Not being judgmental just trying to justify a pipe dream

[DrunkJam]

The first time I went to WDW was for my Escape Wedding. I chose to stay at WL because I could choose to stay anywhere, and I liked the look of it, I knew nothing but the photos. And I loved it.
We went back again, and still loved it.
Now, we are going back again for a very special last big holiday, and we ideally wanted to stay at the Poly, but, it was not available, and we got a really good deal on the Grand Floridian. Being on the monorail was very important to my husband, who loved it, and also having multiple transport options was important for us to be able to get back and forth relatively easily and efficiently, for resting.
We don't commando, we like to relax and enjoy the surroundings too, and this will be extra important this time.
We are very lucky to be able to be able to choose such, but, we couldn't really do the vacation staying at a value or mod with very distant travelling. It would be too difficult for my husband.
Would I swap a holiday at the GF for not going at all and the kids growing up with him? Of course. But, since I can't swing that, then taking them all to have the best holiday we can is something we are lucky to be able to do.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I think there are a lot of factors and different strokes for different folks. They didn't have the value and moderate resorts when we first started going to WDW, heck they didn't have the Epcot resorts back then. So, if you wanted to stay on site, you stayed at a monorail resort or what is now Shades of Green. That was what we got used to, were we rich? No, I was a secretary and a single mother and my ex didn't pay child support. We would go every other year so I had two years to save. Did it take sacrifice and commitment to save? Yes, we did take a long weekend vacation to the beach in the off year and would stay in a less than 5 star motel, but we also spent a lot of time in the park with PB&J sandwiches, which frankly are some of my son's fondest memories. After they opened the moderate and value resorts, my circumstances had changed, I could afford to continue to go to the deluxe resorts and still do. I've stayed at a couple of the value resorts during split stays just to see what they were like and they just aren't my cup of tea. I now do split stays most of my trips with the first two nights in a moderate and the rest at an Epcot resort (which includes the Swan/Dolphin if I can get a better price). We aren't in the parks from open to close but do spend the majority of our day there, almost all our meals are eaten at the parks. We might go back to our room for a few hours in the afternoon to spend time by the pool or at the bar or a combination of both but we almost always head back to a park at night. I'm at an age now and have planned well enough that I don't have to choose, I can stay at a Disney deluxe or a 4 or 5 star hotel somewhere else as well, so I do.

I think I remember those days late 80s right

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

We stay in Deluxe every time that we go. For one, we are a family of 5 so we don't fit in many of the single hotel rooms (even if they allow 5 its just too tight for us). Secondly, it's the only vacation we take every year and with the kids being younger, my husband and I feel as though we deserve some time to ourselves on vacations. So we book Villas that allow us to have our own bedroom and bathroom. That way after our kids are in bed we can order take out, chat about the day, shower, and look at fireworks etc from our balconies.

We also love to have close access to the parks and being able to walk instead of just take buses everywhere. We go back to our resort during the day because of nap times, so quick transportation back to the hotel is important. We enjoy our resort in the middle of the day, we love the pools, community rooms etc. We also enjoy being able to leave our hotel room into the hotel instead of walking directly outside. That way, when its raining, we can hang out in the lobby etc without getting wet.

 

[loves to dive]

I think I remember those days late 80s right

Yep, we started going around 82 or 83.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

That's the great thing about having 20+ resorts on property. There's something for everyone.

I can't afford a deluxe so I will continue to happily stay in my home away from home - Pop Century.

I get my deluxe fix by visiting them for a dinner/drink or even just to browse around the shops.

Different strokes and all that.

Now, if I ever win the lottery....... Boardwalk here I come!

