SHOCKED by 2007 Rack Rates-Deluxe

[Misti]

Prices for Europe are like that, I was in England last summer and next year will be in Rome & Paris, hotels are incredibly expensive and make Disney prices look like a deal.

I know isn't it expensive?! We found the same thing in Italy this year. The exchange rate isn't in our favor, unfortunately.

Still, even with the exchange rate, the Hotel de Crillon in Paris is about the same as the GF.

 

[LukenDC]

Disney is a money making corporation and as long as people are willing to pay those high prices and fill the rooms, Disney will keep jacking up the rates.

I am grateful for the international travelers who come here. Americans' reputation in the world is not that great right now and yet people still come to spend their money and to get to know us firsthand. In the first couple of years after 9/11, international travelers buoyed the travel and hospitality industry. When I visited Orlando in September, I suspect that the majority of the people in the Universal parks were from the UK.

 

[Von Drake]

Main Building Concierge is truly 5 Star quality. I am sympathetic to those that have had negative experiences, but I am also somewhat confused... ...

Our stays at the GF were spectacular- both in terms of accommodations and service.

To me, GF is worth every cent.

 

[CarolA]

Prices for Europe are like that, I was in England last summer and next year will be in Rome & Paris, hotels are incredibly expensive and make Disney prices look like a deal.

Where are you staying? I can do a week in Paris for a lot less then Disney and stay in a nice hotel. Granted it's not a four star American chain, but in Paris it's probably better located.

Try www.fodors.com and read those boards. Great suggestions there.

Most Europeans on vacation aren't staying at the Crillion. It's like America, only the REALLY rich are staying there. A family of four on thier annual vacation in August probably doesn't stay there.

I would rather stay at a less "deluxe" location and stay longer in Europe. It takes long enough to get there I figure I better make it worthwhile!

 

[Cass]

I havent' decided on Paris yet, I think most nights will be at The Disneyland Hotel - but Rome, man oh man, even through the cruiseline (we are going on a cruise from Rome) it is
800.00 a night.

The Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps is 1200.00

I have not decided where to stay yet.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

The GF is a RIP OFF at those prices.

It's a three star hotel that looks pretty!

I totally agree. I love GF, but I will never pay those rates.



In regards to Rome, everything in Rome (most of Italy for that matter) is expensive. My husband's uncle is a priest, who visits Rome often. He tells us the Vatican makes $ off everything in Rome and a lot of Italy.

I am not surprised that Paris is expensive. It is a major tourist spot. I would love to go to Greece and Italy someday, but that is too "rich for my blood."

 

[Northstar]

Rack rates always shock me. But then, MOST people don't pay them...when I call a hotel direct and am quoted a price, I always ask, "can you give me any discounts?" and usually, they give you a better price immediately... it's like they're not allowed to tell you if you don't ask, but almost everybody knows to ask, so the rack rate is an illusion anyway.

But yeah, some of those Deluxe Peak Season rates, it hurts just to read them! I can feed and house my family for a week, AND give some money to charity, for what a night at GF costs peak season!

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I have never been able to get a better price from Disney by asking that question.

 

[m&m's mom]

I'd guess that oceanfront in one of the most exclusive resort areas in the Pacific (Wailea, Maui), at one of the most prestigious hotel chains (Fairmont) is about as desirable as you could get in terms of "location".

This is funny. My DH and I loved staying at the Kea Lani! I still crave that wonderful tropical tea and the very yummy morning breakfast buffet.
One of the reasons we bought our house was it had the closest we could find to the incredible Kea Lani walk-in shower.
But.... when we go to WDW I could care less if I am at the Poly or ASMu. I cannot possibly imagine paying $600.00 for a room at WDW.

 

[CarolA]

I totally agree. I love GF, but I will never pay those rates.



In regards to Rome, everything in Rome (most of Italy for that matter) is expensive. My husband's uncle is a priest, who visits Rome often. He tells us the Vatican makes $ off everything in Rome and a lot of Italy.

I am not surprised that Paris is expensive. It is a major tourist spot. I would love to go to Greece and Italy someday, but that is too "rich for my blood."

See that disturbs me.

Just to give you an idea. I took a group of kids to Europe last year. 3 weeks. $2,800 each TOTAL! (Airfare, all touring expenses, transport between London, Paris and Switzerland, 3 meals a day. The only thing they had to buy was souviners!) I bet most of you spend a lot more on Disney!

Greece and Italy are actually fairly affordable.

Rome was more costly, but we found a nice hotel for $100 or so a night. (This was the CLEANEST hotel I have EVER stayed in. The tile in the bathroom GLISTENED it was so clean. It's hard to explain!)

If you want to do Europe you can, however you may have to get away from the GF type hotels. Think budget hotels, clean, safe etc. but not a lot of frills. (but then are you there to see your hotel room?)

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

CarolA, that is good information. Thanks!

I could care less about the room, truly as long as I am somewhere that I am safe and somebody can tell me where I can find a map.

 

[B&WMickey]

Maybe it's because of the weak dollar. Because Disney hosts a lot of foreign visitors they can ask a lot.

