Resort rates are kinda ridiculous

[Beer Me]

I just want to confirm what I’m seeing when I look at rates for anytime around March through July ‘22. It seems like everything at all levels is at least 50% higher than it was pre-covid.

Deluxe is especially outrageous. Beach/Yacht and Boardwalk all well over $800 for a standard room. I understand these may be discounted at a later date but it still seems crazy to me. even at the value level Pop is like $260.

Disney is still packing them in so I kind of get it but no matter how much money I have at some point it just seems insulting.

I don’t intend this as another “Disney has priced out the middle class” thread but specifically about the extremely steep and sudden rise of hotel rates now and in the near future.

Any insights on if this is the new normal? Or is Disney just trying to get the most out of the people who went stir crazy over the last year?

 

[Marionnette]

I just want to confirm what I’m seeing when I look at rates for anytime around March through July ‘22. It seems like everything at all levels is at least 50% higher than it was pre-covid.

Deluxe is especially outrageous. Beach/Yacht and Boardwalk all well over $800 for a standard room. I understand these may be discounted at a later date but it still seems crazy to me. even at the value level Pop is like $260.

Disney is still packing them in so I kind of get it but no matter how much money I have at some point it just seems insulting.

I don’t intend this as another “Disney has priced out the middle class” thread but specifically about the extremely steep and sudden rise of hotel rates now and in the near future.

Any insights on if this is the new normal? Or is Disney just trying to get the most out of the people who went stir crazy over the last year?

My impression is that this is the way things will be from here on out. Disney never reverses their price increases, they bring out discounts and other incentives when bookings decline but the rack rates don't go down.

 

[Marthasor]

Yeah, the prices are through the roof. We have trips booked for mid-October and mid-December, for now, and I'm seeing rooms at GF for $1000 (standard room, week before Christmas) and $700 for WL. I remember paying about $300-$400 for a room at the EP resorts just a few years ago. Heck, in July 2019, I paid $700 per night, with a discount, for a 2-bedroom villa at BCV. I think those days have ended. I'm just keeping my eye out for discounts to be released and, in the meantime, I got a great rate for a 2-bedroom at the Swan the week before Christmas - it is about the same rate as a standard room at GF. I really wonder, though, once international travel opens and cruising starts again at normal capacity, if these prices will get more competitive? I know, for our family, domestic travel is all we can do right now, so it seems some of these destinations have a bit of a captive audience. Every domestic destination we looked at for this year (FL, AZ, MA, HI, AK and WY) had hotel prices through the roof. The demand seems quite high.

 

[DLgal]

It's 100% so they can justify DVC prices. They have to make DVC look like a deal somehow.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

FWIW...not surprised as the price of everything has gone up. Without the military discounts ( thank you, Disney ) we would think twice about going. We have already cut back our trips by half.

 

[Beer Me]

My impression is that this is the way things will be from here on out. Disney never reverses their price increases, they bring out discounts and other incentives when bookings decline but the rack rates don't go down.

This is what I’m afraid of. I’m guessing they will offer discounts at some point which will look attractive by comparison but still be far more than discounted rates in the recent past. I’ve always been able - for the most part - to rationalize Disney’s high prices but I think I’ve hit my limit.

I know a lot of people who are going now for the first time so it will be what they expect going forward.

 

[jujubiee4]

Yeah, the prices are through the roof. We have trips booked for mid-October and mid-December, for now, and I'm seeing rooms at GF for $1000 (standard room, week before Christmas) and $700 for WL. I remember paying about $300-$400 for a room at the EP resorts just a few years ago. Heck, in July 2019, I paid $700 per night, with a discount, for a 2-bedroom villa at BCV. I think those days have ended. I'm just keeping my eye out for discounts to be released and, in the meantime, I got a great rate for a 2-bedroom at the Swan the week before Christmas - it is about the same rate as a standard room at GF. I really wonder, though, once international travel opens and cruising starts again at normal capacity, if these prices will get more competitive? I know, for our family, domestic travel is all we can do right now, so it seems some of these destinations have a bit of a captive audience. Every domestic destination we looked at for this year (FL, AZ, MA, HI, AK and WY) had hotel prices through the roof. The demand seems quite high.

This really sums up the travel experience. We went to Hawaii in April for a wedding and ended up
staying for 2 weeks. Rates were reasonable because they were booked a year in advance. Now looking
to go again. Nope through the roof same for Alaska etc. 2 international trips canceled and since other
countries limited ..what is left is slim pickings. Lot of businesses are taking advantage. What also does not
help is even if you find a nice place to go but want a rental car those prices are insane! Awful!

 

[Sue M]

After this trip unless I get a really good deal on a WDW resort I’ll be looking at Swan/Dolphin or one of the Disney Springs hotels.

 

[Nelly Tsunami]

After this trip unless I get a really good deal on a WDW resort I’ll be looking at Swan/Dolphin or one of the Disney Springs hotels.

I know that the Swan & Dolphin will be getting the 30 minute early entry, but will the partner hotels at Disney Springs also be getting that perk??

 

[Heather07438]

I know that the Swan & Dolphin will be getting the 30 minute early entry, but will the partner hotels at Disney Springs also be getting that perk??

Yes the Good Neighbors are included. The bright side is all these guests will be spread across all 4 parks everyday 7 days a week. 30 minutes won’t go far but it should help people get a few easy rides to start their day off on the right foot, and for everyday of their trip if they want.

Previously everybody was hitting the same am EMH park and some days of the week didn’t even offer any, so it really crammed everyone into certain parks certain days. Hopefully this new system will be a much more pleasant experience.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Yes, rates are crazy and we are paying them. Pop is no longer a value. Even All Stars are near $200 a night. What I'm paying at CBR, in the past I could've stayed deluxe.

