Deluxe Resorts A Little Out Of Control?

[Michael Zontini]

It's definitely out of my reach. We are staying at a 1 bedroom at SSR in February. I know those run easily $500 and up per night. NO WAY in the world would I pay that. Especially for SSR. We are only going because my in-laws traded in their RCI points for us.
I would love to be one of this people that had the money though.

So first… Full disclosure…. I have taken advantage of trading into the Disney Properties (DVC) several times using my RCI Properties and I can say that I have never been disappointed.. It is always all that I have expected and more.. I would even call myself an expert in trading into DVC and getting something very close to what I want…..
All that aside, I am very troubled by recent trends and changes in the relationship between RCI and DVC. The availability in DVC has lessened tremendously and vacations that have become available have been offered at a massively inflated trading power ( Some as high as 60 for a 1 bedroom). Not to mention the Mandatory Fee to book a DVC property just jumped from 95 dollars to 190 dollars. ( Aside from the $219.00 RCI transfer fee) I get it…. Airport and Resort transportation…Dining reservation systems…etc…etc… I get it. I Do… But it seems to me that DVC is dictating the rules to RCI with some type of elitist attitude when it is DVC that needs RCI to give their owners and opportunity for more travel options outside the DVC Ownership Resorts. ( I have heard that DVC now offers their ownership other options for trading to lessen their commitment to RCI) I am not sure how DVC releases vacations to RCI but I can assume that much is determined by low sales during certain times of the year where Disney welcomes any additional occupancy they can get by having those RCI owners who trade into DVC spend their dollars on Disney Property (Another way RCI helps DVC). I should stop my rant at this point so to not make those reading this think I’m out to get DVC, I’m not.
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LESS THAN A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE DURING MY STAYS IN AND ON DVC PROPERTIES….. But I see this trend of decreased opportunities, and increasing Trading Power and Fees (200% increases in many cases) and it troubles me as I am older now and use my travel opportunities for my grandchildren…… If anyone cares to email me with information about this (Accurate Information), I would love to hear from you … (mgz68@yahoo.com) Have a Magical Day!!!!!

 

[mmmears]

Just want to say that I agree with you, OP. It's way out of control. They are not really 5 star resorts and they are charging more than many 5-star resorts. We do love to stay at several of them, though, but even with a discount it doesn't feel like it's worth it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just want to say that I agree with you, OP. It's way out of control. They are not really 5 star resorts and they are charging more than many 5-star resorts. We do love to stay at several of them, though, but even with a discount it doesn't feel like it's worth it.

But where else can you stay and watch fireworks at night from your resort and be only a short distance (non-bus transport) to dining with a princess or some other character? You aren't just paying for the room you are sleeping in.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I totally agree. We usually go value season and stay at a Deluxe. This year, we were somewhat "forced" to go during a peak time and I nearly fell over at the prices (my nieces are dancing at DHS and will be in the parade at MK)! I debated for weeks over if I should choose Mod or deluxe. I somewhat compromised with my brain and decided to stay 4 nights outside of Disney ( with Discovery Cove w/ dolphin swim, Sea World and Aquatica tickets) and 6 nights at a Deluxe in Disney ONLY because the discount was 25%. Its costing us $5895 for the 6 nights (tix and meals included) and $1141 for the 4 nights outside of Disney, including tickets and 2 days of food at the parks. We will have 2 days we will pay for meals, so I expect another $500-ish to be added. Even at that, $1641 for 4 nights. Ive stayed at the hotel we will be at and the rooms are much larger than at Disney, and the hotel is located INSIDE Disney Springs!! It has 2 restaurants, pools and gift shops. Very nice resort for $102 per night!!

Disney = $982 per night (all included)
Outside Disney = $410 per night (all included)

I went in Sept 2015, free dining period and paid $6100 for 10 nights at the Poly. Now Im paying $5895 for 6 nights at the Yacht Club for March 2017

In 2008, I stayed at the Contemporary Thanksgiving week, 2 rooms in the tower (6 people total), tix and meals included and paid about $6200...and that also included 6 tix to MVMCP, which were $49pp back then!!!

 

[mmmears]

But where else can you stay and watch fireworks at night from your resort and be only a short distance (non-bus transport) to dining with a princess or some other character? You aren't just paying for the room you are sleeping in.

