Whats up with paying Peak prices in March but not getting peak hours?...a vent thread

[eeyore0062]

Originally posted by Gillian
"In general, this is true, BUT the original poster is talking about paying PEAK resort rates and getting short hours. Maybe the parks won't be that crowded, but if this is the case, why are they charging such high hotels rates? They're saying the demand is high for the hotels, so we're charging more, but the demand is low for the parks, so we're not extending hours. Full hotels but empty parks? Doesn't make sense.

Summer is not Peak season (some parts, at deluxe resorts, are even Value!!!) but the hours are very long. Explain the logic of this, please!

And yes, there are codes, but compare october AKL rates of $109 or $119 to March rates of $189 (std room)."

Unfortunately the prices charged for the resorts do not necessarily correlate to the hours in the parks, and this has to do with when they have conventions. March is a big convention month, and has always been considered peak season for the resorts The last time we were there in March (1993), the only week that wasn't considered peak was the 1st week of March, and we happened to arrive on the 5th, so we got our whole stay for the value price. The resorts are busy, but it doesn't necessarily overflow into the parks... same with October, which used to be considered value season, and is now regular season... the resorts had many conventions, etc, but the parks were not crowded at all.

As for March... demand for the rooms is high. If they see that the rooms aren't being booked, they will start releasing some rooms for discounts. Just keep looking at these boards and on mousesavers.com, and perhaps someone in that situation can change their ressie to include the discount before they go! The discount will be on the rack rate at that time... so don't expect to see discounts as low as those in value or regular season.

 

[eeyore0062]

Originally posted by The Sybah Shelstah
"Okay... so how do we find out the park's seasons?"

Here they are: courtesy of disneyworld.com
WDW Owned Resorts:

Value season for 2003 is 1/1 - 2/12, 8/24 - 10/1, 11/2 - 12/19
Regular season for 2003 is 4/27 - 8/23, 10/2 - 11/1
Peak season for 2003 is 2/13 - 4/26
Holiday season for 2003 is 12/20 - 12/31


Dolphin:
Value season for 2003 is 1/1 - 1/31, 5/1 - 12/20
Peak season for 2003 is 2/1 - 4/30, 12/21 - 12/31

Swan:
Value season for 2003 is 1/1 - 1/31, 5/1 - 12/20
Peak season for 2003 is 2/1 - 4/30, 12/21 - 12/31

There used to be more variance in when different seasons were for different levels of resorts, but now WDW has made all of the "seasons" the same. They don't set the seasons for the Swan and Dolphin, however.

I was looking back as far as my guide in 1998, and the value seasons then were Jan 1-Feb 5, and Aug 23- Dec 17, excluding Thanksgiving.

Just out of curiosity, I looked in my 1993 guide and found this:
Value Season: Jan 4-Feb 6
April 18-June 5
Aug 15-Dec 18 excluding Thanksgiving.
Then it said that those seasons may not apply to the CBR, PO, DXL or Disney Village Resorts.

Hope this helps!

 

[Gillian]

eeyore0062, I'm not sure you fully understand the issue. It's not just about high rates. That is understandable if they expect crowds.

The complain is about not getting much for your money. Again, if the resorts are going to be so busy, then why not extend the park hours?

Discounts are already out through early April, but the prices are still very high compared to Summer 2002 and Fall 2002. I don't think the OP would be upset if the park hours were comparable to summer or holiday times.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Thanks eeyore-I appreciate trying to help but I needed the park's "seasons"- not the resort's.

Thank you, yesdisneyfool, for posting all that out. It even helps on which days to go where!

I still can totally see the person's question.. if the resorts are booked so much that the rates go up- then I could see wanting the parks open longer too. It stands to reason if there are more people in WDW's resorts then there will be more people in the parks. Do people REALLY book WDW resorts for conventions and NOT go to the parks the entire time they are there? Why would they do that?

 

[eeyore0062]

I definitely understand! Many of the deluxe, and CSR are used for conventions, and can be at capacity, even though the parks aren't. Most conventioneers don't come to Disney to do the parks. The prices are higher due to these other guests, not those who are looking for a WDW vacation. I also know that many times the value and moderate resorts are used to house people who are there for sporting events at the Sports Complex, whose presense also does not adversely affect crowds in the parks. Disney looks at when those people are going to be there and increases their rates accordingly. No one is saying that we as recreational guests have to like it, but unfortunately because Disney can make money on those convention guests, the prices are increased.

Because during those times, many of those resort guests are doing other things besides the parks, park attendence does not increase significantly, therefore there is no increase in "posted" hours, until the officials see if it is warrented.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by Gillian
eeyore0062, I'm not sure you fully understand the issue. It's not just about high rates. That is understandable if they expect crowds.

The complain is about not getting much for your money. Again, if the resorts are going to be so busy, then why not extend the park hours?

Discounts are already out through early April, but the prices are still very high compared to Summer 2002 and Fall 2002. I don't think the OP would be upset if the park hours were comparable to summer or holiday times.

Gillian,

I know Eeyore understands, let me try again.

Demand for rooms and park attendance do not necessarily go hand in hand. If there is heavy convention traffic there could be less park traffic. The other thing I think you and the OP may not be taking into consideration is thatonly Disney knows what is booked in the hotel and where they might be going.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by The Sybah Shelstah
Do people REALLY book WDW resorts for conventions and NOT go to the parks the entire time they are there? Why would they do that?

No time. They could have special functions after hours. If they are there for a convention they aren't going to be able tour like a regular WDW guest.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

I am going to WDW in March. I was upset about having to pay such high room rates ($122 per night at AllStars) and flight. However, I made a choice to go so I figured that I'd just have to accept it. The park hours won't be a problem for me if I am able to do the things I want to do in the time available. But if I'm only able to go on a few rides because of crowded conditions then I won't be happy. Also, I know someone who goes to a dance competition in Orlando. Their instructor does not let them go in the parks during competition days (5 days). If they want to go in the parks, they have to arrive in Orlando early or extend their vacation.