Prices sure are Pinching

[GS3rd]

Idonno if any of you have noticed, but over recent years or so all the Disney Hotels and such seem to have felt the urge to raise their prices extreamly high...I'm not saying that my family couldn't afford them but I mean Come ON! 250$ or MORE to spend the night at a WDW resort hotel, THAT JUST IS SICKENING AND UNBELIEVEABLE...Like how does disney expect to bring in more people to visit when they price the hotels and such this high! GOD! anyways thats my views, Comments? :lookaroun

 

[Mission: SPACE]

Not all hotels are $250+ a night... Disney has three levels of resorts.

The Economic (correct name?) resorts, such as the All Stars, start at $77 and go up to around $130 or so

The Moderate resorts, such as Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans, start at around $ 130 and go up to around $199.

The top resorts, which I cannot think of the actual term, such as Grand Floridian or Contemporary start at $199 and go up.

Therefore, you can see that not all resorts are $250+, just the 'top end' resorts are more costly. It also depends upon what dates you are booking. For example, if you are booking in September when the season is generally slower, you will get a much better rate than July when WDW experiences its peak season.

Hope this helps...

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

If you can book with a discount code like I do for a lot of my clients, you can get a deluxe for under $150 a night.

Pam

 

[dreamer]

The high prices are about what you'd pay at a ski resort, but ski resorts don't have the economy option.

 

[The Mom]

It really depends upon your perspective. If you rarely travel, or travel to lower cost areas, you ARE going to have sticker shock.

If you travel to expensive cities or resort areas, the WDW prices seem reasonable. When we go skiing, we pay about 3x the cost of a trip to WDW...a lift ticket in the top resort areas can cost MORE than a pass to WDW! Add on rental charges (we don't ski enough to warrant having our own equipment; I would rather rent demos and check out the changing technology) and a lesson or two, and it really adds up.

Two years ago, I was touring colleges with my daughter. I remember having to pay $175 a night for a shabby room at a Day's Inn in Mystic!! I very rarely was able to get a room in a nicer (ie, well maintained, with a pool and restaurant) motel anywhere near colleges for less than $100. Granted, it was summer and lots of parents were doing the same thing. However, I also didn't have WDW outside my door.

Try going through someone like Kingdom Konsultants, or go to mousesavers and look for codes. Most of the prices you've seen are full rack rates; if you're flexible, there are bargains out there. If you're locked into the high season, however, it's much harder.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Well said Mom. If you use the many discount codes and go through an agent such as myself who can help you save money by using them., (many travel agents won't/don't offer discount codes because they care more about how much commision they will make) instead of paying full price for a room when it really isn't necessary. If you use the discount tickets that I advertise you will save money there also. There are many ways to save when going to WDW. I agree that it can be expensive, but you have to look for the discounts or get a travel agent like myself who will look for one for you.

Pam

 

[WDWspider]

My PHILOSIPHY on Disney World:

Never make Money a factor. Go with a resort that you can afford and then don't worry about it. If you have to worry about Money it ruins the whole trip. Just expect higher prices and you won't be shocked. However, I happen to think the prices at value season prices are relatively fair. Of course I always use discounts, but if I didn't they are still reasonable for what you are getting. We are too spoiled today to realize it I think.

 

[jaimjaim25]

Wait a minute... right now on the www.disneyworld.com website, moderates are $94! and delux's are like $139!!! what are you talking about $250!!??

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Here's a sampling of pricing with the current discount codes (this is from mousesavers.com)

All Stars - $74 standard
Moderates - $94 standard
Wilderness Lodge - $139 standard, $154 woods view
Animal Kingdom Lodge - $139 standard, $215 savannah view, $380 concierge
Contemporary - $164 standard garden wing
Ft. Wilderness Cabins - $169
Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club - $229 standard
Polynesian - $244 garden view, $340 concierge garden view, $425 concierge lagoon view
Grand Floridian - $284 garden view, $420 lodge concierge

I fail to see what you're talking about. You can get value AND moderates for under $100. Are you only looking at deluxe? If so, then you really never paid for a room with your own money then right. Deluxes have always "expensive". And by using the "" I'm refering to to what The Mom was talking about. Certain areas just cost more for certain stuff.

I remember going to NYC for a buisness trip a few years back and paying over $400 a night for a room. And I've staye at better rooms (with even better service) in places like Boulder, Oxnard, or Seattle for half that cost.

Rooms cost what they cost. If you think $74 a night in a Disney value is to much, by all means, find an outside hotel for less.

BTW, I am assuming you do know what the discount codes are. If you're just using cheaptickets, or priceline, or a AAA service, well, I guess your gonna see those costs. Do yourself a favor, learn up on discounts, and book the trips yourself or use Pam at Kingdom Konsultants. You can end up save 40% or more off the price of the room, or the whole trip.

Eeek...:zipit: ..I re-read that and it sounds like I'm coming off really harsh. Didn't mean it that way but what I said is still true. Do some reasearch here, mousesavers, Debs, and all the other WDW fan sites. There is a wealth of money saving ideas and discounts available. If you don't use them, you're just giving it away to the mouse.

 

[T1nker_Bell]

Disney World has honestly not gotten more expensive in the last few years. In fact, it has gotten cheaper. A full package for a family of three for 9 days at the Contempoary (no meal plan, just tickets, hotel & etc.) was a little over 4,000 dollars. Last year it was nearly 6,000 dollars for us for a 8 day vacation.

