Bummed about deluxe resort rates

[jillhou]

I did enjoy Saratgoa Springs. I stayed there because I rented points making it the same rate as a mod. I plan to get an AP this trip and will search for AP rates for deluxes in the future, just to try one.

Isn't Saratoga Springs a moderate? I am pretty sure it isn't a deluxe.


Again = it all just depends on what you like and enjoy. Many people DO deluxes AND have more than 1 vacation a year. If you like places with outside entrances....then mods and values are for you. If you like the fel of inside entrances = I guess you would like the deluxes. We prefer the deluxes because of our family size.....but even if we were smaller (and since the kids are starting college - we are getting smaller!!!), we are so used to the feel of the deluxes, we will continue to stay there.

Just have fun and don't worry about where other people stay = stay where you want and pay how much you want to pay. IT doesn't devalue where you like if others prefer something else. That is why there are so many choices!

 

[livie1205]

we have always stayed at a value or mod. we are a 1 income family with 3 kids...hubby is a cop (i cant work outside the home because of his crazy schedule lol) but we budget for everything...this year we are going to akl for 4 nights and i cant wait...first time at deluxe...the only reason is because we got the 40% off code so that made it around the same price as mods. my thing is if we are staying less than 3 nights do value if it more than go mod or deluxe( after a few days you will be happy you did) i wish we cound stay at deluxes all the time but i am not going to be bummed about it, i would rather be onsite ANYWHERE than not....

 

[GoingtoWDW2007]

We just booked today -
I feel good - we got a 4 night and 5 day pass (no hopper this time) with dining for $1,700 at POFQ.
We used the AAA discount.
Now for the flights!!!!!

So what are the "not to miss" restaurants?
We booked Cinderela's Table already for lunch one of our days.
Any thoughts?

 

[Sammie]

Isn't Saratoga Springs a moderate?

Saratoga Springs is a Disney Vacation Club resort, a category of its own, which includes the Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge villas and soon the Animal Kingdom Lodge villas.

There are only four moderates, Riverside, French Quarter, Coronado and Caribbean.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

We afforded deluxe stays by buying into DVC. It is like paying for your vacation upfront..little painful the first couple years, but the it gets a very good value.
We stayed our first time at BCV and were SPOILED. We just stayed OKW and LOVE it. I am not sure how we will do with a mod, but we are going to try 3 nights in Sept. Meanwhile if you like trips you may wish to consider DVC
I think there is a difference in the deluxes vs the others

 

[tripplanner2]

We look for specials. This year, I found the Swan/Dolphin special for 125/night and booked it for August. Then I got 49/one way air fare from SWA. Without specials and discounts, we couldn't do it.

When are you traveling? I did not think that Ding! rates came out yet for August.

 

[dclfun]

We also purchased DVC 10 years ago. At that time we were a family of 6 ( kids now grown) and wanted the more spacious accomodations vs. getting two rooms. At the time we paid $9600 for 150 points that would last us til 2042. We get 150 points to use each year and can bank or borrow them. I have friends with many, many more points but this was all we could afford at the time and it met our needs. Of course there are dues but my total costs per year to stay in a DVC villa has been much less than if we stayed all those years in two value resort rooms, even with a discount, plus I have many years left to enjoy using those points and sharing with future grandchildren. I have also rented some un-needed points to others @ 10.00 a point which is a common amount ( see the DVC rent/trade board). In value season a studio at OKW is 8 points, hence someone else got to stay there for $80.00 a night including tax. Points at BCV, BWV, and WLV are only a maximum, for studio during value season of $12.00 a point, so someone could have stayed there for $120 a night. I agree with everyone who has said there's something for everyone- we have truly enjoyed our membership and it's been well worth it for us. It's allowed us to stay on property in gorgeous accomodations without breaking a budget. ---Kathy

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Honestly, I have no idea how so many people are able to spend $300 or more a night for a week at a Disney resort. I suppose I'm a lot poorer that I thought I was.

We're doing good to be able to make it there at $179 for a family suite at All-Star Music.

How on earth will I EVER be able to afford for my family to spend time at one of the deluxe resorts? I just can't imagine! I guess many people are spending way more than we are on our upcoming trip and it's not cheap!

I suppose I need to start playing the lottery!

WDW is an international destination. There are lots of people in this world to whom $300/night is not that big a deal. Worldwide there are approximately 8.7 million people with "financial asset worth" over US$1million (this measure excludes the value of their primary home). The majority of the wealthy are divided pretty equally between North America, Europe, and Asia. In the U.S. 1% of the population holds 40% of the wealth, while the lower 40% holds less than 1%.

Feeling even poorer now? Look on the bright side - the fact that you can afford a value resort makes you incredibly wealthy by overall world standards.

