How on earth can anyone afford a deluxe?

[Aristomommy]

Well, the easy answer to how people afford it, is that they have enough disposable income. Now OTOH another question is if a person is willing to pay that much for a hotel room? For me, the answer depends on many factors. Our first trip was a value hotel, as I couldn't resist a $59/night rate. We could stay extra days and it was a great trip. In 2005, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and I wanted to splurge. We did a split stay at AKL and CR using a code and got a great discount. I would not pay that for CR ever again, as I thought CR wasn't worth it. AKL blew us away and I thought it was a bargain for all we were able to do at the resort.

Next month we will try the POP. I don't want to spend as much on the hotel portion as we just got a new house and it's either vacation funds or new furniture funds for me. I'm not a resort snob and I know we'll have a great time.

 

[Elmo888]

Planning our first trip to WDW in March 2008 (me, DH & DD4) using frequent flier miles, so we thought we'd splurge for a really nice Disney resort. Now, we've stayed at some really nice hotels on vacations (when we've gotten good deals) ... Four Seasons, JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, etc.... but imagine my surprise when the room only portion at the Poly of our 7 night vacation came to almost $5000! Yipes! The other deluxes weren't much better!

Our week long Maui vacation at the Ritz was half that!

Now, I have never been in a deluxe room, but from the photos they don't look 5 star. And according to AAA, the GF, Poly, etc are three diamond. But so are CSR, and POFQ, for that matter.

I am just wondering how everyone affords this... between airfare, park tixs, food & souvenirs, it is an expensive endeavor, without a $5000 hotel room bill. And I see on these boards tons of people who stay at the Deluxe resorts year over year. Am I missing out on some sort of discounted room deal for the deluxes?

I haven't read all of the replies, so forgive me if this has been said already...go during value season (most of March is peak season) and look for codes. There are other discounts, but that is a place to start. Try January or the first half of February.

Seasons and rates...
http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2008.html

And watch the home page of mousesavers.com for codes, and call WDW and apply it as soon as it comes out. (There is a lot of info about discounts on this web site.)

http://www.mousesavers.com/

And I agree with the other posters - it is all what you value and how you choose to spend your money.

We are saving money here and there - I'm saving every rebate check and DH is saving loose change. It has only been since January, and you would be surprised by the amount of money that we have saved. (We aren't staying in a deluxe next time, but it will help with plane tickets and spending money!)

Enjoy!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't think that is a reference to any person, but they felt that staying in a deluxe was worth the cost to them for their vacation.

Many do not feel it is worth the cost whether they can afford it or not.

No, it was a reference to an actual person who said she stayed at concierge level because SHE was worth it..

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

We've stayed at a deluxe only once...we had ressies at WL for the next trip too, but sometimes life happens and you adjust and overcome...we decided to do CBR to save a little $..and have done a mod before at POR and loved it..we're just happy to be able to go as often as we do..I think if someone wants something, they just make it happen, that's how they afford it, save, plan, save, plan

 

[AuntBot]

We go about every four years and I'm the only one who has to fly - everyone else drives. We stay on the monorail because of the convenience. It's truly a treat and we save up for it.

 

[marivaid]

We're going 10/29-11/02. I booked it a loooong time ago. I do have a Disney Visa card, but we booked the room and tickets seperate- I wonder if I call there is a way to get the price down. Worth a shot I guess! Thanks.

Call ASAP and ask to apply the code CCF to your reservation. With that code, SSR 1 bedroom is $275/night !!

Also, the Poly is $269/night.

 

[marivaid]

We paid $350/night rack rate for the Poly last summer and I would do it again in a heartbeat. But only for the Poly.

For the other deluxes we wait for a discount. We'll be at AKL 10/29-11/02 for $149 a night, which is less than what we paid for a Value last Christmas.

We're nowhere near rich, DM is a teacher and I'm in-between jobs in public education. Our money goes to trips (ok, and little bit of shopping too ). I literally wear my clothes until they rip, and they're cheap clothes to begin with. I buy maybe 2 DVDs a year for myself. Haven't been to a restaurant here since my birthday 10 years ago and I don't miss it.

With codes and AP rates, we got BWI for $218, WL for $185 and BC for $279 (at Christmas time). Our thinking is, this is our vacation, this is what we save all year for, and we're going to get what we want.

