Are you a Deluxe Snob?

[durangojim]

A couple of days ago I was having a discussion with a co-worker about WDW's resorts. I was saying that we usually stay at the WL or GF almost always with an AP discount. She has stayed at AS and PORS and suggested my wife, 1 y/o son, and I stay there. I replied that we like to stay at the deluxe MK resorts because of the extras and conviniences to which she replied that I'm a "Deluxe snob". She said this in all seriousness. I'm a pretty down to earth guy who's been going to WDW since I was about 5, we didn't ever stay on property until the late 80's and only then at the Disney Village, then later at dixie landings and some others. I worked my butt of in medical school and residency so I could provide my family with a comfortable living and now I'm labled a snob becuase we like to stay at nice hotels. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

 

[The Captain]

Call me a snob ll you want but I dont get to the World often so its a special vacation. I love stayin at the Polynesian Concierge.

 

[KnK]

We love the WL. We only get one vacation a year to the world for 10 days. We end up staying 4 days at POP and 6 at WL. I would spend the whole time at WL if I could afford it.

It's the small things that I like best about being at WL. We have stayed at several of the resorts over the years. And all resorts have great themeing. The WL just seems to much more laid back and the music just makes me feel relaxed.

If I am a delux snob......then so be it.

 

[durangojim]

As the OP, I thought I'd weigh back in on this topic (it got alot more replys than I ever imagined). We returned from our great trip last week, and it was extremely magical, especially for my wife who's birthday we were celebrating. So yes I am definately a deluxe snob as I don't think the things that I will list here could have happened at a Moderate or Value and to us and me especially they were very important:

When we checked in there was a half bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and a birthday card for my wife from Mickey. We ate and drank these later that evening while sitting on our balcony and watching the fireworks over the castle and saw the electrical water pagent

We used the Monorail to go to Chef Mickey's the next morning for breakfast where we celebrated her birthday again.

The small boat that goes to the MK, for MNSSHP my wife, son, and I dressed up as pirates, so it was pretty darn cool coming and going to the party on a boat, kept up with the theme.

So while the above may not be important to all, they certainly were to us, and when I shared them with my coworker, her response was, "huh, sounds like you had a good time."

By the way, just my wife and I are going back on Valentines to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and yep we're going to stay at the GF, and we're going dine at Victoria and Alberts that evening (add that to another reason I love deluxes), after all it is where we became engaged five years ago, and it's only been getting better ever since.

 

[Main Street USA]

As the OP, I thought I'd weigh back in on this topic (it got alot more replys than I ever imagined). We returned from our great trip last week, and it was extremely magical, especially for my wife who's birthday we were celebrating. So yes I am definately a deluxe snob as I don't think the things that I will list here could have happened at a Moderate or Value and to us and me especially they were very important:

When we checked in there was a half bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and a birthday card for my wife from Mickey. We ate and drank these later that evening while sitting on our balcony and watching the fireworks over the castle and saw the electrical water pagent

We used the Monorail to go to Chef Mickey's the next morning for breakfast where we celebrated her birthday again.

The small boat that goes to the MK, for MNSSHP my wife, son, and I dressed up as pirates, so it was pretty darn cool coming and going to the party on a boat, kept up with the theme.

So while the above may not be important to all, they certainly were to us, and when I shared them with my coworker, her response was, "huh, sounds like you had a good time."

By the way, just my wife and I are going back on Valentines to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and yep we're going to stay at the GF, and we're going dine at Victoria and Alberts that evening (add that to another reason I love deluxes), after all it is where we became engaged five years ago, and it's only been getting better ever since.

See, all of that sounds amazing! But the fact remains, the only things in your post that would really be different are the stuff you got at check in and the balcony sitting. Everything else is available to EVERY guest to WDW, even those staying off property.

The monorail, the boat, etc. I've never stayed at the GF, and yet I've done them all. I've never eaten at V&A'a, but I could, no matter where I slept at night.

Don't get me wrong. As my first post earlier in this thread says, DO WHAT YOU WANT!. I support your choice to stay at the GF! I would prefer the poly of contemp for the same money, but see, that's just personal preference. I also wouldn't mind saving $2000 and skipping the balcony and champagne either. I don't need the little extras to make it magical. Is it cool to have them? Heck yeah!

