The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[flynnibus]

Why? Because those rooms are still not worth more than $150-170 a night to me. I would guess the average rate I paid to stay there in all my nights was about $110 a night.

Hotel inflation is real tho... Used to be spending over a $100/night on business travel was frowned upon just 10years ago.. unless you were in specific expensive markets. But now it's not uncommon to cost $120/night in the middle of no where for a Holiday Inn Select. Finding things UNDER $100/night is less common now. So if $120 is a common price point... if you are a 'location location location' site with some perks... $170+ isn't that far off center IMO. But the problem is I think we are looking at 'best case' pricing vs what they are sold at normally.. and the $250-$300 is off the mark IMO. A moderate at $200/night that can sleep 5 I think would be welcome.

 

[flynnibus]

How can things not be dishwasher safe in today's world. I even buy deli meat at the local supermarket that comes in some handy little plastic storage containers. There cheap as hell and yet so no signs of having an issue being run through a dishwasher and used in a microwave. What exactly happens if they aren't microwave safe? Do they just melt or is there some other far more sinister result?

Probably just the graphics are screened on or wrapped in a way that won't take the heat or wear of a dishwasher. Vs being ceramic or baked in graphics.

 

[flynnibus]

I have been very disappointed by Disneyland merchandise. I think the only items I've purchased out in California are the Fastpass pins and some stuff at Mickey's of Glendale. I have yet to find a t-shirt in park that I like.

I got some cool star wars stuff and star wars/disney crossover stuff I had not really seen prior. Got a decent scarf too because we were freezing our tails off. Bought some picture frames... honestly we bought more on the DCL boat tho then we did in the last trips to the parks.

 

[Hyperspace Hoopla]

Clearly you didnt see him walk at SWW.

Yeah - I saw him try to walk, and felt bad for him. That said, Chewie is about 250 years old, with a life span of 1200+ years, making him the equivalent of a 20 year old human. He doesn't move like a 20 year old, and I don't want that to impact the screen time of my favorite character.

 

[WDWFanDave]

That's good to hear. Matt certainly knows what he is doing (just see DCL and DLR for past examples) and while Cedar is a different animal to some degree, quality will always result in $$$. Knott's has turned around night and day in the last three years and I think Disney fans are going to be surprised and happy by the direction of the next attraction coming to Buena Park.

I got to talk with Raffi Kaprelyan, the GM of Knott's last month, and to see his dedication and respect for the history of the place is very reassuring about the future. The man is passionate about the guest experience and the park's incredible history.

BTW, today was reopening of the classic Calico Mine Train ride and here is a review:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/theme...rry-farm-calico-mine-ride-20140611-story.html

Anyway, to be fair, Paramount never knew what it wanted to do when it owned the parks. And when Viacom swallowed Paramount, they had no desire to operate theme parks whatsoever (any news on that on again, off again licensed park for Spain? how about the one for the UK?) and I'm sure that showed. I do know that King's Dominion was my second favorite childhood theme park behind MK. I recall lots of trees, greenery, fountains etc there as well. I haven't been back since the 1980s, but hope to at some point.

It's funny how many Disney fanbois will look down their noses at parks like these. But sadly it isn't the 1980s and that arrogance is very misplaced. Disney could learn a thing or two from the smaller, regional operators.

Just have to share this...from April at Kings Dominion. Can't wait to go back (and doing that soon!)

 

[flynnibus]

They charge a fortune for the privilege of attending, and it's this oddly huge and yet niche market Disney is milking for all its worth.

One word... "Crossover" - they are exploiting it well. It lets people tap into their desire to hit Disney, without being seen as 'just going to Disney'. It brings more 'no kids' visitors. People are paying hugely inflated prices to come.. and happily staying in Disney hotels... all while getting virtually ZERO incentives/discounts.

The interesting Disney spin to it is... the coddling of the non-runners. runDisney gets promoted so much, the couch-bound see Disney's open arms and aspire to be participants too. But doing so hinders the actual runners.. so now you have the health concious crowd trying to mingle with the 'at risk' crowd... and it's not just look-down problems, but actual conflict because there are direct consequences of Disney embracing the non-runners.

Disney needs a 'fat 5k' or 'walkers half-marathon'

 

[michael.fumc]

Disney needs a 'fat 5k' or 'walkers half-marathon'

I call that my WDW vacation when paper FP were still available

 

[PhotoDave219]

Dave, your middle name isn't Francis by chance?

No. It's "skull ducker"

Damn you AutoCorrect… But that's so funny I'm leaving it

 

[Lord_Vader]

Anyone else love the new Star Wars themed magic bands? Awesome! Wonder what other character bands they will come out with next?

And they talk... That will generate sales.

