$300+ How do you justify the expense?

[opal]

I guess I am surprised not so much that people pay in excess of $300 a night for a hotel room, but that they pay rack rate expecially after reading the wealth of info on these boards about how to pay less! We have stayed in mods and deluxes over the years. We paid rack rate the few couple of stays mostly because we were uninformed. Our last few stays have been at deluxes but always with either a code or govt rate. We are booked into the Swan for 1/05 at rack rate, but I'm "impatiently" waiting for discounts to come out for S/D. If they don't I'll switch to a "disney" resort if there are codes available. For us, it really about the location more than the hotel ammenities, though I do love the heavenly beds. But wherever I stay, it will be great because its WDW!!!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by opal
I guess I am surprised not so much that people pay in excess of $300 a night for a hotel room, but that they pay rack rate expecially after reading the wealth of info on these boards about how to pay less! We have stayed in mods and deluxes over the years. We paid rack rate the few couple of stays mostly because we were uninformed. Our last few stays have been at deluxes but always with either a code or govt rate. We are booked into the Swan for 1/05 at rack rate, but I'm "impatiently" waiting for discounts to come out for S/D. If they don't I'll switch to a "disney" resort if there are codes available. For us, it really about the location more than the hotel ammenities, though I do love the heavenly beds. But wherever I stay, it will be great because its WDW!!!

We also used to pay rack rate because I had never heard of discounts. Now that I do I try to get a discount but that isn't always possible. To me, a trip to WDW isn't the same without staying at the Poly so I will pay rack if I have to.

 

[wdwpluto]

DH and I are not in a financial position to spend $300/night on a hotel room. So we don't, we live within (even below our means). We've been married less than 2 years and we're saving to buy a home, etc

However, if we were in that position - we'd rather stay 2 nights at a $150/night hotel as opposed to 1 night at a $300/night hotel. We're pretty much commando travelers, using our room to shower and sleep, so the amenities aren't a selling point for us.

However, I am a value resort snob. I won't ever stay there again (due to a not so good experience). And DH trusts my judgement. I'd rather take a shorter trip at a moderate than stay at a value.

To each their own!

 

[susy]

We are in the "in bewteen" stage of not really knowing what to do!!!! When AZZ came out, I booked Poly conc. and had it for half a day. I then "came to my senses" and changed to POFQ for $85. Why did I do that? We have the money and I've wanted to stay Poly conc for so long. It really is hard to think about "What if I need the money for something else?" we don't like to use cc. We have one with a balance of about $1000 (which I just sent $300 to today). We both just got letters that our cars are both due in the "big" 15,000 service, my high school reunion is coming up-the big 20, Dh and I want to go to the F and W festival, and we'd like to do some other things (like renew our passes ). So...in the long run...maybe that money wasn't REALLY all there to spend. I'm just not comfortable going into debt....

Watch out, though...when I'm done with school and finally have an income ( 1 more year), just try to keep me away from the deluxes!

 

[Robbiesmommy21]

Ok this is how I see it. This will be my first trip to disney. My dh on the other hand went as a child. Now a little background info, he was an only child that got EVERYTHING he wanted even if his parents couldn't afford it. They stayed at the poly. He loved it! Well we're only 23 He's a cable guy and I stay at home with our 3yr. We are going on our tax refund. I would love to stay at the poly since of course this is where he wants to stay, but we can't afford that. We're staying at the CBR. Its not the cheapest and its not the most expensive. I'm just tickeled pink to be able to go. I didn't get what wanted and I think it was a good thing. I'm down to earth and where he can't wait to buy a house and is always complaining that he wants a new car. i'm happy with our duplex for now and well I hate my car but we only have 8 more payments on it,lol. I think its your priorites. After we go and explore the resorts I may want to stay at a deluxe. It may also be that my dh sees the CBR and loves it. Right now he thinks its going to be a Motel 8, lol. I think you have to do whats best for your family.
Jacqueline

 

[susy]

Don't worry! CBR is defintely NOT the Motel 6. It is very colorful and tropical with a relaxing atmosphere. Its very laid back. Expect it to be very spread out-that's part of the beauty of these resorts. It wouldn't look as nice if all the buildings were on top of each other! The rooms are also large and there are plenty of amenities. Have fun!

