Changes ahead for 2008 room bookings!!

[marivaid]

Disney doesn't want my money, no problem

Seems to me that Disney DOES want your money, but you don't want to give it to them.

Maybe we should wait & see just how much the extra cost will be before we start freaking out - for all we know it could be $10.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Seems to me that Disney DOES want your money, but you don't want to give it to them.

Maybe we should wait & see just how much the extra cost will be before we start freaking out - for all we know it could be $10.

I saw this same uproar over the preferred rooms, now that is not even discussed.

 

[Poohbear123]

Seems to me that Disney DOES want your money, but you don't want to give it to them.

Maybe we should wait & see just how much the extra cost will be before we start freaking out - for all we know it could be $10.

Let me tell you something.....I HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM MY MONEY FOR 11 YEARS SOLID SOMETIMES 6-7 TIMES A YEAR, AND NOW THEY WANT TO LIMIT VALUE SEASON FOR ME?? NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR AT ALL. I AGREE THEY SHOULD NOT HONOR A CODE IF IT RUNS OUT ON A DAY AFTER YOU BOOK, THAT WAS DISNEY'S FAULT, NOT MINE. HOWEVER, A FL RESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR GOING AS OFTEN AS I AND OTHERS GO! I ALWAYS GO ON THE WEEKENDS, AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE OR NOT GO ON WEEKENDS, AND ONLY STAY 2 NIGTHS TOTAL, HEY NO PROBLEM, I WILL JUST AVOID THE WEEKENDS ALL TOGETHER IF THIS PLAN IS GONE THRU WITH.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Did not see a thread on this yet, so sorry if it has already been discussed:

Allears.net is reporting that WDW will change the way it handles reservations for 2008. Prices for 2008 will become date specific - they use the example that Friday or Saturday nights might be more expensive than other days even within the same season.

Allears is also reporting that the new system will change the ability to book a vacation that starts in one season and keep the same rate even if the rate changes. If you check in on the last day of value season, your rate will increase for the next day as the season changes.

Here is the link, with the policy effective June 23, 2007 for reservations beginning January 1, 2008:

http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm


Edited to add:

Sorry - late to the party! Didn't mean to post another thread on this. Mods, thanks for moving it here, and sorry for the repost!

 

[marivaid]

Let me tell you something.....I HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM MY MONEY FOR 11 YEARS SOLID SOMETIMES 6-7 TIMES A YEAR, AND NOW THEY WANT TO LIMIT VALUE SEASON FOR ME?? NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR AT ALL. I AGREE THEY SHOULD NOT HONOR A CODE IF IT RUNS OUT ON A DAY AFTER YOU BOOK, THAT WAS DISNEY'S FAULT, NOT MINE. HOWEVER, A FL RESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR GOING AS OFTEN AS I AND OTHERS GO! I ALWAYS GO ON THE WEEKENDS, AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE OR NOT GO ON WEEKENDS, AND ONLY STAY 2 NIGTHS TOTAL, HEY NO PROBLEM, I WILL JUST AVOID THE WEEKENDS ALL TOGETHER IT THIS PLAN IS GONE THRU WITH.

First of all TAKE A CHILL PILL.

Second,they are not limiting it for YOU they are limiting it for everyone. Sorry if you feel that "giving" (you got nothing in return?) your money for 11 years and being a FL resident somehow makes you a VIP guest - it does not.

 

[maelstrom]

What will Disney do when people just stop paying these outrageous rates for a hotel room? We can stay off property at Homewood Suites for less and have a bigger room. And as far as the "advantages" of staying on property... the only thing we'd miss would be package delivery. Otherwise, it's probably quicker to drive our car back to our offsite hotel than wait for the Disney bus. And we have APs, so paying for parking is not an issue.

I love staying at the Disney resorts. But if they're going to start pulling all sorts of new nonsense now, making it even more unaffordable, well it looks like we will be staying off property from now on.

 

[chasgoose]

Good - I hope Disney continues down this greed before all other path. They're eventually going to price themselves right out of the market. They'll learn eventually when people reservations drop.

