How do you justify cost of Deluxe?

[lynn71092]

We are staying one night at WDW after a cruise. We currently have Pop Century reserved. We are wanting to rest during the day so we can attend MNSSHP that evening.

Since it's only one night, I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian (or any monorail hotel)...but I just don't think I can justify $300. How do others justify the cost?

I've given up hoping for a discount in October.

Any input? What makes you choose a deluxe?

I'll let you know when I win the Lotto!!

 

[Sammie]

To me, it's not a question of "justify". It's a question of overall budget and the goals of my vacation.

If I'm going to do a ton of "extra" stuff" like ride photos, park tours, souvie shopping, boat or other equipment rental, recreational activities (parasailing, fishing etc.) spa treatments and fine dining, then I might stay at a moderate (I'd never stay at a value, just my opinion) instead of a deluxe so I could afford those things. If I plan on doing only a few or no "extra things" then I'd stay at a deluxe, because I have more money for it. If I want to stay at a deluxe AND do a ton of "extra stuff" then I save up more money to do so. (notice how NONE of these options are shorten the trip! )

So, I look at it backwards, I guess. I have $X,XXX.xx to spend and X amount of vacation days. What can I get for the money? (and this goes for ALL vacations not just WDW). Then I book and plan until all the money is gone! If that means I can afford a delxue and still do everything I want, I stay deluxe. If I can't then I either cut down the amount of extra stuff OR I downgrade to a moderate OR I save more money and increase the budget so I can "have it all".

At the end of the day, it's YOUR vacation. If the $300 a night is within your budget, and you want to stay at the GF, then do so. If you can't afford it, or would rather spend the money doing a character meal or a dinner show, then do that instead.

At least, that's how I feel.

This is what we do. Some years we could not afford a deluxe in our budget, many years we have. I would never go in debt for a vacation though. Our money is always saved in advance with everything being paid for before we arrive.

 

[PamNC]

Hi there! You know, it's only one night...I say splurge! You won't be there very long and you'll need the optimum convenience of a monorail resort like the Grand.

We started going to Disney in 1994 for our Honeymoon. We could only afford the Value resort category at the time. In 1996, we moved up to moderate. In 1999, we went up to the coveted deluxe category and we haven't turned back since. However, I can say that we have NEVER paid rack rate. Codes have been our friend over the years but we all know that this is becoming an less common thing, even with AP's. We prefer deluxe and don't mind paying the extra $$ because we don't tour the parks commando-style anymore. We like to take advantage of the amenities and the convenience of the deluxe resorts. For instance, if you stay at an Epcot resort it's almost worth the extra cost alone for the convenience of walking to Epcot, or taking the Friendship to MGM. Plus, you have all the dining and entertainment of the Boardwalk area. Same thing with the monorail resorts. Not only do you get the beautiful theming, but the convenience to MK is second to none. The views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and MK are pretty nifty too. If I were going for a couple of nights or less, I would definitely make it worth my while and stay deluxe.

PamNC

 

[*Fantasia*]

At first.. I say to myself... Deluxe! Too much! Then after staying at WL and especially the Polynesian... then I see why the cost... but it was worth it!! I can't pay rack rate, but I will do with AAA discount.

It's the themeing and the location and the transportation and to see Cinderella Castle and the fireworks and the EWP and the pool and the size of the room are worth it.

However... if my budget says moderate, then so be it. I won't frown because I would still be in the Happiest Place on Earth.

If this is your once in a life time... Go for it! Do GF! Life is too short, you might not be here tomorrow. If it's going to break your bank and put your in debt where you'll loose your house or repo your car... then I would go with moderate and just have dinner at GF.

 

[auntie k]

I went online to get the actual rate for GF for my magical night & to contemplate booking it...and it says it is not available!!!!!!!!!! It routed me to the Saratoga Springs instead...uhh, thanks, but no!

And the funny thing is, there are only 2 Dis'ers I know of on my cruise - and I haven't seen any other posts for my night of MNSSHP.......so looks like I'll be at the world with a bunch of STRANGERS!!!!!!!!!

Well, it was wishful thinking.....perhaps a convention is in town and staying at GF.

I will call tonight when i get home to make sure.

 

[auntie k]

Oh, and I hope i didn't offend anyone...I didn't really mean how do you "justify" staying...I really was trying to ask "what makes it worth it to you"....thanks for all replies!

 

[rcraw45425]

AuntieK, When will you be at the HP? We'll be there on the 6th, DH's birthday this year! We're staying at the CR, October 4th-8th.

 

[swilphil]

It's really not in our budget, but I will keep watching for a discount...you never know when to expect Pixie Dust!!!!

And it would be a once in a lifetime thing for us - we usually have kids and stay longer...this one night for the hubby and I is a rare thing for WDW trip!

And did I mention we have been married 10 years and this is our FIRST, yes, FIRST vacation without kids?

