News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

News

Dining plan increase likely coming.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/03/09/disney-dining-plan-rates-increasing/

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

News

It appears Disney is running surveys that are asking guests how they would feel of Disney charged a resort fee of $15 for things like wifi, magical express, and children's activities. They also asked if the guest was aware off site hotels already do this.

Before Disney could do this they would have to make it so the wifi worked in every hotel. There are certain hotels that we just couldn't get it to work most nights. Especially the YC.

What we have noticed when traveling is hotels will offer a slower wifi for free and ask to pay for a high speed wifi. Then people that really needed it could choose to pay. When my DH works on vacation we purchase the upgrade. I still feel with Disney's prices it should be included.

 

[sachilles]

I think wifi is going to go the way of the do do. Most just use the cell network, as data plans cover their needs and less battery is consumed via phone.
If they want to do wifi Ala-cart, that's fine by me.....Disney Wifipass, just swipe your magic band for service.
My last trip, I didn't have my wifi turned on at all.

 

[merry_nbright]

I'd be greatly upset if they charged for Magical Express. It's one of benefits of staying at a Disney hotel. Does anyone know if people are voting that it's a bad idea? Also, Ryan, you do an amazing job on this thread. Don't let one person get you down. We've all got your back!

 

[adam.adbe]

I think wifi is going to go the way of the do do. Most just use the cell network, as data plans cover their needs and less battery is consumed via phone.
If they want to do wifi Ala-cart, that's fine by me.....Disney Wifipass, just swipe your magic band for service.
My last trip, I didn't have my wifi turned on at all.

This is Disney World not Disney Land though. At any given time a decent percentage of their visitors are from overseas, and they almost certainly don't have international data plans. Also convention center attendees are going to be irritated if they need to pay for WiFi during conventions, and Coronado Springs attendees often overflow to other resorts (SSR usually, but not exclusively).

That aside: Disney in general charging for WiFi is pretty tacky since they already charge way over rate for the standard of their rooms. Disney charging for the quality of WiFi they currently deliver is a joke.

As for Magical Express... That'd be the last time I stay at a Disney Resort.

 

[eXo]

I like how topper's pedantic posts complaining about a single post turned into 3 pages primarily about that post as well as having the reverse effect of encouraging many of us here to go back and read it.

Good job topper.

Rumor
Complaining about rteetz has a negative impact on one's social standing here.



News
Previous rumor confirmed.


lol

 

[smitch425]

News

Joy and Sadness coming to Epcot in April

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...aymax-in-newly-expanded-epcot-character-spot/

 

[sachilles]

This is Disney World not Disney Land though. At any given time a decent percentage of their visitors are from overseas, and they almost certainly don't have international data plans. Also convention center attendees are going to be irritated if they need to pay for WiFi during conventions, and Coronado Springs attendees often overflow to other resorts (SSR usually, but not exclusively).

That aside: Disney in general charging for WiFi is pretty tacky since they already charge way over rate for the standard of their rooms. Disney charging for the quality of WiFi they currently deliver is a joke.

As for Magical Express... That'd be the last time I stay at a Disney Resort.

To be honest, I didn't really consider the international visitors. Point taken. However, I deal with a lot of international travelers with work, and they often grab US sim cards while here. Given a fee, I think it might push more folks towards the sim card route. I agree charging for wifi is tacky. However, they do indicate it's for the resorts not the parks.

 

[skier_pete]

News

It appears Disney is running surveys that are asking guests how they would feel of Disney charged a resort fee of $15 for things like wifi, magical express, and children's activities. They also asked if the guest was aware off site hotels already do this.

I guess after years and years of this - I am starting to feel immune to complaining about it. I agree that Disney prices are out of whack to other locations. It's essentially a way to put a price increase in that other resorts have all done. (Many resorts do charge a $15-20 activity fee nowadays.)

Cycle:
Disney raises prices in some way -> people complain -> people keep going in record #s -> repeat

However -
The main reason I'm commenting is that in the survey that I saw posted on-line mention "Stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort or Disney's Polynesian Resort with an average nightly rate of $350."

Now - I checked, and there isn't ONE night of the year that you can stay at either of those resorts for $350 a night (rack rate), the average rate at the Contemporary is about $450 a night, while the Poly is maybe $600. An average price at those resorts of $350 is probably at LEAST 10 years ago.

So, that tells me...
1) Disney is putting incorrect prices in it's survey. (Unlikely.)
2) This survey is an OLD one that is now recycling on the internet. (More likely.)
3) Someone threw this together to stir up trouble on the internet. (Most likely.)

 

[jlundeen]

I guess after years and years of this - I am starting to feel immune to complaining about it. I agree that Disney prices are out of whack to other locations. It's essentially a way to put a price increase in that other resorts have all done. (Many resorts do charge a $15-20 activity fee nowadays.)

