Those who stay at Deluxe resorts...

[TheLittleRoo]

Even with the AP discount, it sounds like the nightly rates are still $350-450?? YIKES!

A couple of questions pop into my head:

1) What kind of annual incomes are you guys making (I'm jealous, trust me..)

and, 2) what is it about the Deluxe resorts that make them worth that kind of cheese??!?!

Seriously, actually, about both questions... I know there's concierge service available and snacks/breakfast and usually the decor and sometimes the monorail, but what else?

Thanks!

 

[DaisyD]

We only stay deluxe, the Poly, because we use the resort amenities as much or more then the park amenities. The resort choice is a huge part of our vacation. We don't just use a room to sleep in. We hang out at the beautifully themed pool every day. As to income I won't say how much but my DH does have a nice salary that lets us afford the deluxes.

 

[TJA]

Even with the AP discount, it sounds like the nightly rates are still $350-450?? YIKES!

A couple of questions pop into my head:

1) What kind of annual incomes are you guys making (I'm jealous, trust me..)

and, 2) what is it about the Deluxe resorts that make them worth that kind of cheese??!?!

Seriously, actually, about both questions... I know there's concierge service available and snacks/breakfast and usually the decor and sometimes the monorail, but what else?

Thanks!

Normally we pay AP rates of around $250 per night depending on the season. BC is $258 for this spring and that is our favorite time to go (and also our favorite resort!). Our trips are high on our priority list and factored right into our budget. We put certain things off so we can travel, while other people would put travel on the back-burner and perhaps dig into some house projects instead.

Besides loving to spend quality time at our resort, another big reason why we stay deluxe is because of the convenience to the parks. We have 2 young children and we want to have the monorail, walking, or boating options to get back and forth to the parks so we don't have to unload and fold up our jogger.

Just an example of why we love BC and the Epcot resort area so much: There are endless eating options within walking distance from the Epcot countries to all the restaurants in BC, YC, and on the Boardwalk. Also we can watch Illuminations every single night if we want and be only a 10-minute walk away from our resort. There is all the entertainment on the Boardwalk. And we can walk or boat to MGM. It is almost like a vacation within a vacation. Very relaxing and worth the deluxe price to us.

 

[chatty]

Not rich by any means but I got 3 rooms Woods View for just $40.00 more per nite vs the moderates. For a little over $200.00 the Amenities are so worth it to us. If I would had gone with the standard view it was just a matter of $20.00 more a nite at the WL. At the WL we have the boat to the MK and to the CR to hop on the monorail to the GF for the Tea parties, Cooking Classes ect.. Also they have the BIG cool loby with tons of activities for the little ones and the water parade nightly on the Beach. Full room Service and the Balcony in case one of the kiddie-roos gets fussy or don't feel well. We don't have to fight with those darn Lov-Bugs hanging around our door like it happened last Aug.-Sept while there at the POFQ. YUCK!! and if there's a down-pour we could spend all day in the Loby. Rooms a bit larger and the laundry rooms are inside if weather is bad. Don't get me wrong we still stay at moderates but since with the AP discount how could we resist. So not all Deluxe's are expensive the two lower priced one's are the WL and the AKL. Hopes this helped you out.
Chatty

 

[goodferry]

DH and I run our own business. We have four kids and we work A LOT. The kids help out too, it's truly a family affair. When we vacation, not just at Disney, we want to relax. I want to sit down at a nice restaurant at the end of the day, I don't want to fight my way through a food court. We do often stay on the concierge level, with four kids having someplace where the kids can go have breakfast with dad as soon as they are up while I get the rest of them ready, it's priceless. We stayed at the CBR during our first trip and visited the Poly for the Luau and we fell in love. We have stayed at the BWI also and love both hotels. We have not, however, connected with the Grand Floridian. We have been several times for dinner, Princess Tea, etc, and have always felt it was a little stuffy.
There's also the fact that a deluxe will sleep five plus a baby in a crib, so that fit's our family. Now that the baby's not a baby anymore, we have to either get a suite, get a deluxe room at the BWI, stay in a two bedroom at one of the DVC resorts or get two rooms, which we are not comfortable doing, the kids are still pretty young to have them in a separate, potentially not connection, room.
We have almost always gotten some sort of discount, a general public code, AAA code, the latest pin code, only on one trip did we pay rack (anniversary trip)
Hope that helps explain!

 

[ms_mckenna]

Our summer trip we are staying at AKL rack rate is 215 a night for a standard room. So not the 350 rate. I looked at if I dropped down to a value how much longer we could stay and it was only an extra 2 days, which was not worth it to me. My DD wants to try poly MK view for her sweet 16 and since we have 2 trips planned within a year of each other I will buy AP's to get the AP discount (hopefully) and the DDE to save money. We do not make that much I just save and do not buy other things to pay for it.

