SHOCKED by 2007 Rack Rates-Deluxe

[Misti]

OMG! I decided to check rates at the Grand Floridian for November 2007. It will be our 10 year anniversary (we were married at the wedding pavillion and honeymooned at the GF). So, I thought it would be nice to stay at the GF for our anniversary celebration. Mind you, I've never traveled to WDW at rack rates. I always manage to find a code/AP rate/AAA whatever. But looking at the rack rates absolutely shocked me!! I can't believe people actually pay these ridiculousy high nightly rates.

I'm probably going to get absolutely flamed for this but I am really starting to think Disney resort rates are too high for the accomodations and service provided at the Deluxe resorts. For the rates I'm going to list below, one could stay at a luxury 4 or 5 star resort in exotic locales around the world and still have dollars to spare. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the biggest Disney (and GF!) fans around (can't even count how many trips in the last 20+ years). But, these rates are really hard to justify, IMO. Am I the only one that thinks so?

November 2007 GF Rack Rates (with tax):

Standard Room, RPC Main Building $815/nt!
Lodge Concierge $635/nt
MK View $600/nt
Lagoon View $562/nt
Garden View $478/nt


I really hope a decent code becomes available at some point.

 

[CarolA]

The GF is a RIP OFF at those prices.

It's a three star hotel that looks pretty!

 

[Misti]

The GF is a RIP OFF at those prices.

It's a three star hotel that looks pretty!

Actually, "Rip Off" is about what I was thinking to tell you the truth!
I've been to some incredible hotels/resorts around the world and they were a LOT less than that (and offered more luxury accomodations to boot).

 

[Lives4Disney]

Misti, you know how I feel about the GF ....but I so agree with you. I love that GF, but I am so worried now that they are going to refurb it and I bet raise rates even more, it will untouchable. When we stayed in March 2006 the rack rates were about $825 for RPC. We had an AP rate booked LUCKILY, but honestly I was having BAD feelings about paying even the discounted rate. Our Xmas trip is at rack rate, but at least I got extremely lucky in August and got the last "value" season room. (it's less than spring break's cost/nt). I still think it's too much, but they have us as we just love that place. (I just ordered my Xmas tree from Disney Florist, so I am really feeling overwhelmed by the cost of things, lol)

Hope for a good discount & have a great 10th anniversary stay.

CarolA - I understand your feelings....I had an awfully disappointing BWI stay and am in NO hurry to ever stay there again. We have just had the most wonderful GF stays, though. It has yet to disappoint.

Lives4Disney

 

[lyzziesmom]

For $815 I have taken my kids on a week-long WDW vacation at a value resort. Just as much fun, if not more.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I have to agree that those prices are definitely hard to swallow. I just wish they had queen beds at the moderates! Actually, my wish is for family suites like they have at the All Stars at the moderates!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

yeah it is a rip off i stayed concierge sugar loaf 3 weeks ago and would stay there again
and for what they are charging for the mail building i will never pay that

 

[Kay1]

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

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Those rates certainly are high, but people must be booking rooms there or they would change the price. Supply and demand.

 

[CarolA]

To me, even if I had had a good stay it's just over priced.

I have seen lots of folks say "but it's Disney" Yeah and Disney is not incapable of ripping you off. Would you pay that much for a three star hotel in YOUR home town? Would you pay half that much? So the monorail is worth several hundred dollars a night? IMHO for that price the monorail better be waiting on me and I better not be on a crowded car with out of control kids. (Which is not likely to happen)

I have stayed at some GREAT hotels for a lot less money. (Here's a hint, head up I-4 to the Ritz at Grand Lakes. WONDERFUL hotel, nicer beds, MUCH better service, LESS money. For the savings you can have a limo drop you at Disney every day! LOL!)

Room Rates for Christmas Night at the Ritz.

* Deluxe Room
o 299.00 (USD) per night
* Deluxe Gardenview Room (1k/2db)* Overlook Grande Lakes Estate from Your Private Walk-Out Balcony *

* Deluxe Room >>
o 309.00 (USD) per night
* The Re-Connect Package * Deluxe Room (1K/2DB) * Spa or Golf Credit * Breakfast for two daily * See Rate Rules

* View - Lake/Golf >>
o 329.00 (USD) per night
* Deluxe Lakeview Room (1K/2DB) * Grande Lakes Estate with Panoramic Views of Lakes and Golf Course from Private Balcony *

* Lake Golf Front >>
o 459.00 (USD) per night
* Deluxe Lakefront Room (1K/2DB) * Direct Panoramic Views of the Lakes Golf Course and Pool from Your Private Walk Out Balcony *

* Club Level Room >>
o 569.00 (USD) per night

* Exclusive RC Club Gardenview (1K/2DB) * Includes 5 Food and Beverage Presentations Daily * Private Key Access * Concierge *

* View - Golf - RZ Club >>
o 599.00 (USD) per night
* Exclusive RC Club Lakeview (1K/2DB) * Includes 5 Food and Beverage Presentations Daily * Private Key Access * Concierge *

* Rz Club - Lake Front >>
o 629.00 (USD) per night

* Exclusive RC Club Lakefront (1K/2DB) * Includes 5 Food and Beverage Presentations Daily * Private Key Access * Concierge *

