Resort Fees, if Disney Charged one, what would you do?

[Marionnette]

I can understand how TAs may be upset. But I seriously doubt that many of the people that are upset about this proposed fee are looking at it from the perspective of cheating TAs out of their commission or how much the local communities collect in bed taxes. I understand that some may take this approach, but I'd bet if you polled 1,000 average Disney fans who are upset about the proposed fee why they are upset, less than 10 would give the reason you have given. Most would be upset because of things like "I already pay a lot to stay onsite so that I get these 'free' perks, and now they want to charge for the free perks" or "I hate how they are nickel and diming me all the time by adding extra fees". They are looking at it from the perspective of what it costs them, not how it affects their TAs commission or the local economy around WDW.

As far as the issue on discounts - Disney is going to get what they want when it comes to the room rates. They can either add $20 to the cost of the room and then when the 25% discount comes out that gets cut to $15, or they can add on a $15 resort fee that does not get discounted. At the end of the day, you are paying $15 more for the room, regardless of how they set it up.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of the resort fee idea either. I think Disney would be smarter to just add $15-$20 to the cost of the rooms if that is what they want to do. But whether they add the cost to the room rate or add it on as a resort fee really makes no difference to me or my plans on going to WDW.

I agree that Disney is going to exact their pound of flesh one way or another. They're a business and their first obligation is to their shareholders (who are greatly pissed off about the Shanghai and Paris numbers).

An interesting twist on the survey that has been posted all over the internet, is another assertion that a similar survey is asking whether you would prefer to pay a la carte for those amenities or pay a flat resort fee. IOW, it's Disney's way of adding this little cost increase into their hotel prices and saying that this is what their guests asked for. Sort of like asking whether you want to be kicked in the mouth or punched in the gut prior to being beaten.

 

[Livvie]

An interesting twist on the survey that has been posted all over the internet, is another assertion that a similar survey is asking whether you would prefer to pay a la carte for those amenities or pay a flat resort fee. IOW, it's Disney's way of adding this little cost increase into their hotel prices and saying that this is what their guests asked for. Sort of like asking whether you want to be kicked in the mouth or punched in the gut prior to being beaten.

Yes, it was worded as an either/or choice, so then once the fee is implemented (and it will be), they can say "but it is what our guests told us they wanted!"

 

[tzolkin]

I don't understand all the fuss about resort fees. People can add can't they? I just wish they would start charging for parking so those who aren't using the service don't have to pay for it.

Of course people can add. I think it's just the psychology of it. The price is the price regardless of how they phrase it, but when people see a resort fee for certain amenities then their brain automatically begins calculating whether the fee is worth the benefit.

Last trip we did a split stay at the Dolphin. Obviously I just added all the fees and compared total prices per night for the Dolphin vs a Disney moderate, but there was still an annoyed feeling about paying $18 per day for parking plus $25 for a resort fee that included 2 bottles of water and unlimited local calls (how many people see any added value in that?) The parking fee was easy to justify but, it's just human nature to feel like you're getting ripped off paying an extra $175 in mandatory resort fees during a one week trip on bottled water and phone calls that you don't really need/aren't going to use.

As far as Disney charging for parking, why do you care whether others get free parking? Since Disney has provided free airport transportation for those without a car, I have always seen that as an even (or greater) value than the free parking. Both are really already included in the room price, but not charging a fee makes them cost the same. I really can't see any reason why parking would be fee worthy and ME not, so I would assume if they start fees they would charge for both.

 

[disneedee]

I'd pay, and have. Disneyland resort used to have a resort fee and now they have a parking fee.

 

[scrapquitler]

When I'm comparing room prices, I look at the WHOLE Price....I add the price of the room, the resort fee if there is one, the parking fee if there is one, the tax (because sometimes staying one town over puts you in a different county or a different tax district and that can make a big difference) and compare the total price vs. another hotel. It doesn't matter if the room costs $215 a night with no resort fee, or if it were $200 plus a $15 resort fee, it's the same amount of money out of my wallet, and really, I don't care what they call it because I'm just looking at the bottom line.

I just booked myself a room in Anaheim for next month. The room price was $125, plus a $9 parking fee. I didn't think of it as a $125 room ,I thought of it as a $134. room.

 

[MillauFr]

Of course people can add. I think it's just the psychology of it. The price is the price regardless of how they phrase it, but when people see a resort fee for certain amenities then their brain automatically begins calculating whether the fee is worth the benefit.

I liked the psychology of getting a room at the Poly for 55% off of the rack rate. When I get a huge discount $189 per night vs. the $442 that Disney was charging for the same room I could care less if Disney wanted to add a few nickels to the price.

 

[Shanti]

They can't even police their pools to make sure that only guests who are staying there are using them. How about those who want to dine at the resort or just check out the resort- do they pay for parking if they arrive by car?

