WOW, FP+ is worse than I even imagined

[mzadell]

Sorry , like I said not only do I not agree with this, I will go with the actual numbers I have seen on polls instead of a theory that is unproven.

The fact that polls not offered to a random and large sample size are statistically inaccurate is not an unproven theory. I'm not saying the results of the poll are wrong, I'm just saying it's a poorly executed survey that can't guarantee accurate results.

Let me try to explain the concept of self-selection bias better:

I put up a booth in Times Square that offers a poll on the effectiveness of subways in New York City. Let's say 100 people walk by the booth and that of those 100 people, 70 people like the subway, 10 people dislike the subway, and 20 people HATE the subway because they had some terrible experience with it. Odds are very good that the 20 people that absolutely hated their experience will go out of their way to take that survey and express their opinions. Let's assume then that half of the rest of the people volunteer to take the survey. This gives us 20 negative responses (the haters), 5 more negative responses, and 35 positive responses for a total of 30 to 35, negative to positive. So by this survey, 46% of people do not like the subway, when in reality, only 30% of people don't like the subway.

Again, I'm not saying it's a fact that these polls are wrong or that MDE/FP+/MB's are perfect and universally loved (nor that they should be), I'm just saying that to say 50% of people who use the service are unhappy with it is not statistically useful given the method of polling.

 

[clsteve]

But also substantially inferior in what they offer. Tiny rooms no real deluxe experience.

Yes,

all I could think of at the Portofino, as I laid back in that Loews quality bed and linens after taking a shower in that marble bathroom, was how horrible it was to have the server at the pool bothering me with frozen grapes and ice water without asking.......

 

[mesaboy2]

Actually mesa I think the royal pacific can still be had for under 200 a night taxes included at the right time of year. Pretty sweet for a deluxe with the perks you get for staying there!

I don't doubt it, just was giving a real-world recent example that can't be refuted.

But also substantially inferior in what they offer. Tiny rooms no real deluxe experience.

The room I was in at RPR this weekend was comparable in size to, if not bigger than, those I have stayed in at Poly or WL. Substantially inferior I think is pushing it, I would have let you go on just "inferior".

Regardless, the PP's comment about how "VERY expensive" they are has been effectively refuted.

 

[OtherScott]

Yes,

all I could think of at the Portofino, as I laid back in that Loews quality bed and linens after taking a shower in that marble bathroom, was how horrible it was to have the server at the pool bothering me with frozen grapes and ice water without asking.......

Bet they didn't have a giant bowling pin!

 

[clsteve]

Bet they didn't have a giant bowling pin!

Touche......

 

[jade1]

sorry, just pointing out there are WDW deluxe pricing comparable or even less than US onsite depending when you visit etc. at least it seems the gap has closed somewhat in recent years and seasons. For us $280 at the BC is much more attractive than $317 at PFB and certainly worth it over $259 at RPR, would for sure take $228 at WL over $259 at RPR as well.

I don't doubt it, just was giving a real-world recent example that can't be refuted.

My "current" one can't be either.

 

[mesaboy2]

My "current" one can't be either.

Congratulations on all that. You found a couple of examples--one of which is a resort under a massive refurb--that supported your argument. I could find some more that show a bunch of other WDW resort rooms higher by a couple of C-notes a night.

I was disputing the "very expensive" and now the "tiny rooms" comments. Both are misleading at best.

 

[ArwenMarie]

But also substantially inferior in what they offer. Tiny rooms no real deluxe experience.

You're right, Portofino Bay is awful, no one should stay there

 

[MermaidMommy]

Congratulations on all that. i was disputing the "very expensive" and now the "tiny rooms" comments. Both are misleading at best.

I stayed at Portofino Bay for the first time recently, and, while Disney will always be my first love, that hotel trumps anything at WDW - including the flagship Grand Floridian.

To add onto your point, I don't think comparing hotel prices on Expedia for a single day paints an accurate picture -- since discount sites are all driven by availability, it varies too much. To compare apples to apples, you have to look at the rack rates, and the Universal hotels are cheaper (sometimes much, much cheaper) than Disney's across the board.

 

[jade1]

Congratulations on all that. You found a couple of examples--one of which is a resort under a massive refurb--that supported your argument. I could find some more that show a bunch of other WDW resort rooms higher by a couple of C-notes a night.

I have stayed at all US hotels-I like them. But far prefer Disney Deluxe and even Swan-which is often under $200.

I have simply noticed (and figured I would relay as information) a lot of comparable or even cheaper WDW deluxe than US. Which I have found surprising compared to years past. Yes many are much higher-often related to room size/location and how full they are when checking. But I can still choose a WDW deluxe at a comparable price many times of the year.

Nov 4-Yacht Club is less than the HRH and AKL is less than RPR.

 

[clsteve]

I have simply noticed (and figured I would relay as information) a lot of comparable or even cheaper WDW deluxe than US. Which I have found surprising compared to years past. Yes many are much higher-often related to room size/location and how full they are when checking. But I can still choose a WDW deluxe at a comparable price many times of the year.

No reason to be surprised. They're having occupancy issues with their Deluxe accommodations - serious enough to begin converting a percentage of those rooms into DVC units. BC and WL seem to be the biggest concern, as of now.

This discussion has been ongoing in the thread below, started by rteetz:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3304881

 

[jade1]

No reason to be surprised. They're having occupancy issues with their Deluxe accommodations - serious enough to begin converting a percentage of those rooms into DVC units. BC and WL seem to be the biggest concern, as of now.

This discussion has been ongoing in the thread below, started by rteetz:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3304881

Nice-thanks for the confirmation to what I was saying.

