What if there were no discounts...

[vettechick99]

Would you, could you, still go as often? How would it change your vacationing pattern?

I've been vacationing at WDW since 97 and have always been able to get a discounted rate - either a general public one, FL resident or AP. For a long time we never planned a trip more than a few days in advance but still could get a good rate.

Lately I have been renting DVC points which saves me money and gets me into a deluxe resort. I will probably continue to do that, although it gets costly for weekend stays.

I think we take for granted there are ways to save money on resort stays.

But what if the Disney powers-that-be decided that they didn't need to offer discounts anymore and we had to pay rack rate for our favorite resorts. So that means (roughly - give or take depending on the season):

$110 for a value standard room
$175 for a moderate standard room
$400 for a deluxe standard room

Could you still afford to go?

For me, it would definitely change either the quality (resort choice) or quantity (# of days) of my WDW vacation. I'd still go, of course! They have me brainwashed.

 

[goodferry]

I still think that, in the grand scheme of things, a disney vacation isn't THAT expensive, compared to say Hawaii or New York. Plus they have me brainwashed too, so I don't think I need to go anywhere but Disney.
We rented points this last trip, we may be sold on DVC after that, it was nice having the kitchen even though I only really cooked one morning, we liked the extra space.
That said, if no discounts were available, we would not be staying in a deluxe room at the Boardwalk anymore, we would probably move to a moderate. Although, there are six of us, so we have to get two rooms, so then we may as well get one deluxe room at the Boardwalk...Do you see how my mind works, honestly I would probably find some way to justify the expense and keep doing what we do.

 

[cara loves the poly]

This is our 3rd trip, all rack rate.

 

[Jaymie]

We would probably have to forgo the Deluxe to the Moderates or Value. I probably woudn't make 2 trips a year either. But I would still go. Another one brainwashed over here!

 

[vettechick99]

This is our 3rd trip, all rack rate.

Can you not get a discounted rate for the rooms you want? I have stayed Poly concierge many times and never paid full price. The only time we paid rack rate was for the honeymoon suite at GF. They weren't giving that joker away!

But Poly concierge is so nice, I'd try and afford it even if I couldn't get a discount!

 

[HelenePA]

This is the last year we'll be able to fit into a value even at 100$ a night yes we can afford it.. next time we'll have to spring for a mod or a deluxe.. at 400$ a night no we can NOT affordit! No way no how. Don't hate me but my 4bed 2 bath mortgage payment is not even $400 a month!

 

[goodferry]

I know several people who go every year, are well aware of the discounts available, and yet do not get one, don't even try. It kills me, one even went during free dining and paid for the dining plan. She said the dining plan was already a good deal, she would feel like she was stealing if she didn't pay for it. As a disney stockholder, I love these people, but as a mother of four and mortgage payer, I don't get it.

 

[cara loves the poly]

Can you not get a discounted rate for the rooms you want? I have stayed Poly concierge many times and never paid full price. The only time we paid rack rate was for the honeymoon suite at GF. They weren't giving that joker away!

But Poly concierge is so nice, I'd try and afford it even if I couldn't get a discount!

We've always gone during peak season, I won't let AAA have contol of my reservation and I want a package for convenience. I would love to be able to apply a code, if one ever is available.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

dup.post

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Our 1st family trip got us hooked: Went peak season Easter week in '05 and was very very fortunate to use a general public room code and it allowed us to try out Poly. concierge at lower than non-concierge rack rate. Bought park tickets from Undercover tourist before finger-scanning, paying extra for expiration, hopping and even got free water park day (had I known this wasn't going to be our "once in a lifetime trip" would have bought even larger number of ticket days).

In 2006, we got an AP discount for the Poly. non-concierge (we enjoyed concierge, but for us, extra money better spent on meals). DH, DD and DS used previous park tickets and my AP was worth it for room discount.

In 2007, we used Marriott points and stayed off-site. Used previous park tickets

Gosh, would really hate to pay rack-rate this year, but DH is willing to go even without any discount. Will need to buy park tickets.

 

[Shmily1]

We would still go. When I planned the trip at BC last summer, it didn't matter to me what the cost was, I was going to have that trip! I payed rack rate for that week. We've been twice since then and going again in less than two weeks. It doesn't matter to me what level we stay at because I usually like to mix it all up anyway and try them all. We've stayed at POP the most only because I'm like the big kid and all the exaggerated decorations there. Last trip was ASMusic, which we loved , and next trip is POR.

 

[ciera321]

We paid rack rate for years before I discovered DIS. We would still go, but probably just stay at the mods. CSR is in our top 2 Disney resorts anyway!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I would still go. I'm going on 1/16 and again in August. We're staying at the POLY and are paying rack rate. Our 1 bedroom suite at the POLY for August is costing us $780/night. While WDW vacations may seem pretty expensive, there are far more expensive vacations. Sometimes I think if I can continue to afford living in New York City, a few days at Disney should be a piece of cake!

But I am hopeful that Disney will continue to offer discounts to make vacations affordable for everyone. Even with the discounts, they are hardly losing money.

 

[Native NYer]

Would anyone really ever consider NOT going to WDW? I don't think I could ever consider that!

 

[HelenePA]

Would anyone really ever consider NOT going to WDW? I don't think I could ever consider that!

me, I like to see other things besides disney after 2008 we wont be going back for at least 2-3 years.. there is SO much more out there besides disney!

 

[PortieOwner]

ith the sorts of deals we can get now WDW is really an affordable vacation. Without the deals, a week at Ocean City or a week in Maine looks cheaper.

 

[n2mm]

We use to go when no discounts were available, but only went twice a year. If there were no discounts, it would make me appreciate being a DVC owner even more than I do. We go 4 times a year as DVC members, which is about 7 weeks a year in WDW....life is good.

 

[Native NYer]

I agree, HelenePA, that there are other places to go. I usually go someplace else besides WDW, but I'd like to squeeze in a trip at least once a year. I'm going now even more since I have a nephew now and will have a new niece or nephew this summer!

 

[TJA]

Right now we are AP holders and get great discounts on rooms, so we go to WDW 3x a year. If WDW didn't offer any discounts at all, then we would probably still go, but only once a year and no more AP's, AND no more deluxe hotels.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Even rack rate at the Values is cheaper than a decent hotel at the beach.

We go about 6-8 weekends per year, and might cut back by staying 2 nights instead of 3. (Disney would really lose on that deal--we spend way more on food/drinks than we do on our rooms ).