General question - perception/reality of "Deluxe" pricing

[AngiTN]

Sooooo...I’m one of these people that keeps track of everything and has a spreadsheet for everything. We started staying at the BC in 2011 (7 years ago. ) Now, these are August rates, not July, but in 2011 we paid $360/night. I am now pricing out for 2019 and it is $480/night (which includes the $35/night fee to have a third adult in the room. So hopefully that can help a little with where prices go in seven years.

And isn't it funny that August is a higher rate than July, and then this year, September has been lower than both July and August.

 

[Jen1995]

I think doubling your current estimate is too low. I'd triple it. The prices at WDW resorts have gone up a lot in the last 7 years and with SWGE opening, I'd expect the prices at the Boardwalk properties to go even higher.

Star Wars isn't going to make people magically have more money than they have. Disney can only charge as much as people can afford. And there are lots of empty rooms these days.

 

[Marionnette]

Star Wars isn't going to make people magically have more money than they have. Disney can only charge as much as people can afford. And there are lots of empty rooms these days.

Empty rooms? Really? I see a lot of posts complaining about "no availability". SW:GE is going to be a HUGE draw in 2020 and Disney hotel prices will be a reflection of the demand. Friends and family are already asking me if I think I will have any BWV points available for them to use because of its proximity to the park.

 

[YesterDark]

Cool thread to read.

As far as empty rooms, I think there has been some talk of lower than normal occupancy at some resorts. I think that's why your seeing a lot of offerings going about. I suspect you should be able to find some interesting deals next year in the spring and summer as people hold off for SWGE.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I’d get a Poly bungalow or a CC cabin.

You can do a Poly bungalow for $500 a night? Not from what I have seen.

 

[Shellyred8]

Just a couple of thoughts as I read through this string.
1. You can't see the AP discounts on-line unless you actually have an AP tied to your MDE account. At least I could no longer see them once my AP expired.
2. Have you considered buying into DVC (resale)? Based on the amount of $$ you are going to be spending for that one trip, you could buy into DVC and then be able to use that for many years to come. I know this opens up a who new can of worms with a whole different list of questions, but it might be something to consider.

This would be a super exciting trip to be looking forward to!!! Happy planning!

 

[ww52]

2. Have you considered buying into DVC (resale)? Based on the amount of $$ you are going to be spending for that one trip, you could buy into DVC and then be able to use that for many years to come. I know this opens up a who new can of worms with a whole different list of questions, but it might be something to consider.

I appreciate the response and that's perhaps worth looking into - but understand this will be a gift to our 3 children in honor of our 50th wedding anniversary. In 7 years I'll be - well, 7 years older. (You can do the math if you want to look at my profile).

So sure, there is a LOT of things we can do with $20,000 besides 4 rooms at a deluxe for a week. A DVC though wouldn't get all our family together for a magical time at a magical place- including the 4 grandchildren (possibly more by then).

We're not rich by any means but we certainly will be able to do this (health willing, that is).

And one more point - it was my wife who suggested this. Mrs. "No more trips to Disney!" Said by her every time from I think the third through the eighth. But this ninth time - with grandkids - was like starting over. Me - this would have been our 20th time if I had MY way completely.

Which I don't - nor does she - which is one reason we'll be celebrating our 43rd anniversary soon.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

You can do a Poly bungalow for $500 a night? Not from what I have seen.

i meant in lieu of having four rooms, which would be more than $500

 

[MomOTwins]

Of the hotels you are looking at, I'd say maybe give AKL a try. The rates are not as expensive as the other deluxes, and seeing those animals on the Savannah is pretty magical, especially since it sounds like your grandchildren may be quite young. I would also suggest maybe consider looking at Wilderness Lodge, which has the advantage of a quick boat ride to Magic Kingdom, and a great pool and beautiful ambiance, at a much lower price point than the monorail resorts.

Promotional rates will not show up for 2019 until much closer (around 3-6 months out), so what you are looking at on the disney website is the rack rate. For a deluxe in July, I would assume an eventual discount off the rack rate of around 15-20%. That said, with price inflation, and the new star wars land, I do think it will be getting more expensive to stay deluxe. I think $500 a night is an appropriate amount to budget for somewhere like AKL or BC, especially if you get a discounts,but I would budget around $700 for GF.

 

[Jen1995]

Empty rooms? Really? I see a lot of posts complaining about "no availability". SW:GE is going to be a HUGE draw in 2020 and Disney hotel prices will be a reflection of the demand. Friends and family are already asking me if I think I will have any BWV points available for them to use because of its proximity to the park.

Right, your friends want to use or rent your points because it's cheaper. I doubt your friends are ok with spending 1k a night on a 400sqft room. And even if they were, there just aren't enough super wealthy people to sustain that. And even if there WERE, those same wealthy people are still going to want more for that money. Star Wars is cool but at the end of the day it's still just ONE area of a theme park. People aren't going to take out a second mortgage to be able to go and Disney knows this.

 

[ww52]

Threads like these have a tendency to stray off topic and thus get closed by the mods.

I've received a LOT of great suggestions from people here - and I appreciate all of that greatly!

Just want to say that before this one gets locked.

 

[Marionnette]

Right, your friends want to use or rent your points because it's cheaper. I doubt your friends are ok with spending 1k a night on a 400sqft room. And even if they were, there just aren't enough super wealthy people to sustain that. And even if there WERE, those same wealthy people are still going to want more for that money. Star Wars is cool but at the end of the day it's still just ONE area of a theme park. People aren't going to take out a second mortgage to be able to go and Disney knows this.

Disney will charge what the market will bear. So far, they have not had a problem filling rooms. Some Star Wars fans spend a tremendous amount of money to attend fandom conventions and purchasing collectibles. Im sure that Disney has done their market research and will set their hotel prices accordingly.

ETA: I fully intend to do the same with my BWV points. I will not settle for a mere $14 per point, which is what one of the agencies will pay me for a villa.