Spinoff: Cost aside, which resorts would you choose OVER "higher-grade" resorts?

[AdamEfimoff]

Okay I think there is some confusion. And craziness going on. I myself are on a disability pension and have little money each week. But my parents are doctors and earn money about a four seasons in Paris a day. And thats how I have flown business etc. I have stayed at Four Seasons . I have felt in the past my PARENTS have been given names because they are rich and felt that they should not have access to the finer things in life. I am not saying that anyone on this forum has said this . I am on a Disability Pension and earn 800 a fortnight . But because my parents have guaranteed me a house (very nice of them I know) I have been able to save. I know this will not last for ever but until then I live the life that is quite good. But I expect this to change.

I am just sick of people saying things like 'how can someone afford that ?'

 

[disneysteve]

I am just sick of people saying things like 'how can someone afford that ?'

I think we all understand that there are folks out there who make a boatload of money and can afford things like flying first class and staying concierge at a deluxe resort. It's just not most people's reality. So when someone says, "how can someone afford that?" that's not really what they mean.

I don't fault anyone who has been successful and earned a fantastic income. Good for them. Let them enjoy it. What bothers some of us is that more and more, Disney seems to be catering to those high earners, folks who can afford to spend $400+/night on a hotel room or $150/person for a 3-hour after hours event or other high-priced ticketed events. The focus on regular families seems to be fading.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

@disneysteve While I am on Disability Support Pension , I have very supportive parents that take me on trips. I think the word spoiled comes to mind. No I cannot afford 600 dollar plus property a night.

And while I love luxury hotels. I do wonder why Disney is not helping the middle class and before @WebmasterPete says its not a charity its a business. I understand that but even the economy or lets say in Disneyspeak Value has people priced out of the market. I can understand 1000 dollars or 500 luxury hotel being expensive. Valet , 24 hour room service etc all cost a great deal of money. But never understood why Disney can keep charging higher than the American Average for its hotels.

But they also should think about providing more value for the budget end by maybe having discounts for food beverages.

I am happy to have a debate about having your parents to buy you a trip.

 

[KingLlama]

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY THREAD

 

[mcd2745]

Getting back on track...

Having stayed at both of these, we would pick CBR over the Contemporary.

Never stayed at the GF, however, we would also pick pretty much anything over that resort. Just seems way too pretentious.

Can't see us picking anything over the Beach Club. Watched Illuminations from the bridge between France/UK one night. Illuminations ended and we were relaxing in our room 5 minutes later. Hard to beat that.

The only resort I'm really yearning to try is the Poly.

 

[Batgirl67]

Our family prefers POP! to CBR. I personally like POFQ above everything, but I have yet to try the BC/YC as those are on my bucket list. We feel out of place when we visit GF like some others have mentioned, but it is a lovely place and we have had great service.

 

[Princess Jes]

But never understood why Disney can keep charging higher than the American Average for its hotels.

It's very simple Adam: because they can!
People are booking in record numbers, people are coming to the parks in droves.
You don't HAVE to stay on property, you can stay offsite somewhere much much cheaper.
@disneysteve stays offsite and spends far far less than I do to stay at the YC or BLT.

Disney doesn't HAVE to cater to anyone just because they can't afford it.

I can't afford a Thermomix (I probably could if I didn't go on overseas holidays, but the value isn't there for me), should they drop the price for me just so I can buy one?
Of course not.

Now let's move on, it's a ridiculous notion (for those who get this... DRINK!!) to think that Disney would "worry" about someone who can't afford their product.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Just wanted to point out that not everyone who stays at the GF is making zillions. Thanks to DVC, I've stayed there several times now. In fact, I only stay deluxe as a result of buying into the timeshare program.

I don't understand the criticism of GF as being stuffy. It's a fancy hotel which costs more than other categories. You get what you pay for. I tend to agree that it's all what you make of it. If you look at the resort as snobby, it will be. The staff doesn't look down on those who are just visiting as opposed to staying there. If it's not your style, there are other options.

 

[KingLlama]

Just wanted to point out that not everyone who stays at the GF is making zillions. Thanks to DVC, I've stayed there several times now. In fact, I only stay deluxe as a result of buying into the timeshare program.

I don't understand the criticism of GF as being stuffy. It's a fancy hotel which costs more than other categories. You get what you pay for. I tend to agree that it's all what you make of it. If you look at the resort as snobby, it will be. The staff doesn't look down on those who are just visiting as opposed to staying there. If it's not your style, there are other options.

Yeah, but Nikki, you're also rolling in all that DIS Boards moderator dough, which you conveniently left out.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yeah, but Nikki, you're also rolling in all that DIS Boards moderator dough, which you conveniently left out.

Want some caviar?

 

[Princess Jes]

Just wanted to point out that not everyone who stays at the GF is making zillions. Thanks to DVC, I've stayed there several times now. In fact, I only stay deluxe as a result of buying into the timeshare program.

I don't understand the criticism of GF as being stuffy. It's a fancy hotel which costs more than other categories. You get what you pay for. I tend to agree that it's all what you make of it. If you look at the resort as snobby, it will be. The staff doesn't look down on those who are just visiting as opposed to staying there. If it's not your style, there are other options.