 

[mellyf]

My husband and I are doing a Universal-only trip in January for the first time. We're staying at RPR for an average of $195/night. I just looked up Wilderness Lodge for the heck of it, and it was $299/night. Expedia showed it as unavailable, so this was thru Disney's website. I also looked up Beach Club. It showed a price of $368 for a standard room, but it also said that those were unavailable. Pool view was available for $472.

I'm a teacher, so we almost always go during peak season which is obviously more expensive at both Universal and Disney. We were originally going to go to Universal over Christmas break, but decided to use my two personal days w/ a weekend and go in late January. However, the $350ish price of RPR during peak season was still cheaper than any of the Disney deluxes (except perhaps Swan/Dolphin, which we have also stayed at) at that time.

We stay at the deluxes (or Swan/Dolphin - teacher rate) when we go to Disney, so that rate of $195 was pretty awesome compared with what we usually have to spend.

 

[jade1]

My husband and I are doing a Universal-only trip in January for the first time. We're staying at RPR for an average of $195/night. I just looked up Wilderness Lodge for the heck of it, and it was $299/night. Expedia showed it as unavailable, so this was thru Disney's website. I also looked up Beach Club. It showed a price of $368 for a standard room, but it also said that those were unavailable. Pool view was available for $472.

I'm a teacher, so we almost always go during peak season which is obviously more expensive at both Universal and Disney. We were originally going to go to Universal over Christmas break, but decided to use my two personal days w/ a weekend and go in late January. However, the $350ish price of RPR during peak season was still cheaper than any of the Disney deluxes (except perhaps Swan/Dolphin, which we have also stayed at) at that time.

We stay at the deluxes (or Swan/Dolphin - teacher rate) when we go to Disney, so that rate of $195 was pretty awesome compared with what we usually have to spend.

Will see if WDW discounts then as well. BWI was $278 last winter for us-others were cheaper yet but love that area, best by far in Orlando IMO. Agree Swan is a great deal as well. Have fun at UNI-its great.

 

[mellyf]

Will see if WDW discounts then as well. BWI was $278 last winter for us-others were cheaper yet but love that area, best by far in Orlando IMO. Agree Swan is a great deal as well. Have fun at UNI-its great.

Thanks! I'm a huge HP geek, but even so, we haven't been able to tear ourselves away from Disney til now. Now with both Diagon Alley and the original WW, we're finally going!

 

[Planogirl]

We are mulling over going to Florida the week before Christmas (Dec 12-21). For that week these are the prices per night on Expedia:

Universal:
Portofino Bay $243
Hard Rock Hotel $225
Royal Pacific $200

WDW:
Contemporary Resort $492 (Why?)
Polynesian Resort $419
Grand Floridian $470
Yacht Club $366
Animal Kingdom Lodge $306

Smallest rooms at Portofino are 463 sq. feet and at Grand Floridian 440 sq. feet. That bit about Universal's rooms being smaller is untrue.

In my opinion the Universal deluxes are much nicer than anything Disney has plus you don't even need Express during most of the year if you plan properly. It's a nice perk though and impossible at WDW due to the number of rooms. There just isn't enough capacity in the parks to come close to meeting demand.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Actually some folks don't like being tracked, and card skimmers can read through wallets and purses. Metal fabric shields the signals-pretty simple really. I do neither because I don't care enough.

Protecting against skimming credit cards and sensitive passport data is one thing. But covering a MagicBand to prevent someone from skimming a unique code that you need access to Disney systems to do anything at all with? I don't get it.

I know some people appear concerned with this. I still don't get why. But if someone can make money off of metal fibre MagicBand covers, long live capitalism!

 

[jade1]

Protecting against skimming credit cards and sensitive passport data is one thing. But covering a MagicBand to prevent someone from skimming a unique code that you need access to Disney systems to do anything at all with? I don't get it.

I know some people appear concerned with this. I still don't get why. But if someone can make money off of metal fibre MagicBand covers, long live capitalism!

That's not what they are worried about. Some folks don't want wdw knowing every step they take, what store they shopped in, what snacks, what dining, where they stood for a parade, what pool they go to, what bus or boat they take and when etc. I couldn't care less. But it's simple to remedy.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's not what they are worried about. Some folks don't want wdw knowing every step they take, what store they shopped in, what snacks, what dining, where they stood for a parade, what pool they go to, what bus or boat they take and when etc. I couldn't care less. But it's simple to remedy.

I do understand that this is how some people feel. I just don't get it.

You're "tracked" by cameras when you enter a mall, subway system, hotel, etc in this country. If there's ever a need to retrace your steps over the course of a day, some might be surprised what one could come up with regarding their movements. I'll never understand why someone cares if Disney knows where you are in their theme park.

What nefarious plot will they concoct when they find out we like to buy popcorn right when the carts open, and take a midday break at our hotel?!? Oh no!! It's.... MARKETING!!

 

[rastuso]

The three original hotels to which you refer are quite a bit cheaper than most WDW "Deluxe" tier hotels.

I always love the people that have obviously never been to a Universal resort, saying how expensive they are.

We've stayed at RPR and HRH. They both are EASILY on par with Disney Deluxe resorts. They are smaller, but that isn't a bad thing. The only negative is no waterslide at RPR, which does blow, but you can pool hop still at Uni, and it's a simple boat ride between the two pools.

Royal Pacific is every bit as good as Poly, and about half the price, PLUS free front of line access. And you can walk to the parks and Citywalk. How long does it take to get from Poly to DTD, including bus wait time?

Yeah, that's sooooo expensive.

Oh, and newsflash, Universal can do what they do with Front-of-Line because they actually build new rides. WDW hasn't increased their actual ride capacity in years. Probably since Everest opened.

-Jason