Why Deluxe Resorts

[tlens]

I'm Canadian and exchange rates have dictated where I could afford to stay.

We've stayed at all 3 levels. Didn't care for the value resorts. (canadian dollar at .60 exchange ) Rooms are simply too small. I enjoy the moderates. Love POR, didn't care for CBR. Deluxe resorts are simply nicer. Themeing (other than perhaps POR), queen beds, larger rooms, better locations. We have stayed at the Poly and are staying at AKL and BC this year. Exchage is at or better than par so this is the year to go back to the deluxe resorts.

We eventually want to stay at them all (perhaps missing the All stars).

 

[wilda]

Way back when the kids were young we stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza in DTD our first few trips. Back then you still had bus service, etc. Then we updated to CBR for a trip or two.
Now that we are older and have more discretionary income we stay at deluxe when we travel to the World with our 8 year old grandson. Trust me, the amenities and convenience are not for him (he's 8 and could care less if he has to make 2 stops or 6 on the bus trip), they are for us.

 

[Dopey420]

Why do I prefer "deluxe" (even if Disney "deluxe" is far from deluxe.)

Better service. Here is an example:

I stayed at Pop, and someone dropped a chili dog on the stairwell and it stayed there for 3 days.

I stayed at Saratoga Springs (not officially deluxe, but you get the idea), it rained, and as soon as it stopped raining, someone was sweeping the water off the stairwell.

Fewer cigarette smokers.

Better toilet paper.

 

[clownfish1452]

I stay at deluxe for the monrail and room service. If they had room service at a value I would be there.

Sarah

 

[eliza61]

Everyone keeps mentioning the resturants, does this mean if your staying at a particular delux resort, and you want to eat at the resturant you can just walk to the resturant and ask to be seated without having ADR's?
.

I think they mean you have a TS restuarant close. for breakfast and lunch I've never had any problems as a walk up at my resort restuarant but it is in no way guaranteed. I've always said the Yacht club galley (YC) and Olivias at OKW are disney hidden treasures. These restaurants are never busy and I'm always a walk up here. don't go by me though, I make very few adr's and always manage to eat 2 TS's a day.

 

[CarolA]

According to the latest AAA ratings, the following are 4 Diamond:
Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Yacht Club

And it's interesting that ONLY AAA rates them this high. Michelin, Mobil etc don't give them these high ratings.

Of course AAA also makes a lot of money selling Disney vaction packages. If I were skeptical (and I am) I would think that influences the ratings......


Sorry, but they aren't FOUR STAR hotels.

 

[murphnjamie]

I stay at deluxe resorts because I like nice hotels. To me, an extra $50 is worth it to stay in a room I really like versus one that I just tolerate.

We stayed at the CBR for our honeymoon 9 years ago when we were just out of college. Although it was OK, it was just that, OK.

We are lucky to go to WDW once every few years or so, and I want to go and enjoy it. We also have younger kids, so we spend more time in the hotel than some others. Plus, I want a place to relax when coming back from a busy day at the parks.

Call me a resort snob. But I figure, I get what I paid for.

 

[joenan88]

And it's interesting that ONLY AAA rates them this high. Michelin, Mobil etc don't give them these high ratings.

Of course AAA also makes a lot of money selling Disney vaction packages. If I were skeptical (and I am) I would think that influences the ratings......


Sorry, but they aren't FOUR STAR hotels.

This was interesting to me...How would you rate a value?? moderate?? I would rate the value's at a 2 star, moderates at a 3 star and the deluxes at a 4 star..out of 5. A lot goes into rating a resort and I think, in my opinion, on a whole the deluxe resorts offer enough to qualify for a 4 star rating. Take into consideration location, room size, ammenities, pools and signature restaurants. If you rated them a 3 where would the other resorts rank?? just curious...

 

[CoolPool]

I don't think anybody goes to WDW thinking they are going to stay at the Ritz. Its a family vacation destination and its almost always booked up to capacity and near capacity. You go for location, location, location and transportation options. And that intangible thing that Disney has that no one else does and nobody can define but its there because we all feel it when we step into the lobby of a deluxe (or mod or value for that matter).

Anyway, the Four Seasons shortly will be addressing the need of adults to have high threadcounts, extra fluffy towels, and a more quiet atmosphere. I can't wait to see the prices!

 

[Br'er Soap]

The deluxe resorts are just nicer. They are not tacky in any way, and they are extremely convenient. But the main reason is: NO GROUPS OF SCHOOLS OR CHEERLEADERS. That's the biggest perk there is.

However, my DGf is a CM in NY, so we get 50% off... We'd probably only be going once a year if she wasn't.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Why do I prefer "deluxe" (even if Disney "deluxe" is far from deluxe.)

Better service. Here is an example:

I stayed at Pop, and someone dropped a chili dog on the stairwell and it stayed there for 3 days.

I stayed at Saratoga Springs (not officially deluxe, but you get the idea), it rained, and as soon as it stopped raining, someone was sweeping the water off the stairwell.

Fewer cigarette smokers.

Better toilet paper.

I agree

 

[Contemporary_Man]

And it's interesting that ONLY AAA rates them this high. Michelin, Mobil etc don't give them these high ratings.

Of course AAA also makes a lot of money selling Disney vaction packages. If I were skeptical (and I am) I would think that influences the ratings......


Sorry, but they aren't FOUR STAR hotels.

Zagat also has them rated at their equivalent of a 4 star (very good to excellent). On their 30 point system, the Grand Floridian gets the "five star" for facilities and is 1 to 2 points shy on rooms, service, and dining.

