All FP machines to be removed from Animal Kingdom by next week and....

[Angel Ariel]

We'll maybe if Disney up the perks to increase value this family will come every other year instead of every year so they can stay on property- or drive instead of fly so they can stay on property- Disney wants to increase on site perks to increase their hotel occupancy- there are many ways people can come up with the money (Disney visa to decrease vacation financing costs?) to pay for an on site vacation if the product is good enough

I wasn't assuming they were yearly guests, or anything....just saying that people's budgets are their budgets. If someone can only afford $x/night, and that's all they are going to spend - whether they saved for a year, or two or twenty, then whatever x is the limit. If Disney prices are greater than x, a perk (or many) doesn't change the bottom line.

I'm not saying this is the case for anyone here, or any number of people...just that this situation isn't exactly unlikely. I'm seriously not sure why that seems to be so controversial.

 

[chekhovgirl]

Oh, boy. I came here to check in on the FP situation. Didn't expect to find this thread! I can't read through the whole thing, but I was hoping regular FP would still be in place for off site people in February. Doesn't look like that will be the case!

I saw people on this thread debating the cost of off site to on. We are going to be a party of six this time and we (my husband especially) are not Disney food fans, so having access to a kitchen is nice. Getting two moderate rooms would cost more than twice the price of us staying at Bonnet Creek and my parents are meeting us there with their car. Getting two value rooms would cost much more as well. It's a no brainer for us. I don't need to spend the extra $3000 to be onsite. Even a value would cost more. I've never been in a value room, but I think I can safely say that the condo will be much more comfortable. Also: hot tubs.

 

[jade1]

I wasn't assuming they were yearly guests, or anything....just saying that people's budgets are their budgets. If someone can only afford $x/night, and that's all they are going to spend - whether they saved for a year, or two or twenty, then whatever x is the limit. If Disney prices are greater than x, a perk (or many) doesn't change the bottom line.

I'm not saying this is the case for anyone here, or any number of people...just that this situation isn't exactly unlikely. I'm seriously not sure why that seems to be so controversial.

Sorry to cut in, I seem to have lost the point of this.

Are you saying WDW should abandon onsite perks, because some people will never be able to afford to stay onsite no matter what?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Sorry to cut in, I seem to have lost the point of this.

Are you saying WDW should abandon onsite perks, because some people will never be able to afford to stay onsite no matter what?

Not at all. This all started with something very different than where it has ended up. I have never said Disney shouldn't offer perks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There are many new high priced DVC units being sold now. Should someone who stays at the Holiday Inn be given the same perk as someone who buys points at Grand Floridian Villas, or even someone who stays at the Grand Floridian? Units are being built at the Poly as well.

Offsite guests already do not have perks that Disney resort guests do. I realize that not many DISers find those perks valuable, but that doesn't mean the non-DIS majority of WDW guests feel the same way.

Most people I speak to about onsite/offsite love the onsite perks. If they don't stay onsite, it's generally because of the cost of onsite. A family's budget isn't dependent on perks - it's what they can afford. If they can't afford onsite, no amount of perks will get them there.

This was the original exchange and only point I was making.

 

[jade1]

I see, so you are agreeing with Vidia2 that onsite should (or at least does) get more perks than offsite.

Further, most guests would like those perks, but some can't afford to stay onsite no matter what.

I agree-no controversy, just facts.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I see, so you are agreeing with Vidia2 that onsite should (or at least does) get more perks than offsite.

Yes, I agree that onsite does (and should) get more perks than offsite. I disagree that prebooking should be an entirely onsite perk. I do think onsite should have more time to prebook, but I also think offsite should have access to prebook at some point.

Further, most guests would like those perks, but some can't afford to stay onsite no matter what.

Yes...there was an question/idea in that post (the part I didn't quote) re: FP+ being used to increase the demand for onsite rooms by giving another perk. I was just responding that there are many who love the current perks, even if many DISers don't, but who don't/can't stay onsite because of the cost involved. FP+ as an onsite only perk wouldn't change that bottom line for those people.

I agree-no controversy, just facts.

 

[su_A_ve]

Why would I want to ruin any vacations by making that mistake? Especially when it involves renting a car when someone else is willing to drive for me?

I drive from NJ and stay on property.

I try to stay close to the parking lot and a bus stop. If bus comes right away, we hop on. Else we drive.

Exception is MK as we need to go to TTC.

Unless I'm on free dining plan 2A, 2jr), I go eat off property.

 

[btk2333]

I wasn't assuming they were yearly guests, or anything....just saying that people's budgets are their budgets. If someone can only afford $x/night, and that's all they are going to spend - whether they saved for a year, or two or twenty, then whatever x is the limit. If Disney prices are greater than x, a perk (or many) doesn't change the bottom line.

