News Disney CFO Hugh Johnston Says Dynamic Pricing Is Coming to the Parks

[flynnibus]

Again, not defending some of the changes that have occurred over the past 7 to 5 years but again, my opinion is that its still the Flagship resort when I step foot on property.

So your personal PREFERENCE is for the GF due to it's proximity, etc... but that doesn't really mean "I sometimes stay the Waldorf down the road and the Ritz on points, but pale in comparison to the GF" when talking hotels.

 

[jah4955]

I didn't cut it out.. it wasn't really all that relevant to my point that 'deluxe' has a meaning and intent.. and your attempt at moving the goal posts with "Disney Deluxe is deluxe compared to Moderate or Value resorts. Not in comparison to non-Disney deluxe accommodations." That's gaslighting.

Plus, it totally ignores the expectations Disney used for their own properties for ages. You don't call something a RESORT when you are trying to just say "well its really just our tier 3 property". They were setup to be RESORTS before there even were moderates. This 'well the naming is only of relative meaning' is nonsense.

Penguin vs. penguin (I have a feeling this isn't the first time?)

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Penguin vs. penguin (I have a feeling this isn't the first time?)

 

[HauntedPirate]

Isn't one of them still a Michelin? I've never been (don't ever plan on it either), but I also remember Victoria & Albert's being #1 or #2 dining experience in all Florida many years.

My last few times I had "brunch" at Grand Floridian Cafe to give me the energy I needed for the rest of the day (never stayed at resort). Prices weren't bad at all imo, and A+ as far as I'm concerned.

Many hotels are/were 4-star in the past but none are, or ever have been, 5-star hotels, IIRC. There may have been one exception to that one year but I’m fairly sure there isn’t. V&A does garner industry praise, can’t recall what level.

 

[jah4955]

Many hotels are/were 4-star in the past but none are, or ever have been, 5-star hotels, IIRC. There may have been one exception to that one year but I’m fairly sure there isn’t. V&A does garner industry praise, can’t recall what level.

I think one (early) year the GF (resort) was given the most stars/diamonds/etc. Maybe when they actually had birds?

 

[jah4955]

Many hotels are/were 4-star in the past but none are, or ever have been, 5-star hotels, IIRC. There may have been one exception to that one year but I’m fairly sure there isn’t. V&A does garner industry praise, can’t recall what level.

this link shouldn't be censored lol (from this April)

Disney World's Victoria and Albert's Awarded MICHELIN Star for Second Year

Disney World's Victoria and Albert's Awarded MICHELIN Star for Second Year

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[HauntedPirate]

I think one (early) year the GF (resort) was given the most stars/diamonds/etc. Maybe when they actually had birds?

V&A has earned 1 Michelin star (out of 3). GF has earned nothing Michelin-related, as far as I can see at the moment (admittedly, a quick search).

 

[jah4955]

V&A has earned 1 Michelin star (out of 3). GF has earned nothing Michelin-related, as far as I can see at the moment (admittedly, a quick search).

I apologize...with the top-rating I was thinking of, it was another outfit besides Michelin....again this was late '80s or early '90s....

I used to loved WDW so much that I read so many travel guides (mostly from the library) to absorb all that I could (this was long before the Internet and the various books on DisneyParks/Imagineering...most of my info came from non-Disney sources at that time

And forget The Disney Channel .... that was a luxury for the rich (or at least that was my impression at the time lol)

 

[lentesta]

The Deluxe, Moderate and Economy ratings that Disney gives itself for the on-property resorts do not coincide with the standards of off property establishments, which all too often exceed the Disney standards and cost less.

This is true. As an example, AAA's guidelines are public for how they determine a 1, 3-, 4- and 5-diamond hotel.

I note that room service is a requirement for 4+ diamonds. So every Deluxe hotel except the Grand Flo is likely no more than a 3-diamond property. That's subject to guideline interpretations, of course. But they're not obviously 4-diamond resorts.

From there you can figure out the Disney premium charge for being on property, as compared to other off-site 4-star places. My guess is it's something like 40%.

 

[lentesta]

I sometimes stay the Waldorf down the road and the Ritz on points, but pale in comparison to the GF.

I'll agree on the Waldorf. But the Ritz-Carlton Orlando? It's been a minute since I've been there, but the service alone was like two leaps beyond the Grand Flo the last time I was there. Has it fallen that much?

 

[Horizons '83]

I'll agree on the Waldorf. But the Ritz-Carlton Orlando? It's been a minute since I've been there, but the service alone was like two leaps beyond the Grand Flo the last time I was there. Has it fallen that much?