Actually they can police resort pools effectively when they choose to do so. Stormalong Bay was well policed last July & the result was getting to swim in a blissfully non-crowded pool.I've never seen them put this effort into another resort pool, though.

I should add that I'm totally opposed to resort fees. Just thought I'd mention that Disney is capable of controlling access to its pools, whether it chooses to or not.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Actually they can police resort pools effectively when they choose to do so. Stormalong Bay was well policed last July & the result was a blissfully non-crowded pool. I've never seen them put this effort into another resort pool, though.

We stay at Fort Wilderness, if they policed that place then I could see paying a $15 resort fee but they don't and it's frustrating. I think that charging a resort fee will just make people cranky about people not staying at resorts using the resorts.

 

[Shanti]

We stay at Fort Wilderness, if they policed that place then I could see paying a $15 resort fee but they don't and it's frustrating. I think that charging a resort fee will just make people cranky about people not staying at resorts using the resorts.

Agreed! Hate resort fees (they should rename them "greed fees", to be honest), & updated my prior post to mention that.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Agreed! Hate resort fees (they should rename them "greed fees", to be honest), & updated my prior post to mention that.

We go to a large indoor waterpark every year for a convention. One of the perks of the convention is super low room rates, like 60% off and no resort fee. Sure there is a huge waterpark included in room rates but that's the only darn reason to go to said hotel, I find it laughable that they tout waterpark admission with a room there but then charge a resort fee. If our convention didn't allow us to forego the resort fee my alternative would be to get a smaller room instead of a suite.

And I think that is what some people may do if Disney starts charging a resort fee, I think some people will either choose to stay offsite or downgrade a category. I doubt it would matter much for folks staying in deluxe rooms but I think it might push some in moderates offsite or down to value but increasing room rates do that too. Add a resort fee to already increasing room plus lesser and less discounts and I think it just might impact some visitors plans, probably not enough to make a difference though.

 

[Minniesgal]

I'd pay it.

I don't see I'd have a choice we own DVC and I don't want to sell

 

[PerfessorZ]

I don't begrudge a company raising its prices because we live in a free market society. I do find it dishonest when they come up with less-than-obvious ways to charge people money. It used to drive me crazy to search for airfares when airlines were allowed to hide all their fees from their advertised prices because you really had to dig around (and sometimes nearly book your flight) to find what your "true price" was going to be. I also hate my cable and cell phone bills because they've got 4 and 5 extra fees tacked on in the fine print. And I'd hate to have a gun to my head to explain what they're all for and how they derive the amounts they charge.

To me, a resort fee is just another way to slip a money grab in without being completely honest with your customers about it.

 

[Hezzy04]

When do we think this "resort fee" might start actually being charged?

 

[Marionnette]

I'd pay it.

I don't see I'd have a choice we own DVC and I don't want to sell

So, you're okay with paying a resort fee when your annual dues pay for those "perks" already?

 

[Marionnette]

When do we think this "resort fee" might start actually being charged?

I don't think that there's any kind of timetable. If I were taking bets, I would not expect to see one until package and room rates for 2017 have been announced. And that would be the earliest that I would expect to see them. I cannot imagine that they could tack on a resort fee to existing reservations and it would be a nightmare trying to determine who to charge and who not to charge.

 

[EveDallas]

Every single thing Disney does makes Universal more attractive to me. I went last year and was blown away by how awesome it was. Stayed onsite and got express access to almost all the attractions and still spent less than I would at Disney.

 

[smiths02]

Every single thing Disney does makes Universal more attractive to me. I went last year and was blown away by how awesome it was. Stayed onsite and got express access to almost all the attractions and still spent less than I would at Disney.

But they charge resort fees and parking at Universal

 

[Livvie]

When do we think this "resort fee" might start actually being charged?

My guess is when 2017 room rates are released, which I think is in July?

 

[Hezzy04]

I don't think that there's any kind of timetable. If I were taking bets, I would not expect to see one until package and room rates for 2017 have been announced. And that would be the earliest that I would expect to see them. I cannot imagine that they could tack on a resort fee to existing reservations and it would be a nightmare trying to determine who to charge and who not to charge.

My guess is when 2017 room rates are released, which I think is in July?

I assumed I was safe for our trip next month...but we are already talking about going back next year! I really hope somehow they release 2017 rates without this tacked on! It's already going to be a budget trip for us!! Guess it's a sign that if they are released without this fee, I should definitely book asap!!

 

[smiths02]

I think overall people will be upset because people like the all inclusive feel, obviously the DDP is touted by some for that, whether or not it saves them money. I'm wondering if it will make people spend less in the parks if they know that this resort fee is charging to their room?