Summer discounts are out!!

[lockedoutlogic]

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

I know that...I am that...but there are some actual tangible on property benefits...


Those bennies were greater when the prices where reasonable...now the overpricing lessons them greatly.

$300 for port Orleans or the "Trinidad nowhere" rooms at Caribbean are just insane. Not that nice of a joint.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

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

Disagree on the deluxes (agree with the rest)

A $350-$800 or so standard rack range is at least 25% above current market.

Don't believe me? They can't sell them...have given some large discount rates to wholesalers...and some not so quite conversion to DVC where the rooms have gone empty...

Nobody actually thinks those rooms in the poly and wilderness Where being booked before they were converted, do they? Ak lodge?

Big fat "nope" all around...

 

[Madonna3]

Disagree on the deluxes (agree with the rest)

A $350-$800 or so standard rack range is at least 25% above current market.

Don't believe me? They can't sell them...have given some large discount rates to wholesalers...and some not so quite conversion to DVC where the rooms have gone empty...

Nobody actually thinks those rooms in the poly and wilderness Where being booked before they were converted, do they? Ak lodge?

Big fat "nope" all around...

Can you clarify why you disagree about the deluxes? You don't think they're starting to come back in line pricing wise?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Can you clarify why you disagree about the deluxes? You don't think they're starting to come back in line pricing wise?

The part about the deluxe pricing "coming back in line"...

They overshot it by 5-10 years (at least)...they will NEVER reduce a price...and their 90 day mentality requires increases...

Quite the mess...

 

[dlavender]

There definitely are tangible advantages to staying on site. MDE, and saving the $20 per day parking. We could go on all day about the actual disadvantages on relying on Disney transportation for anything, but they are cost saving advantages.

That said, Values over $100 are not a good deal. Deluxes over $300, Mods over $200, again, not good deals.

However, to stay on site, it looks like we are going to have to start accepting ~$130 for a value, ~$220 for a mod, and ~$325 for a deluxe light, and ~$400 for regular deluxe. And these prices are with discounts, and no ski lift. The ski lift probably puts values at $200, mods at $300. Leaving deluxe lights as an "amazing deal". As one poster taught me, value is just a marketing trick anyway, they are all deluxes in disguise and we should be lucky we ever got to pay less than deluxe price in the first place. About time Disney fixed their mistake

 

[lockedoutlogic]

There definitely are tangible advantages to staying on site. MDE, and saving the $20 per day parking. We could go on all day about the actual disadvantages on relying on Disney transportation for anything, but they are cost saving advantages.

That said, Values over $100 are not a good deal. Deluxes over $300, Mods over $200, again, not good deals.

However, to stay on site, it looks like we are going to have to start accepting ~$130 for a value, ~$220 for a mod, and ~$325 for a deluxe light, and ~$400 for regular deluxe. And these prices are with discounts, and no ski lift. The ski lift probably puts values at $200, mods at $300. Leaving deluxe lights as an "amazing deal". As one poster taught me, value is just a marketing trick anyway, they are all deluxes in disguise and we should be lucky we ever got to pay less than deluxe price in the first place. About time Disney fixed their mistake

Ain't that the truth...think of all that money Disney has saved us over the years...can't believe "magic" has been this cheap.

But I generally agree with your lines.

I'm doing this from memory...but here's where the starting prices fall:

Values 2002ish - average price about $90 or so a night over the year...current about $155ish?

Mods - average 115 or so...current a ghastly 240ish?

Deluxes - starting rate about $200 (ak and wilderness) probably $500 or so at the grand with most scattered in the low threes...currently probably $475+ across the category...

They just have outkicked their coverage...and since we've had round upon round of fake credit and bubble economies...the people drink the sand.

 

[dlavender]

Ain't that the truth...think of all that money Disney has saved us over the years...can't believe "magic" has been this cheap.

But I generally agree with your lines.

I'm doing this from memory...but here's where the starting prices fall:

Values 2002ish - average price about $90 or so a night over the year...current about $155ish?

Mods - average 115 or so...current a ghastly 240ish?

Deluxes - starting rate about $200 (ak and wilderness) probably $500 or so at the grand with most scattered in the low threes...currently probably $475+ across the category...

They just have outkicked their coverage...and since we've had round upon round of fake credit and bubble economies...the people drink the sand.

