Someone please enlighten me..

[C.Ann]

It was mentioned on another board that someone paid $650 a night for a room in the GF - and that there are rooms there that go even higher..

I have been thinking about this ALL day - and I can't think of one single, solitary thing that would make a hotel room worth $650 a night - let alone more..

So please enlighten me.. What would make a hotel room worth $650 a night - or MORE ?????

The only thing I can think of is if they refunded $500 of it when I left - and even THAT would be a stretch..

I'm dead serious here.. I can't think of ANYTHING that would make a room worth that kind of money..

 

[DebbieB]

I think it follows the theory "if you have to ask, you can't afford it"! I know I couldn't afford it.

I looked at the rate chart, see below. There is actually a 2 bedroom presidential suite that goes for $1,775. The $650 room was probably main building concierge deluxe or honeymoon.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...index?id=GFGrandFloridianResortRsrtRmRtGrping

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/rooms/roomgroupingindex?id=GFRoomGrping

One time I was having a conversation with family and we were talking about what would you do if you won the lottery. My first reaction was fly first class to WDW (never flew first class) and get the most expensive room at the GF - the one Princess Di stayed in! Just a fantasy...

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think the DVC grand villas go for something like that for cash night if you can get them.

 

[justhat]

Well, for our honeymoon next June, we're staying in one of the honeymoon concierge rooms at the GF and it's $670/night + tax, and it could go up since that's 2003's rates. We by no means have that kind of money to spend right now, but it's our honeymoon and it might just be the last time we go anywhere for a very long time--my fiancé starts his med school rotations 2 weeks after we get back, then once he graduates he'll be in a residency for at least 3 more years, so we're basically looking at 5 years without a vacation so we want our honeymoon to be perfect. Yes, it does mean saving every possible cent from now until then, but for us it's worth it. Also, we get concierge access for that money so we won't need to spend much on food, and we'll be in the main building which is where we've both always wanted to stay, and we'll have a beautiful lagoon view. So even though it's going to cost us a small fortune, we'll have a great time. We can't afford it for the whole trip, however, so we're moving to AKL for the rest of the WDW portion, with a Disney Cruise in the middle.

About the suites that cost so much more, my mom has a business trip the the GF 2 weeks before the wedding and we're bringing all the girls in the bridal party for a pre-wedding trip/bachelorette party. So even though the room is a lot, we'd need 3-4 regular rooms, and the price for the 2 bedroom suite is about equal to 3 regular rooms at the GF, but with the suite we get full concierge access so it's a much better deal since, once again, we won't be spending much on food. We could get 4 rooms at the All Stars, but then my mom would have to commute every morning to the conferences, which would end up being more of an inconvenience than it's worth, so we pretty much have to stay at the GF. We have also heard of 2 or 3 families going to WDW together and splitting the cost of a suite, so when you do that it's really no more than a regular room and you get more benefits.

 

[mat2672]

The first answer was right on. If you have to ask, dont even bother. I agree that it would be crazy for my family to do that, but thats coming from my perspective where we are probably in the upper middle class of family incomes. most of the people that would have a room like that are likely to be very well off and they dont look at $650/ night the same way most of us do. I wouldnt pay $80,000 for a Mercedes either, but to a rich guy, that would be no more of a financial hit to him that a $20,000 car would be to me.

 

[skiwee1]

Well it depends on what you think is a lot of money. Obviously that amount is a lot for you. It is for me also! LOL! There are just as many people at the All Stars thinking that $200 is ridiculous to pay and we usually spend about that for the Polynesian. I think the most we have every spent for a hotel room is $500 a night at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki. If you have plenty of money then you won't bat an eye at $650. I don't see the big deal in paying that much if that is what you want but I know I would be spending a lot less time at WDW if I did!

 

[ducklite]

I agree with the above posters, to some people that's absolutely nothing.

I haven't and probably wouldn't pay that much for a room at WDW.

But I have friends who are truly wealthy who would just tell their travel agent "book us a suite at the nicest place at WDW, and book a room for the nanny next door as well." They wouldn't look for the best deal, they don't really care.

Face it, to a person who makes a million a year, $650 a night is nothing. It's about an hours pay.

Anne

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by ducklite
But I have friends who are truly wealthy who would just tell their travel agent "book us a suite at the nicest place at WDW, and book a room for the nanny next door as well." They wouldn't look for the best deal, they don't really care.

Anne

Hey Anne.

I think we have the same friends!!

Laura

 

[ww52]

I have the same question as the original poster, and I'm not sure the responses are answering that question. I realize there are people wealthy enough to afford $650 a night, but what is different about that room that makes it more expensive? Logic says it's better in some way, else why charge more.
My guesses:
Better view
Bigger room
Concierge services
Privacy (floors access by a unique elevator key)
Maybe some added perks in the room (refrigerator, bar, microwave?)
Anything else?

I know celebrities stay in that general area (and I suspect their rooms are even more elaborate and therefore more expensive). Bruce Willis stayed at GF last time we were there ('98) as part of an Armageddon promo (they had a party at MGM after hours also.) I've been told Michael Jordan has stayed at GF, as well as Evander Holyfield and as mentioned before Princess Di. Clearly the $1,000+ suites have something the standard view rooms don't have. So what do the $650 rooms have?

