Does Disney's rack rates go up during the year?

[SL6827]

When Disney releases the rack rates for their resorts for the following year, do they raise them slightly here and there or are the rates "supposed" to remain what they are when released. For example I noticed the following differences in what MouseSavers has down and what Disney is charging for the following.

Grand Floridian Resort
Outer Building, standard Club Level room, two adults, taxes included

September 11th, 2018- $774.00- MouseSavers, $789.75- Disney

September 14th, 2018- $860.00- MouseSavers, $877.50- Disney

October 22nd, 2018- $831.00- MouseSavers, $848.25- Disney

October 26th, 2018- $966.00- MouseSavers, $986.63- Disney

I just thought that the rack rates were "supposed" to stay as to what the were when released and not fluctuate like the rates with the cabins on DCL or am I missing something here?

 

[dansdad]

When Disney releases the rack rates for their resorts for the following year, do they raise them slightly here and there or are the rates "supposed" to remain what they are when released. For example I noticed the following differences in what MouseSavers has down and what Disney is charging for the following.

Grand Floridian Resort
Outer Building, standard Club Level room, two adults, taxes included

September 11th, 2018- $774.00- MouseSavers, $789.75- Disney

September 14th, 2018- $860.00- MouseSavers, $877.50- Disney

October 22nd, 2018- $831.00- MouseSavers, $848.25- Disney

October 26th, 2018- $966.00- MouseSavers, $986.63- Disney

I just thought that the rack rates were "supposed" to stay as to what the were when released and not fluctuate like the rates with the cabins on DCL or am I missing something here?

You are not missing anything. Up until last year, once rack rates were released they did not change. Last year, for dates starting in August rack rates were slightly higher, like $15-$25 per night, than when first released.

 

[SL6827]

You are not missing anything. Up until last year, once rack rates were released they did not change. Last year, for dates starting in August rack rates were slightly higher, like $15-$25 per night, than when first released.

Wow, I did not realize this. So they could raise the rates numerous time throughout the year and the only way to realize is to compare at sites like MouseSavers. They could raise them right before releasing a discount and there you could be paying the actual rack rate before the discount was released.

 

[dansdad]

Wow, I did not realize this. So they could raise the rates numerous time throughout the year and the only way to realize is to compare at sites like MouseSavers. They could raise them right before releasing a discount and there you could be paying the actual rack rate before the discount was released.

Yeah, it was quite a shock when some very astute DIS members noticed it last year. The first time ever that they did that.

 

[vinotinto]

Yeah, it was quite a shock when some very astute DIS members noticed it last year. The first time ever that they did that.

Yup! I remember correcting someone who said rates had increased like $20 per night and I didn't think they were right. Because it had never happened before. I thought it was that they were comparing more weekend days, etc. I was quickly corrected. It happened for the first time this year, and the increases were subtle (like $10 - $20). I guess there is a first time for everything. Like parking fees for *only* onsite guests.

 

[SL6827]

Yeah, it was quite a shock when some very astute DIS members noticed it last year. The first time ever that they did that.

I have a feeling that 20% discount I got on my Car's suite for this month might actually be a little less than that if Disney has raised the price of those rooms from what the "original" prices were. I will look it up and determine if they did. This move by Disney is one of the most clever ones I have seen them come up with to date. I wonder how long they thought it would take for the most perceptive Disney resort guest to notice. This is a way to negate a small percentage of the discounts given on the rooms, and if they do it several times in a year, cha-ching!!

I will dig deeper into my room rate and discount and find out if I am really getting the 20% off room only amount. They could use this as a way to advertise a value room for $99 a night, then after they run that ad or promotion they could raise the rates to $119 a night without saying a word.

 

[DLgal]

Pete has been talking about this on the podcast for over a year. It's called yielding rates and they started doing it last year.

It's a travel industry wide standard practice.

 

[SL6827]

Pete has been talking about this on the podcast for over a year. It's called yielding rates and they started doing it last year.

It's a travel industry wide standard practice.

I had no idea.

 

[Amanda999]

Noticed this also with Pop - that the rates in 2018 were higher than listed in Mousesavers for 2018 (IIRC i checked in early April, for either April or summer rates.) (Remembered to include tax at Disney's site - i.e., tax is already included in Mousesavers listed rates.)

 

[SL6827]

Noticed this also with Pop - that the rates in 2018 were higher than listed in Mousesavers for 2018 (IIRC i checked in early April, for either April or summer rates.) (Remembered to include tax at Disney's site - i.e., tax is already included in Mousesavers listed rates.)

Tax is included in both numbers. Disney is just doing what the other posters are referring to. I looked up my room at AoA for this month and when released the rack rate was $456, my rack rate number was $465. Almost a 2% increase from when first released.

 

[SL6827]

I just wonder how long after they release the rates for the next year do they raise them? And how many times a year do they raise them? Are they going the way of DCL, pricing rooms as to the amount they have available?

 

[DebbieB]

They have also raised dining plan prices and of course tickets.

 

[Sarahslay]

Yup! I remember correcting someone who said rates had increased like $20 per night and I didn't think they were right. Because it had never happened before. I thought it was that they were comparing more weekend days, etc. I was quickly corrected. It happened for the first time this year, and the increases were subtle (like $10 - $20). I guess there is a first time for everything. Like parking fees for *only* onsite guests.

I did get attacked in the Facebook group this last year for stating that I had noticed that rates went up (don't remember who did it). Someone was really on my case because "Once they set the prices that's it, they don't ever raise them!" I had never seen it before either, but there it was, a higher rate than I had noticed previously. I wish they wouldn't do it mid year like that, makes me just a little more frantic to book my stuff early so I can get in before they raise rates.

 

[DLgal]

I just wonder how long after they release the rates for the next year do they raise them? And how many times a year do they raise them? Are they going the way of DCL, pricing rooms as to the amount they have available?

The prices go up as occupancy goes up. In other words, hotels that are booking up quickly and have limited availability will see more frequent price increases. Hotels that are not as popular will not raise the rates. It's all some complex computer program algorithm that does it automatically. It's a supply demand thing. If they have lower bookings than they thought, or if a bunch of people cancel reservations, the price might go back down.

Yes, it is very similar to how DCL does it.

 

[disneyvoice]

I honestly don't see how it matters one way or another. When we make resort reservations we don't plan based upon standard rack rates that have been reported anywhere, we make our plans based upon when we want to go and where we want to stay. We look through the list of availability and then decide what we are comfortable paying for that specific trip based on whatever special rate we can find.