Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Every year for the last 15 years since I've known my wife we've stayed at one of the resort hotels for her birthday in December. We've been very lucky that we've been able to do stay overnight, enjoy the place for two days at Christmas, have a few drinks and not drive at the end of the evening, etc. That we've been PAPs certainly hasn't hurt. It's never been cheap, but we've always been able to justify the expense somehow, especially after a few Cadillac Margaritas. It looks like it ends this year, though. We stayed at the Grand Californian last year for the first time, liked it, paid the discounted PAP rate (still well over $300 for one night). We were treated to a fire alarm evacuation at 5:00 a.m. last year, but no matter. Anyway, this year, same night, same hotel is now over $500.00 after taxes. That's insane. Looked at the Disneyland Hotel, over $400.00 after taxes. The rates aren't appreciably different the entire months of November and December. This isn't just because was less than 10 days to Christmas, this is the going rate. It isn't that we can't afford it. We can. We're a two income couple, no kids, and we make a very good living. But there comes a time when even people like us have to say this is crazy. I can't rationalize this cost for one night's stay anywhere when we live less than 25 minutes away. By way of comparison, the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, former the Ritz Carlton, a very tony, historic hotel, has a rate of $177.00 for the same night if you book and pay 45 days in advance, $211.00 if you don't pay and just book. The Grand Californian is nice, but it isn't the Ritz. But please don't get me wrong- we've had a good run and could continue if we chose. This isn't meant to be whining or woe is us. It's just that we aren't choosing to opt in anymore, we're going to opt out. We'll look and see how much a town car would be, or even just a taxi from Long Beach to Anaheim and back. But sadly, the hotel now look to be a thing of the past.
Originally Posted By HRM Good for you! I've always wondered about the prices at the Grand... One of our relatives have stayed there twice... They also have almost lost their home to foreclosure three times... I'm sure the two aren't connected, but it gies to show how "blind" some people are about their money habits ~~ especially with regards to Disney.
Originally Posted By lvwayne I have taken my Family to all 3 Disneyland Hotels and have enjoyed our stay. I too think the price has jumped to the range that only people with money to burn will stay at the DL Hotels. I heard it is a way to thin down the crowds. I know the ticket prices have jumped and feel they have cut back on a few things such as food and novelty items. I hope DL remembers who made them what they are and know that people do have other choices. We stayed at a Hilton on the beach for $150 a night. We just went last weekend to DL and stayed at a near by Hotel and had a great time. Miss the DL magic of the Hotel, but with 4 kids we were either at the park or asleep. Your not alone with your thoughts of those prices.
Originally Posted By lvwayne I think thats their master plan for the rest of us to buy in the Disney Vacation Plan.... Sneaky.... Very Sneaky
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I suspect the extra crowds with Carsland is affecting this. They'll charge what they can until the newness wears off, or until it starts to affect their occupancy rates. I think those rates might just do that.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Over the past 6-years DVC didn't look quite so good when Disney was deeply discounting hotel rates, especially for the Deluxe properties. But now that it seems we are edging out of the recession and with the popularity of the new DCA, I think we are looking at the beginning of a period where Disney once again increases hotel rates substantially. I would question buying into DVC today given what they are charging for points. But what I paid 12 years ago (about half of the present cost) looks DARNED GOOD!
Originally Posted By Tikiduck I have thought of staying at the Grand for the duration of a trip. I have never been able to justify the bloated prices for what it has to offer. I know this subject has been hashed numerous times here, but I just hate being gouged, and that's exactly what Disney is doing with these rates. It is getting to where the price of a week at Disneyland, with the Grand, could easily cover a week in London, Rome, Zermatt, or the south of France. Have any of you ever seen the real Matterhorn?
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I think thats their master plan for the rest of us to buy in the Disney Vacation Plan.... Sneaky.... Very Sneaky<< Or to just stay at a decent hotel on Harbor Blvd for a fraction of the price.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Or to just stay at a decent hotel on Harbor Blvd for a fraction of the price.>> That's a good option At Disneyland... not so convenient at Disney World!
