Room Snob?

[TJA]

OP~
I'm familiar with Bellagio and Venetian in Vegas and also familiar with all of the deluxe resorts in disney (except GF). We have only stayed in standard rooms in the deluxes, so based on that, the disney rooms are not nearly as "deluxe" as those rooms in Vegas. However, I am one that keeps returning to the disney deluxe resorts for the following reasons:

> having young children, we worship the fact that we can get back and forth to parks easily. For example, staying at CR, we can walk back and forth to MK! Staying at BC, we can walk back and forth to Epcot and HS! Having a double jogger, we LOVE walking to parks! We can store all our stuff, water bottles, snacks, and the girls can get cozy and rest!

> most of the deluxes have a character meal and/or nice restaurants. We really, really like to spend time at our resort, so it's important to us to have a character meal right there for our kids and also nice dining options.

> this is minor, but it's sort of important to us, but we really like having a balcony. It's nice for the adults after the kids go to bed, or else if the kids nap during the afternoon in the room.

> we also like indoor corridors which the deluxes have. It's not a deal-breaker for us, but we're not wild about opening our room door and having it lead directly outside (moderates and values...).

However, if the above factors do not matter to you, then I would say a lower level resort would be just fine! We stayed at a moderate (POR) for the first time a couple months ago and we loved it except for the factors I listed above. Other than those factors, POR had a great food court which we loved! It had an awesome playground for our kids -- the best playground they've had at a resort so far. So set your priorities and go from there! Good luck!

 

[LMO429]

I think not, as his post specifially referenced the Four Seasons in Maui. It will, however, be interesting to see how the Four Seasons at WDW is priced relative to WDW's deluxe hotels.

I agree with you that it will be interesting to see what happens when the four seasons at WDW opens up. I truly hope it is a 5 star/"deluxe" resort when it opens... if it offers exclusive bus services to all theme parks and water parks without making stops at other resorts I would stay there in a second.....I hope the original poster is right about the four seasons in maui we will be staying there for 8 days this upcoming October

 

[ols386]

Well, to say that 'Disney deluxe resorts do not match up to those deluxe resorts in the real world', for me is unacceptable. I believe it is misleading to say that the GF, for instance, is a deluxe resort, if it isn't (in the real world). I love WDW and the resorts, but the bottom line for them, is the almighty dollar. And quite frankly, I'm not going to pay $400 or so a night, for a deluxe resort, that in my mind, is not truly deluxe. I think the moderate resorts are more in alignment with what is 'moderate' in the real world, and maybe even the value resorts.....but not the deluxes. Oh well, I'll still keep going to WDW, because I love going there....I just won't stay at a deluxe anymore.

 

[asmit4]

Disney's deluxe resorts do not match up to those deluxe resorts in the 'real world'. They aren't meant to. We need to remember that Disney has put in several classes of resorts..value, moderate, and deluxe. They compare only to other on-site Disney resorts. YC is certainly a deluxe resort compared with POP or CBR.
The WDW deluxe resorts have nicer amenities, and have alternative transportation to a park vs buses only. You are paying for location, location, location. My room at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tampa was as nice, if not nicer, than a room at the GF, at half the cost! But, it's a long ride to Epcot from Tampa!
We can only compare WDW resort to WDW resort. It just isn't fair to compare the Polynesian to the Bellagio...two completely different things. If we do that, we are comparing apples to oranges. But, if we keep the comparison within WDW confines, then you can see the different catagory comparisons.

Unfortunately, me being new to the onsite hotels last year-well we didn't really know what DW deluxe meant. We presumed deluxe would be DELUXE like it is across the country. We were wrong in not researching a bit more. I just never thought that deluxe at DW would be so much less when compared to all the other deluxe properties we had stayed at.

Now we know. In addition, I am VERY interested in the 4 seasons. I wonder if it will have the DW perks? Will it be like the swan/dolphin? (no ddp etc) What will the pricing be? I don't mind paying high rates, but even at DW, when I pay high rates, I want more than just 'location'....I want luxury too. I think the four seasons will be awesome for those of us that won't pay Deluxe prices without being truly deluxe.

Anybody know when it opens?

 

[Little Monkey]

My husband and I love Disney. We go there for a week every year during December. Our love for Disney does not extend to their hotels though. In my humble opinion the exteriors and lobbies of Disney hotels are beautiful but the rooms are comparable to a Holiday Inn. I refuse to pay $400 or $500 a night to stay there. The only way we would stay there is if we had children which we do not. It is more convenient to stay on Disney property with children. We always stay at the Portofino Bay at Universal Stuidos. That is a beautiful hotel inside and out and the rooms are about $300.00 a night - much cheaper than a comprable Disney hotel.

