Markolodeon
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 112
I was just doing the math on a week long October trip comparing costs of Bay Lake Tower lake view studio to a Disney View one king room at Hilton Bonnet Creek (arguably similar resorts in regard to appearance/quality). BLT clocks in at $4700 and HBC at $2600 (factoring in car rental, gas and parking/resort fees).
So that's two grand for magic bands (which we already have with AP's), free transportation (soon to be augmented with Disney's version of Uber), neither compelling reasons to go with BLT. The best advantage/argument by far for the added cost is the proximity to MK and the monorail, the leg up on FP+ and dining reservations, and the Disney magic.
I'm sure others do the same math and using the example I provided conclude the extra $2K cost is worth it, but it's a tough sell for us. Now factor in the DVC rental market and suddenly this same BLT studio is now very competitive with HBC, possibly a cost savings. But you really have to plan with DVC and get your request in at the 11 month mark. It's very interesting how the DVC rental marketplace competes against booking a room directly, often at close to half the rack rate.
The conclusion I keep coming to is Disney continues to make staying at their resorts a tougher and tougher sell, and it's only through the DVC rental market it makes financial sense. The upshot of making the direct booking discount pricing/offers so complex and limited is it keeps DUT busy and we keep getting awesome podcasts every day now. We may have to go the TA route for our next stay to see how that ends up comparing. But back on the flip side the points/perks we get staying loyal to a brand like Hilton like free room upgrades, breakfasts, nights, etc. need to be taken into account too.
Please share if you have done similar comparisons and what conclusions have you come to. Thanks!
So that's two grand for magic bands (which we already have with AP's), free transportation (soon to be augmented with Disney's version of Uber), neither compelling reasons to go with BLT. The best advantage/argument by far for the added cost is the proximity to MK and the monorail, the leg up on FP+ and dining reservations, and the Disney magic.
I'm sure others do the same math and using the example I provided conclude the extra $2K cost is worth it, but it's a tough sell for us. Now factor in the DVC rental market and suddenly this same BLT studio is now very competitive with HBC, possibly a cost savings. But you really have to plan with DVC and get your request in at the 11 month mark. It's very interesting how the DVC rental marketplace competes against booking a room directly, often at close to half the rack rate.
The conclusion I keep coming to is Disney continues to make staying at their resorts a tougher and tougher sell, and it's only through the DVC rental market it makes financial sense. The upshot of making the direct booking discount pricing/offers so complex and limited is it keeps DUT busy and we keep getting awesome podcasts every day now. We may have to go the TA route for our next stay to see how that ends up comparing. But back on the flip side the points/perks we get staying loyal to a brand like Hilton like free room upgrades, breakfasts, nights, etc. need to be taken into account too.
Please share if you have done similar comparisons and what conclusions have you come to. Thanks!
