General Discussion

Tommy_Carcetti

(44,599 posts)

119. Disney World is an overpriced tourist trap.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Tue Jun 16, 2015, 10:28 AM

Jun 2015

I live in Florida and I managed to avoid it for the first 30 or so years of my life, but when I finally went, I can't see what was so great about the place. It's horrifically overcrowded, the lines are long, and the rides suck compared to other major amusement parks. They are all old and outdated. The place continues to sell itself on a sense of nostalgia and some bogus "Disney magic", and beating you over the head with their movie products (which would be far more enjoyable had Disney not marketed the hell out of them.)

It's sad that some people's idea of a Florida vacation is flying to the Orlando airport, taking a shuttle directly to Disney World, and spending a week there without leaving Disney grounds before taking a shuttle back to the airport and flying home. There are so many places in the area that are so much more worthwhile visiting than Disney.

A few years ago, I saw commercials for Disney advertising "affordable" hotel and park packages. What was "affordable"? Why, $1,700 was "affordable" in the eyes of Disney. No joke.

I've frequently compared Disney World to North Korea, and while I'm being sarcastic, it's not as crazy as it sounds. Think about it. The place has a cult of personality about everything Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. There are constantly parades and celebrations revolving around everything Disney. The people who work in the parks (referred to as "cast members&quot are forced to put on an unnaturally happy face no matter what (or otherwise face the consequences). They do so with severe restrictions as to what they can wear or how they groom their hair. And they do so all while in certain circumstances being severely underpaid.

As illustration of the Disney World/North Korea common mindset perception, I give to you:

One is North Korea's infamously vacant Ryugyong Hotel. The other is Disney's not vacant Dolphin Resort.

Still don't believe me? Well, there's this:

?w=349&h=219

This is all sarcasm, of course. At least I think it is.....

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Disney parks price out the middle class [View all] Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2015 OP

Didn't read the whole article yet SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #1

We live in the area and have not attended Disney in decades. Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #2

Hi neighbor! DawgHouse Jun 2015 #47

It really does. Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #48

Actually Universal is only marginally cheaper than Disney LordGlenconner Jun 2015 #121

As I recall. Can't you buy a season ticket to Universal for about a two day pass? alphafemale Jun 2015 #67

I believe they have two major things going for them. Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #68

If you're ever there, my daughter (WannaBeGrumpy) works there ScreamingMeemie Jun 2015 #90

LOVE the Mummy! Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #95

Haha! I spend the entirety of Rip Ride Rocket trying to keep my composure :) ScreamingMeemie Jun 2015 #96

My daughter got up early one morning and got there when the park opened Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #103

We live in east Orlando and go 2 to 4 times a year Peregrine Jun 2015 #101

We will probably try a new Lodge next time. Baitball Blogger Jun 2015 #104

Believe it or not, it has been cheaper for us to buy yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #131

Yes but based on the comparasion of admission for the price of gopiscrap Jun 2015 #3

Everything was cheaper back in the day yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #133

it has everything to do with the story gopiscrap Jun 2015 #144

The original admission price did not include ride tickets. Kablooie Jun 2015 #18

Was just going to post the same thing ... I remember those days ... brett_jv Jun 2015 #26

It's where the expression "E ticket" comes from. n/t jaysunb Jun 2015 #73

I remember E tickets! ManiacJoe Jun 2015 #183

Thanks ProfessorGAC Jun 2015 #153

Perhaps but I just went and it was PACKED yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #84

Nobody said it wasn't packed. DL/DW aren't being packed by the Middle-Class, was the argument. WinkyDink Jun 2015 #161

So the 19 million visitors to Disney World and 16 million visitors to Disneyland onenote Jun 2015 #167

It's not affordable for the average family. They've priced themselves out of that market. MADem Jun 2015 #105

You can choose to believe whatever you like SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #109

We skipped it last time we were in FL. Too many of us, too rich for our blood. MADem Jun 2015 #110

I agree that going for a single day is not worth the price SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #111

Now that's a Modern Family vacation...! MADem Jun 2015 #112

Yeah, our friends think we're kind of nuts SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #113

If it works for you, it's all good....! MADem Jun 2015 #116

Saint Augustine is great! Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #123