 

[smallworldnh]

For me, I don't go to WDW for the resorts, I go for the parks and attractions. I just want the room to be clean and comfortable with a decent pool. If for some reason I get an upgrade or have the extra $$ to stay higher end, then that's a bonus and I sure wouldn't turn it down!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

My home away from home is pop I can't explain it but it gives me the two things I need a bed and a shower I don't think about the pool I can swim any time I want at home

 

[rosiebean]

I stay deluxe or moderate for a variety of reasons. My family are not rope drop to park close people, for one thing (even my kids...they'd stage a revolt if I suggested such a thing). We enjoy hanging at our resort, and when the kids are with me, they spend a lot of time in the pool and ask to stay where they have pool slides. We usually travel with extended family, which means arrival times the day of arrival are staggered; that means we usually hang out at the resort the first day and eat at a TS there or very near as well on arrival night. We like to gather in resort bars from time to time. Most of our travel party are adults, and we'll stay three to four adults to a room, so we like larger rooms, queen size beds, and daybeds. We all enjoy afternoon naps, lol, except for my kids, but they enjoy watching cartoons on cable while the adults snooze. We LOVE being close to our resort, so we love monorail and Epcot resorts especially. So we find great value in staying at deluxe or moderate at WDW.

I've also never paid rack rate at a deluxe except for a single two-night splurge at Poly years ago (over the Christmas break, when discounts were nowhere to be found). I now travel at times when discounts are available, and my family picks our resort based on the best discount offered.

We've been to WDW a lot, so we don't feel the need to go to every nook and cranny of every park anymore. We each know what we enjoy and make sure to work that into individual plans (I love the Haunted Mansion, so I'm there several times every trip. I loathe the Rockin' Roller Coaster and ToT at DHS, so I'll get a fast pass for them...and hand my band over to someone else in my party while I sit and have a beer nearby). We just have a certain style that we enjoy, but understand that others are not like us...which is a good thing .

 

[Tigger's ally]

My home away from home is pop I can't explain it but it gives me the two things I need a bed and a shower I don't think about the pool I can swim any time I want at home

We started at All stars most stays which meant we had to get two rooms (daughter and twin sons). So, quite frankly it didn't take long to figure two rooms at all stars wasn't that far off from a villa if booked correctly. So, most times we go now we book Deluxe Villa using an Annual pass. The annual pass is $300 more than a ticket and whichever one we get it for (me or my wife) usually gets to use it on more than one trip. We just returned from a trip where we were booked at Pop for $149 a night in two rooms for a total of like $330 each night total. We got a two bedroom Deluxe Villa at OKW on the Ap rate for $409 per that averaged out to $430 a night with tax. So, for $100 more a night we had enormous room with kitchen and laundry, King bed in one room, 2 queens in the other and a couch and chair that both folded out in the living room 3 Tv's, 2 full baths, a jacuzzi tub and two balcony's. My wife and I are going again in September for a quick trip and then her and my daughter and our grandtinker are going again next spring before the AP runs out. The AP also saves on all food and most souvenirs. There are great ways to save@

Oh, I almost forgot. Because we booked direct with the AP rate, we only had to pay one night down, were not locked in (like renting points) and we got maid service daily. Great deal all the way around for us.

 

[buzznina]

The resort is very important to our vacation, we always have a day or 2 that we do not go to the parks at all. For our family, we have a VERY hard time justifying the cost of a deluxe resorts now, and have been staying a lot at the Mod resorts. They give us everything we need at a lot less $$. Also; for us saving 15 minutes here and there for location convenience is not a big deal and neither is having a balcony. We also have never paid rack and even when the deluxe gets 35% discount the Mods get 30% so the savings between the 2 is still significant. The only times now that we stay at a deluxe is when we get a great TA exclusive deal and even then it's still not easy to stay Deluxe over a Mod. We usually use the $$ saved to renew our APs, which the savings pays for about 3 of the 4

 

[Lothlórien]

So I was looking at the prices for monorail resorts I figured on this vacation that well not happen in my life time the price for one week and one person is three thousand dollars now to be fair that does include my ticket to the parks but those who go commando like I do how do you justify like I do or are deluxes for those that actually relax at Disney

Just a reminder this vacation will never happen in my life time this was just so I could see how much the contemporary cost

That was so hard to read without punctuation.

The answer really comes down to what a person prefers and what fits that individual budget. I personally prefer a deluxe resort. I am an (DVC) owner, so that is how I stay Deluxe each time. However, I have also paid cash to stay at the Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, etc. I have also paid cash and have stayed at all of the moderates other than Caribbean Beach. I personally have never and would never pay out of my pocket for a Value. I have stayed at them because somebody else was treating. I did not care for the resort and I hated the buses, (strong word, I know) but I very much appreciated the free trip. I never let it show I did not like the Values. I do not look down on people who stay there, it just is not my thing.