And the crazy thing is, our kids are young adults so you would think we could vacation alone, but we take our nephew on vacation. I just haven't been able to do WDW without him - I would feel guilty. But this time we are doing the DCL - and it's just for the two of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you could justify staying there this trip because it's only one night. Plus it's just you and your husband. Go for it! You can somehow scrimp between now and then to put together $300, can't you? And you could probably do without a few extras on your cruise. If you don't already have the Disney Visa, go to www.50disneyrewards.com. You get $50 in Disney reward dollars just for signing up, then you get 1 %.

 

[dznyntnh]

I don't have to justify it. I make the money, I can spend it any way I want.

The way I look at it, we all make choices. I choose to be single and not have kids, therefore when I travel, which I like to do. I can stay wherever it is I want to stay. It's not a matter of justifying the cost for me, it's a matter of where do I want to stay this trip and will I enjoy it.

I'm staying CR Tower this time, cuz I haven't stayed there since I was a child and I wanted to stay in that area of the world. Next time I may stay at POR cuz I like being that close to DTD and I love the look and feel of the resort.

 

[mpbs]

I don't justify, I prefer a larger room and indoor hallways. I also like being able to get food without walking to another building. I believe if you can afford it and it is more enjoyable then do it!

 

[jj1403]

1. If money isn't an issue
2. If money isn't an issue
3. If money isn't an issue!!

 

[jann1033]

i can never justify it in my head so i don't do it. to me a room is a room, i mostly sleep there and so don't know the difference when my eyes are shut. i can do pretty much anything i want at the other resorts since most things are open to anyone ( except swim which in not a big deal to me) since i don't go to disney to lay around the pool ( boring). I would rather have the extra money to do something else with.

 

[Mcmouse]

If you are already taking the cruise, you are already paying big bucks. The extra $200 for one night in a deluxe hotel (vs a value resort) shouldn't make a noticeable difference in your budget.

We have stayed in all three levels of Disney resorts and I really like the deluxe the best. (Polynesian) With that being said we usually stay in the value or moderates just due to price. The extra $200 for one night isn't much but for a week that's $1,400 extra dollars.

I recommend booking a deluxe and really enjoying your adult only vacation!

 

[skiwee1]

I prefer deluxe accomodations and everything that comes with it. The room size, themed pools, landscaping, restaurants, convenient transportation, and the overall magic of a deluxe. I stay at world class resorts quite a bit and just couldn't bring myself to stay at a value. It might be nicely themed but it ends there. A deluxe is the only way to go!

 

[snowy76]

One amenity: a king or queen sized bed on property!

I would kill my DH if I we had to have a double. For one, he's 240 lbs! Plus he's a turner, and if the bed's too small he rolls onto me. If he doesn't turn, he becomes a snorer!

While we agree that the room is mostly to sleep in, our sleep is VERY important to us!

 

[auntie k]

AuntieK, When will you be at the HP? We'll be there on the 6th, DH's birthday this year! We're staying at the CR, October 4th-8th.

We are going Oct 13th.


Looks like no luck - I called last night and there are NO vacancies at GF for the 13th. The CM acted as if I should have expected it to be sold out......lesson learned.

 

[AaronandJessica]

the really fast transportation is more than enough for me. the three on the monorail well you get to the MK with in 5 mins.. rather than a 25 min bus ride. so i look at it like we can stay 1 week at the all stars, or 5 days at the deluxe and I bet you'll do more in the 5 days, cause you will get there in HALF the time!!

Jessica

 

[Tiffany]

We are staying one night at WDW after a cruise. We currently have Pop Century reserved. We are wanting to rest during the day so we can attend MNSSHP that evening.

Since it's only one night, I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian (or any monorail hotel)...but I just don't think I can justify $300. How do others justify the cost?

I've given up hoping for a discount in October.

Any input? What makes you choose a deluxe?

Hi,

When you say one night at a deluxe so you can rest you know that you might not be able to get into the room until after 3pm so I am not sure what time MNSSHP starts but that might not leave to much time for resting.

Also, I do not "justify" the money I spend on a deluxe room. To me if I have to "justify" an action/behavior then that implies that the action/behavior is on its own merit not correct. If the price of a deluxe room fits into our vacation budget then we book it. If it does not or if we are traveling with others, like this coming Nov, that cannot afford the deluxe prices then we stay at a moderate. Back when we were saving to buy our house back in 1994 and 1995 we stayed in the values. So if the price fits then go for it. If you are going to be worring about how to justify the money you are spending then I am willing to bet you will not fully enjoy the experiance.

 

[montblanc]

My next stay at AKL is only $124 a night due to AP. Easy to justify that one...

 

[lynn71092]

Sorry AaronandJessica, I don't understand your comparison.
One week at a value is $539.00 ($77.00/nt during value season) while 5 days at a deluxe (during value season) runs anywhere from $995.00 (AK) to $1,745.00 (GF). Big difference there. So for the deluxe rates I could stay at a Value for anywhere from 13 days to 22-1/2 days instead of 5.