Summer discounts are out!!

[lockedoutlogic]

Would you pay that for the Holiday Inn that gives you free breakfast?
I have paid $225 a night ONCE for POR and it was the year before last when I NEEDED the room as an add-on to our Xmas vacation at AKL and I refused to stay off property cause I wanted my crap transferred without the hassle.

So, based on that.... what do you think? Should you pay $225 for Hampton Inn accommodations?

It really depends on what value you find in being on property...

I think all Disney hotels are nicer than Hampton inn because you get a certain level of consistency and theme coherence...

But I couldn't pay more than $175 a night for a moderate in today's dollars and be comfortable...I know their weaknesses too well for that threshold to be exceeded. I'd rather be at pop if that were my choice...or if old key west or ak or another deluxe can be got for $300...go that route instead.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Ugh. Good point. I think my break point for a Hampton Inn accom. would be somewhere about half that. I know the values are cheaper - are THEY worth it?

No...honestly...

But pop at $150ish a night is a far better value than port at $230 in my opinion...there isn't that great of an experience difference unless you plan on going to downtown a lot or really enjoy the sit down restaurant.

 

[MiDigh]

No...honestly...

But pop at $150ish a night is a far better value than port at $230 in my opinion...there isn't that great of an experience difference unless you plan on going to downtown a lot or really enjoy the sit down restaurant.

Thanks - that's a good thought for me. I'm trying to hit a certain budget point...

 

[rteetz]

Poly and contemp...the original floor plan hotels do...anything built in the 1980's and beyond shrunk the rooms to save money and increase yield.

The question was whether all deluxe hotels do. I know a lot of them do but not all. Beach Club for example does, and then you added that Poly and Contemporary do.

 

[LSLS]

No...honestly...

But pop at $150ish a night is a far better value than port at $230 in my opinion...there isn't that great of an experience difference unless you plan on going to downtown a lot or really enjoy the sit down restaurant.

Honestly I disagree with that. I'd spend $230 at POR before $150 at Pop. That said, I'd spend $100-$120 for a room at Downtown Disney if those were my only options on site.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Thanks - that's a good thought for me. I'm trying to hit a certain budget point...

The pricing policies have taken the hotels farther and farther away from "budget friendly" these last 10 years or so...no doubt.

To be fair to Disney though (which I am more than I get credit for)...there is a significant intrinsic value to being on the property and in the transportation grid...you save a lot of time and it can make for a better feel/atmosphere.

It's just what's important to you.

On a side note...just to illustrate. There was a tv ad during the housing crash (2009-2011 ish) where the kids were sleeping and the parent were looking at a packaged online...and as they clicked the kids woke up to the sound of carriage wheels and there were all kinds of sparkly things in the house...

Well...the resolution of that was mom looking at dad when the price popped up and said "$1600 for the week...we can afford that?!?"...and the dad shakes his head and says "oh yeah..."

What in the HELL do you think that week would cost today if you punch it in? My guess is $3500...minimum. Perhaps more because the food was kicked in more often than it wasn't...tickers are only $40 a person a day more...if you're lucky.

It's a brave new world (by "brave"...I mean "broke")

 

[sachilles]

For what it's worth, the Fairfield Inn across the street from Disneyland is $199/ night the first week of July. Pretty average level hotel across the country. I'd expect $120-140 a night most other non large market city's. For LA it's pretty reasonable.

I'm not defending Disney's lodging pricing, but I don't think it's out of line with many other tourist destinations.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Honestly I disagree with that. I'd spend $230 at POR before $150 at Pop. That said, I'd spend $100-$120 for a room at Downtown Disney if those were my only options on site.

Different strokes, Mr. Drummond...

Those two prices are close to the line...if it were $130/230 I'd say it's a no doubter

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The question was whether all deluxe hotels do. I know a lot of them do but not all. Beach Club for example does, and then you added that Poly and Contemporary do.

Right...I agree...some do, most don't.

 

[Madonna3]

Ugh. Good point. I think my break point for a Hampton Inn accom. would be somewhere about half that. I know the values are cheaper - are THEY worth it?

Again... I'm not paying more than like La Quinta rates for a value.

I've had a blast at values when I've stayed there. Granted I never stay more than a night or two cause the crowd level at a value is insanity, but they're not worth more than $90/night imo, but I'd be willing to pay up to $120 at peak times and when off-sites in the area were comparably priced.

For example, you can probably get the "B" hotel for about the same as a Disney value. However, "B" adds on like a $14/night resort fee, so you might as well book that on property room.

 

[Madonna3]

It really depends on what value you find in being on property...

I think all Disney hotels are nicer than Hampton inn because you get a certain level of consistency and theme coherence...

But I couldn't pay more than $175 a night for a moderate in today's dollars and be comfortable...I know their weaknesses too well for that threshold to be exceeded. I'd rather be at pop if that were my choice...or if old key west or ak or another deluxe can be got for $300...go that route instead.

Hogwash and you know it. Being "on property" doesn't carry as much value since the "off-property" hotels offer transportation options. And get out of here with consistency and theme coherence, this is one of our biggest gripes about the hotels across Disney property... inconsistency and overrated theming.

