Summer discounts are out!!

[lockedoutlogic]

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.

And remember: that is the absolute slowest/cheapest month of the year...that represents "rock bottom pricing"

 

[Madonna3]

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.

you're right. The idea was to give larger families a place to stay on property, but why at the deluxe price tag?? And at a value?! So you're essentially penalizing the family of 5? I don't get it.

 

[Madonna3]

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.

Yay I am glad you agree, but here's the thing, there are times of the year when you can GET those prices. Example, my May stay at CBR is $160/night. I'm getting the $75 per night gift card, but I was able to get the rate that I described. I got Yacht Club at $287 in August or September, can't remember which. So, the prices that we think are fair DO happen, but not enough that I can count on it. I have to get "lucky".

 

[dlavender]

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.

We are a family of 5, and if my kids don't want to shack up, they better bring a sleeping bag! We aren't paying YC prices for a value, especially with no ski lift

 

[lockedoutlogic]

you're right. The idea was to give larger families a place to stay on property, but why at the deluxe price tag?? And at a value?! So you're essentially penalizing the family of 5? I don't get it.

No...you got it.


And notice they use IP as the hammer? Boy...it's almost like that tidbit could apply to other "discussions" around here.

They didn't make it Disney "Asian - pacific" resort and make it Chinese or Japanese themed...because then it would have have to stand on its own/design.

 

[Madonna3]

Ya know, I think part of the problem is a few years ago I remember Iger saying he wanted to move the customer away from discounts and getting everyone used to paying full price again. I think the Disney consumer became so used to having a discount (just look at what we're seeing so far. The entire year has been on sale through August) so they raised the rates and then put out the "discounts". We keep our discounted mind set and they get full price.

 

[jade1]

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.

Honest question.

Would you push a button right now and implement those as year around rack rates?

 

[dlavender]

Ya know, I think part of the problem is a few years ago I remember Iger saying he wanted to move the customer away from discounts and getting everyone used to paying full price again. I think the Disney consumer became so used to having a discount (just look at what we're seeing so far. The entire year has been on sale through August) so they raised the rates and then put out the "discounts". We keep our discounted mind set and they get full price.

And oh how effective it is. We all see the " I just saved $900 on my stay, I'm nominating Iger for sainthood" posts around here.

In reality, we know they are paying 2014's rack rate.

 

[firefly_ris]

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.

Thank you for the info. I looked at them about a year ago, so I am remembering them wrong or the photos were deceiving to me. 319 is still kind of high but based on the amenities and size, seems a bit more understandable. We enjoy camping and haven't saved up for our future camper yet, so Fort could definitely be an option for a future trip. Thanks!

And remember: that is the absolute slowest/cheapest month of the year...that represents "rock bottom pricing"

Yeah, that was my reasoning for choosing those dates to review (I'm not actually going to WDW this year and probably not next year either ).... after seeing that I didn't even bother to compare it to October or May or whatever. Yikes.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yay I am glad you agree, but here's the thing, there are times of the year when you can GET those prices. Example, my May stay at CBR is $160/night. I'm getting the $75 per night gift card, but I was able to get the rate that I described. I got Yacht Club at $287 in August or September, can't remember which. So, the prices that we think are fair DO happen, but not enough that I can count on it. I have to get "lucky".

No no...I agree with you and that is a key lynchpin in my argument that the pricing is screwed.

I'll use my example of $252.53 for poly last July with tax...when there are 0 schools operating (more or less)...that was through a known online Disney wholesaler...rack was $485+ tax

They are having a hard time filling their rooms EXCEPT DVC (for obvious reasons), the mods, and the values...

So what does the crappy management do? Kill the mods...

That has to be the private reality. When they say "occupancy is up"...it's using somekind of formula...because their metrics don't make sense in economic terms.

 

[firefly_ris]

Oh and I saw that Swan has family rooms for larger families, but I had to go right to their website to find that and not through WDW. I think those were around 299.

 

[dlavender]

No no...I agree with you and that is a key lynchpin in my argument that the pricing is screwed.

