Originally Posted By ploeb909 So what do you think this year holds for Disney and its fans? Will prices on hotels go up, go down?? Entertainment is already being cut, as well as the staff. Are more block out dates to come or the pricing of APs increased yet again? Lots to think about for those of us that love to go.
Originally Posted By Pollyana Good questions ploeb ....I wonder too. I have been putting off my ressies, but finally caved in. I know I can change if hotel rates go lower. I will keep checking. I have a feeling that the crowds will be smaller, but that is just my thinking. We go every spring and summer and will continue to do so.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Hard to say, but I will take a swag. Disney brand hotels will hold up, but off property will see steep discounts. Tix and APs will see price increases, as will on property meal costs. Guests will spend less per visit day. More burgers and pizza. Many more will walk across Harbor to eat. There will be a decrease in APs and downgrades to SoCal only APs as locals economize. Some will trade their APs for a single visit next year. Trips will be shorter. The real canary in the coal mine will be if you can get cheap rates at HoJo's without the "Entertainment Card".
Originally Posted By Pollyana I am also thinking that outside hotels will be more discounted that before. I still get the ETrate at Hojo's, but it would be great if other hotels followed suit and offered decent rooms at 75. per nite. It could happen, being the Pollyana that I am, I always see the best and happiest situation.
Originally Posted By luvindisCruiser I booked our room for Desert Inn 3 months ago, I checked the prices today, and the prices went down. I'll save 70.00 during our stay.
Originally Posted By Pollyana I noticed that the Carousel Inn is at 99 per nite....not bad....but I hear that there are hidden charges such as parking and resort fee...????
Originally Posted By Pal of Minnie "Disney brand hotels will hold up," I am not so sure. Disney stock has dropped like a rock these last months. And my personal opinion is that if it were not for DVC members the Disney hotels would not be as full as they are which is what is holding up their inflated pricing. Take away DVC and you would see much lower rates and empty rooms.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^I was speaking in the context of DLR. WDW is a whole different ball of wax. Conventions and the well heeled will keep the GC, DLH and PPH occupied. There will be some promos for APs and such. The hotels that cater to the Joe 6 Pack crowd will have a rougher time as more Joes will opt for staycations, camping or grandma's house next year.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <Take away DVC and you would see much lower rates and empty rooms.>> In WDW, absolutely. WDW is overbuilt with way too many rooms. I wouldn't be surprised to see some resorts mothballed during the slower times.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains fkurucz in some ways I think you are right about the resort rooms but not completely - I think with the economy many businesses will look for other options - maybe getting a better deal at the Hilton or Marriott chains. And more of the well heeled will be looking at some of the neighboring hotels for the value. I think the holiday inns, HoJo,s, and Marriott brands will do okay. The suffering will be more the motel 6, super 8's type rooms.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<I think the holiday inns, HoJo,s, and Marriott brands will do okay.>> Like I said, its hard to say. FWIW I have been able to get good deals at Holiday Inn & Marriott thes epast few years. << I think with the economy many businesses will look for other options>> This is already happening with run of the mill business travel. But conventons are weird beasts. Maybe its because the attendees tend to be big muckety mucks and can get away without having to economize.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well good conventions are also invaluable, people need to go for business reasons, so they will do well. That said, what are Anaheim's rates compared to let's say, Reno?
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan ^^^^ No one "needs" to go to WDW for business reasons. Many companies have been cutting back on their conventions. There will probably be some that have been previously booked that will follow through, but there will be many companies that will cancel WDW conventions in favor of less expensive local versions. I'm not familiar enough with association conventions to know if they will be curtailing their convention activities at WDW or not.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I thought we were talking about Anaheim conventions? The point is, to stay ahead in business and work great deals, you must go to conventions. It is very much noticed when you do not. I have been going to the Association of Directors of Social Services conference here in the UK for 12 years. It enables me to hook up with clients, business partners, prospective business partners and clients all in one place, as well as hearing the latest thoughts (and in my case catching up with MPs and Cabinet members). It is the most important event of the year. Businesses who seem to stop attending are the ones who then go on to struggle or go out of business. Venues of conferences may change, but I doubt they will reduce.
Originally Posted By ploeb909 Actually the convention I will need to attend in Nov.09, will be at the WDWR. Looking forward to that. While I think Companys as a whole will cut back, there are still industries that "create" conventions. I personally LOVE the conventions that my husband and I attend, its a great write-off and we still get family time. As far as hotels go, I was really thinking along the lines of "DLR"hotels, I have seen a little drop as far as the $$-but like I said before, I see them cutting back on Staff first. And by the way, I would love to have our convention in Anaheim. The only problem is the night life is lacking compared to somewhere like Vegas or Orland.
Originally Posted By jdurk As someone who has always stayed at either DLH or GCH, I'm not doing it this summer. With the economy the way it is, I can't justify spending that kind of money for a hotel room. Even without the entertainment rate, I will save over $1700 staying at Hojo for my eight night visit this summer vs. the DLH based on what I paid last summer at the DLH. The Disney hotels basically only gave 10% off last summer for the AP discount. With the resort fee and taxes on top of the already high rate, it turns into a very expensive trip.
Originally Posted By ploeb909 jdurk, I hear you, I can pay just over $700 for a 6 night stay at the Portofino and pay $1554. for the same amout of nights-not including tax or "resort fee", at the PPH! I dont know, do you think that the hotel wll be solidly booked? Or will Disney cave and drop prices?? They are already "GIVING" you your birthday free-I thought this would never happen! I have been in line Many times and have over heard people say "Dont they let you in free for your Bday?" And I have always laughed at that idea, ever coming to fruition! Sign of the times. Its going to be a tough decision thats for sure, I myself have always stayed in site, and I LOVE being in the middle of it all, but with the extra $$ I can do another trip. I
Originally Posted By jdurk I love staying on site also and am definitely going to miss that but just don't think it is worth $1700. We want to make a trip in July and December and can't do two trips if we stay on site. I hope they offer some good rates for summer and will be watching, especially after last summer. We definitely noticed the crowds seemed thin when we were there in July compared to the previous year. A lot of people make summer plans pretty far in advance or at least a few months in advance and prices need to drop sooner rather than later. We were going to go to Hawaii last summer but when I looked at the airfare if was close to $1000 roundtrip per person out of Portland, Oregon. Then, a couple of months before summer, they drastically cut the fare. It was too late for us and I think a lot of other travelers as we had made alternate plans. It also kills me to spend close to $350 a night for a standard room at the DLH considering I can stay ocean front in Waikiki Beach for that price.
Originally Posted By ploeb909 Oh gosh I know your pain! I stayed on the "Beach Walk" in Waikiki, two years ago and paid $800 for 11 days. Codo style across from Ruth Chris.3 nights at PPH, for $656w/tax and resort fee! I also hate that at DLR you have to pay one night upfront! This makes it hard for me to plan ahead and make all my reservations at once. We will see what the new year has planned.
Originally Posted By charming husband DVC is becoming more and more a presence at the DLR. You have people with points to use and flying to WDW has not been as cheap as it was a year or two ago-soooo DVC members use up rooms at the DLR. That will help to keep the prices up and the rooms filled (somewhat).