 

[Nemo14]

No. It's "skull ducker"

Damn you AutoCorrect… But that's so funny I'm leaving it

*can only imagine what your actual response was*

 

[LithiumBill]

No, if those people say ''WDW has the best theme parks in Orlando'' but refuse to go elsewhere, then those opinions are as valuable as a pile of cow dung.

IT's the reason TO go to Orlando.... I don;t understand the in-fighting between UNI and WDW supporters. We need to be rooting for all theme parks to be one-upping each other! WE ALL WIN IF THEY DO!

 

[ParentsOf4]

Hotel inflation is real tho... Used to be spending over a $100/night on business travel was frowned upon just 10years ago.. unless you were in specific expensive markets. But now it's not uncommon to cost $120/night in the middle of no where for a Holiday Inn Select. Finding things UNDER $100/night is less common now. So if $120 is a common price point... if you are a 'location location location' site with some perks... $170+ isn't that far off center IMO. But the problem is I think we are looking at 'best case' pricing vs what they are sold at normally.. and the $250-$300 is off the mark IMO. A moderate at $200/night that can sleep 5 I think would be welcome.

I agree with what I think is your general point that inflation needs to be taken into consideration when comparing hotel prices. Any comparison of hotel prices from prior years needs to factor in inflation and the larger economic climate.

However, as a business traveler, I rarely pay over $225/night for some of the nicest hotels in most North American and European cities, including for 2-room suites. (Prices in London and some Far East counties are just nasty though.) When corporate rates are available, I can pay under $100/night in the U.S.

There is plenty of hotel competition in the U.S., including a ton of options in Orlando. As I've posted before, there are nights when a 565 sq. ft. Family Suite at Art of Animation costs more than a 945 sq. ft. suite at the Waldorf Astoria (the one that's effectively located on Disney property).

Heck, onsite rooms at Universal's deluxe hotels often are 20%-30% lower than WDW, even after Disney's typical 30% Deluxe Resort discount is applied. And Universal's deluxe hotels include the ultimate theme park perk: Express Pass.

To what I think is the bigger point of @WDW1974, Disney's hotel prices are just insane for what they are. Disney's Moderate and Deluxe Resorts pale when compared to most true deluxe accommodations.

Disney's hotel occupancy rate has been in decline for several years. I believe Disney realizes they've overpriced themselves. It's why we now see a constant stream of hotel discounts throughout the year, something that almost never happened before Disney's prices got out-of-control.

Disney should see onsite occupancy climb if they continue to reign in prices (which were essentially flat year-to-year for the most recently reported quarter) and add value to onsite stays.

Extra Magic Hours added value. Disney's Magical Express added value. Disney's next logical step would be to use FastPass+ to add value to onsite stays. Use it correctly, and WDW's occupancy rate will climb.

 

[sshindel]

The interesting Disney spin to it is... the coddling of the non-runners. runDisney gets promoted so much, the couch-bound see Disney's open arms and aspire to be participants too. But doing so hinders the actual runners.. so now you have the health concious crowd trying to mingle with the 'at risk' crowd... and it's not just look-down problems, but actual conflict because there are direct consequences of Disney embracing the non-runners.

Disney needs a 'fat 5k' or 'walkers half-marathon'

From my grand total of 1 experiences with runDisney (overwhelmingly positive by the way), all they need to do is get much better control over their corral system. My mind was boggled by the mass of people who were in a corral ahead of me (one for which I submitted a time proving my intended pace) that were walking WELL before the 1 mile mark of the 1/2 marathon.
If they could get a better control over the people intending on walking most/all of the race, and moved them to the back corrals, things would be much more smoothly and conflict could be avoided quite a bit.
I have NO problems with people wanting to get out and exercise, and walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles is a great achievement for quite a few folks and I'd applaud them for it. I'd just rather cheer them on from my spot in the finish line, after starting and running with folks who were moving along at (or above) my intended run pace.

 

[sshindel]

Disney's hotel occupancy rate has been in decline for several years. I believe Disney realizes they've overpriced themselves. It's why we now see a constant stream of hotel discounts throughout the year, something that almost never happened before Disney's prices got out-of-control.

I agree with a what you are saying completely, but also remember that it gives Disney the ability to go on and market to people "Book now to take advantage of our newest deal! 35% off!". Who cares if the rooms only are ever sold at rack rate 1 night out of the year, the discount value is still there, even if only on paper. It gives them nice banner ads on websites, nice TV ads, etc to get people in.

 

[Nemo14]

I agree with what I think is your general point that inflation needs to be taken into consideration when comparing hotel prices. Any comparison of hotel prices from prior years needs to factor in inflation and the larger economic climate.