I'm not saying this is the case for anyone here, or any number of people...just that this situation isn't exactly unlikely. I'm seriously not sure why that seems to be so controversial.

They don't have to be yearly guests for that analogy to apply. If someone is planning on going on vacation x in 2013 but have budget $x that doesn't let them stay on property, then they can choose to save for another year or two and go on vacation Y in 2014 or 2015 and with the extra money they saved for the extra two years, stay on property. It's not like the money goes away if you don't spend it

 

[Laketravis]

Good lord, why is it so hard for anyone to understand that it cost a whole lot more to stay ONSITE than it does to stay OFFSITE?

Bingo. Period. Done. All she wrote. The fat lady sang. It's a fact.

Can we just move on now and try to figure out if FP+ is making people wait longer at AK or not?

Geeeez.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I am not one to disagree with Mom, like ever, about anything. But I will have to here. I am a "personal chef" on the side so I take great joy in cooking. There is actually nothing I enjoy more (if you don't count the new Universal) than cooking. I love being able to have access to fresh seafood (note that Bass doesn't count) when in Florida because it's not normally available where I reside.

Most of our trips consist of a few days in Orlando with a trip to either coast. A kitchen is a must in our travels. Yes, I could pay someone a stupid amount of money for a meal (especially at Disney) or I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost. I actually WANT to cook...wherever I am!

If you want to take a break from cooking and enjoy seafood then I highly suggest Bluezoo at The Dolphin. It's not on the DDP (Dumbed Down Plan) so you know it's good!

But since this about AK...yes, anyone paying $700/night for a hotel is beyond help, and I still think FP+ sucks.

 

[Laketravis]

I am not one to disagree with Mom, like ever, about anything. But I will have to here. I am a "personal chef" on the side so I take great joy in cooking. There is actually nothing I enjoy more (if you don't count the new Universal) than cooking. I love being able to have access to fresh seafood (note that Bass doesn't count) when in Florida because it's not normally available where I reside.

Most of our trips consist of a few days in Orlando with a trip to either coast. A kitchen is a must in our travels. Yes, I could pay someone a stupid amount of money for a meal (especially at Disney) or I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost. I actually WANT to cook...wherever I am!

If you want to take a break from cooking and enjoy seafood then I highly suggest Bluezoo at The Dolphin. It's not on the DDP (Dumbed Down Plan) so you know it's good!

But since this about AK...yes, anyone paying $700/night for a hotel is beyond help, and I still think FP+ sucks.

I could not agree with you MORE.

Anyone who thinks paying $600, $700, or more a night at WDW and getting what they are getting is some kind of "deluxe" experience is delusional at best and has no idea what a deluxe experience actually consists of.

Like paying $300 at McDonalds somehow elevates the dining experience. Not.

Examine your options. And in the process of doing so, you'll find that there are many others. Heck, it only took me a few minutes to figure out that for the same amount of money I could stay at a better resort and eat dinner at the Capital Grille.

Check it out.

 

[Allison]

So this thread has nothing to do with Animal Kingdom?

 

[btk2333]

I could not agree with you MORE. Anyone who thinks paying $600, $700, or more a night at WDW and getting what they are getting is some kind of "deluxe" experience is delusional at best and has no idea what a deluxe experience actually consists of. Like paying $300 at McDonalds somehow elevates the dining experience. Not. Examine your options. And in the process of doing so, you'll find that there are many others. Heck, it only took me a few minutes to figure out that for the same amount of money I could stay at a better resort and eat dinner at the Capital Grille. Check it out.

Out of curiosity when are deluxe rooms other than the grand flo $600-$700 per night? I've never paid more than $350 per night for a room and I've stayed at wilderness contemp yacht and beach boardwalk and akl- I would never pay rack rates for a Disney room- tere is no reason to Disney always offers discounts. You would never stay on property- I would never stay off property- we prioritize different things in vacations- that's ok

 

[Jennasis]

Out of curiosity when are deluxe rooms other than the grand flo $600-$700 per night? I've never paid more than $350 per night for a room and I've stayed at wilderness contemp yacht and beach boardwalk and akl- I would never pay rack rates for a Disney room- tere is no reason to Disney always offers discounts. You would never stay on property- I would never stay off property- we prioritize different things in vacations- that's ok

My sister is booked at AKL the week next week (arriving on the 26th) and paying a shade over $600 PER NIGHT for the room.

Standard view at BC that same week is $660 (checked online just now).

