Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[Heather07438]

Someone remind me if we know the amount of time that early entry covers. 1hr?

It said 30 minutes.
Since the way they’ve been opening 35-50 minutes before official park hours since reopening, I thought they might give a bonus. But not commit to a full hour.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Rope drop is currently happening inside the parks right? It'll be interesting to see how the crowd is managed with the early entry onsite vs not.

 

[jpeterson]

That's... not long at all..

It's just enough to beat the rope drop crowd to one attraction maybe two. But that's it.

 

[cakebaker]

Because the amenities at a deluxe hotel *are* the “perks” of the higher price- location, transportation, grounds, pools, etc. We always stay at deluxe for those perks, but believe that these extra hours should be open to all on-site guests.

Disney is free to add whatever perks they think are neccessary to fill their resorts. Clearly, they'd like to fill their most expensive ones. So they're adding incentives. It's not unlike any other business that gives more incentives to get people to spend more. The fact is, no matter what perks the deluxe have in comparison to the values- they in no way justify the price tag. They have to add more. With values and moderates, even though they are priced higher than comparable off site hotels, they are still affordable for more people. There's no need to offer them any more incentive than the extra half hour a day at a select park. Bottom line, spend more, get more. I've always thought emh's and FP should be based on the level of resort you stay at.

I believe Universal does the same thing with their access passes- they're included with their more expensive resorts.

 

[Heather07438]

Disney is free to add whatever perks they think are neccessary to fill their resorts. Clearly, they'd like to fill their most expensive ones. So they're adding incentives. It's not unlike any other business that gives more incentives to get people to spend more. The fact is, no matter what perks the deluxe have in comparison to the values- they in no way justify the price tag. They have to add more. With values and moderates, even though they are priced higher than comparable off site hotels, they are still affordable for more people. There's no need to offer them any more incentive than the extra half hour a day at a select park. Bottom line, spend more, get more. I've always thought emh's and FP should be based on the level of resort you stay at.

I believe Universal does the same thing with their access passes- they're included with their more expensive resorts.

Honestly I’ve never found offsite deals that saved us much at all. If we were a bigger family then definitely offsite. But for 3 or 4 of us offsite and Good Neighbors price ends up equal by the time I pay fees and parking. Or its a small savings and much less convenience.

 

[JoJoGirl]

Regarding extra evening hours for deluxe resort guests only: All the resorts seem to be booked up from the 50th well into 2022. Disney will eventually reopen the Port Orleans resorts and the remaining All Stars. Maybe they are trying to deter guests who originally booked deluxe (because nothing else was available) from switching to mods and values when they reopen. Booked up deluxes at rack rate make more money than mods and values.

I know I’ve been hoping for POFQ for next spring, though I have a reservation at AKL in the meantime. This announcement is giving me second thoughts about switching.

 

[Princessclab]

We normally stay DVC or Deluxe so this obviously applies to us. I definitely don't have a problem with Disney offering perks to on-site guests. The thing to remember is they aren't taking away from off-site, but adding hours for on-site. At least right now. Differentiating between types of resort is something I don't think we've seen a lot of though. I don't have a huge problem with it though.

I agree however I cannot believe there are that many guests staying at the Disney resorts since a lot of their hotels are closed right now.
It would be a good faith effort on Disney's part to include the people staying on property to reward their 'loyalty'.
We shall see.

 

[Nikki1013]

Ok, so there is now a big plus to staying at deluxe vs value. But what’s the main perk for staying value vs off site? There are many more value customers than deluxe customers. Reducing the amount of EMH hours for value customers isn’t going to keep them coming back.

I’m really thinking I should cancel my AOA suite reservation and stay off site instead

Yeah, I'm staying at Pop in December and unless they start offering perks for those of us who can't afford Deluxe, it may be my last time staying on-site.

 

[Princessclab]

But park tickets cost the same for everyone so no, on property is not paying more for the parks. With hotels having FP priority and now every park having early park entry, off property guests do not have the same opportunity to ride rides.