 

[mikeamizzle]

Moderate pricing has seem to have gotten out of control especially. I'd much rather stay in a standard newly reno'ed room at the Swan or Dolphin for ~230 (including taxes and "resort charge") a night all in and be in walking distance to two parks than spend 230 prior to tax on a room at either of the POR resorts..

However, the discount rates for certain dates at the Boardwalk and Yacht club at around ~310-330 per night (pre-tax) are somewhat reasonable comparably to the value and moderate price points these days and I certainly consider those options to be the best "value" right now (both seem to be pricing ~$115 less with the discount).

I love the Poly (and always stay there for a few nights with a certain labor day offer that makes it affordable) but the rates through Disney directly these days make it way too expensive unfortunately. I'm considering getting an AP this month in hopes of better discounts there to make it easier to stay there more frequently (seems to be a pipe dream these days) like I used to be able to get occasionally through Disney Visa.

 

[JungleCruiseFan]

Summer discounts are out but not for passholders yet.
Should I book my room only right now and then when the passholders discount comes out have them apply the discount?
Last year we booked the morning that the AP discounts came out for summer and they had no standard rooms available, we ended up with a water view room at CBR which we liked but over 14 days was something like $200-$300 more than a standard room would be. Last year was the end of our APs, we had bought them the previous summer so we had more money in our budget for a room.
This year we had to buy APs again, luckily we did before the price increase, so our room budget is smaller and we really need a standard room.
Thanks

 

[megs1313]

No...honestly...

But pop at $150ish a night is a far better value than port at $230 in my opinion...there isn't that great of an experience difference unless you plan on going to downtown a lot or really enjoy the sit down restaurant.

I strongly disagree with this.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I strongly disagree with this.

Ok...and the case is???

 

[Madonna3]

Moderate pricing has seem to have gotten out of control especially. I'd much rather stay in a standard newly reno'ed room at the Swan or Dolphin for ~230 (including taxes and "resort charge") a night all in and be in walking distance to two parks than spend 230 prior to tax on a room at either of the POR resorts..

However, the discount rates for certain dates at the Boardwalk and Yacht club at around ~310-330 per night (pre-tax) are somewhat reasonable comparably to the value and moderate price points these days and I certainly consider those options to be the best "value" right now (both seem to be pricing ~$115 less with the discount).

I love the Poly (and always stay there for a few nights with a certain labor day offer that makes it affordable) but the rates through Disney directly these days make it way too expensive unfortunately. I'm considering getting an AP this month in hopes of better discounts there to make it easier to stay there more frequently (seems to be a pipe dream these days) like I used to be able to get occasionally through Disney Visa.

I keep forgetting about the Swolphin

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Moderate pricing has seem to have gotten out of control especially. I'd much rather stay in a standard newly reno'ed room at the Swan or Dolphin for ~230 (including taxes and "resort charge") a night all in and be in walking distance to two parks than spend 230 prior to tax on a room at either of the POR resorts..

However, the discount rates for certain dates at the Boardwalk and Yacht club at around ~310-330 per night (pre-tax) are somewhat reasonable comparably to the value and moderate price points these days and I certainly consider those options to be the best "value" right now (both seem to be pricing ~$115 less with the discount).

I love the Poly (and always stay there for a few nights with a certain labor day offer that makes it affordable) but the rates through Disney directly these days make it way too expensive unfortunately. I'm considering getting an AP this month in hopes of better discounts there to make it easier to stay there more frequently (seems to be a pipe dream these days) like I used to be able to get occasionally through Disney Visa.

I've rarely so wholeheartedly agreed with a post here...this is in my top ten.

Someone well researched who has obviously questioned the prices and yield on hotels and has adapted their thinking to account for all factors...thank you.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Hogwash and you know it. Being "on property" doesn't carry as much value since the "off-property" hotels offer transportation options. And get out of here with consistency and theme coherence, this is one of our biggest gripes about the hotels across Disney property... inconsistency and overrated theming.

We'll have to disagree here.

Even with offsite transportation...the small distances around WDW are tedious and result in too much frustration time in transport in my experience.

And I mean a consistent..."Disney style" theme...they obviously change based on pricing...but the overall quality of employees/operation is the same.

Pop may be comparatively basic...but there's nothing "grand" about the grand...it's a bit of a hoax (been behind those walls) based on pricing...

That what Ima meanin'

 

[Madonna3]

I've rarely so wholeheartedly agreed with a post here...this is in my top ten.

Someone well researched who has obviously questioned the prices and yield on hotels and has adapted their thinking to account for all factors...thank you.

I agree the moderate pricing is the latest victim to Disneys nonsensical pricing game. First they did it with the deluxes and are now moving to the moderates. It seems the deluxe resorts are now coming back in line, but now the moderates are priced so closely to deluxe you wonder how there's even a moderate market

 

[Madonna3]

We'll have to disagree here.

Even with offsite transportation...the small distances around WDW are tedious and result in too much frustration time in transport in my experience.

And I mean a consistent..."Disney style" theme...they obviously change based on pricing...but the overall quality of employees/operation is the same.

Pop may be comparatively basic...but there's nothing "grand" about the grand...it's a bit of a hoax (been behind those walls) based on pricing...

That what Ima meanin'

I agree that I find staying off property tedious, but if we compare offerings between a value resort and an off property resort the off property will win every time. I only stay on property because I'm lazy and a bit snobbish