Originally Posted By fkurucz You have to give Disney credit though, for setting up the world to make it very inconvenient to stay off property. It makes it much easier to get away with charging so much for lodging and meals.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> You have to give Disney credit though, for setting up the world to make it very inconvenient to stay off property. It makes it much easier to get away with charging so much for lodging and meals. << Very true, but that was when the money was being passed out freely to folks. I just don't know how well that will go over now?
Originally Posted By Rsey103 Dixie Landings gets $250 a night?! (Fun Fact: I can remember when standard Contemporary Tower rooms went for $60/night.)
Originally Posted By fkurucz <Very true, but that was when the money was being passed out freely to folks. I just don't know how well that will go over now?>> Yeah, that model worked better during the funny money days. Like I said in another topic, once people have to pay with money they earned and saved they will realize that a WDW vacation is very expensive and possibly out of their reach.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Then again, these people might also realize that staying on I-Drive isn't the end of the world. Or they might do something else altogether.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<^^Then again, these people might also realize that staying on I-Drive isn't the end of the world. Or they might do something else altogether.>> I drove down I-Drive. Once. It is the end of the world.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Disney resorts are priced very competitively when you look at everything you get. In addition to lodging, staying at a WDW resort gives you the use of the Magical Express transportation from/to the airport and the Extra Magic Hours. I’ve valued the Magical Express at what transportation on the Mears Shuttle would cost. I’ve valued the Extra Magic Hours at what WDW used to charge for ‘E Nights’ when anyone could stay in the park for an extra two hours by paying an additional $20. That was done quite a while ago, so by now Disney would probably be charging at least $30; but for the sake of comparison I’ve left it at $20. Here is the expense breakdown for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) staying for 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge during the Regular Season. Wilderness Lodge 5 nights @ $275 $1,375 EMH 4 people x 5 nights @ $20 - 400 Magical Express (compared to Mears Shuttle Round Trip 2 adults @$32 and 2 children @ $24 - 112 Net Cost $ 863 Net per night $ 173 I think anyone would have a hard time saying that the Wilderness Lodge is not worth $173/night.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Disney resorts are priced very competitively when you look at everything you get.>> But isn't that like saying a BMW or an Audi is priced competitively for what you get? It might be true, but most people cannot afford them. There was a spike in sales during the bubble (thanks to HELOC $$$) but luxury sales have tumbled even worse mainstream cars. If I could chose between staying on property vs. I-Drive, of course on property is the choice. Just like I would pick a Benz over a Ford. But since I can't afford a Benz, I don't have one.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I'm not saying that everyone can afford to stay at a Disney resort. I'm only saying that they represent good value for the money, which is what I thought this thread was all about.
Originally Posted By barboy RT another perk you could have listed for on property stays is parking. Hotel guests from All Stars to Floridian enjoy 'free' parking at the parks. So that could be another $12-15 per day. "parking is available at the Disney Theme Parks for an additional fee" --- from WDW's online info. I guess they are ashamed that they have the audacity to charge most motorists to park because they didn't list the prices.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes, I checked several of the hotels surrounding WDW and most did charge for parking. A couple did not so I did not list it. But you are absolutely correct... you could easily add another $12-$15 per day for hotel parking.
Originally Posted By danyoung RT, it's hard to imagine 5 people staying in the same room. I think you're using math to manipulate a point. Rooms are not net per person per night, but are simply room cost per night. When you can stay in a very nice Marriott for $150/night in a major city, it's hard to justify $275 for the WL, especially when you then have to pay for food, park admission, transportation and souvenirs. At rack rate, it ain't no bargain!