 

[NJRRK]

DW is not the only place you're going to be overpriced for what you get.

Have any of you priced an ocean-front MOTEL on the beach along the NJ shore?!?!? $180/night to get a room that would be more at home at the AS than even one of the moderates, up to double that for a room on the ocean side and keep going for a nicer room, in a newer Hotel.

We did one week, free dining last August in a CR Garden Wing room, including transportation to FL for about 25% less than a week at the NJ shore (2½ hour drive).

 

[asmit4]

DW is not the only place you're going to be overpriced for what you get.

Have any of you priced an ocean-front MOTEL on the beach along the NJ shore?!?!? $180/night to get a room that would be more at home at the AS than even one of the moderates, up to double that for a room on the ocean side and keep going for a nicer room, in a newer Hotel.

We did one week, free dining last August in a CR Garden Wing room, including transportation to FL for about 25% less than a week at the NJ shore (2½ hour drive).

I guess some of my issue has to do with pricing, BUT I think my main issue has to do with DW calling them deluxe and marketing them as such. As MANY others have said, the deluxe rooms at some resorts tend to be more like a holiday Inn or a doubletree.

DW can charge whatever they want. I don't care if they want to charge 600 a night year round, BUT I don't think it's accurate to call them deluxe resorts. LOTS of people have done deluxes and have been sorely dissappointed. Certainly we could all do a bit more research but I just never thought that deluxe wouldn't be deluxe. DW does SO much SO well, that I never gave it a second thought.

I don't mind paying, and certainly there would be some grumbling about the high cost, but I think had they marketed to me a 'mid level very themed resort' for the price we paid, I would have accepted that much better than arriving and expecting a deluxe resort.

 

[hunter6009]

Well, to say that 'Disney deluxe resorts do not match up to those deluxe resorts in the real world', for me is unacceptable. I believe it is misleading to say that the GF, for instance, is a deluxe resort, if it isn't (in the real world). I love WDW and the resorts, but the bottom line for them, is the almighty dollar. And quite frankly, I'm not going to pay $400 or so a night, for a deluxe resort, that in my mind, is not truly deluxe. I think the moderate resorts are more in alignment with what is 'moderate' in the real world, and maybe even the value resorts.....but not the deluxes. Oh well, I'll still keep going to WDW, because I love going there....I just won't stay at a deluxe anymore.

Amen to that! This is what I've been trying to say...when did Disney not become "real world"? I want a deluxe room no matter where I am in the world if I'm paying for a deluxe room!

I know I've offended some on here and I've truly not meant to. I originally wanted to find a resort we maybe didn't know about. But even those people that had strong opposing opinions, basically said that in Disney a deluxe resort room just isn't going to happen. You pay out the nose for location, a beautiful resort, lots of family fun, but not the room. Which, for me, is unfair! And I still stand by Disney being able to spend a little more money on this.....

For the PP asking about FS Maui...oh it's divine! Have a wonderful time! My husband and I (yes I'm a girl- Lee is a nickname; Hunter is my dog) LOVED it. You won't want to come back! My kids went with us and we are still missing it! The only downside is the flight (we are east coast). That was killer! Hence why we tend to head to disney more often than not.

I, too, am excited to hear more about the FS on WDW! I can't imagine any FS resort not having excellent everything...INCLUDING the room!

 

[minnie61650]

I 100% agree with the OP, we did AKL and we were very dissappointed. I should have known better looking at the pictures and reading reviews. This is why we will stay at values from now on. I realize that DW is more expensive, comparing apples/oranges, but I WANT a TRULY deluxe hotel, and I won't pay deluxe prices for a themed 'holiday inn' which IMO- is what AK was.

The tubs were exactly the same as the value resorts, the sheets the same, sure the beds were a bit larger, but just 2 queens. The rooms were small, the bathrooms were small. The towels seemed the same to me at both values and deluxes (I could be wrong). I guess by same, I mean 'same feeling'...they were not plush like 4/5 star resort towels should be.
They only had 1 pool and it was CROWDED. Sure- the lobby was great but b/c everyone was running by our door in the morning, sleeping in would have been IMPOSSIBLE. WAY more loud than ASMU.

I want high end threadcount sheets, along with a high end bathroom with separate shower and at least a large soaking tub, if not 1 with jets. I want high end towels, king size beds, larger rooms, larger balconies, more attentive staff, turn down service...the list goes on.

I now know that DW does not provide these things, at least not at AK. Nothing wrong with that, it is what it is. DW can call it 'deluxe' all they want, but IMO- it doesn't qualify as deluxe so we won't spend our $$$ there again. We will stick with a value resort.