Last time I checked, Disney is a FOR-PROFIT corporation. Their main mission is to MAKE MONEY and their main concern is to their STOCKHOLDERS. If they see a way to charge more money for the same product they are well with in their rights to do it. They have studied the impact of such policies on resorts in the area and their DVC resorts and have concluded that charging higher weekend rates did not significantly hurt revenue. More people come on the weekends so they should have to pay premium rates. Disney couldn't care less if you work or have school and you can only come if you include a weekend, that is why they are charging higher rates in the first place! Also, I have never really understood why they haven't done season specific rates so that if your season changes during your stay you start paying higher rates. That, along with the different weekend and weekday rates have been standard policies throughout the hotel industry. There is absolutely no reason you should be able to have the same rate throughout your entire stay if you stay during higher density times when Disney could get more money for the same room.

While its annoying that Disney finally caught up with the rest of the hotel industry and changed their policies, it's pretty silly to whine about how Disney's greed will lose them customers. It may lose them some customers who were able to make use of the loophole to make a stay on-property affordable, but there are plenty of customers waiting in the wings to take their place. You can make your big stand and take your money elsewhere, but they won't have any problem finding someone to take your place. Walt Disney World is one of the most successful resort destinations in the world, and Disney will have no trouble getting people to stay there. Disney is not a charity, their goal with WDW to squeeze as much money out of people as they possibly can. Some call it greed, and some call it good business sense. It is a sad truth that a trip to Walt Disney World costs a lot of money and it simply isn't affordable for some people, but it isn't Disney's responsibility to make their product affordable so that everyone can have it. Walt Disney World was not created to bring magic and joy to the world, it was built to make tons and tons of money, the magic was just a happy secondary effect. Until they raise their rates to completely ridiculous levels beyond what they are providing in terms of services and room quality(they are pushing it a little with the deluxes as it stands) Disney will keep packing people into WDW.

Also, it's pretty silly to start getting all up in arms about this before we see how it plays out. For all we know, this could result in some savings for those few who plan out their trips right.

 

[antmaril]

Disney is in business to make money - period. In most tourist areas, hotels cost more on the weekend. However, in some markets like New York and Chicago, the weekend rates can be less. They make more money on business travelers Monday - Thursday.

I'm not at all surprised that they are considering this change.

 

[CarolA]

Well this is amazing.

Six pages of whining for (A) a rumor and (B) something you have NO idea if it will really impact you finanically. Let's say the weekends are MORE, if the weekedays are LESS how do you KNOW right now that Disney is out to get you?

IF right now a week at your Disney hotel of choice (Friday-Friday) costs $2,000 and you expect a small increase next year (lets go with 3%) then as long as a WEEK next year costs $2,600 you are no worse off. Until you see the numbers you won't know (not that the DIS will stop whining LOL!)

IMHO Disney had already "overpriced" thier "Deluxe" resorts to the point of "I can't believe folks are paying that" and yet they keep paying... (Sorry, but Disney "Deluxe" and the industry standards are NOT compatible LOL! Disney flunks in everything but location and IMHO it's not worth that premium) So while I hear the whining the truth is that a lot of you were gladly paying Disney MORE then the standard for the hotel you were receiving before??? I somehow doubt a small increase is going to drive you off.

And there is no need to "write", "petition" etc. If you don't like the room rates, vote with your pocketbook. That speaks a lot louder then writing and complaining and then booking the room anyway LOL!

 

[branv]

Just an example :

Sheraton Vistana

August 29 (Wednesday) : $125.72
August 31 (Friday) : $167.91

To be fair Marivaid is just talking about a holiday weekend (labor day). This doesn't address whether hotels always go up on all weekends in Orlando.

