How on earth can anyone afford a deluxe?

[kirasmom]

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?

 

[Tonya2426]

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.

 

[Suzimom]

I applaud and am amazed by folks who can do the deluxe resorts.

DH, DS, and myself will stick with POP and be incredibly happy with it!! We don't worry about much other than having a nice bed to sleep in...We're in the parks or at the pools more than in the beds...I can sleep and rest at home...just my thought. Others have different views..more power to them...just not my idea of vacation...I want to see and do as much as I can!!!!!!

Susan

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

When I win the lottery I can justify it! LOL.
Some people have more money at their diposal, and a $10,000 vacation to them is like a $100 weekend away to us.
I have been working a 2nd job just to do 10 days at the Pop Century! I would love to stay at the GF or Poly, but its not in the cards for us! As a single working mom I am just so darn proud of myself for pulling together the $3500 needed for our dream trip!

 

[septbaby]

Planning our first trip to WDW in March 2008 (me, DH & DD4) ... Am I missing out on some sort of discounted room deal for the deluxes?

2008 Disney Deluxe Resorts Season Dates
Peak Season: Feb. 14 - Mar. 29
Pick another time, get a lower rate.

You can also save $200 per night booking the Wilderness or Animal Kingdom Lodges. To me $1400 less is MUCH better.

A 7 night Disney stay at a Deluxe hotel won't be cheap no matter what. Its about personal choice and Disney offers a wide range. Another family could say at Pop Century for about 5 nights for what the Poly will cost you one night, it depends what you want. Either choice can be great, depending on what you want.

 

[Suzimom]

When I win the lottery I can justify it! LOL.
Some people have more money at their diposal, and a $10,000 vacation to them is like a $100 weekend away to us.
I have been working a 2nd job just to do 10 days at the Pop Century! I would love to stay at the GF or Poly, but its not in the cards for us! As a single working mom I am just so darn proud of myself for pulling together the $3500 needed for our dream trip!

I am completely WITH you!!! I am not a single working mom, but DH and I work hard to get the money together for our Disney vacation that ISN'T annual (not saying yours is...). I'm thrilled for you that you can do it as a single parent!!!! I hope you have a wonderful time!!!!!!!

Susan

 

[trivial]

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.

 

[PlainJane]

While I have stayed in almost all the deluxe resorts, it was only for 1-3 days. We also had an annual pass discount and always book during the cheapest season. We add them on to stays we have in timeshares (we don't own DVC). An entire week at any Disney owned resort isn't possible for us, but short trips over a period of time is.

 

[disneyholic family]

it's a question of supply and demand - they can charge what people will pay...it has nothing to do with amenities...

as for us, we're willing to pay for the convenience, theming, whatever...

in any case, that's why WDW is so great - something for everyone...

 

[Quicklabs]

DVC--Until we owned, we always stayed at POR Riverside. I'd never pay the price for a Deluxe.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

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!

 

[Poly Pal]

The Polynesian is now a 4 diamond property according to AAA. But the OP is correct, the Disney Deluxe resorts do not compare to true "5 star" properties. At Disney you pay for location, theming, and transportation options. Service is generally good, but not over-the-top like at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. I compare the Disney Deluxes to elaborately themed Hiltons or Marriotts (not JW's).

A sad commentary on the Polynesian pricing - when we first stayed there 20 years ago we could not afford to stay a whole week. 20 years later our incomes have increased by 500% and it is getting to the point that we might not stay a whole week at the Polynesian again That said, we love the Polynesian. For us it IS Disney. So we go in Value Season, seek out discounts, and always book garden view.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

The Polynesian is now a 4 diamond property according to AAA. But the OP is correct, the Disney Deluxe resorts do not compare to true "5 star" properties. At Disney you pay for location, theming, and transportation options. Service is generally good, but not over-the-top like at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. I compare the Disney Deluxes to elaborately themed Hiltons or Marriotts (not JW's).

