2006 Disney Resort Room Rates w/ poll

[tecowdw]

Just looking at the new 2006 rates out for the WDW deluxe resorts. I always look at them with my jaw dropping. The cheapest rate at the Polynesian will be $315 per night. That is just crazy at $11 over 2005! I absolutely love the Polynesian and have stayed there many times but they are pricing that out of my budget! Let's not even discuss the better views!! Even the WL and AKL cheapest room rates will be $205 but at least that's only a $5 increase. (I don't even bother looking at what the GF rates - good thing I don't care for that theme!)

Granted, perhaps these are small percentage increases but those are not the only costs I personally have to bear in order to visit WDW. Add this on top of the ever increasing air fares and it's getting tougher to save for my beloved WDW!


At what point does Disney price themselves out of the realm of what people can afford for that resort's target group? It's tough enough for the average family to afford even staying on Disney property - let alone a deluxe. I'm a frequent visitor but higher rates, food prices and ticket prices means something has to give sooner or later. Unfortunately, it has to be either the level of resort or the frequency of visits. If I have to change, then there are surely people that barely could afford the value resorts probably might have to also. Now if 50% of the guests have to make the same decision, doesn't WDW begin to feel the impact?


And now there's a "PRE-HOLIDAY" rate season too?!?!?!
:brick:

 

[Thrawn]

Deluxe resorts aren't meant to target the average family.

Prices go up. It is the way of the world. I'd be more worried to see prices going down (like after 9-11.) That means low occupancy, and less in the form of new things at the parks. WDW has had high occupancy for most of 2004 and all of 2005. Disney is (correctly) believing that this will be a continuing trend.

Think about it this way:

Two families are planning a WDW trip. One family makes $100,000 a year, the other $500,000. To the first family, the $11 a night is a much bigger difference. However, they still want to stay on property, so they will go to the WL or AKL at the cheaper rates. The second family does not care as much about $11 a night, so they stay at the Poly.

 

[tecowdw]

True, I guess if things don't look good from WDW's point of view, they have the discounting available to use. Bring 'em on!!

Inflation - a double edged sword!!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I'm sorry to say but I think Disney is getting greedy and taking advantage of guests - It is far cheaper to say off site and to drive to the parks each day.
OK so the "Disney Magic" isn't with you 24/7, you have a longer journey to and from the parks, you don't get EMH.................... but I'd rather have $ in my pocket to spend on food etc rather than saying "well we stayed on site"

 

[dixiegirl]

well this will give us more of a reason to join the vacation club......not that i needed a reason before..

 

[bears163]

after seeing those rates i am even more happy :sohappy: to be a DVC member

 

[Nansafan]

Buy an AP. The room discounts alone make it worth the cost. Last year we saved 40% per room on our summer trip at the Contemporary. This year for our trip we are staying at the Poly and the discount comes to around 25% per room. All you need it one AP to get the AP rate at the resorts, and now with the ability to purchase the dining card at a reduced rate, we'll be saving even more money. The dining card cost $50.00 (AP rate). With the 4 sit-down meals we have planned, we will be saving at minimum $60 with the group we are vacationing with this year. The dining card will have paid itself off.

 

[brich]

I'm sorry to say but I think Disney is getting greedy and taking advantage of guests - It is far cheaper to say off site and to drive to the parks each day.
OK so the "Disney Magic" isn't with you 24/7, you have a longer journey to and from the parks, you don't get EMH.................... but I'd rather have $ in my pocket to spend on food etc rather than saying "well we stayed on site"

Good points. So long as there are enough guests who feel they are getting their money's worth by paying more than an average room rate found outside the park to stay on property. Then rates will go up. The past few trips I've stayed offsite. I just didn't feel the return was worth the extra money. There were other logistical reasons for staying offsite as well. My next trip, we will be staying on site. But because I can't see spending the money to stay my entire trip at the Poly or the AKL, we will split it up so we can get a little taste of each. Bottom line is it's a supply and demand world. If people will pay, then the rates will reflect that.

 

[righttrack]

Deluxe Resorts, are , well, deluxe. They aren't for everyone and they aren't priced that way. There are some people who would not go to WDW if there weren't the amenities available at a deluxe. The value resorts compare favorably to off-site lodging, especially when you add in the transportation/theming. What I have problem with is the moderates. What do you gain by staying in one? The only benefit I could find would be a more adult theme for people without children. Otherwise, like most things, IMO, medium does not fit.

