Does anyone else feel Deluxes are really out of reach now?

[tlbwriter]

For me, more than $220 a night for a resort is too much. Its not a matter of affording it, more whether I feel comfortable spending that much on a hotel, especially when it is for more than one or two nights. But I've been reading these boards long enough to know that many folks have no problem paying $300 and up for the deluxes, so maybe I'm in the minority! Oh well!

I just paid $91 for a night at a hotel along an interstate in the middle of Arkansas. Yes, they had a free breakfast. But really, paying more than twice that to stay in the middle of WDW, with all the benefits, doesn't seem out of line. It doesn't mean I can afford it but it doesn't seem out of line.

 

[ptrbryant]

I'm the OP and I have to agree with some of the other posts about value for price. As I said, we love WL, but I just don't think it's worth over $250/nt. for the guestrooms there. We've stayed at the Waldorf=Astoria in Manhatten for less! When people talk about WDW being "expensive" for a family vacation, they're often looking at ticket prices---which I happen to think are a BARGAIN for what you receive, esp. if the cost is spread over a 7-10 day ticket. I expect the food to be higher than average. But, I just feel the current prices on Deluxes are really past the limit (my limit,at least!). As much as I liked POR, I also think that anything over $150/nt. for a property with exterior-only hallways is also pushing it.

Karla B.

 

[minijeanie]

I love the deluxes because they have inside corridors.
I wish that Disney could create another hotel, inside corridors but not be deluxe.
Seems like that is how WL started. I stayed on that property first year it opened. Had std view for $119...now it is over $200
pretty pretty hotel, but my gripe is the room is so,so small..
it is for this reason we moved to deluxes,

actually best deal is to rent points from dvc owner

 

[bicker]

I'm so glad, as a DVC member, that I don't have to work too hard to afford the deluxes... though we'd surely bite the bullet if we had to, and pay for them if we weren't DVC members. They're out of reach for many, for sure, but within reach for many who are willing and dedicated.

One thing to keep in mind, with regard to room rates, is that with the dollar the way it is now, WDW's foreign guests may be finding the deluxes much more affordable than we are.

 

[KittyKitty]

This is what our country is made of.

Supply and Demand. Demand goes up, price goes up. Demand goes down, price goes down.

I personally like to hang around the resort, so Deluxe is what I save up for.I just priced WL passholder rate at $166 with tax during low season. That price is comfortable for me, now I have save up for it!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

hey if I didn't join DVC in 93 right now it would be the value resorts - Pop century for me!!!

and I stay there alot as is. DVC is too expensive for Fri/sat stays.

 

[septbride2002]

I doubt we will be staying at a deluxe anytime soon. I refuse to pay that much for a hotel room. Especially since I've gotten pretty good at navitgating the WDW area I would have no problem staying at a moderate and going to eat at the Deluxes. That was really the only reason we liked the Deluxes was the resturants. Poly - you've got Ohana's and Kona Cafe, AKL you've got Boma or Jiko, Wilderness Lodge you've got Artist Point and etc. Now it is a 10 minute car ride to stay at POR and drive to the Poly. It is cheaper and it allows me to still eat at my favorite spots.

I've been considering staying off-sight on our next visit. Only because we've been spoiled by the deluxes as far as size goes.

~Amanda

 

[VAgal76]

I'm the OP and I have to agree with some of the other posts about value for price. As I said, we love WL, but I just don't think it's worth over $250/nt. for the guestrooms there. We've stayed at the Waldorf=Astoria in Manhatten for less! When people talk about WDW being "expensive" for a family vacation, they're often looking at ticket prices---which I happen to think are a BARGAIN for what you receive, esp. if the cost is spread over a 7-10 day ticket. I expect the food to be higher than average. But, I just feel the current prices on Deluxes are really past the limit (my limit,at least!). As much as I liked POR, I also think that anything over $150/nt. for a property with exterior-only hallways is also pushing it.

Karla B.

Now I feel like I'm in the minority - LOL! There are tons of people who don't see the value of paying those deluxe resort rates. I must admit, I still have sticker shock for what I'm paying on a suite. However, my family balances our time between the resort and parks. The resort IS part of our vacation so I'd rather stay in a deluxe if at all possible. I haven't found my way to a Mod yet. Don't shoot me for it - I just haven't exhausted my means yet. Values don't appeal to me either, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't give Pop a try if I had to. A trip to WDW at a value beats not going at all, right? Overall, if I was in the parks most of the time and was using my room for sleeping only, I would have to agree with you folks on this issue. It wouldn't make sense to pay such a high price on a room that you're not in much.