I also agree with many who posted that those who have the most issue with 'deluxe' are those that are high end well traveled. Having stayed at MANY truly 5 star resorts well, DW doesn't come close. That's ok, they just won't get me to spend the big bucks
I know people have looked down before at those at values, maybe not you, but family, friends, I've seen it on the boards about 'room snobs'....just remember, those staying at the values aren't necessarily beneath you....many just refuse to pay deluxe prices for a moderate hotel.

When we want deluxe, we hit B&B's in New England, west coast, resorts in Mexico and the caribbean...when we go to DW, we go, do commando and just know we will be getting a place to sleep and a clean bathroom. We all have different expectations, and I know now not to plan/expect a deluxe onsite DW vacation. When we want deluxe, we will go elsewhere.

I bolded some your statements and I agree with what you said 100%.

I also travel a lot for pleasure and I have stayed at a lot of 4 star and a few 5 star hotels.

I have stayed at the CR tower with a Magic Kingdom view and I am glad we did once but I feel that for the price the bedding,towels, and decor were very poor quality. ( I do like new look of the renovated more than the old look)
-------------------------------------------
That is why since 2001 I choose to either stay at the Swan/Dolphin resorts or I stay at one of the All Star resorts.

Disney's value resorts are a total bargain. I get so many perks that I feel I am getting much more than I am paying for.(Disney themeing, Disney transportation, and EMH)
Any of Disney's resort guests (even those staying at a value or mod) are allowed to shop, dine, use the transportation or spa facilities at any of the Disney Resorts. (Of course pool hopping is not allowed.)


Disney does charge a premium price for their Deluxe resorts.
Deluxe guests are paying for location and amenities not for stellar customer service.
Many guests are disappointed because they think the GF is a 5 star hotel.
They expect the service of a 5 star and are disappointed when their expectations are not met.
It is in no way near a 5 star hotel even though it costs as much as many 5 star hotels.
The GF is rated 4 diamonds by AAA but most sites rate it as 3 and a half.
The Poly and CR are usually considered 3 star hotels.


Just my 2 cents.

 

[tinknsnow]

I hear what you, OP, and asmit4 are saying... but because of your experiences at non-Disney "deluxe" resorts, your expectations were different. If you go to the WDW site and look up the room comparison, you get a definition of what "deluxe" means. It says nothing about higher quality linens or toiletries... but about the services, transportation options, and location. I think doing some research is key. Reading the website and finding the DISboards even more helpful.

On the Disney site, it says, "...experience the ultimate in Disney luxury, style and comfort — when you stay at a select Walt Disney World® Deluxe hotel..."
For Disney, the Deluxe resorts are "luxury". It doesn't say "ultimate in world-class luxury..."

See here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...mparison?id=BOSOPResortCategoryComparisonPage

I would be really unhappy off-site. We did that once, when my first daughter was a baby. We stayed at the Portofino Bay at Universal (we were attending a conference and got a great deal, so we opted to stay there even though we knew we'd be going to the Magic Kingdom most days). I won't go into the details, but the super-soft linens and comforter did not make up for the awful front-desk service and housekeeping we experienced there! And getting to WDW was a pure drag...

Good luck finding a resort that makes you happy. If you don't mind being off site, then I agree, why pay for Disney Deluxe if you want a luxury resort?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm not sure if the Contemporary was renevated after I stayed there....it was Jan. '06.??

During that time some of the floors in the Tower were renovated and others were not, so you had some renovated rooms and the old ones. I also believe they had just started or were going to start the renovations in the South Garden Wing.

 

[hammie59]

This is just my opinion and I haven't read all of the other posts so I may be repeating, but I had the same thoughts when I first began researching staying on site. I've come to realize that the room decor/amenities can't be compared to a non disney hotel by any means. You are definitely paying for conveinence and "Disneyness". I agree the rooms aren't all that spectacular when you look at some of the price tags. The way I see it is the price of a mod for example, is really more like what one would expect to pay for a deluxe style hotel off site, etc... I know you can get a whole house or condo for the price of the average deluxe room at rack rate. Not that I agree so much, but I've finally come to except this and learned to bite the bullet if I want to stay onsite. I must admit, when I first started looking, I wasn't impressed with what I saw for the prices. I finally brainwashed myself into believing that it's OK.

 

[shellybaxter]

I think the CR is the closest to a truly "resort" hotel. It was comprable to the Venetian, IMO. !

I would have to respectfully completely disagree with that statment. I don't find the CR to be comparable in any way to the Venetian.

But then again I think the comparison is apples to oranges. Venetian is a casino resort hotel - swanky and ozzing money. The CR is a theme park convention hotel (a strange combo I think) that is suppose to be fun and comfortable.

