Universal is taking advantage of Disney's weak spot

[JanaDee]

Not to mention the annual maintenance fees that would be around $1000/year. It is hardly free.

Yeah, it is disengenious to say your AP and DVC was free.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Not to mention the annual maintenance fees that would be around $1000/year. It is hardly free.

Exactly. I can stay at a deluxe Universal resort for way less than that alone. Throw in my cheap AP renewal rate and it looks like a steal.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I look at it a different way... If I was buying a MYW ticket package, why would I leave MK after day 4? That's when the tickets are either free or $10 more per day? And the alternative is to rent a car or get a taxi to go to USF to pay $180 for another two-day ticket? I think that would stop most people from bothering, outside of upper-middle class.

They could easily save that much by staying offsite and not eating expensive table service restaurants. Obviously not something Disney wants.

You also have to consider people who are choosing a day or two at Disney parks and then Universal. Adding WDW days only becomes really cheap after four days. This is why it's important for Disney to keep all four parks appealing and competitive with US/IoA.

 

[MichiganDVC]

How much did your AP and DVC cost?

AP was a DVC discount... Maybe $400-425 each?

DVC is more complex. There's purchase price, annual fees, and money I've made selling points to my point-hungry sister. I couldn't begin to give you a number without some serious math.

I think we paid $17000 for 205 total DVC points. Maintenance fees are about $1000 a year. For that we get roughly 12 nights a year in a DVC studio, give or take, for 40 years.

It's all about paying upfront to make your costs less over time.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Maybe some people go to Universal simply because they want something different? It's fine to hang out at your Disney resort but frankly I get bored. I don't care for hotel pools and since we like moderates there isn't much to do beyond that. We even head offsite (or even onsite) to play mini-golf. Why? Because it's fun! And to us, Universal is fun. In fact, it's incredibly fun and I for one won't give it up no matter how Disney tries to lock anything in.

See, I only stay deluxe, so I actually like my resort. I prefer to have downtime there to relax...to enjoy it.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Not to mention the annual maintenance fees that would be around $1000/year. It is hardly free.

Strange. I hadn't posted how many points I had, yet you knew it was $1000 a year?

You know it's based on how many points you have, right?

And since I have 205 points, it's $1000 for 12 nights a year, which = $85 a night for a Deluxe villa studio. You're never going to get me to agree that this isn't a steal. I did the math when I purchased. Once I break even on original payment, it works out in the long run for sure.

If you need more info, head to the DVC forum on this site. They'll explain it

 

[surferdave]

If there's one thing I'm grateful for abut the MDE mess it's the timing. We were considering DVC when we went on our October trip, and I changed resorts so we could test the new system, giving careful consideration to what it would be like for it to be the only source of FP available. We were done with any notions about putting all of our vacation eggs in the Disney basket by the end of the first day.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What about offsite guests who tend to have vehicles? What about the ones who don't even buy tickets until they get to the gate? Those ones are a lot less tied down to Disney and can decide in Orlando they want to spend more time at Universal or elsewhere.

And by staying offsite, they've quite likely saved a BUNDLE vs. comparable Disney accommodations. That makes Universal ticket add-ons much more affordable.

I look at it a different way... If I was buying a MYW ticket package, why would I leave MK after day 4?

Because some families with older kids (particularly boys) need to escape the child-centric, princess-infused themes of Disney. 4 days would be more than my 18 year old DS could handle at the Disney parks.

 

[damo]

Strange. I hadn't posted how many points I had, yet you knew it was $1000 a year?

You know it's based on how many points you have, right?

And since I have 205 points, it's $1000 for 12 nights a year, which = $85 a night for a Deluxe villa studio. You're never going to get me to agree that this isn't a steal. I did the math when I purchased. Once I break even on original payment, it works out in the long run for sure.

If you need more info, head to the DVC forum on this site. They'll explain it

That's way more than the nothing that you said you were paying.

 

[morethananyonex]

Strange. I hadn't posted how many points I had, yet you knew it was $1000 a year? You know it's based on how many points you have, right? And since I have 205 points, it's $1000 for 12 nights a year, which = $85 a night for a Deluxe villa studio. You're never going to get me to agree that this isn't a steal. I did the math when I purchased. Once I break even on original payment, it works out in the long run for sure. If you need more info, head to the DVC forum on this site. They'll explain it

It's not 85 a night unless of course you ignore the $17000 payment you made to get that low rate. DVC is a good deal if you can fund it and commit to Disney, but it's not really comparable to the cheaper accommodations that you don't need to spend $17000 to get.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Strange. I hadn't posted how many points I had, yet you knew it was $1000 a year?

