WashPost - Disney parks unreachable for middle class

I actually think Disney offers more affordable vacation opportunities now than it did in the past. On my first trip, in 1981, we saved for a long time to be able to afford to stay on property. There were only a few choices of resorts, and they were all expensive and what are now Deluxe level resorts (the Contemporary, the Polynesian, the Disney Inn, and the Treehouses) or Fort Wilderness was an option for campers.

We had to make reservations over a year in advance and even then we had to stay offsite for half the trip due to lack of availability. We were thrilled when a few days opened up at the Contemporary. It was expensive, but we thought of it as a once-in-a-lifetime trip at the time. Now people of all (most) income levels stay on property and come back for multiple trips without saving for years or breaking the bank... though of course, some people do. But is it that it has really become any more expensive relative to income levels, more inattainable, or that we're a more entitled society now? Going to Disney World or Land has never been an "everyone can do this, any time" opportunity.

The 27 bucks a night my dad spent at the Polynesian would be around 150 bucks today. With one fewer kid and a 'higher' salary I can't even consider paying for a room there now.

NJDad;2460584 wrote: The 27 bucks a night my dad spent at the Polynesian would be around 150 bucks today. With one fewer kid and a 'higher' salary I can't even consider paying for a room there now.

Not really. Back in the 70's, we were still on the gold standard. $27 bucks back in the 70's (translated to its worth in gold today) would be a LOT more than $150.

Economics is tricky, and inflation is not as simple as that.

Terra;2460558 wrote: ... I go in jean shorts...

Oh no you didn't!

Seriously, some will argue there isn't a middle class in America anymore. I don't pass judgement on other based on how much they make, how they look, where they live, etc. I pass judgement on their actions. I will admit however, I have great difficulty in understanding how some people live at they level they do with what they make. Single income just doesn't compute with me, even one of our salaries is very high and I can't imagine living on that. I amazing how people can make that work. Kudos!

NJDad;2460584 wrote: The 27 bucks a night my dad spent at the Polynesian would be around 150 bucks today. With one fewer kid and a 'higher' salary I can't even consider paying for a room there now.

But could you afford a room at a value or moderate resort?

We went once to WDW when I was 15 and stayed off-site in Clermont (not even that close to Disney World!) I think my family probably could have afforded to stay onsite at the time, but my Dad was frugal. I guess that's something he passed down to me.

As far as what defines middle class, some economist suggest it is 50% above and below the median income in any given area. Nationally, that would be about $25,000--$76,000. Certainly those at the low end of that range would have a very difficult time affording any Disney World vacation. But for those at the mid to upper end I would think there would be options. It may mean saving for a few years or staying at the lower end resorts and not eating out as much, though, and maybe re-evaluating what you spend money on otherwise. My husband and I went through many lean years early in our marriage, mainly because I opted to work a flexible schedule part-time so that I could stay home more with our son. But we always managed to put money aside for travel, including WDW trips. It depends what your priorities are, at least in our situation. We didn't have a big house or the latest and greatest anything, but we valued experiences over material goods. Now things are pretty good for us, but we still carry forward that mentality.

I do think there's some truth to that article, but I don't buy into the entire theory. Not that I defend the Disney PTB mindset of profits above all else, but as long as people are filling up the parks (and that's not just the top 10% of income earners!) and willing to pay the cost, they have no reason to slow down the rate of price increases.

I find myself agreeing with a lot of PP's. Yeah it's expensive but so are most resorts and WDW is a resort. Do I wish it was cheaper? Of course, I haven't been able to go for 6 years now and I don't hold it against Disney. I'll be there when I get there and that is when I can afford it. Until then I'll keep coming to intercot to get my fix. I do enjoy all the back and forth about the parks and learning how to get the most bang for your buck. :mickey:

I say I expect to pay the price. Maybe that's sad, maybe that's just the way things are now. I pay because I know the experience is going to be well worth it. Nowhere else can give me what I get at WDW. These days many employees allow their pay to effect their performance, and this usually means the "you get what you pay for" adage applies most places. Cheap motel, poor experience versus expensive hotel, excellent service.

I do think there is some truth to the idea that inflation puts WDW prices pretty much in line with what they were charging decades past. But pair that with a disappearing middle class and you have the idea that it's being priced out of reach for many.

DizneyRox;2460594 wrote: Oh no you didn't!

Seriously, some will argue there isn't a middle class in America anymore. I don't pass judgement on other based on how much they make, how they look, where they live, etc. I pass judgement on their actions. I will admit however, I have great difficulty in understanding how some people live at they level they do with what they make. Single income just doesn't compute with me, even one of our salaries is very high and I can't imagine living on that. I amazing how people can make that work. Kudos!

