Is it just me, or has Disneyland Hotels gotten ridiculously expensive?

[onlyoneash]

It's not you, even with our military discount the room rates are crazy expensive.

That is disappointing. We were thinking of bringing my parents (dad is a veteran) but they don't love Disney so probably not worth it now.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

EVery offsite hotel I looked at had a AAA discount.

I realize that offsite hotels offer AAA/CAA discounts, but I was referring to DL no longer offering the discounts on their hotels.

[/QUOTE]

But did Disney ever offer a senior discount?[/QUOTE]

Yes, Disneyland used to offer an amazing senior's discount....I was told it was equivalent to CM rates.

 

[HydroGuy]

I once got into an argument with someone who insisted that she could not vacation more economically at any other place in the entire United States, because Disneyland is such a great deal. I told her she should book her Disneyland trip and do everything she planned, except instead of going to the Disneyland gates, go to the beach. Boom, saved $1,000.

It's cool if you want to spend your money at Disneyland, but don't pretend it's a bargain compared to other options. This place is ludicrously expensive, and getting more so!

When comparing Disney to other premium entertainment options, I have always found Disney to be quite reasonable.

Costs are per person per day/event (except where noted):

1. Disney theme park tickets (10-16 hrs): $60-130 depending on how many days you stay (AP's can be cheaper still)

2. Lift ticket at Vail, Colorado ski resort (7 hrs): $130 (less for multiple days, and we are not counting the cost to rent or buy equipment and gear, which is a lot)

3. Denver Broncos game (3 hrs): $200-$500 (for nosebleed seats to medium decent seats - lots more for premium seats)

4. Broadway show Hamilton (2-3 hrs): $1,000+

5. Broadway show Wicked (2-3 hrs): $200-400

6. Concert to see Elton John last month in Colorado (3 hrs): $160

7. Classic West Concert (Fleetwood Mac/Journey/Eagles+) at Dodger Stadium this July (2 days): $343-$2000+


IMO Disney prices are not "ludicrous" when compared to other premium entertainment experiences. In fact they are pretty reasonable. Yes, it costs more than going to the beach. Which costs more than having a BBQ in your backyard.

Yes, premium entertainment is very expensive - especially for a family.

I do not want to be a "rah, rah, Disney can do no wrong" kind of person. But Disney offers a premium entertainment experience and it's prices are not out of line compared to other such experiences.

 

[alvernon90]

IMO Disney prices are not "ludicrous" when compared to other premium entertainment experiences.

Perhaps not, but the other premium experiences you cited also have ludicrous prices (without the ludicrous lines and wait times). Disney prices are ludicrous when compared to the broad variety of entertainment experiences one might have. Not to mention that theme park tickets are only one part of the ludicrous pricing (and perhaps the most reasonable part). The thread was specifically about the on-site hotels, but lots of other stuff is also priced very high at DLR.

There is no point in pretending otherwise, except to justify spending that much money to yourself. Certainly nobody around here will judge you for it!

 

[fly girl]

That is disappointing. We were thinking of bringing my parents (dad is a veteran) but they don't love Disney so probably not worth it now.

Oh don't let me sway your decision. It's still a wonderful perk. We definitely take advantage of it, but we have seen the price climb every year. The biggest hike with DLR hotels.

For a while there (after 9/11) when we hit the hard recession, Disney offered really sweet deals. Example: WDW had free for military member and $99 4 day park hoppers for family. Naturally, as our economy stabilized, they can ask for a higher premium. Can't blame them, really. Please don't get me wrong, I still am thankful they offer this deal! And we use it!!

 

[T0rrent]

DLR hotel prices went up when they added early entry. The usage also increased with the prices. A CM told us that the DL hotels are consistently booked at 97% since the change. What is interesting to me is how the increase in DLR hotel prices, with the added benefit of EE, seems to have increased the prices of non resort hotels, that come with no added benefit.

For me the EE is worth paying the higher prices for. (as long as the whole family is traveling together, not so if it is just me) We stay on sight more now than we use to.

That's the easy part. Even with their increased rates, they can still go with the benefit of yeah you lose that hour, but you are still saving 40-60% of the cost staying on site, allowing you to spend more on other stuff. I remember the good old days of booking super 8 on Katella for 50 a night on Orbitz for a quick weekend trip, and now that's averaging 80-100 a night, more if an event like a cheer competition is going on.

 

[HydroGuy]

Perhaps not, but the other premium experiences you cited also have ludicrous prices (without the ludicrous lines and wait times). Disney prices are ludicrous when compared to the broad variety of entertainment experiences one might have. Not to mention that theme park tickets are only one part of the ludicrous pricing (and perhaps the most reasonable part). The thread was specifically about the on-site hotels, but lots of other stuff is also priced very high at DLR.

