Sticker shock!!

[WoodysRoundup]

All I can say is WOW! I started pricing our 2008 trip last night and I am really bothered by the cost increase again! We only do one vacation a year and it's always WDW. We don't take wknd. trips with our kids (yet). As our toddler gets more managable, we'll venture out on other trips and vacations and hopefully do Disney every 2nd or 3rd year. But for now, we've been splurging each year and doing Concierge at Poly or GF. I feel really angry right now. Disney as so good at sucking us all into the "magic". We fall for it everytime (since 1973)! This is just a reminder to me that they know they "have us" and will continue to raise prices as long as people pay the price! We buy into that "magic" and justify irrational costs as a result. I just had to vent. I'm not looking for ways to cut costs or stay somewhere else. I've decided we'll either go or we won't go next year and I have to really think it through. Anyone else feel the frustration about resort costs (no matter where you stay)!?

 

[kcmyluv]

You should consider looking in the DVC. I am so glad we bought it- It has saved us so much money! We get a great room and the price never changes!

 

[mrsltg]

Not so much with the resort costs as the cruise costs. I priced a 3 day cruise for 9/08 including myself, dh, dd7, dd3 - outside stateroom, no balcony - $2100!!!!!!!!! Just for fun I plugged in the same info for a balcony cabin on a 7 day in October or November - $5100!!!!!! They have got to be kidding me! Three years ago we cruised DCL in 9/04 with three of us - $3200. What have they done to justify a $2000 increase (minus the addition of one three year old) in the last two years?

By comparison, dh and I are taking a cruise by ourselves for our 10th in 11/09. We are pricing out cruises and a balcony cabin on HAL is $4000 for 10 days.

Disney is a pricey venture! However, I have reached my limit with their cruise line until prices become more realistic. I refuse to spend $2100 for a three day cruise. Instead we're headed to the WL for 8 nights/9days for either $3800 or $4500 (depending upon dining plan or no dining plan,) and I don't have to pay extra for entertainment such as shore excursions.

I also recognize, however, there are a lot of people who will save for years to afford DCL or Disney and they are bringing the $$$ to the table right now. I can't fault Disney for raking it in hand over fist!

 

[Tissa]

I've always found the deluxe resort prices shocking and can't bring myself to pay them.

This summer POP was $120 something a night! Now that is where I said enough. We went offsite for that trip.

 

[ADP]

DVC is the way to go if you want to visit WDW once a year or more. Disney's resort prices are getting way crazy; in fact, I believe there strategy is to increase there resort rates in hopes to push more people to join DVC. DVC is one of Disney's biggest profit centers. But, it is a good deal for frequent guests so I guess it's a win-win for everyone.

Joining DVC also provides you with several perks and discounts; i.e. $100 off an AP.

 

[Lives4Disney]

All I can say is WOW! I started pricing our 2008 trip last night and I am really bothered by the cost increase again! We only do one vacation a year and it's always WDW. We don't take wknd. trips with our kids (yet). As our toddler gets more managable, we'll venture out on other trips and vacations and hopefully do Disney every 2nd or 3rd year. But for now, we've been splurging each year and doing Concierge at Poly or GF. I feel really angry right now. Disney as so good at sucking us all into the "magic". We fall for it everytime (since 1973)! This is just a reminder to me that they know they "have us" and will continue to raise prices as long as people pay the price! We buy into that "magic" and justify irrational costs as a result. I just had to vent. I'm not looking for ways to cut costs or stay somewhere else. I've decided we'll either go or we won't go next year and I have to really think it through. Anyone else feel the frustration about resort costs (no matter where you stay)!?

Well, I am right here with ya. We have been really lucky and been able to almost always stay concierge over the years, but the magic (for ME) is running low and thin for what they are charging. Contrary to other Disers, we have found the service to have slipped. After our upcoming Thanksgiving trip (which I am having a hard time being excited over ) we are feeling like it's time to move on & take a Disney break. Who knows.....come January I will probably be looking at booking a July stay , but most likely a S/D split with a MK resort to save some cash.

