Completely Shocked! I just checked rack-rate for upcoming trip.

[jade1]

Disney "Deluxe" is one of the great rip-offs in America today.

Depends on your point of view (although I agree with you), I've run into a number a folks over the years up here that go every year to WDW Deluxes (GF, YC, BW, Poly, CR) and they have no time to listen to my "DVC" story. They are simply in "that class" that doesn't care what it costs. They have the money and they use it. I personally know (and went to WDW with) a family of 4 where the Dad snores (and I think they dont get a long that well anyway) so they always get 2 rooms for a cruise or Deluxe at WDW. That way the kids get their own queen bed as well. And this is a 2 or 3 times a year thing. I say let them pay, that money has to only help improve the quality/improvements/expansions of the resorts.

 

[MrsNick]

I know that we could never pay the rack rates for DVC or the deluxe suites, but so many of the other posters on this thread are correct. There are a lot of people out there who can, and do! (And more power to them)

In my case, though, I don't know who they are, because they aren't "slumming" in my circle

But, I'm grateful every day for my DVC membership (although I do wish we had more points). We've had some very nice vacations with DVC that we would not have been able to take otherwise. Maybe the Points Fairy will pay a visit to us soon.

 

[Anthony1971]

People really like to see high prices that they *don't* pay. If I were a Disney exec, I'd pick the least popular TS restaurant in Epcot and double the prices. It would instantly become packed with folks on the dinning plan rushing to eat there.

Personally, when doing any sort of value or breakeven calculation, I think it important to use what I would pay for something, not what Disney charges.

I agree with your TS restaurant theory there are some great not so popular places to eat in EPCOT and others that are good that you can not get a table unless you book 90 days in advance. The best example is Cape May before the dinning plan it was hard to get a table since I have never had a problem walking in and getting seated within 10 minutes.

The problem with doing a breakeven calculation only considering what you would pay for something is no one can offer what Disney can onsight and that is being onsight. Disney does a great job of making everyone think they need to stay on Disney property who do not presently do so. They even offer free shuttle service to the Hotels Now you need to buy all food as well and those prices have gone up since.....
However to most who stay onsight it is all worth it for what ever reason you may have.
I do not disagree with you just needed to add that Disney magic

 

[photobob]

One of the reasons we bought DVC. We are staying in a 2 bdr in June and I believe that the rack rate was in the $795 per night!

 

[culli]

I just checked what our trip would cost like what we did just prior to DVC. There are 3 adults and 3 kids (we are bringing my Mom, we get a 1br without her). Prior to DVC we got two regular rooms and lucky enough to have them adjoining at the Port Orleans. We are staying in a 2 br at OKW...........so that is a huge upgrade from the two stnd rooms. The port olreans rooms would cost us about $4100 for our trip (room only). I think the trip is 392 pts so maint on that at lets say $4.5 pt is about $1800. Now of course you have to figure in opportunity costs and all the other financial impacts you can include. But just doing simple cost benefit and intangibles plus hard to compare apples to oranges but for our family DVC works out well compared to normal rack rates for stnd rooms at a moderate resort. I don't compare to deluxe because that is not what we probably would do if didn't own DVC. But I tell you it was pretty cramped in the two rooms and eating was a big pain in the ****, I get sick of eating out quick - especially with three little ones.

I'm pumped to stay at the 1400 sqft 2br and actually relax some

 

[jcf]

If you stayed at Poly Concierge on points = 650 points for 7 night stay (est) annually would you still be better off with DVC or better off paying cash - $6000 est for next 10 years?

Anyone do the math?

 

[nytimez]

I think DVC is a very good deal... but I didn't compare it to rack rates to reach that conclusion. In all the years I was traveling to WDW before joining DVC, I never paid a rack rate ever.

 

[nytimez]

If you stayed at Poly Concierge on points = 650 points for 7 night stay (est) annually would you still be better off with DVC or better off paying cash - $6000 est for next 10 years?

Anyone do the math?

I think for non-DVC resorts you're almost always better off paying cash... unless you simply don't have the cash but do have the points. Plus, when you talk about annually, there is no assurance that it will remain 650 points for the Poly for a weeklong stay -- it can (and very well may) increase, unlike the points needed to stay at a DVC resort.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Another factor is time and planning. If you are a DVC member, you have to plan well in advance and book your rooms 11 months out for peak seasons. However, you can get DVC rooms through CRO for peak seasons on relativiely short notice. Last year, BCV had 1 bedroom availability for the week before New Year's 6 weeks out ... not likely to happen for members booking on points. Some times, people with the cash don't necessarily have the ability to plan or schedule a vacation 11 months out - DVC wouldn't be a good fit.

 

[bluenosemickey]

The planning has proven to be one of the unexpected bonuses of DVC ownership for us. In the past, we would agonize over where to book our vacations.
Do you book something that looks great in the photos and has a good price and risk being dissapointed with sub-standard accommodations?

OR do you book something you have recommended by others or someplace you have stayed before, but may cost more?

Are you getting the best rates possible? Should you take a chance with priceline or some other discount site? You know others staying at the same place are paying less!

All of this was gone when we went with DVC. I really enjoy the advance planning. I look forward to the trips well in advance and our kids have something to save their money for.

Sometimes we book an arrival night or a weekend off-site and I'm so glad that I'm only worrying about one or two nights of the whole trip. I know once I get to Disney property I will be happy with my choice and can relax.

 

[keishashadow]

Comparing to exactly rack rates is like comparing to vehicle MRSP. Thus the reason why only 75% of the DVC units offered for cash are rented out (based on previous info received directly from DVC a few years ago) and even those that are often are for a discount plus they include daily housekeeping for those through CRO.

Def valid with DVC units, not so with CRO accommodations for more popular dates/type.

IMO, unless you are lucky enough to receive a pin code or are flexible as to travel dates, rack is appears to becoming "the norm" for weekends that i have priced out easily 6 months prior to dates during summer & event times "MNSSHP & MVMCP" dates.

I've questioned CMs & my local AAA as to what appears to be less rooms available @ AAA rates...they say the allocation is still the same

 

[Melrosgirl]

Another reason the "free" dining program looks good to people who don't know better. They are paying rack rate for a room that usually has a code attached to it (most resorts at least).