A sad commentary on the Polynesian pricing - when we first stayed there 20 years ago we could not afford to stay a whole week. 20 years later our incomes have increased by 500% and it is getting to the point that we might not stay a whole week at the Polynesian again That said, we love the Polynesian. For us it IS Disney. So we go in Value Season, seek out discounts, and always book garden view.

30 years ago it was our favorite resort and we stayed twice a yr - a long weekend in the winter (lived in Boston and needed a tropical break!) and a week in the summer. Every trip was heavenly.

Our first stay we ( guess "I" as a single parent LOL) paid $79+tx and our last stay, 20 yrs ago, $175+tx. Now it is out of reach unless we go value season with AP rate or code. Finally returning for a special occasion - my 60th birthday this year Even then it will only be a 4 ngt stay in a Garden room, but it will be wonderful!

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!

 

[suzimar57]

the first time i went to disney with my DS (being a single parent at the time) it took me 5 years to save up enough to stay at the CR (my sister joined us, and she paid 3/4 of the total bill) - this was almost 15 years ago - since then, have stayed at the values and always loved them! - only stayed at CR a few times since (my DH now pays for our vacations) - love the MK view from the balcony, the convenience of walking to the MK, but something about the theming of the values just impresses me more (especially now with the Pop Century - love love love the lake and those "unfinished" buildings across the lake! - so "apocalypse disney"!)

 

[raven69david]

I always use discounts for the rooms which saves us alot of money. This trip we're staying at AKL for 7 days at $129.00 for a standard room. That price is cheaper than the price of a moderate resort. This is how our trip breaks down:

$774.00 for room
$500.00 for 8 day park hoppers
$800.00 for airfare + rental minivan
________
$2074.00

BTW, we're a family of 3 with DD2 so everything is still free for her, for the exception of airfare.

We make our reservation about a year in advance and make payments every or every other pay period. This way our trip is paid off well in advance and we get to save extra money for the trip from the date the hotel is paid off until the date of the actual trip; we just keep putting the money we were paying for the hotel into a savings account. It really adds up. If your bank offers a holiday account, you may want to look into something like that because it deducts a specified amount from your checking account and places it in your holiday account. Since you never see the deduction, you never really "feel" it. Just something to think about.

 

[lindsroc]

I wonder the same thing! And is $5000 really worth it? We're staying in a 1br at SSR and I believe its just about $500 a night! Yikes. We're only staying 4 nights though.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

raven69david;21247557. I always use discounts for the rooms which saves us alot of money. This trip we're staying at AKL for 7 days at $129.00 for a standard room. That price is cheaper than the price of a moderate resort. This is how our trip breaks down:

We make our reservation about a year in advance and make payments every or every other pay period.

This is how I'd like to do it as well....but have not found a discount a year out. Do you watch for discounts and have it applied? Also, do you use a trustworthy TA or do it yourself?

The initial deposit is rack rate, but if/when a discount is applied it just means less is owed I just find the constant watching for a code stressful!

Thanks!

 

[mjem216]

i got a code poly 6 nts 7 days w/hopper and disney dining plan for 4 for 4001dollars

 

[lilyv]

This is how I'd like to do it as well....but have not found a discount a year out. Do you watch for discounts and have it applied? Also, do you use a trustworthy TA or do it yourself?

The initial deposit is rack rate, but if/when a discount is applied it just means less is owed I just find the constant watching for a code stressful!

Thanks!

I prefer (for WDW) AAA room only rate. I won't book if the hotel doesn't have one available-I try another hotel. It does save me several hundred dollars.
I do us Dreams Unlimited. Very helpful, and I have the option to make regular payments on their website. I really like having my room paid for before my trip.

They do the code watching for me. If one is available, (and it's better than AAA rate) they will substitute a code for AAA.

 

[boomhauer]

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. Expensive, no doubt, but much different than $5,000. To take it a step further, go another time of year and it will only cost you $2,677 for 7 nights.

As for how to afford it, it takes planning and budgeting. I never thought I would be willing to spend the money that the Poly asks for, but we've always wanted to stay there. So, we booked it a year out and I'm just sending a little down at a time.