Happy planning anyway....

Lives4Disney

 

[lilyv]

Maybe consider other options as well before you make your decision. We opt not to concierge, (or DDP) and instead work hard on a great deal on a rental car. It makes it easy for us to drive when we want, but we still have the bus option. We pick up some very nice wines at Publix, as well as breakfast, snack items. When we want to have a great meal without ressies, we can zip offsite. We still love our signature restaurant dinners, but we like some flexibility in our vacation. I sort of think of the options we choose as DIY concierge. It's not the same as popping down to the lounge, but when I pick up the treats, they are the ones we really, really like. (And yes, chocolate is a food group when we are at Disney.)

This solution isn't for everyone, but it sure works for us!

 

[cybrkitn]

It is getting expensive, I'll agree with you on that.

In addition to what ADP and KCMYLUV mentioned about DVC, if you can't afford to join, there's always the option of "Renting Points" from a DVC owner.

We are looking at going for 10 nights/11 days in October 2008 and paying for my mom to join us. With my mom we would need to rent either two rooms or try for a deluxe resort. The deluxe is too expensive especially adding the DDP. It would cost us at leat $6k. So that would leave just the moderate or value resorts. That would cost us about $4-5K for two rooms with the park tickets and the DDP.

So we started looking at other ways to stay on property. I've heard about renting DVC points from here on the DIS and hopped on over to the DVC boards. Rental points range from $10 to $13 per point. The villas have deluxe resort accomodations as far as the rooms go. There are studios, one bedroom and two bedrooms (with a kitchenette and washer/dryer in the one & two bedrooms and larger) and other rooms to accomodate from 6 to 12 people. You can still get the DDP through the owner only, but you need to buy your park tickets on your own.

DH and I compared what we would spend for a package deal at Pop for two value rooms and a one bedroom villa at the BWV and OKW. For around the same price of the package deal staying at either a moderate or value resort, we could rent a DVC villa and have the ammenities that we need like the washer/dryer and kitchenette and still have the DDP (I'm also including the OOP expense for 7 day park hoppers for all of us) .

We then compared renting a DVC villa with a deluxe resort. The savings was a little over $2k renting from a DVC owner. Of course, the catch with renting is to find someone who has the points that you need available and for the dates you are looking at.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I calculated what our stays would cost if we booked through CRO next year...this is BEFORE tax, mind you....3 nights @ AKV SV Studio...$1530...6 nights @ SSR 2 BDR villa and 2 Studios for family...total around..$7380..w/tax close to $10K ..we bought into DVC this last trip for $16K..granted we rec'd double incentive pts....the best part.....I have pts coming to 2054 Although my kids will be enjoying it since I am 40 now..
It may not be for everyone....but I am so glad I finally convinced DH to take the plunge

*Numbers/Figures based on WDW site....rounded up... *

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

All I can say is WOW! I started pricing our 2008 trip last night and I am really bothered by the cost increase again! We only do one vacation a year and it's always WDW. We don't take wknd. trips with our kids (yet). As our toddler gets more managable, we'll venture out on other trips and vacations and hopefully do Disney every 2nd or 3rd year. But for now, we've been splurging each year and doing Concierge at Poly or GF. I feel really angry right now. Disney as so good at sucking us all into the "magic". We fall for it everytime (since 1973)! This is just a reminder to me that they know they "have us" and will continue to raise prices as long as people pay the price! We buy into that "magic" and justify irrational costs as a result. I just had to vent. I'm not looking for ways to cut costs or stay somewhere else. I've decided we'll either go or we won't go next year and I have to really think it through. Anyone else feel the frustration about resort costs (no matter where you stay)!?

Did you ever consider not staying at the most expensive resorts on the Concierge level?? That will surely bring your costs way down.

