Is the dream getting dimmer?

[DVC Grandpa]

We purchased into DVC when the Beach Club Villas were being built with the thought that it would be a wonderful place to gather the family for some traffic vacations. (After all, Disney is for the kid in all of us.) The expectations didn’t disappoint us as we gathered for Thanksgiving week in 2003 and again in 2005 but the plans for 2007 are showing some decay. Although all of the kids and grand kids are making plans on coming, some of those plans exclude visits into the WDW parks in favor of Universal Studio Theme parks. I don’t like what they are doing although, when I look at the economics of having a two day drive each way and the cost of tickets (WDW seven day at $281.16 vs. Universal seven day at $92.63) for a family of five, it does add up. Five seven day tickets alone are a savings of $942.65.

Has WDW out prices itself for larger families, like ours, who would like to visit every other year? Grandma and I purchase a discounted AP and use up whatever points are left over each year so the ticket price it is not bad for us but the kids don’t have discounted AP’s and the ticket cost keep increasing. I am beginning to start feeling guilty asking them to join us at WDW even though we provide the room, yet they have to get there and provide everything else.

Yes, the dream is getting dimmer, but what to do? We love having all the kids and grand kids around, but won’t want the kids to have to put all there eggs in one basket and forgo other events that may arise over the months just to go to WDW with us when asked.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We purchased into DVC when the Beach Club Villas were being built with the thought that it would be a wonderful place to gather the family for some traffic vacations. (After all, Disney is for the kid in all of us.) The expectations didn’t disappoint us as we gathered for Thanksgiving week in 2003 and again in 2005 but the plans for 2007 are showing some decay. Although all of the kids and grand kids are making plans on coming, some of those plans exclude visits into the WDW parks in favor of Universal Studio Theme parks. I don’t like what they are doing although, when I look at the economics of having a two day drive each way and the cost of tickets (WDW seven day at $281.16 vs. Universal seven day at $92.63) for a family of five, it does add up. Five seven day tickets alone are a savings of $942.65.

Has WDW out prices itself for larger families, like ours, who would like to visit every other year? Grandma and I purchase a discounted AP and use up whatever points are left over each year so the ticket price it is not bad for us but the kids don’t have discounted AP’s and the ticket cost keep increasing. I am beginning to start feeling guilty asking them to join us at WDW even though we provide the room, yet they have to get there and provide everything else.

Yes, the dream is getting dimmer, but what to do? We love having all the kids and grand kids around, but won’t want the kids to have to put all there eggs in one basket and forgo other events that may arise over the months just to go to WDW with us when asked.

Hi Grandpa! I know exactly how you are feeling. I have a family trip for 6 planned for next April. I just paid $1200+ for 6 adult ticket MYW 6 days. My kids are in their early 20's (one is 18) so it would be really expensive for them to come and pay for their ticket on top of some food (their gonna pay for their lunches) and any souveniers, Jelly Roll visits , etc.
They are just starting out in jobs, don't have that much disposable income. So I don't see us getting together a whole lot in Disney right now. After this trip will mostly be my husband and myself until they get more income in!

 

[MrsNick]

Hi there. I think it's wonderful that you are able to provide the lodgings at a DVC for your kids and grandkids I don't think you should worry about "burdening" them (feel free to burden me any time J/K).

Cost for the tickets may only be one factor. As the kids get older, they may be seeking more of the thrill rides that Universal has more of (from what I hear - I've never been, so I can't tell you first hand).

Also, they just may be looking for a change of scenery. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

Tell the truth, when we DVC anymore, we don't even spend that much time in the parks. We love just being at the resort and relaxing, enjoying the pool (and in the case of your home resort, I think the kids must love Stormalong Bay). We enjoy the resort dining.

It's just a classic case of how vacationing changes once you DVC

Now, if I had kids, and I wanted to cut costs, I would take advantage of the kitchen facilities, for breakfast and lunch at the very least. And, maybe even for a few dinners, and just eat a few meals out. IMO, the price of tickets pales in comparison to the cost of eating meals out at Disney. YMMV.

So, in conclusion, I don't think you are doing anything other than a very loving gesture to your family.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I fully expect that some of our own trips will be park-less. I just spent $2000 in tickets for the coming year--AP's for me and DH, and parkhoppers for the kids and BIL....ouch!

But I fully expect to forget saying that and somehow come up with the money every time

 

[utahkennedys]

On our last trip to WDW last Sept., we went to US and I can honestly say, although we enjoyed it before, it will be a LONG time before we go back. The place was dead, and I mean dead. The characters were standing by themselves. It totally lacked the magic, and needs a serious update. How anyone could spend more than 1 day there is beyond me! DH went to IOA on his own since we have 2 small kids, and in about 1/2 day he had done everything 2-3 times. So, while the "deal" looks good on paper, I don't find it a deal at all...Our other friends just came back from Orlando and were also wooed by the cheap US prices and they totally regretted making such a long trip and missing Disney. I am not saying Disney is the be all end all of vacationing, but US, just b/c it is cheap, isn't for us.

