SO glad I have DVC- did you see the new rack rates?

[CarolA]

I am CONTINUALLY amazed at the success Disney has at selling a subpar product (their hotels) for a PREMIUM price. And then they have folks in hystericas over "deals" that MIGHT bring the rate to what the rack rate for the quality SHOULD be.

Sadly, Disney hotels do NOT measure up to the standards one would expect for the rates they charge. Now as a stockholder I don't blame them, but I do wonder how they get away with it!

 

[keishashadow]

while i sure think buying DVC was a great idea and i appreciate the whole value part vs 'rack rates' @ the Deluxes; I wonder if anybody ever pays rack rate @ WDW (based on reading the different pin code/sale code/pkg deals offered-think the current offer buy 4, get up to 3 free).

cynic in me is familiar with sales practice of inflating the cost of product, then drastically cutting it to appear as though the buyer is getting 'a deal', jmho

 

[ScubaD]

And as the rack rates continue to increase the payoff of our "investment" gets closer. We are so glad to have purchased into the DVC, but now we "have" to go to Disney. What a way to go.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I have to agree! I am so gald we have our DVC. We are taking a couples trip in May and due to using all our points this year for a Hilton Head trip in June, and even with an AP rate, we will have to down grade our hotel accomodations.

 

[dburg30]

while i sure think buying DVC was a great idea and i appreciate the whole value part vs 'rack rates' @ the Deluxes; I wonder if anybody ever pays rack rate @ WDW (based on reading the different pin code/sale code/pkg deals offered-think the current offer buy 4, get up to 3 free).

cynic in me is familiar with sales practice of inflating the cost of product, then drastically cutting it to appear as though the buyer is getting 'a deal', jmho

I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure there are times that they get rack rate in the good times. Holidays of course, and during the summer I'm sure they get almost full price, again, in good times. Rack rate for mods is like 149 during the week in value season? I paid 89 - 99 / night a few weeks ago. So that's a discount off the value rates.

I am CONTINUALLY amazed at the success Disney has at selling a subpar product (their hotels) for a PREMIUM price. And then they have folks in hystericas over "deals" that MIGHT bring the rate to what the rack rate for the quality SHOULD be.

Sadly, Disney hotels do NOT measure up to the standards one would expect for the rates they charge. Now as a stockholder I don't blame them, but I do wonder how they get away with it!

You really wonder how they do it? I would guess there are a LARGE number of people that goto WDW that really dont do a lot of investigating on the net for places like this. They hear the ads and think how great of a deal it sounds like (and there are deals to be had). And I've stayed in a couple of different disney resorts, and I really didnt find them 'subpar' they are much better then some of the motels I've stayed at in North Carolina, Gettysburg and a few other places, and some of those were as expensive, and the ones that were 'cheap' OMG, they were overpriced at that point.

And the real estate mantra of 'Location, Location, Location' rings true here also. You pay more for proximity IMO. I know you travel a lot, you dont see those $40/night hotels getting $150 - $200 / night when they are in demand?

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I just said the same thing to my hubby - can you imagine over $140.00/night plus tax for a value room. Yikes!

So glad we have DVC!!! Tiger

Yes!

Because of our travel plans, I booked 2 nights at Pop for spring break. Since airline prices are SO high this year, it looks like we'll be driving (15 - 16 hour drive). We won't get in until really late on Friday night, so I sure didn't want to pay premium points just to sleep. That led me to my second thought of..."Since we're already at Pop, why wouldn't we just stay 1 more night and avoid paying a bundle of points because it is a Saturday?" So, $300 later (tax included), we have reservations at Pop. That saved us a total of 110 points.

As for joining DVC, I just wished we had done it sooner. We threw a lot of money away staying at both values and DVC resorts over the last several years. Glad we finally took the plunge, though!

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

It's been years since I looked rack rates and after doing so this morning, all I can say is WOW, THANK YOU DVC!

 

[RLRDA]

I priced out our rooms we are planning to get for next Christmas...
It came to 16525.00

I guess my DVC is paying for itself in one trip...

