Another question regarding hotels and such that will probably turn into a debate

[DisneyKidds]

Well, Disney's sort of forcing this discussion to be re-hashed since they've decided that room-only discounts will be few and far between.

Maybe yes, maybe no. Word thru the grapevine is that AP discounts will be out on Thursday. We also got an AP discount last May. Perhaps the discounts aren't released as far in advance as they were in the recent past, but I'm not ready to say they are gone.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I rememeber 20 years ago being forced to stay at Davis bros. on I drive (it is still there but I do not know what it has changed to) because that was all that one could get. It was disgusting. We then stayed at the Carribean Beach and Hilton and felt like we were in heaven. When we moved on or down (as prices went up) to All Star Resorts it was still nice till I realized that I was hearded everywhere. I had to travel in a bus with tons of people, I had to eat a a food court since I had small kids and not a lot of money. I did pay rack rate for these. I had no access to any type of discount other than AAA if I remember correctly and it was not a lot.
The first time I stayed offsite I was so terrified. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villiage and it was 116 per night. I did not expect much since I had been conditioned to believe that Disney was the only way to go. I will never forget how shocked I was to walk into this fantastically decorated villa. I thought that they ahd given us the wrong rooms!! Two bedrooms two baths, three tv's great kitchen living room and screened in balcony. All brand new!!! Even a wet bar and coordinated floral arrangements. The pool was fantastic and had a great water fall.

This year we stayed at the Wyndham Palms Golf for 79.00 per night!!!! The living room dining room was so huge there was a bit of an echo. I paced it off at 35x 14. There was a 52" tv not to mention Cal. King bed and jacuzzi in one room and two queen beds in the other. Huge butter soft leather sectional couch and a very pretty glass and bronze dining table that sat 8!! Outside my window as a great view of the golf course. It was quiet and beautifully landscaped.

I think the time comes for many of us to really look at what we are getting and analyze the experience. It was a pleasure to come back to these rooms. It was a pleasure not to have to always wait in line to eat food that was not all that great. It was great to be able to pull a frozen pizza that cost 4 dollars out of the freezer at 11:30 for a snack.

I could never afford 300 or more a day for two weeks to stay at Disney .
Resort of this type.

Like many of you who have stayed at the moderate or value accomodations I used to bring peanut butter and jelly or a hot pot for coffee or cup a soup for a snack. The kids were always with us and there was little room to move around. I guess if one can afford the high price of Disney luxury then go for it but when you really sort out the hotel experience and break down what you are getting there is no comparison to what can be had off site. I would rank the villas I have stayed at the past 5 years against just about anything in Disney.

 

[ThAnswr]

>>>>1.) JeffH - I don't know where you're coming up with $49/night for the All Stars. The lowest rate I can find is $77. Perhaps you're thinking of a room with a discount<<<


My guess is that the $49 is with the FL Res Discount, and because JeffH's location is Naples FL, that would be a pretty good guess.

>>>>....discounts that are seemingly being phased out in favor of attempting to get more package bookings.<<<

Personally, I think if Disney phases out room discounts to encourage package bookings, it would be the last nail in the coffin of Ei$ner's dream of being Conrad Hilton.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by Bella the Ball 360
Like many of you who have stayed at the moderate or value accomodations I used to bring peanut butter and jelly or a hot pot for coffee or cup a soup for a snack. The kids were always with us and there was little room to move around. I guess if one can afford the high price of Disney luxury then go for it but when you really sort out the hotel experience and break down what you are getting there is no comparison to what can be had off site. I would rank the villas I have stayed at the past 5 years against just about anything in Disney.

I agree with you! I stayed at a Doubletree (which is now something else I think) in Kissimmee 4 years ago and I was absolutely blown away by the amenities, the size of everything and the sheer attractiveness of the resort. I drove to the parks but it was an easy drive and I don't really mind driving anyway.

Then three years ago I stayed at the Allstars for the first time and besides the cute icons, I personally don't understand the attraction. I missed too many amenities and I don't recognize that the style of decoration at these resorts is actually theming. And the bus service was AWFUL! But to each their own.

The best part of the Doubletree is that I paid a whopping $50/night via Priceline. I paid rack rate for the Allstars even though I tried as hard as I could to find a discount of ANY kind. Whatever anyone thinks about the Disney resorts, the Allstars are not worth rack rate!

But this experience definitely opened my eyes. I always see a lot of gorgeous resorts offsite and don't have any problems finding a discounted room at some of them. I wish I could go now because a random check of Expedia shows the Gaylord Palms at $103 and the Peabody is $110 a night right now. Not bad!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I really should be cleaning, but I REALLY don't feel like it!