Glad you had an awesome time! Thanks for coming back and posting about it. Any chance you made a trip report?

 

[durangojim]

No trip report, but if I find some extra time I'll write one up.
By the way we'll be staying at the WL for memorial day week next year, I love that place.

 

[durangojim]

See, all of that sounds amazing! But the fact remains, the only things in your post that would really be different are the stuff you got at check in and the balcony sitting. Everything else is available to EVERY guest to WDW, even those staying off property.

The monorail, the boat, etc. I've never stayed at the GF, and yet I've done them all. I've never eaten at V&A'a, but I could, no matter where I slept at night.

I hear what you're saying and agree that financially it makes more sense to stay somewhere else as you can enjoy many of these features, but I would argue that there's a luxury factor involved that walking to the monorail or boat from your resort is not the same as riding them as a non resort guest. A person can wear a Timex and it will provide as good or better accuracy as a more expensive watch, but there is a satifaction that comes from wearing a Panerai (or other watch) that the Timex doesn't give me (unless it was a gift from my on or wife). This may be a poor analogy but there's something awesome about the litte extras that make the whole experience more enjoayable, maybe that's the snob in me coming through. I enjoy your earlier response and have a great day!

 

[minnie61650]

See, all of that sounds amazing! But the fact remains, the only things in your post that would really be different are the stuff you got at check in and the balcony sitting. Everything else is available to EVERY guest to WDW, even those staying off property.

The monorail, the boat, etc. I've never stayed at the GF, and yet I've done them all. I've never eaten at V&A'a, but I could, no matter where I slept at night.

Don't get me wrong. As my first post earlier in this thread says, DO WHAT YOU WANT!. I support your choice to stay at the GF! I would prefer the poly of contemp for the same money, but see, that's just personal preference. I also wouldn't mind saving $2000 and skipping the balcony and champagne either. I don't need the little extras to make it magical. Is it cool to have them? Heck yeah!


I agree Disney's value and mod resorts are a total bargain. You get so many perks (Disney theming, Disney transportation, and EMH)
Any of Disney's resort guests (even those staying at a value or mod) are allowed to shop, dine, use the transportation or spa facilities at any of the Disney Resorts. (Of course pool hopping is not allowed.)

I hear what you're saying and agree that financially it makes more sense to stay somewhere else as you can enjoy many of these features, but I would argue that there's a luxury factor involved that walking to the monorail or boat from your resort is not the same as riding them as a non resort guest. A person can wear a Timex and it will provide as good or better accuracy as a more expensive watch, but there is a satifaction that comes from wearing a Panerai (or other watch) that the Timex doesn't give me (unless it was a gift from my on or wife). This may be a poor analogy but there's something awesome about the litte extras that make the whole experience more enjoayable, maybe that's the snob in me coming through. I enjoy your earlier response and have a great day!

And that my friend is the correct answer.
You enjoy the pampering and if that helps make your vacation more pleasant & magical then by means go for it! And enjoy.

Just recognize that everyone cannot easily afford to pay for those little extra touches.

And then there are a few like myself that can easily afford to stay CL at any resort but choose not to. I could really care less about those extra touches.
They do not add a lot to my vacation.

I just enjoy being at Disney and staying a resort that reminds me I am at Disney.

I travel a lot for pleasure. I would rather stay at the Grand hotel on Mackinac Island, Mi. (That is the hotel opened in 1881 and in 1980 Somewhere In Time was filmed at Grand Hotel and stared Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer.) than the GF

If I want to stay at a Poly themed resort I can go to Hawaii.

Disney's value resorts are the only resorts with the giant Disney Icons.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?

 

[durangojim]

Mackinac is great, we were up there over labor day, and while I like the Grand Hotel, I wish that they had the Grand Michiganian up there like the Floridian at Disney. Wouldn't a monorail be great around the island, it could be pulled by horses to keep with the theme of everything:lol:

 

[BSikor]

I am now. I stayed at the Boardwalk Inn last weekend and cannot imagine staying at the All-Stars or anything less ever again. I live in Orlando so its just nice to "get away". The Boardwalk was great. Reasonable rate and walking distance to EPCOT.

