Episode 1081 - When Is Too Much?

Authored by: jaywdwdreaminnva on Monday, September 03 2012 @ 06:07 PM CDT

Gents,
This was such a timely episode for me. I'm a LONG time listener - I go back to about episode 50 - who has become "disenchanted" with the entire WDW experience. I had gotten to the point where I would just get irritated any time that I would start to think about the less value for more money aspect of many things around WDW that Scopa mentions near the end of this episode. So much so that I had quit listening around November of 2010 to all of the great WDW podcasts that had become such a wonderful part of my life. My family and I are going on the WDW Radio cruise on the Dream in November (that we booked after the first one in Feb of 2011) and might be spending a couple of days in Disney, if we don't go to Universal, so I loaded up all of the back catalog of shows that I hadn't listened to and started catching up on them this past week.

As I've been listening to the recent episodes, and I hear that Extra Magic Hours are being cut back, DVC perks are being trimmed, single day park tickets are nearing a hundred bucks, etc, a suggestion has been running around in my head to ask for you to do an "enough is enough" episode. To go through and try to think of all of the ways that the WDW experience has gone downhill in the last 5 - 10 years. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but to actually take a serious look at the difference in value over the years for a WDW vacation. From larger things like the closing of attractions while still increasing prices, to other "nickel and dime" things like the discontinuation of resort specific drink mugs, the "Disney Parks"ization of merchandising, and other things. At what point do we customers just start to say enough is enough?

I'm sad to say that after many years of being the go-to person for Walt Disney World news and information in my circle of friends that I'm more interested in taking my family on vacation to New York City than Walt Disney World (or any Disney destinations for that matter). And that just breaks my heart. While I was a bit sorry to hear Len say that he's not going to participate in the marathon this year (or stay at the Grand Floridian), it kind of makes me feel good to hear that I'm not the only one that is bothered by this long downtrend in service from a company that used to be the premier provider of outstanding service.

Hope this didn't sound too much like sour grapes and would love to hear yours and others thoughts about this,
Jay Kibler

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People often ask if I know the secret of success and if I could tell others how to make their dreams come true. My answer is you do it by working. - Walt Disney

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Authored by: SnoozeMouse on Tuesday, September 04 2012 @ 02:09 PM CDT

Man, you guys are awesome!!

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SnoozeMouse (aka Neon)

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Authored by: JimFrmEastPA on Thursday, September 06 2012 @ 06:51 PM CDT

I agree that comparing the cost of a 'Disney' Vacation to a non-Disney alternative shows Disney is grossly overpriced. Just because of the high cost of admission, food, and transportation has meant I haven't been to WDW since Oct., 2001. (I didn't mention the hotel room costs because the All-Star Resorts are only a little more than a comparable hotel during value season.)

What I find is that comparing the high cost of doing anything Disney should not be limited to just a similar experience.

Honestly, when I consider what to do for a vacation, I look at the cost vs. the experience. When I add up all of the numbers of a cost-controlled trip to WDW, I find it will cost (multiple) thousands (especially when adding food and, if desired, rental car costs). However, I have found I can go locally on a Royal Caribbean cruise from either Bayonne or Baltimore for MUCH less than WDW (and it includes the food).

I often try to peg my cruising costs to under $100/per person/day. And, I usually beat that rate. (Yes, the cost of tipping on a cruise should be considered, but even after adding that into the numbers, it still very easily beats just a Disney hotel stay (with discounts) plus cost of eating on-property.)

Just for background purposes, I consider myself a solid Disney Park person. I grew up only about 1-2 exits down the freeway from DL. Whenever I infrequently visit family in CA (weddings, birthdays, funerals, etc), I always try to stop by and visit DL. I love the Disney brand (and get harassed by friends and family about it). I have numerous Disney records, CDs, t-shirts, videos, and more. (I know I have a 1968 DL Guide somewhere.) I even asked Len Testa how much he thought the cost of one day at a Disney Park was worth (while at one of the Magic Meets). (BTW, he said $100.) I love Disney, and dream of returning to the parks. I just have a lot of trouble justifying the total amount of money it will take for a proper visit to the parks when I can have a great time seeing other fun and interesting places and not spend a large bundle of money.

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Authored by: Gregg P on Monday, September 10 2012 @ 06:37 PM CDT

I just posted a Blog Entry that was triggered by this episode - www.runningwdw.com/1/post/2012/09/sup...mand.html.
I believe you guys should dedicate more time on the subject of price increases and supply & demand. We all know what we want as customers and uber Disney fans, but we also know Disney does not need to cater to us - the "we are going to Disney no matter what" crowd.

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