How much longer will you stay at a Disney Resort?

[captainkidd]

This isn't meant to be another "bash Disney" thread, but inspired from another thread, it got me thinking. I did some looking last night at rack rates for 2012, and it upset me a great deal. I went back to resort pricing from 1992, and realized Disney resorts have increased their price by 100% in that time. In that same span of time, the average household income has increased by about 15%. You see where I'm going with this....

I've come to sadly accept, without a STEEP discount, Disney has officially out priced me in the Deluxe category. Sans AKL and WL, which don't fit 5 people, all Deluxe Resorts are at least $400 (with tax) per night. I'm still in the moderate ballpark at around $200 (with tax) per night. However, as a family of 5, mods aren't a realistic option. So for us, our best bet is to pray for a huge discount, or get 2 rooms at a Value.

Do you suppose Disney could do the unthinkable and reduce resort pricing? It seems unlikely given the resort occupancy levels, but you have to believe, in the next few years, they're going to out price more and more families. And are you like me, and starting to realize if we want to continue to vacation at WDW, we're going to have to stay off-site?

 

[yankspy]

There is always the cabins at Ft. Wilderness. However, I seem to remember that you did not like the cabins.

The deluxe resorts have been getting pricey which was why we chose to go with DVC.

As far as the values, I stayed at POP last year for one night for the first time and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. (That is coming from a 15 year deluxe snob). The room was clean, the place was quiet, and I have to say that the values have one thing over the deluxe resorts, the food court. This came in handy since we do not always eat TS for every single meal.

 

[stargrl33]

Now that I've had the pleasure of staying at a Disney resort, I would say that it's no longer a priority for me to do so every time I go. The next time I go, I will be more likely to stay off-property to save money.

Once in awhile Disney sends me some really good deals on moderate or value resort rooms but they still aren't as cheap as Orlando hotels. At this point, I'd be willing to sacrifice the convenience of on-property if it meant more cash in my pocket or a longer stay in Florida.

 

[captainkidd]

I've never stayed in the cabins. Those are now over $300 per night as well.

DVC, at this point, is not realistic. The per point cost is too much. I screwed up and should have bought 15 years ago, but I wasn't making the same kind of money then.

I love the Values. Problem is, it's a matter of just a few years before 2 rooms there will cost over $300 a night. And that's really the point. I know, realistically, our on-site days are just about over. We're not going to WDW next year, as we're going to Disneyland. I'd say 2013 will be our last hurrah on-site, then it will be off-site, or someplace new all together.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I believe the deluxe prices are what they are so that Disney can discount them keeping their average per night for all deluxe rooms at each of those resorts where it needs to be. The discounts draw in people who wouldn't otherwise spend the rack rates because they feel they got a good deal and it was do-able. People who don't need the discounts to afford to stay in the deluxes will pay whatever the rack rate is which is a total win for Disney. Average all those rooms together any given night and Disney is where they need to be.

I **have** paid rack rate at the Contemporary once but that was very much not the norm for us. We were in a pretty unusual situation financially for us at that time. Nowadays I wouldn't stay at a deluxe without a discount, especially when I know that the "deluxe" that you pay for at Disney is skewed from the rest of the world outside those magical gates. :lol:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I've never stayed in the cabins. Those are now over $300 per night as well.

DVC, at this point, is not realistic. The per point cost is too much. I screwed up and should have bought 15 years ago, but I wasn't making the same kind of money then.

I love the Values. Problem is, it's a matter of just a few years before 2 rooms there will cost over $300 a night. And that's really the point. I know, realistically, our on-site days are just about over. We're not going to WDW next year, as we're going to Disneyland. I'd say 2013 will be our last hurrah on-site, then it will be off-site, or someplace new all together.

Personally, I've often thought a rental house with a pool would be fun in itself. I looked once just to see what was out there and found this gorgeous house with waaaay more room & oppulence than we actually would need for about what a deluxe stay costs. Also, I don't have a family of 5 so not sure how that would go, but I recently looked at some of our dates in September at the new Waldorf Astoria Orlando and would you believe I could get a room there for $178/night??? And that's a real deluxe hotel!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I think I'm going to have to wait until my kids get a bit older before I can fully make that decision. Right now- staying on site makes nap/rest time significantly easier. I still don't know if I'd do it w/o some kind of discount, but I still don't mind paying a bit more right now for convenience. Once the girls are older, I think we're going to have to do a trip where we hop and really try to make the most of EMH...i.e. see if staying on site is still worth it.

The reality- a room at the Ritz Carlton would be cheaper than our discounted room at the Contemporary. The Peabody would also be cheaper (love the ducks ). So, it's worth experimenting in a few years.