You know it's based on how many points you have, right?

And since I have 205 points, it's $1000 for 12 nights a year, which = $85 a night for a Deluxe villa studio. You're never going to get me to agree that this isn't a steal. I did the math when I purchased. Once I break even on original payment, it works out in the long run for sure.

If you need more info, head to the DVC forum on this site. They'll explain it

If AP renewal rates were to stay at $400/year each for the next 40 years (which we know it certainly won't), based on two, that means you have about $90,000 invested in Disney. No wonder you like them so much.

And why is it again that people couldn't enjoy a split stay at Universal and Disney?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

And why is it again that people couldn't enjoy a split stay at Universal and Disney?

Because MichiganDVC can't imagine enjoying a split stay at Universal and Disney; who in the world could ever give up precious Disney hours to go to a theme park that doesn't even have a world-renown mascot?

Personally I can't imagine flying in to the same city every year for forty years and never exploring other entertainment options available. Disney is huge and wonderful but there's more to Orlando than the bubble. But that's just me.

 

[MichiganDVC]

That's way more than the nothing that you said you were paying.

$85 a night for $400 a night accommodations is basically nothing. We can argue what you think those rooms are worth, but when I'm in a Boardwalk Villas studio overlooking the Boardwalk, with villa amenities and free laundry, I'm good with $85 a night. Again, feel free to post your questions/concerns to the DVC forum here on the Disboards.

It's not 85 a night unless of course you ignore the $17000 payment you made to get that low rate. DVC is a good deal if you can fund it and commit to Disney, but it's not really comparable to the cheaper accommodations that you don't need to spend $17000 to get.

Of course, I said "once I break even on my original payment." Which takes place roughly 8 years into the 40+ years of my investment. And I don't want cheaper accommodations. I don't want to stay offsite. Frankly, I stayed at the Omni Championsgate for a convention a few years ago and hating driving "all the way" to Disney so much, I only went 2 out of 3 possible days. I'm sure the Omni was technically a "nicer" resort than the Boardwalk is, but it's just not a WDW vacation when I stay offsite. It's a Central Florida vacation. I go to Disney to be at Disney. I don't spend the money to your Central Florida, so to speak.

If AP renewal rates were to stay at $400/year each for the next 40 years (which we know it certainly won't), based on two, that means you have about $90,000 invested in Disney. No wonder you like them so much. And why is it again that people couldn't enjoy a split stay at Universal and Disney?

 

[MichiganDVC]

Repost....

 

[morethananyonex]

$85 a night for $400 a night accommodations is basically nothing. We can argue what you think those rooms are worth, but when I'm in a Boardwalk Villas studio overlooking the Boardwalk, with villa amenities and free laundry, I'm good with $85 a night. Again, feel free to post your questions/concerns to the DVC forum here on the Disboards. Of course, I said "once I break even on my original payment." Which takes place roughly 8 years into the 40+ years of my investment. And I don't want cheaper accommodations. I don't want to stay offsite. Frankly, I stayed at the Omni Championsgate for a convention a few years ago and hating driving "all the way" to Disney so much, I only went 2 out of 3 possible days. I'm sure the Omni was technically a "nicer" resort than the Boardwalk is, but it's just not a WDW vacation when I stay offsite. It's a Central Florida vacation. I go to Disney to be at Disney. I don't spend the money to your Central Florida, so to speak.

That's great for you. We go back and forth considering DVC too, and I'm very researched on the math behind it so I do know how well it works out in the long run in the right situation.

The thing is, I think it doesn't make sense IMO to include DVC in the conversation comparing prices at Universal and Disney. To get cheaper prices at Disney (that Universal provides already) you need to give them a $17,000 down payment, or whatever number is appropriate for your contract.

Disney is a lot of great things, we personally tend to stick to deluxe too, but one thing it's not is the most affordable option when you consider only money, and not the subjective benefits that come from an onsite stay.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Repost....

Your quote disappeared, but to answer it....

