Deluxe room prices are outrageous!!!

[Mousemommy1]

Deluxe pricing is out of control. We love staying at what I call "moderate deluxes", i.e., The Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom. Lately, I won't even do that. We do 10 night stays each year, and it has crept up more and more it seems. Our 10 night trip, 4 people, this year is costing us $3200 without food for a moderate. The SAME trip at WL would be almost $4600. That's just stupid. Don't get me started on the other deluxes. For $400 plus a night I can stay in a suite that will blow any of them away, any where else.

However, with all that said, if the people keep paying it, they'll keep charging it....

That's why a good discount is essential for us to stay deluxe. We are doing 10 nights in April at Yacht Club, Garden View for $2925.48. Otherwise, at rack rate it is $4748!!!

 

[rotlex]

That's why a good discount is essential for us to stay deluxe. We are doing 10 nights in April at Yacht Club, Garden View for $2925.48. Otherwise, at rack rate it is $4748!!!

Completely agree. Some sort of discount is a must for us pretty much whenever, or wherever, we stay. We have free dining for our August trip this year, bounce back, and frankly, without that, even the moderate cost would be pushing it. (yeah, we like to eat while on site)!

My problem is, over the past few years, I've gotten very used to always having a discount. From the standard Disney deals, the 4/3 was awesome, free dining etc., I can't even imagine trying to go without something!

 

[HM]

We used to stay in deluxe resorts on all our family trips. We could get pricing at AKL and WL around $150 a night back in the early 2000s. We stayed at Poly for less than $200 a night. We've stayed at YC, GF, BWI as well (all under $300 a night). I priced out CR back in 2001 at $135 for a garden room (AP rate) but opted on AKL instead. There is no way to stay at any of the deluxes for that kind of price even with a discount. The prices seem to have doubled or more in the last ten years. Our first stay in 1999 was ASMu at $56 a night in October. At that time of year now, you're over $100/night. I'm really glad we decided to go Deluxe back in the 'old' days after that first trip. Last family trip was CSR.

 

[pamkat1820]

Our first trip with just our DD in 2009 we stayed at AKL on the buy 4 night get 3 nights free. That was awesome I think with dinning it cost about $2400 for the 3 if us with hoppers. Last April at POR 7 days RR with dinning & hoppers $2800 (2 adults & 2 kids now)
This year we are still pricing out our tripwe want to stay at BC it's either BCV 8 nights with base tickets,& food $3100. Or TA offer BC 7 nights CL tickets food OOP ( including food) $4000 ugh! It's getting more & more each yr which is understandable but my purse is crying! Lol I really don't want to vacation any where else we tried that in between our trips and all I did was say its not disney or if we were at disney .....

 

[Kristibo42]

Then you got away with breaking the rules. It is clearly printed on all resort information as well as at every pool. I'm not usually one to harp on the whole pool hopping thing, but it isn't a matter of being nice - use the pool you pay for. It really isn't anything understated or a wink wink nod nod kind of thing... The rules for sister resorts and DVC are clear and the rules prohibiting pool hopping are more so. Use the pool you've paid for instead of the one paid for by another guest.

Editing - not sure why that attributed to maxiesmom. We all know she would not be a poolhopper

Kind a rude aren't you. I just stated what I did. It really not any different that using the restaurants is it? You don't pay for that resort either.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Please drop the pool hopping debate.

 

[elaw]

... And as you can see by some of the posters, lots of people are still happy to pay the prices....

Willing to pay ... yes ... but I wouldn't exactly say "happy" to pay

 

[misfitmary]

I would never pay those prices, but certainly don't begrudge those who do.

We go for the parks only. We hit the ground running early in the morning and stay until the parks close. We consider our rooms as places to sleep, shower, and store our clothes.

On the flip side, we have friends who are meeting up with us and they are staying in a deluxe resort. They prefer a much slower pace. They would rather sit on the balcony and drink coffee all morning and hit just a few rides in the afternoon.

18 more days!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I agree. You can get so much more offsite for those prices.

 

[maxiesmom]

Kind a rude aren't you. I just stated what I did. It really not any different that using the restaurants is it? You don't pay for that resort either.

You didn't pay for your food???

It is different. And pool hopping is against the rules. And is is against the rules of the Dis to post ways to break Disney's rules. Ok?

Movin on...

 

[sharkyandbones]

I agree that the deluxe prices are pretty steep, especially looking at it from the perspective of a large family. We've always felt that Disney was designed for families of 4. Any more than that, you are looking at either multiple rooms or a suite, which significantly raises your cost. The value just isn't there for us.

Luckily, we have been able to talk other family members into tagging along and splitting the cost of adjoining moderate rooms in the past. But we would love to be able to experience a deluxe someday, maybe when the kids are a little older. We feel that if we spent that kind of money, even with a discount, that we'd want to get more use out of our resort than just a place to lay our heads.

Now the other wrinkle is that the larger the family, the better a deal that free dining works out to be. And it will always trump a room discount for our family. We love the dining experience and couldn't imagine a WDW trip without 'Ohana, Chef Mickey and Via Napoli to name a few.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I really don't want to vacation any where else we tried that in between our trips and all I did was say its not disney or if we were at disney .....

We do the same thing. We stayed at a waterpark resort this summer and paid a fair amount for a 2 bedroom with a kitchen and the whole time, I kept finding reasons it wasn't good enough and kept literally saying "But at Disney..." or "If this were Disney..."

Willing to pay ... yes ... but I wouldn't exactly say "happy" to pay

True. I pay it because I have no real option. I'd happily take a discount, but I willingly pay whatever they're charging because I need the bigger space.

