And The Beat Goes On!

[DisDadDVC]

Wonder if DVC is exempt?

It should be. All of that stuff is already paid for out of dues. If they charge the $15 to DVC members, they would (should) have to reduce the dues.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would like to propose a fee where I can opt out of having my air conditioner set on a motion-sensor. I will pay gladly to not wake up sweaty all night.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

It should be. All of that stuff is already paid for out of dues. If they charge the $15 to DVC members, they would (should) have to reduce the dues.

For the buy-in cost of DVC, I would be livid if I were an owner and they instituted this.

 

[Dis703]

Someone that hasn't stayed onsite and hasn't researched, may think this is a good thing.
When are they doing these surveys? In the park? (possible chance to get a yes here) After a resort stay? (less likely)

And from reading the other post about how they are targeting those who have not been there recently, or whatever other criteria they were bumped off the survey for, it seems that is the case. They are asking people that perhaps did not research and may have not stayed onsite. Someone with no prior knowledge of how it works otherwise may very well say "Sure, I'll pay $15 a day for all of those great perks!"

 

[momof2n2]

I can not go at all.

This is my plan. 66 days from now when we drive away from MK I have zero plans to return. I'd need to see a whole lotta change. Sort of like when Coke went back to original formula.

Sounds like their goal is to be able to report that 95% of survey takers are in favor of resort fees--no--95% of respondents DEMAND resort fees.

Oh! So you've done this before.

 

[Livvie]

I would like to propose a fee where I can opt out of having my air conditioner set on a motion-sensor. I will pay gladly to not wake up sweaty all night.

 

[Dis703]

I would like to propose a fee where I can opt out of having my air conditioner set on a motion-sensor. I will pay gladly to not wake up sweaty all night.

OT, but I have to ask where does this happen? I thought I read about it at Pop so I was worried when I stayed there but I froze my butt off all night long even after turning the temp up a few times.

 

[Ninja Mom]

I heard there were other survey questions that addressed a la carte pricing for items. I hear it's also awfully easy to get kicked out of the survey. If one answers yes to a question about participating in social media, blogs, etc." they are done with the survey. If one answers that they have had multiple stays in the same year, their survey was ended. Someone even reported that they answered yes to a question about using their iPhone to answer the survey and it kicked them out. Seems awfully targeted.

Targeted yes... to the one, "trip of a lifetime", crowd. This is where the entire marketing focus is directed. They won't be savvy at how overpriced everything is before their trips and they won't be back after spending huge sums and doing the math on what they actually received for that $$$$$

~NM
PS. I'm hearing my favorite hymn entitled Bringing in the "SHEEP"...

 

[Livvie]

It should be. All of that stuff is already paid for out of dues. If they charge the $15 to DVC members, they would (should) have to reduce the dues.

Like they are going to reduce the room rates?

 

[Redcon1]

Disney forgot to add one thing to their list of items included in the $15 resort fee: a jar of Vaseline.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Like they are going to reduce the room rates?

Not the room rates, but the dues that are paid each year by DVC members. These are all published and I think there would be a big problem if they charged members in the dues, and again on check-in.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Disney forgot to add one thing to their list of items included in the $15 resort fee: a jar of Vaseline.

Oh, you wanted the premium package. That will cost you...

 

[Redcon1]

With a family of four or more, you get the Economy-size in a collectible Pooh-container.

 

[Dis703]

I disagree. I think people stay at Disney for proximity, but also for 180+ day ADR, 60+ day FP+, EMH, and free parking or transportation. And, of course, because of brand affinity.

Agreed. Proximity is the least of the things I'm thinking about when I choose to stay on property although if we splurge on Deluxe that is a definitely factor. At mod and value levels it's more about the other perks with DME being top of the list.

 

[Skywise]

and someone mentioned you don't know your cost until trip is over...just not true unless you can't do math.

Baggage fees are optional - don't fly with checked baggage don't get charged a fee. Completely different beast. I would happily forego the resort fee for wifi, MDE, gym use and even cable TV but I can't because it's a mandatory fee that applies to all room usages and taxed as such but not actually included with the price of the room...

