Am I missing something???

[simba50]

My family & I (4 of us) visit WDW every yr. the week before & during Christmas. With the new resort pricing for 2008 I don't think we'll be going this yr. How will families afford the new pricing - what am I missing?

 

[Rora]

Ugh I don't know. If it's in your price range, check out the POP Century, Movies or Music. But those are still pricey. I would try staying offsite. Hopefully the resort rates will drop soon! *crosses fingers!*

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We got a better AAA rate than AP this year. We checked-in on the 19th, which is considered off-season. Through AAA (don't know if this will continue), we got the same daily rate for the duration of our state. You can no longer do this with AP.

 

[autumnbaby9]

We got a better AAA rate than AP this year. We checked-in on the 19th, which is considered off-season. Through AAA (don't know if this will continue), we got the same daily rate for the duration of our state. You can no longer do this with AP.

Unfortuantly you can't do that as of 2008. Everyday has it's own price tag now.

 

[goofy4tink]

With the rates being higher for Friday/Sat nights now, the only way to do it cheaply is to avoid those two nights. I almost reconsidered not arriving on Sat because it was going to cost a bit more, but decided to just pay the extra for that night. Thank heavens it's only POP. But, now the 'regular' guest is having the same dilemna the DVC owner has...those weekend nights are going to cost more. But, from what I've seen, most resorts/hotels charge more on the weekend nights...unless they normally cater to the business person. Then, weekends can be cheaper because business people don't buy those nights.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

The only way we can really afford to stay onsite this year for 8 nights will be with free dining. Without this it will offsite trips for us, which I see happening in the future.

 

[fla4fun]

With the rates being higher for Friday/Sat nights now, the only way to do it cheaply is to avoid those two nights. I almost reconsidered not arriving on Sat because it was going to cost a bit more, but decided to just pay the extra for that night. Thank heavens it's only POP. But, now the 'regular' guest is having the same dilemna the DVC owner has...those weekend nights are going to cost more. But, from what I've seen, most resorts/hotels charge more on the weekend nights...unless they normally cater to the business person. Then, weekends can be cheaper because business people don't buy those nights.

This is where I'm lucky that my "weekend" falls during the week. So my trips are typically 10 days from a Tuesday through the following Thursday - only one weekend to worry about.

We're all just going to have to be as dilligent as possible when it comes to ferreting out those discounts. My best advice would be to sign up for as many discounting possibilities as possible. I qualify for AP, Florida Res, and AAA, and I can usually find a room with one of the discounts.

 

[spiceycat]

don't give up.

disney expects 90% occupancy - especially during those weeks - if they don't get it - discounts will happen.

be sure to check on mousesavers.

of course it might be in Nov,2008 that the Dec discounts are out.

got the free dinning in Sept (bounce back) - so that is when I am definitely going - also using my DVC and offsite a couple of times.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I keep on hoping for free dining again this year. It really helps out!

 

[Booyakasha]

My family & I (4 of us) visit WDW every yr. the week before & during Christmas. With the new resort pricing for 2008 I don't think we'll be going this yr. How will families afford the new pricing - what am I missing?

It is simple. It is all a matter of income. If Disney can get people in the resorts at a higher price than that is what is going to happen.
How will families afford the new pricing is the same as asking how can some one afford to buy a BMW when I drive a Honda. They make more money than I do or a willing to spend more money than I am. Very simple.

B.

 

[MinnieNurse]

I didnt notice much of a difference in price between my 2008 trip and my 3 previous trips? I booked in September and my total package price seems about the same I pay every year.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

This is our first time coming to WDW as a family, so I have nothing to compare it too, but I actually thought our trip was pretty inexpensive.

We broke it down on what we spend on our annual weekly beach trip and they were about even. And I feel like we are getting much more out of the disney trip.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I think offsite will become more and more popular. So many places to stay! I know there are many who think it simply will not be a WDW vacation offsite (I used to think that way), but families will be priced out eventually.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I find this discussion a little funny to me..