 

[GenerationX]

We're a family of five, too, which as has been mentioned already limits resort choices. We used to stay in Deluxes, but the price of two Moderate rooms is now less than one Deluxe room. Easy choice for us to get two Moderate rooms - with more square footage - than one Deluxe room.

The Deluxe resorts (and all of the Disney resorts, for that matter) have clearly been wildly successful. Supply vs. Demand. Supply of rooms has gone up but not enough to meet the rise in Demand. Prices have gone up as a result.

 

[3WaltFans]

As long as were going to Disney, we will stay on their property.

So much more convenient, and saves time.

 

[BalooChicago]

I love the Values. Problem is, it's a matter of just a few years before 2 rooms there will cost over $300 a night.

Isn't AOA supposed to have suites which will accommodate 6?

 

[Bluewaves]

Its simple economics, if the rooms are full and there is still a high demand Disney can charge what they want for them, I can remember going in '02 or '03 when they were doing 7 days for the price of 4 or something like that I miss those days but with occupancy being what it is I don't ever foresee that coming back

 

[Diane Hughess]

As long as were going to Disney, we will stay on their property.

So much more convenient, and saves time.

I agree. I could never stay off-site again. I'd rather have 2 rooms at Pop than stay off site. My hubby would disagree--he likes the Embassy Suites/Homewood Suites set up. I like the suite-style when we go anywhere OTHER than Disney. Besides, after mastering the parks all day, we are so tired we all just pass out. We used to stay at Mods when the kids were small, but now we spread out in 2 rooms at Pop. We've only done AKL back when the deal was Pay for 4, Stay for 7 (the good old days!) We are, however, staying 1 night at the Floridian this year to fulfill my Mom's dream of staying there (at 45% off!). I like being surrounded by the Magic of Disney while there! A great escape from reality, if only for 10 days!

 

[Hakunamatata]

There is no reason for Disney to reduce rack rates. It makes more sense to discount and make people think they are getting a good deal which fuels perceived satisfaction which fuels a happier experience.

 

[ScoutN]

I shall continue to stay there until I die.

Seriously.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

Staying off property is NOT an option. Resorts and transportation work just fine for me. Off property would defeat getting away from the real world.

 

[yankspy]

I've never stayed in the cabins. Those are now over $300 per night as well.

DVC, at this point, is not realistic. The per point cost is too much. I screwed up and should have bought 15 years ago, but I wasn't making the same kind of money then.

I love the Values. Problem is, it's a matter of just a few years before 2 rooms there will cost over $300 a night. And that's really the point. I know, realistically, our on-site days are just about over. We're not going to WDW next year, as we're going to Disneyland. I'd say 2013 will be our last hurrah on-site, then it will be off-site, or someplace new all together.

Ever consider the secondary market? I think Beach Club is around $80-$85 per point now.

 

[puntagordabob]

Disney Vacation Club is the way to go!!!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Staying off property is NOT an option. Resorts and transportation work just fine for me. Off property would defeat getting away from the real world.

Truth.

 

[BigRedDad]

A Disney vacation is not cheap. It is definitely a vacation destination of the Have's and Have-not's. A week vacation with a family of 4 will cost over $2000 easily without food (unless free dining). You can only cut so many corners.

For me, I would be willing to camp. DW won't camp, so some trips may be without her. The best part about camping is you can bring your own food. That will save a ton. I have heard people bringing a crockpot and letting it simmer all day. Go back at night and you have a pot of beef stew, spaghetti, or what ever ready. No muss, no fuss. APs and camping can save a ton.

 

[lostpro9het]

Staying off property is NOT an option. Resorts and transportation work just fine for me. Off property would defeat getting away from the real world.

+1! I love being able to walk into my Pop room drop my car keys and wallet and not have to worry about it for my trip. Someone else will drive me while I take advantage of magic hours and pay for things with my room key. No need to pay or concern myself with daily parking and if I want to drink around the world before closing I can in good conscience since I know I got an ice cold bus waiting to drop me off near my doorstep.

Also, for me, whenever I travel anywhere Im more concerned about a clean and comfortable room than paying for ambiance when Im just sleeping there for the most part. I know folks die for their hotel experience but to me the Magic is in the park and not at the resort. We stayed at a moderate our first time and felt it was "meh" considering we left the room at 7am and usually didn't return til 12 am-1am, with the occasional nap break in between. We've stayed at values since, always Pop, and felt the rooms were just as good for what we use them for and the ambiance is fun, especially for a kid or even a Magic hungry wife .