 

[bnlbebes]

IMHO - The "Magic" is worth paying for no matter what, and as for others being invloved, I would say that it is up to them... If the price is not worth it, then so be it.

We invite family/friend along about every other trip we take using DVC, and only had trouble this past trip with my Brother-in-law and wife who were totally anti-Disney. They ended up staying outside WDW and saw SeaWorld, Cape Canaveral, and glorious International Drive. What they missed out on was spending time with the rest of the family having a blast doing our Disney thing. To each is own...

To help relieve the monetary pain, I always by a non-expiration pass, 10 days this time, and use that toward a few years' vacations. That way it's not as big a burden during upcoming trips.

Relax, and do what you need to do to enjoy yourself, after all isn't that why you bought in the first place - because YOU enjoy it! Don't worry about the others. They'll do what they have to do do enjoy themselves as well, and if that means making alternate plans, so be it. be happy with your decision, and make adjustments as necessary.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I can understand what you mean.

However it doesnt have to put a damper on things, buy some Universal passes yourselves and join in on the fun. Or Seaword tix or anywhere.

I love Disney as much as the next but its about being together and enjoying whatever you may be doing.

DVC can still provide the lodging

You dont have to completely axe out the Disney parks, just scale back to a day or two until.

 

[Chuck S]

If Universal could sell tickets for the same price as Disney, they would. Obvious, for some reason, they feel they have to heavily discount to draw folks in from Disney.

 

[Evil Princess]

I don't know, I think it depends on the family. I'm 22, my brother is 19, my sister is turning 16 this month. My parents bought into DVC last year while I was on my college program, and we've already used our points at WL this year, and are looking for a transfer to Atlantis (though if that doesn't work, since I hear it's difficult, we'll go back to WDW and try for BCV).

We LOVED our visit to VWL. The theme of the resort, hanging around at the pool, and just hanging in the villa. We used to go to WDW every two years or so, and even though us kids are older, we still want to go back. The only roadblock we really ran into was that after freshman year at Penn State, my brother was itching to go out at night...which just wasn't happening at Disney when you're under 21.

We found that we did parks, but we did them much more casually, since we've been to WDW many times. It didn't bother us at all. We slept in more than we used to, hit the parks for a few hours, and enjoyed dining out much more than we used to (we're former park commandos).

I think that DVC changes as the children in the family age, just as any trip to WDW will. I can't wait for the day that I have kids so that I can start seeing Disney through a young child's eyes again. As for now though, we relax, and love every minute of the magic that a DVC resort offers.

Plus, as far as Universal goes, yes we might go one day...but in all honesty, Universal just pales in comparison to Disney as far as quality of product and just stuff to do goes. I can kill both IOA and US in one day, EASY. The only thing, in us kids' opinion, that Universal trumps WDW on is the coasters at IOA, which is the main reason we even venture over to Universal. Otherwise, it's nice to go once in awhile, but I don't feel like I'm missing anything if I don't visit.

Yes, Universal prices are cheaper, however, what are you going to do on a multiday pass to Universal? On days where it's not packed, you can easily do everything in one day, for both parks! Why do you think Universal offers that deal in the first place? It's because they have to draw people in the park. Their attendance isn't as strong as WDWs. Disney charges those prices from a simple business standpoint, because they can. Because people still pay, and still come. Attendance is so strong right now, even with price increases.

 

[loveswdw]

We are feeling the ticket "crunch". This year we decided to not buy a new set of tickets due to cost (around $1200 for 10 day hopper no expiration that usually lasts us 3 trips). We have 1 day left on our hoppers so we are just buying a 1 day base ticket for our DS3. We are planning on doing 2 MNSSHP's on DVC discount nights so we can get our MK fix (around $200 total) for us for 2 nights at MK. So basically we're doing 1 full MK day (2 nights) and 1 Epcot day (can't be at WDW and NOT go to F&W at least one day) instead for around $265 for the 3 of us. Skipping MGM & AK all together this trip. Neither park has opened anything new since we were there in December so we don't feel like we are "missing" anything.

I guess I will try to stagger our ticket purchases next year so when we go in 2009 we won't feel the pinch as bad.

We've discovered since buying DVC we don't spend nearly as much time in the parks anyway. We love exploring the different resorts, spending time at DTD, and just general laidback "vacationing". We have 3 character meals planned this trip so DS3 can get his character fix. 2 of the 3 are at resorts so no park admission is needed. There's so much to do and see at WDW that you could easily spend a week and not step foot in a park period.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi,

Great post. I felt the same way with a family trip of 13 recently. You know some of them chose to get one day tickets and it just about killed me to watch them spend so much on one day. Tried to convince them to put the money into a multi b/c we would treat them again. But some didn't buy any and had a fantastic stay.

