Why Spend $$$ on a Deluxe?

[HippieChickadee]

OP didn't mention balconies/patios. Those are a huge plus with a larger family as is interior hallways. This gives adults (or at least one adult) the ability to go do something without being too far away or fighting the elements.

Great point. We LOVE being able to sleep with the balcony doors wide open (2nd floor or higher that is).

We either stay Deluxe or Value. Honest. Never stayed at a mod. yet. Not against it, just haven't tried it yet.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Not to be rude or anything, but to me the question "Why spend $$$ on a deluxe?" is to me similar to "Why go on vacation, when you can have a great time at home with your family and save so much money?"

Vacations are frivolous and fun, a real treat and a real luxury that believe it or not many people cannot afford and never go on. // The fun part is having a budget / money to spend and deciding how to spend it. And that is going to vary so much person by person based on dollars to start with and values/priority differences each family has as big factors in each individual family's decisions.

Well said!

 

[KaLyn]

I upgrade basically because of promotions or for the chance of getting one.


Here's our thinking...
Why would I spend $1,000 for a week when you can get something better for $950?
Or why spend $800 a week for "meh" when I can spend an extra $250 for the "ahhh"? (that's a relaxing ahhh by the way, don't confuse it with a scream)
Or why spend $1,100 for lower quality when you can spend $1,100 for something higher in quality?


Those scenarios show examples of how our next trip could possibly work out. Now I upgraded from value to moderate but I'm sure the same applies for those going from moderate to deluxe. We were comfortable with the value price point, but we can handle the moderate (especially when factoring in the chance of a promotion or discount) so I assume there are people who are comfortable with the moderate but can handle the deluxe.

Some are happy in a value, some are happy in a deluxe. Me? I'm going to be thrilled in a moderate!

To each their own!

Sent from my iPad using the DISBoards app.

 

[Daycogs]

I know I'm entering delicate territory here, but when I look at the prices of the different resorts, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would pay $300-$500 or more a night for some resorts! I'll preface by saying that I'm a budget-conscious mom---or you may even say cheap. I shop sales and discounts, cut coupons, and watch what I spend. That being said, we have been to Disney four times in seven years, so we're not against spending money on vacations! We've always stayed at a Value resort until the last time when we stayed at POFQ and loved it! We'll go back there in a heartbeat. So I spend less than $200 at POFQ for a lovely room, great service, fun pool, beautiful grounds, etc. Or I could spend $400 and stay at a Deluxe. Why???? Some of the arguments I've heard are.... Indoor corridors -- does that really matter? Better transportation -- never had an issue with buses at any of the resorts we've stayed. And we've never had a car. Nicer rooms -- thought POFQ room was lovely! Closer proximity to MK -- when we go we visit all the parks, so don't care if we're closer to one. Again, never an issue with transportation. Beautiful lobby/grounds/views/etc. -- Can get all that just by visiting! I guess if we were going to spend our whole vacation hanging out at the resort, we might be more worried about it. But we're there to visit the parks! Yes, we'll take breaks, swim in the pool, eat in the food court. But our rooms are basically places to sleep, shower, dress, and go. Unless money really were no object at all--which I can't imagine is the case for the vast majority of families--I can't justify spending the ridiculous amounts of money on the resorts. For that price, they should be throwing in breakfast (and lunch and dinner!) and providing me a private driver to get me where I want to go! Not to mention laundry services and a turn-down each night! So let me hear it! How do you justify spending that kind of money on a room? Do you spend all your time there? Is it just to say "been there, done that'? Is the difference really worth twice the cost? I'm honestly curious about this...

I never really thought of this before until you brought it up - people wonder why people stay in a Deluxe. I guess we wonder why people would stay in a Value? We always stay in a Deluxe. The amenities are much nicer and hopefully we are getting better service, too. Would you ever consider staying in a Deluxe?