 

[barbeml]

Many interesting posts here.

I did not got to WDW until I was in my 20s and old enough to pay my own way. It was love at first sight. Until I met DH, I didn't know anyone with the $$ or desire to go back with me.

We have stayed at Port Orleans (when it was just PO), CBR and the Poly (we got a fantastic upgrade deal when our CBR ressies were cancelled due to renovations). Love them all. Could we afford to stay at the Poly every trip? Yes, but I enjoy myself so much more when I know I am getting a good deal. I would rather stay at mods and go more frequently!

We do not spend all that much time in our rooms at WDW, and we are not big on hanging around the pool. Relaxing surroundings, a good bar and a full-service restaurant option are our "musts."

 

[anita46]

I think it' s more...we spend our money on different luxuries.

I won't allow cable in the house...that alone could pay for our trip.

My car has 170,000 miles on it...and I love the darn thing...it also get 35 miles to the gallon. Wow how much am I up to now?

Every meal we have is made from scratch. No convenience meals here. Yeah we really boil potatoes ( that's another story).

Maybe this puts it more in perspective.

 

[antmaril]

Okay, I'm going to put in my two cents.

I agree with the poster who said we are all in different stages of our lives and that can really make a difference. The way I approach this kind of thing is that I feel there is a time when spending this kind of money becomes a little easier to do. I have been married 30 years (celebrated two weeks ago!) and I think at this point in our lives we are in a position to spend $300 or more a night on a hotel room. We have made a conscious decision over the years to live within (or below) our means. We have lived in the same house for 27 years. There have been times over the years when we have been tempted to move into a bigger home with all the bells and whistles, but then we decide we really like the way we live and stay put. We drive new cars, have no debt, eat out often, have money set aside for college for our son and retirement, buy what we want and travel several times a year. Of course, this wasn't always the case. When we were young and first moved into our house, it was more of a struggle, but over the years, it became easier. I also know that when we get older and retire, most likely we will be a little more frugal when we travel. For the moment, we are at the time in our lives (I call it a "window") where we can splurge and not feel bad about it. I would not go into to debt to take a trip. If we don't have the cash, we don't do it. I also do not have to ask my husband's permission to book an expensive hotel room. If I feel it's appropriate (or vice versa) - no problem.

We don't really have any money worries and I think it's a good way to live. I think it's important to know yourself and do what works for you.

Again, this is just my two cents.

 

[thumpersfriend]

My daughter and I are going next April and have made reservations at the GF, she said she is paying half. But we were both saying how bizarre it is that we don't think about paying almost $500 a night for a room there. UNTIL you start thinking in the real world what that could be used for. I think this is the main reason people, including myself want as much information and opinions as possible on their choice of hotel. I would hate to put that much money out and come home wishing I would have stayed somewhere less expensive.

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by thumpersfriend
My daughter and I are going next April and have made reservations at the GF, she said she is paying half. But we were both saying how bizarre it is that we don't think about paying almost $500 a night for a room there. UNTIL you start thinking in the real world what that could be used for. I think this is the main reason people, including myself want as much information and opinions as possible on their choice of hotel. I would hate to put that much money out and come home wishing I would have stayed somewhere less expensive.

Honestly, I can only splurge like this for 1 night. The first night we come in we usually don't do anything, and we will stay at a nicer resort. Then we move after that. This is just so we can 'try' a new resort in our quest to 'try' each of the WDW at least once.

BUT if you can handle it, I say go for it. I would love to be able to stay at the GF for several days. Have a great trip!
DJ

 

[thumpersfriend]

In a way my DD and I justify this trip to the GF because we are treating my mother to the trip in thanks for everything she has done for us all these years, not moneywise, just being the wonderful person she is. The trouble is that she doesn't want us to spend much money if we don't have to. DD is set on this though, I still think that it better be worth it. I get dissappointed when I hear bad posts about different hotels, especially the high priced ones. I know how I would feel if it turned out bad after the big expense.