In part because growing up, I had it in my head there was NO WAY I could EVER afford a Disney resort. That was just not ever gonna happen for me.. The very richest of my friends did Disney vacations at the Poly or CR when they kids.. I didn't see how I could EVER afford that. So, the first few trips I took to Disney, I stayed off-site, rented a car, and just assumed that's how everyone did it.

The values opened up and that changed how I looked at Disney Resorts all together. And then I started even trying the mods at at least one deluxe... just to see.

No question the values are going up in price... and what time of year you choose to travel has a HUGE impact on what price you'll pay.

Example: Using a publicly available discount code, I got All Star Sports 12/06 to 12/12 for 59.50 for 3 nights and 69.50 for the other three nights.

Now.. that discount had a limited resort selection and was only available on certain dates.. but since I was able to be flexible, I could take advantage of pretty significant savings.

I think that those opportunities will always be there for those who are willing to dig.

All that said, yes, the resorts ARE getting pricier and with the price of oil hovering near 100$ a barrel.. the price of EVERYTHING, not just Disney vacations, is about to take a HUGE jump in 2008.

It will not be pretty.

Knox

 

[Aliceacc]

My family & I (4 of us) visit WDW every yr. the week before & during Christmas. With the new resort pricing for 2008 I don't think we'll be going this yr. How will families afford the new pricing - what am I missing?

IT's easy... you go once every 18 years and figure it costs what it costs.

 

[DizneyNutz]

When many were saying that DVC did not makes sense for them, they were not counting on the room rate increases and the DVC point values remaining the same. ie: it will take the same number of points next year to stay in the WL as it did last year and the year before that, etc. We knew we were intending on visiting at least once a year, so we bought DVC and love it. Whenever we are ready to book a vacation, we just pick up the phone and call. No deposits, payoffs, etc. to worry about. I wasn't even aware that there was going to be a rate increase, until this post. Not saying that everyone can/ should do it, but saying from our point of view it sure is nice not having to consider it.

 

[eliza61]

Generally, like any other family we have to budget. When we decide on a disney vacation we will start saving for it months in advance and some times it does mean a little sacraficing (cut down on dinners out, etc). This year my kids wanted to spend the holidays at WDW. Dh & I stressed to them that if we did this there would be NO Christmas gifts. No wiis, in IPOD's, no playstation 3's nada.

 

[eliza61]

We broke it down on what we spend on our annual weekly beach trip and they were about even. And I feel like we are getting much more out of the disney trip.

This is so true especiall for us folks on the East coast. We spent a week at Rehobeth beach DE this summer, the motel was $225/night and it was not beach front. Food at the local restaurants was just a little less expensive but not much and if you go to the Jersey shore. You have to buy a beach tag to get on the beach.

So many places to stay! I know there are many who think it simply will not be a WDW vacation offsite (I used to think that way), but families will be priced out eventually.

Not sure I agree with this, Disney was one of the few places in Orlando this year that had consistent 90%+ occupancy. The offsite places struggled.

All that said, yes, the resorts ARE getting pricier and with the price of oil hovering near 100$ a barrel.. the price of EVERYTHING, not just Disney vacations, is about to take a HUGE jump in 2008.

It will not be pretty.

Knox

Knox, I totally agree. We're going to Washington DC for Presidents day weekend and for what we are paying I could probably fund a small country.
If you wish to travel, it will definitely not be pretty

 

[marivaid]

I didnt notice much of a difference in price between my 2008 trip and my 3 previous trips? I booked in September and my total package price seems about the same I pay every year.

Same here. We paid $199/night for POFQ last week, next year would be $205.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We go at the value season, book early enough to particpate in a AAA discount, that's how we do it. Every little bit we can save helps, and we always pay cash. We book it and pay on it a little at a time, our next trip is planned for 2 years from now, so we pay a little at a time.