Weekend Rate Poll

[boomhauer]

Wanted to get everyone's opinion on this new pricing structure. Really didn't think much about it until today. When you think of the average Disney trip, my guess is it's probably about 6-7 days, meaning chances are good the average person is gonna hit weekends.

Now, I know there are some that will say "most hotel chains charge higher weekend rates". Personally, I don't think Disney should think the same way. Sure, there are some people that may only visit for the weekend, but for the most part, Disney is a vacation of as mentioned, at least 6-7 days.

I have no idea, but I think Disney needs to step back and take a closer look at things. They have been really pushing the envelope on resort rates as of late. Is it just a matter of time until people decide it's simply not worth the extra cost to stay on property?

Just to clarify - If you think Disney's weekend higher rate policy is a good idea, you would chose AGREE. If you think it's a bad idea, you would chose DISAGREE.

 

[disphoto]

Although I did price a weekend at a Moderate for next October and the price was just the regular jump. I haven't priced summer yet.

I think the weekend rates will bother FL residents more than anyone. I can't go for a week other than the summer due to school, but I can run up for the weekend and stay a night. But room prices will affect my decisions.

 

[Quinn222]

I think the weekend rates will bother FL residents more than anyone. I can't go for a week other than the summer due to school, but I can run up for the weekend and stay a night. But room prices will affect my decisions.

Exactly. I'll probably make fewer weekend trips or stay offsite.

 

[eliza61]

I'm gonna disagree simply for the fact that I never want to pay a higher price for any thing. but on the other side, it does not surprise me because you're right, every other vacation venue I visit already charges more for the weekend. I don't think this will have a big enough impact on Disney for them to reconsider thoug. I still think Disney is one of the overall best values out there. I just spent a week on the Maryland shore (Ocean City) and it ran me a little over $2,500 bucks, they charged an extra $30.00 a night for Saturday & Sunday.

 

[mericletwins]

Sorry, I missed your clarification at the end. I voted agree only because every other hotel I stay in does the same. I wish they didn't, but I was agreeing that they could and it wasn't an unheard of practice.

After reading your post, I would probably disagree if I voted again based on what you said about staying a week or longer. Not many other hotels would get that length of stay regularly I would think.

 

[mom-2-3]

Let me start off by saying, I grew up going to Disney, nearly every spring break from the beginning and I have lots of great memories. However, this year when we took our third trip as a family(M,D,11,5,2), no matter how I sliced it, we were looking at a $3000 trip. Driving straight through from the midwest (20hrs), staying at Pop Century 6 nights, MYW w/ PH for 6 days, and eating very economically with some spending money. It is just too much money for this type of a vacation. When I was growning up, we would go to Busch one day and Disney one day, granted this was before MGM and AK and no we didn't do everything, but that was our choice and we hit our favorites, but now with the pricing structure of tickets, this is no longer an option for most - $300+ for our family for a one day visit. Tickets are structured so you feel you need to go for 6 or more days, but then you get stuck with higher rates for the weekend, and I know its only $10-20/night more, but I am alreadying paying what I consider to be the top end price for hotel rooms for our family. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we will go back again, but in the mean time, we are going to take that vacation money and see some of the other wonderful sites out there. Please don't flame me for sharing my opinion as it is just that mine.

 

[sherry8253]

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we will go back again, but in the mean time, we are going to take that vacation money and see some of the other wonderful sites out there. Please don't flame me for sharing my opinion as it is just that mine.

No flames here. I totally agree. This is going to hurt FL residents & AP holders who visit for several long weekends each year. It will also hurt those who take the 6 to 10 day vacations. If room bookings go down on the weekends when the prices go up, then perhaps Disney will re-visit this new pricing structure. I am lucky because we are going during value season and are not impacted.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Not to be argumentative.. but other than selected holiday weekends.. from what I can read / find out.. The Sunday-Thursday rates are exactly the same as the Saturday-Sunday rates..

Am I missing something? This seems like they've setup the computer system to allow it .. but decided NOT to implement it for 2008. (Except for holiday weekends)

Knox

 

[boomhauer]

Not to be argumentative.. but other than selected holiday weekends.. from what I can read / find out.. The Sunday-Thursday rates are exactly the same as the Saturday-Sunday rates..

Am I missing something? This seems like they've setup the computer system to allow it .. but decided NOT to implement it for 2008. (Except for holiday weekends)

Knox

Stop being so argumentative.





(just kidding.)

 

[CanadianGuy]

No. I won't. *(see.. I'm still doing it)

Seriously tho -- am I missing something?

Knox

 

[Cmbar]

I'm gonna disagree simply for the fact that I never want to pay a higher price for any thing. but on the other side, it does not surprise me because you're right, every other vacation venue I visit already charges more for the weekend. I don't think this will have a big enough impact on Disney for them to reconsider thoug. I still think Disney is one of the overall best values out there. I just spent a week on the Maryland shore (Ocean City) and it ran me a little over $2,500 bucks, they charged an extra $30.00 a night for Saturday & Sunday.

