Why is the Contemporary so Expensive?

[John Marecek]

We stayed at the Contemporary because we were there for a convention a couple weeks ago. I was geeked b/c it's a deluxe, and as long as we have 2 kids tagging along, a deluxe isn't an option if we are footing the hotel bill.

We stayed in the Garden Wing, which is a simple, convenient walk back to the main building. Have to say, I was disappointed in the room. Maybe it's my fault, high expectations. The room was nice, but no different than a mid level hotel, and no bigger than what you'd see at a regular hotel. The proximity to Magic Kingdom was wonderful, but not 4 times what a value costs wonderful.

How does it compare with the other deluxe resorts, and would those be considered better values than the Contemporary, especially if you are looking at the Garden?

Don't want to come off like a grump, was curious more than anything.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Location, location, location.

FWIW, we liked WL better than the CR.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Definitely location. We've never stayed there but I would like to one day.

 

[♡ Mimi ♡]

The "Deluxe" designation refers much more to the hotel location & amenities than to the room itself. You can easily stay in a beautiful suite at the Four Seasons for less money than you'd spend for any Deluxe.

I think a lot of people go in thinking Deluxe = luxury hotel & it really doesn't. Even the GF is nowhere near what I consider to be a luxury hotel.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We stayed at the Contemporary because we were there for a convention a couple weeks ago. I was geeked b/c it's a deluxe, and as long as we have 2 kids tagging along, a deluxe isn't an option if we are footing the hotel bill.

We stayed in the Garden Wing, which is a simple, convenient walk back to the main building. Have to say, I was disappointed in the room. Maybe it's my fault, high expectations. The room was nice, but no different than a mid level hotel, and no bigger than what you'd see at a regular hotel. The proximity to Magic Kingdom was wonderful, but not 4 times what a value costs wonderful.

How does it compare with the other deluxe resorts, and would those be considered better values than the Contemporary, especially if you are looking at the Garden?

Don't want to come off like a grump, was curious more than anything.

You are not coming across as a grump. What Disney calls Deluxe is due to the location, having table service options, and more options for recreation, etc. than a moderate, which in turn offers a few more amenities than a value such as not just a food court, bigger rooms, queen beds, etc. Many are mislead into thinking a deluxe is more like a ritz carlton, or Hay Adams, but they are deluxe for the reasons noted above.

Tom

 

[fbb]

You can easily stay in a beautiful suite at the Four Seasons for less money than you'd spend for any Deluxe.

I'm seeing over $1k a night for a Four Seasons suite. Is there a way to bring that price down?

 

[John Marecek]

You are not coming across as a grump. What Disney calls Deluxe is due to the location, having table service options, and more options for recreation, etc. than a moderate, which in turn offers a few more amenities than a value such as not just a food court, bigger rooms, queen beds, etc. Many are mislead into thinking a deluxe is more like a ritz carlton, or Hay Adams, but they are deluxe for the reasons noted above.

Tom

Exactly. When I think Deluxe for $450 a night, I think a room the size of the Four Seasons, not a hotel room. There were other things too, which I've let them know about (food sitting outside the doors of guests for hours upon hours, housekeeping coming around 4, & none of the little mousekeeping things were heard so much about). Not major things, but things you don't expect at something called a Deluxe resort.

Deluxe is really misleading if you are staying in the Garden Wing. Has to be a better description for it.

 

[♡ Mimi ♡]

I'm seeing over $1k a night for a Four Seasons suite. Is there a way to bring that price down?

Rates are frequently 40-50% off for loyalty program members & Florida residents.

Even if discounted rates are unavailable, a standard room at the Four Seasons absolutely surpasses a standard room at a Disney Deluxe, and you should find those rates comparable at rack.

That said, Disney has sold me on the bubble & I will continue to stay at the non-deluxe Deluxe hotels.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The market price reflects what the supply can bare.

 

[jek253]

The problem is - location. You pay a premium for monorail access to the magic kingdom. My family and I are fans of the deluxe resorts, but I recommend renting points to save money. That said they very considerably based on monorail access vs. traditional bus/car.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Deluxe is about a scale of measurement. Disney's scale of measurement is their own, and out-of-bubble standards should not be assumed or implied.

At Disney, Deluxe typically means near park, with a larger size room, queen beds and nicer towels, plus on-site table service, often more than one. Most (not all) will have balconies. Most (not all) will have non-bus transport options to at least one park or entertainment area. (AKL is all bus, but arguably its savannas are the "location" piece of the deluxe puzzle.)