Yes, that is true. And there is good evidence that it may be more and more the case. A vanishing middle class.
And I agree! I pass judgement on actions as well. And I'm sure you've seen it as well at WDW. Some things, I have to just shake my head, hurry and move my children along, and imagine myself at inner peace or, things wouldn't end well! ;)

Thank you. To some degree it's a choice we've made. To sacrifice and have less, to have more time with the boys as they are little.
Last year I did work for a company for the first time where I was actually paid WELL to match my skill and degrees. The money was GREAT! I won't lie.
The downside? I was working 12 hours a day Mon-Fri. Then taking working home AND going in on Saturdays to other work that I couldn't do with a busy office.
I never saw my children. I was exhausted when I got home by 6:30pm. We spent most of our money eating out because my husband didn't get home until 5:30 and we were both too exhausted to cook.
My children were having a rough time and it started showing in their behavior.
Finally one evening, the straw that broke the camel's back is when both boys came to me crying and saying we don't see you anymore mom.
I just couldn't do it anymore.
I gave up my director position and went back to a simple preschool teacher. And I'm so much happier! My boys are happier and so is my husband.

Maybe in the future once the boys are in those teen years and too cool for mom and dad ;) But now, it works for us.

SandmanGStefani24;2460615 wrote: I say I expect to pay the price. Maybe that's sad, maybe that's just the way things are now. I pay because I know the experience is going to be well worth it. Nowhere else can give me what I get at WDW. These days many employees allow their pay to effect their performance, and this usually means the "you get what you pay for" adage applies most places. Cheap motel, poor experience versus expensive hotel, excellent service.

I do think there is some truth to the idea that inflation puts WDW prices pretty much in line with what they were charging decades past. But pair that with a disappearing middle class and you have the idea that it's being priced out of reach for many.

I so agree with the bolded part. Not everyone of course. But even 20 years ago when I worked at McDonalds, many would actually say "I only get minimum wage so I don't care."
While I understand the sentiment, doing your job well can bring about change!
I started at minimum wage there, which I think was a little over $5 at the time. By the time I left nearly 4 years later I was at 9.50 which was not bad some 15 years ago!
I took pride in my work. Not that I'm bragging! LOL. But I just reminded myself that I needed to treat others the way I would want treated and served. It has always worked for me.
Even as a preschool teacher now. I don't look at the low pay. I look at the children as my own and that makes all the difference.

Terra;2460617 wrote: Last year I did work for a company for the first time where I was actually paid WELL to match my skill and degrees. The money was GREAT! I won't lie.

The downside? I was working 12 hours a day Mon-Fri. Then taking working home AND going in on Saturdays to other work that I couldn't do with a busy office.
I never saw my children. I was exhausted when I got home by 6:30pm. We spent most of our money eating out because my husband didn't get home until 5:30 and we were both too exhausted to cook.

Given the time you had to put in to get this level of pay..... sounds like it was actually not matching your skills and degrees. Larger paycheck in total... lower hourly wage than the skills and degrees would dictate.

Money is not everything in life. It certainly helps to have some...... but other factors are just as important.

From your comments...... looks like you have you "ducks in a row".

best,

..................john

WiltonJohn;2460623 wrote: Given the time you had to put in to get this level of pay..... sounds like it was actually not matching your skills and degrees. Larger paycheck in total... lower hourly wage than the skills and degrees would dictate.

This is pretty much how most high paying jobs go though. Salaried employees rarely put in a straight 40 hour work week. Most work much more.

BrerGnat;2460630 wrote: This is pretty much how most high paying jobs go though. Salaried employees rarely put in a straight 40 hour work week. Most work much more.

Unfortunately true.

best,

................john

My husband said the same thing. If I broke it down to hourly pay it ended up being below even minimum wage.

BrerGnat;2460630 wrote: This is pretty much how most high paying jobs go though. Salaried employees rarely put in a straight 40 hour work week. Most work much more.

I used to joke that my last job (before I got my wonderful new job) I worked so many hours as a salary employee that I owed the company money. Ha! I know that's not possible but I worked a lot without compensation.

BrerGnat;2460630 wrote: This is pretty much how most high paying jobs go though. Salaried employees rarely put in a straight 40 hour work week. Most work much more.

For many, it is expected to work 60+ every week. When I had some health issues and "cut my hours back" to a straight 40, I basically became an outcast.

I may be one of the few but yes I believe it is pricing out the middle class. It is expensive to go, eat, stay and do anything extra. The price is way out of range for many families that can only dream of going. You could go to an island and stay in an all inclusive and do excursions for a fraction of the price. Is that the same ? No but it is a vacation and people have only so many vacation dollars. 100+ a day to get in, plus food for each family member is a lot. That is not adding in the cost to get there and return home and please do not even bring up souvenirs .