Disney Holds The Line On The Banana!

delray · Post by **delray** » Sep Sun 14, 2008 8:32 pm

Hello, All!
I went to Disney World with my family in 1985 for the first time and stayed at the Howard Johnson's in the Walt Disney World Village. When buying breakfast for us one morning I was shocked to discover that the price of one banana was $1. Just got back from my most recent trip, over 23 years later, and I'm very happy to report that the banana still costs only $1. How do they do it! I wish the prices for everything else would stay the same!

Regards,
Delray

"Will you stop this foolishness! Which foolishness would you like to see?"

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Sep Sun 14, 2008 9:09 pm

Yeah, I wish the ticket prices now were the same price as they were in 1985...

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Sep Sun 14, 2008 9:55 pm

It'd be nice if the ticket prices, gas prices, food prices, basically everything was still the same as it was in 1985. My parents bought their house in 1985 for 78,000. The house was appraised last year at 275,000. Really, it isn't worth that much.

Post by **Len90** » Sep Sun 14, 2008 11:47 pm

I can only guess that Disney's immense buying power can help keep it like that. Now if only the value of the dollar was the same as it was in 1985. The biggest sign of inflation and the times is the 99 cent stores having to raise their prices to 99.99 cents.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Sep Mon 15, 2008 12:03 am

I would be happy if the resort prices could stay the same, just like the banana! Then we could visit the Mouse more often!!!

I think Walt would've wanted it that way. It was supposed to be an affordable vacation where families could go.

Post by **Len90** » Sep Mon 15, 2008 12:10 am

boilerbabe wrote:I would be happy if the resort prices could stay the same, just like the banana! Then we could visit the Mouse more often!!! I think Walt would've wanted it that way. It was supposed to be an affordable vacation where families could go.

Honestly, when we compared the prices there with prices of other places, they are right on line if not cheaper than other places! An example is Las Vegas which we went to in 2007. It was a challenge to find a place where a family of 4 could eat for around $100 or less. In WDW that is not too hard to do. A soda in Vegas cost about $2.75 (with free refills) while Disney World is $2.09 (with free refills) or $2.25 for a bottle. Okay, so hotel rates are a little pricey, but are comparable to those of a middle level hotel on the strip of Vegas. Unfortunately, it is going to be a bit pricey since it is literally a tourist trap. You have to expect to pay, but you get an escape from reality and that excellent disney treatment.

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Sep Mon 15, 2008 9:25 am

Len90 wrote: Okay, so hotel rates are a little pricey, but are comparable to those of a middle level hotel on the strip of Vegas. Unfortunately, it is going to be a bit pricey since it is literally a tourist trap. You have to expect to pay, but you get an escape from reality and that excellent disney treatment.

The hotel rates at Disney really aren't that bad - you just have to know where to find the best deals if you are on a budget. My sister and I can stay a whole lot longer if we stay in a Value resort than if we stay in a Deluxe resort. For example, we usually stay at the Boardwalk (if our parents pay

), but being full-time college students who just bought APs, we can't really do that. We got 7 nights at the All Star Movies resort the week before Christmas for a little more than 1 night at the Boarwalk (or any other Deluxe resort) with our AP discount. Our total for the 7 nights was about $460.00. Not that I would ever stay off property

, but I know that if you tried to stay in a hotel outside of Disney for $77/night (the most expesnive night on our vacation - Dec. 20), it would probably be a place that would be questionable, at best.

My point is, I think Disney is really trying to keep things affordable for people who really want to go. You have the Value resorts for the families on a budget, and it goes through every price range up through the families where money is no object. That's probably one of the reasons why Disney is so popular.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Sep Mon 15, 2008 10:40 am

I have one question. Howard Johnson's at the Disney Village. stayed there recently? looks like the banana for $1 might have been their downfall. laugh

Post by **js3901** » Sep Mon 15, 2008 11:12 am

Len90 wrote:I can only guess that Disney's immense buying power can help keep it like that.

Howard Johnson's buys their own food. they are not owned by Disney, nor do they answer to Disney. The best connection they have is that HJ is on Disney property.

Post by **Len90** » Sep Tue 16, 2008 12:13 am

js3901 wrote:
Len90 wrote:I can only guess that Disney's immense buying power can help keep it like that.
Howard Johnson's buys their own food. they are not owned by Disney, nor do they answer to Disney. The best connection they have is that HJ is on Disney property.

Too much college work has me not comprehending what I am reading. I quickly looked this up and the price of a banana has not really risen or fallen within the past 25 years. This leads me to believe that HJ can keep a banana for a dollar going without taking a loss.