Category — e. What to Budget for Walt Disney World

Disney World yesterday raised prices on its adult (10 and older) multi-day tickets from 5% to almost 10.5%. Child (3-9 years old) tickets went up even more, from 6% to more than 11%.

The higher price increases were on the five day and longer multi-day tickets that make for the best first visit for those who may not be able to return, and are also the most common tickets for returning visitors.

Price increases by length of ticket (except for one day tickets) for adult tickets are in the chart:

In addition, while it is still relatively inexpensive to add days to a ticket at least four days long, there’s now two prices for adding days to such tickets. For shorter tickets, it costs around $16/day, and for longer tickets, $10.65.

The full data on the new ticket prices is here.

At the same time, Disney changed the form of its one day tickets.

• One day tickets still have different prices for adults and children, and (unlike any other ticket lengths) still have different prices for the Magic Kingdom vs the other three parks.
• Now, in addition, one day tickets (but not any multi-day tickets) have different prices at different times of the year, creating more than 70 bazillion different possible ticket prices for these largely irrelevant one day tickets.

WHY THE BIG PRICE INCREASE AND MINOR SEASONAL PRICING ADD?

My speculation is that both of the curious features of the new prices are strategic–that is, they are about the future, not about 2016.

The high increase in ticket prices  for 2016 follows a high increase in 2016 resort prices that came out last summer. Both are trading off an increasing US willingness to spend on vacations now that we are years out of the recession with major exchange-rate issues for overseas visitors, in the context of the Disney hotels being for all practical purposes full, Magic Kingdom capacity a constraint to growth many weeks of the year, and a whole sequence of new attraction investments coming on line this spring, this summer, and next year.

I see this year’s minor stab towards seasonal ticket pricing as simply being the first shot at this seasonal pricing model.

That is, I believe that next year–or sooner, or a little later–seasonal ticket pricing will become more general across Disney World ticket types, as Disney tries to get people into the parks more in the lower-demand periods of the year. Until something relieves pressure on the Magic Kingdom during busier times, and additional hotels get built, that’s where volume growth has to come from.

The high increase this year lets the increases next year in the lower-priced seasons of the year be less, zero, or even a cut, while still showing a good two-year average growth, allowing for a wider band between the lowest and highest cost ticket dates.

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NEW DISNEY WORLD DEAL!

Disney World announced this morning a deal where, if you book at least three nights and two days of tickets per person in a value resort this summer, each person 3 and older will receive per night one free quick-service meal.

Eligible dates are May 29 through June 30, 2016 and July 5 through August 13, 2016.

The deal must be booked by February 29, Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation are excluded, and availability elsewhere may be thin.

Nightly savings will vary based on family size and structure, as meal prices vary  by age, and in general, the more and the older the people the more you will save.

A good travel agent (like Kelly B, contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com) can help you sort this out.

Here’s my estimated savings per night by family size and age (based 40% of the cost of the quick service dining plan).

Note that depending on your size and age structure, nightly savings will vary from around $17 to a little over $100.

I’d expect this deal to be accompanied by a room rate deal with savings of at least 15%, so the question is–do you do better than 15% in this deal??

As always this is complicated by the fact that while the savings are the same every night, room rates aren’t–they are higher Fridays and Saturdays.

Moreover, for families that can fit 4 person rooms, the All-Stars cost less per night than Pop Century, and for families that need a six-person family suite, those at All-Star Music are a lot less expensive than those at Art of Animation.

So I’ve calculated approximate percentage saving per night for families at All-Star Music for both weeknights and weekends.  Percentage savings will be the same for 4 person rooms in the other All-Stars, and less at more expensive Pop Century.  Savings will also be less in the more expensive Art of Animation family suites.

Here’s All-Star Music weeknight percentage savings. I’ve noted saving less than around 15% in red:

Note that families with just one person ten or older often do better or about the same on the room rate deal that I expect to come out for these same dates.

Families with an older age structure generally do better with the Free Meal deal announced today.

Weekends have a similar overall story, but with lower percentage savings:

Percentage savings will be not so high for those aimed at the more expensive 4 person rooms at Pop Century or Family Suites at Art of Animation. (Reviews of all these resorts are linked to from here–I’ve stayed in them all, and multiple times.)

And note that my savings are estimates.  You should work with a travel agent to see if this deal makes sense for you, as the agent will be able to get you exact savings.

I recommend Kelly B.  Contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com –she can help you sort this out.

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Frequent readers of my disclosure page 🙂 will have noted that I’ve just finalized a partnership with The Official Ticket Center.

The Official Ticket Center is best known for being one of the few legit sources of discounted Walt Disney World tickets, and one of the best.

It’s also one of the few legit sources that’s actually based in Orlando, and has such quaint features as an actual office and experts who will answer the phone and help you with any problems you might have, upgrade your tickets, etc.

They also have discounted tickets for other Orlando area attractions–check out the Official Ticket Center’s whole offering here.

The Disney World ticket discounts offered by the Official Ticket Center often aren’t that big–Disney will significantly discount hotels frequently, but very rarely tickets. But for larger families or those who need to squeeze every penny that they can, the ticket savings can be meaningful.

They first hit my radar as a result of this post on TouringPlans.com. I then met Patrick, the boss, at a Disney World event  a year or so ago sponsored by the WDW Magazine folk, and since have collaborated with him in a bunch of settings, including the Get Down to Disness on-line live Q&A.

Here’s the word from Patrick:

“Here at The Official Ticket Center, we are proud of our ability to provide you with the lowest prices available for Orlando theme park tickets.

“Being a local business minutes from Walt Disney World, we feel that gives us a huge advantage to other online ticket sellers. We actually have physical location where you can come in and talk with one of our informative vacation planners while on vacation, not a faceless text like other online companies. You know itineraries change at a moment’s notice while on vacation, so it is much easier and reassuring when you have a friend that is in town to help!

