What's the deal-

[dizneydiva2005]

with all of the complaining about Disney's price increases? It must just be me and the mood I'm in, but come on- prices increase everywhere, it's not just disney ganging up on you.

We all know that the price will go up every year- just like at the gas pump, the grocery store, the clothes store, you name it.

Stop belly aching already!

 

[bytheblood]

Stop belly aching already!

Right back at'cha!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I must say that I had sticker shock when I was first checking rates. $375 for the Contemporary over Halloween, because Halloween is on a Friday night next year! We stayed there 2 or 3 years ago, and paid $235 for the same room. Granted, that was with a code, but the codes can't account for that much difference. And I realize in the normal scheme of things, the $20 a night most resorts have gone up shouldn't make that much difference. You are already spending so much at Disney that that is really a small percent.

 

[simonkodousek]

I think the main reason people are complaining is because of longer trips. Say you are staying 7 nights and the price increase is $20 per night, you are basically losing $140.

 

[bytheblood]

I think the main reason people are complaining is because of longer trips. Say you are staying 7 nights and the price increase is $20 per night, you are basically losing $140.

But overall, it is more than $140. Once you add room increase, park ticket increase, airfare increase, dining plan increase, souvenir increase, etc.... know what I mean?

 

[dizneydiva2005]

I understand the headache of increasing prices- but it's everywhere. The prices at the beach {SC} are more than a night at disney. Food buffets are as high as disney - with no characters

And how do you think Disney is paying for all of those 'free' dining people?? Exactly- by increasing the prices to everyone!

 

[dannyh23]

Exactly! The post-9/11 deep discount days are over -- at Disney and everywhere else. There are still plenty of ways to save money -- stay offsite, buy DVC, eat less, stay less days, etc.

It can't be both ways -- we want longer hours, quicker refurbs, better mousekeeping, better food, but then complain when the costs go up???

 

[banjobears]

I don't really think the price increase of the rooms isn't that big of a deal. Last year prices went up for each day, not just the Friday and Saturday. Disney is doing what every hotel around the nation is doing. I remember a few years ago when I had surgery in Ann Arbor, MI, my parents made reservations at a the Hampton Inn, and had to pay double the rate on Friday and Saturday. Right now my big beef is with the airlines and their prices, they are rediculus. I am looking for my next April trip and prices are over $300.00. I'm hoping they come down in the fall.

 

[CarolA]

I think it's a couple of things and I KNOW I will get flamed for both of them

1. Disney hotels ESPECIALLY the "deluxes" are overpriced. Plunk that hotel with THAT service down anywhere else in America and TOP price would probably be $175, maybe over $200 in NY or Northern California, but NOT what Disney want's for them. Disney wants $300 a night for 3 Star Hotel??? Welcome to the REAL Fantasyland!

2. There is a subgroup on these boards doing a "bigger" vacation then they can afford. If the $300 a night hotel was not a strech then the $20 increase generally isn't a deal breaker. However, I think that boards like this are somewhat dangerous. A lot of posters before they "heard" about Concerige here for example were just fine at the mods. Now they want the "Poly Concerige" You read all the time about some "upgrading" I think in lots of cases it's a real stress factor. (And I am not talking about ANY poster in particular so don't post hate messages going "I NEVER BOOK MORE THEN I CAN AFFORD. If you scream too loudly, it makes me think I hit too close to the nerve)

For YEARS my Disney vacations took place with Priceline or the Comfort Inn LBV $39 deal and I had a good time. At this point, I do own DVC but I think Disney is "overpriced" for the value and have for some time. This price increase didn't bother me, I had already reached the conclusion that when I look at value, Disney was not being realistic. If I want a true Deluxe experience, the Ritz down the road provides it for about the same money as a Disney "deluxe" For the savings I can drive LOL!

As a result, if I can't get a DVC room I just stay offsite in most instances. I travel a lot and "location" does not justify the prices Disney charges for the service and amentiies they provide.

 

[keys2kingdom]

1. Disney hotels ESPECIALLY the "deluxes" are overpriced. Plunk that hotel with THAT service down anywhere else in America and TOP price would probably be $175, maybe over $200 in NY or Northern California, but NOT what Disney want's for them. Disney wants $300 a night for 3 Star Hotel??? Welcome to the REAL Fantasyland!

I have to agree with you on this Carol, when our passholder rate at the Beach Club inched up over $200 a night I decided to throw in the towel and make our DVC purchase. I just cannot justify paying those prices for Disney's deluxe hotels. Those hotels would not be considered deluxe anywhere else in the world. It's simply because they are where they are that they can get away with those outrageous prices. I love the Beach Club but seriously, come on!!!

 

[beth_cam]

I must say that I had sticker shock when I was first checking rates. $375 for the Contemporary over Halloween, because Halloween is on a Friday night next year! We stayed there 2 or 3 years ago, and paid $235 for the same room. Granted, that was with a code, but the codes can't account for that much difference. And I realize in the normal scheme of things, the $20 a night most resorts have gone up shouldn't make that much difference. You are already spending so much at Disney that that is really a small percent.

