Resort Changers--The Saga Continues.....

[MAGIC...itis!]

Originally Posted by Minnie&Nana View Post
Gracie is still coughing...and as I try to get the valium, enalapril, lasix, vetmedin and torbutrol into her and she still coughs if she exerts herself a little or takes a drink of water....I wonder....is this a good quality of life for her? When she is not coughing she is happy, but if she does any little thing, the coughing starts up again...my heart is breaking...what to do....what to do...

I feel for you Minnie&Nana. My DIS travel buddies, my grown niece and newphew (DN & DN) from Chicago just went through this in April with their dog, Bogey. They had similar experience with Bogey being a happy dog right til the end. He still loved to eat and take car rides and he had lots of enthusiasm. But the cough and gagging from the lymphoma was too much. He told them when (May 1)... and they listened. DN& DN are heartbroken, but are now getting a new puppy the day they return from DIS. I really think this is the first and ONLY year DN & DH actually are looking forward to their return date from DIS more than the start date so they can get their new puppy.

 

[sjs314]

I had never heard of rainbow bridge until reading about it here. Thank you for bringing such a lovey poem to my attention, as I read it I pictured my DS who lost 2 very special friends PJ the cat and Lassie his sheltie who he had grown up with being re-united.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So, today I was quite excited to find 2012 rates were released so I could book a resort and begin the journey of where to stay for our birthday trip. First, it will not let me book past September. But I went ahead and checked rates for WL (trying to keep the budget low, but stay at a deluxe...okay, so WL is really more like "lite deluxe", but it is very nice during December. I digress.... 2012 rates...Oh.my.gosh. WL rates for a std room range from $265 to $460!!! $460 for a std WL room - are they nuts????

Courtyard view is $320 to $530??? Heck, I've paid less than that at the GF! Disney has finally done it and priced me out of GF...and likely Poly and CR as well...and maybe most deluxe resorts...and...I will not pay those prices for a tiny WL room either.

I sure hope they plan on some HUGE discounts in 2012 or they may well have a whole lot of empty rooms.

Rant over....but gee whiz!!

 

[Janet B]

Hi RC’ers,
First time posting to the thread, but not new reading the thread. A close DIS friend kind of pulled me over (hi Christine!) so I thought I’d jump in. I’ve had fun reading along with you all and following your stories.

For my August trip, I’m currently at POP – and while I love POP, I am considering switching to CSR or FQ for this girls trip. Haven’t officially switched anything, (but have done so many, many times in my head!!) (does that qualify for posting on this thread? ) Once minute I think I should definitely stay at CSR (the girls would love the pool) and then I think FQ, beautiful resort , new refurb-- not so great pool but can use Riverside’s (and have the boat to DTD). I dream about a deluxe, but it is too much $$ for this trip.

Throw in the fact that they want a day or two at Universal for HP – and do I stay 2 nights over there and then the rest of the time at DW?
Oh I might have to change dates too, that should be fun. And, I’m wondering when AP rates will be out for late august? (should I expect anything terrific). Oh, final decisions and I do NOT go together!!

DH thinks POFQ and POR are boring, and he absolutely loves POP, though. He goes gaga over it. Do you think he really knows these resort prices and just isn't telling me??

POP is such a fun place, maybe he does like it for fun and savings!!

I sure hope they plan on some HUGE discounts in 2012 or they may well have a whole lot of empty rooms.

Rant over....but gee whiz!!

Christine, maybe you will be lucky and get a great PIN!! (or Rosie). I hadn't looked at the rates - yikes!! I think the rates are too much now.

Stopping by to say

(Gracie is still coughing...and as I try to get the valium, enalapril, lasix, vetmedin and torbutrol into her and she still coughs if she exerts herself a little or takes a drink of water....I wonder....is this a good quality of life for her? When she is not coughing she is happy, but if she does any little thing, the coughing starts up again...my heart is breaking...what to do....what to do...)

Sorry that Gracie is still having problems. Hoping that she can get some relief very soon. Hey I called last night, did you get my message??