 

[Main Street USA]

I hear what you're saying and agree that financially it makes more sense to stay somewhere else as you can enjoy many of these features, but I would argue that there's a luxury factor involved that walking to the monorail or boat from your resort is not the same as riding them as a non resort guest. A person can wear a Timex and it will provide as good or better accuracy as a more expensive watch, but there is a satifaction that comes from wearing a Panerai (or other watch) that the Timex doesn't give me (unless it was a gift from my on or wife). This may be a poor analogy but there's something awesome about the litte extras that make the whole experience more enjoayable, maybe that's the snob in me coming through. I enjoy your earlier response and have a great day!

Now see, that analogy makes it seem like you're the type of person, or your wife is the type of person who buys Coach purses, and Chanel sunglasses, etc. that cost $1000s of dollars for NO bump in quality over a $20 pair of sunglasses or a $50 purse. The ONLY reason to buy a purse, suglasses, or even watches that cost that much with NO benefit other than a logo, is to show off to others that you spent a lot of money. I call these people the biggest snobs and self-centered people on the planet. (Please, don't take offense to that personally. I don't know you, and am only going by the analogy at hand.)

Not only are they throwing money away on crap, they also think that others care about what they wear, or how much money they have. It's the only way they can feel important, and hosnestly, it's beyond pathetic.

I sat next to a girl on a flight home from AZ two weeks ago, and she launched into this god-awful story about how the airport had a sunglasses stand that sold Chanel sunglasses for ONLY (ONLY!) $300, instead of $600. So, she just HAD to buy them. WHAT A DEAL! Um, no. She still got ripped off. In reality, she bought a pair of sunglasses that were made for about $10-$20. Not only was I not impressed with her $300 sunglasses, it made her seem like a complete and total moron for being so thick in the head.

Whenever I see a person carrying one of these purses, or wearing crap like this, I just shake my head and laugh at thier total cluelessness. The whole "look at my amazing expensive stuff" attitude has to be the most unattractive )and telling) asset a person can possess.

Sorry, I know that got off topic, just trying to get the counter-point across.

 

[durangojim]

Now see, that analogy makes it seem like you're the type of person, or your wife is the type of person who buys Coach purses, and Chanel sunglasses, etc. that cost $1000s of dollars for NO bump in quality over a $20 pair of sunglasses or a $50 purse. The ONLY reason to buy a purse, suglasses, or even watches that cost that much with NO benefit other than a logo, is to show off to others that you spent a lot of money. I call these people the biggest snobs and self-centered people on the planet. (Please, don't take offense to that personally. I don't know you, and am only going by the analogy at hand.)

Not only are they throwing money away on crap, they also think that others care about what they wear, or how much money they have. It's the only way they can feel important, and hosnestly, it's beyond pathetic.

I sat next to a girl on a flight home from AZ two weeks ago, and she launched into this god-awful story about how the airport had a sunglasses stand that sold Chanel sunglasses for ONLY (ONLY!) $300, instead of $600. So, she just HAD to buy them. WHAT A DEAL! Um, no. She still got ripped off. In reality, she bought a pair of sunglasses that were made for about $10-$20. Not only was I not impressed with her $300 sunglasses, it made her seem like a complete and total moron for being so thick in the head.

Whenever I see a person carrying one of these purses, or wearing crap like this, I just shake my head and laugh at thier total cluelessness. The whole "look at my amazing expensive stuff" attitude has to be the most unattractive )and telling) asset a person can possess.

Sorry, I know that got off topic, just trying to get the counter-point across.