It's like when my mom used to say I was her favorite daughter. I was her ONLY daughter. Context matters. At Disney, Deluxe is a matter of the Disney context.

 

[bochnikm]

Deluxe means the same thing as in a diner.
Cheese Burger - you get a cheeseburger
Cheese Burger Deluxe - not a Kobe beef burger, just a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and pickles.

 

[John Marecek]

Deluxe is about a scale of measurement. Disney's scale of measurement is their own, and out-of-bubble standards should not be assumed or implied.

At Disney, Deluxe typically means near park, with a larger size room, queen beds and nicer towels, plus on-site table service, often more than one. Most (not all) will have balconies. Most (not all) will have non-bus transport options to at least one park or entertainment area. (AKL is all bus, but arguably its savannas are the "location" piece of the deluxe puzzle.)

It's like when my mom used to say I was her favorite daughter. I was her ONLY daughter. Context matters. At Disney, Deluxe is a matter of the Disney context.

This is well said. Also, I did not know the values are doubles, not queens. Thank you for that.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

This is why I stay offsite. I'd rather stay in an actual deluxe accommodation for half the price than pay disney's inflated room rates.

 

[jade1]

We never really like CR either, but like BLT on points anyway. Renting points may help, but prob even $175 and up for a studio that way.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Rates are frequently 40-50% off for loyalty program members & Florida residents.

Even if discounted rates are unavailable, a standard room at the Four Seasons absolutely surpasses a standard room at a Disney Deluxe, and you should find those rates comparable at rack.

That said, Disney has sold me on the bubble & I will continue to stay at the non-deluxe Deluxe hotels.

Last time I checked, Four Seasons does not have a loyalty program . . . ? I've priced out the Four Seasons Orlando several times for WDW vacations and can always find a WDW deluxe, with a discount, that prices out substantially less. We've stayed at the Waldorf and the Ritz, and, while we saved a minuscule bit of money, the hassle of getting to the parks was absolutely not worth any cost savings. We only stay WDW deluxe now (and would also consider the Swan or Dolphin if the price is right)

When staying at a Disney deluxe, we know going in, it will not be a 5-star experience. What we are purchasing is convenience to the parks. We now typically stay at the EP resorts because we are also, then, buying proximity to a ton of restaurants within walking distance of our hotel. But I've learned not to expect a lot from the rooms or the staff. It is certainly not like staying at a Rosewood or Four Seasons, but that is a whole different kind of vacation!

 

[♡ Mimi ♡]

Last time I checked, Four Seasons does not have a loyalty program . . . ? I've priced out the Four Seasons Orlando several times for WDW vacations and can always find a WDW deluxe, with a discount, that prices out substantially less. We've stayed at the Waldorf and the Ritz, and, while we saved a minuscule bit of money, the hassle of getting to the parks was absolutely not worth any cost savings. We only stay WDW deluxe now (and would also consider the Swan or Dolphin if the price is right)

When staying at a Disney deluxe, we know going in, it will not be a 5-star experience. What we are purchasing is convenience to the parks. We now typically stay at the EP resorts because we are also, then, buying proximity to a ton of restaurants within walking distance of our hotel. But I've learned not to expect a lot from the rooms or the staff. It is certainly not like staying at a Rosewood or Four Seasons, but that is a whole different kind of vacation!

They've got some kind of program. I've seen my father's membership card, though I can't seem to find any reference to it on their website.

 

[cwis]

They've got some kind of program. I've seen my father's membership card, though I can't seem to find any reference to it on their website.

I believe they have a program than you know of only if you are supposed to know there is a program.

There was a rumor sometimes ago, about it being changed to a more "public" one, but nothing has been announced yet.

 

[westie55]

I've stayed at 3 deluxes: YC, WL, and AKL. The only one that impressed me was the AKL. The YC and the WL both felt dated. I love Disney and would happily stay at any of its resorts, but it is admittedly hard for me to justify the exorbitant pricing of the deluxe hotels. Over $600/night for the GF? Not in my budget. To each his own, but the Contemporary does not appeal to me; I'm not a fan of its aesthetic. You are definitely paying for location there and the convenience of the monorail. Most of the hotel is, IMO, downright unattractive. I do love the California Grill, though!

 

[JWigs]

We have points at BLT and we love it for location. I know lots of people don't like the room decor saying it's not "Disney" enough but I guess for me, we don't spend a ton of time 'in' our room but we sure do spend a lot of time at MK and/or on the monorail.