However, as a business traveler, I rarely pay over $225/night for some of the nicest hotels in most North American and European cities, including for 2-room suites. (Prices in London and some Far East counties are just nasty though.) When corporate rates are available, I can pay under $100/night in the U.S.

There is plenty of hotel competition in the U.S., including a ton of options in Orlando. As I've posted before, there are nights when a 565 sq. ft. Family Suite at Art of Animation costs more than a 945 sq. ft. suite at the Waldorf Astoria (the one that's effectively located on Disney property).

Heck, onsite rooms at Universal's deluxe hotels often are 20%-30% lower than WDW, even after Disney's typical 30% Deluxe Resort discount is applied. And Universal's deluxe hotels include the ultimate theme park perk: Express Pass.

To what I think is the bigger point of @WDW1974, Disney's hotel prices are just insane for what they are. Disney's Moderate and Deluxe Resorts pale when compared to most true deluxe accommodations.

Disney's hotel occupancy rate has been in decline for several years. I believe Disney realizes they've overpriced themselves. It's why we now see a constant stream of hotel discounts throughout the year, something that almost never happened before Disney's prices got out-of-control.

Disney should see onsite occupancy climb if they continue to reign in prices (which were essentially flat year-to-year for the most recently reported quarter) and add value to staying onsite.

Extra Magic Hours added value. Disney's Magical Express added value. Disney's next logical step would be to use FastPass+ to add value to onsite stays. Use it correctly, and WDW's occupancy rate will climb.

It seems that whenever I suggest off-site possibilities for people I get the old song-and-dance about the price of a rental car vs. "free" Magic Express or the "free" parking perk if you stay in a Disney resort making it more economical to stay on site. That might have been a valid argument several years ago, I've done the math and it just doesn't make sense to me to stay on property anymore.

 

[ParentsOf4]

It seems that whenever I suggest off-site possibilities for people I get the old song-and-dance about the price of a rental car vs. "free" Magic Express or the "free" parking perk if you stay in a Disney resort making it more economical to stay on site. That might have been a valid argument several years ago, I've done the math and it just doesn't make sense to me to stay on property anymore.

In general, people are willing to pay more to stay onsite. Disney could not charge the prices they do if this was not true. The question is: How much more?

If, for example, Disney offered onsite guests unlimited FP+, I think we'd agree that occupancy would improve, even at the current prices. If Disney offered this to only Grand Floridian guests, then I suspect Grand Floridian occupancy would approach something close to 100%.

My point is that each perk (such as Disney's Magical Express) adds value to staying onsite. This doesn't mean that staying onsite costs the same as staying offsite when all expenses are taken into consideration. It means that the gap in cost between staying onsite and offsite is sufficiently small enough for guests to say to themselves, "This onsite benefit makes it worth it to me to stay onsite."

The mental calculation that occurs in everyone's head is different. Each consumer has their own price point. However, in general, as Disney adds perceived value to staying onsite, the number of people staying onsite will increase.

 

[baymenxpac]

If those people are saying that Universal stinks, then you are correct. However, if those people are merely discussing he magical that they believe that WDW is, then you are dead wrong.

there are still two pages to read, but i want to comment on this: the disney "magic" is largely subjective, but really referred to the disney difference; the attention to detail that existed at WDW that you couldn't find at a six flags, or busch gardens, or universal. so, yes, i do believe you have to experience the other parks to see if that difference still exists.

i was a long-time disney apologist. i went to universal once in 1995, then not again until 2011 because my wife wanted to see WWOHP. even then, i was uncomfortable to even be stepping foot in universal. fast forward to now and i've been at UNI twice in three years and am planning another trip to see potter phase 2. why? simply because there's a lot more, what i grew to know as, "disney quality" at universal than there is at WDW nowadays. any lifestyler who forsakes other parks to sing disney's praises is doing themselves and their readers an injustice.

 

[baymenxpac]

Here's a young lady selling chocolate covered bananas in the long Standby queue for Radiator Springs Racers.

there's always money in the banana stand.

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area
View attachment 56289 View attachment 56290 View attachment 56291 View attachment 56292

This is one of the reasons why I love the "Kings" parks. Though their entryways and malls are slightly different, I actually love the fact that they diverted from using the typical Magic Kingdom style entrance with a street heading toward the castle, and instead went with a mall. I really enjoyed having lunch last weekend under shady trees next to the fountains along the main mall at Kings Island.

And as you can see @WDW1974 both Kings Island and Kings Dominion are full of #hubtrees!

BUT LETS TALK ABOUT THAT CONCRETE VIEWING SPACE TO SEE THE LOW PYRO FOR WISHES!

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower looking down at Kings Island's hub. Look at all those hub trees and places to sit and enjoy the park....in theme park.