 

[Calcio]

LM0429

The original post is correct about the Four Seasons Maui. You are going to have an amazing time. The amazing thing to me was the customer service was extraordinary, in every way, at every moment. I would also agree the the OP that its location rivals that of the Deluxe Disney resorts. No, there aren't parks and attractions right outside your door, but there is the beach, surfing, snorkling, plus a sunset picnic, sitting outside with a loved one, dining, and watching the sun sink into the sound (ask the front desk about the picnic, they'll take care of everything, we did it our last night, wonderful!).

We've stayed at nearly every Disney Deluxe and Moderate resort, and I have to agree with the sentiments here. Our stay at the Grand Floridian was particularly enlightening. We had a nice room with a great location, but it was grossly overpriced and the customer service was minimally acceptable. I know you shouldn't do this on vacation, but my mind calculated the value of the GF vs. other resorts we've visited, and well, we've not stayed at the GF again. Nice? Yes. "Worth" the price? Not even close.

When we're in Orlando we do stay on site, because it means a lot to me to be able to walk back to the room from EPCOT and the Studios to rest, and then return, so that benefit to us offsets the value factor.

 

[Mouse Man]

I also thought Disney Deluxe resort rooms were incredible until I began doing a bit more traveling for my job. I had conferences that allowed me to stay at the Venetian and Bellagio and I must say...they are way above Disney in every way. I've stayed in a few Ritz Carltons and they were also incredible.

As an experienced Disney traveler, I know exactly what I am paying for when I book a Disney Deluxe... location and features that are not included in the moderates and values. However, If I were a more experienced traveler before my Disney adventures, I would be very disappointed in what is considered Deluxe. Disney does spell it out pretty well on their website and resort information. They do not promise high thread counts or spa tubs. They promise great location, full service dining, room service, valet, etc. The only way to lower the prices is to have people stop booking the rooms. We're willing to pay the price, so who cares if it costs more than true luxury resorts?

 

[eliza61]

Most people will tell you Disney deluxes are not "true" deluxes. Remember Disney is not in the hotel business rather the theme park business. You also pay for location and amenities.

I generally don't compare places to one another. If I want to stay onsite this is what is available, I know what I'm getting ahead of time and pick according to that. I just never understood the "I can stay at the 4 seasons arguement", if you want 4 seasons or the Bellagio that's where you have to stay.

 

[Dandy8]

I think they've outdone themselves on their cruise staterooms (they're some of the largest, have wonderful set-ups, etc) but why not the resorts?

I feel the same way. I enjoy the top of the line service you receive on the cruise. We stayed at WL a few years back and although it was nice & clean I didn't get what I thought should have been "deluxe" accommodations and I'm not sure it was worth the $.

 

[jrt1176]

While I agree sometimes the rates seem ridiculously high for a common room.

You have to take into account the convenience of staying on WDW property, free transportation, pools, amenities and the beautiful grounds.

 

[DisFlan]

We've stayed in many non-Disney deluxe hotels. The high priced WDW deluxes not really being deluxes is the main reason we joined DVC. We get the amenities of a Disney deluxe and being onsite without the continually increasing deluxe rates. Plus a washer/dryer, a kitchen and a jacuzzi to boot.

So yes, you can probably call me a room snob. At the BWV, we love being just a short walk or boat ride away from two parks.

DisFlan

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hmmm...I'm not offended by the op, so forgive me if this at all sounds defensive.

I've never been to Vegas, it holds no appeal to me, but I do understand that Vegas has LOTS of rooms to fill. If the rooms aren't impressive, then people won't come. In 2000, there were 124,270 rooms in Vegas. The MGM Grand has over 5000 rooms. In 2006, the total stood at 132,605 rooms.

Disney has over 20,000 rooms (as far as I could find.) (I'm sure I've seen a better number elsewhere, but I couldn't find one now.) WDW proper is much smaller. They own 22 resorts, with another ten or so on property that they don't own.

The point I'm trying to make is that there is a lot more pressure to fill rooms in Vegas. As others have said, a room at Disney is about the entire resort's activities, not just the room. A room in Vegas or the beach, is much more about the room itself.

(Incidentally, the last time I had a beachfront hotel room, it was nowhere near as nice as WL, but it was priced about the same, comparing peak season rates to peak season rates.)

In Orlando, if you don't think Disney rooms are worth the asking price, there are lots of offsite options, including many that do fall into the deluxe category. If the quality of the room is your top priority, consider a place like the JW Marriott or the Ritz-Carlton.

Last, rates at the Four Seasons Hualalai begin at $725. GF begins at $385. While GF rates DO go up quite a bit from the low end, I would hope for an $340 per night you'd get something extra in a 'basic' room.