna by some.< Kinda sad, isn't it? I'm with you - not happy about having to pay more, but a long way from boycotting. The Florida parks are still incredibly popular and growing, which gives Disney justification to raise prices. Simply a market reaction. If they hit a point where attendance falls off, then they'll lower them again. Till then, prices going up is no big surprise.
Originally Posted By dshyates Do do find it interesting that on the same day they announced the price increase, Nikki gets an email offing very steep discounting. And Nikki, I have to ask, usually when you go, how many folks do you travel with? I know you mentioned your Mom, but does she usually pay her own way? If going meant multiplying the cost by 3 (my situation) or 4 (average family), would you feel the same way?
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<And Nikki, I have to ask, usually when you go, how many folks do you travel with? I know you mentioned your Mom, but does she usually pay her own way? If going meant multiplying the cost by 3 (my situation) or 4 (average family), would you feel the same way?>> dshyates, I'm a single woman on a teacher's salary. I can't afford to pay for anyone other than myself. I would feel differently about the price of EVERYTHING, not just Disney, if I had three other people to pay for. It would still be cheaper to visit Disney than to take a family of four to New York based on the prices I've found recently. On my salary I couldn't afford to take a family on vacation, but as I said, I'm single, so it's a moot point.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Try Marriott some time, it would open your eyes. Same with the service in Vegas and at good restaurants too.>> I doubt that - Marriott and Vegas are missing something critical: a mouse in red pants with yellow shoes and gloves. I don't go to Disney just for the guest service, dave. I go for the experience. I don't expect five star hotel service because I don't stay at five star hotels. The cast members have been gracious and have gone out of their way to accommodate me on every trip I've made to WDW. I have a wonderful time every time I go to WDW. I love that I can drive through the gates and forget about the drudgery of every day life back home. It's my version of utopia on Earth, and that's why I keep going back.
Originally Posted By dshyates I used to be able to take my family to Disney. When I lived in Denver we drove to DLR 3 times and had a ball. But Disney Price increases have out paced my salary gains. Now its not really an option. They have priced me out. And that is being a Photographer for CBS. Actually I can still take them if I want stay off-prop. Take advantage of the free Continental Breakfast, only snack in the parks, and hit Wendy's on U.S. 19 on the way out. We did it in '06. It wasn't all that much fun. Last year we went to Universal for a week. Ate what we wanted (Margaritaville, Pat O'Brian's, etc.) and even had enough left over to see La Nouba. We didn't stay at a Universal hotel, but had better accomadations than what we could afford when we went to Disney. We still got a Florida vacation and had a better time. I do understand that its all based on MY budget, and if I was pulling down twice what I am, I would probably feel differently. But as I said, I used to be able to take my family to Disney. Now, its more trouble than its worth.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Try Marriott some time, it would open your eyes< I had 2 very bad experiences with Marriott vacation clubs about 8 - 10 years ago - both in Orlando. Without going into detail I wouldn't go back,even though I realize ( and hear ) that these were their earlier attempts and things are much improved. I am not a Marriott chain fan either - have had other issues with them while traveling on business and also with a situation involving my daughter in college and the way they treated her in an emergency -( ice storms knocked out power for 4 days ( heat also) for college homes and when my 22 year old went for a room - they first didn't want to give her one, then the manager told her he would - for 3 times the going rate but told her they wouldn't take a debit card - wanted almost $1000 cash). I called the manager and offered my credit card over the phone as well as my corporate membership number as guarantee and he told me basically to screw off. Then once I contacted the Regional VP ( used to be one of my offices accounts) all of a sudden apologies all around ,misunderstandings - offers of free stays ( which I turned down). By the way I was in Europe at the time and had to be making these calls to try and find my daughter a place to stay while it was below zero in St Louis and the heat in her house had been off for 16 hours. Sorry, the Hilton chain in St Louis offered her a room, at a fraction of the rate, gladly accepted her debit card - I sent a scathing note to Marriott HQ - only to get a form letter in reply - I will never stay at a Marriott related location in my life . I also sent the complete story to my corporate HQ ( we have more than a few people who travel - funny they had plenty of complaints and as a corporation now use the Hilton chain also. I know it can happen anywhere but it seems there was a pattern besides my issues
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <And VBDAD, to me, DL in Anaheim is the very best. I would have thought that would cost about the same for you as WDW< 1/ I use my DVC points to stay at WDW - the exhange rate to Disney hotels is not real good so DL is a pay as I go affair. 2/ We drive to WDW - it is a full days drive longer each way to DL. Airfare for 4 plus a car rental while there ( you must have) - makes this a much more expensive proposition 3/ I love DL - I was raised on it, but truthfully WDW offers more of a vacation experience overall than Southern California for me. I love LA - but it is far from cheap. We still go to DL except only about every 5-6 years or so. My best friend lives in Irvine - so it's a nice trip.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 DWB - when I want quality service we pay for it and stay at Four Seasons or some of the Starwood Hotels ( or equivalent) hotels/ resorts, so I also am not looking for that level of service at Disney resorts - it is a different experience there, one with emotional ties I fully admit. Does that give them a 'pass' ? Maybe for some things - but like I said I do not expect Old Key West to be the Ritz-Carlton. Should it be ? Maybe...but again a different audience. btw - I have had this discussion before with a person who also tries to understand the emotional attachment. My wife's best friends brother is married to one of the hieress's of the Hyatt Hotel chain. This friend wanted to know why we wouldn't stay Hyatt everywhere...and I have stayed there before on occasion, but have no emotional attachment.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Understandable VBDAD - your Marriott experiences sound like some of my WDW ones (except your daughter's experience). I have had nothing but great stays at MVCI. Also, my stays in the high end DLP hotels and the Grand Californian have honestly rivalled any 4 Seasons/Ritz Carlton/Starwood experiences, WDW never has yet has higher rates than the GCH. Driving is a whole other issue. It makes sense to go to the resort you can drive to. As you say, sentimentality can really play a role. I grew up on DL then mainly DLP. Intimate resorts you can walk around where 70+ attractions are available without a bus, boat or monorail commute. It feels in attraction counts like WDW only offers 20% more but with long commutes and horrid weather (cannot stand humidity). I can say that we always ditch the car when we go to DL. It is not necessary at all unless you want to explore other areas.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris "There's no way in hell I'd pony up $75 for one day at a single WDW park" Personally, I think anybody who pays that amount for a single day is a little nuts, too. That was why, when I came from Australia in 2001 and stayed for 23 nights, we bought the Premium AP for about $480, IIRC. EXTREMELY good value. It's the whiny people who expect to visit WDW four times per year and not pay a certain amount for it(and who probably cannot really afford it anyway!)who are bleeting the loudest. Try visiting once on your lifetime and see how it feels!