Ocean city is WAAAY over priced! It is the only beach for us Marylanders.... we have learned to head to the Outerbanks in North Carolina and get A LOT more for our money. Just had to laugh because I often tell DH that we spend less to go to Disney than we would for a week at the beach in OC.... and that is with AIRFARE!

That being said, I think Disney is definitely pushing with all the changes. The Dining plan is definitely going to be less of a value now that they took out gratuity and appetizers (for 2008). The prices on tickets again going up and costing more to do things like HOP. And of course, now the room rates are going up, with weekends being higher and you have to pay for each night individually when crossing over a season.

Lots of reasons to consider skipping Disney next year and doing Universal.

 

[kcminnie]

We usually stay at a Deluxe as there are 5 of us & try to travel during value season. The weekend rates are only $20 higher per night. While I am not happy to pay an add'l $40 dollars for a weekend I would accept this policy a lot better than their new "change of season" policy. I priced out a Feb 2008 trip using the same time periord I traveled in 2007. I checked in 2 days prior to peak season and was able to carry my value rate for the entire 8 nights. This was over President week. With the new 2008 rate policy the same trip at the Poly would cost me $875 for the same room. It they kept the old rate policy the increase would only be $88. We will be skipping our Feb Disney trip in 2008.

 

[mom-2-3]

No. I won't. *(see.. I'm still doing it)

Seriously tho -- am I missing something?

Knox

Knox,

When I look at Mousesavers rack rates "table", it shows and increase for mods on std rooms of $10/night for Fri/Sat in all seasons except value. I have not tried to quote a reservation online to see if this is true, tho. I guess I feel that one could easily plug in Disney to replace Cable Company in the Direct TV adds, but we are a capitalistic society and I am able to choose. With that said, I'm thinking a nice, relaxing beach vacation for spring break

 

[cybrkitn]

Sorry Boom, I'm not voting this time b/c I'm not really sure at this point if it's good or bad.

I did look at the table that MouseSavers have and the weekend rate increase is so sporadic. Some seasons at certain resorts have rate increases for the weekend and others don't . Yet there are also some holiday weekends that are more and yet the rate stays the same on a non-holiday weekend.

A $10 difference, IMO, is not bad if you are staying a few days. But most people stay about a week or more and that does add up.

 

[safetymom]

Personally Disney has a right to make the rates whatever they want them to be. They don't owe anyone anything.

I am sure if they see it isn't working they will make adjustments.

I also agree it is more expensive to go to OC MD than it is to go to WDW. I know I personally used that argument quite a few times.

 

[QueenGoblin]

I don't have a problem with it on its own. I think as a policy it fits in with how Disney does everything else, considering they charge DVCers more points for weekends, etc.

I do kind of wonder when or if Disney will place the straw on the camel's back that makes a Disney vacation unaffordable/unattractive to enough people that attendace will suffer. With all the changes this year I kept waiting for something that would be an added value to the average family visiting...but so far everything seems to be increased at a rate ahead of typical "cost of living" increases. We are still going in 08, but we won't be using the dining plan. I guess we will just hope enough people are scared away that Disney will offer some great promotions.

 

[G8r4evr]

As a Fl resident, I feel like the weekend increase is a slap in the face. Sure, I dont visit for 10-14 days at a time, but I do stay 3 nights, 5-7 different times a year.
If the Disney resorts werent already overpriced, it wouldnt make that much of a difference to me, but like another poster said, I believe Disney has long been pushing the envelope as far as resort prices go (Value Resorts excluded, for the most part).
With all of the increases this year, I am just waiting for an added incentive to make the trip. It just makes me sad because I dont think that Walt ever would have wanted families to go broke trying to stay onsite and visit his world. But thats JMO....I mean. $75 for a single park/ 1 day ticket? I find that a little ridiculous. At this rate, by the time my kids are in high school, its going to cost $100 for a 1 day ticket and $700 for a standard room at the Poly, and I wont even be guaranteed a balcony =P

 

[kydisneyfans]

We avoided Disney changes by booking a condo through Skyauction at $312.00 for the week. As long as they don't jack up parking to $25. a day we will be fine.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I think its going to be harder to justify staying onsite in the long run. I am a deluxe gal and I cannot justify the new costs at the deluxes. Its just crazy. I'll probably continue going to the Swan/Dolphin and getting my nurse discount as long as they offer it. Its just easier that way and I don't have to jump through hoops to get the rates. . .

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'm not happy about it but since its almost an industry standard now i'm not suprised disney jumped on that bandwagon. after all they are in it for the $$.

even though the rate have went up I'll still be going back. if they keep increasing we may have to make trips a little shorter but this increase won't keep me out of there. ....this time.