And The Beat Goes On!

[WEDWDW]

You're already paying to the service, it's just included in the all-in price you pay.

So they would reduce the Resort prices by $15.00 per day-you're saying it is just an accounting move?

 

[CMNJ]

I wonder if the fee is $15 per day per room or $15 per person per day per room?

It is per room according to the survey (someone posted a screen shot of it on another thread about this)

 

[Jcon]

So they would reduce the Resort prices by $15.00 per day-you're saying it is just an accounting move?

Ideally, yes, but....

Of course not. I'm not saying that this will cost us less, just that they're moving to a more pick-and-pay system.

They still reaching deeper into our pockets.

 

[dobtia]

We know now that they are going to get theirs. I don't begrudge them that as they are a for profit business. Now if you are going to raise the rates....just raise the rates. Don't show it to us as fees because for years you have told us this is part of the value/special feeling of being on-site.

 

[CMNJ]

In defense of Disney...

Itemized billing and pay-per-service billing is quite in fashion right now. You're already paying to the service, it's just included in the all-in price you pay. Each year, the price of this service goes up, it just gets buried in with all-in price increase.

If you're someone that does not use these services or amenities, do you like subsidizing everyone else? Of course not.

I, for one, appreciate that everyone else subsidizes my Magic Express transportation.

The fact is, the resorts are packed, the parks are packed and it is the responsibility of Disney management to maximize shareholder value. Now and into the future. How that happens is up for debate.

(Now I'll go hide)

You are right everyone does currently pay for these costs (in the form of higher room rates.) However the survey that someone posted didn't make it seem optional so it is going to just be an additional cost at check in for everyone not a way to save money if you don't use those amenities, though it could be offset somewhat if future room rate increases are lower accounting for this increased revenue. Unfortunately I highly doubt that is the case. I'm guessing Disney will continue to increase rack rates at the same rate AND charge this fee at check in. By separating the fee from the room rate they can ensure despite selling a room at a discount (regardless if that is in the form of a discounted package, direct room discount, or through a company like orbitz) Disney will get their full $15/day fee.

 

[Mikie]

We know now that they are going to get theirs. I don't begrudge them that as they are a for profit business. Now if you are going to raise the rates....just raise the rates. Don't show it to us as fees because for years you have told us this is part of the value/special feeling of being on-site.

It seems no matter what they do, nothing drives people away, but it would sure seem like this would do it! When you say "pay a (ridiculous) premium for our hotels because of all the "included magic!"" People (like me) are swayed. Now, when it's laid out as "ridiculous resort price $X plus $15 for the magical extras" it spells out so clearly that there's no good reason to spend $138 rack rate on values, which are Super 8s with bright paint colors.

 

[DebbieB]

Swan/Dolphin has a $25 daily resort fee plus $18 for self park.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_dol.htm

Is there a resort fee?

Yes, there is a mandatory resort services package. As of October 1, 2015 the cost is $25 per day plus tax and includes the following:

• In room High-Speed Internet Access
• Unlimited local calls and DOMESTIC (US mainland) are now included.
• Unlimited access to the Resort's health club facilities
• 2 bottles of WDW Swan and Dolphin Resort water daily (provided in the room)

I heard there's a charge to park at the resort -- is this true?

Yes, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts charge for self-parking as well as valet parking. Self parking rate is $18 per day (plus tax) and Valet is $26 per day (plus tax). Additional charges may apply for resort guests who are not staying at the Swan and Dolphin. Some sitdown restaurants will validate parking so be sure to inquire.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Ha, why bother? They could increase rates $15 and no one would notice. That fee is already in the price of the hotel. What good does itemizing it do?

Does this mean they could no longer claim that Magical Express or Extra Magic Hours are free for resort guests? Or would they use some ridiculous language like, "free with resort fee payment."

For some reason the itemizing it makes it more of a sting for me. Especially because Magic Express and Magic Hours, etc are advertised as free perks with staying onsite. Increased room rates would be frustrating, but doing it this way really gets under my skin. We have never even considered staying offsite because of these perks. At the rate we are going here this will be our last trip for awhile, we simply won't be able to afford it. We save all year and make lots of sacrifices to go once a year, and I don't know if we will be able to keep going. Too many increases in cost and too many decreases in service, characters, staff and magic happening all at once for me.

 

[shanethesaint88]

I think this shows two things if they do implement this.
1) they really must be starting to feel the financial burden from all the construction at WDW and dl, Shanghai's over budget, and espn's continuing failure. They never nicked and dimed before but now with all the cutbacks and price increases they seem to be feeling it a little financially.
2) they obviously don't want the backlash from raising the hotel rates like they probably just received for increasing ticket prices. For us we know that is a marginal increase but for the "normal people" they just hear that prices at Disney is going up again. So instead of that they say they are charging you for all these benefits.
That's just my two sense.

 

[DisDadDVC]

For some reason the itemizing it makes it more of a sting for me. Especially because Magic Express and Magic Hours, etc are advertised as free perks with staying onsite. Increased room rates would be frustrating, but doing it this way really gets under my skin. We have never even considered staying offsite because of these perks. At the rate we are going here this will be our last trip for awhile, we simply won't be able to afford it. We save all year and make lots of sacrifices to go once a year, and I don't know if we will be able to keep going. Too many increases in cost and too many decreases in service, characters, staff and magic happening all at once for me.