Wow, is that crazy or what? Are there actually cash paying customers who spend that on a Christmas trip to WDW??

 

[DVC Grammy]

while i sure think buying DVC was a great idea and i appreciate the whole value part vs 'rack rates' @ the Deluxes; I wonder if anybody ever pays rack rate @ WDW (based on reading the different pin code/sale code/pkg deals offered-think the current offer buy 4, get up to 3 free).

cynic in me is familiar with sales practice of inflating the cost of product, then drastically cutting it to appear as though the buyer is getting 'a deal', jmho

A few years ago, at the BW bus stop, my late DH and I got into a conversation with a man staying at the BWI with his family (wife and 2 young children). For ONE week, he was paying about $6000 (tickets included, but no meal plan or air fares)! He booked through a travel agent, and seemed okay with the cost. We told him about DVC (since he thought they'd return at least annually), and instead of going to the parks, he and his family took the "Tour" We didn't see him again during our trip, but we're fairly certain that we made a "convert" .

 

[Anal Annie]

The rising rack rates are exactly why we decided to purchase our DVC membership 2 years ago this month! We priced out a trip at a moderate resort and nearly fell out as it was as much as what we'd paid for a deluxe a couple of years before. We knew we'd be booking values before long and didn't like THAT thought!

We are VERY grateful for our DVC...it will allow us to vacation regardless of the economy. Perhaps not as often as we'd like with the higher airfares, but at least once a year.

 

[hellerjw]

Add us to the "grateful for our DVC" list as well. We have gotten on a 2BR kick the last few trips and I don't know if we can go back to a smaller unit now. We just did an add-on in September so we could afford our 2BR habit.

Can you imagine spending over $1000/night for a 2BR and then being hit with a $125/night tax on top of that

The ever increasing rack rates, and particularly the 12.5% accomodations tax, was one of the main reasons we joined DVC. That 12.5% tax doesn't get figured into a lot of the rate comparisons people do but it was what pushed us over the fence to purchase DVC.

 

[jfinke]

I am CONTINUALLY amazed at the success Disney has at selling a subpar product (their hotels) for a PREMIUM price. And then they have folks in hystericas over "deals" that MIGHT bring the rate to what the rack rate for the quality SHOULD be.

Sadly, Disney hotels do NOT measure up to the standards one would expect for the rates they charge. Now as a stockholder I don't blame them, but I do wonder how they get away with it!

Two words:

Captured audience.

 

[ransom]

Two words:

Captured audience.

And pixie dust! Can't forget the pixie dust!

 

[ILIKEWDW]

We paid for 8 nights, two rooms, last september on Gran Floridian (Concierge Club) more than $16,500. No meals included, no transportation, just for the stay.

And for our DVC (meaning vacation for 50 years) we paid just 10,000 more than our past one and only stay.

What a deal!!!!

 

[CarolA]

Two words:

Captured audience.

NO!


LOL!

Captured would imply no other options. There are TONS of other options.

And as for "Pixie Dust" Well... maybe for you. But the feeling of "RIPPED OFF" for me pretty much overcame any "Pixie Dust"

You can normally stay at the Swan/Dolphin for DRAMATICALLY less then a Disney "Deluxe" and get something closer to a real deluxe. Just checked rack rate on both Swan and BWI for a random date in January. Swan $256. BWI $335

You can stay at great hotels off property that are not dramatically worse in terms of commute then the moderates and/or values and may in some cases actually have BETTER commutes. Yes, you need a car. However, considering the savings the car and room are often much less then a room alone on Disney and you get more...

Let's compare the Disney value to the bottom of the Marriott line in Lake Buena Vista.

