Crazy Prices for Deluxe Hotels

[john7994]

I don’t agree with this. I stay CL almost every trip. I read & post on the budget board. Because I choose to stay CL doesn’t mean I don’t watch my spending or appreciate saving money. It just means I choose to spend my money differently.

Agree ... don't understand this need to "categorize" everyone into some type of a bucket.
The key comment - you choose to save/spend based on your needs and priorities - perhaps your budget saving approach is what allows you to spend where/how you want to stay. Well done you!

 

[MsChristy12]

Does anyone ever think of this is the genius strategy that the mouse has been using to lure you into buying DVC?
I will openly admit, our family is one of them that they have successfully lured into becoming members. We aren't buying direct but regardless, they have our buy-in now and dues for years to come. This is an extremely smart business strategy to keep Disney fans "loyal". As long as they keep the deluxe resort rates high, it will always makes sense for some families to buy into DVC, even for families that don't go to Disney annually.

There are also a lot of people out there will pay whatever it is to stay at deluxe, because they want to and can easily afford it. Not saying that's smart, but people spend their hard-earned money however they want to, it's their choice.

 

[princesscinderella]

The word budget doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, it’s about spending within your means, and keeping track of all income and expenses. That’s different for everyone who posts on the DIS, that’s what makes a budget board great because you get input from lots of different perspectives. We live modestly at home so we can splurge on nice vacations. Everyone has different priorities and are in different stages of their lives.

 

[stranger706]

We stay deluxe a lot and good lord I would never pay anywhere near $800/night.

In July we have Boardwalk Inn booked for $375/night with the Disney Visa rate. Anyone can do this. And then we get the extra park hours at night and all of the rides are walk on. So now we don't need G+ those 2 days. That's $250 saved for us. Now we can do that character meal we wanted. Have to look at all the angles.

Just checked some other deluxe resorts for mid July w/disney visa rate:

$297 Saratoga Springs
$302 Animal Kingdom Lodge
$352 Wilderness Lodge <---- great price! almost $200/night below rack rate
$375 Boardwalk Inn <---- $202/night below rack rate
$435 Yacht Club
$550 Bay Lake Tower

And yes I know some rooms can go into the thousands, but there are lots of good deluxe rooms available for a great price. Just avoid the major holidays, throw in one of the many discounts available, and you can get some great deals.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

We stay deluxe a lot and good lord I would never pay anywhere near $800/night.

In July we have Boardwalk Inn booked for $375/night with the Disney Visa rate. Anyone can do this. And then we get the extra park hours at night and all of the rides are walk on. So now we don't need G+ those 2 days. That's $250 saved for us. Now we can do that character meal we wanted. Have to look at all the angles.

Just checked some other deluxe resorts for mid July w/disney visa rate:

$297 Saratoga Springs
$302 Animal Kingdom Lodge
$352 Wilderness Lodge <---- great price! almost $200/night below rack rate
$375 Boardwalk Inn <---- $202/night below rack rate
$435 Yacht Club
$550 Bay Lake Tower

And yes I know some rooms can go into the thousands, but there are lots of good deluxe rooms available for a great price. Just avoid the major holidays, throw in one of the many discounts available, and you can get some great deals.

I was going to comment on the post about how many here like to brag about how much they spend on Disney vacations but decided not to.

I see more post like yours where you appreciate a very nice room but are willing to put in the work to knock down the price to a semi reasonable price point by adding discount codes and/or buying discount DGC.

I personally like to brag when I get a great deal, not if I paid rack rate!

 

[MsChristy12]

I was going to comment on the post about how many here like to brag about how much they spend on Disney vacations but decided not to.

I see more post like yours where you appreciate a very nice room but are willing to put in the work to knock down the price to a semi reasonable price point by adding discount codes and/or buying discount DGC.

I personally like to brag when I get a great deal, not if I paid rack rate!

I don't understand people who do that. Okay you spent X amount on your Disney vacay but it doesn't really tell me anything if someone plainly tells me "I spent $20K on our Disney vacation".

Haha I'm the same way! I love sharing a great deal! Especially on airfare!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

We stay deluxe a lot and good lord I would never pay anywhere near $800/night.

In July we have Boardwalk Inn booked for $375/night with the Disney Visa rate. Anyone can do this. And then we get the extra park hours at night and all of the rides are walk on. So now we don't need G+ those 2 days. That's $250 saved for us. Now we can do that character meal we wanted. Have to look at all the angles.

Just checked some other deluxe resorts for mid July w/disney visa rate:

$297 Saratoga Springs
$302 Animal Kingdom Lodge
$352 Wilderness Lodge <---- great price! almost $200/night below rack rate
$375 Boardwalk Inn <---- $202/night below rack rate
$435 Yacht Club
$550 Bay Lake Tower

And yes I know some rooms can go into the thousands, but there are lots of good deluxe rooms available for a great price. Just avoid the major holidays, throw in one of the many discounts available, and you can get some great deals.

Wait, that's it using the Disney via rate?? I tried to use a discount for June, and with tax, the rate for boardwalk ended up at $500/day! Swalphin was not bad, but with taxes and fees it was $280/night plus parking....

 

[TikiRob]

Just booked a room at Gran Destino Tower in July for $235/night with a discount. Not deluxe but from what I hear, a good value.

 

[easyas123]

We booked a studio at OKW for four nights next January, $210/night including taxes.

 

[bsmcneil]

Does anyone actually pay rack rate?

Some poor unfortunate souls

 

[DisDad2001]

We were able to stay at Animal Kingdom with a Savannah view (2 nights) and at the Contemporary (1 night) right after Covid reopening for about (this is a close guess) $300ish a night. It was really fun to experience the different resorts, the views, the dining, and the pools, but typically we are/were in the parks from morning rope drop to close, so spending on higher price resorts hasn't seemed logical.

Last Christmas, we went for three days, and found a decent deal for Yacht Club, and wanted the proximity due to the crowds and past crazy long bus waits. My Disney loving kiddo now has the "bucket list goal" to stay at every Disney resort. So we are carefully prowling the DVC/discount rates on Deluxe resorts to accomplish that. But $800/night? No way. I don't think I could stomach more than $400, and then only on a splurge.

$300 a night is sweet! I'm glad I got to experience GF AK and WL that year when the big discounts were on. I like your kiddo's bucket list idea!

 

[DCLMP]

I was going to comment on the post about how many here like to brag about how much they spend on Disney vacations but decided not to.

I see more post like yours where you appreciate a very nice room but are willing to put in the work to knock down the price to a semi reasonable price point by adding discount codes and/or buying discount DGC.

I personally like to brag when I get a great deal, not if I paid rack rate!

I wouldn't be bragging if I paid rack rate I'd be ashamed.

 

[DCLMP]

Some poor unfortunate souls

Last year there weren't any discounts so we rented points. I'm sure there were a lot of people that paid full price in 2022.

 

[DCLMP]

We booked a studio at OKW for four nights next January, $210/night including taxes.

Is this renting points?

 

[easyas123]

J

Is this renting points?

It is, yes

 

[DCLMP]

J

It is, yes

I was thinking about doing that again, but I may hold out to see what the January discounts are.

 

[bsmcneil]

Last year there weren't any discounts so we rented points. I'm sure there were a lot of people that paid full price in 2022.

Oh I was just trying to be cute by making an allusion to The Little Mermaid.