There is no point in pretending otherwise, except to justify spending that much money to yourself. Certainly nobody around here will judge you for it!

I am not pretending anything. I am talking about basic supply and demand. I fail to understand how a price can be considered ludicrous when people are willing to pay it and the venue sells out.

It might be ludicrous to you (which I believe is what you are saying). But it is not ludicrous to the economy as a whole.

I for one will not pay $1,000 to see Hamilton on Broadway. But it is sold out for the next 3 years as I understand it.

I will not pay $5,000 to see the Super Bowl live (I think the last Super Bowl had average prices something like $5,000 a ticket). But when I watch the game on TV every seat appears to be filled.

Anyways, Disney hotels seem to be filled most of the time. I have stayed at the GCH and DLH but now the prices (and lack of discounts) make it too pricey for me. So I stay at the BWPPI or CCI these days for like $150 a night.

I am not trying to be arrogant and I do not care for extended arguments. I am not saying you are either of those thing either so nothing personal here. I have made my point as best I can and will drop out of this now. Cheers!

 

[Westcoastwild]

Perhaps not, but the other premium experiences you cited also have ludicrous prices (without the ludicrous lines and wait times). Disney prices are ludicrous when compared to the broad variety of entertainment experiences one might have. Not to mention that theme park tickets are only one part of the ludicrous pricing (and perhaps the most reasonable part). The thread was specifically about the on-site hotels, but lots of other stuff is also priced very high at DLR.

There is no point in pretending otherwise, except to justify spending that much money to yourself. Certainly nobody around here will judge you for it!

Yeah, I agree with that. Not judging at all. But I don't buy that Disney is a "premium experience" along the same lines of a Broadway play or Vail lift ticket. We aren't talking about professional performers or a unique cultural experience or natural beauty or even gourmet food. We're talking about minimum wage employees in costumes, mechanical rides with long wait times, and food that "good for a theme park".

I love Disney. But I will say in my trips to California- Disney is not the high point. It's good mindless fun. Food in SF or kayaking near LA or in beaches in San Diego or swimming through a cave in gold country - those are high points. Yet Disney is the most expensive thing on any of those trips. They charge what they think people will pay. When they think enough people won't pay it, they offer discount codes.

 

[HydroGuy]

Yeah, I agree with that. Not judging at all. But I don't buy that Disney is a "premium experience" along the same lines of a Broadway play or Vail lift ticket. We aren't talking about professional performers or a unique cultural experience or natural beauty or even gourmet food. We're talking about minimum wage employees in costumes, mechanical rides with long wait times, and food that "good for a theme park".

I love Disney. But I will say in my trips to California- Disney is not the high point. It's good mindless fun. Food in SF or kayaking near LA or in beaches in San Diego or swimming through a cave in gold country - those are high points. Yet Disney is the most expensive thing on any of those trips. They charge what they think people will pay. When they think enough people won't pay it, they offer discount codes.

OK, this is a different line of discussion so I would like to respond.

First, you are right that everyone defines entertainment differently. Some people can be highly entertained with a cheap fishing rod and a nearby lake or stream to put it in.

But I will argue that Disney theme parks are premium entertainment. The point is not the pay rate of the staff. If we are talking the cost to deliver the entertainment experience, well things like CarsLand cost between $0.5 and $1 billion. The new Pandora (i.e, AvatarLand) at WDW cost $500 million. Sure they can get low paid staff to operate them. The entertainment value is not the staff, it is in the overall experience. And that costs a lot of money not just to build but to design by very creative people.

Some people spend all of their vacation/entertainment dollars on Disney parks - which I find strange but it is the case. I am fortunate to be able to travel a lot and I spend more money on travel abroad than Disney. This morning I was pricing out a trip to Africa to go on a safari. I have done that before, but this is a new part of Africa for me and I have some family members who have never been there who want to go this time. A cost of $500 per person per day is typical. That is 2-3 times higher than a Disney visit if one wants to compare. But it is a premium experience and that is what it costs. And they sell out their safaris most of the time in my experience.

Anyways, bringing all of this down to earth, folks take their entertainment and vacations in all kinds of ways. And hopefully they do things other than Disney. Some of those things may be relatively inexpensive and very satisfying (I do those things too ), some may cost a lot more and offer a much more premium and unique experience. I will argue that Disney experiences are premium. They charge a lot of money for them and their parks and hotels are mostly full. To my mind that is what defines a premium entertainment experience.