 

[marivaid]

Last time I checked, Disney is a FOR-PROFIT corporation. Their main mission is to MAKE MONEY and their main concern is to their STOCKHOLDERS. If they see a way to charge more money for the same product they are well with in their rights to do it. They have studied the impact of such policies on resorts in the area and their DVC resorts and have concluded that charging higher weekend rates did not significantly hurt revenue. More people come on the weekends so they should have to pay premium rates. Disney couldn't care less if you work or have school and you can only come if you include a weekend, that is why they are charging higher rates in the first place! Also, I have never really understood why they haven't done season specific rates so that if your season changes during your stay you start paying higher rates. That, along with the different weekend and weekday rates have been standard policies throughout the hotel industry. There is absolutely no reason you should be able to have the same rate throughout your entire stay if you stay during higher density times when Disney could get more money for the same room.

While its annoying that Disney finally caught up with the rest of the hotel industry and changed their policies, it's pretty silly to whine about how Disney's greed will lose them customers. It may lose them some customers who were able to make use of the loophole to make a stay on-property affordable, but there are plenty of customers waiting in the wings to take their place. Walt Disney World is one of the most successful resort destinations in the world, and Disney will have no trouble getting people to stay there. Disney is not a charity, their goal with WDW to squeeze as much money out of people as they possibly can. Until they raise their rates to completely ridiculous levels beyond what they are providing in terms of services and room quality(they are pushing it a little with the deluxes as it stands) Disney will keep packing people into WDW.

Well said !

It always baffled me how reusing a $12 mug is considered "cheating the system" but checking in a day early in order to save up to $150 a night for the next 10 nights is not.

That said, while it is Disney's rights to raise the prices it's also our right not to pay them. To me the real perk of staying onsite is transportation; however, if prices go up so much that it'd actually cost us less to stay offsite and take a cab to/from the resort every day, then it'll be the end of onsite resorts for us.

 

[marivaid]

To be fair Marivaid is just talking about a holiday weekend (labor day). This doesn't address whether hotels always go up on all weekends in Orlando.

Sorry about that. I didn't know it was Labor Day. Going to check for a regular weekend date!

ETA :
You are absolutely right ! The rates are the same at Sheraton Vistana on weekdays and weekends.

 

[kcminnie]

For the past 2 years the room only rates were released in May for the following year. I was wondering why 2008 room only rates had not been released yet. This may be the reason why. I wonder how the Disney website will be able to handle showing the breakdown by day on the room rate if they make this change. Their website seems to always have problems now. I am also surprised by this change because it seemed that when Disney started the MYW packages & DME it was geared to keeping their guests onsite for their entire vacation in Orlando. Now with Universal selling a 7 day ticket for $86 and opening Harry Potter land in 2009 it seems that more guests will decide to book weekend nights at Universal. The Universal hotel rates are much lower than the Disney Deluxe resorts now without Disney charging more for weekends.

 

[CarolA]

For the past 2 years the room only rates were released in May for the following year. I was wondering why 2008 room only rates had not been released yet. This may be the reason why. I wonder how the Disney website will be able to handle showing the breakdown by day on the room rate if they make this change. Their website seems to always have problems now. I am also surprised by this change because it seemed that when Disney started the MYW packages & DME it was geared to keeping their guests onsite for their entire vacation in Orlando. Now with Universal selling a 7 day ticket for $86 and opening Harry Potter land in 2009 it seems that more guests will decide to book weekend nights at Universal. The Universal hotel rates are much lower than the Disney Deluxe resorts now without Disney charging more for weekends.

And as SOON as Universal get HP open plan on those rates going UP!!!! They are low now because they need to be low, with HP I am sure Universal is planning on more bookings and MORE money. Universal is hurting for booking and guests which is why the 7 day ticket is $86. If they had thier way they would charge just as much as Disney, they aren't selling tickets that low because they love us!

 

[luna99]

Guess is was bound to happen. Seems to be the practice of lots of other hotels.

that's what I was going to say.. I used to work at a hotel only we had higher rates on weekdays and lower rates on weekends. Hotels always raise rates depending on the time of year, holidays, etc.

looks like I'll be looking into DVC in the next year or so as well!

 

[TomD]

Well this is amazing.

Six pages of whining for (A) a rumor and (B) something you have NO idea if it will really impact you finanically. Let's say the weekends are MORE, if the weekedays are LESS how do you KNOW right now that Disney is out to get you?