 

[disneydreamin247]

Holy freakin cannoli! Are they NUTS?! These prices are insane. I'm sorry but they really are getting to be ridiculous with their prices. I understand they are a business and all but this really is crazy. The problem with raising prices every year while salaries are staying the same or even decreasing is that you are going to find yourself with some empty rooms. They're forcing people to choose to go every two years or less often instead of taking annual and bi-annual trips. I've always given Disney a pass on their prices, but this one really pushes it too far IMO.

 

[sjs314]

I priced out a couple of trips for 2012 and I thought the rates seemed high but did not do a cost comparison with the 2011 rates. Maybe I should do that next.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I priced out a couple of trips for 2012 and I thought the rates seemed high but did not do a cost comparison with the 2011 rates. Maybe I should do that next.

It's not just the price compared to '11, but the overall cost compared to what you get for it. A standard GV room at the Poly in value season is 405 a night! I can stay at the Four Seasons for that in a true deluxe hotel. In 2008 it was $340!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I priced out a couple of trips for 2012 and I thought the rates seemed high but did not do a cost comparison with the 2011 rates. Maybe I should do that next.

I did that in response to Christine's post on the WL thread. I compared a STD value season WL room in '11 with the same room in '12 and the rate is $15 more per night which is a 6% increase.

 

[WDWKOOK]

It's not just the price compared to '11, but the overall cost compared to what you get for it. A standard GV room at the Poly in value season is 405 a night! I can stay at the Four Seasons for that in a true deluxe hotel. In 2008 it was $340!

But that's unchanged. You could always stay off-site at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, for example, for less money than CL and have all the amenities of a true luxury resort, a huge, beautiful room with twice-daily maid service, but you will pay more for their restaurants, they don't have a food court, parking and spa treatments cost more. The transportation is also much less convenient and you're not actually on-property so you won't have EMH.

You really have to weigh what's more important to you and that can be a tough decision. When you think about it though, if WDW room rates continue to rise at 6% per year, the rates will just about DOUBLE in 12 years. That just doesn't seem sustainable.

 

[sjs314]

I think it is safe to say Disney might be building in an increase to compensate for any discounts they might offer to entice guests to stay onsite in 2012.

I just did some checking and in 2011 the GV room rate at the Poly during value season was $385 so the $20 increase in 2012 is about a 5.2% increase.

At first glance the 2012 room rates seemed high to me but in reality a 5% increase will not break the bank for me. Ticket Prices and the DP I think are going up more percentage wise and will effect my trip planning for 2012 more than the resort I choose.

Ticket prices range from 3.66% increase on a 1 day base ticket to 13.8% increase on a 10 day base Ticket.

easywdw is listing the prices for the 2012 DP as follows:

Quick Service Dining Plan: $34.99 per adult, $11.99 per child. This is the same pricing as in 2011, but the Quick Service Dining Plan now includes one snack per night instead of two snacks per night. In effect, that makes this a $4 or so price increase.

Disney Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $51.54 per adult, $15.02 per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $53.54 per adult, $16.02 per child. This represents a $5.50 per night increase for adults and $3 per night for children. Remember that the Disney Dining Plan includes a refillable mug in 2012.

Deluxe Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $85.52 per adult, $23.79 per child. This is a $6.50 increase for adults and a $1.80 increase per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $89.52 per adult and $25.79 per child. This represents a $10.80 per night increase for adults and $3.80 per night for kids.



I do not travel often so I do not compare hotel room prices but usually just pick where I want to stay and book it, when we went to Vegas we stayed at the Luxor, Disneyland we stayed at DisneyLand Hotel. I see people say all the time that Disney Deluxe is not like other "true" deluxe hotels but I can not really judge the dollar for dollar value between say the Poly and the Four Seasons.

 

[disneydreamin247]

But that's unchanged. You could always stay off-site at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, for example, for less money than CL and have all the amenities of a true luxury resort, a huge, beautiful room with twice-daily maid service, but you will pay more for their restaurants, they don't have a food court, parking and spa treatments cost more. The transportation is also much less convenient and you're not actually on-property so you won't have EMH.

You really have to weigh what's more important to you and that can be a tough decision. When you think about it though, if WDW room rates continue to rise at 6% per year, the rates will just about DOUBLE in 12 years. That just doesn't seem sustainable.