“Being in business for over 15 years has earned us a few unique advantages like access to Disney E-Ticketing abilities as well as special discounts when purchasing in person at our guest service location. We have the best discounts on theme park tickets and take pride in our Meet or Beat deals!”

He continues (probably only the last para is relevant, so I’ve bolded it):

“I have been a big fan of Dave’s for many years now and love reading all he can throw at me on yourfirstvisit.net, The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit, and everywhere else!

“His vast knowledge of the Walt Disney Resort area has helped me to better inform and educate my guests with their vacations while making me a more informed vacation planner.

“After hanging out and chatting with Dave at a few parties at Disney, I knew he was the real deal! We both share a deep love of Disney and routinely dabble with others in underground Mouse culture!

“I highly value Dave’s friendship and I look forward to helping his readers save time and money while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.

“Mention Dave sent you from yourfirstvisit.net and receive a free welcome gift while supplies last!”

Patrick S. Pulliam

Owner ~ The Official Ticket Center

And as a result of the partnership, if you buy stuff from the Official Ticket Center via a link from this site, then they share a little pixie dust with me, which helps compensate for all of the time I put into it…

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Yesterday Disney World released a new discount for 2016.  Great news for those of you who booked your eligible vacations with Kelly B–she’s already saved you folk $2,509.49 by applying the new deal to your reservations!

Ummm, that’s in total, not for each of you…

Kelly is the dedicated team member for travel agent inquiries from the readers of this site.

One of the services she provides is to check existing reservations she is helping with when new discounts come out.  She can also sign you up with a new reservation into yesterday’s deals!

Want her to set up your Disney World trip?  Then contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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DISNEY WORLD ROOM RATE DEAL ANNOUNCED

Disney World announced this morning a room rate deal that extends into June 2016, with savings of 10% to 30%.

Other special offers are also available, and a good travel agent (like Kelly B, contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com) can help you sort this out.

The room rate deal is available for stays between 3/15/16 – 6/11/16, and needs to be booked by 3/31/16.

Value Resort Savings (Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation are excluded)

• For stays March 15, 2016 – April 13, 2016: 15% off, except 10% at All-Star Movies
• For stays April 14 to June 11, 2016: 20% off

Moderate Resort Savings: (Port Orleans French Quarter is excluded)

• For stays March 15, 2016 – April 13, 2016: 20% off
• For stays April 14 to June 11 2016: 30% off the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, 25% off the other  included moderates

Deluxe Resort Savings 

For travel 3/15 to 4/13/2016:

• 15% off at Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Savanna View
• 25% off of the rest

For travel 4/14 through 6/11/16:

• 20% off at Beach Club, Contemporary, and Animal Kingdom Savanna View
• 30% off of the rest

DVC Savings 

• Excluded: the Villas at the Grand Floridian, Bay Lake Tower, the Bungalows at Polynesian Bungalows & Villas

For travel 3/15 to 4/13/2016:

• 15% off: Beach Club Villas, the Villas at Wilderness Lodge,  and Animal Kingdom Jambo House Villas and Kidani Village villas
• 25% off: the rest

For travel 4/14 to 6/11/2016:

• 20% off: Beach Club Villas, the Villas at Wilderness Lodge,  and Animal Kingdom Jambo House Villas and Kidani Village villas
• 30% off: the rest

Recently it’s been at times hard for people to actually find rooms in these Disney World deals, so it’ll work best for those with flexible dates and flexible targeted resort hotels.

You can find reviews of all the Disney World room options here. (I’ve stayed in them all…)

BOOKING THE DISNEY WORLD ROOM RATE DEAL

As noted above, Kelly B can book this deal for you. Contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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DISNEY WORLD ROOM RATE DEAL ANNOUNCED

As expected, Disney World announced this morning two new deals for winter 2016—a room rate deal and a “Play, Stay, Dine, and Save” deal.

The savings from the Play Stay Dine and Save deal are pretty hard to quantify, but generally those looking at value or moderate resorts–especially in January and February–will do better with it than with the room rate deal.

Those staying in the more expensive deluxe and Disney Vacation Club rooms should run the numbers both ways.

A good travel agent (like Kelly B, contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com) can help you sort this out.

The room rate deal is available for stays between 1/2/16 – 4/13/16, and needs to be booked by 12/23/15.

Value Resort Savings (Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation are excluded)

• For stays January 2, 2016 – February 29, 2016: 15% off on weekdays except 10% at All-Star Movies, no discount on weekends
• For stays March 1, 2016 – April 13, 2016: 15% off, except 10% at All-Star Movies, including weekends

Moderate Resort Savings:

• For stays January 2, 2016 – February 29, 2016: 20% off on weekdays except 15% off at Port Orleans French Quarter, no discount on weekends
• For stays March 1, 2016 – April 13, 2016: 20% off except 15% off at Port Orleans French Quarter, including weekends

Deluxe Resort Savings 1/2 through April 13: 

• 15% off at Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Savanna View
• 25% off of the rest

DVC Savings 1/2 through April 13:

• Excluded: the Villas at the Grand Floridian, Bay Lake Tower, the Bungalows at Polynesian Bungalows & Villas
• 15% off: Beach Club Villas, the Villas at Wilderness Lodge,  and Animal Kingdom Jambo House Villas and Kidani Village villas
• 25% off: the rest

Moreover, recently it’s been pretty hard for people to actually find rooms in these Disney World deals, so it’ll work best for those with flexible dates and flexible targeted resort hotels.

You can find reviews of all the Disney World room options here. (I’ve stayed in them all…)

BOOKING THE DISNEY WORLD ROOM RATE DEAL

As noted above, Kelly B can book this deal for you. Contact her at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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