Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[Andyjshort]

WDW does allow you to upgrade from QS to DDP and DDP to dDDP for the price difference.

I looked in it. I just wanted to upgrade the occasional meal, not the whole dining plan, we wouldn't have used all the TS credits and that would have been more money wasted.

We already wasted 16 QS credits that expired at the end of the trip, and lots of desserts went in the bin because you have to order them with the meal, but don't know yet whether you actually want one.

I'm more of a savoury person and prefer starters to desserts and that's not an option either.

I paid out of pocket for BOG and Cindy's which were the best meals we had over there, but they should be at that price.

I'd liked to have done some of the buffets but that would have been more wasted QS credits. Yet more dollars that Disney missed out on while counting the pennies.

 

[Captain Neo]

Wait, what? Aren't all rooms in Bay Lake Tower DVC rooms? Meaning the Contemporary did indeed lose 250 rooms (though I'd argue the real travesty is how badly the new tower clashes thematically and architecturally with the original Contemporary tower).

Agreed. Horrible design.

 

[Andyjshort]

Forgot to add, last time I went to Disneyland Paris the QS meal tokens were on paper, but had a cash value. If you wanted to upgrade to TS, you just paid the difference.

 

[marni1971]

I don't they would do that. People like to perceive they are getting a discount, especially on 'luxury' items. Crystal clear pricing doesn't provide the same thrill for many shoppers. It is a strange dynamic, personally I prefer clean pricing models.

They absolutely have to. It cheapens the product.

Yet as you say though the appeal to the public would be a disaster. They have to take the plunge and stop moving money around. Remove the discounting and lower the actual cost to compensate.

The discounting is unsustainable.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Where the eff do you find the time to coach two teams? I coach my nephews 12-under soccer team and it eats chunks out of my schedule. Kudos, my friend.

It is very tough, getting more difficult each season. We only play a league schedule from April to June so games only keep my occupied five to six days a week with practices.

And I always get an evening off if it rains!

 

[wdisney9000]

Agreed. Horrible design.

The view from the people mover isn't the same either.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Wait, what? Aren't all rooms in Bay Lake Tower DVC rooms? Meaning the Contemporary did indeed lose 250 rooms (though I'd argue the real travesty is how badly the new tower clashes thematically and architecturally with the original Contemporary tower).

Agreed. Horrible design.

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder, but, I see nothing out of line with the two. I always liked the Contemporary, but never because it was such a beautiful building. It was because it was a unique building. They didn't build the DVC in an A frame style but a more rounded look, however, the sight lines are still there and my opinion is that it is perfectly in tune with the Contemporary. To each his or her own.

 

[Fe Maiden]

It is very tough, getting more difficult each season. We only play a league schedule from April to June so games only keep my occupied five to six days a week with practices.

And I always get an evening off if it rains!

We've been running 3 straight weeks with something every night Mon-Thurs. (Saturday is just a given). My stomach has been in knots just trying to figure it all out. Last Tuesday it rained and my one son's game was cancelled and it felt like a mini vacation.

Tonight we have to be in 3 places all at the same time, swim, baseball, basketball. Thank god for grandparents!

And let me just say as an only child, you're not really a parent if you have only one and you can't truly be a great parent until you're outnumbered.

 

[Fe Maiden]

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder, but, I see nothing out of line with the two. I always liked the Contemporary, but never because it was such a beautiful building. It was because it was a unique building. They didn't build it the DVC in an A frame style but a more rounded look, however, the sight lines are still there and my opinion is that it is perfectly in tune with the Contemporary. To each his or her own.
View attachment 53026

I know it gets a lot of hate due to the design and placement, I wasn't thrilled either. Sorry to say, but they knocked it out of the park. My only criticism would be the pool. I'm 6'5" can they put a pool in with a bit more depth?

 

[mgf]

They absolutely have to. It cheapens the product.

Yet as you say though the appeal to the public would be a disaster. They have to take the plunge and stop moving money around. Remove the discounting and lower the actual cost to compensate.

The discounting is unsustainable.

I agree but see JC Penny.

 

[COProgressFan]

They absolutely have to. It cheapens the product.

Yet as you say though the appeal to the public would be a disaster. They have to take the plunge and stop moving money around. Remove the discounting and lower the actual cost to compensate.

The discounting is unsustainable.

I agree but see JC Penny.

JC Penney was never known as a premium brand, however. Walt Disney World, once upon a time, was. They have decided to no longer provide a premium level product, yet at the same time try to get premium level prices.

You can't have it both ways. Are you Walt Discount World, or are you truly full of magical unique experiences worth the price?

I would also argue that there is a difference between buying jeans for 30% on sale at JCP and spending a mulit-thousand dollar week-long vacation. Everyone wants to feel like they got a good deal. But does anyone really think spending $400 a night for the Poly is a "deal"?

