Disney Deluxe vs "True" Deluxe

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Waterview at Atlantis in Nassau is less expensive than YC/BC/BWI....and they certainly have fabulous accommodations, pools, service, etc.

 

[Mr Man]

I understand the OP's intent and appreciate the in-depth comparison. I agree Disney needs to keep upgrading the service and amenities at their resorts.

I recently returned from a business trip to Singapore and stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is an upscale business/luxury hotel that out-performed all WDW resorts I have ever stayed at, and in every possible way (except for their proximity to Disney parks & noone said "Have a Magical Day" ). Granted, Shangri-La really isn't a kid's paradise (but the easy access to Orchard St. shopping really does it for DW).

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/singapore/shangrila

However, given the choice of staying at Shangri-La or WDW resort, I will choose WDW without hesitation, as it is near where my family wants to be when on vacation. In fact, we are so crazy about WDW, we have our first DVC contract now and will be getting our next DVC contract next March.

I am comfortable agreeing that Disney Deluxe may not be "true deluxe" (I am assuming this is interchangeable with luxury)? For us, "Disney" means more than "Deluxe" when on vacation.

JMO

Regards,

 

[moviegirl11]

Ok but that was not my point. I wasn't comparing a NYC hotel to a Disney Hotel. I was comparing a NYC hotel to a hotel in a smaller city.

I paid more for a room at the Short Hills Hilton than I've ever paid for a room at any WDW resort, or even a room in a NYC hotel. Short Hills NJ is not a large metropolis.



There are a number of WDW deluxe resorts, so I'm not sure that you are comparring apples to apples.



See above comments about the Short Hills Hilton.



Unfortunately I have yet to find any level of true luxury associated with any WDW resort. I think that WDW could spend very little money and offer a much higher value for the dollars at it's "deluxe" resorts, but they choose not to for whatever reason. I think once the Four Seasons goes up, that might have to change.

Not sure why you paid so much more for your short hills stay but according to expedia, a night at that hotel is $234. For the same night I used to find that price, Disney's deluxe resorts range from $215 - $365 depending on the resort (all deluxe). Strange that it varies so much but thats how its listed on WDW's website (the minimum price for a night's stay).

Again though, you're not paying for nicer sheets when you stay at a disney deluxe. Nicer sheets than the mod resorts maybe but not nicer sheets than a Hilton resort and spa in New Jersey. It also can depend on what time of year you went to the Short Hills place and what season you generally visit WDW. That would make a huge difference.

And yes there are a number of WDW resorts but aside from the Swan and Dolphin, the WDW owned resorts have no major reason to compete against each other. Meaning, the Poly isnt going to get better bedding and towels just to get people to stay there instead of the Wilderness Lodge. Disney has no reason to do that. They have certain standards that they seem to try to live up to, sure but there's no reason to try and outdo the other resorts on the property. Their biggest challenge is making their hotels appealing enough ato encourage people to 1) stay on the property and 2) consider upgrading to a higher-level resort.

I agree that WDW's deluxe resorts arent 5-star hotels. I wouldnt argue otherwise. I just dont think it makes sense to try and compare a resort at Disney to a hotel in TN. Price-wise, a lot of what you're paying for is proximity and access to the park. That part doesnt factor in at all with the TN hotel so I guess I just dont see the point in comparing it considering pretty much everyone that stays at a WDW resort does so because they're visiting the parks. Its too big a factor to ignore.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I think the comparison is valid.
2) But, some want to bring it back to Orlando.
3) So, let's do that.

4) For less than GF or Poly or BC/YC, you can get a Deluxe Concierge Room.
5) Stay Concierge at the Orlando Ritz, and you get a free Mercedes during your stay.
6) Let alone all the other amentities upgrades.

 

[haley123]

When I stayed at the GF I got nice check in service a wonderful room watercraft rentals right there a spa right there and monorail access to the MK. When I stayed at a delux resort not owned by disney we had mold in our room and the person checking us in was basically screaming at us. I would definitely choose the GF then another delux resort.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Disney's challenge is to fill hotel rooms as affordably as possibly. The Deluxe Resorts really--really---honestly do not compare to a Deluxe Resort outside property.

The recent incentives for on-site loyalty have been......

DME - no rental cars, no wandering off property

Free dining - why go to Universal when I have free dining at WDW


All of that fills the resorts - then fills the theme parks - then fills the gift shops. We all participate.....who can resist that Santa Mickey Hat at the Christmas Party?


Until they see a drop in reservations (no matter if they are US guests or now Guests from England or Europe <--exchange rate makes WDW very attractive)....Disney's Deluxe resorts will remain "behind" their competition outside the property.

 

[ducklite]

Ok but that was not my point. I wasn't comparing a NYC hotel to a Disney Hotel. I was comparing a NYC hotel to a hotel in a smaller city.

Not sure why you paid so much more for your short hills stay but according to expedia, a night at that hotel is $234.

Maybe for whatever night you were looking at, but we paid more than double that!