Sure, but there are other destinations in the US and overseas that are also amazing and wonderful and have unique things to offer. We are going to WDW less often now and have chosen to spend our vacation dollars elsewhere some years. I get that some people will go and pay whatever they choose to charge, but just wanted to back up the OP and say that I agree it's gotten out of hand. We had some great vacations in WDW and luckily many of them were back when the pricing was a bit more reasonable.

 

[Ava]

I booked our first ever deluxe stay for next summer, renting points at Bay Lake Tower. We have a lake view room for about 50% off the rack rate. I'm sure we'll get spoiled with being able to walk to MK and being right on the monorail, but I'll only book deluxe with either a good deal on a DVC point rental or a deeply discounted agency rate. The rack rates are just too much. We've enjoyed all of our value & mod stays but are kind of tired of the buses, so location was a big deciding factor in springing for deluxe this time.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sure, but there are other destinations in the US and overseas that are also amazing and wonderful and have unique things to offer. We are going to WDW less often now and have chosen to spend our vacation dollars elsewhere some years. I get that some people will go and pay whatever they choose to charge, but just wanted to back up the OP and say that I agree it's gotten out of hand. We had some great vacations in WDW and luckily many of them were back when the pricing was a bit more reasonable.

What is reasonable is totally subjective.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

But it seems to me that DVC is dictating the rules to RCI

They are. Trading into DVC is a greater benefit to RCI than trading out to RCI is for DVC members. Most DVC members can rent their points for cash, pay cash for a stay elsewhere, and come out ahead. Trading from DVC to RCI is a terrible value, especially for direct-purchase points that can be rented with a home resort premium.

 

[mmmears]

What is reasonable is totally subjective.

Absolutely. I knew that my opinion wouldn't be popular with this group. I'm voting with my dollars and everyone else is, too.

 

[2girlsR2good]

Lazy morning here--enjoyed reading the thread. My thoughts are worth, well, not much. But I have been going for years and stayed in quite a few different properties.

They jack up the rack rates so that people think they are getting a great deal with 30% off.

Glad I have my DVC

Don't have DVC, but have rented DVC rooms. I agree that booking at a discount provides a lift even if the resulting price is still awfully high.

Now, I feel like I'm getting the same resort experience I got 20 years ago, but paying way more than that experience is really worth even if I'm getting 30% off.

Yes to the same experience. I have yet to have less than very good service at a deluxe resort, and it is usually at the excellent level. I can't compare to 20 years ago, but in the last 10 years, I've not seen any big upgrades in the deluxe experience to accompany the price increases. I don't see the downhill that people complain about either though.

Price for Deluxe is neither too expensive or a bargain. It is simply the price.

Well, to be fair, there is no "simple" price at Disney. When booking in advance, one has to then follow all the different offers that come up and re-figure the cost. Some travel agents do this, but I've always done it myself too. Many times, I've ended up re-booking a trip two times before arriving.

We were at AKL for a couple of days Thanksgiving week (through Tuesday) and we were upgraded from a one-bedroom to a two bedroom and I have to say that the resort did not seem crowded at all. The park was packed, but the resort felt like there was unused capacity--not many at the pool, Boma was crowded, but not quick service. Immediate lobby and check in had no waits. Had a great time!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Absolutely. I knew that my opinion wouldn't be popular with this group. I'm voting with my dollars and everyone else is, too.

Not everyone. Seems WDW is still pretty busy these days.

 

[Pkltm]

When you "rent points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.

• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Epcot resorts and near-park can be hard for owners to book during Food & Wine.
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

Great advice!! We are renting points for the first time in Oct 2017, your post made me feel very lucky as we managed to get 9 nights in a AK value studio! The price could not be beat, it will be our first stay at a deluxe resort, celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

We usually use the Do not disturb sign, during our stays, so the daily maid service will not be missed, we promise not to request changes etc! We are looking forward to a new experience staying here and our first ever cruise. Without point rental we would probably stay at POR, or ASP, as up until now these are our two favorites.

