Deluxe Resorts A Little Out Of Control?

[Farro]

Oh, it's their business, right?? Are you that far out of touch with reality?? Have 'you' personally ever seen people make these kinds of choices (that you knew) and saw the fallout?
Lots of times it ends in bankruptcy, broken homes, children scarred, etc. We 'all' pay in these situations even disregarding the personal side of it, even if you would rather be indifferent to the issue if it hasn't 'touched' you personally.

Unfortunately, some people have no judgement when it comes to 'charging'. It's almost (in their minds) like free money. I 'know' and evidently the poster that you are referring too also knows!! It is 'very' sad!!
I realize, but this was introduced, and commented on by a few previous posters.

I still don't understand why people jump to the conclusion that someone staying on-site or deluxe or whatever, is going bankrupt just to get to Disney. The poster was walking around Disney, wondering how many people could afford it, and felt sad for them.

Cue everyone with that person in their life who does this.

Not saying it doesn't happen, but I just couldn't imagine thinking about other people on my trip and whether or not they could afford it.

That's all.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

LOL!

That $129 including breakfast for all four of us (including character breakfasts!) was at the Beach Club and was in the late 1980's or early 1990's, IIRC. It was a great deal even back then! We ate in all the great character breakfast buffets and some breakfasts totalled nearly as much as the rate we had paid for the room! We liked 1900 Park Fare the most. they used to bring unlimited freshly hand squeezed orange juice to the table for you! the food was plentiful and amazing! I believe that was the time when we first tried the strawberry soup at the GF. It was fun!
Not surprisingly, I have never seen a deal like that since, but it sure was fun while it lasted!

The $49 value per night WAS quite a while ago now, too, but perhaps that was after 9/11? We stayed in value resorts (AS) for $49 or in the moderates for $79 for several years. I think that I still have some old brochures advertising the $79 for the Caribbean Beach. WDW was a lot different back then. I remember getting on the MK ferry at the TTC with my Mom once and we were the only ones on board. If you went in January, it was easy to find times when very few people were around.

In 2009 we stayed at CBR with the buy 4 get 3 free. I think we paid around $2800 for a family of 4, 7 day PH's, DDP and transportation for $2800. Those were the days!! We went in March during F&G and WS was mostly empty every time we were in Epcot.

 

[Disneylvr]

Does anyone remember the Fall Fantasy Package (mid-90's) that included daily breakfast? It allowed us to have our first stay in a deluxe, the Contemporary (garden wing). We have stayed at a deluxe a few more times but not since 2008. The price has gone way up but our income has not. Moderates and values for us! We are just happy to be in the Disney bubble.

 

[MeghanTy]

I think that it all comes down to personal priorities. I have been told multiple times that we are "lucky" we can afford vacations to DIsney, or whereever else we choose to go. Lucky? Well to a point. We are blessed in that we have not been struck by tragedy, but the luck ends there. After that, it was on us. I can watch a Mom telling me she wants to take her kid to Disney but that she cannot afford it. Really? AS she is chain smoking. I have no idea how much cigarettes are but I bet that 2 packs a day times 7 days a week times 52 weeks adds up. WE don't smoke, keep our drinking to a minimum, seldom go out to dinner, stay out of fast food joints, and bring our lunch to work. I think that folks who tell me we are lucky are confusing self discipline with luck.

I do consider my children lucky that we get to go to WDW (and I don't mind when people tell THEM they are lucky to go on vacation) since I grew up very poor and never went on vacation. Keeping a roof over our head and food on the table was hard enough on my mother. Looking back I suppose she could've used one of her tax returns to take us but vacation is and was never a priority for her.

I do get irritated when people tell me I'm lucky because it's not luck....I work hard to do so. It's only ever family. My family will make statements but it's always the ones that spend their money on things I don't. Everyone has their thing. I do like my iPhone, pedicures, manicures, etc. but I don't buy a new TV/iPad/game console/VR goggles every time a new feature comes out. I have ZERO issues with how they spend their money but don't tell me I have some lucky streak.

I agree with both of these statements. It's not luck. It's planning and/or situations.

I am a single mother living in Texas. This year, I have gone to Disney once with an adult friend, taken my son on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Florida, we have another cruise at the end of July and now our Disney trip for Halloween. This isn't "luck". I plan the heck out of everything. I have a budget set up to where our bills our paid, food is on our table and we are able to do things like this. It is a priority to ME to have my son experience things. That is worth a certain dollar amount to me. I feel that when I am dead and gone, he will remember these trips and experiences more than us having a luxury car with seat warmers.

