I always grew up with the idea that a Disney vacation was something you saved up for to be able to enjoy. My family is solidly middle class and we took our first Disney vacation this year. I found it surprisingly affordable for all that my family was able to experience, and there are five of us!

I don't understand where all the griping and whining comes from. I didn't feel like Disney was constantly trying to suck money from me while I was there. My family made a budget and we paid what we knew we could afford. I think many people are taking a Disney vacation for granted. Treating it like an entitlement instead of a privilege.

You don't have to stay at a deluxe resort, you choose to. You don't have to eat dinner or every meal in the park, that's your choice. You don't have to spend a fortune or souvenirs, or any money for that matter. Everything is a matter of choice! Disney provides plenty of options and I know that many middle class families can afford to take a Disney vacation if they properly save, plan, and budget for it.

There are ways to get around some of the expense. We always bring a cooler with lunch meat, fruit, and juices and a little bag of bread, cereal, and snacks. Everyone has a bowl of cereal before leaving the hotel room. I put sandwiches, fruit and snacks in my backpack so we have something to eat throughout the day. Rent an $8 locker if you don't want to carry it around. Then we have dinner out somewhere. Not only does it save money but it prevents you from eating so much "fast food" during your stay. If you come in by plane a short trip to the local Walmart should get you some grocery's and a throw away cooler. Think of the savings both in money and health for a small family during a 5 day trip.

I am a DVC member and I visit Disney World usually 2 times a year. I bring my kids and their spouses and grandkids usually once during that time. However, even though I provide the rooms it is expensive for them to come. I try to pick up some of the meals but restaurant prices in the park are very pricey for decent food. I would not call it great food for the price you are paying. I would hope that Disney would think twice about raising prices yearly. Sooner or later it will effect them since not all people are rich that come. My kids and their families love Disney but sooner or later they will be priced out and I will probably sell back my timeshare. That is not something I would want to do but may have no choice.

Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005, not 2008 as stated in the article. disney better do something Fantastic for Disney World's 50th. We are constantly hearing about year long celebrations at Disneyland, but on major Disney World anniversaries what do we get a banner and pin on the date of the anniversary. Maybe a little merchandise (eg 40th). When it comes to celebrations Disney World and it's parks are treated like red headed step children.

I'm sure I'll always make room for a disney vacation but price hikes will mean they'll come infrequently. It makes me sad--Walt would not have wanted the company to jack up prices just because they could. He wanted disneyland and wdw to be a park for families, a welcoming place for everyone--not just the upper class. Of everything (the unexpected closing of so many hollywood studios attractions, the major park-wide changes surrounding one popular movie that will eventually lose its stamina), the potential that they might continue raising prices is the most disappointing development I've heard. If they end up following through, that might be the key to losing this disney fan, even if I could still afford it...but I guess that's already what they're trying to do

When talking about Disney's MyMagic+ you say,
"These results may help explain Disney’s haste to bring MagicBands and MyMagic+ to Disneyland (which, incidentally launched a preliminary version of its own My Disney Experience app yesterday as well)."
Where can we find this preliminary version of the My Disney Experience app for Disneyland? Is this available to the general public yet?
Thanks, Melissa

And this is why I have a love/hate relationship with Disney. Nothing is ever enough in terms of how much money they can suck out of you. Being a pass holder, I don't worry about the price hikes just yet but do they need to make sure you leave the place broke? They get so much of your money as it is and they're not gonna stop until their profits stop climbing. Something needs to be done about this. I hope that they do lose money overseas and it kicks them in the ass. It's just like the rest of America. Cater to the rich and famous and screw the middle class and poor. I will use my pass until it expires but I don't buy food or souvenirs there so they're not making any money off me. After it expires, we shall see if I renew. Right now, my love for Disney is going toward the anger of greed being displayed by once what was my happy and nostalgic place. Not seeing that anymore.

This is happening because of foreign guests. The brazillians come in with a minimum of $5000 to spend on merchandise and food. It's not the locals spending this or even the American guests. It's the foreign ones and they are making it so that the American families don't even want to go to Disney anymore because they don't want to deal with them. They're loud, they chant, they sleep in the middle of stores...people are tired of it. I've heard this from innumerable amounts of passholders and locals who have let their annual passes expire or traveling guests just skip their annual trips to Disney all together. What Disney needs to do is just build a Disneyland in Brazil and get them out of here.
So many people aren't even bringing their children to Disney anymore because it's too expensive so mom and dad just go without them. Walt would turn over in his grave over all of this.

The phrase "what would Walt do?" Doesn't even seem to be something the Disney execs even consider anymore.