Sweet baby Jebus, I wasn't judging anyone who DOES stay there, goodness grief. It what a rhetorical question, not intended to have an actual thought out response. Obviously plenty of people stay there, of all creeds, I'm not stupid enough to think otherwise.

 

[disneysteve]

Just wanted to point out that not everyone who stays at the GF is making zillions. Thanks to DVC, I've stayed there several times now. In fact, I only stay deluxe as a result of buying into the timeshare program.

I don't understand the criticism of GF as being stuffy. It's a fancy hotel which costs more than other categories. You get what you pay for. I tend to agree that it's all what you make of it. If you look at the resort as snobby, it will be. The staff doesn't look down on those who are just visiting as opposed to staying there. If it's not your style, there are other options.

To be fair, though, buying into DVC isn't cheap. We've done the DVC tour and there's no way we'd ever spend that much for our Disney trips.

As for GF being stuffy, that's just personal preference. I think the CMs there are top notch. Any time I've been there, cast interactions have been great. That's not my issue. I just don't happen to like luxury hotels for the most part. I'm a low key kind of guy. I want to park my own car, carry my own luggage, straighten up my own room, etc. We have stayed at luxury hotels in other places and I just always feel a little out of place. Just last weekend, DW and I went away and stayed at a nice hotel. An attendant greeted us at the car, took our luggage, delivered it to our room, even hung our coats in the closet. It was all very nice and he was very nice and I would have been far happier had he not done any of it.

 

[disneysteve]

I wasn't judging anyone who DOES stay there

Same here. I totally understand that I might stay offsite for $100/nite and go twice a year. Someone else might stay onsite for $400/night but only go once every 4 years. It doesn't mean they're necessarily richer than me, just that they choose to spend differently.

 

[Princess Jes]

Same here. I totally understand that I might stay offsite for $100/nite and go twice a year. Someone else might stay onsite for $400/night but only go once every 4 years. It doesn't mean they're necessarily richer than me, just that they choose to spend differently.

*sigh* exactly my friend, exactly.
Lighten up peeps. We're talking about DISNEY!! Pixie poop and all that jazz.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I guess I would choose maybe the Animal Kingdom Lodge ?. Just because it focus on environment

 

[AdamEfimoff]

*sigh* exactly my friend, exactly.
Lighten up peeps. We're talking about DISNEY!! Pixie poop and all that jazz.

exactly I save my pension so I spend on vacation.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Just wanted to point out that not everyone who stays at the GF is making zillions. Thanks to DVC, I've stayed there several times now. In fact, I only stay deluxe as a result of buying into the timeshare program.

I don't understand the criticism of GF as being stuffy. It's a fancy hotel which costs more than other categories. You get what you pay for. I tend to agree that it's all what you make of it. If you look at the resort as snobby, it will be. The staff doesn't look down on those who are just visiting as opposed to staying there. If it's not your style, there are other options.

Yep, which is why I said in MY case, it's probably a case of "PROJECTION" and not "PERCEPTION". I totally admit(ted) that. I said I also feel that same way at the Yacht Club, and yet can also say I do not feel that at any other resort - no matter the price point. Other resorts I may not care for personally , but still do not feel intimidated. I definitely said the CM's at the GF were some of the most helpful I have ever come across. And I also would never begrudge someone the pleasure of staying at the resort that pleases them most. Matter of fact, if they're a nice person, I'd love to see their smile when they're there.

 

[mcd2745]

As for GF being stuffy, that's just personal preference. I think the CMs there are top notch. Any time I've been there, cast interactions have been great. That's not my issue. I just don't happen to like luxury hotels for the most part. I'm a low key kind of guy. I want to park my own car, carry my own luggage, straighten up my own room, etc. We have stayed at luxury hotels in other places and I just always feel a little out of place. Just last weekend, DW and I went away and stayed at a nice hotel. An attendant greeted us at the car, took our luggage, delivered it to our room, even hung our coats in the closet. It was all very nice and he was very nice and I would have been far happier had he not done any of it.

Completely agree. I also like to do most things myself - whether it is parking the car, bringing my luggage to/from the room, making reservations, etc. I never understand what people are looking for when they talk about the "service level" of a hotel. And when I say that, I don't mean that as..."I don't understand why people would want to receive such high levels of service" in a judgemental kind of way....I truly don't know the specific types of things they are talking about. Maybe I'm missing something. Is it things like turn-down service? Something I gather some people really like, but seems kinda silly and pointless to me. Or is it more than that?

As for the GF...I think more than anything, the Victorian theme/decor just naturally lends itself to that "stuffy and sterile" perception.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Sweet baby Jebus, I wasn't judging anyone who DOES stay there, goodness grief. It what a rhetorical question, not intended to have an actual thought out response. Obviously plenty of people stay there, of all creeds, I'm not stupid enough to think otherwise.

My commentary wasn't directed at anyone in particular but instead based off of what I've heard/read time and time again.

 

[DLgal]

I would take Art of Animation or POP over Coronado Springs (the worst hotel on property, IMO)

I would take any moderate (except CS) over Animal Kingdom Lodge.