Resort prices - no discounts??

[mefordis]

I have a reservation at the Swan for November but was thinking about switching resorts and thought I'd find a discount due to lack of attendance. Holy moly - just the opposite. Riviera - $615/night. Poly - $675 / night.

Guess we'll stick with the Swan, using Marriott points.

 

[Marthasor]

I would keep an eye on things to see if any discounts are released for that time period, but, honestly, even then it is very difficult to get anything in the EP area that cost compares to Swan/Dolphin. I, too, have a Swan reservation using points for next February. Really can't beat an almost free hotel room!

 

[tbssenterprises]

Except Swolphin has the resort fee and for me, the parking fee also.

 

[mefordis]

I would keep an eye on things to see if any discounts are released for that time period, but, honestly, even then it is very difficult to get anything in the EP area that cost compares to Swan/Dolphin. I, too, have a Swan reservation using points for next February. Really can't beat an almost free hotel room!

I agree, the points will cost me 200k but free for 5 nights (got a one night free deal with Marriott). Last time we stayed at the Dolphin and it was pretty great! Was hoping to maybe try Riviera at a discount, though, and bank the points for college visits. I'll keep an eye out to see if they lower the prices before Nov.

 

[rwdavis2]

Are the parks reaching the max capacity at the lower limits currently n effect. If they are close to that then they don’t need a discount.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Are the parks reaching the max capacity at the lower limits currently n effect. If they are close to that then they don’t need a discount.

From everything I can find, they're not even close to the lower capacity limits. Look at the park pass calendar - not a single day has even one park filled except for the number of slots allocated for AP holders. Everything else is green (all available) as far as the eye can see. They're extending the after-4 AP pass to any time after 2 pm. They're cutting park hours. All of these are signs that they're not full (by current standards) or close to it. Plus look at wait times and guest videos/pictures/reports - able to do literally every attraction in a day without FP, without second-sides running on most things, with periodic shutdowns for cleaning? That means they're well below the 25% max capacity they originally mentioned.

I think the reason for lack of a discount is twofold: one, they're afraid of enticing too many people to come and surging past capacity even if they're far below it now; and/or two, they're trying to make up their lost revenue any way they can. Most people who are considering deluxe resorts are coming to the parks regardless, so there's less reason to discount those.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I think the discounts won't return until 2021. It would be bad optics to add discounts enticing out of state guests. Limited capacity is driving that decision. If they're not incentivized to bring in more guests, why would they offer a discount when guests are willing to come with no discount. There are FL state and AP discounts right now, but that's about it. We stayed last week and chose CBR and paid rack rate (hurt but it was all we were willing to stomach for a last minute trip). Talked with quite a few other CBR guests and most all chose CBR due to price. Right now, the only rooms under $488/nt are Pop and CBR. If you want to go in Nov., check out the priceline deals for WDW resorts. There are deals for Swan dolphin and other WDW resorts as they open.

 

[chasgoose]

I think the discounts won't return until 2021. It would be bad optics to add discounts enticing out of state guests. Limited capacity is driving that decision. If they're not incentivized to bring in more guests, why would they offer a discount when guests are willing to come with no discount. There are FL state and AP discounts right now, but that's about it. We stayed last week and chose CBR and paid rack rate (hurt but it was all we were willing to stomach for a last minute trip). Talked with quite a few other CBR guests and most all chose CBR due to price. Right now, the only rooms under $488/nt are Pop and CBR. If you want to go in Nov., check out the priceline deals for WDW resorts. There are deals for Swan dolphin and other WDW resorts as they open.

Completely agree. Disney doesn't want to look like its advocating out-of-state guests to come to Florida right now, especially with all of the quarantines and travel restrictions in place. It's gotten enough bad press for being open at all. I think until things start to calm down with COVID more, especially in Florida, we are likely only going to see big discounts for AP holders and Florida residents, aka people who either don't have to travel out-of-state or people who have already made a financial commitment to visiting Disney in the form of an AP. If Disney wanted to increase occupancy through discounts, they certainly could. The fact that Disney keeps pushing resort re-opening dates suggest that they aren't planning and aren't super interested in incentivizing people to come down for the time being.

 

[LuckyEmblem]

Huh, I guess that explains the prices I was seeing while researching a potential October trip. The above discussion really puts it into perspective.
I wonder if continued low attendance will impact that desire to draw out of state visitors. It's an incredibly difficult balance, I'm sure..

 

[NancyIL]

Except Swolphin has the resort fee and for me, the parking fee also.

Disney resorts charge a parking fee, too.

I love the Swan, and am looking forward to staying there in December.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yep, no general public discounts right now. Big hotel discounts for FL residents and APs.

 

[1withForce]

Agree with all above. You won't see a discount until things start opening up nationwide... You hope 2021, with the 50th Anniversary, but who know how long this will all last. It's terrible PR to say "stop staying home and start Disney-ing!" Interesting concept is the discounts could come along because people aren't going to travel, even with vaccine and decreased numbers, families may financially be hurt in aftermath. This could get interesting.

 

[soniam]

Disney resorts charge a parking fee, too.

I love the Swan, and am looking forward to staying there in December.

Not if you are staying DVC.

 

[Ahabart]

I had your same thought and was floored at the rates I saw. Given the significantly reduced park hours, no EHP, lack of food offerings, no fireworks, etc, I thought for sure the pricing would be reflective...big nope! And here we are going anyway I booked one night at the CR for DH's birthday and the rest we are at the Swan. I will say that as much as Disney hasn't cut prices, Swan for sure has! The last time I looked, prices were 2-3x what I'm paying now after AAA discount. Add Marriott elite breakfast perk and it's a steal.

 

[NancyIL]

Disney resorts charge a parking fee, too.

Not if you are staying DVC.

I'm not a DVC member, so I would have to pay to park at any resort on Disney property.

 

[Apeters430]

Are the parks reaching the max capacity at the lower limits currently n effect. If they are close to that then they don’t need a discount.

If they are it is because its AP's. They are not making money off of them. They keep opening up reservations for AP's because there no basically no resort guest who are coming and buying regular park tickets. I do not understand the desire they have right now for not wanting to have out of state guest.

 

[Dave006]

I'm not a DVC member, so I would have to pay to park at any resort on Disney property.

Disney Resort parking is an overnight fee for registered guests. If you visit during the day and have a ADR you will be allowed to park for free for a limited amount of time.

Swan & Dolphin guests pay for overnight parking at the Swan & Dolphin but have in-out privileges by using your room key, and by showing your resort room key you are able to park for free at the theme parks.

At the Swan & Dolphin day guests pay for parking and there is no in-out privileges, you pay each time you leave.

Hope that helps.

Dave

 

[lelew]

I have a reservation at the Swan for November but was thinking about switching resorts and thought I'd find a discount due to lack of attendance. Holy moly - just the opposite. Riviera - $615/night. Poly - $675 / night.

Guess we'll stick with the Swan, using Marriott points.

That's just why I rented some dvc points for a few days (something I have never done in all the years visiting Disney) and then we are transferring off site for the remaining of our days in Florida. I will admit I'm a little nervous about the offsite property but I cant pay those prices for a regular Disney room