 

[Babsy]

Does anyone remember the Fall Fantasy Package (mid-90's) that included daily breakfast? It allowed us to have our first stay in a deluxe, the Contemporary (garden wing). We have stayed at a deluxe a few more times but not since 2008. The price has gone way up but our income has not. Moderates and values for us! We are just happy to be in the Disney bubble.

Sounds similar to what we had at the BC! So, it was probably in the 90's then. However, ours was for January and was called something with "sunshine" in its name? It might have been a Canadian promotion. ( we're from canada)

Yes, the prices have really skyrocketed in recent years. I am amazed at how many young families seem able to afford these rates. If they had been this high back when we had small kids, we would never have been able to stay in deluxe. Now we budget all year for our Disney vacations and still often have to stay value or moderate. We splurge for the last part of some visits at a deluxe, though, because we really enjoy them - even if it is just for three nights.

We have found staying at the Swan/Dolphin to help a lot, but their prices seem to have increased lately as well.

In 2009 we stayed at CBR with the buy 4 get 3 free. I think we paid around $2800 for a family of 4, 7 day PH's, DDP and transportation for $2800. Those were the days!! We went in March during F&G and WS was mostly empty every time we were in Epcot.

I remember those rates. they were great! I have so many pics of my daughter and myself strolling around near empty parks! My daughter used to like to ham it up for photos - great memories. IDK if you can ever get that feeling of 'owning' the park anymore - and perhaps that is a good thing. But it sure was fun at the time.

 

[Regan117]

We stay deluxe (always in a suite and almost always club level), buy the deluxe dining plan, use private VIP tours, do all the upcharge events and dessert parties, and rent pool cabanas. And we aren't running up any debt or taking money out of an IRA to do it.

Don't assume you know anyone's financial situation. How they spend their money is really none of your business.

How did the conversation even end up here?!?! Jeez....

 

[stink]

I have no idea how old you are but I must say that Disney has always been expensive. Cost is always a factor when making a vacation decision, but to suggest that "most" Americans can barely afford the trip is ludicrous. As a young mother I took my children to Disney, and I saved for it. WE wanted the Contemporary Resort and felt that the money we would use to stay there, along with tickets into the parks and food for the six od us would be money well spent. It was. But we saved for that trip. And every vacation after that we did as well.

In this life we all make choices and those choices signify the priorities we have at any given time. If something is important and there is only a finite amount of money, you make the decision to say No to other spending. You make compromises and you save. But this means discipline, and I wonder if you mistake a persons ability to afford a stay with that persons ability to plan ahead in order to afford it.

AS I have stated before my family does not always plan a deluxe stay, it is not alwyas important to us. I would chuckle though if someone looked at our resort choice and determined that we cashed in our savings, mortgaged our home, and deprived our family of necessities in order to gaze at the Castle.

I do not know how old you are either ? Why does that matter ? Kudos for you for being a young mother and saving for your Disney Trip. This is NOT about a specific individual's choice or judging ONE FAMILY OR PERSON about their choices. It is about American income and debt. How you want to spend your money is YOUR BUSINESS no one else's. Let's look at the below economic indicators, which is easily googled.

From google:
"The median wage in the US per person is $26,695. This tells us a lot since the median household income is at $50,500. Since the Census data looks at households, this data hones in on individual wage earners. 66 percent of Americans earn less than $41,212".

"The average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit-card debt (in 2012), according to CreditCards.com, and the average interest rate runs in the mid-to high teens at any given time".

Savings for retirement:
Those 35 to 44 years old have $22,500 saved on average, and those aged 45 to 54 have just less than $44,000 stowed away. The average 55 to 64-year-olds only have about $65,000 in savings and those 65 and older have saved $56,000".

I do not believe the average family can afford a deluxe Disney resort vacation without making significant sacrifices in other areas or going into debt. This is in no way judging families that vacation at the deluxe resorts or judging Disney. If is not about an individual family but about the average American family and what they can generally afford.

Yes Disney has always and will always be expensive, but the price increases at Disney for tickets, hotel rooms and food has far exceeded inflation rates in other areas of the economy.

 

[alliecat523]

I do not believe the average family can afford a deluxe Disney resort vacation without making significant sacrifices in other areas or going into debt. This is in no way judging families that vacation at the deluxe resorts or judging Disney. If is not about an individual family but about the average American family and what they can generally afford.

Yes Disney has always and will always be expensive, but the price increases at Disney for tickets, hotel rooms and food has far exceeded inflation rates in other areas of the economy.