Anyway, $49 for a Florida resident is a pretty restrictive discount policy!

And while AP rates did come out today, what about rates for those without the AP? I haven't seen any room-only discounts. Kidds, I never meant that they were phasing them out completely. Just exactly what I said: they're few and far between! (You'll have to forgive a snide attitude....I've been reading too many posts on the resort board!)

I can honestly say that I've stayed at hotels for less than $77/night that were FAR superior to the AllStars. Were they Disney Deluxe quality? Not by far, but they were clean, well-maintained, and LARGE rooms. I don't agree in the least that Disney has the market locked up. If they did, I don't think Holiday Inn would have spent the kind of money they spent to put up the Family Suites that they did.

The hotels that you made mention of were NOT in the I-92, International Drive, or Irlo Bronson area. Within that market, the competition is SO ridiculously fierce that you can find good rates on any type of hotel. I would have to say that you could get something along the lines of a Disney Moderate for $77/night off-property. And chances are, it might even have interior corridors.


ThAnswr , grab a hammer. Booking a room-only reservation is a really difficult thing to do. If you call the 407 number, you'll probably get a WDTC company rep (since CRO is supposedly being phased out) so that they can attempt to upsell you to a package. Can WDTC book room only under CRO's cancellation policies? (Really....that's a question....) Anyway, you can no longer book room only on Expedia either. Now, they add Ultimate Park Hoppers and you can't uncheck that box to remove them from the hotel. It's like jumping through flaming hoops to get a room-only reservation!

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
ThAnswr , grab a hammer. Booking a room-only reservation is a really difficult thing to do. If you call the 407 number, you'll probably get a WDTC company rep (since CRO is supposedly being phased out) so that they can attempt to upsell you to a package. Can WDTC book room only under CRO's cancellation policies? (Really....that's a question....) Anyway, you can no longer book room only on Expedia either. Now, they add Ultimate Park Hoppers and you can't uncheck that box to remove them from the hotel. It's like jumping through flaming hoops to get a room-only reservation!

Actually, I was just over at Expedia checking prices and you can still book room only at WDW on Expedia BUT you have to scroll on past the overpriced package link. The rooms are high though. They all appear to be at rack rates.

By the way, if anyone needs a Universal room, Expedia just slashed prices for those. Hard Rock for $146.30 and Royal Pacific for $125.30 next month!

 

[ThAnswr]

>>>>ThAnswr , grab a hammer. Booking a room-only reservation is a really difficult thing to do. If you call the 407 number, you'll probably get a WDTC company rep (since CRO is supposedly being phased out) so that they can attempt to upsell you to a package. Can WDTC book room only under CRO's cancellation policies? (Really....that's a question....) Anyway, you can no longer book room only on Expedia either. Now, they add Ultimate Park Hoppers and you can't uncheck that box to remove them from the hotel. It's like jumping through flaming hoops to get a room-only reservation!<<<<

Amazing, isn't it? As if there's no rooms in the WDW area. Quite honestly, if you're not on the monorail run or are staying in one of the outlying resorts such as AKL or All Stars, the driving distance to the parks isn't much further when you stay offsite outside WDW. And if you're like me, who uses my own car, not Disney transportation, it's 6 of 1 and a half-dozen of the other.

Now, one thing that a Disney resort does have going for it is, in my opinion, safety. I usually travel alone with my daughter. DH is not a theme park fan. I feel very safe getting in at 2 AM and walking to the roomwhen at a Disney resort. I don't feel so safe outside the park.

Just as an aside, the ambience and magic of the AKL really comes through late at night when the lobby is quiet and there are just little groups here and there around the fire. Even walking through the parking lot at that hour is magic.

Anyway, if you're trying to get a discount, and one person tells you they don't have anything, ask to speak to a supervisor. There's been at least 3 times that the supervisor found a discount.

 

[Peter Pirate]

...the ambiance and magic of the AKl really comes through late at night when the lobby is quiet and there are little groups here and there around the fire. Even walking through the parking lot at that hour is magic.

Ms. ThAnswr, has anyone told you they loved you lately??? Oh...Damn that Landbaron! He's always so quick to the punch! ... Hmmm, that just may work to my advantage in the long run...