The other big shift that occurred, and continues to occur, is the re shifting of price seasons. Are there 9 days of value now? Down from like, 100 in 2012? Soon there will be just, Peak ++, Peak +, Peak, and January 4th.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The other big shift that occurred, and continues to occur, is the re shifting of price seasons. Are there 9 days of value now? Down from like, 100 in 2012? Soon there will be just, Peak ++, Peak +, Peak, and January 4th.

They used to have six to ten price shifts the entire year...and the prices would hold a couple of months on average...

Now it's like whenever somebody sneezes.

You are correct in identifying the hidden underbelly of the resort screwjob...and make no mistake it is systematic and just that.

Bravo on the joke...by the way...your Jedi skills are impressive

 

[dlavender]

Bravo on the joke...by the way...your Jedi skills are impressive

A Jedi gains power through understanding...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

A Jedi gains power through understanding...

Amen, Obi

 

[TheMaxRebo]

A Jedi gains power through understanding...

Increased crowds leads to tiered pricing ... tiered pricing leads to people vacationing other times of the year ... people vacationing other times of the year leads to a lack of a value season ... lack of a value season leads to people staying off site .... staying off site leads people to visit the Universal (the dark side) ... people visiting Universal leads to to suffering (for Disney executives)

 

[MiDigh]

Ok, with all the Jedi masters here, what WOULD be a fair price for the following:

August time frame, AOA, family suite, 5 nights

 

[TwoMisfits]

Ok, with all the Jedi masters here, what WOULD be a fair price for the following:

August time frame, AOA, family suite, 5 nights

Less than the Drury Inn Suite price...although you are getting free breakfast and dinner and snacks/beverages for a family of 6, free phone calls, etc every day...but not the $20 park parking fee and the airport transport/extra driving, so it evens out mostly...although it does have a free Universal shuttle...

August 20-25, you can a 2 room double queen suite with sofa bed for $135/night + tax (no resort or parking fee)...so I wouldn't pay more than $125-$135 for AoA at the same time (b/c feeding a family of 6 2 meals a day and snacks is pricey - ask Disney about free dining - even if you just eat 1 meal a day, you are covering the $20 parking and driving - having sodas and popcorn when you get back saves you more, even if you miss dinner)...

EDIT: I answered this knowing I always have a car, so it's a sunk cost - if you don't, you probably want to add $60/night for either Uber back and forth (for $40/trip - $20/parking fee) or minivan rental ($60/day)...so I could see AoA family suite up to $185...

 

[firefly_ris]

Just for fun I went to the Wdw site and got a rack price list for this coming mid September for a week. My list of resorts available to me is smaller because we are a family of 5 so we aren't allowed to book at several places and small value rooms can't work.

The cheapest result was POR at 221. Next was All Stars Music for 246 (um...? More money for little full beds and giant neon lights?)... next up is AoA at 340 (ouch...and not even a real kitchen in the family suite)... BLT at 645... some others around that price range such as Saratoga. Poly slightly less at 561. The two priciest on the list are AKL at 905 and Copper Creek Villas at a whopping 961 per night.

Yes, I could save $20 per day in parking and save $12 x 5 for magic bands if I really think I need them (did without last time just fine), but that doesn't make up for anywhere near what these prices per night are, with maybe the exception of POR. I can get a condo for nearly a week for the price of a single night at that Copper Creek. Even if I throw in a rental minivan... looks like POR or the tent campsites (319 per night for a little cabin is not happening) would be our most realistic options as a lower middle class family of 5. Even if we were raking in a 6 figure income I just don't know if I would want to reserve something at 961 per night. I think about how much Starbucks or expensive table service I could splurge on instead.

I understand I'm looking right at the site and could get money off through discounts or a TA or try to rent DVC, but when average Joe is thinking about their first Disney vacation I assume this is what they're seeing first. Scrolling through that initial list could definitely scare them off and have them peruse off site options instead.

The last time I stayed on site was January 2009 at Coronado Springs, pre-kids with my husband and in-laws. It was an amazing trip, buses were easy, but it was extremely low crowds and we walked on just about everything at all 4 parks for the most part. I didn't pay for the room so I wonder what the cost per night then was. I know my MIL booked directly through Disney over the phone as well.

 

[dlavender]

Ok, with all the Jedi masters here, what WOULD be a fair price for the following:

August time frame, AOA, family suite, 5 nights

I'd check Bonnett Creek first. You can rent through an owner on VRBO or other rental site.