I do not think there is any mystery to it. It is my trip, so I pay for what I want. I am sure that is what others do for the most part as well.

 

[adamreisinger]

I've stayed at monorail resorts three times, and I love them, but the cost is definitely high. In my case, my stay at GF was on a CM holiday discount, and my stays at Poly and BLT were with DVC points (which, I pay for with a monthly mortgage, but there's no out-of-pocket cost at the time of the stay). Truth be told if I'd had to pay rack rate for any of them, I'm not sure I would, given how much time I spend in the parks and how little I make use of amenities like the pool. But having DVC means I can treat myself to a week-long stay at the Poly every year for the next 48 years if I so choose, and I love having that choice.

 

[OneOftheB's]

In full disclosure we are DVC owners and our home resort is the Grand Floridian. We visit our "other home" at least every year, often 2-3x a year so going commando isn't as appealing to us. We rope drop most mornings, take a midday break or knock off early for an afternoon at the pool. We love the more tranquil atmosphere that the GF offers. Occasionally DH and I will go with friends to F&W and will stay in a moderate or value for the weekend but we really miss the touches a deluxe offers

 

[GraceMonica]

I was able to stay at the Polynesian in October. It's just my husband and I and most days we were up early hitting the parks and when we wore out, we spent the evening ordering room service and relaxing on the balcony. It was money well spent. Right before we went, we had just purchased our first house and spent everyday after work prepping and painting almost every room in the house (10 rooms total!). I could have canceled the trip and bought new kitchen appliances with that money, but I'm glad I didn't. It was the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken. All the stress of work and the house just melted away once we got to our room.

My husband and I live a pretty average life and when I go on vacation I like to feel special. Deluxe resorts do that for me.

I only get to go to Disney every few years, so I like to live it up when I do. Hubby won't let me go more frequently, otherwise I'd be planning a trip 24/7 and he doesn't need that stress in his life.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I was able to stay at the Polynesian in October. It's just my husband and I and most days we were up early hitting the parks and when we wore out, we spent the evening ordering room service and relaxing on the balcony. It was money well spent. Right before we went, we had just purchased our first house and spent everyday after work prepping and painting almost every room in the house (10 rooms total!). I could have canceled the trip and bought new kitchen appliances with that money, but I'm glad I didn't. It was the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken. All the stress of work and the house just melted away once we got to our room.

My husband and I live a pretty average life and when I go on vacation I like to feel special. Deluxe resorts do that for me.

I only get to go to Disney every few years, so I like to live it up when I do. Hubby won't let me go more frequently, otherwise I'd be planning a trip 24/7 and he doesn't need that stress in his life.

That's pretty funny about your hubby!

I definitely get what you mean. Sometimes pampering is worth it I forgo the more expensive hotels right now because I have more time off in which I can take longer trips, but I've already decided that when I'm back to one or two weeks off, Polynesian, here I come!

 

[bettybooplove]

But it does mean that for some of us.

Everyone has a different amount of money, everyone has a different feeling on how much of that money they spend, and everyone has their own feeling of value.

I like springing for concierge/club level at hotels IF the amount matches what my family will get out of it. I value that with money; if there is bottled water I like and I can take enough of it with me. Food I can eat. Wine or beer. Cookies. AND if I'll be there for it. So I'll go club level at universal if the price+convenience is better than me just running to the store and getting my own wine and cookies, AND if we can commit to being in the lounge for those things. A short-hour winter visit is more likely for club than a long-park-hours summer trip, because I'll want to be in the lounge earlier.

The OP's ponderings about paying that money but not being there match mine. It's a reason being upgraded to something fabulous isn't my fave. We've been upgraded to suites at paradise pier hotel at Disneyland a couple times, and emotionally it bugs me. I feel like I should be hanging out in the giant room, rather than going to the parks. And that's a FREE upgrade! If I had paid for it it would be worse.