Cycle:
Disney raises prices in some way -> people complain -> people keep going in record #s -> repeat

However -
The main reason I'm commenting is that in the survey that I saw posted on-line mention "Stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort or Disney's Polynesian Resort with an average nightly rate of $350."

Now - I checked, and there isn't ONE night of the year that you can stay at either of those resorts for $350 a night, the average rate at the Contemporary is about $450 a night, while the Poly is maybe $600. An average price at those resorts of $350 is probably at LEAST 10 years ago.

So, that tells me...
1) Disney is putting incorrect prices in it's survey. (Unlikely.)
2) This survey is an OLD one that is now recycling on the internet. (More likely.)
3) Someone threw this together to stir up trouble on the internet. (Most likely.)

There are trolls amongst us!

ETA: Ryan, I did not find your article to be out of line at all. It was about a Disney event, and was written for the DIS website...don't know where the OP got off with the negativity, but it was uncalled for. You do a great job! Keep it up!

 

[monique5]

Go ahead and post! I wouldn't see the articles otherwise. Sometimes people take these threads WAAAAYYYY to seriously. Thanks for all your news and "other" information.

YES! Keep posting. It's not that serious. To most...... Thanks for all that YOU DO!

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

Flower and garden photos as well as some DHS.

http://micechat.com/121389-disney-world-flowers-dark-side/

 

[iamsarahpotts]

I guess after years and years of this - I am starting to feel immune to complaining about it. I agree that Disney prices are out of whack to other locations. It's essentially a way to put a price increase in that other resorts have all done. (Many resorts do charge a $15-20 activity fee nowadays.)

Cycle:
Disney raises prices in some way -> people complain -> people keep going in record #s -> repeat

However -
The main reason I'm commenting is that in the survey that I saw posted on-line mention "Stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort or Disney's Polynesian Resort with an average nightly rate of $350."

Now - I checked, and there isn't ONE night of the year that you can stay at either of those resorts for $350 a night (rack rate), the average rate at the Contemporary is about $450 a night, while the Poly is maybe $600. An average price at those resorts of $350 is probably at LEAST 10 years ago.

So, that tells me...
1) Disney is putting incorrect prices in it's survey. (Unlikely.)
2) This survey is an OLD one that is now recycling on the internet. (More likely.)
3) Someone threw this together to stir up trouble on the internet. (Most likely.)

iiiiiiiiiinteresting theory. I did see on another Disney forum site someone else say they also received this survey recently. I'm going to go back and ask them about it and try to figure out if that is true or if they were just jumping on the bandwagon for some reason...

 

[skier_pete]

iiiiiiiiiinteresting theory. I did see on another Disney forum site someone else say they also received this survey recently. I'm going to go back and ask them about it and try to figure out if that is true or if they were just jumping on the bandwagon for some reason...

Not saying it's can't be true - but I just don't get Disney posting a survey with such incorrect prices...

 

[iamsarahpotts]

Not saying it's can't be true - but I just don't get Disney posting a survey with such incorrect prices...

I guess I don't know how many people typically are sent these surveys, but it is interesting that no one else on here has said "I got that survey too!" ...it's kind of a slow day at work so true or not, I'm being entertained.

 

[rteetz]

Not saying it's can't be true - but I just don't get Disney posting a survey with such incorrect prices...

That is a good point. However Disney doesn't usually put out a survey like this unless they are interested in actually adding such a fee. They did the same with ticket prices and have done other related surveys before they actually came true.

 

[sachilles]

Also possible (no matter how unlikely), that there is a course correction on lodging prices. "Lower" the daily rate, but then charge for what was previously included. With the tiered ticket pricing, it is indeed possible they understand a little of the sticker shock. This is the best way to appear cheaper and in the internet age of travel websites, it gives a better chance of price parity.
If you book a hotel on Kayak.com, it only gives you the daily rate....it doesn't indicate tax, wifi fees, bus fees, valet fees etc. Yet Disney lodging rates include that in their rate. By separating them out they can appear to lower their rates.

 

[Roxyfire]

I guess I don't know how many people typically are sent these surveys, but it is interesting that no one else on here has said "I got that survey too!" ...it's kind of a slow day at work so true or not, I'm being entertained.

I'm gonna play "pics or it didn't happen!" Sometimes people like to stir up stuff way too much.

 

[j2thomason]

I have noticed that wifi is often free at the cheap hotels but charged for at the expensive ones.

This is so true!! The Comfort Inn I normally stay in on my way to down Orlando has free wifi. The five star resort that I will be staying in on Maui next month charges a resort fee.

 

[smitch425]

I'm gonna play "pics or it didn't happen!" Sometimes people like to stir up stuff way too much.

I saw a screen pic of the survey somewhere this morning. I'll see if I can find it.