“The nickel and diming has definitely changed how often we go…”
Yes, we’ve seen a lot of Disney fans express this type of sentiment.
EPCOT
There’s no denying that Disney fans are loyal, arguably to a fault at times. However, even the most committed have breaking points. We recently asked our readers on Facebook what Disney would have to do to get them to “NEVER go back to Disney World ever again!” and certainly got some interesting… and sometimes heated responses!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most common refrain from our readers was about prices. Several readers indicated that if prices continued going up, they would be priced out. As DFB reader John put it, “When the price per day eclipses the pain threshold without offering one thing in return. They’re too used to doing this to their park guests and we keep patronizing them.”
Partner’s Statue
Reader Paula expressed a similar sentiment, writing, “If they keep raising prices. I’m taking my last trip there in Oct. It’s out of my price range now. Any other increase would seal my fate to never no matter how much money I save be able to go.”
CommuniCore Hall
Several readers linked prices with what they considered an overall dip in Disney’s service levels. Reader David expressed his thoughts, writing “If Disney continues doing what it is currently doing in the trends of destroying basic guest service, milking the guests for every dime, and destroying the Magic Kingdom with the RoA removal, I will never go back” while reader Jamie brought up a specific controversial recent Disney move, writing that they would stop going if the company destroys the “Rivers of America or any other “core” item envisioned by Walt.”
The Rivers of America
Meanwhile, reader Nicholas pointed out that there was not a singular reason but instead a build-up of numerous issues. They explained, “With Disney, it seems to be a death from a thousand cuts. There are all these little things that irk me, like no longer being able to send souvenirs back to your room. We used to make reservations at the Rose and Crown and time it with the fireworks show, Disney caught on to people doing that and now charge for it. I miss Albert AWOL making announcements on the Jungle Cruise queue. The parks don’t seem quite as clean as they used to be. Much of the staff seems far more disassociated with the public than they used to. I can’t predict what the last cut is going to be, I might not even notice it.”
The endangered Tom Sawyer Island
Yes, price increases are inevitable. But, the good news is that there are often discounts and deals you can take advantage of to cut down the cost of your vacation! From buying discounted Disney gift cards to applying seasonal discounts to your hotel reservation, there are actually a number of ways to save money — even with the price increases!
Disney Discounts and Deals
While the majority of responses were similar to those above, we also received some more interesting responses. According to reader Ashli, the only reason they keep going to Disney World is to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, while reader Heather chimed in with the statement that they’d stop going if Disney “requires one more thing that needs a phone or app.”
Art-Garita Secret Menu Item 2024
Several readers named specific attractions whose closures would be their “breaking point” to stop attending Disney World. Harold brought up the Tiki Room, while Lauren named the Haunted Mansion. Several readers also name-checked the rumored replacement of Muppet*Vision 3D with Monsters, Inc. as a potential “dealbreaker” for them.
Is This the END of The Muppets at Disney World as We Know It?!
Keep in mind that currently, Disney has not announced anything about closing the Muppets-themed area of Grand Avenue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
However, all of that said, we also got a decent amount of repossesses from readers who said that the only way they would stop going to Disney World was if the resort closed for good. Or, as reader Rusty put it, “If Disney does survive longer than me, I will NEVER go back to Disney World ever again because I’ll be dead!”
Fireworks
We asked our readers what it would take for them to stop going to Walt Disney World, and they DID NOT hold back. Stay tuned to DFB for more thoughts from our readers.
Disney Insiders Are Quietly Flocking to This Forgotten Hotel (And We Know Why)
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What would it take for you to stop going to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Honestly I went 20 years without going mostly because I did not like their direction via politics. They have strayed from family values and moved to virtue signaling to appease a tiny part of the population while alienating the masses.
I am going back to see it again before it could possibly be wrecked completely. The prices are high and the loss of perks is a big deal but not complete deal breakers. However I do think they would increase revenue by dumping ticket prices because people will not already be on guard with spending before passing the gate and would be more likely to spend money on food and merchandise in the parks.
I think I’m about to make it my last trip in Dec. I have gone so many times,been an annual pass holder (even though I live in the middle of the country), and used to really enjoy going. That’s kinda stopped recently with me having to constantly be on my phone, being nickel and dimed to death, and prices exceeding what inflation is. Recently hearing about Rivers of America being taken out has sealed the deal. I have actually decided to get a Universal annual pass instead because they give such great benefits and I don’t have to be on my phone all day.
As a DVC member I have reached my breaking point in regards to renewing my AP. All of the little incentives no longer offered add up and we don’t come as often as we did before because of it. I find we take one longer trip to save money overall. As a DVC member I find banking points and taking more friends for that once a year trip is better then 3-4 smaller trips per year. Magical express now costs money. Bell services check in at resort was awesome – gone! Resort delivery of merchandise purchases – axed! And my personal riff is “free” fastpasses, err Genie, Genie +, and now what do we call it? Oh yeah, price gouge!
Just say no to the demolition of Tom sawyers island and ROA or I won’t be back
My husband and I let our AP go last September, 2023, because of price pass increase and we lost all the fun the pass gave us. But I think the main reason was because the parks are always overcrowded!! Everything is always overcrowded!! AND then 6 months later, without warning, I lost my husband. So I’m not sure when I’ll make it back. He was the kid I went with. If you saw two big kids there with their Mickey and Minnie umbrellas, that was us!! For the past 12 years! He and Disney are missed.
This year was the first year I didn’t renew my AP. Requiring park reservations and just overall paying more for less was my breaking point. I’ll go back but not as much as in the past. They just don’t seem to put the guest experience as a priority like they did in the past.
I will never break up with Disney. I hope I stay in good health for many years to come so I continue enjoying the fun. It is what you make of it.
I have already reached the end of my Disney loyalty. Disney had been my happy place for more than 25 years. I am a DVC owner and until last year had an annual pass. I can no longer justify or afford the price of a trip to Disney. I don’t feel like I’m on vacation when I am there. Having to book every ride thru an app is not fun for me. I used to love just getting up and deciding what would be fun to do for the day. Not anymore, you have to plan months in advance.
I will for now visit Disney but just for a resort vacation. I still love my DVC but I am considering selling and using the money to travel to Europe. This makes me very sad.
All I can say is that I am glad I had the opportunity to enjoy Disney while it was still Disney. 1983 until 2020. It was then that I knew that they had drained all the joy out of me with the prices. We were DVC members and they told us that we would lose our points because of the closure? This while others were getting their ticket prices to come when the con was over! I complained (of course) and got them saved but how dare they even suggest that!!! My kids grew up there and my grandkids have all gone 7 times to 1 times. And the prices are going up again in Oct😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 not for me and my family.Onward to Universal!
What do I miss the most, Magical Express. What a wonderful service. Disney wants to charge you for EVERYTHING, that’s the one service I’d gladly pay for and I bet other Disney vacationers would too. Surprised Disney hasn’t figured that out.