WDW owned resorts have no major reason to compete against each other. Meaning, the Poly isnt going to get better bedding and towels just to get people to stay there instead of the Wilderness Lodge. Disney has no reason to do that. They have certain standards that they seem to try to live up to, sure but there's no reason to try and outdo the other resorts on the property. Their biggest challenge is making their hotels appealing enough ato encourage people to 1) stay on the property and 2) consider upgrading to a higher-level resort.

Because each is a seperate cost and profit center, they SHOULD be competing against each other!

 

[mathgeek]

Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas comes straight to mind. Offering more amenities overall in an equally "touristy" area, it also has a fantastic pool area that's actually larger and less crowded than SAB--no 6:00 am chair hogs either.

Not necessarily a valid comparison since those staying at Mandalay are probably up late gambling and aren't awake to get to the pool at 6 AM.

Although, I would agree that Vegas has some nice hotels with excellent amenities for less than Disney prices. But you also have to keep in mind that the hotel pricing structure out there is very different due to the fact that the profit is expected to come from the gambling and not necessarily from the rooms.

 

[PamNC]

Thanks for putting this together. I totally get what you're saying, but I wanted to point out first, the obvious: location location location.

And, Movies on Crescent Lake.

And, the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream.

Most of all - "nostalgia" - Disney resorts make you feel like you're "coming home." And, that's not a testament to DVC because I don't own DVC. It's an escape from reality with the theming and the whole Disney feeling. Although the rooms are certainly nicer at other deluxes, and the towels, soaps, etc, they don't have the magic.

I do agree, however, that concierge is lacking. We did it once at the YC and you're right, they simply point you to the gift shop. I didn't see the advantage to concierge and was really disappointed. That said, I'll never do it again.

Put it this way - the YC wouldn't be worst $400+ a night if it were sitting some place else. It's all about the special Disney touches.

All this said, I won't pay rack rate for a deluxe resort. EVER. It's a discount code or nothing.

PamNC

 

[moviegirl11]

Not necessarily a valid comparison since those staying at Mandalay are probably up late gambling and aren't awake to get to the pool at 6 AM.

Although, I would agree that Vegas has some nice hotels with excellent amenities for less than Disney prices. But you also have to keep in mind that the hotel pricing structure out there is very different due to the fact that the profit is expected to come from the gambling and not necessarily from the rooms.

I think in general, places like Atlantic City and Vegas are going to charge less for their resorts because they want people flushing their money away at the slot machines and the tables.

Granted, not everyone who goes to Vegas gambles. My sister and her husband go there because they like the weather and the luxurious but affordable resorts. So people can take advantage of all of that without losing money at the casino (and then there are the people who actually WIN money who make out better than everyone).

For me, its the Disney experience I'm paying for when I go to WDW. I wouldnt go there just to stay at their resort. I go for the parks and the "magic" and I stay at the nicest resort I can afford (which for me and DH, is a moderate). I considered staying off property to be able to afford a nicer hotel (maybe one with a whirlpool tub... Mmmmm) but in the end, I know I wont care about that when I'm itching to get to the parks or after a long day when all I want to do is get back to my room and go to sleep.

 

[OKW Mom]

When Princess Di went to the Swan/Dolphin do you think she stayed in the same rooms we use? NAHHH....they had a level we can't even imagine (and a correlating price).

When you look at the cross section of Disney guests it is clear the accomodations are not the draw-

Disney wants a nicer level to catch the deeper pockets and to throw to people when they have to "make nice". How many people on these boards have written they were thrilled to be upgraded....it makes a big impression when a business can under promise and over-deliver. The splash value really makes Disney look good.

I guess if you want a TV in the bathroom, you'll have to go to ESPN and sleep in the bathroom........

 

[Sammie]

What point does any of this prove. That in Nashville, CarolA finds a hotel she likes better than Disney. Can we move it to Disney, I don't think so.

Should Disney, improve, well of course there is always room for improvement. Should those of us that like what Disney offers and are willing to pay the price, feel cheated, well I don't. Would I be happy if they lowered the prices, well of course.

So not sure what these discussions accomplish. If one does not feel Disney deluxe resorts offer for them what they want and what they want to pay, then don't stay there.

But continuing to compare them to other locations to me is just a moot point, it is not going to affect anything. I am sure I can go to Nashville and find a hotel that I don't think lives up to its cost and it would be the Gaylord Opryland Hotel with their cramped rooms, less than stellar service and full size beds and a cost to rival Disney. Why do that get away with it, location, location, location.

PS: Princess Di stayed at the Grand Floridian.

 

[minnie61650]

Just wondering how Storm Along Bay compared?

I agree that WDW deluxes don't in anyway resemble the accomodations one gets at a Four Seasons or Ritz but they do offer other advantages that other posters have already covered.

I do travel several times a year and often stay at 4 star and some 5 star hotels
.
MGM in Vegas has a cool pool area with a lazy river ride and the Rio Suites in Vegas had a sand bottom pool when we stayed there several years ago.


I love the pools at the Hyatt in Bonita Springs, Florida
The Lawn Pool is a heated adult 25-yard lap pool with an adjacent hot tub.

The Adventure Pool is 5,000 square feet with 140-foot corkscrew slide and zero entry with hot tub.

And the Waterfall Cold Plunge Pool.is 2,700 square feet.

Just my 2 cents