We really enjoyed ourselves there--had a lovely, relaxing time wandering around. MADem Jun 2015 #142

I'm sorry, but $3,400 is not "very affordable". Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #122

3400 is actually affordable. Less then half of a monthly yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #134

The majority of Americans make $81,000 a year? nt Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #135

The majority make around 7000 yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #138

Try $3700 and change. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #139

That might be the mean household income. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2015 #159

You think the majority of Americans make $84,ooo a year?! WinkyDink Jun 2015 #165

The "average" family is just trying to pay for rent/mortgage, food, insurance, taxes, car, etc. Arugula Latte Jun 2015 #145

Pries quoted in the OP are single day admission for Magic Kingdom liberal N proud Jun 2015 #126

There are still families that just can't imagine spending that kind of scratch on a vacation. MADem Jun 2015 #141

Well I'd love to go to the Hamptons but that is not happening yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #170

Disney is Family Amusement's version of State Colleges and Universities.... MADem Jun 2015 #171

The beach itself is usually pretty affordable. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #175

A ticket is more than my month's food budget. sofa king Jun 2015 #120

There are 40 million just like you. Le Taz Hot Jun 2015 #191

Have never been to Disney in all of my 67 years. GoneOffShore Jun 2015 #4

+1 daleanime Jun 2015 #10

From some accounts I've read Unkkie Walt was a Nazi sympathizer and antisemite who welcomed azurnoir Jun 2015 #22

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of truth to that. Hissyspit Jun 2015 #27

Really from the link you provided azurnoir Jun 2015 #30

Did you read the whole thing? Hissyspit Jun 2015 #32

Yes I did, but defend if you wish but personally the membership in MPAPI is enough azurnoir Jun 2015 #33

In the late 70s my little brother & friends tried to get jobs there, but the hiring policy was appalachiablue Jun 2015 #97

Your little brother and his friends are probably very lucky arikara Jun 2015 #140

I can see how that would be the case in the entertainment industry even going back to appalachiablue Jun 2015 #143

Well, it;s been open for sixty or so of those years--so you were just a little whippersnapper when MADem Jun 2015 #106

Been there one time, and you know what? MattSh Jun 2015 #107

Disney. A name that might immediately make one think of this: Cooley Hurd Jun 2015 #5

+1 daleanime Jun 2015 #9

Actually... Kablooie Jun 2015 #19

True, but they treat their customers differently... Cooley Hurd Jun 2015 #20

Yep. Being a modern American company, profit can corrupt things somewhat. Kablooie Jun 2015 #21

How do they treat customers differently? SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #61

Google it.. Cooley Hurd Jun 2015 #75

Nope, not going to bother SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #88

Post removed Post removed Jun 2015 #89

They don't treat their investors too well either Yupster Jun 2015 #78

Personal experience: I would have agreed with you once on all fronts. ScreamingMeemie Jun 2015 #91

Disney World was the key catalyst for the sprawl that devoured Central Florida. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #124

Surge pricing 'systems' basically gouge us even more at peak times. PatrickforO Jun 2015 #6

Uber @$#!s its drivers as well. SusanCalvin Jun 2015 #92

In 1971, you had to buy books of tickets for each ride Bad Thoughts Jun 2015 #7

I went to WDW in 1976 (@ 11) Cooley Hurd Jun 2015 #13

Was there in 1975 BumRushDaShow Jun 2015 #15

Not sure I follow the logic ... brett_jv Jun 2015 #28

But it didn't... Cooley Hurd Jun 2015 #29

Yeah, that's where the old "E-Ticket" expression came from. Gidney N Cloyd Jun 2015 #14

I lived within throwing distance of The Mouse from 1970-2012. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #8

In spite of the cost, the Magic Kingdom is always jammed full. mn9driver Jun 2015 #11

Yep. /\/\/\ dembotoz Jun 2015 #31

I understand airlines think the same way. HughBeaumont Jun 2015 #34

even in September after school starts? pstokely Jun 2015 #146

Yes; that is exactly what the article stated. WinkyDink Jun 2015 #166

My parents took me to Disneyland when I was 13. neverforget Jun 2015 #12

Ha!....exactly the same here. I was 13 and will not darken their door again. BlueJazz Jun 2015 #45

