Disney's Contemporary Resort to debut new 'Health and Wellness' suites

[jt04]

Personally, I think this is something that is long overdue - but I am a bit perplexed by the way they are marketing and packaging it. As a person who has stayed concierge at some Disney resorts, I can attest that it is a fake upcharge. I would love to know how many wealthy people have spent thousands of dollars extra for concierge - only to find out that it is exactly the same room everyone else has - just with private elevator access and a snack bar. I am actually shocked at how long they have gotten away with upcharging an average room and just slapping the label "concierge level" on it. With this new "project" there will actually be a distinct difference between an average hotel room and what appear to be 14th floor penthouses. However, if it fails miserably (which the Orlando Sentinel and hospitality experts at UCF have hinted at), I am sure we will all pay for it with increased rates and scaling back of amenities...

I love it when the Orlando Sentinel is wrong. :lol:

 

[captainkidd]

Had no interest in staying at the Contemporary before. This doesn't change that in the least.

 

[captainkidd]

Maybe you're right.

They should probably pipe Burger King directly to the rooms, run 24/7 nascar on the television and decorate from the kmart collection.

Where do you get that from what the poster said?

I agree - It's lame. If people want this type of "experience", go stay at a spa.

 

[dreamfinder]

Where do you get that from what the poster said?

I agree - It's lame. If people want this type of "experience", go stay at a spa.

There however are plenty of people who would say the same thing about Princess rooms or Pirate themed rooms, and most definitely HM themed rooms. Are you going to these those who are clamoring for the HM theming to go stay in a crypt or mausoleum?

The theming style fits in with the new modern theme in the BLT in my opinion. And there are plenty of people who have "new" money, that think that the GF is a bit stuffy and pretentious, but would have no problems spending the same amount of money (or more) to stay in rooms like this.

Disney has been trying real hard to offer different types of rooms and different cost points that appeal across the board. When they identify a niche they aren't filling, they try to fill that niche to keep people on property.

While most of us on these boards (myself included) look shocked when someone says they went to WDW, but only spent an hour or two at the parks (or none at all), for some people that is plenty. Forum members are always saying how many non park options WDW has for guests to experience. Golf, driving a race car, para sailing, Cirque, etc. This is a way to cater to guests who may be more likely to spend time doing those non park events than to those who go from rope drop to close and have every minute of their day planned out.

 

[wdwmagic]

Health & Wellness? If I may speak frankly, this idea seems -- what's the right way to say this? -- super lame. I predict these suites will be retrofitted to some other theme within three years.

Disney get massive attendance at the RunDisney events each year - I don't know exact numbers of the top of my head, but they have something like 50,000 people at the sold out Marathon Weekend each year.

Check out the gyms at the deluxe resorts on any given day, they are full of people on vacation staying in shape.

Head to the Boardwalk early in the morning and you will see runners doing mile after mile around the area.

Fitness and wellness is a boom area - it's wise to be involved. My only question-mark is the entry cost to this is going to be so high. But it does make sense as a place to start.

 

[Eeyore]

Where do you get that from what the poster said?

I agree - It's lame. If people want this type of "experience", go stay at a spa.

I would love to be able to stay in a suite like that at WDW, I wish I could afford it. It would be great to be able to wake up and workout looking out over Bay Lake or the Magic Kingdom before heading to the parks. Why should people have to choose between a spa and WDW? I see no harm in Disney combining the experience for people who are interested in that. I'm just not sure if they have the right demographic for it to be a success. :shrug:

 

[ChrisM]

Had no interest in staying at the Contemporary before. This doesn't change that in the least.

Sounds like another kitsch-lover who salivates over the Polynesian and its moldy funk.

I'm quite sure Disney is devestated that you don't appreciate the direction they are taking for a small number of rooms in a resort you'll never be interested in.

The petulant provincialism of so many of the Disney obsessed is a bizarre phenomena.

 

[lbrad]

Seconded. Heck, any room on the monorail line is out of my price range.

Thirded...wat out of my price range

 

[ERich2010]

Thirded...wat out of my price range

fourth'd

 

[WDWGoof07]

These suites look amazing.

 

[captainkidd]

Sounds like another kitsch-lover who salivates over the Polynesian and its moldy funk.

I'm quite sure Disney is devestated that you don't appreciate the direction they are taking for a small number of rooms in a resort you'll never be interested in.

The petulant provincialism of so many of the Disney obsessed is a bizarre phenomena.

And another poster who can't stand when someone voices their opinion that differs from that of their own.

Of course Disney doesn't care what I think. If they do this, more power to them. I could care less if they tore down the Contemporary and turned it into a Value Resort based on Tron. Do I have to like the idea to post on this thread? if those are the rules, please point them out to me.

 

[xdan0920]

Where do you get that from what the poster said?

I agree - It's lame. If people want this type of "experience", go stay at a spa.

I see by your sig that you have spend a large amount of time staying in deluxe accommodations. This fact is confusing me. You vehemently disagree with Disney developing these upscale room options, and yet, you stay in their upscale resorts. Why are you choosing here to arbitrarily draw the line of what is too upscale?

 

[captainkidd]

I see by your sig that you have spend a large amount of time staying in deluxe accommodations. This fact is confusing me. You vehemently disagree with Disney developing these upscale room options, and yet, you stay in their upscale resorts. Why are you choosing here to arbitrarily draw the line of what is too upscale?

I don't have anything against "upscale". We stay at the Deluxe Resorts for the convenience factor (plus we're a family of 5.) It's just my opinion. Doesn't sound very interesting to me, but again, just my opinion. Like I said, I don't care what they do with the Contemporary. I've never had any desire to stay there. I don't "disagree" with them doing this. If there's a demographic for this type of thing and people are willing to pay the price, good for Disney.

 

[ChrisM]

And another poster who can't stand when someone voices their opinion that differs from that of their own.

Of course Disney doesn't care what I think. If they do this, more power to them. I could care less if they tore down the Contemporary and turned it into a Value Resort based on Tron. Do I have to like the idea to post on this thread? if those are the rules, please point them out to me.

Perhaps I'm incorrectly interpreting the tone of your comments and their implied meaning, but it certainly seems to be one in which you not only don't care for the Contemporary as a personal preference, but that you don't understand why anyone would enjoy it or why anyone would be interested in this particular set of rooms.

In that case, you're not just expressing your opinion, but openly declaring your ignorance.