Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I've know more than a few folks who have bragged to me the they always stay on property.>> JMHO, it seems like a few folks brag about staying at HoJo's; that because they stay there, they are more savvy.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No status symbol for me. The truth is, when you live in functional hotels all the time like I have, then I need something special to feel like a vacation. I am not against doing the budget thing, but it does not feel like a vacation to me. The GRand makes it feel like a vacation, the DLH does not. It is all about the theming and location. To me, that is worth the money. If DL was a couple of hours away and we could go frequently if using something like HoJos or Candy Cane, then we would. But when traveling 6000 miles, you are looking for something special.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo when just getting to DL costs $3500, for a not so nive experience, $300 a night seems like an ok price for a vacation room. Ever looked at how much a beachside or on piste hotel room costs these days? I don't give a rat's pattootie about what someone thinks of where I vacation, if I did, I wouldn't have gone to the parks so many time (god knows it has even caused flack in my family). I care about the quality of the experience - location, visuals, service, other clientele etc.
Originally Posted By debtee It's always puzzled me since I first started posting on these boards, why this is such an issue for some people? My first ever trip report, instead of people seeing what fun we had at DL, I was blasted by people because we stayed in a suite at the GCH with concierge, so people took it that I was big noting myself and bragging. This shocked me, as it was never my intention. As Dave says in his previous post, us internationals have to spend thousands, just get to America, so the cost of a hotel room is a non issue. We are searching for the experience! We have already done the hard yards by going without some luxuries and saved our butts off to get there, so we want to be completely immersed in Disney magic. Now if you live close to DL and can visit often, then it does make sense to me that you stay in the accommodation that suits your budget. If we were to stay overnight in Sydney at a hotel, we would not go to a hotel like the GCH. So, I personally don't see staying at the Grand as a status symbol.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***It's always puzzled me since I first started posting on these boards, why this is such an issue for some people?*** Pure and simple jealously. And I'll admit, I feel a twinge of jealousy myself when I hear about people staying at these spectacular places which, at the moment, I don't have the means for. BUT, I've stayed at some spectacular places in my lifetime and hopefully will again. I certainly don't feel the need to slam those fortunate enough to enjoy the places I, myself, WISH I was enjoying right this moment. ;p But that's just me (and like I said, I HAVE had my "moments in the sun" as it were, so I suppose if I'd NEVER had the chance to stay at such great places I'd feel much more than a twinge of jealously when reading about fantastic and spectacular vacations that I could only dream about). ***My first ever trip report, instead of people seeing what fun we had at DL, I was blasted by people because we stayed in a suite at the GCH with concierge, so people took it that I was big noting myself and bragging.*** You SOCIALIST, ELITIST, er...HOTELLER! By the way, Glen Beck called, and did you know the word "concierge" isn't even an American word? It isn't even an English word! It's from France! FRANCE! They should change that word to FREEDOMCIERGE!!
Originally Posted By Mr X I wrote "jealously" twice, in place of jealousy...no idea why, perhaps freudian or something? I dunno.
Originally Posted By Mr X Interestingly, the whole "how much is exorbitant" meme has come up often recently in left wing circles, and there is a whole school of thought that one has no right to "flaunt" wealth. I read one poster claiming that staying at any hotel which was beyond a person's "minimum requirements" for safety and comfort was immoral and unconscionable. He suggested that everyone on Earth should patronize no hotel grander than Motel-6 or a comparable place, since nobody needs any more than that and any more than that is obscene and decadent, considering the poverty that so many people live in (he also mentioned Haiti). Somehow I doubt that will come to pass. But in any case, there will ALWAYS be jealous voices, or offended voices, and for some reason hotels (particularly "resort hotels") do enter into the realm of "rich vs poor" in much the same way that private jets and mansions and yachts do.
Originally Posted By quincytoo >>>My first ever trip report, instead of people seeing what fun we had at DL, I was blasted by people because we stayed in a suite at the GCH with concierge, so people took it that I was big noting myself and bragging.<<<<< I agree with Mr. X as I have for all of this thread. I travel alot for business and work for a company that sees the value of putting their employeees in nicer mid to high range hotels. Love the Sofitel in Montreal When we come down to DLR we are usually with friends or family and are looking for cheaper rooms so for us it is Sheraton at the Park, Candy Cane Inn or Hojo's in that order. They all are clean rooms with good customer service for what I consider a lower midrange hotel\motel to be. Would I put my staff in one of those places for a work related event or hold an event there?? No way, I would book in at The Grand or something higher end
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan We like to stay on property and love to stay at the concierge level no matter which of the three hotels we stay at. Out kids find the hotel stay as much a part of the vacation as the theme parks. We are not rich or poor but enjoy the convenience and experience of staying at one of the DLR hotels. I have also pricelined a room for 35 a night and I ended up spending as much $$ on that trip as I did staying concierge at PPH. I had no reason to go back to my less than average hotel room and therefore spend more money in the parks....time in the parks = money spent. snack for a family of 5 = $30 per snack breakfast for a family of 5 = $50 per day light dinner for a family of 5= $60 per day(they serve hot appatizer at 5pm) total for 5 days = $700 concierge for 5 days = $450-500 depending on season. I have already saved over $200 by choosing concierge and that doesnt include the wine and beer offerd in the evenings. I know, I know many people pack all kinds of snacks and stuff into the park but when I am on vacation I dont want to think about all that.....I pack three lunches everday for school and snacks/water bottles for sports so I will not do that on vacation. Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By pecos bill People who say prestige and status have no bearing on their decision to stay at luxury hotels are simply deluding themselves. This does not mean you dont have every right to stay there, but a little honesty would be most refreshing. Why is it so difficult for folks to admit they actually enjoy a certain degree of status? It is a very human thing, and is obvious in every culture that has ever existed, so why deny it?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "People who say prestige and status have no bearing on their decision to stay at luxury hotels are simply deluding themselves." What? We stay at better hotels because we can, pain and simple. That they charge more for it just goes with the territory. If a Hojo was better than the GCH or the DLJH we'd stay there, but it isn't, so we don't. Status doesn't enter into it for us at all.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "We stay at better hotels because we can, pain and simple." Well, there's a freudian slip. We stay at better hotels because we can, PLAIN and simple.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I wonder what the demographic is for the average GC patron? Median incomes, age, point of origin, lenght of stay? I have a hard time believing that the typical patron doesn't have a 6 figure income. Note that I said "typical". I'm sure there are folks with lower incomes who stay there.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I would be one. We've stayed at the Grand because we saved for it and enjoyed it. It wasn't for status, because we didn't exactly go around the parks with "I'm staying at the Grand" signs around our necks. We've also stayed on Harbor, and I have no problem with that either. We've paid extra sometimes for the immersion, the early entry, the vibe, and for the "magic," which everyone defines differently and places a different value on. There really is no need to get so upset about other people's choices.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>There really is no need to get so upset about other people's choices.<< Maybe that's why I keep beating this dead horse. I really don't care what people think of how I vacation. I'm just not that fussed over the whole thing. And I'm far from rich. I'd bet an AP that some people calling the GCH all about status or prestige make more than I do. But it's more just a curiosity. I'm just so perplexed at the reaction. I really don't get it. It's just...weird!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>we didn't exactly go around the parks with "I'm staying at the Grand" signs around our necks<< No, but you did wear the giant neon colored "Disney's Grand California" foam cowboy hats, and I'm sorry, that's just rubbing people's faces in it.
