Originally Posted by DougB (Post 685666)

I went to Disney the first day they opened in Oct. 1971. General admission without any "Adventure Book A - E" ride tickets was only $3.75. With the ride tickets a little more. When Epcot opened in 1982, tickets were $15 to either park. By then they had stopped the A - E tickets.

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1 (Post 685667)

When Disney World first opened (and for many years thereafter), guests purchased a book of ride tickets (similar to what you would get at a carnival or fair). The book consisted of A through E tickets, with the E tickets being the best rides.

Eleven Adventure Ticket Book: Adult $5.75, Junior $5.25, Children $4.75
(included transportation, admission to MK and eleven adventures)
__________________

In 1972, I had my first job after college at the VA Hospital in Gainesville. Magnificent salary of $7,319 per year or equates to $3.51 per hour. I went to Disney World that year a couple of times with a couple of different girls. The $5.75 plus parking (and gas from Gainesville to Orlando and back) added up to quite a bit from that $3.51 per hour.

Compute those figures to a decent salary for a family now and it probably is in the same ratio ballpark.

Still, $99 for a single day of amusement park is a heck of a lot of money!!

Originally Posted by buggyone (Post 685933)

Again, I have to question how many people are actually paying that full price. I really think that it's a matter of setting the prices high enough to allow for the multitude of discounts and freebies.

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer (Post 685629)

Yesterday, Disney followed Universal's recent price increase and is now the most expensive park in Florida. At $95.00 plus tax, it will now cost a family of four (over 10 years old) over $400.00 just to get into the Park. Add food to that cost and you have a very expensive outing for sure. My last trip to Disney cost three of us nearly $300.00, stood in lines for hours and hours and was only able to ride four rides and watch the parade. The entry fee to Disney has doubles since 2000. This price increases concerns me because I believe there are many average families with children who might never have the funds to attend either of the parks.

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer (Post 685629)

Yesterday, Disney followed Universal's recent price increase and is now the most expensive park in Florida. At $95.00 plus tax, it will now cost a family of four (over 10 years old) over $400.00 just to get into the Park. Add food to that cost and you have a very expensive outing for sure. My last trip to Disney cost three of us nearly $300.00, stood in lines for hours and hours and was only able to ride four rides and watch the parade. The entry fee to Disney has doubles since 2000. This price increases concerns me because I believe there are many average families with children who might never have the funds to attend either of the parks.

Originally Posted by Ragman (Post 685987)

Food prices are absurd but it's no different than a sporting event. We went to a Rays game and a 12 ounce beer is $10.00. If I recall correctly, hot dogs were
$8.00.

Some food prices are high but much of it is affordable.

Sushi combo at Japan is about $ 1 or more than Publix.

Seasons at Epcot has fresh (veggies are raised on site) meals priced around $ 10.

Flame Tree BBQ and Yak And Yeti at AK are reasonable. Large portions. Adult couples split the entree.

Most counter service items can be split and combos can be reduced to sandwich only. Ice water is free at counter service outlets with or without purchase.

Character dining is IMO a ripoff, but if you're one a once a generation trip with kids or grand-kids, go for it.

Liquor is expensive; no Villages 241 happy hour there.

Disney is a resort and priced accordingly. You can go cheaply by cutting corners or have the lavish vacation of your life, but not both.

We have seasonal weekday passes and love going anytime we would want to go (wouldn't be caught dead there at busy seasons) and since everyday is Saturday at the Villages the weekends don't matter.

I'm just glad there is a Walt Disney World to entertain the world.

:a040:

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 686073)

We ate at Yak and Yeti last week. I had a burger and fries for $18.99. It was an excellent burger and very large, but $18.99?

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 685652)

No matter what the price there will always be families that can't afford to bring their kids there.
Millions of people come from all over the world to experience these parks. The price doesn't seem to be driving anyone away. It's, like everything in business, simple supply and demand. If the price was too high, people would stop coming. As long as the parks fill up, the prices will increase.

The other thing is that there seems to be thousands of discount programs available. It seems that every time share operation gives out Disney tickets. I'm sure they are not paying full price. If you stay in the resorts you get a reduced price. Florida residents have numerous options to pay very low prices to vist the parks. The entrance fees are also bundled into vacation "packages" which I assume that most people visiting from out of state are buying. If you vist more than one park over a few days the price is reduced. I have to wonder how many people actually pay the $95.00 advertised price. It may be a case of marking it up so that they can offer discounts.

I also wonder what the cost is of running and maintaining these parks. They are always beautiful and clean. There seems to be constant expansion going on. Operating costs must be huge. I wouldn't want to see the quality reduced.

What was the cost of the parks when they first opened and what is the cost today adjusted for inflation? Also what are you getting today in terms of technology and experiences that you weren't getting 25 years ago.

People will always complain about prices, but we need to look at all of the factors when it comes to setting a price.

And, Disney made the Orlando area what it is today. The other parks and attractions wouldn't exist today if not for Walt's vision, Orlando would be the sleepy little horse town it was before The Magic Kingdom opened. When people hear the name Orlando, they immediately think Disney World. They are the biggest, and most famous park in the world. They should have the highest prices compared to other parks in the area. If it wasn't for Disney, Universal wouldn't exist. Or it might exist in Los Angeles.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 685880)

I hope that you didn't take my post as an attack on you or your post. You said that you didn't know and I provided the answer. My comment was aimed more toward the poster who claimed that we have a 50% poverty rate.

