Disney World changing how resorts are priced?

[buzznina]

I think it really depends on what you find the most value in. Theming is huge for me. Resort grounds are so important. Embassy Suites is so boring. I want color and vibrance and fun. Maybe it’s because I used to travel a lot for work and stayed in a lot of “plain” hotels. When I’m on vacation, I want my resorts to sing “Vacation!” Pop does that for me.

Maybe these could be the new categories:

Have Fun! (values)
Relax! (Moderates)
Indulge! (Deluxes)

We really like ASMO, our favorite value, but we prefer the themes of the Mods and deluxes. I am just no longer addicted to the WDW koolaid anymore. I can list a bunch of offsite resorts that have amazing themes and pools for around the cost of the values now. With the DS hotels now having EMH, FP+ at 60 days the benefits are shrinking. We really enjoy being in the bubble, but like other posters have mentioned the return on our cost is getting less and less. This is a complete 180 from a few years ago, when I was posting we would never look into offsite hotels. We have gone down from 2-3 trips a year to about 1-2 every other year.

My new categories:
Ridiculously Expensive (Deluxe)
Super Expensive (Mods)
Expensive (Value)

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We really like ASMO, our favorite value, but we prefer the themes of the Mods and deluxes. I am just no longer addicted to the WDW koolaid anymore. I can list a bunch of offsite resorts that have amazing themes and pools for around the cost of the values now. With the DS hotels now having EMH, FP+ at 60 days the benefits are shrinking. We really enjoy being in the bubble, but like other posters have mentioned the return on our cost is getting less and less. This is a complete 180 from a few years ago, when I was posting we would never look into offsite hotels. We have gone down from 2-3 trips a year to about 1-2 every other year.

My new categories:
Ridiculously Expensive (Deluxe)
Super Expensive (Mods)
Expensive (Value)

Your proposed categories are rather accurate.

Do you mind if I ask which offsites have great theming? I can’t seem to find many that are still reasonably priced. I’ve looked all over the area (I mean I’ve extensively researched online)but can’t seem to find one that I like as well as the on sites (I know this is a question suited for another thread, but since you mentioned it, I’d love to know).

 

[buzznina]

Your proposed categories are rather accurate.

Do you mind if I ask which offsites have great theming? I can’t seem to find many that are still reasonably priced. I’ve looked all over the area (I mean I’ve extensively researched online)but can’t seem to find one that I like as well as the on sites (I know this is a question suited for another thread, but since you mentioned it, I’d love to know).

My co-worker really likes Vista Cay Resort said their grounds are well themed, has a great pool, arcade, basketball court, picnic area by the lake etc. He got a 2 bedroom condo for $160 (included resort fees and parking). There is another place they like (cannot remember name) said they had a lot of activities, as well as a lazy river and putt-putt course

We stayed at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Palace DS area, visiting friends a couple years back and our DDs loved their splash area and pool.

 

[Upatnoon]

I'm sure Disney would love to ditch the labels because of the expectations that come with them.

If more people demand to stay at Pop than the Poly, Disney would want to charge more for a night at Pop that at the Poly.

If the past, Disney was more concerned about targeting various economic groups. A very simple formula that fit in with the times when they created it. Now they have big data and computers that calculate how to extract the maximum amount of money from guests.

Getting rid of labels, and the expectations that come with them, is a start toward matching demand with the hotel price.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I'm sure Disney would love to ditch the labels because of the expectations that come with them.

If more people demand to stay at Pop than the Poly, Disney would want to charge more for a night at Pop that at the Poly.

If the past, Disney was more concerned about targeting various economic groups. A very simple formula that fit in with the times when they created it. Now they have big data and computers that calculate how to extract the maximum amount of money from guests.

Getting rid of labels, and the expectations that come with them, is a start toward matching demand with the hotel price.

I always like how Disney resort pricing is consistent, as long as there is availability. I have a general idea of what to expect to see price wise, as long as there is availability. I like how we can plan ahead and see published rack rates well in advance.

Do you think Disney could go the way of some other resorts and start to vary pricing depending on availability and proximity to the date of the stay? Universal does that, and I don’t know that I really like it. I think the Swan and Dolphin do it, too. It takes a lot of time to have to constantly check prices, and I end up cancelling and rebooking if rates go down. I booked the Dolphin several months ago. I checked the next day and the rates for the same room had gone down. I had to cancel and rebook.

I think I like Disney’s current consistency. It makes it seem more honest, somehow, and I don’t feel that I have to keep checking and rechecking to get the best value.

 

[HopperFan]

..... I like how we can plan ahead and see published rack rates well in advance.

Do you think Disney could go the way of some other resorts and start to vary pricing depending on availability and proximity to the date of the stay? Universal does that, and I don’t know that I really like it. I think the Swan and Dolphin do it, too. It takes a lot of time to have to constantly check prices, and I end up cancelling and rebooking if rates go down. I booked the Dolphin several months ago. I checked the next day and the rates for the same room had gone down. I had to cancel and rebook.

I think I like Disney’s current consistency. It makes it seem more honest, somehow, and I don’t feel that I have to keep checking and rechecking to get the best value.

I do. Every other hotel does it, and even right now at Disney you will sometimes find a wide gap in rates in same level resorts which implies ... which ones are not full. I was just checking dates at values POP was almost $150, price started dropping for Sport and Movies, and Music was $112. That is a huge gap yet no surprise because I think POP stays pretty full and Music is their hardest one to keep booked. I think if you remove a classification system, then you are open to price them however you want and let them change based on supply.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Hello, please forgive me if this has already been asked. I just read on another website that DW is getting rid of the Value, Moderate and Deluxe labels and pricing and are going to convert the pricing to things such as distance to the parks. Has anyone heard anything about this? I’m planning a honeymoon trip in 2020 and would like to stay at Port Orleans FQ, if I can still afford it...
Thanks!!

Mods, feel free to move this to the news and rumor page.

which would be the same thing tbh

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I think as prices continue to go up and the resorts are refurbished they will continue to add amenities to better reflect the price. I wouldn't be surprised if they add things like hot tubs and slides to the values in order to drive up the price. These onsite rooms are a hot commodity and they will continue to produce the best ROI for the space allotted. Size/amenities don't always equate to the price also. Look at hotels in Tokyo, London and NYC where they give you a basic little bitty shoe box size room with little in the way of amenities but it is all about location, location, location and the price reflects that. I also think they will continue to expand onsite guest only experiences to up the price for a room.