 

[Shaman]

Moderates ARE important...in fact I would say that the major thing that changes with each Deluxe, moderate, and value is the size of the room...all Disney rooms are standard two beds...etc...

If you stay at a MK resort...you have the monorail...I've stayed at two of these resorts and while yes its a plus...the minus would be the shared bus service...which equals packed buses...At the Epcot Resorts you're just a walk (or a boat ride) away from the park...and the rooms while larger and perhaps more pleasant really doesn't equal getting your money's worth...but heck its a business so you give less and charge more...

Value resort rooms are smaller...everything is cheaper...thus thats why its always packed with people...its affordable (though you're still really not getting your money's worth)...and you're in Disney...the buses are always packed with people...

Moderates lie in the middle...to me you get the best of both worlds...the prices aren't too high and the amenities are acceptable...Coronado for example you have a nice theme...nice pool...acceptable rooms...nice atmosphere...you have a restuarant and a market type thing...

For me these are the best for each group:

Deluxe= AKL
Moderate= Coronado Springs
Value= Pop Century

For the most part I usually go for the moderates...but if the price is right won't hesitate going either up of down...

Just some thoughts...

 

[bhg469]

the moderates seem to have better transportation, the busses are rarely packed except for caribbean beach. that is why i prefer moderates over the all stars.

 

[surfsupdon]

Deluxe Resorts, are , well, deluxe. They aren't for everyone and they aren't priced that way. There are some people who would not go to WDW if there weren't the amenities available at a deluxe. The value resorts compare favorably to off-site lodging, especially when you add in the transportation/theming. What I have problem with is the moderates. What do you gain by staying in one? The only benefit I could find would be a more adult theme for people without children. Otherwise, like most things, IMO, medium does not fit.

See, and I have always felt completely opposite, that the moderates are the "best buy."

Values you are paying money and receiving a lot less. Cramped rooms, single sinks, very limited storage, almost no recreation, and no pool slides. I don't see these comparing to all offsite lodging b/c i see some of the offsite hotels are much nicer and more extravagant and can have a comparable price to a Disney Value.

Deluxes you are paying extremely high rates for a very large room, awesome pools and a great location. Other than that, you ahve to still pay above and beyond the extremely high price tag to use other amenities that you already paid to have the "option" of using.

Moderates do blend both categories, but seem to grab more of the deluxe. Aside from their layout, the only differences could be considered smaller rooms and bus transportation (tho all the mods are centrally located, unlike MK Resorts and AKL). They have great immersive themes, ample food options, recreation, well kept rooms, pool slides, boats, and bikes.


Whenever prices increase, and demand increases as well, I always wonder if we will ever see a category beneath Value. Remember Caribbean started as the first "family priced Resort" but now has prices approaching 250/night during certain seasons. Values are now over 100/night, and will only be increasing...


Having said all of that, our family began with moderates (Caribbean and Dixie) and bounced our way up to deluxe Yacht Club. We would never stay at YC without an AP rate b/c it is too expensive, and, honestly not worth the high price tag.

 

[New2WDW]

100,000

Two families are planning a WDW trip. One family makes $100,000 a year, the other $500,000.

WHAT! If I made anywhere near the first family I would not be complaining about rising costs. Come on Thrawn gives us a realistic scenario! But I do see your point!

 

[New2WDW]

New Resort Category...

I always wonder if we will ever see a category beneath Value.

Sure, The new Disney SLUM "Seen Living Under Monorail" Where your almost at the Magic! :lol:

 

[brich]

WHAT! If I made anywhere near the first family I would not be complaining about rising costs. Come on Thrawn gives us a realistic scenario! But I do see your point!

It goes way beyond $100,000 vs $500,000. What's the median household income in this country? Around 50,000? What are the demographics of the average guests? How many are repeat visitors? It would be interesting to see how many Grand Floridian guests are repeat visitors versus say repeat visitors for the Value resorts.

There are some on here that make frequent trips to WDW and they may be more inclined to stay at Value or Mod. resorts where as those who make this a once or twice in a life time trip may opt for going all out at a Deluxe.

I still say the bottom line is that so long as people are willing to pay the price, then the rates will reflect that. Once people stop booking rooms on property, Disney will react and not raise the rates. Disney needs to find that point in which they still warrant demand but not out price themselves. When it comes to profit, so long as they make it, they will attempt to max it without over pricing their product.

I hate that Disney is a business...