I'll use my example of $252.53 for poly last July with tax...when there are 0 schools operating (more or less)...that was through a known online Disney wholesaler...rack was $485+ tax

They are having a hard time filling their rooms EXCEPT DVC (for obvious reasons), the mods, and the values...

So what does the crappy management do? Kill the mods...

That has to be the private reality. When they say "occupancy is up"...it's using somekind of formula...because their metrics don't make sense in economic terms.

Do they pitch the fact that you can rent out your DVC points in the presentation?

I'm wondering if one day they switch the onus of renting out the uber Deluxe rooms to the DVC owners themselves.

The pitch will become, "for 50,000 you can help run the place!"

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Honest question.

Would you push a button right now and implement those as year around rack rates?

Absolutely...as pointed out..they screwed the "seasonal pricing" already and those rates would be a tremendous locked in rate for the consumers and they would have 100% year round occupancy...


And...and this is the forgotten truth...it would also drive ancillary spending and increase profits...you just need some better, non-Paul pressler issue stuff in the gift shops.

 

[Madonna3]

Honest question.

Would you push a button right now and implement those as year around rack rates?

Hehe, loaded question more than honest.

I say yes, because those are prices that I think fair that I want to pay, but I know that if the button is set on those rates and NO DISCOUNTS are offered then my fellow man will also be able to afford to go to Disney and I'll have a harder time getting a room on property, but when I do get a room, I can expect a fair room rate.

ETA: I might increase the pricing on major holidays, but not more than $25/night or so.

 

[Madonna3]

Do they pitch the fact that you can rent out your DVC points in the presentation?

I'm wondering if one day they switch the onus of renting out the uber Deluxe rooms to the DVC owners themselves.

The pitch will become, "for 50,000 you can help run the place!"

Noooo.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Do they pitch the fact that you can rent out your DVC points in the presentation?

I'm wondering if one day they switch the onus of renting out the uber Deluxe rooms to the DVC owners themselves.

The pitch will become, "for 50,000 you can help run the place!"

HELLLLLLLL NO.

They don't speak of it...it's Voldemort.

 

[Madonna3]

Do they pitch the fact that you can rent out your DVC points in the presentation?

I'm wondering if one day they switch the onus of renting out the uber Deluxe rooms to the DVC owners themselves.

The pitch will become, "for 50,000 you can help run the place!"

I may be in the minority and even though I have rented my points out, I wish Disney would do something to stop it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Ya know, I think part of the problem is a few years ago I remember Iger saying he wanted to move the customer away from discounts and getting everyone used to paying full price again. I think the Disney consumer became so used to having a discount (just look at what we're seeing so far. The entire year has been on sale through August) so they raised the rates and then put out the "discounts". We keep our discounted mind set and they get full price.

Good girl...

Many have forgotten this..but is a crucial, watershed moment.

Do you remember the backstory? It ties in the tickets, the dining plan, everything...

He said that at the end of the housing recession...but what he failed to highlight is they had increased the retail prices egregiously during a near depression...that was a bridge too far.

So to make things "non discounted"...you all of a sudden have a price structure that the market can't honestly support economically...

For every "new money" $850 a night party that rolled into the Grand...two $550 a night poly rooms and 2 $350 a night wilderness lodge rooms went empty.

So whatya ya do? Exaclty what they did...put the stress on DVC and start messing with that.

 

[jade1]

Absolutely...as pointed out..they screwed the "seasonal pricing" already and those rates would be a tremendous locked in rate for the consumers and they would have 100% year round occupancy...


And...and this is the forgotten truth...it would also drive ancillary spending and increase profits...you just need some better, non-Paul pressler issue stuff in the gift shops.

Oh I get that, but so would $50 Values, $100 Mods and $200 Deluxes. What your missing is the biggest complaint of WDW-and its not pricing.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I may be in the minority and even though I have rented my points out, I wish Disney would do something to stop it.

I do too...because many of those that do would dump the contracts...causing less booked rooms and cheaper resales.