 

[sponica]

A) They have to recoup their losses somehow.
B) I'm sure a certain percentage are paying with monopoly money....essentially. For example, when my 2020 trip got cancelled, I stuck the refund in my account and DID NOT TOUCH IT, did not factor it in as available funds for anything. My trip for 2022 is way more expensive than something I would normally book. In my brain though I'm not actually spending that much more than normal because I have that refund socked away.

I imagine once we get past the next year and change the discounts will be there.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

They have those prices because they know there are a ton of people willing to pay those prices. We had a lot of trouble trying to justify Deluxe prices when they were at $450+, now it's easy to cross them off our list. There is no way you can convince me that the prices at a deluxe now are even close to being worth it.

 

[rangerxenos]

After this trip unless I get a really good deal on a WDW resort I’ll be looking at Swan/Dolphin or one of the Disney Springs hotels.

Same. I actually had a Swan room booked for my early December trip, but when they announced AKL was opening again I switched, as I love the resort and this will most likely be my last stay on property unless I can find a really good deal. The onsite perks are pretty much gone at this point. I'm paying about another $170 a night that I did exactly 2 years ago at AKL, and that was with an agency discount through my TA.

I'm fortunate, I can afford it, but I'll be choosing to stay offsite again going forward.

 

[hepcat620]

We just booked Pop Century for April 2022. At first, I was considering going back to the WL, our favorite resort, but not at $700+/night. Right now, with the Skyliner, Pop is the best bang for the buck in terms of room and transportation. Heck, we even splurged for preferred rooms so we're close to everything.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

We just booked Pop Century for April 2022. At first, I was considering going back to the WL, our favorite resort, but not at $700+/night. Right now, with the Skyliner, Pop is the best bang for the buck in terms of room and transportation. Heck, we even splurged for preferred rooms so we're close to everything.

I'm thinking Pop may be our new go to. Staying at All Stars is the only way I see to save money without a discount.

 

[Sue M]

I know that the Swan & Dolphin will be getting the 30 minute early entry, but will the partner hotels at Disney Springs also be getting that perk??

they have in the past.

Yes the Good Neighbors are included. The bright side is all these guests will be spread across all 4 parks everyday 7 days a week. 30 minutes won’t go far but it should help people get a few easy rides to start their day off on the right foot, and for everyday of their trip if they want.

Previously everybody was hitting the same am EMH park and some days of the week didn’t even offer any, so it really crammed everyone into certain parks certain days. Hopefully this new system will be a much more pleasant experience.

true, but I feel they should have kept it at an hour. This 30 min isn’t a good optic for Disney. People are just viewing it as one more thing being cut.

Yes, rates are crazy and we are paying them. Pop is no longer a value. Even All Stars are near $200 a night. What I'm paying at CBR, in the past I could've stayed deluxe.

Too true. Our days staying at WDW deluxe are over. I’m paying same rate for Universal deluxe in Oct. as we’re paying for CBR. Ridiculous.

A) They have to recoup their losses somehow.
B) I'm sure a certain percentage are paying with monopoly money....essentially. For example, when my 2020 trip got cancelled, I stuck the refund in my account and DID NOT TOUCH IT, did not factor it in as available funds for anything. My trip for 2022 is way more expensive than something I would normally book. In my brain though I'm not actually spending that much more than normal because I have that refund socked away.

I imagine once we get past the next year and change the discounts will be there.

we had most of our CBR res paid off, so we just moved res up a year. Didn’t want refund because it would just cost us more with all the exchange rates we’d have to pay. At the time, using your theory lol I thought we would upgrade to deluxe since most has already been paid. Until I saw price hike for deluxe! Not paying that.
I think WDW will loose a lot of business to the other parks next year. They already lost 50% of our business. I got Universal AP and now go there for many of my trips that used to be Wdw.

They have those prices because they know there are a ton of people willing to pay those prices. We had a lot of trouble trying to justify Deluxe prices when they were at $450+, now it's easy to cross them off our list. There is no way you can convince me that the prices at a deluxe now are even close to being worth it.

They’re not, I agree. Compare Universal resorts in each category for price and amenities. WDW can’t compare to that. They are definitely giving less.
Universal Values are way nicer and give more than WDW values. Sapphire Falls, a moderate is more like a WDW deluxe. Etc. And all way cheaper than WDW counterparts.

 

[Sue M]

Same. I actually had a Swan room booked for my early December trip, but when they announced AKL was opening again I switched, as I love the resort and this will most likely be my last stay on property unless I can find a really good deal. The onsite perks are pretty much gone at this point. I'm paying about another $170 a night that I did exactly 2 years ago at AKL, and that was with an agency discount through my TA.

I'm fortunate, I can afford it, but I'll be choosing to stay offsite again going forward.

Love AKL too! And those agency discounts lol. But even though I can afford it, it’s the principle of the matter. I hate being ripped off. As much as I enjoy those resorts, they don’t warrant the rates charged now.

 

[Heather07438]

true, but I feel they should have kept it at an hour. This 30 min isn’t a good optic for Disney. People are just viewing it as one more thing being cut.

I’m hoping with amEMH they’ll open the parks like they were generally doing, 35-50 minutes before the regular official posted hours and let guests line up at rides (not all held together back like a herd of cattle). That might be optimistic lol, but I think we may see them opening that a gate a little earlier than 30mins. Looks like they don’t want to commit to a full hour.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Love AKL too! And those agency discounts lol. But even though I can afford it, it’s the principle of the matter. I hate being ripped off. As much as I enjoy those resorts, they don’t warrant the rates charged now.

Exactly the same way I look at it.