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"When I went to WDW the first time in 1982 (and almost 30 years old), there were only 3 hotels and 2 (the Polynesian and the Contempory) were on the monorail run.........
The room cost $105 per night (lagoon view) and the place was rehabbed every single day." ***

Maybe someone has already mentioned this but if so I missed it: I don't understand how you can argue that $105.00 in '82 wasn't overpriced but todays prices are. In today dollars that 105 is approx 205.00. Now add into the on-site experience a few more theme & water parks, about a hundred more restaurants,more golf courses, mini-golf courses,DTD area,the Spa,etc.....IMO you are getting more then your monies worth.

How much is a vintage comic book worth ? Or rare coins, Barry Bond's 73 homerun ball or a snooty bottle of wine ? Answer: What ever someone is willing to pay.

 

[eeyore0062]

SnackyStacky.... there are ways around those quoted rack rates. I would suggest that you look into discounts when it gets closer to the time you are going. I think you will be happily surprised with what you can get for that discounted rate!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Maybe someone has already mentioned this but if so I missed it: I don't understand how you can argue that $105.00 in '82 wasn't overpriced but todays prices are. In today dollars that 105 is approx 205.00. Now add into the on-site experience a few more theme & water parks, about a hundred more restaurants,more golf courses, mini-golf courses,DTD area,the Spa,etc.....IMO you are getting more then your monies worth.

Viking.......I think I touched on this point a bit earlier. However, I have to correct you. If you use an inflation index appropriate to lodging, as opposed to the CPI which has no relation to something as specific as lodging, that $105 in 1982 dollars would be $286 today. Granted, that is less than todays rack rates, but as you point out the World has grown and you have access to more stuff. Despite that, I do think rack rates are a bit overpriced. But as I've said before..........only a fool pays rack .

ThAnswr , grab a hammer. Booking a room-only reservation is a really difficult thing to do. If you call the 407 number, you'll probably get a WDTC company rep (since CRO is supposedly being phased out) so that they can attempt to upsell you to a package. Can WDTC book room only under CRO's cancellation policies?

You are so right, it was oh so difficult today to pick up the phone at 1:00 today, dial the 407 W Disney number, ask for the AP rate for the Poly GV for Dec 1 thru Dec 6, get it for $170, then proceed to speak to the friendliest CRO CM for 40 minutes while we secured Luau and Candlelight Processional dinner package reservations and talked strategy for getting CRT. In the end, after that harrowing experience, I am left with everything I had hoped for in the way of reservations, and a one nights deposit due in 14 days with cancellation allowed up to 5 days prior to arrival. You are so right.........things just suck right now, don't they . If one expects and looks for a problem they just might be able to dig one up. If one is a little smart and a little flexible the World can be a lovely place.

 

[bmoc_ny]

Quote " When I stay in Manhattan, in a suite at the Doubletree in the heart of times square, I paid under $300. I believe it was about $250, including taxes."

This is true a suite at the doubletree is fairly reasonable for Manhattan, just like the offsite and downtown disney hotels are in disney. I paid $379.00 a night for a junior suite at the Omni Berkshire on 52nd and Madison Ave. It all depends on location and what kind of service you are looking for.

 

[ThAnswr]

ThAnswr
***"When I went to WDW the first time in 1982 (and almost 30 years old), there were only 3 hotels and 2 (the Polynesian and the Contempory) were on the monorail run.........
The room cost $105 per night (lagoon view) and the place was rehabbed every single day." ***

ThViking
****maybe someone has already mentioned this but if so I missed it: I don't understand how you can argue that $105.00 in '82 wasn't overpriced but todays prices are. *****

And I made that argument when? I think you'd better go back and take a second look.

 

[KNWVIKING]

While I used your quote about '82 pricing, the "YOU" in ***"I don't understand how you can argue that $105.00 in '82 wasn't overpriced but todays prices are. ***** was not directed at you personally but to all those in general in this thread who feel the resorts are overpriced. Sorry if you took it personally, it wasn't intended to offend.

I feel the resorts are expensive, but not overpriced.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think everyone is assuming that I'm talking STICTLY about AP rates. You have an AP, yes, you can get a discount. (As long as you're not going in September) I'm talking about the room only discounts that pretty much anybody can use.