Hopefully, you'll be able to save a little extra blow money here and there and before you know it you'll be able to return to your beloved WL. In the meantime, enjoy your stays onsite - no matter which resort you choose. You're still at Disney! Hold your head high, dry those tears, get out there and have a ball!

I think those awesome discounts are gone. I'm sadden by the fact that I totally missed out on them. You guys are the lucky ones to have been so blessed to get them. You never know though, maybe they'll start offering more later on when the MYW packages start to decline. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for us all!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I just paid $91 for a night at a hotel along an interstate in the middle of Arkansas. Yes, they had a free breakfast. But really, paying more than twice that to stay in the middle of WDW, with all the benefits, doesn't seem out of line. It doesn't mean I can afford it but it doesn't seem out of line.

I agree, we paid $89.00 in a small town in the middle of Nebraska last week on I-80. Because of my husband's job, we attend conferences or get info on conferences in many "tourist" areas and you can't touch that quality of accomodations for anything less than the deluxe prices they have. Last year we paid $200.00 at a Holiday Inn in Montreal, (US prices), and over $200.00 at "The Breakers Hotel" in Sandusky at Cedar Point for a room overlooking Lake Erie, which I would consider "thier deluxe". "Great Wolf Lodge" and "The Kalahari" in Wisconsin Dells, WI are $225.00 and up.

I think it's great that Disney offers so many price options.

All that being said, for 2 of the 4 trips we took last year, we rented points from a DVC owner, for another trip we got the great package deal they were offering early in the year, and for the other, we got an annual pass discount for AK Savannah view and went with my sister and split the cost. I'll still look for the best deal, but since we enjoy "resort time", I still will take deluxe, as long as I can afford it.

 

[Jen D]

Our first stay, we rented a BWV studio from a DVC member and paid lower than moderate prices for six nights. Very nice deal.

My second trip was a moderate, slightly discounted (President's Week, so not cheap.) But a reasonable price.

Our last trip was our tenth anniversary splurge--- we did stay at the Poly and got a good discount, for the time-- I think $229 a night, seven nights, so we paid I dunno, $1700 and change (I won't count the two extra unplanned nights we had to stay when Hurricane Jeanne hit! )It was a fantastic trip and we loved the Poly, the grounds, the rooms, the monorail, the whole deal.... but when I look back over the budget for my trip, it really bugs me that such a huge percentage went for accomodations. I realize that we got a good deal for the Polynesian but that doesn't make it cheap! In the future we'll probably either do a moderate or a discounted "deluxe light"-- i.e. if we can get a deal on no-view rooms at WL or AKL. I really don't want to spend more than about $1200 for a week of accomodations anymore and I'd prefer to pay under a grand.

I used to think I'd rather vacation less often and spend more but now I'm thinking I'd rather visit more often with a stricter budget.

 

[msmayor]

It's all about what is truly important to you in a vacation.

To us, the room is nothing more than a place to sleep at night. I personally don't go on vacation to sit in a hotel room for much longer than it takes to get myself ready to go to sleep, sleep, and finally get up and get out. For that reason I had my TA continue to try to book me a standard view room at the WL after I'd made my original reservation, which was a deluxe view. I'd rather spend the extra $$$ on something other than a view. (she got it for me, BTW).

We stayed at the All Star Resorts when our kids were very young; it wasn't worth the extra $$$ at the time for all the extra amenities at the mod and deluxe resorts when our kids were so young and unable to use them. The pool was all that was important.

We switched to a mod on our last trip because of the bicycle rental and better pool for the kids to use (water slide), staying at POR (it was Dixie Landings back then!). It was a character breakfast on that trip at Artist's Point that drew us to the WL for this upcoming trip; we fell in love with the pool area there and liked the proximity to MK. It also has queen sized beds, something that has become even more important for our sleeping now that our kids are 11 and 14. Its just too uncomfortable to sleep in doubles (hubby and son in one, me and daughter in the other). We're actually hoping to score a room with the queen and the bunk beds.

 

[jimmiej]

I forgot, IMHO, I think Coronado Springs is every bit as good as a delux. It offers almost all of the amenities offered at the delux resorts (except concierge) and is beautiful. The difference as that it is spread out more -- but that makes for some beautiful evening strolls.