I agree with this and I think this is the core idea/message of this thread. Everyone is different and makes their own choices. Whether they are "good" or "bad" choices is not for anyone to say. Everyone should just enjoy their vacation!

 

[KStash]

If folks need a thread to vent about prices, I get it. Disney deluxe hotels are super expensive. (I"m not hurting for money, but I have been going back and forth over deluxe vs mod for my upcoming trip.) However, as has been stated several times, Disney is a buisness. So long as those rooms are being filled at those prices, they are going to keep charging it, and I don't blame them one bit.

As for families not being able to afford it--no one has to stay at a deluxe resort. They have options (mods, values, off-site, campground). Personally, I didn't take my first vacation until three years ago (at the ripe age of 37). Growing up, we were lower middle class and only did day trips to the local amusement park occasionally (and even they were a rare treat). It is not Disney's fault that my family couldn't afford to go. I'm sorry, but I do not feel bad for people putting themselves into financial ruin over a Disney vacation. They are consciously making a bad choice if they charge a vacation they cannot afford. I also don't feel bad for those who can't afford to go, and so wisely choose not to. I assure you my childhood wasn't horrendous because I didn't go to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I do not know how old you are either ? Why does that matter ? Kudos for you for being a young mother and saving for your Disney Trip. This is NOT about a specific individual's choice or judging ONE FAMILY OR PERSON about their choices. It is about American income and debt. How you want to spend your money is YOUR BUSINESS no one else's. Let's look at the below economic indicators, which is easily googled.

From google:
"The median wage in the US per person is $26,695. This tells us a lot since the median household income is at $50,500. Since the Census data looks at households, this data hones in on individual wage earners. 66 percent of Americans earn less than $41,212".

"The average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit-card debt (in 2012), according to CreditCards.com, and the average interest rate runs in the mid-to high teens at any given time".

Savings for retirement:
Those 35 to 44 years old have $22,500 saved on average, and those aged 45 to 54 have just less than $44,000 stowed away. The average 55 to 64-year-olds only have about $65,000 in savings and those 65 and older have saved $56,000".

I do not believe the average family can afford a deluxe Disney resort vacation without making significant sacrifices in other areas or going into debt. This is in no way judging families that vacation at the deluxe resorts or judging Disney. If is not about an individual family but about the average American family and what they can generally afford.

Yes Disney has always and will always be expensive, but the price increases at Disney for tickets, hotel rooms and food has far exceeded inflation rates in other areas of the economy.

This may be true but there are so many deals out there. I know people probably thought how the heck I afforded the Poly and BC but I got them for $200 a night. You never truly know how much someone paid for their vacation. Or if it's gifted. Or if they are splitting it.

I'm way too involved in my vacation for this to even be on my radar.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do not know how old you are either ? Why does that matter ? Kudos for you for being a young mother and saving for your Disney Trip. This is NOT about a specific individual's choice or judging ONE FAMILY OR PERSON about their choices. It is about American income and debt. How you want to spend your money is YOUR BUSINESS no one else's. Let's look at the below economic indicators, which is easily googled.

From google:
"The median wage in the US per person is $26,695. This tells us a lot since the median household income is at $50,500. Since the Census data looks at households, this data hones in on individual wage earners. 66 percent of Americans earn less than $41,212".

"The average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit-card debt (in 2012), according to CreditCards.com, and the average interest rate runs in the mid-to high teens at any given time".

Savings for retirement:
Those 35 to 44 years old have $22,500 saved on average, and those aged 45 to 54 have just less than $44,000 stowed away. The average 55 to 64-year-olds only have about $65,000 in savings and those 65 and older have saved $56,000".

I do not believe the average family can afford a deluxe Disney resort vacation without making significant sacrifices in other areas or going into debt. This is in no way judging families that vacation at the deluxe resorts or judging Disney. If is not about an individual family but about the average American family and what they can generally afford.

Yes Disney has always and will always be expensive, but the price increases at Disney for tickets, hotel rooms and food has far exceeded inflation rates in other areas of the economy.

My only point is that Disney has always been a vacation that everyone is not able to easily afford. Thstchad not changed since wdw opened. It had not changed since dlr opened. If you can you do. If you cannot you don't. As a kid Disneyland was out of reach for my family.