My 11 year old daughter wants to go, but she can go with neverforget Jun 2015 #54

The family across the street went in the early part of May. (mom, dad, 2 children) BlueJazz Jun 2015 #56

if you research there are good time to go wilt the stilt Jun 2015 #59

That makes sense. BlueJazz Jun 2015 #87

And yet the place is still packed n/t Adrahil Jun 2015 #99

you were too old for Disney by that point pstokely Jun 2015 #147

I know someone who took their kids for a 2 day trip to Disneyland kimbutgar Jun 2015 #16

are they willing to on the debt for college? pstokely Jun 2015 #148

Disneyland - Anaheim - Tom Sawyer's Island - "Injun Joe's Cave"..... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2015 #17

I read where there are various websites that post places to get high in Disney. GoneOffShore Jun 2015 #42

Another place that's popular is the Skyway.... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2015 #55

Evil Disney ellisonz Jun 2015 #23

I have never been middle class so not a huge loss to me cstanleytech Jun 2015 #24

I'm really sorry A Little Weird Jun 2015 #41

Marketing at it's creepiest. They know exactly what they're doing ... Auggie Jun 2015 #25

Makes sense and I would do the same OhWiseOne Jun 2015 #37

>>This is not a charity. If you need charity find one of those.<< inanna Jun 2015 #57

I haven't been to Disneyland in years Politicalboi Jun 2015 #35

If you do you homework in advance and search around Disney on the internet it can be affordable... Historic NY Jun 2015 #36

Thanks for the link Fritz Walter Jun 2015 #44

Yep SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #46

I bought in last yr and a little more this year.... Historic NY Jun 2015 #69

The old version of Tables in Wonderland is what we used to use SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2015 #72

In 1955, my parents took me and my two siblings MineralMan Jun 2015 #38

Out of curiosity, I checked what the value in today's dollars... GReedDiamond Jun 2015 #62

Thanks for doing the calculation. I didn't think to do that. MineralMan Jun 2015 #63

Yeah, I liked Autopia, also, the Submarine ride...nt GReedDiamond Jun 2015 #64

That one was cool, too. I don't think it exists any more. MineralMan Jun 2015 #65

Submarine is gone, last time I checked... GReedDiamond Jun 2015 #66

I first visited in 1957. SusanCalvin Jun 2015 #93

Important to note that Disney isn't alone here concerning prices davidn3600 Jun 2015 #39

Glad my days are past for visiting "the magical kingdom"... Hulk Jun 2015 #40

I have great memories of taking my kids to WDW Orlando. nt Logical Jun 2015 #43

506 bucks a night per room for the Aniheim Disney Hotel olddots Jun 2015 #49

1) Have you been to Disneyland before and 2) Have you priced downtown hotels in major cities? Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2015 #81

We spent over 400 bucks a night at Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati and I thought B Calm Jun 2015 #149

Yes and the hotel at Disney is just for the hotel -you still have to pay park admission gollygee Jun 2015 #151

100 bucks a day for one person/one theme park entrance is too high! At least Great Wolf Lodge B Calm Jun 2015 #164

This is a bit tangential, but a friend of mine was sued by Disney GoneOffShore Jun 2015 #50

Universal Studios Orlando is in the same price range. William769 Jun 2015 #51

Generally, Universal and Busch Gardens (especially late in the summer) offer locals incredible deals Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2015 #83

Skiing, NFL games, MLB games, ocean cruises, concerts -- all cost the same GreatGazoo Jun 2015 #52

BINGO!!!!!!! SusanCalvin Jun 2015 #94

They were bad enough in the late 80s Warpy Jun 2015 #53

I've been there 5 times and I think it is absoutely great wilt the stilt Jun 2015 #58

^^This^^ Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2015 #71

Maybe with LA going to a $15 minimum wage Camelback Jun 2015 #60

This article is about 20% true and about 80% misleading Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2015 #70

it's been 17 years barbtries Jun 2015 #74

People seem to be very divided on this... Phentex Jun 2015 #137

that's a crock Takket Jun 2015 #76

My sister has a friend who work for Disney lunamagica Jun 2015 #77

I know how to fix this. Rod Beauvex Jun 2015 #79

Doesn't Disneyland enjoy Proposition 13 protections? U4ikLefty Jun 2015 #80

Maybe they're trying to build up funds kentauros Jun 2015 #82

All I know is that there were plenty of middle class people there when I visited... brooklynite Jun 2015 #85