 

[MonorailNate]

We've always stayed at a Deluxe Resort but have always had a discount code or AP code. Last summer we stayed at BC with an AP discount for $189. This July we're staying at the BWI with an AP discount again for $194. This will be the most we've ever paid for a deluxe. I agree that I wouldn't want to spend $300-$400 a night for a hotel and fortunately we haven't had to. The down side is that we don't always get to stay where we really want to get the discount. I hope our luck keeps going, though!

1999-WL
2000-WL
2002-WL
2003-CR & WL
2005-AKL & WL
2006-BC

 

[Jen66]

Like others have said before, luckily for all of us Disney has different categories! Last time we were there,I decided to save $$ we stayed at POP and DH hated it. It was just not his cup of tea. So this time, I have saved, found a great rate on SW for our flights, and am using a stipend check and 6 mos. interest free Disney Visa. With all of that I have booked the GF magic Kingdom view for 5 nights and 6 days with park hoppers and dining in July. For us, it will definitely be worth it. I drive a Nissan and live within our means, so on vacation I love to splurge! We take one big and at least 2 small a year. It is honestly our only real indulgence (well, and very expensive coffee, but that is for another post). If I won the lottery, I would travel constantly.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Rent DVC points from a member and it will be the cost of staying in a moderate for a deluxe resort at DVC then you can experience what the luxury is all about at the cost of the mods.

 

[fla4fun]

If I go to Disney during busy season, I stay value or mod. If I can, I try to schedule my trips during slower season, when I can get an AP or Fla Res discount on the deluxe rooms. Also, I don't have any children, so I don't have that added expense in daily life, or on vacation. I can afford to put any overtime I earn in a vacation fund for solo trips or couple trips, instead of paying for child associated expenses. That makes a big difference when it comes to a budget (having children is an expensive responsibility). I'm glad that Disney has several price ranges so that more people get the opportunity to say on property. I remember our first few trips when I was a kid staying at the Days Inn on 192. Staying on property is much better!

 

[tripplanner2]

Rent DVC points from a member and it will be the cost of staying in a moderate for a deluxe resort at DVC then you can experience what the luxury is all about at the cost of the mods.

Do you HAVE to rent 6 months out to get a reservation? I was wondering about August.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

NO, you do not need to rent that far in advanced for DVC unless it is a peak season for them and I suspect depending upon the time in August you won't be hitting a peak season

 

[F4disneyfan]

Do you HAVE to rent 6 months out to get a reservation? I was wondering about August.

It is usually a good idea to plan and book about 7-11 months out better chance of getting exactly what you want and where you want. Is it necessary no we planned a trip in May of 05 and called MS 2 weeks before and booked the problem with last minute trips and short range trips is you may not end up where you want to be. You will have to take what is left and not all people are willing to do that. We plan our trips a year in advance sometimes more we already have our 2010 plans laid out and our trips leading up to it. So booking earlier is always better but not a necessity. Also be warned as it has happened to many a renter once you stay in a DVC accomodation you tend to become DVC owners LOL. We rented out some points for this past Dec to 3 families and 2 of the 3 are now members.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I would LOVE to stay at a Deluxe Disney resort, but I cannot justify the cost to my DH at this point. So we are staying at the Swan with a great Nurse discount. We can certainly afford it but he just wouldn't budge. Oh well, no biggie. We are happy to be at an Epcot resort. YAY. . .

 

[Slakk]

We afforded deluxe stays by buying into DVC. It is like paying for your vacation upfront..little painful the first couple years, but the it gets a very good value.
We stayed our first time at BCV and were SPOILED. We just stayed OKW and LOVE it. I am not sure how we will do with a mod, but we are going to try 3 nights in Sept. Meanwhile if you like trips you may wish to consider DVC
I think there is a difference in the deluxes vs the others

DVC here as well! I got sick of the code watch exercise and now the only thing I worry about is can I really downgrade to a studio? (I have become a 1BR snob!!!)

 

[Slakk]

Do you HAVE to rent 6 months out to get a reservation? I was wondering about August.

You can probably get a rental in August but will need to be flexible in where you stay. The smaller resorts are probably filled so you will see some availability at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs (the two largest). OKW has the biggest rooms and SSR is adjacent to DTD and has one of the top spas in the country so there is no lose!

You probably need to try ASAP because 30 days out any available room is then released to CRO to book.

 

[raven69david]

That is a great rate! Is that an AP rate or the special 40% off rate?

that's the 40% off rate which expired in march.

 

[Gary M]

I'm sure with the rate of exchange, many international visitors are having wonderful visits 'on the cheap.'

I think you are 100% correct. The USD is sinking fast.