 

[crazy4wdw]

In order to lower the cost of a WDW trip, I usually split my stay - three to four nights at a value/moderate and three to four nights at a deluxe. This helps the pocketbook a little. I plan my stay at the deluxe for the last portion of the trip. If it wasn't for the fact that I enjoy the Beach Club so much, I could stop staying at a deluxe resort. I also watch the Dis Boards and Mousesavers for discount codes. I have probably saved thousands of $ by watching this board.


Next Trip: October 2 -10, AS Movies & Beach Club

 

[RayJay]

Well, I think I finally found a thread where I agree with every post, well almost, at least every post had some portion I agreed with, and you can see it's a hot topic.

For me, in a nutshell, I watched my daughter (now 6) go thru 3 open heart surgeries, so spending money in Disney is an easy choice, it was before, now its even easier.

Now, to clarify, we don't go in debt for it but we don't stress over the cost either, and yes we try to save just as much as the next family.

All in all we just go and feel the love (family that is), so whether your staying at the Grand Floridan with Micheal Eisher or staying at Pop Century with the Smiths. it don't matter, we all have to stand in the same lines.

See ya at Disney, and we'll share a Turkey Leg.

RayJay

 

[thumpersfriend]

AND half the fun for me is saving for it, no matter where we stay. It is fun to watch the Disney account grow.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I go and spend what I can afford at the time . I willnot charge a vacation .
I like the WL and I love the concierge staff there so I pay

I am married to a Fireman , I do well by myself but I also have 1 child starting college and one that is going in 2 years. We own 4 cars . We travel at least 4 times a year but we wont go into debt for it .
My In Laws are very well off and they wont spend on vacation . it is not important to them . They are going this time to Disney with myself and my DH but we sprung for the difference for them to stay concierge.

 

[Tea Please]

This is quite an interesting thread. I also subscribe to theory of work hard, play harder.

It wasn't that many years ago, that we took our children to WDW for the first time. DH was fresh out of law school with many student loans. We stayed somewhere offsite and had a ball. The kids were in heaven. One of our best family vacations ever.

Fast forward to today; thanks to some wise investments, and DH's drive to succeed we can afford the rates commanded by the deluxes. We recently purchased into DVC and that was a wise decision for our family. Unfortunately, the kids are pretty much grown and have very little interest in WDW.

I think mo matter where you can afford to stay, memories are made by just being together as a family. Each family should do what they see fit.

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by Tea Please

Fast forward to today; thanks to some wise investments, and DH's drive to succeed we can afford the rates commanded by the deluxes. We recently purchased into DVC and that was a wise decision for our family. Unfortunately, the kids are pretty much grown and have very little interest in WDW.

This is one reason I do have us splurge and try to make each trip special with a new experience. My twin DDs are growing so fast, and I know our family trips are probably limited (although I 'dream' of a yearly family trip to WDW even after they are grown and out on their own---but who knows).

DJ

 

[colleen costello]

We have DVC, which is wonderful. We can afford to add on a few nights at a Deluxe. If I was shelling out for longer, we'd do the Mods. I love Riverside and am always happy to stay there. That said, we did the Poly this summer and I was in HEAVEN... Got a good rate plus hubby had a conference, so his employer kicked in a good amount. That was a "golden opportunity" and the nights at the Poly were glorious.

I will splurge "a little" on a trip but not get crazy. I like to pay all my bills in full, every month, vacation or no. We are not rich but I feel blessed. Hubby works at a university and gets tons of days off -- more valuable to us than a higher paycheck. We live in the Midwest so I can afford to be "unemployed" and home with the kids. Two trips a year to Mickey. I feel very lucky.

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by colleen costello
We are not rich but I feel blessed. Hubby works at a university and gets tons of days off -- more valuable to us than a higher paycheck. We live in the Midwest so I can afford to be "unemployed" and home with the kids. Two trips a year to Mickey. I feel very lucky.

Sounds like us! My DH works 'up the road' a ways from you at another Hoosier University, and I also stay home with the kids. I love the time off that he gets, and that really is more valuable to us than a higher paycheck.

DJ