I agree that the deluxe prices are pretty steep, especially looking at it from the perspective of a large family. We've always felt that Disney was designed for families of 4. Any more than that, you are looking at either multiple rooms or a suite, which significantly raises your cost.

Exactly. I don't consider us a "large family" but with 3 children, we max out the typical 4 person accomodations. We could ask for adjoining rooms but with 3 little kids, it would not be okay with us if they didn't accommodate the request. And by the time you've paid for 2 rooms complete with all the hassles and safety concerns that come with that, you're not paying that much less than a 2 bedroom villa. So to me, it's just better to bite the bullet and pay for the villa.

Last year we were flexible with dates and were able to get a significant room discount (at Kidani) as well as free dining. This year, no discount and no free dining. It is what it is. I'd rather get a discount than not, obviously, but we're stil going so we pay what they charge.

 

[alecshawn]

Kind a rude aren't you. I just stated what I did. It really not any different that using the restaurants is it? You don't pay for that resort either.

Agreed
You did nothing wrong....live your life...if anyone has a problem with it...its their issue...not yours.

 

[HappyMomma]

I've always believed you get what you pay for. If deluxe wasn't better, then no one would book and they'd be forced to drop the price. So it's not too expensive. It's just something else/different from the lower price tag alternatives. You're buying more room, better local, theme, etc. I've stayed value. They make my head hurt and cause me distress. They are an assault to my senses. I crave the peaceful serene settings of some of the higher priced options. I'm SO excited to be visiting the Poly for the first time this year. I feel it's prob going to be my Disney "home". It's worth it to me to go to Disney less often in order to stay where I'd like. FWIW, I really liked POFQ too. It was a lot more peaceful than the values IMO. And I'd stay there again if I couldn't afford the Poly.

 

[tiggspring]

I've always believed you get what you pay for. If deluxe wasn't better, then no one would book and they'd be forced to drop the price. So it's not too expensive. It's just something else/different from the lower price tag alternatives. You're buying more room, better local, theme, etc. I've stayed value. They make my head hurt and cause me distress. They are an assault to my senses. I crave the peaceful serene settings of some of the higher priced options. I'm SO excited to be visiting the Poly for the first time this year. I feel it's prob going to be my Disney "home". It's worth it to me to go to Disney less often in order to stay where I'd like. FWIW, I really liked POFQ too. It was a lot more peaceful than the values IMO. And I'd stay there again if I couldn't afford the Poly.

If you like POR you will LOVE Poly. we always stay at Tahiti to be close to the TTC another plus you usually have a private beach even for wishes as no one goes down that far. If you don't mind the sound of ferry horns (reminds us of ocean) its a perfect spot especially with little kids or mobility issues where traveling to/from park is a chore. ENJOY!

 

[HappyMomma]

If you like POR you will LOVE Poly. we always stay at Tahiti to be close to the TTC another plus you usually have a private beach even for wishes as no one goes down that far. If you don't mind the sound of ferry horns (reminds us of ocean) its a perfect spot especially with little kids or mobility issues where traveling to/from park is a chore. ENJOY!

Good to know! I considered requesting Tahiti when I made the ressies, but wasn't sure how loud the ferry horns are? Does it go on all night long? I've got Tokelau (sp?) as a request right now.

 

[aaarcher86]

You didn't pay for your food???

It is different. And pool hopping is against the rules. And is is against the rules of the Dis to post ways to break Disney's rules. Ok?

Movin on...

 

[rizzo0904]

I agree that the deluxe resorts are overpriced. They aren't Ritz Carltons. But you have people that love them, you have people that are passionate about all things Disney, you have people that spend every vacation they have at Disney, therefore there is a market for them.

We are staying at AoA Cars and I'm having a hard time swallowing $193/night! I'm staying at a Homewood Suites at the Baltimore Inner Harbor with free breakfast for only $145/night and I'll be in a higher cost of living area getting more (breakfast, evening reception) for my money.

My hubby and I are fortunate that we can vacation and don't have to budget for it. But we are kinda cheap when it comes to hotels. Not Rodeway Inn cheap, but I hate to break the $150/night mark. $450/night is NOT gonna happen. I'll put that $300 into my IRA or my kids' 529 plans.

 

[Kristibo42]

Not to but I thought pool hopping was okay at most WDW properties and the ones that don't allow it (like SAB) are specific with wristbands and stuff? I've only ever stayed at deluxe resorts and since we have awesome pools, I've never had the need (or want) to pool hop. But I thought they allowed this at most resorts. Is that not true?

ETA: Nevermind, saw this was already addressed...

It is okay. Not once have I been told no. I never take up "chair" space. Disney is for everyone no matter what you pay!!! I have seen many people do it. It also not any different than going to the beach at Polynesian to watch the fire works or water parade. People on here just want to get things started. I think that why certain people come in here.

 

[tiggspring]

Good to know! I considered requesting Tahiti when I made the ressies, but wasn't sure how loud the ferry horns are? Does it go on all night long? I've got Tokelau (sp?) as a request right now.

The horns run til 2hr after park closes. When we were there it was around midnight. With door closed its not bad unless you are a light sleeper. If you do not have MKV/LV it would not be an issue. If you are on the water request the side closest to the pool. The end closest to the TTC is louder and has more light from the launch area. You might want to say furthest from the TTC. We stayed on both ends with no issue but the side furthest from TTC was pure magic You could see fireworks from balcony, watch boats/monorail come/go. Ducks live on the shore by Tahiti. Only one night on either of our 7day trips did we share the beach at night. There is a hammock on that beach too. The stroll back to the GC is very pleasant and takes only a couple min which for us added to the feeling of being in the Islands. If you go to the Tiki man website he has maps, pictures and detail to the extreme. If you cant find it PM me and I'll go digging for it.