 

[mickeyfan1]

C.Ann, I had the same questions once, too. I was at a Disnney Institute Management Class, and one field trip was to the Poly. We traipsed all over, saw the lobby, the shops, the day care center, and then, Gasp, the concierge area. The CMs there were very nice, they explained that if you want to py the price, at the time $600.00 p/n, you get: a private check in area, flower lei (fake), snacks in the lounge which that afternoon were cookies and drinks, non alchoholic, they would make your PSs for you ahead of time, but no guarantees that you would get them. I came away from there in amazement. If I wanted to stay at the Poly, I can get DU to make my reservation at the best discount available, they will make all my PSs, and I can buy a fake flower lei at the gif shop for a couple of bucks. I can buy cookies from Captain Cooks, and sodas, too. If I get a refillable mug, then I might even get ahead on the drink prices. So I don't know what the additional 400 per night gets you. AlLl those perks don't add up for me. Would I turn down a free upgrade? No. Would I pay rack rate for concierge? No. But don't anyone flame me because if this is what you want to do, that's great. I just can't see the benefits. For the most part, the rooms are the same, the views are the same, IMHO it's not worth it.

 

[dznyntnh]

For a lot of people its not a matter of what they can afford, but what is perceived to be the 'best'.

Some people are bargain hunters, if I tell them they can have a $500.00/night room for $250.00/night they'll grab it becasue of the perceived bargain.

If I tell another person that they can have the same room for $1,000.00 and that it is the most expensive room in the hotel, they would book it becasue if its the most expensive it must be the 'best'.

For alot of people its a matter of status and perception.

I love the Grand Floridian, but could never afford to stay there for an entire trip, but I did stay there for one night just to say I did. The room was $350.00 (in January, 1999) and the rest of the trip we stayed at POR for $100.00/night. I felt the GF room was worth the price, because of the beautiful room, the service, the proximity to the Magic Kingdom, its a wonderful hotel, but I also love POR and it fits into my budget.

An important thing to remember whenever you see what may seem to be an outrageous price is that they would never get away with charging that price if someone was not willing to pay it.

 

[ducklite]

Bravo dznyntnh!

Very well said!

Anne

 

[floridafam]

I think the room size is one thing that may make a room worth more. We are staying at AKL in October and a concierge room would just be too small for us. We booked a suite because of the extra room we will get and we can put the children to bed and spend some time in the parlor without disturbing them.

The extra ammenities are another-concierge service, a fridge, microwave, bigger table to eat at, extra 1/2 bath in the parlor.
We've never had a meal together in a room because you can't fit more than 2 people at a table. This time we will probably have at least one meal together.

A big bathroom. To me, this is worth more money. There is a big shower in the suite at AKL that I want my DH to enjoy after he does a triathlon in Clermont.

I actually booked 2 concierge rooms with the FT package but decided that just wouldn't work for us. So, I booked the suite because this time it is worth it for us to pay for it.

This is a special trip where the extra room is really a necessity.

I think there are so many reasons people will pay more than $650 per night. For this trip, I feel our reasons are valid. We probably won't be back to WDW for a while and if staying in a suite allows my DH to feel more relaxed and have the private prep time that he needs then it will be worth every penny.

 

[robinb]

The most I have ever paid was $450 per night for a 1 BR Villa at BWV from 12/30/99 - 1/1/00 for the Millennium celebration. And that was the AP rate! We had BWV booked on points before and after our cash reservation and it was "worth it" for us. Speaking of points, we have also spent mucho dinero on our 430 DVC points. That being said, I like a good bargain and when I stay in non-DVC resorts I always try to get the best rate possible. I'll be staying at AKL for $114 per night next month, but could not bring myself to pay $76 more per night for a savanah view.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by robinb
I'll be staying at AKL for $114 per night next month, but could not bring myself to pay $76 more per night for a savanah view.

Great rate Robin!!! Hey remember this?

 

[C.Ann]

I guess I must be terribly dense, because I still haven't heard "what" makes a room worth that much and more..

What is the size?
Are the sheets silk or satin?
Does someone come in and give you a free massage?
Are the lamps gilded with gold?
Do you have a chauffeur to drive you to the parks?
Does a chef come into your room and prepare your meals?
------------------

I'm asking about tangible items - not atmosphere - because I don't think any amount of atmosphere would be worth those prices..

Perhaps status would be worth it to some, but I still don't think my original question has been answered.. (Probably my own fault for not being more specific..)

 

[pat fan]

I have tyo agree with you.There is nothing that would make me pay that kind of money for a night in a hotel.

We are very happy ALLStar people,and wouldn't change for anything.We get 2 clean,comfortable beds,a clean shower,Mickey soap,shampoo,our stuffed animals get arranged cutely,prompt,courteous service if we have a question or problem and all for the low-low ALLStar price!Can't beat that with a stick

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
Great rate Robin!!! Hey remember this?

Arrrg! There be pirates about!

She is now into "pirate picnics". I'm "Captain Mommy" and she's "Captain Celia". It's a 3 year old thing .

 

[Darian]

My experience in these sorts of expensive rooms is that they have different furniture (much higher quality) more comfortable beds with vastly better linnens and bedding (high thread count sheets that are buttery soft), upgraded entertainment equipment - bigger tv, dvd player, stereo etc, larger room square footage, higher grade of soaps and shampoos provided to the room, and a variety of special services and perks that are not given to the "standard" guests. Add my little list to that of floridafam and you have a fairly good idea of what makes the extra $$$ worth while... if you are into that sort of thing.

Before I get crucified here, let me note that not all these benefits may be at a particular concierge level room at a WDW hotel.

I know, I know, I have some real fetish about comfy sheets and high thread counts. But they feel so nice and silky against your skin.... mmmmm. So please be understanding... it could be worse... I could collect those disney pins.

Oh no! It is worse... I DO collect those little blighters!!!!

Darian