P.S. I am glad to hear you like to kayak and go into caves and such. Too many folks do not get out enough and see the world.

 

[onlyoneash]

OK, this is a different line of discussion so I would like to respond.

......

Anyways, bringing all of this down to earth, folks take their entertainment and vacations in all kinds of ways. And hopefully they do things other than Disney. Some of those things may be relatively inexpensive and very satisfying (I do those things too ), some may cost a lot more and offer a much more premium and unique experience. I will argue that Disney experiences are premium. They charge a lot of money for them and their parks and hotels are mostly full. To my mind that is what defines a premium entertainment experience.....

And just to add to that, I would say from many children's point of view Disney (whether cruise or resort) is the MOST premium thing in the whole world! Disney has mastered decades of research making an amusement park magical to little people (and big people ). So yes, it is a premium experience.

I just feel that the amount of money/resources/experience that goes into WDW and even Disney cruises are so much greater! There are more restrictions in CA (land, for starters) But the price for what you get at WDW is so much better than DL! Disneyland's price hikes themselves must be due to supply + demand. If it was strictly based on premium experience opportunities, WDW would certainly cost much more than DL.

 

[onlyoneash]

Update: So I settled on booking at Park Vue for now. 2 queen and a sofa bed. It was $229 per night, but by the time all the "resort fees", weekend rates and taxes were factored in it costs $270 PER NIGHT. Am I crazy? Other cheap motels were not much better, but Park Vue seems nicest and close??? If I didn't have 3 kids in car seats who have to take multiple midday naps/breaks, I would stay a few miles away and UBER for sure.

 

[dshimel]

Hotels within walking distance have doubled to trippled too. Places we used to get a room for $70-$80 are now close to $200 by the time parking fees, resort fees and tax are added.

 

[Royal Consort]

All of this. And no, you're not crazy. I flew to WDW for this very reason last year. Anaheim Motel 6- Let me say this again with greater emphasis- MOTEL 6- was nearly the same price as the WDW values for my dates, and I would get a lot fewer amenities. I flew to Wdw on a plane ticket that cost the same amount to fly to LA, camped at fort wilderness, and spent the same amount in 6 days in Florida that I would for 3 days in California without a car.

There is a hostel, if you are going solo during the summer, btw. It's in Fullerton so only really works when driving but that's the only way I've done DL cheaply.

We faced a dilemma this year as we were initially planning to spend a week at Disneyland as we prefer the resort to Walt Disney World. However, looking at the math we could spend 9 nights at a Moderate resort at Walt Disney World with deluxe dining and a three night Bahamian cruise on the Dream for the cost of a week at Disneyland. We chose to visit Walt Disney World and the cruise this time around. Saying this, I still prefer Disneyland but the price point was just too prohibitive this year. As much as I love the Disneyland Hotel, at 6K for a week it's just not worth it.

 

[tiggeroo42]

We stayed onsite for the first time summer 2010 at the GCH. It was about $1300 for 4 nights with an early summer discount. Our last trip (winter 2015) we stayed 4 nights at PPH, off season, stacked discounts, for the same price I paid for the GCH in 2010!!! This summer, we are splurging on two nights at the DLH. It's costing about $1200 for those two nights.

So in 7 years, we have gone from being able to afford the most luxurious onsite hotel for our whole trip to being able to stay only 2 nights in the mid-level resort. Like someone else said, our income certainly hasn't grown in a manner to match the rising cost of the Disneyland hotels! My kids are getting older, and this will honestly probably be the last time we stay onsite. The benefits don't make it worth it. We have officially been priced out!

That being said, I do still think a Disney vacation is reasonably priced (as long as you stay offsite!). We are taking a side trip to San Diego, and the attractions cost just as much and are not as much fun IMO. Unless you just go veg on a beach somewhere, vacations are expensive!

 

[HydroGuy]

We stayed onsite for the first time summer 2010 at the GCH. It was about $1300 for 4 nights with an early summer discount. Our last trip (winter 2015) we stayed 4 nights at PPH, off season, stacked discounts, for the same price I paid for the GCH in 2010!!! This summer, we are splurging on two nights at the DLH. It's costing about $1200 for those two nights.

So in 7 years, we have gone from being able to afford the most luxurious onsite hotel for our whole trip to being able to stay only 2 nights in the mid-level resort. Like someone else said, our income certainly hasn't grown in a manner to match the rising cost of the Disneyland hotels! My kids are getting older, and this will honestly probably be the last time we stay onsite. The benefits don't make it worth it. We have officially been priced out!

That being said, I do still think a Disney vacation is reasonably priced (as long as you stay offsite!). We are taking a side trip to San Diego, and the attractions cost just as much and are not as much fun IMO. Unless you just go veg on a beach somewhere, vacations are expensive!