* View - Lake/Golf >>
o 778.00 (USD) per night

* Family Package * Rate includes 2 rooms connecting King to DoubleIncludes Ritz-Kids * Photo Album * Ice Cream * See Rate Rules

* Suite - Executive >>
o 999.00 (USD) per night
o * Executive Suite (1 King) * Offers a Panoramic View of Our Golf Course, Lakes and Our Spectacular Estate Gardens * See Rules

* Club Executive Suite >>
o 1399.00 (USD) per night
* Keys to Luxury * Club Executive Suite (1King) * Daily use of a 2005 Mercedes Benz * Refer to Booking Rules and Program Facts

I just checked and found a one bedroom suite at the GF for over $3,000 a night. So for HALF that you could have a Mercedes to drive to Disney

 

[DisneyFans4]

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

This is absolutely true because the europeans are all coming here because it's alot cheaper for them. During our trip in the summer we spoke to alot of them and were told of the terrific deals they were getting. Here I go every year and you would think WDW would appreciate my business by giving me a discount

 

[CarolA]

This is absolutely true because the europeans are all coming here because it's alot cheaper for them. During our trip in the summer we spoke to alot of them and were told of the terrific deals they were getting. Here I go every year and you would think WDW would appreciate my business by giving me a discount

They are getting those terrific deals not always from Disney.

The British Pound for example is very strong right now. So it takes almost $2 to equal one British Pound. That means it feels like HALF price to them!

 

[DisneyFans4]

They are getting those terrific deals not always from Disney.

The British Pound for example is very strong right now. So it takes almost $2 to equal one British Pound. That means it feels like HALF price to them!

I agree, but no matter where they are getting the deal it's still a great one and I wish I could get one.

 

[bicker]

In the end, as long as the place has the kind of load-levels it maintains, it is not overpriced, and surely not a rip-off. Lots of folks are very willing to pay those rates, so it must be worthwhile to them.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm sure there are many people who are well off and think that amount is a drop in the bucket and if they are asking for that price and it seems like the rate goes up every year then people are paying it. After all, the GF is always booked and I'm sure those rooms are never empty.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I could get a family rate at the Ritz for about $100/nt. We prefer the GF. Go figure, but we do. We have always had fabulous and magical stays there. I love watching Wishes from my balcony, hearing the boats in the morning, the decor, the CMs, the convenience to MK, monorails & boats, restaurants, shops & pools. I love it.

CarolA, sorry you had a bad stay a few years ago. I can see you don't think it's worth the cost, but to many it is. It is just a bit more than CR concierge & Poly concierge and GF blows them both away IMO.

Lives4Disney

 

[Sammie]

The Ritz is not on Disney property, great resort but sorry location. As to the beds the Grand Floridian has the same mattress that Ritz carries.

Whether are not it's rip off, depends on point of view. I am willing to pay extra for location. Service is subject to personal review also. I have had nothing, but great service at the Grand Floridian, I have had bad service at other locations, Disney and otherwise.

Each person has to decide what is valuable to them. As limabeanmom2003 said we might all think the rates are overly high, but if they can book them at that rate, that is what it's going to be.

Believe me if the Ritz could book year round at higher rates they would charge that too.

 

[CarolA]

The Ritz is not on Disney property, great resort but sorry location. As to the beds the Grand Floridian has the same mattress that Ritz carries.

Whether are not it's rip off, depends on point of view. I am willing to pay extra for location. Service is subject to personal review also. I have had nothing, but great service at the Grand Floridian, I have had bad service at other locations, Disney and otherwise.

Each person has to decide what is valuable to them. As limabeanmom2003 said we might all think the rates are overly high, but if they can book them at that rate, that is what it's going to be.

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!)

 

[Misti]

Whether are not it's rip off, depends on point of view. I am willing to pay extra for location. Service is subject to personal review also. I have had nothing, but great service at the Grand Floridian, I have had bad service at other locations, Disney and otherwise.

Each person has to decide what is valuable to them. As limabeanmom2003 said we might all think the rates are overly high, but if they can book them at that rate, that is what it's going to be.

Absolutely true. For ME, it is worth it when I stay at a discount. I'm headed there next week for the second time in a year so you can see it IS worth it to me. Then again, it is ONLY worth it to me during Value Season, with a decent discount.

The rates I quoted in my initial post aren't even Holiday Season rates. Can you imagine what they are charging during Xmas next year?

If those guests paying these rates travel freely without respect to cost, they have surely stayed in other luxury hotels. And, having stayed in many myself, I'd expect a LOT more in the room itself for those rates. I know you can't compare WDW to Hawaii but here's a comparison in any event. 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".

For the same dates (and actually a $100 LESS per night) than a "standard room" at the GF in the main building (which is basically a regular hotel room mind you in terms of size), I can get an Oceanview SUITE of 840 sq feet at the Fairmont Kea Lani with a spacious lanai, living room w/ sleep sofa, a separate bedroom and a HUGE bathroom with deep soaking tub and walk-in shower. So, even if I was a Rockefeller and dropped that kind of $$ routinely, I think I'd have an "expectation" in mind at check-in paying that much a night. All I'm saying is that I'm surprised people are paying that for the GF given what that $$ buys you at some of the top resorts in the world. Again, just my opinion!

 

[Cass]

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.