Now if FP comes back different than how it was before shut down, like everyone has equal opportunity day of to get passes or everyone has to pay to have then I'm more ok with the early park entry. IF they had early park entry like it was before shut down, I'm ok with that too as in a weeks time there was always an opportunity to have equal access. Not so much anymore.

If they want to charge off property less for their tickets then I'd be ok with that too.

Disney has never been just about the park tickets, so this is not a new concept of offerings to those who choose to stay at WDW.
Think about it....

 

[Heather07438]

Regarding extra evening hours for deluxe resort guests only: All the resorts seem to be booked up from the 50th well into 2022. Disney will eventually reopen the Port Orleans resorts and the remaining All Stars. Maybe they are trying to deter guests who originally booked deluxe (because nothing else was available) from switching to mods and values when they reopen. Booked up deluxes at rack rate make more money than mods and values.

I know I’ve been hoping for POFQ for next spring, though I have a reservation at AKL in the meantime. This announcement is giving me second thoughts about switching.

That’s a good point. Those people already made peace with the possibility they’d need to keep their deluxe stay. With the perk added it cancels the desire to switch now.

 

[Princessclab]

Disney is trying to make up for being closed for so long - if adding some evening EMHs to deluxe stays encourages some people scheduled to stay in a moderate to move up to a deluxe instead, it’s probably worthwhile for them. And they are still offering all resort guess the morning EMHs so all guests have an opportunity to enjoy some extra time. As of right now we don’t even know how much extra time will be given in the evenings.

I don’t stay deluxe, and of course I like any perks I can get, but I think this makes logical business sense for them to try to incentivize staying deluxe while still being able to say they are giving all guests a perk of EMHs every single day.

Good points. Exactly what are the extra perks to staying in a Deluxe resort?

I have stayed in a few and do not quite see much difference. What are the perks vs other hotels?
I have seen a really nice lobby, nice overall decorations in the hotel but not necessarily in the rooms, more TS restaurants in the hotel, rooms a bit larger (maybe), but not much more.
I have always had good CM service in staying at any level.
I am not dismissing anyone's choice to stay in a Deluxe hotel but not 100% convinced they are worth it (to me, personal choice) and the money is not the issue.
What am I missing? I believe the choice is subjective and maybe a bit of pampering....lol.

ETA: IMO Universal is not even close to being a comparison to WDW; we are one and done with that so that does not make any impact on some of us.

Keep magic and kindness in your life, everyone.

 

[cakebaker]

Good points. Exactly what are the extra perks to staying in a Deluxe resort?

I have stayed in a few and do not quite see much difference. What are the perks vs other hotels?
I have seen a really nice lobby, nice overall decorations in the hotel but not necessarily in the rooms, more TS restaurants in the hotel, rooms a bit larger (maybe), but not much more.
I have always had good CM service in staying at any level.
I am not dismissing anyone's choice to stay in a Deluxe hotel but not 100% convinced they are worth it (to me, personal choice) and the money is not the issue.
What am I missing? I believe the choice is subjective and maybe a bit of pampering....lol.

Keep magic and kindness in your life, everyone.

Right now? NONE. That's the problem. There's absolutely no incentive to shell out the money for a deluxe resort. But....an exclusive emh event for each park? One that is vastly reduced in crowd size? That does it for me.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

The perks of staying deluxe are fancier hotel and grounds, being closer to parks, alternate forms of transportation to parks, not having to walk so far around the resort to access food/buses/pools, better themed pools with water slides, table service restaurants on site, ability to book club level.

 

[leannak]

We just did a split stay at a value and a deluxe resort. The differences for us:

TOWELS! We got towels and trash service every second day at value. In addition to trash removal, there were piles of fresh towels and refreshed toiletries every single day at deluxe.

COFFEE!! At the value, we used the 2 coffees the first morning and the second day had no coffee left! The quick service wasn’t open until 7am, which was after we left for the park! It was a rough morning. At deluxe, we had keurig and more k-cups than we could possibly drink, refreshed regularly.