Of the five current AAA 4 star hotels, I only think the Contemporary is overrated. However, once all of the remodeling is completed, I think it will be very nice again.

 

[WaltD4Me]

These posts always crack me up....

"How can people afford a deluxe?"

"Why would anyone pay that much for a deluxe?"...ect....

No offense to the OP, specifically, but I always wonder if people who ask these kinds of questions also drive around asking how/why does someone buy a Lexus when a Ford Taurus is so much cheaper? When shopping at the mall do they stop women carrying a Dooney & Burke or Coach purse and ask them why they just didn't buy a Liz Claiborne purse?

Everyone has their own perception of value, their own perception of what is worth paying for, ect...not just with Disney, but pretty much with everything in life. We all make choices about what is important/worth it.

We actually have the Poly booked for October (with the 40% off code) and I'm seriously thinking about switching to a moderate. Not because I don't think the Poly is worth it, but because with the money we would save by switching, we can do some other extras. Maybe the Pirate Cruise for the kids, a couple nicer sit-down/character meals, that kind of thing.

 

[boomhauer]

1.Location.
2.Theming.
3.If you have 5 people in your family, not many other options.

To me, that's really it. I'm not a deluxe person by any means. I'm staying AKL because it seems like a neat resort. I'm staying WL because I love the theming.

 

[eliza61]

These posts always crack me up....

"How can people afford a deluxe?"

"Why would anyone pay that much for a deluxe?"...ect....

No offense to the OP, specifically, but I always wonder if people who ask these kinds of questions also drive around asking how/why does someone buy a Lexus when a Ford Taurus is so much cheaper? When shopping at the mall do they stop women carrying a Dooney & Burke or Coach purse and ask them why they just didn't buy a Liz Claiborne purse?

Everyone has their own perception of value, their own perception of what is worth paying for, ect...not just with Disney, but pretty much with everything in life. We all make choices about what is important/worth it.
.

You are officially my hero of the day. Well said.

 

[WaltD4Me]

You are officially my hero of the day. Well said.

Why thank you. I'm honored to be your hero for today.

 

[brergnat]

These posts always crack me up....

"How can people afford a deluxe?"

"Why would anyone pay that much for a deluxe?"...ect....

No offense to the OP, specifically, but I always wonder if people who ask these kinds of questions also drive around asking how/why does someone buy a Lexus when a Ford Taurus is so much cheaper? When shopping at the mall do they stop women carrying a Dooney & Burke or Coach purse and ask them why they just didn't buy a Liz Claiborne purse?

Everyone has their own perception of value, their own perception of what is worth paying for, ect...not just with Disney, but pretty much with everything in life. We all make choices about what is important/worth it.

Very well said!

We are not rich by any means. My DH is in the military and I am a SAHM. We live in one of the most expensive places in this country to live (Orange County, CA). We drive modest cars (Hondas), we live in an apartment (paid for by the government, thank goodness). We don't go to expensive restaurants often, we don't buy "label" clothes. We shop primarily at Costco and Target, etc.

When we go to Disney, we stay in a deluxe hotel, concierge. There is no other option for me, I'm afraid. When I am on VACATION, I want to feel pampered. I want to relax. I don't want to deal with long lines, stress, an endless waits. I want a comfortable bed. I want a large room. I want to feel like I am NOT at home.

When I look at the budget for our upcoming trip in May 2009, I think "I could buy a car for that much". BUT, the truth is, we are able to save the money to splurge PRECISELY because we live modestly. There are a million things I *could* do with the money, but I don't want expensive clothes, expensive cars, and nice dinners out. I want an AWESOME WDW vacation experience. So, that's what we choose.

We currently have 2 Garden View Concierge rooms booked for the Poly in May 2009 for 8 nights. You can figure out how much that is going to cost , BUT I have the next 14 months to save up the money, and I'll be able to do it easily.

 

[jeanninepl]

We stay deluxe because we really love to relax on vacation. We split our vacation between the parks and spening a relaxing day at the pool, on the boats, and at a TS restaurant. Also, my husband and I like to enjoy a glass of wine on our balcony while the kids sleep!

We are staying at the Poly this summer and I am so looking forward to it. I am not just looking forward to be at Disney World, but the Poly in particular. I think that experience will really enhance our vacation.

We love deluxe and its worth the money for us. We did a split stay between CR and CSR and could really feel the difference.

Again, that is just for us. I am so glad that people love whatever their hotel choice is for their family.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

These posts always crack me up....

"How can people afford a deluxe?"

"Why would anyone pay that much for a deluxe?"...ect....

No offense to the OP, specifically, but I always wonder if people who ask these kinds of questions also drive around asking how/why does someone buy a Lexus when a Ford Taurus is so much cheaper? When shopping at the mall do they stop women carrying a Dooney & Burke or Coach purse and ask them why they just didn't buy a Liz Claiborne purse?

Everyone has their own perception of value, their own perception of what is worth paying for, ect...not just with Disney, but pretty much with everything in life. We all make choices about what is important/worth it.

We actually have the Poly booked for October (with the 40% off code) and I'm seriously thinking about switching to a moderate. Not because I don't think the Poly is worth it, but because with the money we would save by switching, we can do some other extras. Maybe the Pirate Cruise for the kids, a couple nicer sit-down/character meals, that kind of thing.

That was great! Add me to your list of fans.

 

[DW-Admin]

i love the posts about the deluxe trips being 7-10000 dollars. We are flying continental first class from cleveland, staying at the contemporary for 6 days and have the deluxe dining plan and park hopper tickets. We are looking at 4-5 thousand for everything.

It is worth it every bit to me and makes the trip relaxing for me