We did too in 2010. I understand your line of thought, but understand the country was in a very deep recession at that time with many people out of work. That pinches folks on discretionary income. Which is what any entertainmment industry depends on. What goes first when your personal finances are reduced or endangered? Entertainment expenses, dining out, etc., and other discretionary activities.

The deal we got in 2010 was not "normal". So it is not really fair to compare the discounts we got in 2010 to today and say "wow, my pay did not keep up with that!".

I am in the same boat as you in that I just can't pay full rate for the DLR hotels. So it is back to Best Western (or equivalent) for me the last few trips. Not as cool as GCH or DLH, but like 1/3 or 1/4 the price.

If you want a good deal at DLR hotels, just save up and wait for the next recession!

 

[A. Mara Ziwadie]

Two years ago, I could get a room (with a general public discount) for $250 at Grand Californian. DL hotel and PP were even cheaper! Now I can't find a room for under $500 in off-season Sept and the cheap Park Vue motel across the street is a ridiculous $229 plus fees/taxes. Am I crazy? I can fly to WDW for a week with food included for cheaper than driving to Disneyland for 4 days (and no food)

Even at $250 a night, two years ago, THAT was expensive (at least, to me). You're not crazy. Inflated prices are the trend, even though wages are still stagnant, and the job market is still the worst in my lifetime so far (doesn't matter what they tell you). We have an economy that doesn't work, yet we don't see prices lowered because there is 1) a belief that if you make it seem like everything is okay, it is, and 2) they really want you to pay the higher prices to make up for losses. I don't know what to make of it.

 

[dshimel]

Even at $250 a night, two years ago, THAT was expensive (at least, to me). You're not crazy. Inflated prices are the trend, even though wages are still stagnant, and the job market is still the worst in my lifetime so far (doesn't matter what they tell you). We have an economy that doesn't work, yet we don't see prices lowered because there is 1) a belief that if you make it seem like everything is okay, it is, and 2) they really want you to pay the higher prices to make up for losses. I don't know what to make of it.

You say the economy doesn't work, but this is pure supply and demand. There is higher demand for rooms, and limited supply of rooms, so prices go up.

Prices will go up to establish balance between the supply of rooms, and demand for those rooms at that price.

You say it has gotten too expensive for you. THAT is the point. Not everyone that wants to stay there will fit. So, prices go up until enough people decide that is too much, to bring down demand to match supply.

THAT is exactly how economics works.

As for bad labor market, it depends on your field. If you are a pilot or computer programmer, there is a ton of employers looking to hire you, and at good pay. If you are a factory worker, or middle manager or if you have a degree in French Literature, then not so much. If you are in construction or butcher or services, then you are competing with illegal immigrant labor.

 

[apple9117]

Disney stuff gets more and more expensive each year...

 

[A. Mara Ziwadie]

You say the economy doesn't work, but this is pure supply and demand. There is higher demand for rooms, and limited supply of rooms, so prices go up.

Prices will go up to establish balance between the supply of rooms, and demand for those rooms at that price.

You say it has gotten too expensive for you. THAT is the point. Not everyone that wants to stay there will fit. So, prices go up until enough people decide that is too much, to bring down demand to match supply.

THAT is exactly how economics works.

As for bad labor market, it depends on your field. If you are a pilot or computer programmer, there is a ton of employers looking to hire you, and at good pay. If you are a factory worker, or middle manager or if you have a degree in French Literature, then not so much. If you are in construction or butcher or services, then you are competing with illegal immigrant labor.

Yes; this is how economics works. I don't believe the-powers-that-be are following current economic trends, though. I think there is something else in play.

 

[agamble]

Update: So I settled on booking at Park Vue for now. 2 queen and a sofa bed. It was $229 per night, but by the time all the "resort fees", weekend rates and taxes were factored in it costs $270 PER NIGHT. Am I crazy? Other cheap motels were not much better, but Park Vue seems nicest and close??? If I didn't have 3 kids in car seats who have to take multiple midday naps/breaks, I would stay a few miles away and UBER for sure.

How far out are you booking? I think that makes a big difference, though not always. We have a short trip booked at HOJO in July and got a good rate (around $125/night). This was with an AP discount and booked back in February for July. We also have a trip for late September at Desert Inn and the room for 5-6 people was $119/night (plus fees); the room for only 4 was $109. I just looked at May for Desert Inn though and the only rooms they have are closer to the $250 range. Booking early helps. Though we could get the same size room we have booked for HOJOs in July for May for the same rate, so it must really depend on hotels.