I really don’t understand why the “pay up” is such a negative thing. I don’t “pay up” for much of anything at WDW and have an amazing time every time. Sure there are bits and pieces maybe that doesn’t work like I may have wanted but that happens with every vacation.
Also cost of dining isn’t very different between DL and WDW. They are priced relatively the same in that front so I really don’t thats a factor.
For me it is not a major negative... yet. The potential to be intolerable is just around the corner though.
When we started our recent string of frequent WDW trips back in 2015, I found tons of tips online for fireworks spots, parade spots, F! seats, Illuminations spots, restaurants, show seatings, all kinds of things, etc. Those tips are now useless when anything worth posting as a tip back 4 years ago has become an area designated for upcharge. So far it's not beyond acceptable, but looks like it has made Disney think park crowds and wait lines are lovely to have when it enhances the perceivable value for upcharges and convinces people to pay double each park day.
I can't blame WDW, people love the special feeling of having upcharge access. We've bought a few ourselves and they were fun. What worries me is being a stone's throw from NEEDING these upcharges added all over our future trips. Epcot's roof garden will obviously be upcharge for HarmonioUS, right? They can sculpt crowd patterns to where Tron needs upcharge to experience without undue torture. They've gotten a taste of this. With all the new construction, I'm worried they are going to force the need to pay upcharges on most of these experiences.
They are well aware of the psychologic effect these extra tickets hold. Yes, you can POSSIBLY have an amazing time without, but if you don't want to take the gamble of things working out miserably you better tack these charges on for some security
You see this on the boards all the time... 'we don't really eat much dessert and probably could just find a fireworks spot 90 minutes prior, but our family is nervous so $360 is worth the insurance to us." What happens once there becomes 20 decisions like this to be made on a trip? It's a choice, yes. But if WDW is formulating the need for guests to have to rely on these upcharges, I will resent that. If you don't want to gamble with having a bad experience, pay a bunch of upcharges? Not good.
Sorry if this comes across as harsh. I do love WDW and overall Disney. The parks do deserve a premium cost but how soon till it hits insane cost?