 

[wisblue]

Citing rates for the absolutely most busy times of the year is as silly as looking at ride wait times at the busiest times of the year and saying that that is what it's like all the time. Same with last minute airfares.

People with DVC can get accommodations at deluxe resorts for about 30% of what you would pay for the same room without DVC if you translate the upfront cost and annual dues into dollar equivalents.

 

[mom2rtk]

I am not one to disagree with Mom, like ever, about anything. But I will have to here. I am a "personal chef" on the side so I take great joy in cooking. There is actually nothing I enjoy more (if you don't count the new Universal) than cooking. I love being able to have access to fresh seafood (note that Bass doesn't count) when in Florida because it's not normally available where I reside.

Most of our trips consist of a few days in Orlando with a trip to either coast. A kitchen is a must in our travels. Yes, I could pay someone a stupid amount of money for a meal (especially at Disney) or I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost. I actually WANT to cook...wherever I am!

If you want to take a break from cooking and enjoy seafood then I highly suggest Bluezoo at The Dolphin. It's not on the DDP (Dumbed Down Plan) so you know it's good!

But since this about AK...yes, anyone paying $700/night for a hotel is beyond help, and I still think FP+ sucks.

LOL, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I totally missed getting my cooking gene at birth.

 

[momof2n2]

I am not one to disagree with Mom, like ever, about anything. But I will have to here. I am a "personal chef" on the side so I take great joy in cooking. There is actually nothing I enjoy more (if you don't count the new Universal) than cooking. I love being able to have access to fresh seafood (note that Bass doesn't count) when in Florida because it's not normally available where I reside.

Most of our trips consist of a few days in Orlando with a trip to either coast. A kitchen is a must in our travels. Yes, I could pay someone a stupid amount of money for a meal (especially at Disney) or I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost. I actually WANT to cook...wherever I am!

If you want to take a break from cooking and enjoy seafood then I highly suggest Bluezoo at The Dolphin. It's not on the DDP (Dumbed Down Plan) so you know it's good!

But since this about AK...yes, anyone paying $700/night for a hotel is beyond help, and I still think FP+ sucks.

LOL. I could have written this. I, too, usually agree with "Mom" and find myself nodding vigorously to her post. But I too very much enjoy cooking. And for me what makes cooking on vacation even better than cooking at home is that my husband (and usually mother) is also there with me. This means they are 100% attending to the kids' needs and I can just cook without distraction. AND I have able bodied dishwashers, too! I DO desest a poorly-appointed kitchen and since we drive to our destinations I also pack a number of my own cooking tools and spices! Hey - vacation is in the eye of the beholder.

And yeah - since this IS a post about AK (or is it)... I'd love a night or two in AKL Savannah view someday. DH and I spent 10 days in Kenya in 1998 and would love the pseudo-safari feel for a few nights. But unless I win the lottery there is no way I am shelling out what it would cost for the 8 (+) of us to stay there. I'm sure it's beautiful. But at some point you hit the ceiling in ROI.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

And yeah - since this IS a post about AK (or is it)... I'd love a night or two in AKL Savannah view someday. DH and I spent 10 days in Kenya in 1998 and would love the pseudo-safari feel for a few nights. But unless I win the lottery there is no way I am shelling out what it would cost for the 8 (+) of us to stay there. I'm sure it's beautiful. But at some point you hit the ceiling in ROI.

Yes, my kids and I covet a couple nights at AKL but I couldn't justify the cost, when there are so many other places we want to travel. We are the type of travelers who think a lot about our ROI, even though we could afford to splurge occasionally.

I'm glad to know that Disney seems to have handled the AK transition well and has plenty of CMs on hand to help. They also were obviously wise in the week they picked, as well as the park. Very curious to see whether the test ends as the crowds pick up -- any word on that?

 

[mom2rtk]

LOL. I could have written this. I, too, usually agree with "Mom" and find myself nodding vigorously to her post. But I too very much enjoy cooking. And for me what makes cooking on vacation even better than cooking at home is that my husband (and usually mother) is also there with me. This means they are 100% attending to the kids' needs and I can just cook without distraction. AND I have able bodied dishwashers, too! I DO desest a poorly-appointed kitchen and since we drive to our destinations I also pack a number of my own cooking tools and spices! Hey - vacation is in the eye of the beholder.

And yeah - since this IS a post about AK (or is it)... I'd love a night or two in AKL Savannah view someday. DH and I spent 10 days in Kenya in 1998 and would love the pseudo-safari feel for a few nights. But unless I win the lottery there is no way I am shelling out what it would cost for the 8 (+) of us to stay there. I'm sure it's beautiful. But at some point you hit the ceiling in ROI.

And I thought I knew you people!