What if they lowered the hotel rate by $15, and added the $15 resort fee? (And yes, I know this will not happen...).

 

[mom2rtk]

For some reason the itemizing it makes it more of a sting for me. Especially because Magic Express and Magic Hours, etc are advertised as free perks with staying onsite. Increased room rates would be frustrating, but doing it this way really gets under my skin. We have never even considered staying offsite because of these perks. At the rate we are going here this will be our last trip for awhile, we simply won't be able to afford it. We save all year and make lots of sacrifices to go once a year, and I don't know if we will be able to keep going. Too many increases in cost and too many decreases in service, characters, staff and magic happening all at once for me.

I agree. If it's not "free" any more, I'm probably going to stop and ask "now remind me why I'm staying onsite" before planning another trip.

It's absolutely amazing how fast all these fees and cost cuts are rolling out right now.

 

[Livvie]

It is per room according to the survey (someone posted a screen shot of it on another thread about this)

It says "$15 per night", not per room. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdE0D-gWAAQtjoZ.jpg

 

[DisDadDVC]

I think this shows two things if they do implement this.
1) they really must be starting to feel the financial burden from all the construction at WDW and dl, Shanghai's over budget, and espn's continuing failure. They never nicked and dimed before but now with all the cutbacks and price increases they seem to be feeling it a little financially.
2) they obviously don't want the backlash from raising the hotel rates like they probably just received for increasing ticket prices. For us we know that is a marginal increase but for the "normal people" they just hear that prices at Disney is going up again. So instead of that they say they are charging you for all these benefits.
That's just my two sense.

Hotel rates are hard to track. I'm not sure anyone would notice a $15 change (up or down). The prices vary so much by time of year, discount, etc. It's not like park tickets where it is a well known price.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's not like park tickets where it is a well known price.

Not to worry. They're working on making that harder too.

 

[tlmadden73]

Fees, in general, insult my intelligence. Because a company thinks they can advertise a PRICE and get people hook.

Direct TV! Only $29.99 (Plus a hookup fee, plus a fee for HD, plus a fee for DVR, plus a fee for each additional TV, etc. etc.)
Hey .. this concert is only $70 .. plus ticketmaster fees, plus a "venue" fee .. (not to mention all the special taxes you can't avoid either).

You sometimes pay almost 50% more in the "advertised" price after fees and taxes.
To me that is false advertising.

To me .. it isn't a FEE if you can't AVOID it (or if it is part of the "normal" package). it is just part of the price.

Disney's parking fee is a fee, because you can avoid it (stay on-site, be dropped off, take a taxi, etc.)

But a hotel fee, isn't a fee, since you can't opt-out of those services you are paying a fee for.

Just charge $15 more .. and be honest with your customers. We all KNOW we are paying more for these hotels because of those special things. We aren't stupid.


I mean .. when it comes down to it .. why not go to the extreme?
Disney Value Resort! Only $10/night!
Plus $10/bed fee
Plus $10/sheet fee
Plus $10/lock on your door fee
Plus $50/Air Conditioning fee
Plus $30/Hot Water Fee

ETc. etc. etc.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I mean .. when it comes down to it .. why not go to the extreme?
Disney Value Resort! Only $10/night!
Plus $10/bed fee
Plus $10/sheet fee
Plus $10/lock on your door fee
Plus $50/Air Conditioning fee
Plus $30/Hot Water Fee

ETc. etc. etc.

Sounds like Spirit Airlines biz model.

 

[monorailrabbit]

What if they lowered the hotel rate by $15, and added the $15 resort fee? (And yes, I know this will not happen...).

As far as appearances yes, this would help. Like I said, for some reason it's an extra sting to me to A. Make me pay for "free services" and B. Make me pay for things I won't use (if I'm using the free DME, why on earth would I be paying for parking?)

However, seeing as how now when they do discounts on room rates it wouldn't apply to this fee it wouldn't help in that aspect.

 

[goofy4tink]

Seriously? We all know that we've been paying for all these things in our room rates. DME has never truly been 'free', or MBs. So now...we get to actually see a line item fir the charge for these things, and still pay the same, or higher rates for rooms
For the love of God Disney, just raise the room rates $10 a night! We would all feel much better about that!!
So greedy. Yes, I get that's it's a business. But to charge, outright, for something we've all been paying for in our room rates, and not charging less, but most likely more, for rooms? Greedy.

 

[shanethesaint88]

Hotel rates are hard to track. I'm not sure anyone would notice a $15 change (up or down). The prices vary so much by time of year, discount, etc. It's not like park tickets where it is a well known price.

I agree. I think they should just raise the hotel rates like they do every year. But I was just giving my opinion on why they would make that decision. I have no idea, I was just garnering a guess.
Maybe I'm completely wrong and they just wanna squeeze every bit of money out of people. Its probable that they will increase rates and add these fees

 

[anniemae]

For some reason the itemizing it makes it more of a sting for me. Especially because Magic Express and Magic Hours, etc are advertised as free perks with staying onsite. Increased room rates would be frustrating, but doing it this way really gets under my skin. We have never even considered staying offsite because of these perks. At the rate we are going here this will be our last trip for awhile, we simply won't be able to afford it. We save all year and make lots of sacrifices to go once a year, and I don't know if we will be able to keep going. Too many increases in cost and too many decreases in service, characters, staff and magic happening all at once for me.

agree