Am I missing something???

[RAD]

I was also going to mention DVC as something to look into. DW and I purchased 8 years ago after looking at the annual price increases and saying this was getting stupid. As mentioned in a prior post the points to stay every year usually stay the same (a studio at OKW for 12/24 -> 12/31, this highest usage time of year has been the same for 3 years). Yes, the annual maint fees/taxes do g up but no where near as quickly as WDW resort rates.

 

[duffy]

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?

Maybe they all got raises?

 

[honeybee30]

I'm paying $49 a night to stay at Pop at the end of the month. That equals a little over $400 for an 8 night stay. These are Motel 8 prices! I could go up to the mountains of NC for a week at the end of January and pay over 5 times as much for room alone. Price out a nice vacation elsewhere and you'll find that WDW prices are concurrent. Moral of this story - get an AP and go during value season!

 

[G8r4evr]

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.

I used to think so, but now, not so much. If enough families havent been priced out by now, I dont see it happening anytime in the next 10 yrs or so. Personally, I think the resort prices are a joke (ESPECIALLY the deluxes, or should I say what Disney considers deluxe), but I cant blame Disney for charging what they do, when so may people are obviously willing to pay the price.

Oh and I agree, if more people would give the offsite hotels a chance (there are some reeely great ones) even for a trip or two, Disney might catch a clue and lower the prices a bit, but as long as their occupancy rates stay close to where they are now, we are going to see more and more increases.

 

[wilda]

Maybe visit during value season when rates are significantly less expensive. You didn't metnion airfare, but that might be considerably less during off-peak travel times.

 

[livie1205]

value season
40% discount
only sat night ,not fri and sat
201.00 a night club level AKL
i only go when i get big discounts....

 

[spiceycat]

DVC points can go up for any week - but if they do - another week must go down.

they did it once to OKW adventure and choice season both went up - summer/spring break (don't remember what it is called) went down - so did the christmas week.

but the really snicky thing was - they took most of the points out of the weekdays - and where did they put them in weekends.....

so the DVC points can change - although I really doubt that DVC would do this again - too many members to scream 'not fair'.

you might consider renting a reservation from a DVC member.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Oh and I agree, if more people would give the offsite hotels a chance (there are some reeely great ones) even for a trip or two, Disney might catch a clue and lower the prices a bit, but as long as their occupancy rates stay close to where they are now, we are going to see more and more increases.

Well, I'm going to do my part and stay offsite more often...simply because I have been priced out. And I found that offsite can be lots of fun, too.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think those that are more budget minded will probably do what DH and I did before moving here -- go during value season, watch for cheap airfares and good room discounts.
Some people will just have to be a little more price savvy and flexible.
Those wanting to stay during prime times and and the most popular resorts will notice a price difference and less discounts I am sure.

 

[G8r4evr]

value season
40% discount
only sat night ,not fri and sat
201.00 a night club level AKL
i only go when i get big discounts....

That would be great, except that I have yet to EVER get a postcard, much less a 40% discount code

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Since I'm a single parent and try to do what stresses me out the least, staying off-site isn't an option I choose to deal with. I started doing our Disney budget for '08 in October and since we go for Easter and Christmas, we're doing a value resort for Easter (Pop) and splitting between a Value and a Deluxe (Pop/Polynesian) for Christmas. We're annual passholders and have gone so many times we don't spend much money on souveniers.

We would have done a deluxe for both seasons but the price increase has forced me to think more creatively about our options. Disney is pricey but hasn't priced me out so far as to stay off-site.

 

[ransom]

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.

I totally agree. We bought in last year (resale), knowing we were going to want to go every year. We stayed on cash (courtyard view) last month, but that was only because we'd already booked it and had the AAA discount. I checked into what it would cost for our 11/9 to 11/21 stay next year, and staying at WL in a standard view would cost just under $3000 with the AAA discount! Our purchase price for DVC will be "paid off" pretty quickly at that rate, after which our annual vacations will cost next to nothing (just the dues).

As to the larger subject, I agree with the general sentiment that while it's expensive to stay on-site, there are obviously enough people willing and able to pay that price so Disney'll keep raising rates and vacationers will keep coming. As other have mentioned, part of it is that the price of everything is going up so much that you don't have much choice for great vacations that are also inexpensive. Heck, just visiting my parents in Arkansas and staying at a Hampton Inn costs as much as staying at a Disney value resort, or a discounted moderate. And while Arkansas does offer some nice things to see and do, it's hard to argue that it can compete with WDW!

 

[pepperw23]

What is considered truly the value season? Are there any in the summer? That has always been the one thing I have struggled with figuring out. . We are 100% summer vacation people so this year we are looking at the last week of Aug (we like heat lol). Should I be looking at another week?

 

[hapandpam]

What is considered truly the value season? Are there any in the summer? That has always been the one thing I have struggled with figuring out. . We are 100% summer vacation people so this year we are looking at the last week of Aug (we like heat lol). Should I be looking at another week?

You should be all set with the end of August. It is value season for Values, Moderates, and Deluxes. I guess that is because many schools, especially in the south, return to classes in August.

 

[rie'smom]

My advice would be to stay at the Swan or Dolphin. It has offsite pricing and fantastic discounts for various groups. It's a couple of minute walk to the Boardwalk and it uses WDW transportation. The boats are right downstairs.
These hotels are as nice(or nicer) than their counterparts onsite. The restaurants are fantastic,there's s a beach and great pools, little motorboats and Swan pedal boats.
Many diehard Disneyites won't consider the S/D because the hotels are offsite. As someone who used to think this way, I can tell you that I fantastically surprised at how nice the hotels were and the staffs are fabulous. We are now DVC members (BWV) but we always include extra days to include stays at either the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[luvthemouse71]

This year, I'm taking my Dad and we're staying at the Poly. This will the most I've spent on a Disney vacation(almost $4000 for 2 people) but it will still be doable. I'll just have to pick up more call and overtime. It's worth it to me though, because in my daily life, I'm fairly low key. Don't drive a fancy car, only buy things on sale etc. I have relatives that could easily blow $4000 at the casino inside of a month and I figure I get so much more at WDW. I also pay cash for my trips-I won't use my credit card to pay towards it, I use my debit card.

This will be my Dads first trip to WDW and my first stay ever in a Deluxe so I decided to splurge this time. I remember when I was in nursing school and we went to WDW(in July ). We had to stay offsite because I had cut my hours at work somewhat...we still had fun but something was missing.

I feel for the people that have large families but I think that with budgeting and bargain hunting, it's still possible...Me personally, I think I'm going to seriously start working toward a DVC membership...

 

[pepperw23]

You should be all set with the end of August. It is value season for Values, Moderates, and Deluxes. I guess that is because many schools, especially in the south, return to classes in August.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Poohbear123]

I was going to arrive on Sunday to avoid the higher cost on Sat, at WL but decided to book Movies for Sat. night. It cost me 92.66 with tax.

 

[DVC Jen]

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.

exactly!

 

[DVC Jen]

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

Since we bought into DVC in 2001 I haven't even been following how much a regular resort room rate has gone up. Your post made me think it isn't quite as bad as some of you would think.

In 1999 we stayed at CBR in a water-view room and paid right at 179.00 a night. So that doesn't seem to be a very large jump in price considering it has been 9 years.

Just my opinion.