 

[The Mom]

Re: ok

Originally posted by SG4779
Idonno what "the mom" was trying to say that like my family goes to getto cheap places or something b/c that is not the case...we have been to many places FL, CA, cruises, the whole nine yards, disney 15 times + but like maybe I should explain that I'm look at it from an 18 year old point of view, yea we have been skiing all over also, I know how it can get but i still dissagree that skiing is MORE expensive then disney b/c that is not the case.

What I was saying is, a lift ticket at the big name resorts (Vail, Aspen, Sreamboat, etc) costs the same or more than a day at a WDW park.

The last time I stayed at AKL, it cost less than that dive I stayed in visiting Mystic, Conn. (I found garbage under the bed, and had to beg to get the room made up) I could have had a similar room and hotel amenities at AS or even CBR for less money. And I would have had Disney outside my door.

 

[Becky]

Compared to a Red Roof Inn or Motel 6 in Podunk USA you're right.

Compared to any decent resort area you are wrong (with the exception of Las Vegas).

As everyone said, use the discount codes. The travel section of most of today's papers has the discounted prices most posters gave you.

Hey gasoline is expensive now right? About $1.75 a gallon. Hum a gallon weighs about 8 pounds. Now what would 8 pounds of cigaretes cost!?

Sure makes those Disney hotel prices seem cheap

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

I agree with Pam and the others. I have stayed at a deluxe resort twice within the year. I had ap so I didn't have to hunt for a code but I stayed on the concierge level at the AKL and the Poly for only $239 a night including tax. That included alot of food and sodas, etc. You can't stay at the Plaza in NYC for that and in reality, the deluxe Disney hotels are much nicer than the Plaza...or at least the rooms I have been able to afford at the Plaza. Also, you are sleeping in a theme park. I have the same rate without an annual pass for December at the Poly. You only have to buy one meal a day and concierge includes all the wine and cordials you want. I honestly think it's a good value for what you get. That's just my two cents but I am thrifty and always figure how many hours I have to work to pay for something and I feel like I am getting my money's worth. I don't think many people pay the rack rates, which is probably what you are referring to.

 

[Dwarful]

well, I don't know. I think the rack rates for Disney are a big high for just a place to sleep. Of course I am always searchihg for a bargain, paid $75 a night for Hilton in Louisville KY during the Derby.

Now last May/June we paid $50 a night per room for All Star Movies. I haven't seen that rate for travel now and with the war going on I would think they would be offering great rates to get people there. Yes its Disney, but to me a rack rate of over $100 for a value resort well, not much of a value there if you can spend a bit more for a moderate....I think thats why they offer so many different codes...knowing people in USA will mostly likely either fork out the dough or search the internet for a deal.

On our next trip we will most likely have an AP, but I still don't know if I want to spend more on a hotel stay for 2 weeks than I do for my monthly mortgage payment LOL~ I think it's a shame that Disney is getting a bit out of the average person's price range, but hopefully most will be able to set aside the money to get there!

 

[WDWspider]

Look at the price of a room at any popular beach in the "in season". Disney's prices and value for your money is more than better. I'll agree that $250 a night is getting steep, but you can easily do much better than that if you do about anything (i.e. change resort, use a code, find a cheaper room, move your vacation date) Heck you can pay $1000 a night at Disney if you want. Thing is they cate to all price ranges, it sounds like you just haven't found the resort and/or room that fits your price range.

 

[Seano846]

Well there is always Six Flags!:lol:

 

[WDWspider]

Re: Yea...

Originally posted by SG4779
Yea, that is what I'm saying...why pay all this money to sleep at a resort, I mean NOTHING is included food wise...it is steep, and if you add it all up its expensive...and no, I'm not saying its not fun and alla that, (all your pro-agruments) but the price IS expensive, and disney is stupid for not making it cheaper to get people to come down and stay!

Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I guess we all must be rich. :lol: You can get your meals and tickets included if you choose to do so.

 

[WDWspider]

Re: Yea...

BTW... what price do you consider cheap. $50 a night is cheaper than any local hotel around here, and we have no tourist destinations.

 

[bhg469]

Re: Well I still dissagree

Originally posted by SG4779
Well I guess the quotes and on-line travel prices are wrong then, is what your saying...all travel web sites to disney are in the 150 + range, and like its really sick...disney needs to BRING disney back to the people,

i think you might be a little mistaken, i recently got a disney credit card an i had an option to book a vacation at the all stars for like 55 a night, the most expensive places are alot more, but you get alot more. If your only sleeping there you dont need the bigger room. the ticket prices to get into the park are high but once your in there arent any attractions that cost more money. sure food and souveneers will cost ya but thats it. and if there is a ride that you have to pay more to go on inside epcot, dont go on it, the great ones are free.

 

[Becky]

Disney prices their resorts the same way every business does, supply and demand.

When supply exceeds demand discounts are available. Check out 4/27-7/3, $74 at AS instead of $99 and $139 at the AKL or WL instead of $239. There are other discounts such as return guest booked from you room etc (I am paying $60 at AS for 5/17-24).

If you think Disney prices are high check out the cost of a round of golf on Maui.