Doing a split stay with a Value or a Mod helps too. No way am I paying $500/night for WL at Christmas. POFQ will do!
Although we thought ASMO was fine, and we liked POP, I wouldn't want to spend a whole week there.
We just can't relax in a packed Value resort, hate having to wait 20mns in the heat with no shade, crowded food courts, "quiet" pools that are about as quiet as Pleasure Island on NYE...

We're not resort snobs. Next month, I'm going to stay at a $200/week motel on the Gulf coast. Room's about half the size of Pop's and I love the place

 

[Sandi12404]

My parents have very good jobs and could easily stay deluxe. My husband and I do okay and can swing a moderate. My sister and her family can only do value (like someone else said it's that high cost of living in New England). It all comes down to how much income you have and if it matters to you where you stay. I'm going back to college this month so I can get a better job and maybe one day we can go deluxe. Our next trip we're staying at a value becaue that will be what we can afford. I could wait another year and stay at a moderate but I need my Disney fix and I don't care where I have to stay to get it.

 

[threelilbears]

We are leaving for our 1st vacation in 10 years in two weeks - 9 days at the Polynesian. Our last trip (10 years ago) we stayed at the Grand Floridian. We got a discounted "room only rate" and were able to add DDP & tix and the whole thing minus airfare & incidentals came in under $4000. When you pay for the deluxe resort, you are paying for far more than someplace nice to sleep. You are paying for the quick access to everything (boat to MK in 5 minutes & monarail at your door), being able to watch fireworks from your own balcony, laying in the hammock at the beach to watch the Electrical Light Parade, gourmet room service, beautiful themed pool, picturesque grounds. Admittedly, we waited 10 years to go again, and still had to wait for a good deal - but I will never go and stay somehere other than a deluxe resort. I love having that magical disney experience 24/7 while I am on vacation.

 

[lilyv]

We are leaving for our 1st vacation in 10 years in two weeks - 9 days at the Polynesian. Our last trip (10 years ago) we stayed at the Grand Floridian. We got a discounted "room only rate" and were able to add DDP & tix and the whole thing minus airfare & incidentals came in under $4000. When you pay for the deluxe resort, you are paying for far more than someplace nice to sleep. You are paying for the quick access to everything (boat to MK in 5 minutes & monarail at your door), being able to watch fireworks from your own balcony, laying in the hammock at the beach to watch the Electrical Light Parade, gourmet room service, beautiful themed pool, picturesque grounds. Admittedly, we waited 10 years to go again, and still had to wait for a good deal - but I will never go and stay somehere other than a deluxe resort. I love having that magical disney experience 24/7 while I am on vacation.

Have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We always try to wait until we can fly free with flyer miles (once every couple years)
We always use a discount-this year we are able to have my cousin who works at WDW get us a great deal for the Poly.
If we didn't have a great deal there is no way I would pay $400 a night

 

[kirasmom]

You must be looking at suites. There's no way a standard room at any Disney Resort is over $700 a night. We're paying $5,000 for 13 nights at the Poly next July. 7 nights in March at the Poly would cost you about $3,660. .

The total (not including taxes) of $4929 is for a standard, theme park view room with two queens at the Poly. No concierge, no suite.

Thanks to those of you who offered tips on what type of year to stay, what discounts and codes you've used, and other tips to avoid paying rack rate. This is our first trip and we are new at this, and trying to learn how to maximize our dollar.

I got good grades, went to a top college and law school, worked very hard for many years and now work a job where I get paid a lot of money. That is how I afford deluxes year after year.

Figures that this OP would be from a lawyer.

For those of you who have felt the need to say it's because you work hard or did well in school and that's why you can afford to stay deluxe....I think that's a judgmental, rude, and unnecessary comment. There are a TON of people on this board who work hard and did well in school and still can't afford a deluxe room at $640++ a night. Or can afford it, but don't see the value in it.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I would say that the biggest difference between a deluxe and a mod would be the "wow" factor upon entering the resort. Disney knows how to do it up! I Love love love to stay in one of the MK resorts! There is nothing like being able to see the castle and the fireworks from your resort. I don't spend money on much else! You won't find me having my hair done, I have second hand furniture and buy "classic" style clothes. We haven't done deluxe since 2003, but are planning a trip at the Yacht Club Dec 2008. Lately we have stayed at POR and CS, and may do Fort Wilderness this winter. A deluxe is a real treat and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! It takes planning and saving and maybe a discount code for us "regular" people. Just get me to Disney. All the resorts are amazing!

