re: When did Disney get so expensive?

I can't really recall a time when it wasn't expensive. Even in the 80's when mom and dad took us, I remember them talking about how expensive it was.

There are ways to reduce the cost. Friends of ours just got back from a week there with their 3 kids and he said the trip was only $2500. They drove, stayed off property at a VRBO, ate all meals in the rented condo except lunch in the parks, etc. He did say though the planning ate up a lot of their time, even with his wife who stays home doing the bulk of it. So there's that.