Hairdryer in Room... Disney On Request. Fairfield. Automatic
Fridge in Room.... Disney $10 a day. Farifield FREE
Food Court.... Disney Disney brands. Fairfield. Several well known vendors
Transportation to parks. Both offer. Disneys is better.
Inside Corridors. Disney.... Fairfield Yes
Microwave Disney Not avaialble Fairfield Free
Charge for extra adult over 2. Disney $10 Fairfield Free
Rewards Program for staying often Disney Fairfield. I am staying for a week in Portugal free at a Marriott using my rewards!!!!!!
Front Desk Staff (maybe that's "pixie dust") I have checked into both. No real difference.
Theming. Disney wins hands down.
Bed Size. Disney two doubles, King... extra charge Fairfield. Two queens, or King at no extra charge.
Internet Disney $9.95 a day. Fairfield FREE!

So you have to realize with Disney you are paying extra for "theme" and MAYBE location. Sure locations good IF you have a MK or Epcot Deluxe, but after that.... it's debatable!


There's nothing stoppoing folks from staying off property. We aren't "captured". Personally I think a lot of folks who stay on Disney property really have a very limited exposure to other hotels and just "assume" that's the way things are. My friends in-laws who are true "Luxury" travelers spent ONE night at a Disney Deluxe. Packed up and moved to the the Ritz. They knew what they normally get for those prices and thought that "pretty" wasn't really enough to make up for the so so room quality and service!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

NO!


LOL!

Captured would imply no other options. There are TONS of other options.

And as for "Pixie Dust" Well... maybe for you. But the feeling of "RIPPED OFF" for me pretty much overcame any "Pixie Dust"

You can normally stay at the Swan/Dolphin for DRAMATICALLY less then a Disney "Deluxe" and get something closer to a real deluxe. Just checked rack rate on both Swan and BWI for a random date in January. Swan $256. BWI $335

You can stay at great hotels off property that are not dramatically worse in terms of commute then the moderates and/or values and may in some cases actually have BETTER commutes. Yes, you need a car. However, considering the savings the car and room are often much less then a room alone on Disney and you get more...

Let's compare the Disney value to the bottom of the Marriott line in Lake Buena Vista.

Hairdryer in Room... Disney On Request. Fairfield. Automatic
Fridge in Room.... Disney $10 a day. Farifield FREE
Food Court.... Disney Disney brands. Fairfield. Several well known vendors
Transportation to parks. Both offer. Disneys is better.
Inside Corridors. Disney.... Fairfield Yes
Microwave Disney Not avaialble Fairfield Free
Charge for extra adult over 2. Disney $10 Fairfield Free
Rewards Program for staying often Disney Fairfield. I am staying for a week in Portugal free at a Marriott using my rewards!!!!!!
Front Desk Staff (maybe that's "pixie dust") I have checked into both. No real difference.
Theming. Disney wins hands down.
Bed Size. Disney two doubles, King... extra charge Fairfield. Two queens, or King at no extra charge.
Internet Disney $9.95 a day. Fairfield FREE!

So you have to realize with Disney you are paying extra for "theme" and MAYBE location. Sure locations good IF you have a MK or Epcot Deluxe, but after that.... it's debatable!


There's nothing stoppoing folks from staying off property. We aren't "captured". Personally I think a lot of folks who stay on Disney property really have a very limited exposure to other hotels and just "assume" that's the way things are. My friends in-laws who are true "Luxury" travelers spent ONE night at a Disney Deluxe. Packed up and moved to the the Ritz. They knew what they normally get for those prices and thought that "pretty" wasn't really enough to make up for the so so room quality and service!

There she goes....keep'in it real!!

 

[ransom]

NO!


LOL!

Captured would imply no other options. There are TONS of other options.

And as for "Pixie Dust" Well... maybe for you. But the feeling of "RIPPED OFF" for me pretty much overcame any "Pixie Dust"

You can normally stay at the Swan/Dolphin for DRAMATICALLY less then a Disney "Deluxe" and get something closer to a real deluxe. Just checked rack rate on both Swan and BWI for a random date in January. Swan $256. BWI $335

You can stay at great hotels off property that are not dramatically worse in terms of commute then the moderates and/or values and may in some cases actually have BETTER commutes. Yes, you need a car. However, considering the savings the car and room are often much less then a room alone on Disney and you get more...

Let's compare the Disney value to the bottom of the Marriott line in Lake Buena Vista.