 

[bulah1]

We rented points from a Disney Vacation Club owner. Although not technically a deluxe resort, our lovely boardwalk-view studio at the BoardWalk Villas cost us just $800 for 5 nights in January (during the cheapest season, mind you). Looking on Disney's website, the same room for January 2008 is priced at $2,251.

Hmmm... that sounds pretty cool. How do you do something like that, I didn't even know such a beast existed!! Do tell!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

The total (not including taxes) of $4929 is for a standard, theme park view room with two queens at the Poly. No concierge, no suite.

Thanks to those of you who offered tips on what type of year to stay, what discounts and codes you've used, and other tips to avoid paying rack rate. This is our first trip and we are new at this, and trying to learn how to maximize our dollar.



Figures that this OP would be from a lawyer.

For those of you who have felt the need to say it's because you work hard or did well in school and that's why you can afford to stay deluxe....I think that's a judgmental, rude, and unnecessary comment. There are a TON of people on this board who work hard and did well in school and still can't afford a deluxe room at $640++ a night. Or can afford it, but don't see the value in it.

We have only stayed in deluxe resorts and I would NEVER pay that for a room. $640 is not the usual price for deluxe resorts. We stayed in a garden view room with a AAA rate this summer and it was $315, and I was about to choke over that rate!! I think your main problem is going during peak season, but be thankful it isn't holiday season!!

If you do select the Poly, consider a garden view room. I know it is not as nice a view as MK but it is still pretty good and the rooms are exactly the same. We have stayed in both MK view and garden view and to be honest I would not pay the extra for the MK view. It is easy to walk out to the beach and see Wishes. Check out the Poly pics thread for some great photos of the resort.

There are ways to get a better rate at WDW. You just have to decide what is most important to your family. Location, amenities, price etc. There are many choices at WDW. Don't count out the Swan/Dolphin either. They are deluxe resorts with an awesome location and you can usually get a better rate than any WDW deluxe.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

The Polynesian will always be Disney to me and my home resort It is a destination in itself and always feel I've been away longer....after a 3 ngt stay go home feeling we've been away 5. Cannot be better than that!

Poly was my first stay ever...and it is the spot where I chose to get married..(again )...I agree with your sentiments!!

We just joined DVC....deluxe prices are way too high to stay for a week..Unless you get a discount/code...WL and AKL are great....you will always pay higher for the Poly....cause ITS the Poly and you are on the monorail with MK right across the Lagoon!!

 

[G8r4evr]

I've never been able to justify the cost of staying in a Disney deluxe resort. I love a nice hotel room but if truth be told there just isn't enough pixie dust in the world to make me pay that much money for a room. But someday I am hoping to snag a deal and I'll be there for sure. Until then, I will be staying at other resorts and having a wonderful time.

Same here...I have tried and tried to justify the cost to myself, but I just cant.

I came close to my first Deluxe stay earlier this year (BWI standard) Fl Res rate of $199, but I was put on bed rest right before we were to head down.

 

[G8r4evr]

We have had many wonderful stays at the values and I am considering booking CBR for 08. I keep going back and forth in my mind on this upgrade, thinking "I could stay at the values where I know we have been happy in the past and save a little money".....I don't know what I will ultimately decide,
but could you imagine what I would be thinking if I was going deluxe?? The price different between mod and deluxe is what I normally like to take for Disney shopping money!! I would rather stay in a value or mod and be able to buy what I want without stressing. I worry about spending every other day of the year, so when I get to Disney I like to let loose and do some shopping!

It's just not in our budget right now!!! If deluxes were the only option, I would not be able to go once a year like we do now!

I have stay value and moderate and think that the difference in price between the two is definitely worth upgrading to a mod. In fact, I think the mods are the best "value" on property... With that being said, I think the prices of the deluxes are laughable.

 

[Artoo]

I'm just going to save for our Sept. 2008 trip to CR. I haven't put the deposit down yet, but after I do, I am going to try and contribute about $300 each month towards the package. It also helps that we are going during "value season" and DH and I aren't tht big on table dining (so that may save a few extra bucks)!

 

[kimnkel]

I got bad grades, didn't go to college, and I'm lazy. I'm staying at the Poly for 2 weeks in July.

LOL, boomhauer.