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Whats the point of garden view @ a moderate?
- Thread starter Jess G
- Start date
Tuvalu
Premium Member
I don't understand paying extra for any "view" at the values or moderates since there is no balcony, the single room window is small, and who is going to stare out their window anyway? LOL
Years ago at the values and mods, a room was a room ~ no price difference. Disney got wise and knew extra money could be made by charging more for location (which makes sense) and view (which doesn't at value and mod). Unsuspecting guests who have not been to WDW are the ones willing to pay for the "upgrade" thinking the room must be "better."
Also, very few rooms are classified as "standard" so rarely is there the option to select the cheapest room. The few cheapest category rooms sell out quickly.
It's all about the $$ for Disney.
Years ago at the values and mods, a room was a room ~ no price difference. Disney got wise and knew extra money could be made by charging more for location (which makes sense) and view (which doesn't at value and mod). Unsuspecting guests who have not been to WDW are the ones willing to pay for the "upgrade" thinking the room must be "better."
Also, very few rooms are classified as "standard" so rarely is there the option to select the cheapest room. The few cheapest category rooms sell out quickly.
It's all about the $$ for Disney.
Skibum1970
Well-Known Member
I would guess that it is how picky people can be. Do you want to face a parking lot where cars are parked and you might hear people getting in/out of their cars? Or do you want to see greenery and feel like you are more on vacation (if that is what it takes)? POR then has the river view and the Princess Rooms which really just gets you a little theming and an LED firework display for additional cost. As Tuvalu stated, it is just another way to separate you from some additional coin. However, people "feel" like they're getting more.
LeighM
Well-Known Member
When we drove to the the resort, I liked being in a standard view so we wouldn't have far to take our luggage and it can be closer to some of the other bus stops at POR. If I can't get that, then I like the garden view because it is pretty when walking to the main lobby and is typically quieter depending on the room location. I don't like pool views because of the noise and at POR I don't like river view because of the sound of the horns from boats to Disney Springs. I think I may be a little picky though 
Prior to the different room categories, guests would request specific buildings and views and then be very upset when the request wasn't granted and raise hell at the front desk. Now with the paid categories guests have a better chance at having their requests met.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Yeah I don't really get it either. Pool view I get, obviously. Preferred location makes sense to me. I wouldn't pay for either, but can see why someone might. But shrubbery? Nah. The only time I've ever had a standard view that I requested to be moved from was when we were by the dumpsters at Pop Century. Ick! They shouldn't ever give people a smelly room like that.
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
We live overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and also have bay views from the upper floor. Water views are beautiful, when the sun hits them and with lighting at night. As a Resort, we will always pay for that water view. Even at a Moderate, bc we will hang outside the room on the balcony and look at peacefulness of the lakes. For some people it doesn't matter, but for us it really does.
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
In Value and Moderates, the view means nothing to me. If you have your drapes open, people can see into your business. I don't want people looking into my room or at me. Even when we find DVC rentals, the views mean little to us. We don't spend hours on the balcony looking out to make it a priority. At AKL, the best views I could understand but still not guaranteed. We had a "Savannah" view room once. They tied an ankole cattle to a post so there would be something to look at. At 5PM the giraffes went around are were gone by 5:10PM. An errant ostrich was the only other thing. We had to go to Arush Rock and other places besides our room.
chrisbarry
Active Member
I definitely don't want to walk out my door and see a parking lot if I'm able to walk out my door into gardens.
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daisyduckie
Well-Known Member
It is not a money grab. It is a way to make things bookable categories, instead of having people make requests all of the time. And yeah, it makes perfect sense that a view of greenery cost more than a view of a parking lot.
ryguy
Well-Known Member
In 2005 Port Orleans had two room categories: Standard view and Water View. They did have a category for a standard view King, but it was the same price as two queens. Today there are 6 different price categories. Do you think this is better for the consumer or Disney in 2016?
Magical Express, never used it since its inception. But I have been charged for it every time I stay at a Disney hotel (built into the price of the room). Good for me or Disney?
I can keep going...DVC, Dining plan/food quality, discount clubs and annual passes. You name it, Disney has watered it down and made more expensive with no real increase value to the customer.
Anytime Disney can squeeze you they do. One could argue that this is smart business, but it certainly gets old after awhile. And it certainly doesn't create good will. At least for those of us who have been going for 35 years.
Magical Express, never used it since its inception. But I have been charged for it every time I stay at a Disney hotel (built into the price of the room). Good for me or Disney?
I can keep going...DVC, Dining plan/food quality, discount clubs and annual passes. You name it, Disney has watered it down and made more expensive with no real increase value to the customer.
Anytime Disney can squeeze you they do. One could argue that this is smart business, but it certainly gets old after awhile. And it certainly doesn't create good will. At least for those of us who have been going for 35 years.
ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
No argument really. If you continue to make a profit offering services, whether it's added value or a 'cash grab' It is smart business.
When it's no longer making a profit or the juice doesn't warrant the squeeze,then it's no longer a smart business decision.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Having stayed primarily at moderates, our room view never made the slightest bit of difference. We book standard but have gotten all different views (except pool, which we don't want due to the noise), and as you alluded to, at a moderate with no balcony and no seating outside your door, there's little chance you're going to look out your window for any reason other than to see if it's raining. We tend to keep our blinds pulled (or at least the sheers) when changing clothes before/after bed or to swim (the two primary reasons we ever go back to the room during the day), so we couldn't appreciate a great view even if we had it. (*To piggyback on what others said above, WDW loves to pretend there is value in things to get you to pay more. Now that I think of it, we did once book a "garden view" room at PORS -- but only because WDW was offering a room discount offer that required you to book garden view or better to be eligible. I remember our TA laughing about it because, by the time she added the "garden view" upgrade to our standard booking, the room discount offer saved us only $50 over the course of the entire week! And we learned quickly that "garden view" was shorthand for "7am weed whacker right outside your window every morning"!)
At a deluxe, where you would have the chance to sit outside and sip your morning coffee and enjoy the fresh air, I can see one's view making a difference. At a moderate, unless you want to spend lots of time in the room gazing longingly through the window, I don't see any reason to pay more for a different view.
At a deluxe, where you would have the chance to sit outside and sip your morning coffee and enjoy the fresh air, I can see one's view making a difference. At a moderate, unless you want to spend lots of time in the room gazing longingly through the window, I don't see any reason to pay more for a different view.
daisyduckie
Well-Known Member
Having bookable room categories, instead of hoping you get a request met, does create good will.