IF right now a week at your Disney hotel of choice (Friday-Friday) costs $2,000 and you expect a small increase next year (lets go with 3%) then as long as a WEEK next year costs $2,600 you are no worse off. Until you see the numbers you won't know (not that the DIS will stop whining LOL!)

IMHO Disney had already "overpriced" thier "Deluxe" resorts to the point of "I can't believe folks are paying that" and yet they keep paying... (Sorry, but Disney "Deluxe" and the industry standards are NOT compatible LOL! Disney flunks in everything but location and IMHO it's not worth that premium) So while I hear the whining the truth is that a lot of you were gladly paying Disney MORE then the standard for the hotel you were receiving before??? I somehow doubt a small increase is going to drive you off.

And there is no need to "write", "petition" etc. If you don't like the room rates, vote with your pocketbook. That speaks a lot louder then writing and complaining and then booking the room anyway LOL!

CaroalA Well Said!!

 

[Devil_Dog99]

As has been stated before, WDW is doing nothing t he rest of the industry already does. I was always surprised that I got to stay on property during the busiest week of the year and pay the lowest possible rate. What they are doing is market pricing, plain and simple. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. You don't like it, take your hotel dollars down the street.

As for the raised weekend rates, who's to say they won't actually lower the prices on Tuesday or Wednesday to entice people to stay on those nights?

Do I like this new proposed rule? Heck no. But I see this as Disney closing a loophole and doing the same as everyone else in the industry.

 

[Lewisc]

EXACTLY if you don't like whatever rate Disney is offering book off site. Look at S/D.

POLY is themed to resemble a Tahiti resort. AKL is themed to look like a hotel in Africa. Likewise the GF is "themed" to look like a deluxe hotel. Reputable rating services give the GF the same 3* rating as Disney's other deluxe hotels.

IMHO Disney had already "overpriced" thier "Deluxe" resorts to the point of "I can't believe folks are paying that" and yet they keep paying... (Sorry, but Disney "Deluxe" and the industry standards are NOT compatible LOL! Disney flunks in everything but location and IMHO it's not worth that premium) So while I hear the whining the truth is that a lot of you were gladly paying Disney MORE then the standard for the hotel you were receiving before??? I somehow doubt a small increase is going to drive you off.

And there is no need to "write", "petition" etc. If you don't like the room rates, vote with your pocketbook. That speaks a lot louder then writing and complaining and then booking the room anyway LOL!

 

[CarolA]

EXACTLY if you don't like whatever rate Disney is offering book off site. Look at S/D.

POLY is themed to resemble a Tahiti resort. AKL is themed to look like a hotel in Africa. Likewise the GF is "themed" to look like a deluxe hotel. Reputable rating services give the GF the same 3* rating as Disney's other deluxe hotels.

I LOVE THIS!! ! I finally understand the GF!!! It's just a "theme" (and of course Disney has "themed" the prices to match the theme!)

 

[shafke]

Well this is amazing.

Six pages of whining for (A) a rumor and (B) something you have NO idea if it will really impact you finanically. Let's say the weekends are MORE, if the weekedays are LESS how do you KNOW right now that Disney is out to get you?

IF right now a week at your Disney hotel of choice (Friday-Friday) costs $2,000 and you expect a small increase next year (lets go with 3%) then as long as a WEEK next year costs $2,600 you are no worse off. Until you see the numbers you won't know (not that the DIS will stop whining LOL!)

I know what you are saying but check your math... 3% would be $2060... what you have is 30%.

What I expect is for Disney to announce an average rate increase of about 5% or so. Those who do a long weekend... say Fri - Mon will see more than 5% while those that go for a week will see a little bit less that 5%.

Between this change and the change to the My Way tickets it seems that Disney is penalizing those that go for shorter stays. The difference in price between a 5 day and 10 day ticket is not that much. Those that do a lot of quick weekend trips (say two 3-day and one 4-day weekend) will pay more than those that do a 10 day trip once a year or so (as long as the 10 days only falls over 1 weekend).