Could have been a blip or a 1 time occurrence, but we stayed in September and it was a bit shocking how bad service was overall across all areas, particularly since we had great experiences prior. We ended up moving to the JW Bonnet creek and really enjoyed it there.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Penguin vs. penguin (I have a feeling this isn't the first time?)

We rarely cross flippers. But I was flipped off at the accusation of gaslighting.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

There is no “luxury” locations owned and operated by the the Walt Disney Company

There never has been…there never will be. Lets back any thought “train” back up into the station regarding that.

You can say some have “better” amenities and location…which was 100% on purpose.

But don’t believe you’re a Vanderbilt at the Polynesian

 

[monothingie]

That is a tired statement and a lazy one at that, no offense but I've seen this statement from the same 3 or 4 folks over and over. I don't see it as a lesser product, that's the point some don't get.

Its absurd to think that I shouldn't stay here simply because they don't offer these services, of which I personally don't care for anyway, just because they were offered before, at some point.

You wanna talk with you wallet, well I no longer shop at the World of Disney (Banana Republic) after the they gutted the best Disney store on this planet. I don't eat at California Grill because of its watered down overpriced prix fixe menu. Just a few examples, the GF isn't one of them.

It's accurate.

In no way is the GF in anyway a flagship resort. Everything has been made cookie cutter as to minimize costs. Each deluxe has exactly the same amenities and features and benefits as every other deluxe resort on property. The merch in the gift shop is the mostly the same, the drinks at the pool bar are the same, the QS items are all variations of the same thing, the in room toiletries are the same, the beds and sheets are the same, the room categories are the same, the pool features are the same, etc. etc. There's no opulence or luxury, just economization in the name of cost cutting.

 

[monothingie]

V&A has earned 1 Michelin star (out of 3). GF has earned nothing Michelin-related, as far as I can see at the moment (admittedly, a quick search).

The concept was a throwback to 88 when it opened and when luxury and fine dining meant something at the Flagship resort.

 

[Horizons '83]

It's accurate.

In no way is the GF in anyway a flagship resort. Everything has been made cookie cutter as to minimize costs. Each deluxe has exactly the same amenities and features and benefits as every other deluxe resort on property. The merch in the gift shop is the mostly the same, the drinks at the pool bar are the same, the QS items are all variations of the same thing, the in room toiletries are the same, the beds and sheets are the same, the room categories are the same, the pool features are the same, etc. etc. There's no opulence or luxury, just economization in the name of cost cutting.

A flagship resort doesn't have to be a St. Regis, nor can it be without asking for $1,500 plus a night. We were fortunate to have been able to stay at the new St. Regis in Longboat Key for our anniversary, and wow, was that next level service that I could spend hours detailing, but I don't expect that at the Grand, and I didn't in the 90's when we first stayed there.

 

[monothingie]

A flagship resort doesn't have to be a St. Regis, nor can it be without asking for $1,500 plus a night. We were fortunate to have been able to stay at the new St. Regis in Longboat Key for our anniversary, and wow, was that next level service that I could spend hours detailing, but I don't expect that at the Grand, and I didn't in the 90's when we first stayed there.

And that's why they have to discount the hell out of it to fill rooms today.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Difference of opinion, but I still feel I am at a flagship when at the Grand. I sometimes stay the Waldorf down the road and the Ritz on points, but pale in comparison to the GF. The Grand is a special place, and you can certainly point to a number of things that have watered down its status over the years (really miss the Jazz Orchestra) but its still the #1 resort in my book on property.

Wow…

You want to give me tips on how to bet the nfl this weekend? (So I can go oppo)

The grand Floridian has been run like a mess for most of its history…I subbed in there for a touch 25 years ago and they’re lucky the place didn’t burn down.

What you’re describing is the CONSTRUCTION…not the service and operation

They were uniquely constructed…which covers what they lack in service and operation.

Luxury service costs money…it can’t be value engineered backwards to get to that point. You can’t have people out of a hiring pool next to I-4. That’s comes at a premium and it’s not acceptable.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A flagship resort doesn't have to be a St. Regis, nor can it be without asking for $1,500 plus a night. We were fortunate to have been able to stay at the new St. Regis in Longboat Key for our anniversary, and wow, was that next level service that I could spend hours detailing, but I don't expect that at the Grand, and I didn't in the 90's when we first stayed there.

Then why say it’s better than a ritz Carlton?…it’s not…at least not on what the expectations are.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

And that's why they have to discount the hell out of it to fill rooms today.

…because you can…in fact…put a price on magic?

Turns out it’s less than $950 a night, $225 for a one day park hopper, and $65 for a buffet at 1900 park fare served by the trough with Tiana?

…just spitballing