 

[raven69david]

We usually travel 2nd week in December as it's still value season and the kids are still in school. Our upcoming 7 day AKL hotel room with a standard view (currently book w/bunks, but will change that in the future) will cost $845.00. That's $120.xx a day. If you go with an All Star/POP resort, regular rates are about $75 to $80 for a regular room. For 7 days that's only $560.00 at rack rate. If you were to get a PIN code/mailer, then you'd save that much more.

It's not too expensive to stay on-property if you budget right. My wife and i don't budget, but we do keep a savings account that we add to every payday. We call it our "Disney Fund" account. Every 2 weeks we put $200.00 and by the time our trip comes, we've saved over $4k.

We have an upper middle-class income, but by no stretch are we rich or "well off." We're very comfortable is the best way to put it. We just don't have alot of debt that gets us in a hole. We use our debit card 99.9% of the time and occassionally coupons whenever presented with the chance to use them. Best Wishes

 

[jwfla422]

Even with the AP discount, it sounds like the nightly rates are still $350-450?? YIKES!

A couple of questions pop into my head:

1) What kind of annual incomes are you guys making (I'm jealous, trust me..)

and, 2) what is it about the Deluxe resorts that make them worth that kind of cheese??!?!

Seriously, actually, about both questions... I know there's concierge service available and snacks/breakfast and usually the decor and sometimes the monorail, but what else?

Thanks!

Yipes $350-$450 with an AP rate, no way, I'd never pay that much!! WL standard view if available could run around $160 plus tax a night. We even stayed at SSR last summer for almost the same rate (for a studio) and got upgraded to a 1 bedroom (that was really cool!) But, $350-450 a night discounted, I personally wouldn't spend that. Miles, well become a DVC member if you're going to spend anything like that! Really if you stay 12 nights a year at WDW and can afford those rates, it's much more worth buying into DVC cause that's about what you'd pay a month for 200 and something points a year!

 

[TheLittleRoo]

Me again... so for all those rates you guys posted...are those AP discounted rates? I'm debating getting an AP just for the discounts, and then being flexible with my dates and resorts.

We went in Sept and paid the full $135/nt for (2) adjoining rooms at the POR but we got free dining for my family of 5, so it was about $3700 in total including air, hotel, tickets, and free food. Waaaa-aay more than I'd thought a week at Disney would cost, but wonderful!

If you have five in your family, do you think one room at a deluxe would work? Five in one room at POR would've been really bad - ages 11, 4, and 2... and one bathroom. No talking after lights out, no TV for the adults, etc...

The bunk beds sound nice at WL... and our youngest could sleep in the pack n play or in our bed, if the room layout lends itself to some kind of privacy or room to spread out. We fell in love with Poly in September - I guess everyone does, huh?

Thanks for all the good advice and honest feedback. We make decent money here, but I'm too frugal to part with it without much consideration, LOL!

 

[dbail2]

We have stayed in Deluxe Disney Hotels for the last 6 years and have always gotten a discount. We never paid more than $200 a nite usually less. We were a family of 5 and did not fit in any other hotel...Also in the summer they discount deluxe hotels..

 

[Von Drake]

Three words: Disney Vacation Club...

We pay a monthly fee equivalent to about one night in a Deluxe and get 2-4 weeks in WDW (depending on accommodation and season) at a DVC resort. Further, we can trade into non-DVC deluxes at comparable rates to our normal (2BR villa) preference.

 

[Bronte]

raven69david .....
AKL w/bunks for $120 per night ... WOW !!!!!!!!!!
We currently have res. for Dec. 19-29 (Pool view w/bunks) and even with the discount we have it is not that low (Value season rate because we are checking in on the 19th.)
How did you get a stand. room w/bunks ... I was told you could only get bunks w/pool view or savana view (extra cost too ... value season is 250 per night for pool w/bunk rack rate.)
Thanks for any infor..

 

[PolyAddict]

We only stay deluxe, the Poly, because we use the resort amenities as much or more then the park amenities. The resort choice is a huge part of our vacation. We don't just use a room to sleep in. We hang out at the beautifully themed pool every day. As to income I won't say how much but my DH does have a nice salary that lets us afford the deluxes.

I agree with DaisyD 100% about the resort being the huge part of the vacation for us, too. Most people don't get that, especially my family. We never use credit cards to pay for our vacations so I believe we can afford it with our salaries. I am having such a dilemma right now b/c we are taking 2 of our DD's friends with us this summer and 2 rooms at the Poly would definently require a credit card. Everyone keeps telling me to book POP since it's not a typical family vacation but seeing that it's going to be in July we are going to be doing a lot of down time and that just doesn't sound appealing at a value resort. Ugh! I still haven't booked ANYTHING and it's killing me.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

First our choices are limited because we are a family of 5. Two moderate rooms (except POR) run about the same as a deluxe with AP rate. We try to go in value season if possible (January trip - value season, July trip - partly value, partly regular).

We've been going since our kids were small (now they are 6, 8 and 9) and transportation is a big issue with us. It makes a difference for our family to be able to catch a monorail or a ferry whenever possible instead of the bus. Values are too busy for DH and since we go for two weeks in the summer I would be worried about the limited space for all 5 of us at POR.

