Resort fees

[5kidsmommy]

I didn't find the wifi to be poor at all, which speaks more to the wifi speeds here in Aus than how crap it is there


I think that's the point, theyre not going to be "included" but part of the resort fee?

But we already get them and there is no resort fee, this will tick off returning guests.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

The thing is, when places charge resort fees, you don't typically get to opt out of certain aspects...at least not anywhere I've stayed. If they were to start assessing this, I would love to shed whatever costs for DME if it's a trip where we drive (vs fly) and have the option of waiving other things, but considering the mess that itemization tends to create...just don't see it happening. I know it was mentioned that they should just continue to wrap this into the overall excessive room costs, but whenever I see places shifting to resort fees...it says to me they know they are hitting the limit of what people will tolerate with cost per night. Look at Swan and Dolphin...those rates always look a lot more attractive until you factor in the resort and parking fee, etc.

 

[Tonyz]

Don't we already pay a resort fee when we... ya know... pay to stay in the resort???

 

[Jadeey]

I'd seriously consider opting out even though, as an international guest, it would leave me without any internet access. (Jes, I find the WiFi good too!)

The thing I hate about them calling it a resort fee rather than just upping the price by $15 is that it suddenly makes the advertised rate look better than it really is once you add in the fees.

 

[Princess Jes]

I'd seriously consider opting out even though, as an international guest, it would leave me without any internet access. (Jes, I find the WiFi good too!)

The thing I hate about them calling it a resort fee rather than just upping the price by $15 is that it suddenly makes the advertised rate look better than it really is once you add in the fees.

It's deceptive/trickery.
I get so frustrated when I see a deal for "$180 flights to Bali!!"
"Oh, but don't forget the $50 baggage fee, the airport taxes and the compulsory booking fee (yes, even though you're booking directly with the airline) so now you're paying $400...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I don't get fees that you have no choice on either! Just include it in the price. The tips on the cruise drive me crazy. Just pay the staff and add it to the room cost. Plus with the resort fee there could be a room with 12 people in it at a grand villa or 2 at all stars or using your own RV in Fort Wilderness. 12 x Magic bands, wifi, ME seats etc. How is that fair? Versus 2? I think it should be zero at the Fort I don't have an RV but come on!

 

[GAN]

This article is a year old, but it's a pretty good take:

http://elliott.org/blog/uh-oh-hotel-resort-fees-rise/

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

This trip Im splitting my 12 night stay with 6 nights at Cabana Bay and 6 at the Polynesian. These resort fees might push me to Universal more and more

 

[disneysteve]

I would not pay for Magic Bands or Magical Express. I would absolutely pay for WiFi.

To those who think those things were "free" until now, don't fool yourself. They have always been built into the prices. The only thing a resort fee changes is it now itemizes some of what you are paying for. That makes the price of the hotel room appear artificially low since the room and the amenities are now separate line items on your bill.

 

[disneysteve]

Magical Express would be worthless to me.

I do use ME because its a PERK of staying on property

But it isn't free now. You're paying for it just the same as you would with a resort fee. You just don't think about it because the bill isn't itemized. It's one global price that includes your Magic Band, Magical Express, Wifi, etc. All the resort fee does is create a more itemized bill.

I really don't see how this benefits the hotels, Disney or otherwise. It seems to me that it is better to advertise a flat price and then tout that you include "free" stuff like Magic Bands and Wifi.

Just to be clear, I'm not criticizing Disney here. Hotels everywhere do this. When we drive to Florida every year, we pass hundreds of hotel billboards advertising "free wifi" or "free breakfast". None of those things are free. They are just included in the rate you are paying to stay there.

 

[GaRain]

I know that most TA's will mention the benefits to staying onsite - the Magical Express and onsite transportation being a big bonus.
If you charge more for those things, what is the benefit anymore, you might as well save some $ and stay offsite.

With the WiFi - if you are gonna charge for it - you better make it work!

 

[SarahDisney]

The only thing a resort fee changes is it now itemizes some of what you are paying for. That makes the price of the hotel room appear artificially low since the room and the amenities are now separate line items on your bill.

That's only if they lower the prices and charge a resort fee.
If they maintain the same prices and still charge a resort fee (which is what I'm guessing would happen), then you're paying for things that were previously included. Included is different than free - but when you pay a certain price for a hotel room, you know that certain things are included with that price (and are part of what makes the price what it is), and for some of those things to be "un-included" and packaged as a separate resort fee without lowering the hotel room price feels like another example of Disney giving you a little less for your money. (I'm not saying they can't do that, it's their resort and they can do whatever they want, it's just disappointing)
I, for one, find it disappointing that things that were previously included in the price ("free" if you prefer) would be separated out and we would be charged a resort fee for those same things. I'd rather they just raised the hotel room prices - if I'm going to pay a higher price, I want to see it right away.

 

[pjweaver]

I would not pay for Magic Bands or Magical Express. I would absolutely pay for WiFi.

To those who think those things were "free" until now, don't fool yourself. They have always been built into the prices. The only thing a resort fee changes is it now itemizes some of what you are paying for. That makes the price of the hotel room appear artificially low since the room and the amenities are now separate line items on your bill.

I agree completely. The idea of POP being $99 advertised, but then add a resort fee of $15, $12 magical express, $14 magic band fee, $22 daily parking fee, $9.99 pool surcharge, $11.79 food court charge, $34.99 you can't leave WDW so heres a bus fee comforts me as a shareholder. If you don't use the pool or go to the food court, it's your fault. Now pay your piper.

 

[KingLlama]

I was told there would be no math...

 

[disneysteve]

That's only if they lower the prices and charge a resort fee.
If they maintain the same prices and still charge a resort fee (which is what I'm guessing would happen), then you're paying for things that were previously included.

This is all true, so would we be having this conversation is Disney had just raised the room rates by $15? I'm guessing we wouldn't. People might be grumbling a bit that prices went up but at least all of the "perks" would still be included.

I'd rather they just raised the hotel room prices - if I'm going to pay a higher price, I want to see it right away.

Exactly. The end result is exactly the same but it upsets people much more to have the bill itemized via a resort fee.

 

[pjweaver]

I was told there would be no math...

It's as if Bob Iger and George W Bush had a love child. Just for Llama i will include a colorful moving thing

 

[GAN]

By adding a resort fee, they'll be able to tell us they haven't raised room rates for two years(or something like that) ...with a straight face.

 

[mcd2745]

I'd rather they just raised the hotel room prices - if I'm going to pay a higher price, I want to see it right away.

The airlines were forced to quote the final price on their websites. Previously, they would just show the "base" fare, and then when you get to the check out screen, they add on all the fees.

Hopefully the same thing can happen with hotels/resorts.

 

[johde]

I know the Dis team talked about hopefully being able to "opt out" of the fee. But, if you look at the survey they have the bulk of guests coming and going because the resort fee includes both DME and Parking at the Resort. So, all the people who drive and all the people who take DME are already "opting in". That just leaves the cab/town car/Uber crowd as even having the possibility of opting out. You throw in "priority FP+ reservations" and EMH and how many people are left.

 

[loves to dive]

Back in the day when internet was new, Disney charged a daily fee if you used the internet and I was o.k. with that as I used it some days, didn't others. I just recently stayed at Swan (which I loved by the way) and had to do a spreadsheet when it came time to compare rates to see if I was coming out better. I drive down so parking is a must, MDE I have never used. I own over 20 MBs so I certainly don't need to pay for another (I do a lot of split stays) and while I use the internet I'd rather pay for it daily as used. Either way, I'd still probably pay the prices although Swan/Dolphin might be getting more of my business since I can use points for free stays.