“You know the good old days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems”.
I’ve now reverted to quoting lines from Billy Joel songs to make a point but, that particular verse does seem fitting. As I cruise the various online Disney communities, I’m reading more and more comments lamenting the loss of the way things used to be. Basing your conclusion on what you read, you would think that almost nothing about Walt Disney World is as good as it used to be. Whether it’s faulty memory or simply a heightened sense of nostalgia, it seems that lots of folks wish things could return to days of yore, or yesteryear… or at least back to the days before Paul Pressler had a hand in things.
What, exactly, do people miss? I often read comments stating that we’re getting less and it’s costing more. I certainly buy the costing more part—that’s true with almost everything today. Face it, in our capitalistic society, most things will increase in price over time—and Walt Disney World is certainly no exception. There’s no doubt that prices at the World are increasing on a regular basis. We’ve seen periodic increases on resort rooms, park admissions, food (both table and counter service) and merchandise. And there’s no reason to believe these increases won’t continue. But… are we getting less in return?
Let’s take a look back at the last several years and see if we can determine if our Walt Disney World experiences are indeed diminishing in value. Please note that I said “several years.” That indeterminate number allows me to avoid any specific time frame and the inevitable statistics that would be required as in: prices jumped 13 percent annually from 1991 to 1995; or resort rooms have seen an annual increase of 5.5 percent; and the size of the average dessert has decreased by ¾ ounces. We all know I’m too lazy to do the research and the arithmetic.
Let’s loosely define “several years” as the last decade or so (the “or so” is still vague enough so I can guess or make something up where needed) and take a look at the changes made at the World with an eye toward their impact on the value of our vacations.
Theme Parks
Are the theme parks delivering less value than they did a decade ago? Let’s begin our unscientific analysis with the Magic Kingdom. Looking back at the past several years we can see that the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom has been replaced by Wishes. I’ll place this one in the improvement column. Mickey’s PhilharMagic was introduced and replaced the Legend of the Lion King. I really enjoyed that musical puppet show but Mickey’s PhilharMagic has become my favorite attraction at the Magic Kingdom so, once again, we have increased value. Recently, the Imagineers produced some improvements and changes at the Pirates of the Caribbean and some major enhancements at the Haunted Mansion. All plusses, wouldn’t you agree?
On the down side, Alien Encounter was replaced with Stitch’s Great Escape—not a big negative, but not really a notable improvement, either. We also replaced the Timekeeper with the Monsters, Inc, Laugh Floor comedy club. Is it an upgrade? Yes, but is it an improvement? All in all, I think you’d have to agree that the Magic Kingdom is today offering more value than it was a decade ago.
What about Epcot? I believe we can agree that Soarin’ is a huge success and I hear no one lamenting its replacing Food Rocks. I have the warmest spot in my heart for Horizons (I loved that ride) but, even I have to admit that Mission: Space is a clear winner in thrills and technology. Spaceship Earth has undergone a recent refurbishment that has generated some mixed reactions. Most everyone agrees that the improvements during the ride’s first half are all winners but, the jury seems split on the introduction of the touch-screen ending.
World Showcase is boasting new films in the Canada and China pavilions. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen the introduction and demise of the two Tapestry parades (Nations and Dreams) and the loss of Imaginum (those Living Statues). While I still love World Showcase, I’d have to say I enjoyed it more several years ago.
Early this year, the Disney-MGM Studios became Disney’s Hollywood Studios but there’s really no value for us in a name change. The last decade has seen such negatives as: the introduction of the Sorceror’s Hat (blocking the view of a magnificent reproduction of the famous Mann’s Chinese Theater); the demise of the Hunchback of Notre Dame stage show and Who Wants to be a Millionairre – Play It!Lights, Motors, Action: Extreme Stunt Show from Disneyland-Paris. While I’m not a huge fan, it is something new. We’re also looking forward to a revamped Playhouse Disney Live! and a brand new attraction: Toy Story Mania which promises to be an E-Ticket ride. Another planned enhancement will be the introduction of the American Idol show late this year.
What’s the bottom line in terms of value for Disney’s Hollywood Studios? I’d call it somewhere between break-even and a slight increase over a decade ago.
Animal Kingdom will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary so it was just an infant a decade ago. It’s maintained most of its original attractions and, today, it’s sporting recent additions like Expedition Everest and Finding Nemo: the Musical. Better today? Definitely.
Dining
Here’s where things will get interesting. Portions are smaller, prices are higher, the food is inferior… is all that really true? The value in Disney World restaurants is such a subjective thing; one man’s goose is another’s paté. Are prices higher than they were a decade ago? Certainly, but find me a restaurant where they aren’t. Has the quality kept up with the price increases? Now we have a debate.