I just have a problem with what Disney calls "deluxe", as I know many others do. I also agree that it doesn't seem sustainable to double prices in 12 years. They may be testing to see how far they can go before rooms stop filling up as much.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I think it is safe to say Disney might be building in an increase to compensate for any discounts they might offer to entice guests to stay onsite in 2012.

I just did some checking and in 2011 the GV room rate at the Poly during value season was $385 so the $20 increase in 2012 is about a 5.2% increase.

At first glance the 2012 room rates seemed high to me but in reality a 5% increase will not break the bank for me. Ticket Prices and the DP I think are going up more percentage wise and will effect my trip planning for 2012 more than the resort I choose.

Ticket prices range from 3.66% increase on a 1 day base ticket to 13.8% increase on a 10 day base Ticket.

easywdw is listing the prices for the 2012 DP as follows:

Quick Service Dining Plan: $34.99 per adult, $11.99 per child. This is the same pricing as in 2011, but the Quick Service Dining Plan now includes one snack per night instead of two snacks per night. In effect, that makes this a $4 or so price increase.

Disney Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $51.54 per adult, $15.02 per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $53.54 per adult, $16.02 per child. This represents a $5.50 per night increase for adults and $3 per night for children. Remember that the Disney Dining Plan includes a refillable mug in 2012.

Deluxe Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $85.52 per adult, $23.79 per child. This is a $6.50 increase for adults and a $1.80 increase per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $89.52 per adult and $25.79 per child. This represents a $10.80 per night increase for adults and $3.80 per night for kids.



I do not travel often so I do not compare hotel room prices but usually just pick where I want to stay and book it, when we went to Vegas we stayed at the Luxor, Disneyland we stayed at DisneyLand Hotel. I see people say all the time that Disney Deluxe is not like other "true" deluxe hotels but I can not really judge the dollar for dollar value between say the Poly and the Four Seasons.

I will not be doing DDP next year that's for sure!!!

 

[sjs314]

I will not be doing DDP next year that's for sure!!!

Makes me wonder what the actual prices at the onsite Restaurants will be going up to next year seeing the new DP plan prices

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just have a problem with what Disney calls "deluxe", as I know many others do. I also agree that it doesn't seem sustainable to double prices in 12 years. They may be testing to see how far they can go before rooms stop filling up as much.

Yep, that's been an issue with WDW Resorts now for years. They keep steadily declining as rates keep increasing. The more you stay on-property over the years, the more glaring the changes are. More amenities either disappear or increase substantially in price and service in general seems to keep going down.

Under Eisner, WDW changed from being an entertainment venue to being a hotel company. He started building all the DVCs, which are very profitable for Disney with the upfront costs and maintenance fees. Those guests aren't filling-up the non-DVC rooms as much anymore so they end up with higher vacancy rates and then they offer discounts to draw more people in.



Iger wants to ween the guests from the discounts, but with more rooms being built and fewer guests to occupy them they then have to increase the room, ticket and DDP rates (as sjs314 pointed out). They used to increase the ticket prices in August, but this is the first year they have increased them in June. I think it's a losing proposition for Disney AND for us, the guest

 

[WDWKOOK]

I will not be doing DDP next year that's for sure!!!

Do you have an AP? If you do, I recommend TIW. For $75 you'll get 20% all table service bills.

Makes me wonder what the actual prices at the onsite Restaurants will be going up to next year seeing the new DP plan prices

It ain't going to be pretty.

I can't believe you calculated an almost 14% increase in the 10-day base ticket for '12. That is just outrageous and unsustainable IMHO.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Yep, that's been an issue with WDW Resorts now for years. They keep steadily declining as rates keep increasing. The more you stay on-property over the years, the more glaring the changes are. More amenities either disappear or increase substantially in price and service in general seems to keep going down.

Under Eisner, WDW changed from being an entertainment venue to being a hotel company. He started building all the DVCs, which are very profitable for Disney with the upfront costs and maintenance fees. Those guests aren't filling-up the non-DVC rooms as much anymore so they end up with higher vacancy rates and then they offer discounts to draw more people in.