You are paying $1,800/year for the next 40 years (based on the $400/year AP for two)....that is not "free". And we know why YOU don't want to go to Universal. That has been made abundantly clear in more than one thread.

You come across as pretty harsh when you can't understand why some people do like to visit both. I can visit both Disney AND Universal for cheaper than $1,800 year. I am not "rich" and to say that only upper middle class can afford a split stay is absurd.

It's just like the argument you seem to make time after time that people who haven't used FP+ should shut up and go to Universal. You admit that you rarely use FP at all. You have no idea how it affects the rest of us that have and do, but are willing to give advice to all of us even though you never really use it. And now we are to take your advice about Universal as someone who has never been and never will?

It's quite confusing to say the least.

 

[MichiganDVC]

That's great for you. We go back and forth considering DVC too, and I'm very researched on the math behind it so I do know how well it works out in the long run in the right situation. The thing is, I think it doesn't make sense IMO to include DVC in the conversation comparing prices at Universal and Disney. To get cheaper prices at Disney (that Universal provides already) you need to give them a $17,000 down payment, or whatever number is appropriate for your contract. Disney is a lot of great things, we personally tend to stick to deluxe too, but one thing it's not is the most affordable option when you consider only money, and not the subjective benefits that come from an onsite stay.[/QUOTE

No, not the most affordable option by any means. Most affordable is staying home and watching YouTube videos of Stacy's Must-Do's. Next most affordable is a Motel 6 on I-Drive. And so on. I'm only staying walking distance to Epcot or MK, with an occasional AKL stay during a longer visit. For me, proximity is #1-2-3 in importance.

And it was asked of me what my AP/DVC cost. I didn't offer that info originally. I just made the point that it would cost $1000+ to go to universal over what is pay to go to Disney as is.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Your quote disappeared, but to answer it.... You are paying $1,800/year for the next 40 years (based on the $400/year AP for two)....that is not "free". And we know why YOU don't want to go to Universal. That has been made abundantly clear in more than one thread. You come across as pretty harsh when you can't understand why some people do like to visit both. I can visit both Disney AND Universal for cheaper than $1,800 year. I am not "rich" and to say that only upper middle class can afford a split stay is absurd. It's just like the argument you seem to make time after time that people who haven't used FP+ should shut up and go to Universal. You admit that you rarely use FP at all. You have no idea how it affects the rest of us that have and do, but are willing to give advice to all of us even though you never really use it. And now we are to take your advice about Universal as someone who has never been and never will? It's quite confusing to say the least.

Huh? I just said for me of have to pay more money to go to Universal and I'm not going to do it. I also doubt young families will either. The incentives to stay at WDW past four days are too convenient. Maybe not for you (fine) but probably for most.

And I don't remember telling anyone that hasn't used FP+ to shut up and go to Universal. But if you've got spare time and want to dig up a post from 6 months ago that is totally out of context, knock yourself out.

You're right about FP- Never used it but 2-3 times a day. TSMM was always gone after RD, PP was usually gone when I arrived at MK, etc.. I'd use it for Buzz, Jungle Cruise, and so on. Now? I use all three each day. Why? I can plan them around my times, not needing to arrive at RD.

Finally, I don't remember giving anyone advice about Universal. Ever. Saying it would cost more to leave WDW mid trip to head to UO isn't really advice. Just common sense.

 

[morethananyonex]

Can't fix your quote cause I'm on my phone and it's a pain, but the discussion came from the notion that Disney and Universal together is cost prohibitive, which it is for you because of your "free" trip with AP and DVC. That's completely fair to say about yourself, but it doesn't make much sense to use in a general discussion about the two.

For a non DVC member, Disney is more cost prohibitive than Universal. They don't have the DVC points, they don't have an extremely low per day cost from APs. Instead they compare the cost of a room through Disney and tickets and the same through Universal. With comparable options (except of course the difference in the parks) Universal is cheaper. It just is. That doesn't mean it's more valuable for some people, but yes cheaper.

It's also good to again note (because I think someone else mentioned this) that many people do a week in Orlando, with only a few days at Disney so they don't see the price breaks the longer tickets give.

 

[MichiganDVC]

And I'm out of this thread too. Gotta work tomorrow. Have more to discuss? PM me. Have a nice night everyone