 

[DaisyD]

I used to wonder why people stayed in the Deluxes too until I tried one. Now I'll never go back. We used to spend most of our time in the parks but one trip we booked the Wilderness Lodge. Wow, who cares about the parks! LOL We loved the pool, the things to do and see at the resort. We didn't even want to be at the parks. Since then we only stay deluxe with the Poly being our favorite. We do go to a park every day for maybe 5-6 hours if that but thats it. We are either in the pool most day time and head to the parks after lunch or closer to dinner.

 

[Annadesu]

I'm with you, OP... I would never drop 300+ a night on a hotel room. You're there to sleep, and maybe an hour or so scattered throughout the day. But to each their own.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm with you, OP... I would never drop 300+ a night on a hotel room. You're there to sleep, and maybe an hour or so scattered throughout the day. But to each their own.

Maybe you are there to sleep and spend an hour or so a day there but many spend a lot more time. We wake up, go have a nice breakfast right at the resort in a nice restaurant. We then go and get ready for the pool. Head to the pool and spend maybe 4 hours there. Go and grab some lunch again at the resort then go to the room and get ready for dinner and park time. We usually head out at 4 or so going to dinner somewhere nice then head to the parks. The resort is a major part of our vacation.
I love what the deluxes offer. Better places to eat, full room service, lush landscaped grounds and great theming, awesome views of the MK ( nothing beats sitting in the pool and watching the MK fireworks) larger rooms, balconies, inside hallways, monorail and boats to MK.

Now if I were staying at a value or mod, I'd want to spend most of our time at the parks because those really don't offer much except for a bed to sleep in and a hot shower.

 

[Leighbra]

Once I started getting put up in nicer ($350-700 a night!) hotel rooms for work or from sweepstakes wins, I realized what I was missing out on.

I was totally happy in my Best Western/La Quinta rooms.

I guess I just didn't know. I definitely see how people get used to it.

NOW I know what I'm missing & still can't afford/justify staying in a $400/night room. haha That's the worst of both worlds.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Why stay in deluxe resorts?

Bedding, bedding, bedding, and oh did I mention the bedding?

I admit I'm a bit of a hotel snob, but more I'm very particular about beds and bedding. The bedding in the deluxe resorts is so so so much better than at the mods (never stayed at the values). I spend a fair amount of time at the resorts but even for "just a place to sleep" I like to sleep well on vacation.

The mattresses are better IMO but beyond that, the nice duvet/comforter at the deluxe resorts is far more pleasant to sleep under than the tan microfiber motel blanket at the mods. The improved bedding alone is worth it to me.

Totally personal preference

 

[Babsy]

Why spend $$$ on a deluxe??

Location and ease of transportation to theme parks (walking distance) plus larger rooms to accommodate everyone (2 queens + daybed).

 

[Runnergal]

All of the things you mentioned as possible reasons to splurge matter to me. It is my vacation too, and I like to be in more cushy surroundings when I travel. But I will also note that even though I have 4 kids, I am willing to squeeze into one room (while we can!) in order to be in a deluxe resort, and in CL if possible. For me it is a priority to have the amenities of CL in the deluxe resorts (like breakfast!) over the desire to have more space.

 

[Masonmj84]

I was once among those who believed it was nuts to pay for deluxe (and still wonder sometimes). IMO, as far as the deluxe resorts themselves go, the difference in "niceness" alone, does not warrant the large price differential over the moderates.

We prefer deluxe mainly due to the location. We're not commando types and enjoy going back to the resort to relax in the afternoons. We also enjoy going to the nicer table service restaurants for dinner (and these restaurants are concentrated in the deluxe resorts). By staying deluxe, we can enjoy this vacation style with minimal travel interruption.

That being said, there's really no deluxe resort that has a perfect location for everything, which is why we prefer split stays. For example, we enjoy spending half of our vacation at a MK resort and the other half at an EP resort. We then plan our park days and restaurants to be near wherever we're staying during a particular part of the trip.

We also go during off-peak times and apply discounts onto relatively lower rack rates (relatively being a key word, as rack rates have become insane during even "value" season).