Hairdryer in Room... Disney On Request. Fairfield. Automatic
Fridge in Room.... Disney $10 a day. Farifield FREE
Food Court.... Disney Disney brands. Fairfield. Several well known vendors
Transportation to parks. Both offer. Disneys is better.
Inside Corridors. Disney.... Fairfield Yes
Microwave Disney Not avaialble Fairfield Free
Charge for extra adult over 2. Disney $10 Fairfield Free
Rewards Program for staying often Disney Fairfield. I am staying for a week in Portugal free at a Marriott using my rewards!!!!!!
Front Desk Staff (maybe that's "pixie dust") I have checked into both. No real difference.
Theming. Disney wins hands down.
Bed Size. Disney two doubles, King... extra charge Fairfield. Two queens, or King at no extra charge.
Internet Disney $9.95 a day. Fairfield FREE!

So you have to realize with Disney you are paying extra for "theme" and MAYBE location. Sure locations good IF you have a MK or Epcot Deluxe, but after that.... it's debatable!


There's nothing stoppoing folks from staying off property. We aren't "captured". Personally I think a lot of folks who stay on Disney property really have a very limited exposure to other hotels and just "assume" that's the way things are. My friends in-laws who are true "Luxury" travelers spent ONE night at a Disney Deluxe. Packed up and moved to the the Ritz. They knew what they normally get for those prices and thought that "pretty" wasn't really enough to make up for the so so room quality and service!

Thank goodness there's plenty of choices for everyone!

(BTW, the "Pixie Dust" comment was meant to be taken with a wink and a nudge.)

 

[jfinke]

That is still a captured audience, IMHO.

If you want to stay onsite, you are staying in a WDW hotel. Granted, the S&D are onsite. But, they only participate in some of programs as do the DTD hotels. No DDP for any of those guests. ME for S&D. If you are military you can stay at SoG, but I don't think you get any benefits from there.

I have stayed at Courtyard Marriotts that are nicer than WDW's moderates. Plus, more perks (outside of being at Epcot's doorstep).

I am not saying that there aren't other options. But, you can make the same argument as to why food is so expensive at WDW. You can always leave the park, drive away, eat at a cheaper restaurant, drive back.

If I don't want to eat an airport, I can always leave and then come back in through security.

Another choice is to not go to WDW at all, but now it is really hyperbole.

I will be interested to see how the new third party luxury hotel integrates into the system. Time has shown that competition breeds innovation.

 

[CarolA]

.

I will be interested to see how the new third party luxury hotel integrates into the system. Time has shown that competition breeds innovation.

My hope is that the Four Seasons steals those guest paying for "Deluxe" and getting Marriott 3 star Maybe that will force Disney to start living up to thier pricing.

And this always amazes me. It's Disney so we expect LESS?????? But don't we expect MORE from Disney? Don't we pay MORE for Disney then for Six Flags because it's a superior product? Didn't a lot of us pay MORE for DVC because we thought it was a better product then "Westwood" or some other Timeshare? However, we may MORE for an inferior product with the hotels? And people RACE to pay it... As a shareholder I am pleased but as a consumer...

 

[Brian Noble]

Sadly, Disney hotels do NOT measure up to the standards one would expect for the rates they charge. Now as a stockholder I don't blame them, but I do wonder how they get away with it!

Disney is a marketing machine. They are excellent at selling you the value proposition of the seamless experience and the perks, and has developed an audience that considers those fair value in exchange for the prices they pay.

If you haven't seen the Planning DVD recently, watch it, putting yourself in the shoes of someone who's never been to WDW. At the end of that DVD, the average person would assume that their vacation would be ruined if they didn't stay in a Disney-owned resort.

Disney is by no means the worst offender. Cedar Point's "flagship" resort, Hotel Breakers, costs about $300 a night in season, give or take. The advantage to those rooms: you are steps away from one of the gates to the park. But, it's a dump, comparable to an older Holiday Inn. It would be lucky to pull down $109 a night if it were located anywhere else in Sandusky.