Actually if you really look at those numbers it does make a good bit of sense. take off atleast an inflation (lol) increase of $30 for the 3 years and that brings the contemporary down to 345. Then often ap specials for deluxes will be something like 100/night for a delux, codes like the one I got in 2005 and again this year can be 30-40% which on a 345 room would be 103.50 to 138. So your 345 room could come down to something like 207-245/night. Falls right inline with the 235 you paid.

 

[stitchrulz]

Hey, everyone! You might want to hop on over to the "New Resort Prices Veering Me Away From Disney" thread. There are over 350 posts on this very topic.

Have a great evening!!!

 

[disnut8]

theh problem is that every Disney price increase is reported in the media. So we all know about them. We drive from Atlanta and stop overnight in Valdosta. Our Days Inn there started out at $45/night. I looked at it for our next trip and it's up to $67.50. Same hotel, same rooms, same swimming pool, same location, same continental breakfast, same everything. But that increase wasn't trumpted out for everyone to see. the only reason I'm staying there for this next trip is that we have a free room. Otherwise, I'd be staying somewhere much cheaper.

Arby's used to have 5 roast beef sandwiches for $5. Then it went up to $5.55. You used to be able to get a full meal at McDonald's for $1. Now it's just a sandwich or fries on their Dollar menu.

If Disney raised their prices and it wasn't in the media, would anyone really notice except for people on these forums? My in-laws are cheap people and travel a lot. I cringed when I saw the vlue resort rates rise. I told my mother-in-law (who is financing a family trip next year) the new rate and she wanted to know why I was so upset. Her words (and she's been to Disney World three times with us) were "wow! that's cheap!"

 

[BrianD]

The thing I don't get is people comparing discount "code" rates from a year or two ago to the full price rack rates that were just released for 2008. Let's compare apples to apples.

 

[Guzzi]

Ive got a co worker who just returned from an Dig site in Ghana and told me that in the Capitol, a new hotel was built that is full of american turists and it charges over 200$ per night for just the room. I know a disney trip is expensive, but Ive yet to be on a vacation that isnt expensive.


2005 Carribean Beach Resort
2006 Coronado Springs Resort

with all of the complaining about Disney's price increases? It must just be me and the mood I'm in, but come on- prices increase everywhere, it's not just disney ganging up on you.

We all know that the price will go up every year- just like at the gas pump, the grocery store, the clothes store, you name it.

Stop belly aching already!

 

[kapoof]

I think it's a couple of things and I KNOW I will get flamed for both of them

1. Disney hotels ESPECIALLY the "deluxes" are overpriced. Plunk that hotel with THAT service down anywhere else in America and TOP price would probably be $175, maybe over $200 in NY or Northern California, but NOT what Disney want's for them. Disney wants $300 a night for 3 Star Hotel??? Welcome to the REAL Fantasyland!

2. There is a subgroup on these boards doing a "bigger" vacation then they can afford. If the $300 a night hotel was not a strech then the $20 increase generally isn't a deal breaker. However, I think that boards like this are somewhat dangerous. A lot of posters before they "heard" about Concerige here for example were just fine at the mods. Now they want the "Poly Concerige" You read all the time about some "upgrading" I think in lots of cases it's a real stress factor. (And I am not talking about ANY poster in particular so don't post hate messages going "I NEVER BOOK MORE THEN I CAN AFFORD. If you scream too loudly, it makes me think I hit too close to the nerve)

For YEARS my Disney vacations took place with Priceline or the Comfort Inn LBV $39 deal and I had a good time. At this point, I do own DVC but I think Disney is "overpriced" for the value and have for some time. This price increase didn't bother me, I had already reached the conclusion that when I look at value, Disney was not being realistic. If I want a true Deluxe experience, the Ritz down the road provides it for about the same money as a Disney "deluxe" For the savings I can drive LOL!

As a result, if I can't get a DVC room I just stay offsite in most instances. I travel a lot and "location" does not justify the prices Disney charges for the service and amentiies they provide.

no flames but..

yes disney is expensive...but unlike yourself i would not stay off-site at a 39.00 a night motel and still have a good time. i am willing although not too happy to pay the prices for the resorts based on convience, theming, pools etc...

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Disney has always been expensive. When I was a kid my father had to save 2 years for a vacation. BUT back then you had GREAT service and it was worth the price. Now you pay the price but the service is not like it used to be. I would not mind paying more if the experience was above and beyond like it was in the good old days.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I must say that I had sticker shock when I was first checking rates. $375 for the Contemporary over Halloween, because Halloween is on a Friday night next year! We stayed there 2 or 3 years ago, and paid $235 for the same room. Granted, that was with a code, but the codes can't account for that much difference.

Actually, they could. There’ve been some 40% discounts recently (a few months ago, for certain times the rest of the year; and recently, for Disney Visa holders). Forty percent off $375 would be $229 – so it’s possible (not likely, just possible )

But overall, it is more than $140. Once you add room increase, park ticket increase, airfare increase, dining plan increase, souvenir increase, etc.... know what I mean?