 

[jmkrat]

Yes, we have noticed a steep increase over the years. We are like you, we go on one trip a year, don't go out and then get a concierge room for our trip. Not only are prices increasing, but it sure seems that the service isn't what I remember it to be from years gone by.

 

[jakenjess]

I agree with the above posters, you really should look into DVC. With your vacation habits and knowing that you want to continue going to WDW, it may make a lot of sense for you. We used to stay at deluxe resorts, and looking at the prices now I know we couldn't do that anymore. I'm so glad we bought DVC!

 

[G's mommy]

I agree, the prices for 2008 are really up there! We are renting points for next year, week of Memorial Day at BCV, 5 nights in a studio for a total of $715 or $143 a night, no tax. This is less than a mod will go for even with our AP discount. You can also add the dining plan if you wish.

 

[teentoddlermom]

I just received a postcard to answer a survey about our August trip to the WL. I had to laugh when I came to the one where they asked my why I answered no about whether I considered our trip a good value. Now I love Disney, and we've gone a lot, but you gotta be kidding me....it is so expensive!! I think they do a good job with keeping food prices reasonable, but they get you everywhere else! We love to stay on site and always buy a MYW package. It is big bucks, but I'll pay it...they know they have me hooked! And I've looked into DVC, and that's another debate. I think it is overpriced.

 

[disnut8]

We were asked to join our in-laws in Ocean City, Maryland next year for their annual trip. I started pricing the rooms this year just to get an idea for what it would cost. WOW! Prices sure do keep going up every year there. It's just amazing that they would charge that much just to see the ocean from your room.

Point is - it's not just Disney World.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were asked to join our in-laws in Ocean City, Maryland next year for their annual trip. I started pricing the rooms this year just to get an idea for what it would cost. WOW! Prices sure do keep going up every year there. It's just amazing that they would charge that much just to see the ocean from your room.

Point is - it's not just Disney World.

Yes, you're right. I guess the problem for me is that I see such changes in level of service at WDW resorts . Not necessarily other places we vacation.

Lives4Disney

 

[WoodysRoundup]

DH and I have also seen service slipping throughout the years. However, I think we'll always want to do Disney. For the level of "service" we like on our yearly vacations, maybe we should consider DVC vs. the Deluxes. Interesting replies and thoughts.....Thanks.

 

[APK]

THINK OF THIS...............THE LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND: WHEN PRICES GO UP, FEWER PEOPLE BUY, WHEN PRICES GO DOWN: MORE PEOPLE BUY.

If the resorts got cheaper more people would be staying there......which would mean even more crowds, longer lines and overworked CM's. Since we only go once a year at "Value" season, I would rather pay a little more each year rather than face even longer lines, etc..................Consider my post "food for thought"

 

[eliza61]

We were asked to join our in-laws in Ocean City, Maryland next year for their annual trip. I started pricing the rooms this year just to get an idea for what it would cost. WOW! Prices sure do keep going up every year there. It's just amazing that they would charge that much just to see the ocean from your room.

Point is - it's not just Disney World.

I totally agree Disnut, We went to Ocean City, MD this year and an ocean front room ran us $310/night and if you rent a condo it's easily $1500 for the week.
Op, what I try to do where ever I vacation is to see if I'm getting a good value for my vacation dollar (for the way I travel). Right now Disney is still a good vacation deal, now that my kids are teenagers we are travelling to other places but unfortunately travel every where is expensive. I won't even get into the value of a dollar in Londan.
Feel free to vent any time. I think the price of gas ticks me off more than the resort prices at least at disney, I'm having a good time while getting hosed. At the gas pumps I just get hosed.

 

[sonny]

On the other hand, three years ago, I paid $96 per nite at POR with a pin discount they were doing in the fall. This November, we are staying at POFQ for around $99 per nite. There are always good deals around and some may come out as you get closer to the time if you watch for them. Maybe this is not the deluxe resort, but paying less enables us to take several vacations a year.
A question about DVC - do you pay any kind of maintenance fee each year? With my time share, I have an ever-increasing maintenance fee to pay.