Originally Posted By TP2000 Anaheim hotel occupancy rates have risen this year, even though nightly rates have also risen. Hotel owners are thrilled, of course. The OC Register had a big story on this a few days ago. Anaheim hotels have led the way in all of SoCal in increased occupancy and higher room rates, and the hotels are saying it's due to Cars Land as the tourists and dollars started flowing in after June 15th. <a href="http://lansner.ocregister.com/2012/09/27/cars-land-fills-up-anaheim-hotels/166629/" target="_blank">http://lansner.ocregister.com/.../166629/</a> It looks like the concept of higher occupancy and higher rates isn't just exclusive to Hilton and Marriott and Howard Johnson; it looks like it has also hit the Disney hotels as well, even well after summer. The Resort was packed this weekend, as anyone there can tell you. And this isn't even a holiday weekend, like next week with Columbus Day. It's just the last weekend in September, which 15 years ago would have been deader than a doornail. Not anymore. The crowds show up year round, and the rates keep inching higher.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost <<<That's a good option At Disneyland... not so convenient at Disney World!>>> After 40 trips to WDW, I have stayed on site only once. Car rentals in Florida are comparatively inexpensive. You can get a car for a week for less then one night in the higher end and even moderate rooms on-site. Difficulty with driving to places in WDW is mostly in the mind. It is simple, fast and hassle free. There is so much competition on 192 alone that hotel rates are very good. No ADR's required, come and go at your leisure and save a boatload of money. If you decide to get tipsy and can't drive there is always a cab available. I know that many people just love the immersed affect that they get by staying on-site. For me, something left in my wallet at the end of the trip is all the magic I need.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Have any of you ever seen the real Matterhorn?" This train of thought factors into it. Spending this ridiculous amount for one night at a hotel close to home just didn't make sense this time. Putting the money towards a trip where we would actually see something we hadn't seen before just sounded much more appealing. Just who is staying on property nowadays and how much in debt do they go to do it? And not to start this discussion yet again, but when our PAPs are up for renewal next summer, they're likely gone, too.
Originally Posted By fkurucz "Have any of you ever seen the real Matterhorn?" Actually, my daughter did, on a school sponsored trip.
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF For my upcomg trip.....I really kept changing my mind between Paradise or the DL hotel and in the end....we will be staying at the Howard Johnson.... Just could not justify the difference in money...... When all is added up....the difference (at least for us)...is better dining while we are there options.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck Don't get me wrong, I am a lifelong Disney fan, but factoring the constant crowds, along with the huge costs, I just cant deal with it. If you want an exclusive, all Disney vacation, prepare to spend a boatload of money.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Don't get me wrong, I am a lifelong Disney fan, but factoring the constant crowds, along with the huge costs, I just cant deal with it.<< This, plus the skyrocketing costs, have kept up from going back since 2008.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I guess you could say that has been what has kept me from staying on-site all these years. Cost, pure and simple. It's not just the cost of the hotel, but the big, big factor to me has been the cost of food. Free dining isn't really free, but if it were it isn't always available when I might want to go. I don't like planning that far ahead concerning meals. It makes me feel like my entire vacation is based and worked around eating. I know this is almost sacrilegious but I don't find the cuisine all that great based on the price. So, I am free to go more often and not spend as much. Win - Win!
Originally Posted By Pollyana I have been looking for a decent priced hotel on Harbor for next summer and finally booked at BW Anaheim Inn. Wasn't a bad rate, 107. per nite...I cannot justify the high Disney Resort prices that just keep going up.... I will certainly enjoy Disneyland just as much even though I have to walk across the street.
Originally Posted By lvwayne Even staying at the DL Hotels involve walking. Some hotels on Harbor blvd. are a closer walk than at Paradise Pier or DL Hotel. Kids Loved the Disney theme at the DL hotel, but they would rather have extra spending cash and stay across the street.