Resort fees also aren't part of your contracted booking rate - They can change on a whim. IE you CAN'T budget them... even when you CAN do math. a $5 increase on a ten night stay, plus tax will easily add on the cost of another night of a room at a value resort. And as people book up almost a year or two out you could see multiple annual increases of $5 (or even more) after you "locked" in that room rate.

Is it too much to ask that Disney -a "family fun place" - be up front about their costs and be an industry leader than an industry follower?

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Marking for future enjoyment...

I received this survey a couple of days ago but hadn't completed it yet - will have to take a look and voice my anti-resort fee thoughts!

 

[DisDadDVC]

Marking for future enjoyment...

I received this survey a couple of days ago but hadn't completed it yet - will have to take a look and voice my anti-resort fee thoughts!

Maybe everyone should vote in favor of it. If everyone is in favor of it, Disney will think they are making a mistake...

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

It was only a matter of time. So many hotels/resorts in other tourist areas and cities have resort fees that I am surprised it has not occurred earlier at WDW. I don't have a problem with a resort fee per se. We have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin many times and they have had a resort fee for years. Even with the fee and parking it was a considerable savings over a WDW resort. But now WDW resorts have priced us out, even the S/D. Without adding a resort fee. We might try a mod again but a luxury house with a pool in Reunion Resort is still less expensive than a WDW mod. It is so sad to me because I have wonderful memories of vacations at WDW resorts with my girls over the years, particularly at the Polynesian. Pretty soon we will only be able to afford to visit for a meal at Captain Cook's.

 

[tstidm1]

That would be the point I would go to some place that has a minimal resort fee or no resort fee. I would also look at a better place to stay for my money. Personally, I would consider a place on 192 and taking the shuttles to Disney world if they implemented this. They would lose me as someone who would be an on site guest. I enjoy being on site as someone who doesn't drive, so I would be sad about this. They would probably lose days from me because I would do Universal and Disney instead of one or the other.

 

[tlmadden73]

Why have I chosen to stay on-site the two times I have? Grand Floridian and Pop Century .. two opposite ends of the spectrum. One was an adult trip with my now wife and my parents. The second time was with my wife and 3-year old son and my in-laws.

1) Proximity (Grand Floridian) (Though the Proximity of Pop Century to DHS and Disney Springs was nice)
2) Luxury (Grand Floridian) .. even though Pop Century felt luxurious in its own special way.
3) The "ambience" (Both Pop and Grand Floridian) .. just being surrounded by Disney was just darn fun .. whether it was the stores, the cast members, the extras in your room, etc.
4) The Fast Pass bonus at 60 days was nice (on my second resort stay .. on my first trip FP+ did not exist)
5) The transportation .. I really really like being on vacation and not having to get in my car .. even if it means waiting for buses and sitting on a bus for 20 minutes. That is more relaxing than driving, and going to a parking lot only to have to walk/tram to get to the park entrance.
6) The service. The service I received at Pop Century was top-notch despite staying at "Value" hotel. Stay at an off-site hotel and you may get a gum-snapping teenager at the front desk that may be able to help you. There is something to be said there.

Honestly, on my last trip to Pop Century . .the cost of that hotel (after discounts .. during value season (late August) was cheaper than what I spent on the hotel on the way TO Disney (Quality Inn & Suites in Georgia), so I felt I got quite a deal for all the extras provided. The theming of the hotel itself was fun and just being surrounded by hundreds of people on the same vacation as you was fun, but at its core, Pop Century was the quality of a Days Inn/Super 8 (size of room, linens, outside facing rooms, etc.) ..but MUCH >> MUCH >> MUCH cleaner than you'd ever find any Days Inn. Perfect for a vacation where you just need a place to lay your head for 10 hours a night for a few days. and have fun themed pool during the day with activities for the kids.

So why "resort" hotels that you are staying BECAUSE you want all these "resort" amenities feel the need to charge a resort fee is beyond me.

I know other hotels charge a "resort fee" .. I just don't understand why. Don't you go in paying a higher rate KNOWING it is a "resort" as opposed to a hotel off the freeway?