Balcony: we had a window at value, but a nice balcony at deluxe which we enjoyed quite a bit.

Quick Service: There seemed to be many more options for food on the quick service menu.

restaurants: there were at least 2 table service restaurants and a lounge and 2 pool bars open at the deluxe. Just the one quick service and one pool bar at value.

Pool Bars: The pool bar had full menus and real food and SERVERS TO YOUR LOUNGER at deluxe! At value we had to leave the gated pool area and go stand in 20-person line for each drink or pretzel (their only real food option).

Outdoor movie: this is a silly little benefit, but for the movie under the stars they put out actual chairs. At value everyone sat on the ground on towels.

POOL SLIDE! We thought our kids would like the value pool theming better but nothing could take the place ofslide. It added so much fun for our kids and kept them busy all day.

DESK! The biggest difference for my husband was having a desk to get some work done. Maybe some values have them but ours did not and he really loved that upgrade.

Crowds: Overall the deluxe resort just seemed less loud and busy and chaotic than the value. We waited in fewer lines and were able to find pool chairs easier, etc.


We really did like both resorts. I think the deluxe just felt more comfortable and relaxed. Like we were at a resort instead of a theme park hotel.

 

[tylerchange]

Do any of y'all think APs return in July since capacity is getting pretty close to normal?

 

[anomamatt]

Do any of y'all think APs return in July since capacity is getting pretty close to normal?

This thread says 50% chance by July 5. And no later (99% chance) than August 15th. So 99%…. I guess you can take that to the bank.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/rumored-reopening-dates-for-some-disney-perks-events.3841629/
I hope that helps!

 

[lovethesun12]

Good points. Exactly what are the extra perks to staying in a Deluxe resort?

I have stayed in a few and do not quite see much difference. What are the perks vs other hotels?
I have seen a really nice lobby, nice overall decorations in the hotel but not necessarily in the rooms, more TS restaurants in the hotel, rooms a bit larger (maybe), but not much more.
I have always had good CM service in staying at any level.
I am not dismissing anyone's choice to stay in a Deluxe hotel but not 100% convinced they are worth it (to me, personal choice) and the money is not the issue.
What am I missing? I believe the choice is subjective and maybe a bit of pampering....lol.

ETA: IMO Universal is not even close to being a comparison to WDW; we are one and done with that so that does not make any impact on some of us.

Keep magic and kindness in your life, everyone.

We go for WDW, but we also go for vacation. We spend more time at the resort than park, and love an amazing pool, table service restaurants, and a balcony.

If those extras didn't matter to me (like your case) I wouldn't go with deluxe either.

 

[kylenne]

Good points. Exactly what are the extra perks to staying in a Deluxe resort?

I have stayed in a few and do not quite see much difference. What are the perks vs other hotels?
I have seen a really nice lobby, nice overall decorations in the hotel but not necessarily in the rooms, more TS restaurants in the hotel, rooms a bit larger (maybe), but not much more.
I have always had good CM service in staying at any level.
I am not dismissing anyone's choice to stay in a Deluxe hotel but not 100% convinced they are worth it (to me, personal choice) and the money is not the issue.
What am I missing? I believe the choice is subjective and maybe a bit of pampering....lol.

Rolling out of bed and walking to a park for rope drop within 15-20 minutes, before the first buses even show up.

Instead of fighting crowds or having to linger for them to clear out,
your trip home after fireworks can be turning around and closing the balcony door behind you.

Feeling exhausted after a long day and don’t feel like going out to a TS? Mobile order to go from one at your resort.

Couldn’t get an ADR at ’Ohana? Call private dining and have it delivered to you as room service at Poly.

Character meals right on site, at most.

Fantastic pools.

Tons of things to do in general, enough to keep you occupied outside of parks.

 

[MartinoHeat]

Anyone else hoping that the lack of mention of 30 mins in the latest blog means the early morning might be an hour now.

 

[LSUmiss]

I wonder how many people will reschedule their trip to after Oct 1st since none of the goodies are coming before then?

Since I am hoping to add a night to my stay next week, hoping a few!