And even inside of my family there are different ways of valuing these things. My husband finds value in club level even when he doesn't get much "for the money". He doesn't drink and he has more dietary restrictions than I do. But he finds value in the lounge and in just having that option. He LOVED the upgrades we have gotten at PPH, even if he's only there to sleep.

So his enjoyment of those things factors into my working out the value of club etc for any trip I plan for us. Doesn't always win, but it's factored into it.

And having these thoughts doesn't mean we're judging each other. Just means we have different thoughts.

The OP stated this was a pipe dream. I'm not sure if she's even seriously considering booking a deluxe. It seems she's asking how do others justify the cost of a deluxe stay.

I like to stay deluxe because I like the space, location and amenities that come with those stays.

If paying a premium isn't worth it for you, OP and anyone else, that's your decision. But I don't think you must hang around the resort and you can't go from rope drop to close just because you're staying deluxe.

For some people it really isn't "just a room."

 

[bryanb]

I have a fantasy (goal?) of someday sitting on my resort balcony with an ice cold beer on a sunny but breezy day, looking out over Bay Lake and watching the monorails make their loop. And the ferry boats plying the waters, carrying people across to the Magic Kingdom, whose castle spires rise above the trees. Perhaps to see the park lit up at night from my window, and I could relax with friends in a wonderful setting. Of course, I can always get this view and beverage without paying for a room... but it seems something special to "live" there for a few days.

Then I look at the price. I could probably do it if I deprioritize other things in life, but is it worth it? I don't have a commando touring style at Disney, but I don't exactly stay in my room for very long either. One of the reasons I don't stay in my room is that (frankly, and it's just my opinion) most of the Moderate and Value rooms aren't so pleasant places to hang out. They're dark with motel-style layouts, and the only window is the one next to the door where everyone walking down the corridor can look into your room. Wouldn't it be nice to have a window not facing a corridor?

To this date, I've also concluded that it's not worth it for me. The price of the deluxe monorail resorts is based on supply and demand. And the market has driven up the price. So, the decision to stay there isn't always justifiable in "logical" terms... just like the upgrade to club level or first class airfare can't usually be defended merely on paper.

I mean, logically... I'd like my hotel to have a nice pool (but there's always Typhoon Lagoon for that). And yes, the advertised fireworks views are great (but then wouldn't I rather just be in the parks watching the fireworks and not my room?). And I do like to keep up my workouts at the gym (though there's always the Coronado, Swan, and Dolphin at a moderate price for that... or I can do my pushups at the Pop Century).

But the real reason for me to to stay there someday (at least in fantasy or in goal) is because either I'm so wealthy that I have no need to spend time worrying about such trifling costs, or based on a "feeling" that it's worth it to me because it will make my vacation better and make me happier. Then, no further justification is needed.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

The resort we stay in is a very big part of our vacation; for us it's not just a place to shower and sleep. We stay at the Polynesian and absolutely love it. After being in the parks it's nice to come back to the relaxing, tropical theme of the Poly. It's like a vacation within a vacation. Each trip we usually have 1 or 2 non-park days and just enjoy the resort.

We've been to WDW many times and we are finding that it's becoming less and less about the rides and attractions and more about just relaxing at the resort, eating at nice restaurants, and just enjoying the details of the parks.

 

[Tonyz]

If you're an "all day" type of guest then deluxe resorts are a waste of money. If you're someone who likes to enjoy the resort, take a break during the day, eat in the restaurants, get a drink at their lounges, and care about theming, then deluxes are the way to go. It's like an extra vacation. I, for one, will probably never stay at a value resort again. Plus, there's always a discount. I've never paid full price and this year I've got a KILLER deal on my Poly stay.

If you can't afford one for a full week, do a split stay. 2 nights at your dream resort sound a lot better than no nights.

 

[Tonyz]

My home away from home is pop I can't explain it but it gives me the two things I need a bed and a shower I don't think about the pool I can swim any time I want at home

If all you care about in a hotel is a bed and a shower then what's the point of this discussion? Why would you even consider staying at a deluxe if all you need is a bed?