Iger wants to ween the guests from the discounts, but with more rooms being built and fewer guests to occupy them they then have to increase the room, ticket and DDP rates (as sjs314 pointed out). They used to increase the ticket prices in August, but this is the first year they have increased them in June. I think it's a losing proposition for Disney AND for us, the guest

Yes, I was shocked to see the increases and the booking dates open up in June. I also recall being given more advanced notice but I could be wrong on that one.

Disney is really pricing a lot of families out of vacationing there and it's a shame. They would make more money by getting more families in the rooms than by upping the price and not filling the rooms.

 

[sjs314]

Do you have an AP? If you do, I recommend TIW. For $75 you'll get 20% all table service bills.


It ain't going to be pretty.

I can't believe you calculated an almost 14% increase in the 10-day base ticket for '12. That is just outrageous and unsustainable IMHO.

I can not take credit for the price increase calculations on the tickets, it is from easywdw, if you click the link you can see the entire listing of the ticket increases includeing water parks, AP's etc

http://www.easywdw.com/2011increases.pdf



It is crazy, use to be the more days you bought the less it cost you.

 

[sjs314]

Yes, I was shocked to see the increases and the booking dates open up in June. I also recall being given more advanced notice but I could be wrong on that one.

Disney is really pricing a lot of families out of vacationing there and it's a shame. They would make more money by getting more families in the rooms than by upping the price and not filling the rooms.

I agree with you there. So many families have been waiting with great anitcipation for the new AOA suites and according to easywdw they will start a $248 weekday rate per night during value season, IMO that is a hefty sum for a larger family to swallow for a typical 7-10 day vacation.

 

[sjs314]

I got so caught up in the new room rates I forgot why I came over to this thread to begin with.

I have always wanted to go to Disney during Christmas season or be there for NYE. So I priced out going after Christmas into January at GF, it has to be GF that is part of the dream.

Anyway I say to DH how would you like to go to Disney for New Years and without missing a beat he says to me "you want to change, change but we can't go twice " and continued into the other room

I almost wish he had said no since now I have this thought stuck in my head and will be pondering it over for the next few days

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I was going to multi-quote, but really what you all have said is exactly how I feel.

While it is true the rate increases are not huge, when I saw the 2012 rates for WL it was just so outrageous that I think the whole cost hit me b/c I've been put off by Disney prices for the last few years.

Iger is living a pipe dream if he thinks guests will not go elsewhere - he is all about reducing discounts, but there is no way it can last with more rooms opening up and guests having reasonable options off-site ot staying home.

Personally, I would never stay off site even at the Ritz b/c I like being immersed in the magic, but would go elsewhere on vacation rather than pay non-discounted Disney room prices. We started going to Disneyland when I was 8, so I've had a lot of years to enjoy the magic and sadly watch it change; I can live without a Disney trip for a year or two and have done so now and then.

While on the subject of discounts - one thing that I absolutely detest is the way Disney sends out pin codes to some guests - this is not coming from a guest who never received pin codes - we've received codes from Disney for at least 15 years, with the best ones 2004 to 2010 - but I believe pin codes should be available to all guests, not a select few.

I already ranted about the decline in Disney guest service over the years on the WL thread and WDWKOOK said it quite well here.

Sorry for starting a rant/vent...but it just bugs me every time Disney ups the rates (food/tkts/resorts) and I think about families - for whom these parks were built - so they would have an affordable, clean and very family friendly place to go together and have a delightful time.

I well remember my very first visit to Disneyland when it was quite new...up until then my mother loved POP (Pacific Ocean Park, which was clean and very nice), but I heard her all day on that first visit remark about the cleanliness of the park, friendliness of the Cast Members and what a wonderful family park "Mr Disney has created". She went on and on about the bathrooms and how sparkling clean they were....now I hear her words clearly each time I walk into a WDW bathroom and see TP all over the floor, dirty stalls, over flowing trash bins...sigh...

The MK is still magical and there is nothing more enchanting than strolling in first thing in the morning, while the streets are so fresh, no crowds.... music playing...I still get teary every time.