Can't tell a book.... WinkyDink Jun 2015 #162

When I was a kid, I whined endlessly wanting to go to Six Flags Over Texas. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2015 #86

Yes our "vacations" were trips to relatives too! Freddie Jun 2015 #179

That's interesting. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2015 #180

did you live within driving distance of place like Six Flags? pstokely Jun 2015 #187

Dorney Park in Allentown Freddie Jun 2015 #193

Houston is 250 miles from Dallas. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2015 #197

did they think college was frivolous? pstokely Jun 2015 #189

Nope. They paid for it and then said that's why they were broke. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2015 #198

Little racist about the H1B visas. nt MadDAsHell Jun 2015 #98

How so? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2015 #114

Send the billionaires to Jurassic World! lovemydog Jun 2015 #100

Expensive? Yes. But the place is still PACKED. Adrahil Jun 2015 #102

The last time I was at Disneyland was back in June 2001 davidpdx Jun 2015 #108

1982 was the last and only time I went. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2015 #115

Carl Hiassen wrote a book about Disney QED Jun 2015 #117

Rebuttal to Washington Post hit piece. Historic NY Jun 2015 #118

Another Media Fail by the Washington Post liberal N proud Jun 2015 #130

Disney fanatics are loyal to a fault, if nothing else. nt Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #136

Disney World is an overpriced tourist trap. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2015 #119

LOL. Those pictures are awesome. PersonNumber503602 Jun 2015 #182

Can't wait to take my kids next year for the first time! We are middle class and are going to cbdo2007 Jun 2015 #125

My counterpart at the center up the road is a Disneyland fanatic KamaAina Jun 2015 #127

Strange. My regular bartender, at a cheap local sports bar, just came back whatthehey Jun 2015 #128

That happened a LONG time ago SoCalDem Jun 2015 #129

teen boys aren't exactly the Disney demographic (unless they're Star Wars or Marvel fanboys) pstokely Jun 2015 #150

they were teens SoCalDem Jun 2015 #163

did they have access to a car or did you drop them off at the park for a day? pstokely Jun 2015 #186

They drove thmeselves SoCalDem Jun 2015 #188

who paid for their gas and insurance? pstokely Jun 2015 #190

Their older brother (whose car it was) SoCalDem Jun 2015 #195

I don't find Disney to be higher priced than most other vacation destinations. Ace Rothstein Jun 2015 #132

Recently went to Universal studios, SHOCKED at the gate price, whatever it was randys1 Jun 2015 #152

I can imagine no greater Hell than having to go to Disney World Orrex Jun 2015 #154

Figure $1200 to $1500 a day for a family of 4 (not including airfare) gollygee Jun 2015 #155

That's not even a close estimate. Ace Rothstein Jun 2015 #174

Disneyland at Grand Californian gollygee Jun 2015 #184

Why did you pick the most expensive hotel on property? Ace Rothstein Jun 2015 #194

3 day pass is $78 per day, park-hopper upgrade is $40 gollygee Jun 2015 #196

When we went last year (our first and last time with the kids), we did a lot to cut costs. Butterbean Jun 2015 #156

When we went gollygee Jun 2015 #157

Yep. We did the same. Butterbean Jun 2015 #168

I read it somehwere gollygee Jun 2015 #169

Next time, get the fast pass. Cuts line time significantly yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #172

Oh no, we didn't only ride 4 rides. I meant that in a general sense. Butterbean Jun 2015 #177

Ok. I totally understand. yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #178

Maybe we'll have a coupon day or something. NuclearDem Jun 2015 #158

�They're going to set their prices at the top 10 percent of family incomes...." says it all. WinkyDink Jun 2015 #160

a little Disneyland history olddots Jun 2015 #173

It's a once in a while thing for many JI7 Jun 2015 #176

kids influence the decisions in many families pstokely Jun 2015 #185

What kind of steak are they charging $115 for? PersonNumber503602 Jun 2015 #181

hotels outside WDW are better deals pstokely Jun 2015 #192