Originally Posted by DougB (Post 686022)

Each year many, many schools send their students on field trips to the theme parks. The school I worked at is 80% free or reduced lunch because of their families economic status. For the past 17 years I have conducted fund raisers each year to send anywhere from 75 - 100 students. Many schools do this. So for those of you who feel like Warren (who I believe has his heart in the right place) and genuinely are concerned about those whose families cannot afford to go, I am asking, no I am challenging you to seek out a school and step up and help. If you do not have the time because it may take away your tee or pool time, the schools will gladly accept monetary contributions.

OK, let the tomatoes start flying this way.

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer (Post 686173)

Absolutely wonderful post !!!!! You have hit dead center the reason for my original posting. It's not a child's fault he is born to less financially successful parents. I do know that poorer children hasve the same wishes and dreams of affluent children, but will usually be divided throughout his childhood of not seeing those dreams fufilled.. Doug, you took on this disparity in children and made a difference. I applaud you !!!!

Originally Posted by JoeC1947 (Post 685708)

Yes there is.

Disney Magic Your Way Tickets

I'm still paying 2005 prices because I bought a 10 admission hopper ticket for $350 which included 5 water parks and 5 ESPN admissions.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 686185)

AND there are children who will be born into families that cannot afford certain things that will grow up to change the family they live in to be able to have the things they long for.

I grew up reading book after book after book on ballet and ballerinas and drew pictures of them and danced around our living room a lot..but our family didn't have the money for dance lessons, my friends families didn't either. I don't think the world lost a gifted ballerina in me, AND we were able to give our girls dance lessons and that made me feel better although they weren't too shot down with dancing in tutus.:loco:

I don't think it is a big deal. I don't. Dreamers will dream and plan to get where they want to go. There are things that are a right and things that are a privilege and doing without some of those fancy things as kids makes you appreciate them when you are able to get them for yourself.

I think Doug is a great guy and I applaud his efforts, but in the scheme of things, missing out on going to Disney as a child is not a huge, HUGE thing. Some parents are putting that money in a college fund and that is the choice they are making. Just think how much one of those big tattoos cost and how everyone can't afford them.

Be nice, Gracie.

Originally Posted by janmcn (Post 686224)

The past two years, Disney, as well as Universal and Legoland, have had to restrict the number of guests it can admit over the Christmas holidays. We will see if that happens this year after the price increase.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 686185)

AND there are children who will be born into families that cannot afford certain things that will grow up to change the family they live in to be able to have the things they long for.

I grew up reading book after book after book on ballet and ballerinas and drew pictures of them and danced around our living room a lot..but our family didn't have the money for dance lessons, my friends families didn't either. I don't think the world lost a gifted ballerina in me, AND we were able to give our girls dance lessons and that made me feel better although they weren't too shot down with dancing in tutus.:loco:

I don't think it is a big deal. I don't. Dreamers will dream and plan to get where they want to go. There are things that are a right and things that are a privilege and doing without some of those fancy things as kids makes you appreciate them when you are able to get them for yourself.

I think Doug is a great guy and I applaud his efforts, but in the scheme of things, missing out on going to Disney as a child is not a huge, HUGE thing. Some parents are putting that money in a college fund and that is the choice they are making. Just think how much one of those big tattoos cost and how everyone can't afford them.

Be nice, Gracie.

Originally Posted by Geewiz (Post 686234)

Gracie is my hero and my heroin. We have such a relatively short time on this mortal coil, winning or losing here is small potatoes.

Still, the joy of seeing a child experience the magic of Disney illusion is a wonder and going there helps us reconnect with our younger, innocent selves. I go because I become a kid again.

Hating to make the same point again, if the money goes to adding rides and shorter waits, the additional cost is fine....kids get more experience in their limited time at the park. If it's just to maximize the already large profits...that's a rip.

I have a yearly pass with parking. I resent waiting 2 hours for a 5 minute ride. Disney attendance went up substantially last year. Hey guys, build some more E ticket rides. Bring back old favs like Mr. Toad. Build a new land or new park. Reduce the congestion. Make the kids happy.

Originally Posted by janmcn (Post 686254)

Disney just completed the largest expansion of the Magic Kindom in the park's history, with more to come in 2014. Realizing that this section of the park would not benefit the adult visiters, but Disney can only be expected to do so much, so quickly.


https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ev...w-fantasyland/

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 686215)

Some of these post remind of the insurance company commercial with the Peanuts gang where they think that the insurance premiums should be a nickel. An adult has to explain to them that everything can't be a nickel.

Originally Posted by DougB (Post 685830)

There a whole bunch of people out there that can't afford their next meal or decent clothes to send their kids to school in. I worry more about them than the cost of Disney or any theme park.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 686415)

It's a rip off for a company to want to maximize it's profits? Really? I don't think that I know of any company that wants to maximize it's profits. Aren't we still a capitalist society? Are profits now somehow immoral?

Another thing to look at is that Disney is a publicly traded company. Many of us may have shares hidden in our retirement accounts. Doesn't the management of Disney< and every other public corporation for that matter, have a duty and responsibility to make as much money for its investors as possible.

The parks are too crowded. Raising the prices doesn't seem to deter people from coming. Disney would be shirking it's responsibility to it's investors, which could be you and I, if they didn't raise their prices. Don't you want to see your investment portfolio grow? Don't you want to have more money for your retirement? How do you think that money is made?