I agree! We had a second floor water view room at CS & it was great! I know there are others who agree with this.

actually best deal is to rent points from dvc owner

That's what we're trying for our next trip. Saved 40% off rack rate. Probably the only way we could afford Beach Club.

 

[Kramer]

Count us another family that enjoys the moderates. We have stayed at several deluxes and really enjoyed them, but I can't say that it was much better than our stays at CBR or POR.

Like others have mentioned, it comes down to value for your money. Even though we can afford it, I really can't justify spending over $1000 more for a week to stay at a deluxe when we enjoy a moderate just as much.

There are a couple of deluxes that I would like to try - just for the experience, but most of our future trips will be at moderates unless the codes and discounts make a huge comeback.

 

[Troy08]

For me the hotel depends on the time of year. In the summer I have stayed at WL and CBR with WL again next week. Big difference for me which justifies the price, the indoor corridors and restaurants right in the building. It rained quite a bit the time at CBR, and while I love the resort, there was not much to do in the rain. It stunk having to put on a poncho or grab the umbrella to walk over to Old Port Royal, which with the A/C running full blast was freezing, all the seats were wet, the floor was soaked, etc. When it rained during our summer stay at WL, we jusy strolled on down to Roaring Forks, got a hot cup of tea and went to people watch in the lobby.

During Columbus weekend a few years ago, we stayed at ASM. It was fun and fine for a quick trip and the weather was gorgeous, rain was not an issue at that time of the year.

On another note, praying for good weather next week.But just in case, have the rain gear packed.

 

[DisFlan]

This is why we bought DVC (BWV). It finally just made good sense. We'd always stayed in Deluxes - because we like them. They offer what we want. But we could see the prices climbing upward fast, and likely with fewer discounts. Now, our stays are pre-paid through 2038 - for a lot less than we would have paid for deluxes in the long run. And with all the amenities of the deluxes, and a few pluses. We feel very good about that.

DisFlan

 

[bubba73]

Yes, I agree. It would take me getting a huge bonus at work, my wife getting another job ( not 2 jobs just a better one), me getting a better job, or 2 to 3 years of saving without going anywhere. Although, I would love to go and stay at most of the deluxes. Maybe one day??!

 

[MEK]

I complained of the price of a Disney vacation until my dh showed me the total cost of our week at the beach last summer. Whew!! That trip was WAY more expensive -- and we only ate out a couple of times. When you compare traveling elsewhere at the same level of comfort, I think you'll find that Disney is not such a bad deal.

Squeaky mouse -

I so agree with you. I know people that easily spend 2 -3 grand on a beach house at the Delaware beaches for a week. Ugh! Then they sit on a 2 X 4 spot on the beach, drive in ridiculous traffic, walk a crowded boardwalk, and wait in line to eat everynight! Disney is such a better vacation value, dollar for dollar. I am only sorry it took me until 2002 to realize this. I have had a hard time even stepping foot on a DE/MD beach since I took my first side trip to Daytona. Value, moderate, or deluxe - I would rather spend my money where I get the best overall entertainment value! The other surprise - Orlando is no hotter than the midatlantic region in summer!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Max is my favorite cat!

 

[wide awake]

We have never been to WDW, have a week booked at Pop in Sept. After visiting lots of sites, looking at room photos, I don't know why anyone would pay deluxe rates...the WL was brought up, Old Faithful Inn, which WL was modeled on is $144/night in high season...why would people pay twice the price for a knock-off ? Room photos show small rooms w/ no extra area...my DH is AD AF, so after our trip to Pop we'll stay at SOG or the Universal resorts...now those are worth the money...beautiful rooms, front of the line passes...wouldn't bother me a bit to pay for the most expensive resort...at this point, w/ the amenities given, can't imagine saying that about GF.

 

[rdsx28]

My family and I have often discussed the room pricing. I guess I think how much time do you actually spend in your room? I have been spoiled to have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge(my in laws are DVC members). If I had to book it myself I would never spend the money to stay there and it is totally awesome. I have stayed at PO and plan to stay at CSR in November. I think the mods are a great step up from the values. I don't care for the values myself but I have friends that love them as well. I guess it all depends what you want and if you can afford deluxe then that's great too. The important thing is to do what makes you and yours the happiest!

 

[DisneyRocks!]

the WL was brought up, Old Faithful Inn, which WL was modeled on is $144/night in high season...why would people pay twice the price for a knock-off?

'cause the WL is at Walt Disney World...