I don't get the AOA suite price. Over $300 to stay in a value? The suites do look nice, but the trade off of not getting at least moderate amenities is a little baffling to me. For the same price, I'd try to squeeze into YC. You get the day bed, stormalong bay, and walking access to EPCOT and HS.

 

[Madonna3]

@dlavender and @lockedoutlogic you guys had me cracking up. For whatever reason I can't multiquote anymore, but I sure was cracking up this morning. Thanks!

I remember in 2007, I got CBR for a sale price of $99. I remember value resorts being as low as $59 for special pricing, but about $69-$79 on average. 2007 sticks out to me because that's when my son turned 5 and I started taking him to Disney.

IMHO, $99 is the correct rate for value rooms. I think they are worth $100/night up to about $125ish, depending on season/room (preferred). Anything above $130 and there's no way I am staying.

Moderates should be somewhere around $150. $160 seems to be my hard limit on moderate room pricing.

Deluxe Lite aka SSR, OKW, I think are fair around $190-225. They're slightly bigger than moderates, but aren't really anything special.

AKL and Wilderness should be around $250-$300

And then I agree with full deluxe around $300-$400.

And @MiDigh the idea of AOA was to appease the need for family suites. ASMu had a few "family" suites. They were always booked and they carried a price tag higer than booking 2 rooms at a value, which made no sense because that's approximately what it was. So a fair price for AOA is approximately the cost of 2 value rooms since that is about the footprint of the room. I have stayed at AoA, and the room served it's purpose, but my husband and I agreed that we'd only stay there at a certain price point and we won't pay more than $250/night to stay there.

 

[Madonna3]

(319 per night for a little cabin is not happening)

.

I just wanted to clarify this for you in case you were really considering this option. Those cabins are NOT small. They are the size of a single wide mobile home. We fit 5 of us in there quite comfortable. My husband and I took the living room for privacy and our friend and the two kids we had with us all took the back bedroom. There's a full size kitchen, a deck, a grilling area, living room, full size bathroom (wish there were two, but we survived for a week just fine), and a lot of space.

If you think you'd like the resort and I LOVE Ft. Wilderness then you really should look into what rates you can get for a cabin. They're very spacious.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

AoA suites typically run closer to $400...

I really like what they did there...but it just simply doesn't justify that price. Hotels are priced based on location AND amenities...Disney is abandoning that model (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) and we are allowing them to by paying ransoms.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

@dlavender and @lockedoutlogic you guys had me cracking up. For whatever reason I can't multiquote anymore, but I sure was cracking up this morning. Thanks!

I remember in 2007, I got CBR for a sale price of $99. I remember value resorts being as low as $59 for special pricing, but about $69-$79 on average. 2007 sticks out to me because that's when my son turned 5 and I started taking him to Disney.

IMHO, $99 is the correct rate for value rooms. I think they are worth $100/night up to about $125ish, depending on season/room (preferred). Anything above $130 and there's no way I am staying.

Moderates should be somewhere around $150. $160 seems to be my hard limit on moderate room pricing.

Deluxe Lite aka SSR, OKW, I think are fair around $190-225. They're slightly bigger than moderates, but aren't really anything special.

AKL and Wilderness should be around $250-$300

And then I agree with full deluxe around $300-$400.

And @MiDigh the idea of AOA was to appease the need for family suites. ASMu had a few "family" suites. They were always booked and they carried a price tag higer than booking 2 rooms at a value, which made no sense because that's approximately what it was. So a fair price for AOA is approximately the cost of 2 value rooms since that is about the footprint of the room. I have stayed at AoA, and the room served it's purpose, but my husband and I agreed that we'd only stay there at a certain price point and we won't pay more than $250/night to stay there.

I have to agree with those prices...those are reasonable and what they've done since is not reasonable...and they've had lots of issue filling them if you know where to look to find the facts.

 

[Madonna3]

I'd check Bonnett Creek first. You can rent through an owner on VRBO or other rental site.

I don't get the AOA suite price. Over $300 to stay in a value? The suites do look nice, but the trade off of not getting at least moderate amenities is a little baffling to me. For the same price, I'd try to squeeze into YC. You get the day bed, stormalong bay, and walking access to EPCOT and HS.

right?!

The only issue with that is SOMEONE has to share a bed. So if you're a family of 5 with 2 adults and 3 kids, 2 of the kids have to shack up together. Sometimes, that's just not feasible. I booked a cabin at Ft. Wilderness so there was no bed sharing.