We did Typhoon Lagoon as a large group, hung out by the pool, dinner and some breakfasts altogether in our OKW suite. Had a wonderful time.

Recently, I went for six days and didn't even enter a park. It was a great vacation as well.

Sometimes, I like to go when there are extra nights to buy like MNSSHP or MVMCP and such. Then your guests can visit a park without buying a pass/day rate. And usually the special night and short wait times make up for that.

All the best,

Lisa

 

[crisi]

I took my first trip to Universal Studios IoA in June for a private party (I was at Microsoft's - my husband had been at EMCs two weeks before) - its a day park. Another day for the Studios and you are done. So you can spend seven days there, but you'll do the same things over and over again. Line management was horrible - even with only 15,000 people in the park (no wonder you want FOTL privledges). My husband called it "McDisney."

Don't get me wrong - when my kids get to be big coaster age, we will head over to Universal. Its just that the Universal seven day pass reminds me of a $3 "Big Gulp" pop when I'm only going to drink a twelve ounce can.

 

[browniemtb]

Well, I have to agree with many posts here. Last November we took a trip over to US and we finish the park in one day, commando. We bought tickets at a buy one day get a day free.......we didn't use the second day. Even though Disney is more expensive theres more to do, for my family anyways. But I also understand that after a few trips the Disney magic may not be that exciting for some. I guess to sum it up, I would but a 5 day park hopper Disney pass and get a two day US pass. Have them check online for special US deals......they have them quite often and there may be a reason for it.
Have a great trip with the family..

Brownie

 

[Muushka]

I really wish DVC could offer members the ability to have an AP automatically added to our annual dues. I would love to just have an on-going AP and not worry about expiration dates, timing trips, park-hopper or AP......blah blah blah....

Of course this AP would have to be a great deal! Like just add $275 a year per adult (for a plus, of course ) and whatever per child and be done with all of these calculations. Voluntary, of course. I know that not everyone goes to WDW every year.

Yes, I know I don't have to calculate, but I don't like to spend money foolishly!

I know this would not help the OP. Not sure what the answer is. I know we are planning a family reunion in 2008 and there will be very little park time for my visitors.

 

[Entropy]

Animal Kingdon, Disney's least-attended park draws in more people than Universal Studios. There's a reason why and it will become obvious when you've spent a day there.

 

[Muushka]

Animal Kingdon, Disney's least-attended park draws in more people than Universal Studios. There's a reason why and it will become obvious when you've spent a day there.

Do you also lump IOA with your assessment? I very much enjoy IOA and am looking forward to returning when we start renewing our AP's there. Ahhhhh. Hulk.

 

[spiceycat]

my nephew say that disney was old and he wanted IOA/US - so I got him and his friend tickets for IOa & US- guess where they stayed most of the trip - WDW.

he caused me several problems doing this.

I think this is something that teens go through. Now I do think SW is worth the price - but IOa & US gets old.

now when they add the Harry Potter stuff - hoping it will be better.

remember it has been about 3 years that US/IOA has added anything to their parks.

SW and WDW have both added several things.

 

[Mtnman44]

I happen to love the Universal parks and the prices are great! They are not Disney, it is a different experience and really it caters to a more young adult crowd, although there is plenty for families also.

I think they do a good job and they have some fantastic rides. For coasters and thrill rides, they beat disney hands down, but I realize that is not all that matters. Dragons, Hulk, and Spiderman are excellent rides. Plus IOA has two excellent water rides. They also have a great character breakfast that offers really good food and awesome character interaction (spiderman and cat in the hat characters) for about half of what disney charges.

My visits to Orlando are never complete without 2 days at the Universal Parks. Three would be more than enough and more than that would probably get old. Harry Potter, if done right, is going to seriously upset the Disney applecart in Orlando I believe.

 

[Christy LOVES Disney]

Being a young adult (almost 22) I really enjoyed Universal and IOA. Like previous people have mentioned the coasters are great. But not to take anything away from Disney... because I love that too. I think thats why we decided to go for 10 days and visit both places along with SeaWorld and WetNWild. I am paying for all of my tickets and DDP and Airfare but if you plan ahead of time like our family is its easy to save each month in order to reach your goal by the time you have to pay for everything. And were going after income taxes come in so I will have that for my spending money. I think it all depends on the person. I couldn't imagine going to Disney without going to US and IOA but I also would never go without visiting ALL the Disney parks either. Like mentioned before to each his own.

 

[wildernessDad]

I hope to see the 'dream' in my grand daughter's eyes in a few years as she goes to WDW for the first time.

I don't think that the dream is becoming dimmer, just more expensive. I noticed that DVC rack rates went up about 3% from 2007 to 2008. I did not calculate the percent increase for tickets. Does anybody have that figure at hand? Was it about the rate of inflation or is it outpacing inflation?