How can we add that we are celebrating to our reservation?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Great advice!! We are renting points for the first time in Oct 2017, your post made me feel very lucky as we managed to get 9 nights in a AK value studio! The price could not be beat, it will be our first stay at a deluxe resort, celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

We usually use the Do not disturb sign, during our stays, so the daily maid service will not be missed, we promise not to request changes etc! We are looking forward to a new experience staying here and our first ever cruise. Without point rental we would probably stay at POR, or ASP, as up until now these are our two favorites.

How can we add that we are celebrating to our reservation?

Any notes on your reservation must be added by the DVC member who owns the points.

 

[danikoski]

I think it depends on when you go and where you stay. My mom and I are staying in a standard room at WL in February for $215 a night. POR and POFQ were running around $180 a night at the same time, and the Royal rooms were running more than WL. So we chose WL because the slight upcharge was worth it to us for the enclosed resort, the boat ride to MK, and the ambiance of WL.

 

[MillauFr]

Absolutely. I knew that my opinion wouldn't be popular with this group. I'm voting with my dollars and everyone else is, too.

The economy is booming. Plenty of people have boatloads of money to spend. DL is more crowded everytime I go there.

 

[Beer Me]

I've been going since the mid nineties and deluxe always seemed way too pricey. How much has it really changed? Has anyone tried to quantify the rate increases compared with inflation and increases at other resorts? When I compare Disney to other resort type vacations the total cost isn't that much different. Don't get me wrong. I definitely wish it was cheaper but I'm not convinced that Disney is alone in raising prices.

I think people pay for the unique experience. Yes, there are more luxurious hotels that are cheaper but they aren't in Disney world. They don't have monorails and boats transporting you to surreal theme parks etc.

 

[mrswillson]

I completely agree with you, OP. I have been going to Disney with my family since I was a little girl, and in the past 6-7 years alone, the ticket price and resort price hikes have upped drastically, accompanied with the major changes to DVC, and it's obvious to see increases are on the rise for the forseeable future. Since we've been with DVC since the 1990s, we've seen first-hand how the points per night are increasing (all while square footage and amenities are slowly decreasing), and how this trend seems to be expanding through the rest of Disney as well. Don't get me wrong, Disney does offer some incredible experiences that you cannot get anywhere else - and arguably, if you want to take part in these experiences, you will pay the prices to get them - however it's disheartening to see (in many cases) that once-decently priced offers now are being advertised now with a considerably higher price tag and less amenities tied to them. Disney, like any company, needs to make a profit... however I don't doubt for a second that if Walt Disney himself was to see what became of his vision that he would be rolling in his grave with how money-hungry it has become over the years.

 

[maxiesmom]

however it's disheartening to see (in many cases) that once-decently priced offers now are being advertised now with a considerably higher price tag and less amenities tied to them. Disney, like any company, needs to make a profit... however I don't doubt for a second that if Walt Disney himself was to see what became of his vision that he would be rolling in his grave with how money-hungry it has become over the years.

Really? You don't think he would start charging more to finance whole new sections of the parks? And truly, the rolling in his grave thing is beyond ridiculous. Walt Disney was not afraid to make money.

 

[mrswillson]

Really? You don't think he would start charging more to finance whole new sections of the parks? And truly, the rolling in his grave thing is beyond ridiculous. Walt Disney was not afraid to make money.

I never said that Walt Disney was afraid of making money; however I do believe that he WOULD be against charging so much that only middle and higher class families, not lower-income or larger families unable to afford the cost, would be able to experience the joys of his park.

 

[maxiesmom]

I never said that Walt Disney was afraid of making money; however I do believe that he WOULD be against charging so much that only middle and higher class families, not lower-income or larger families unable to afford the cost, would be able to experience the joys of his park.

I hate to break it to you, but that is how it always has been. Used to be the more money you were willing to pay the more rides you could go on. Walt never intended his parks to be charity, he was in it to make money from the start.

Btw, I think that most people who have a lot of kids realize everything is going to cost them more. The only break you get may be a tax break. And yet, there are still ways for large families to stay on site and enjoy the parks. Camp, it is very cheap. Stay in 2 value rooms, not bad. Bring food into the parks, that is totally allowed and Disney is the only entertainment venue I can think of that allows it.

I work retail, not exactly a high income job. But I make other choices in my life that allow me my Disney trips. It is about priorities. Very few can expect to buy and do everything they want day to day and afford Disney trips. Most of us budget for it somehow.