I agree about purses or sunglasses, but watches are a very different story. There's something to be said about a mechanical device that is completely hand made and can have literally hundreds of moving parts which work in syncronization to measure hundreds of seconds. If you speak to anyone who collects fine watches, and I don't mean Rolexes (although they have a great history and their movements are built like tanks), Tags, or some of the other popular fashion watches, you'll find an appreciation for the hand crafted quality and not the brand name. Besides, I find most people who try to flaunt their wealth and status by purchasing "brand name" items usually have neither. That's one of the reasons why I wear the watch I do, it has history to it, has a great movement, and probably 1 in 100,000 people would actually know the brand despite the fact that it may be very expensive. By the way, welcome to the forums. And please don't insult my wife as it isn't very nice or appropriate:wave:

 

[Main Street USA]

I agree about purses or sunglasses, but watches are a very different story. There's something to be said about a mechanical device that is completely hand made and can have literally hundreds of moving parts which work in syncronization to measure hundreds of seconds. If you speak to anyone who collects fine watches, and I don't mean Rolexes (although they have a great history and their movements are built like tanks), Tags, or some of the other popular fashion watches, you'll find an appreciation for the hand crafted quality and not the brand name. Besides, I find most people who try to flaunt their wealth and status by purchasing "brand name" items usually have neither. That's one of the reasons why I wear the watch I do, it has history to it, has a great movement, and probably 1 in 100,000 people would actually know the brand despite the fact that it may be very expensive. By the way, welcome to the forums. And please don't insult my wife as it isn't very nice or appropriate:wave:

Welcome to the forums? What? I've been here since 2001. And where did I insult your wife? You brought her up in your previous post as having shared your last vacation with her. I never directly referred to her. I LOOSELY refered to both of you as an example in the response to an analogy YOU presented. Not only that, I even threw in a post-note as a disclaimer that I wasn't taking personal shots at either of you, being that I don't know you.

If you'd like to discuss this with civility, I'm happy to do so, but please read the entire post before lashing out with responses to comments that weren't even made.

Now, as for watches, I understand your point. There ARE fine timepieces out there that are worth the money. I, myself, own a Citizen brand watch, and it's been amazing to me, and I've beaten the hell out of it without it skipping a beat. It's a $400 watch. It was bought for me by my wife as an engagement present, and therefore it means the world to me. Would I have purchased it myself? Probably not, but if I knew of it what I know now, I WOULD spend the money on it.

Again, though, were off of the thread topic of Disney Resorts. Let's attempt to keep it associated with WDW at the very least.

 

[durangojim]

Sorry about the welcome to the forums post, I was looking up at the poster above from Michigan who only had 8 posts, I auctually came back becuase I had an "aw crap" moment and I was going to edit the message.
As for insulting my wife, I think this statement of yours speaks for itself:

"Now see, that analogy makes it seem like you're the type of person, or your wife is the type of person who buys Coach purses, and Chanel sunglasses, etc. that cost $1000s of dollars for NO bump in quality over a $20 pair of sunglasses or a $50 purse."

Now I wasn't lashing out, just pointing out that you included my wife as well as analgogy with sunglasses and purses (which I never brought up) to my analogy about a fine time piece. Citizens are great watches with a nice movement, I used to have an eco drive while I was in medical school that lasted a long time until a crazy patient tried to attack me, but that's another story.

Anyway, I wasn't lashing out, I appreciate your frugality, and the sentimentality of the gift that you were given by your wife. I continue to believe that there are intangibles at some of the deluxes that can be equated in my opinion to that of a fine time piece and it doesn't make me a snob. My wife is a wonderful sentimental person who does not use a Coach purse or expensive sunglasses, but even if she did and they brought her happiness, and we could afford them it would make us no more snobs than someone who purchases less expensive items or stays at value resorts, it's all about what makes you happy as long as it isn't affecting anyone else. Peace.

 

[Main Street USA]

Sorry about the welcome to the forums post, I was looking up at the poster above from Michigan who only had 8 posts, I auctually came back becuase I had an "aw crap" moment and I was going to edit the message.
As for insulting my wife, I think this statement of yours speaks for itself:

"Now see, that analogy makes it seem like you're the type of person, or your wife is the type of person who buys Coach purses, and Chanel sunglasses, etc. that cost $1000s of dollars for NO bump in quality over a $20 pair of sunglasses or a $50 purse."

Now I wasn't lashing out, just pointing out that you included my wife as well as analgogy with sunglasses and purses (which I never brought up) to my analogy about a fine time piece. Citizens are great watches with a nice movement, I used to have an eco drive while I was in medical school that lasted a long time until a crazy patient tried to attack me, but that's another story.