Personally, I see very little difference in the quality of dining at the world—from counter service at the Magic Kingdom to a filet mignon at the California Grill. I will attest to the presence of a bit more inconsistency. It seems, at least in my not-so-humble opinion, that an excellent meal at a specific restaurant is no real guarantee of a similar experience at a later date. Put more simply, I have a tough time recommending a restaurant to someone because the fact that my experience was stellar is no indication that theirs will be as well; or vice versa. It might have something to do with the frequency of chef changes—something I’ve noticed becoming more prevalent over the past couple of years.
Shall we discuss the Disney Dining Plan and its impact on the dining experience at the World? Let’s. Is there value in the Plan? That’s another column onto itself (and I promise I will attempt to address it in a column somewhere in the near future if I can muster the courage to begin that analysis). It was well-received when first announced. So well, in fact that it has successfully filled almost every restaurant table on property. What that means is that we must all make our dining reservations six months ahead in order to avoid being shut out of our favorite spots. I don’t know about you but, for me, picking where I’ll be, when I’ll be hungry and what I’ll want to eat six months in advance is not really an exact science. For this reason, I now find myself canceling more reservations than ever before because our plans have changed during the trip. I’m not sure if this affects the value but it certainly increases the frustration.
But we’re talking about value here so… does the Dining Plan have value? It certainly did. Particularly when it was offered free of charge. But once Disney got you hooked on the concept, what happened? They took something away (an appetizer and the tip) and dropped the price one dollar resulting in… you guessed it, a price increase. And, if you do the math, a fairly significant one.
Speaking of price increases, how do you feel about the holiday surcharges Disney World has been applying to certain buffets? They’re now charging more for the same food at the same buffet—just because it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter… or the month of June! Disney certainly isn’t alone in raising prices during peak periods but doesn’t this smack just a bit of gouging?
Have you heard about the recent changes at the Princess Breakfast at Norway’s Akershus? There’s now a photo package included in all reservations which, naturally, is accompanied by a price increase. Even if you don’t want the package, you’re getting it and paying for it. And the amount you’re paying for it will be dictated by the number of people in your party because the price increase is per person. More gouging?
Have portions gotten smaller in the restaurants? Is swapping the pineapple with caramel sauce for bread pudding at ‘Ohana really that big a deal? Do we miss Canada’s Beaver Tails? In my opinion: no, no and yes. But these things don’t really bother me. I can even live with some of the inconsistency at the restaurants, mainly because you can still have a fine dining experience at the World.
What really refries my beans are the bait-and-switch tactics used with the Dining Plan and price gouging just because they can. It gives the impression that Disney is trying to squeeze every last nickel out of its guests, and that bothers me.
Park Admission
I’ll answer this one quickly. In 1998, anadult seven-day non-expiring Park Hopper cost approximately $292. An annual pass was about $318. Today, a seven-day non-expiring Magic Your Way pass, with Park Hopping option will set you back $382—that’s about a 3 percent annual increase. An annual pass today will cost $477—an annual increase of about 4 percent. Both increases are right around the inflation rate.
Personally, I think today’s Magic Your Way passes are a bargain if you avoid the no-expiration option. I know it can be a risk, but in the long run, I think it makes sense. A seven-day expiring Park Hopper today is about $281—less than that non-expiring 1998 pass!
Strollers
There has been a recent increase in rental prices for strollers and Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs). Single strollers went up 50 percent to $15 per day, while double strollers shot up 72 percent, to $31 per day. ECVs went from $35 to $45 daily. These are fairly significant increases, but in fairness, there hadn’t been a change in stroller rental process in several years.
Summary
Where does all this leave us? There are new parks, new and better attractions, more resorts, and more dining locations. The point I’m attempting to make here is that, over time, Walt Disney World has improved. Maybe not in each specific case but overall, things are better. It’s kind of like the stock market. In the short haul there may be lots of spikes and dips, peaks and valleys, but over time, it will always outperform its competition.
On the flip side, prices have gone up. While that’s to be expected, there also appears to be evidence suggesting that Disney will keep increasing prices, sometimes unfairly, until people stop showing up. If the prices continue to rise faster than the accompanying improvements, we have a reduction in value. For me, the value is still there. Maybe I view things through rose-colored glasses. Maybe I’ve had too much of the Kool-Aid. It’s still my number-one vacation spot, but like everyone else, I have a breaking point. I haven’t reached it yet but…
Well, that’s my opinion. What’s yours?