If it was go moderate or value or not go at all you'd bet I'd be at a mod or value. As long as DH's salary permits us to stay at deluxe that's what we choose. Its definitely part of the vacation for us. We do like to take some days just to enjoy the resort and its amenities. DH works long hours all year long and likes to relax and spend as much "family time" on these trips as possible.

 

[Disney Spaz]

We have only done Deluxe once before and are now going this May to AKL. When we went to WL we had an AP discount and got the room for $120 a night. AKL is because our DS has always wanted to stay there and DH and I gave it to him as a 16th b-day present. Our income isn't what really makes the difference for us. DH refuses to stay at the values now that we have stayed at the mod's he says he can't take all the noise at the value's. As for mod's that is where we normally stay and have always enjoyed our resort stay. When we want to do a deluxe we just save extra or postpone the trip until we have enough. We would like to stay in all the resorts so that means saving for each of the deluxes. Just another excuse to visit Disney.

 

[jamounger]

We usually stay in a deluxe on our trips, I start planning early looking for the best value for our dollar. We have rented points, bought an AP to make 2 trips within 11 monthes and use AP discount. This year I was lucky enough to have a AAA agent that was able to get me the 40%, I don't know how it actually happened but I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth. I have redeemed bank points to get tickets and always upgrade them to more days to cover another trip. Currently we all have tickets left with 4-5 days left and 6 water park visits that will never expire. The water park feature alone will last us 6 visits because we never go more than once a trip. I am a nurse and fortunately have the opportunity to work extra as much as I want. We pay on our trip with the extra money instead of putting it in with the general income, kind of like mad money.
We are staying at the Poly this trip for 6 nights with one day base ticket and DDP. This came to 2380 and will be paid off by the middle of the summer. Ten we wil squirrel away spending money and travel with no cares in Sept. I also worked the net and found 49$ each way airfare so the 3 of us are flying for 400 total.
As to income, we are comfortable but not well to do at all. We are both fortunate to have good jobs and work hard at them. We also pursued education and have earned those good jobs and the responsibility that comes with them. My husband is an engineer and as I told you i am a nurse. I can tell you in todays time nursing is a wonderful career to get into. The pay is good, the jobs are challenging and fulfilling, the specialties are infinite and the job security is the best.

 

[TnTsParty]

I would never pay $350-$450 a night for a hotel room. We stay at Deluxes alot but I would say we are far from being rich - maybe some would say we spend too much on our vacations to Disney (which we do about every 4 months) but its what we enjoy doing. We like previous posters spend a considerable amount of time at the resort so that is part of the vacation as well. I used to enjoy going to the moderates (POFQ is my favorite moderate) but with the prices recently at the moderates ($145 a night for standard view at POR in May or $184 for AKL standard view AP holder rate - FL Resident rate is about $5 more) I think the amenities/atmosphere at the AKL are worth the extra $40 a night. So more and more it seems worth it (at least for us) to stay at a deluxe.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi, I've heard this same question from family members, I've tried to explain to them but, they just don't get it . We are far from rich but, I begin saving from the day I get back home. Any $$$ left over from the trip goes to our "Disney Fund". I have a jar we fill with change and cash all year long. We don't treat ourselves throughout the year to restaurants, once in a while is it. I shop for our clothing during sales, at outlets (for designer name brands) and only pay regular when it is something I just can't pass up. I'm an AP holder since we vacation to WDW twice a year, and except for Easter we get AP rates. I also do split stays, 5 nights at Pop and 5 nights at Poly. Last year I did 5 nights at CBR and 5 nights at BC, both at AP holder rates. We dine a one restaurant per day while on vacation and eat our other two meals from counter service. For example, breakfast at food court, lunch at Peco's Bill at MK and then dinner at Crystal Palace. We don't always rent a car because so many times the car just sat in the parking lot. We now rent for the days we know we'll be going outside of Disney. Example, 10 night trip, we rented the car and picked up at airport, stopped at Target to get snacks, water, soda, milk and cereal (for breakfast some mornings), muffins for DH and me to have with coffee on some mornings. The next day we use car to travel to outside Disney attractions and by day three or four we return car at the nearest location we scheduled to return car. There are really so many creative ways you can budget and save for a deluxe stay. I've learned so much from these boards and hope my post has given you some ideas and tips on how to make your deluxe stay possible.

Good Luck!

 

[Dis1978]

I have not stayed off Disney since about 1986.The last couple of times we have stayed at AK. However, with 3 kids, 1 of whom has autism I am considering staying off site in order to have more space and because of the cost of two rooms. Any suggestions please. I am also considering investing in DVC as an alternative. How do the DVC resorts compare? Which is best for transport links for teenager who wants to have freedom to go to the parks when he wants.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I stay at Deluxes (Fl Resident rates between $190 - $240) because I don't like the open corridors..usually just my DD and me..I like that I can walk almost the entire WL hotel without going outside..nice and safe..
My DH is a firefighter and I work as a Project Engineer for a construction company..just good savers!