Honestly, if we were park commandos, or didn't eat a lot of meals in resort table service restaurants, or didn't do split stays, or didn't go during non-peak times (and apply discounts), we would likely not stay deluxe.

We would probably also not stay deluxe if we had a car (but we love the idea of being whisked away by Magical Express and not having to deal with the whole rental car/parking/navigating hassle).

 

[laurensmommy]

Moderate has always been fine for us. Although, if we had money to burn we would like to stay at the AK lodge sometime just for the chance to see wild animals grazing outside our window.

 

[robinb]

Moderate has always been fine for us. Although, if we had money to burn we would like to stay at the AK lodge sometime just for the chance to see wild animals grazing outside our window.

Rent DVC points at AKV. Savannah view studios are between 10-20 points per night depending on your dates which is very comparable with the price of moderate resorts.

 

[cheesemouse]

Well for us it's because we are a family of 5 and for families over 4 people, the options are limited. Yes, we could do an AoA family suite and probably will at some point. But honestly, the price of those is not much less than a garden wing room at CR. Sure, I could get a room for 5 at POR Alligator Bayou but man that would be tight. I have considered it several times but think we would be too squished with strollers, luggage, etc. If we were just a family of 4 I doubt we'd go deluxe that often. Options are families over 4 are just so limited and the ones available come at a pretty hefty price tag unfortunately.

 

[mrsp1030]

For us it's a variety of reasons but #1 is interior hallways. We will sometimes rent points to save money too but we just love the theming and overall feel of the deluxe resorts.

 

[jaykorf001]

OP, I agree the deluxes are expensive. However, I think the mods and values are as well for what one gets given the offsite options for so much less. So I'm very open to staying off site but if I stay on site it would only be at a deluxe. Everyone's different but these are my reasons:

1) interior corridors also provide for balconies and outdoor space. I want to be able to open my drapes and let in sunshine and be able to sit on my balcony. I do not want to open my draperies to a walkway. That's why I'm not sure why someone would pay for a view upgrade at a mod.

2) Larger rooms. I do not want to feel confined. And crowded

3) Dining options on site

4) Amenities such as the beach at The Poly or the animals at AKL

Everyone's different. Whatever works for you.

 

[RainbowWit]

Maybe I'm just doing the math wrong. I've stayed SSR and ASM. We were going to
Do mod this year and do POR. we are a Family of 5.

After doing all the math doing the Beach Club was only $200 more expensive. Big rooms. Nice beds and bath, and patios are SO worth $200. Not to mention being able to blink and be at EP. Seriously? I would pay 200 bucks any day to be that close to my favorite cocktails in the showcase.

Is OP not researching anything beyond rack rate?

 

[wdwlver]

Two things alone make it worth it for us. Balconies and not taking buses to all parks. We spend a lot of time at resort too....not a fan of outside hallways....plus nothing beats walking into Epcot....

 

[Networth]

This is why Disney has categories so individuals can choose. People like yourself are perfectly happy with the Value and Moderate's. Where people like me enjoy luxury hotels, I work hard for my income and enjoy my down time. When I am not doing a Disney vacation I stay at Grand/Park Hyatt, J.W. Marriot, Four Seasons, Ritz, St Regis so on. So it only makes sense I prefer Disney's Deluxe resorts. If they only offered value or moderate I would never stay on property.

When I was a kid my family always stayed at the Contemporary Resort Tower with a Theme Park view. As a kid being able to look down into the atrium and see the magical monorail glide right through the building is a feeling I will never forget and I fully intend to give that to my own children when the time comes. That is something that is important to me. I like the Deluxe resorts for many reasons. Better amenities, better service, bigger rooms, balconies, room service, location etc. I also only dine at a signature table service restaurant for dinner which are located in mostly the deluxe resorts

On a side Something about a bus full of smelly sweating people who just spent the day at the park vs a boat or monorail ride or nice walk back to the resort is worth the extra money alone.