It's a shell game, and it lowers the value of that Disney BRAND Iger loves so much. Doesn't show much confidence in the product.

 

[Omnispace]

JC Penney was never known as a premium brand, however. Walt Disney World, once upon a time, was. They have decided to no longer provide a premium level product, yet at the same time try to get premium level prices.

You can't have it both ways. Are you Walt Discount World, or are you truly full of magical unique experiences worth the price?

I would also argue that there is a difference between buying jeans for 30% on sale at JCP and spending a mulit-thousand dollar week-long vacation. Everyone wants to feel like they got a good deal. But does anyone really think spending $400 a night for the Poly is a "deal"?

It's a shell game, and it lowers the value of that Disney BRAND Iger loves so much. Doesn't show much confidence in the product.

Good points -- I always had the impression from the start that while WDW was a premium destination, it was never an extravagant one. It would be interesting to compare room rates from 1974 (adjusted for CPI) to today's rates. Something tells me they would be a lot more reasonable.

 

[bhg469]

JC Penney was never known as a premium brand, however. Walt Disney World, once upon a time, was. They have decided to no longer provide a premium level product, yet at the same time try to get premium level prices.

You can't have it both ways. Are you Walt Discount World, or are you truly full of magical unique experiences worth the price?

I would also argue that there is a difference between buying jeans for 30% on sale at JCP and spending a mulit-thousand dollar week-long vacation. Everyone wants to feel like they got a good deal. But does anyone really think spending $400 a night for the Poly is a "deal"?

It's a shell game, and it lowers the value of that Disney BRAND Iger loves so much. Doesn't show much confidence in the product.

I'm no expert but I did stay at a holiday Inn express to avoid disney prices once, and I can assure you, rooms would book fast if they went this route.

 

[truecoat]

I blame global warming.

Don't worry, the heat is coming.

 

[truecoat]

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder, but, I see nothing out of line with the two. I always liked the Contemporary, but never because it was such a beautiful building. It was because it was a unique building. They didn't build it the DVC in an A frame style but a more rounded look, however, the sight lines are still there and my opinion is that it is perfectly in tune with the Contemporary. To each his or her own.
View attachment 53026

I like this picture. I never thought of the two buildings as being similar due to the design, curve vs a frame. This really does show how much the two have in common.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Good points -- I always had the impression from the start that while WDW was a premium destination, it was never an extravagant one. It would be interesting to compare room rates from 1974 (adjusted for CPI) to today's rates. Something tells me they would be a lot more reasonable.

Adjusted for inflation, rooms at the Contemporary typically went for under $200/night back in the 1970s, although some rooms ran into the mid-$200's during peak seasons, again adjusted for inflation.

Today's discounted Moderate Resort prices (vs. rack rates) are comparable.

The Contemporary and Polynesian typically ran at near 100% capacity back then. They were really hard to book. I recall people moving their vacation plans based on when they could get rooms at the two resorts.

 

[Cesar R M]

The view from the people mover isn't the same either.

hang on, they did change the view there with the last refurbishment?

Adjusted for inflation, rooms at the Contemporary typically went for under $200/night back in the 1970s, although some rooms ran into the mid-$200's during peak seasons, again adjusted for inflation.

Today's discounted Moderate Resort prices (vs. rack rates) are comparable.

The Contemporary and Polynesian typically ran at near 100% capacity back then. They were really hard to book. I recall people moving their vacation plans based on when they could get rooms at the two resorts.

well, they were flagships back then didnt they? offered top service?

 

[wdwfan22]

Adjusted for inflation, rooms at the Contemporary typically went for under $200/night back in the 1970s, although some rooms ran into the mid-$200's during peak seasons, again adjusted for inflation.

Today's discounted Moderate Resort prices (vs. rack rates) are comparable.

The Contemporary and Polynesian typically ran at near 100% capacity back then. They were really hard to book. I recall people moving their vacation plans based on when they could get rooms at the two resorts.

The main reason it was hard to obtain rooms back then is that Disney only offered 3 resorts during the 70s.

 

[truecoat]

The main reason it was hard to obtain rooms back then is that Disney only offered 3 resorts during the 70s.

ditto

 

[Omnispace]

I guess everything is in the eye of the beholder, but, I see nothing out of line with the two. I always liked the Contemporary, but never because it was such a beautiful building. It was because it was a unique building. They didn't build it the DVC in an A frame style but a more rounded look, however, the sight lines are still there and my opinion is that it is perfectly in tune with the Contemporary. To each his or her own.
View attachment 53026

I know it gets a lot of hate due to the design and placement, I wasn't thrilled either. Sorry to say, but they knocked it out of the park. My only criticism would be the pool. I'm 6'5" can they put a pool in with a bit more depth?

Sorry to disagree but I don't think Bay Lake Tower is all that great. Makes me think of something you would see at Marina Del Rey...

That's not Photoshopped.