And I don't understand why the fact that there are more parks and such has an affect on the hotel prices; simply because you have to purchase seperate admission to those. It's not like that's included in the rates. I was scoffed at last time I brought it up, but I think that Disney's hotel rates have a lot more to do with the size of the rooms, and amenities than location. I don't think that there is any difference location-wise between the CR, Poly, and GF, but those all have different rates. (I understand that they are all different amenities wise...I say they're the same speaking STRICTLY in terms of location) And the Wildnerness Lodge, while not on the monorail, is in a prime location and is the cheapest of all the deluxes. I think that's probably because it has the smallest rooms of any deluxe. The Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms are I think 1 or 2 square feet bigger than WL, but are about $100 more expensive depending on view, and AKL is in the middle of nowhere. My point is simply that I don't think location plays as large a part in the pricing scheme as people would like to think. (Please notice I said as large a part....yes, I think it's taken into consideration, but not to as large a degree as might be thought....but that's just my opinion! )

And I make no claim as to the Disney of old. I wasn't around then. I wasn't booking vacations then, I really have NO idea. So I can't claim that $105 isn't overpriced.

As for Expedia, how did you get rid of the passes???? I tried that, but the box was checked, and greyed out. I couldn't remove it! (I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really asking...)

 

[ThAnswr]

>>>>Ms. ThAnswr, has anyone told you they loved you lately??? Oh...Damn that Landbaron! He's always so quick to the punch! ... Hmmm, that just may work to my advantage in the long run...<<<<

Oh my, once again.

 

[ThAnswr]

>>>ThAnswr...
While I used your quote about '82 pricing, the "YOU" in ***"I don't understand how you can argue that $105.00 in '82 wasn't overpriced but todays prices are. ***** was not directed at you personally but to all those in general in this thread who feel the resorts are overpriced. Sorry if you took it personally, it wasn't intended to offend.<<<

No problem. If the truth be told, for a second there it crossed as to whether or not I did make that argument.

And, yes, $105 for 1 night in a hotel was overpriced in 1982 compared to what you could get outside the park.

However, one shouldn't forget that that staying at a WDW in 1982 was a very special thing. There were only 2 resorts and the Golf Villas and it was damned near impossible to get a reservation unless it was for years in advance. That exclusivity was a part of that $105. Now remember, that $105 was for the lagoon view. I believe the garden view rooms were $75 or $85.

A different time and a different place. But that doesn't excuse what's happened to Disney in the last few years.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"And I don't understand why the fact that there are more parks and such has an affect on the hotel prices; "***

Well, down at the shore the rental prices are directly related to how close you are to the ocean. And ocean view isn't the only factor. Beachfront might be $$$$$, one block off $$$$, two blocks $$$, etc. Do you want to spend two minutes dragging your stuff down to the beach, or 15. If you're staying off property, how much of your vacation time is going to be spent actually getting to the MK ? What value do you place on your time. If WDW were just one park, you would be spending valueable time trekking off property to find additional things to do. WDW is now a full weeks worth -actually more- of entertainment. You spend minimal amounts of your vacation time in transit.

 

[SnackyStacky]

VIKING - I understand that location plays a part in other properties, but take a look at my post again and re-read the rest of that paragraph. Wildnerness Lodge is in a MUCH better location than Animal Kingdom Lodge, but WL rooms are substantially cheaper than Animal Kingdom Lodge. Likewise, I would say that Port Orleans (both FQ and the former DXL) are in a much better location than Caribbean Beach, but Caribbean Beach is more expensive. I think it's got a lot more to do with amenities and size at Disney than location. I'm not at all saying I'm right! Just my very humble opinion.

TheAnswr -

And, yes, $105 for 1 night in a hotel was overpriced in 1982 compared to what you could get outside the park.

I don't know if you were addressing this to me, but in addition to my knowing nothing about Disney, and on-property/off-property rates in 1982, I would also like to say that today, in 2003, I'm willing to pay somewhat more for an on-property room, because yes it is very much convenient! But $200+ more? I don't know. Just seems like a LOT to me.

I'm not saying the Disney of old was perfect. You must have me confused with that rascal Baron. What would a 4 star, off-property hotel cost in '82? Strictly out of curiosty!

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
As for Expedia, how did you get rid of the passes???? I tried that, but the box was checked, and greyed out. I couldn't remove it! (I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really asking...)

When you go to the Expedia page, fill in the build your own trip spaces. I click on the hotel only blank since that's all I'm ever interested in at Expedia. Then I click on search and I get 13 pages of hotels (at least today). The first one is the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and Ticket packages. I ignore that one and scroll on past it. I'm betting that you click on that one but don't do it! Scroll on past the Wyndham and so on and you'll pass several hotels including two of Universal's and the first Disney hotel listed is the Animal Kingdom Lodge which is currently priced at $199. Go on down and you run into several other Disney hotels.

At least that's the order in which it comes up for me.