Anyway, I wasn't lashing out, I appreciate your frugality, and the sentimentality of the gift that you were given by your wife. I continue to believe that there are intangibles at some of the deluxes that can be equated in my opinion to that of a fine time piece and it doesn't make me a snob. My wife is a wonderful sentimental person who does not use a Coach purse or expensive sunglasses, but even if she did and they brought her happiness, and we could afford them it would make us no more snobs than someone who purchases less expensive items or stays at value resorts, it's all about what makes you happy as long as it isn't affecting anyone else. Peace.

I think the statement you quoted of mine doesn't insult you or your wife because of the words "it seems" and because it wasn't a direct reference to you or her, as I don't know either of you from the next guy or girl I pass on the street. Anyway, that's neither here nor there.

Other than that, I agree with everything you said. I think it's EXTREMELY rare that anyone would spend that kind of money on a brand name purse or similar item because it "brings them happiness." Most of these people are brought happiness because of the attention it gets them. If the sole purpose is because you love the item, not because of the brand, but for it's qualities, then I think that's a great reason to buy something......
....................
........................and to connect that back to the original topic of the thread, it's also a great reason to stay at a Deluxe WDW Resort.

I, myself, will soon be buying into the DVC. Not because I'll get to say I'm in the DVC, but because it will save me over $100,000 on resort stays by the year 2040 (crossing my fingers that I live that long!) :lol: ...and it will save nearly double that by the time it expires in the mid 2050's. I'd be around 78ish by then, though, but hopefully, I'll still be coherent, and ready to have some more fun at WDW. Even if I'm not, though, my kids will be able to enjoy it for many, many years.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

That's one of the reasons why I wear the watch I do, it has history to it, has a great movement, and probably 1 in 100,000 people would actually know the brand despite the fact that it may be very expensive.:wave:

That's the best kind of watch to have. As long as you know your money is well spent and you have an item that's well-made and that you'll enjoy for a long time, the rest of the world doesn't need to know how much it cost. I adore my good watch and very few people know the price or the maker.

That, along with staying at a deluxe resort and enjoying a vacation your way, does not make you a snob. Watch out for reverse snobs. They're worse.

 

[MickeyTigg]

I personally think that you should stay at the highest level resort that you can afford....if that makes me a snob, so be it....I don't care.

 

[bgraham34]

We try to always stay at WL but sometimes the first night we stay elsewhere just to cut down on the cost. That is usualy because we land so late in the evening. But if WL has no rooms we will goto a Moderate Resort.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Whenever I see a person carrying one of these purses, or wearing crap like this, I just shake my head and laugh at thier total cluelessness. The whole "look at my amazing expensive stuff" attitude has to be the most unattractive )and telling) asset a person can possess.

Speaking as a "label" , I find buying goods that fell off the back of a lorry helps satisfy the need for branding while minimising the outgoing cash flow. So I can be tasteless for less.:drevil:

Does staying at FW make me trailer trash? Or is it my mullet and potty mouth?

 

[KnK]

Does staying at FW make me trailer trash? Or is it my mullet and potty mouth?

Don't know why.....but this tickled my fancy. Actually laughed out loud.

 

[dox]

Not sure I even get the point of this thread. I had ignored it when I first saw it but now that it is once again alive.... I'll bite. If your intent in starting this thread was to say that the Deluxe resorts are superior to Moderate and Value resorts...well, thats kind of a given. Hence, the term DELUXE. Honestly, and don't be offended, I don't know you, I could be wrong, but your post really comes across and reads as though you are desperately trying to show off (particularly, your watch reference, a brand which really would not be known to most people) and trying to let others, strangers on the 'net (which is quite odd), know how much you spent on your trip and how much you enjoy spending. Not sure why anyone would take delight in referring to themselves as a snob unless they really believe that there is some self worth to derive from the use of that term to describe themselves or worse yet, they measure their own self worth by what they materialistically acquire. In my particular line of work, too often I encounter folks who really believe that the amount of $ they earn or the clothes they wear or the part of town they live in somehow has anything to do with who they are and feel a compulsion to let others know it. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not accusing you of this, but what I am letting you know is that the tone of your posts do come across that way. So you like Deluxes and your co-worker doesn't......yeah and your point??