 

[Dakota731]

It all depends on the individual family and their lifestyle. A coworker of my husbands (same job same salary) used to say we were rich because we went to Disney every three years. Well he chose to buy a new truck every year and had student loans from expensive schools while we went to state schools and worked out way through. We have saved hard to have a good retirement account but he and his wife live pay check to pay check spending lavishly on fine dining, manicures, collectibles etc.

 

[michelepa]

Hey - that's their business. If someone literally takes money from their IRA to go to Disney - not my business or anyone else's why they do it OR what the aftermath is. They clearly made a choice and I wouldn't feel bad at all. We are all adults who have choices to make each day. Whether to pay bills or take a trip. Whether to go to work or not. If a grown adult makes the choice to go to Disney and take out home equity loans - again, their business. I wouldn't feel sorry and neither should you, regardless of what the aftermath is. If you work in banking, perhaps, and are having to take away someone's car or house because they chose to go to Disney? ::shrugs:: Choices.

Also, your idea of getting ripped off and how other people may feel may be completely different. Someone may pay $$$ to stay at POR and LOVE it. They may enjoy the ambiance, being closer to the parks and being immersed in Disney. Not having a "proper closet" may be secondary to them. Who knows?

I feel that waiting in line HOURS to see a Disney character is insane. It's a waste of precious time. BUT what others do with their time isn't my business and we all have different priorities and to each his own. People think I'm insane for flying first-class even on 2 hour flights. Maybe I see benefits and I do it. My business and my choices.

I am entitled to voice my opinion and experience too ~so relax!

What is the deal why are people on this thread getting so nasty?!

 

[MeghanTy]

I am entitled to voice my opinion and experience too ~so relax!

What is the deal why are people on this thread getting so nasty?!

I didn't think I was being nasty at all. I was saying don't feel sad for people and the choices they choose to make.


....but I digress...

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that subjective or not, that it is without a doubt a fact that if the price was lower in the past that it was more reasonable than it is now. Unless it was so low before that it was unreasonable, and now has just become expensive enough to be deemed reasonable. But I doubt it.

Didn't most everything cost less in the past? And what is reasonable is totally subjective.

 

[happymommy]

I honestly wish the moderators would close this thread. It is getting a bit nasty.

I, for one, always stayed at deluxe resorts until I was in my late 40's. In our 20's DH and I stayed a several ones, and it was fine, we had disposable income. But I don't question how much anyone spends on vacations; it's just now that I have been there, done that, personally I just use the resort for a room and a decent choice for a late night meal if we get back from the parks and want a choice of something to eat. So now, I and my one kid find values are awesome at 1/3 the cost. We also go lots of other places, and would rather do more vacations and spend a little less, like taking our kids to Hawaii 10 times, where we will likely move back in 5-10 years (he's 50 as well and retiring within the next 3 years).

Last time I stayed at a deluxe, just my kid and me, with a huge discount at BWI it was still $300/night. It was NOT a great stay (room was just okay, yes it's the BWI and I like the location, but I had to call security twice for neighbors being really loud and boisterous, partying, late at night). We didn't use room service that trip, only used the quiet pool once, staff was less than friendly, overall it was just okay. Next trip we stayed at Pop, and it was amazing. We loved the food court options! Staff was over the top nice.

 

[Karau614]

I just ate a bag of popcorn while skimming through this thread. Whole lot of anger in here over opinions. I think maybe 30% of this thread is about resort prices on topic and 70% about how people feel about other people's way of living. Interesting. I'm going to go waste some money on something materialistic now and check on the thread in the morning.

Also the deluxe prices are indeed out of control whether people can afford them or not. Compared to much better resorts in other locations of the world. But people pay so why not let Disney get what they can get like any business owner would?

 

[MeghanTy]

I'm going to go waste some money on something materialistic now and check on the thread in the morning.

I literally just LOL'd at this

 

[PamNC]

agree - deluxes ARE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. Rack rates are beyond ridiculous. Years ago I always stayed deluxe - there is no freakin' way. my mom and I went last year and chose Coronado - loved it. That's as fancy as I'll get unless I rent points from a DVC owner.

 

[CaliTex]

PamNC--My daughter has booked Coronado for this fall and we are thinking about it if we can't get our time frame on our rented DVC points, (lol) so I'm glad to hear you say you loved Coronado!

My gripe about the Deluxes is that the services and amenities are not on par with other, non-Disney hotels in the same price range, but then as any real estate person will tell you: "Location, location, location".

As for the income envy wrapped in judgmental attitudes--sigh. How miserable. Gratitude is the surest path to happiness. Letting others live their lives is the other. And entitlement in any form is misery.

'Nuff said, probably.