It is possible the weak dollar may have some impact on room rates but the dollar will rebound one day and I sure don't see Disney slashing their rates to reflect it. They're only going to go up.

 

[minnie61650]

Yes, but the Ritz has MUCH nicer sheets, linens and pillows! LOL!

(If those are the same beds I am truly shocked at the difference the linens do make!)

I have no problem with people booking however, I do think folks have to realize that they are paying dearly for that location. I think that the YC/BC is overpriced but will on occassion splurge on it (although that is pretty rare now that I bought DVC) I know when I do that I am paying for the holy grail of real estate "location, location, location"

Now to me the CR resort (which I think is pretty ugly) actually has the BEST location for the MK. You can WALK.

(And then there is the resort in DLP. Paid a forturne for it, but talk about location OVER the front gate! I had a view of the MAGIC KINGDOM, not just Wishes! LOL!)

Very good points.

Disney does charge a premium price for their Deluxe resorts.
Deluxe guests are paying for location and amenities. I think that Disney's deluxe resort lack the stellar customer service I am use to when I am paying those prices for a resort.
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.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I agree with the poster who said they can feed & house their family for a week for the price of a night at the GF... except in my case, one night at the GF is more money than my house payment for the month. If you can afford it that's fine, but as for me, I can not imagine spending more on one night for a BED and BATHROOM than I spend on an entire month of housing, food and bills for my family of three. Guess I am just a simple girl.

 

[yecats]

If I am going to put out that type of $$$ then it will be in Hawaii. Those rake rates are ridiculous. I now look at things in a different light since Hurricane Katrina. Just imagine if everyone who would stay at GF over the course of a year would choose instead to spend the week at a moderate resort and donate the difference in cost to those recovery agencies along the Gulf Coast region, boy oh boy, the rebuilding would be booming. Oh well just dreaming along.

 

[minnie61650]

If I am going to put out that type of $$$ then it will be in Hawaii. Those rake rates are ridiculous. I now look at things in a different light since Hurricane Katrina. Just imagine if everyone who would stay at GF over the course of a year would choose instead to spend the week at a moderate resort and donate the difference in cost to those recovery agencies along the Gulf Coast region, boy oh boy, the rebuilding would be booming. Oh well just dreaming along.

What a wonderful suggestion!

Two of my favorite charities are The Salvation Army and Give Kids the World.

The Salvaton Army--because it helps so many in need and GKTW because children with serious illness get to see the mouse and expeience some of the magic of Disney that I love so much!

Here are the links if any one wishes to help these fine organizations.
* Note Salvation Army donations can be earmarked for Hurricane Katrina
relief if you choose.

Salvation army link:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf

Give Kids the World:

http://www.gktw.org/

Thanks

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Yeeowch, those are some high prices! I could never afford Deluxe resorts if it weren't for AP rates! Even then it is a stretch!

It's funny, because if you compare, the values are actually a good value compared to comparable non-WDW hotels- a crappy Days Inn by the airport costs more than the All Stars, and it certainly doesn't come with free transportation and a food court! (You're lucky if it is clean!)

On the other hand, $270 in Cancun gets you a 5 star resort with all of your meals and drinks included, and the ocean steps away!

I'd really like to see the Disney resorts stay in a price range that is accessable to most people- I'm not saying that the GF should be $50/nt, but Disney is supposed to be a "dream" trip- it would be nice for people not to feel that the nicest resorts are something totally out of their league!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Rack rates always shock me. But then, MOST people don't pay them...

That's true for most hotels/motels, but not Disney's -- most guests, especially during Peak and Holiday season, pay full rack rate. In recent years Disney's turned to promotional bundled (hotel, tickets, meals, etc.) discounts (free dining, ticket upgrades, free nights, etc.) in lieu of straight dollars-off discounts (although they appear from time-to-time, often targeted).

The reality is that as long as Disney limits its room inventory and markets an attractive product (a resort with a Disney ambience, the Magical Express experience, frequent transportation, extended park hours, etc.), people will continue to flock to Disney and pay the going rate. You can see from reading this board, Tripadvisor, etc., how some people wouldn't go if they couldn't stay on-site.

They days of getting a $99 one-bedroom bungalow suite at the Disney Institue (as we did in 1998) or $129 garden wing room at the Contemporary (as we did in 1999 -- yes, for the millenium celebration) during the Christmas/New Year's holidays are over.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The rack rates for Disney's resorts have nothing to do with the weak dollar -- UK and Asian tourists rarely stay on-property... FWIW, many of them -- especially those staying two or more weeks -- stay in budget lodging. Many perfer to be closer to the Orlando resort area itself (outlet shopping, Universal, etc.)

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

The rack rates for Disney's resorts have nothing to do with the weak dollar -- UK and Asian tourists rarely stay on-property... FWIW, many of them -- especially those staying two or more weeks -- stay in budget lodging. Many perfer to be closer to the Orlando resort area itself (outlet shopping, Universal, etc.)

I can say as Uk visitor I have never not stayed onsite