But – room rates increase every year, once a year; and while the different rates for weekends/some holidays is new to Disney, it’s NOT new at all in the hospitality industry as a whole. Park tickets increase every year, generally once a year – 2006 being the exception this century – and Disney doesn’t hit us with all the increases at once. I mean, they may announce them around the same time, but the tickets went up in August while the room rates don’t take effect until January.
Disney can NOT be held responsible for increases in airfare, at least not until/unless they start Disney Airlines. Dining plan didn’t even exist three years ago; as is stated often on the Restaurant board, it doesn’t work for everyone. Guests who were eating offsite or at CS locations, who’ve been using the DDP for the last couple of years can revert to previous practices. Nobody’s forced to purchase use any Dining Plan. And souvenirs? Well, basic economics. Costs go up, wages go up, materials cost more – end product price increases.

2. There is a subgroup on these boards doing a "bigger" vacation then they can afford. If the $300 a night hotel was not a strech then the $20 increase generally isn't a deal breaker. However, I think that boards like this are somewhat dangerous. A lot of posters before they "heard" about Concerige here for example were just fine at the mods. Now they want the "Poly Concerige"

No flame – good point. I’ve ‘heard’ about Concierge. I’ve even been in the Concierge Lounge at Animal Kingdom, visiting a Concierge Guest. It is great. But if I want to take two or three vacations a year, Pop Century works just great!

Arby's used to have 5 roast beef sandwiches for $5. Then it went up to $5.55. You used to be able to get a full meal at McDonald's for $1. Now it's just a sandwich or fries on their Dollar menu.

Oh, yeah! First McDonald’s was “change back from your dollar”. Then it was “change back from your five”. When they first opened a movie theater in my city (never mind how long ago!), it cost fifty cents. Now it’s what, $10? That’s a 2,000% increase in xx years. The equivalent room rate at the Contemporary would have had to be $17.25 back then, to be $345 now.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I will agree that Disney can be expensive, but I also think a certain amount of perspective needs to be given.

We went to an amusement park near us yesterday. Our tickets were $23.50 per person for 7 hours. Yes, they sell them in 7 hour time blocks. They have a few roller coasters(that have NO theme) and then some basic amusement park rides. There was next to no landscaping, and what was there had weeds growing in it. There was no music, no parades, no characters, no fireworks, etc. There were no other parks to hop to. The employees may or may not speak to you--heck, they may or may not look at you. There is no dress code for employees--and YOWZERS! they need one!

Now to the food, there was maybe two places where you could sit inside to eat. I'm talking counter service food. The prices were right in line with what we pay at Disney and not near the selection. The souveniers were as much as Disney charges only they don't have much of a brand name to put on things. However, they still price it as if they do.

Remind me again why we went? Anyway, I looked at Disney ticket prices and a 5 day hopper works out to $50 per day, a 7 day is $32 per day. It's less if you don't add hopping. Sure Disney's one day price is a heck of a lot more than $23.50, but I also can't see all of Disney in 5 hours, which we did yesterday.

People want more for their money. I can totally understand that. IMHO, Disney does give more. How many people go to their nearby amusement parks and just enjoy the atmosphere? I'm sure there are some, but not the amount that would say that about WDW. Now, really think about all of the Disney parks. I mean really think about the rides, themeing, characters, parades, music in the lands, cm's dressed so you know where they work, restaurants, shops, fireworks, walking down mainstreet, WS at night, monorail, taking the ferry boat to the MK. To me, that is more. I don't know of many other theme parks that are a 5-7 day destination where people are happy to stay on property the entire time.

The resort prices have gotten high, but hopefully there will still be some discounts available that put them back in the range of last year. The motel rooms by the park we went to yesterday had rooms that were priced at $85 per weekday night, $95 per weekend night and $135 for holidays. Oh, these rooms didn't have phones in the room, not to mention internet access! Customer service is an ongoing battle that Disney and every other business is going to have to deal with. Society is different today and I think that comes through in how people do their job. Disney might be able to "make" someone be polite, but they can't make them be magical. For every unpleasant cm, there are many more magical ones.

I'm not criticizing people for thinking that Disney prices have gotten too high or for thinking they can get more value for their money. I just have a different perspective, especially when it comes to taking a theme park vacation.


Rachel

 

[CarolA]

no flames but..

yes disney is expensive...but unlike yourself i would not stay off-site at a 39.00 a night motel and still have a good time. i am willing although not too happy to pay the prices for the resorts based on convience, theming, pools etc...

I have moved up from the Comfort Inn as my income has increased LOL!

However, I can still stay at the Marriott World Center with something like three pools, a golf course etc for around $150 night. Better beds then Disney too.

For the price of a Disney Deluxe I can stay at the JW or Ritz with a lazy river, wonderful spa, great dining, golf course, childrens program and SERVICE like you will never see at Disney.

Basically "location" is Disney's big selling point. IMHO, it's just not worth it. Other "locations" are not that much "worse" for the price and may be better. The last round of price increases didn't do anything to change my view. I realize that I am in the minority, but I think it's one of the reasons these price increases raise such a stink. It's not like last year these hotels were a great value, they just go from bad to worse! LOL!