Originally Posted By Disneyfrk74 This is a very interesting topic for me since I am a travel professional and have worked in the industry for a few years now. I believe that many hotels are overpriced despite the amenities, not just WDW which definitely are overpriced in my opinion. I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Grand Floridian for my first time, and it was at a greatly discounted price. Still, I was paying about $250 a night in a room that prices close to $600 p/ngt for the time I went. I loved the resort and all the perks that came with it, but as a travel profession did I feel the experience was worth the price they want? Definitely not. Perhaps if theme park tickets and the dining plan was thrown in for that price would I say the price was equal the value. Sure the room was beautifully decorated and the service was very distinguished, but I wouldn't put a $600 p/night price tag on that service. I'm not made of money, and I guess these properties are designated for those who are, but to me all rooms look the same when you have your eyes closed. I understand the difference in class of hotel obviously, but these are definitely overpriced.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<RT, it's hard to imagine 5 people staying in the same room. I think you're using math to manipulate a point. Rooms are not net per person per night, but are simply room cost per night. When you can stay in a very nice Marriott for $150/night in a major city, it's hard to justify $275 for the WL, especially when you then have to pay for food, park admission, transportation and souvenirs. At rack rate, it ain't no bargain!>> I manipulated nothing. I calculated costs for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids. I did not look at room cost per person. I only looked at cost per person for the shuttle and when valuing EMH. My statistics are not cooked and show that the Wilderness Lodge does offer a good value if you want what it includes -- transportation from the airport and access to Extra Magic Hours. As for staying at a Marriott... guess again. I checked rates for Orlando Marriotts for January 10-17, 2009. Marriott Airport $198 JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes $249 Marriott Orlando Downtown $210 Orlando World Center Marriott Resort No availability 1/12,-1/14. Other nights ranged from $249 - $299. These rates were not rack rates, but the rates available through Travelocity.
Originally Posted By danyoung My quoting of a Marriott rate was not based on current Orlando availability, but on my personal experience staying at more than one of them in more than one major city over recent years. And I guess I can see a little closer what you're doing with the math, RT. But I just can't accept that $275/night is a good value, no matter what else is thrown in.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Yes, I checked several of the hotels surrounding WDW and most did charge for parking. A couple did not so I did not list it. But you are absolutely correct... you could easily add another $12-$15 per day for hotel parking./// I'm not sure if you missed what I was saying RT(but it looks like you did based on your response); but my point was that WDW hotel guests can drive to the 4 parks and not pay parking at EPCOT, MK, Studios or AK unlike the rest of the motorists coming in from outside hotels. And since you brought up something I didn't think about(daily parking fees at some off WDW hotels) So conceivably some 'off property' guests might be paying up to $30 per day more.... $15 at their hotel and 15 at the parks.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Disney resorts are priced very competitively when you look at everything you get. In addition to lodging, staying at a WDW resort gives you the use of the Magical Express transportation from/to the airport and the Extra Magic Hours. >>> Another way to look at it is that the All Stars include all of the above amenities, as well as the free hotel and park parking and other things people have mentioned. So, when you look at the Deluxe resorts, you really have to ask if the premium of what's offered is worth the price differential between that and the All Stars. As others have mentioned before, what the GF offers is just on par with what you'd expect from a $600/night hotel. You do get nicer surroundings and certain amenities such as 24 hour room service. But one problem that all of WDW suffers from is that they've applied economies of scale to such an extent that it's very difficult for them to offer what you might expect from the type of property that the GF makes itself out to be. For example, as far as I know, they've standardized the linens and bed sheets throughout the property, and have central laundry facilities. By having all properties have the same quality items, it makes purchasing, inventory, cleaning, distribution, and all that sort of stuff much cheaper. But the end result is that the towels are something you'd expect at a Motel 6. This is fine for All Stars, as I wouldn't expect anything more. But it's just not on par with what you'd expect for $600/night. Disney gets away with it only because of the theme and the location of the deluxe's, although I expect that the Four Seasons is going to cause some trouble for the GF once it opens, as you'll be able to actually get a $600/night room for your $600 on property.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I see your point. I did some calculations using the minimum rates during the Regular Season. All Stars 260 sqft .38/sqft Port Orleans 314 sqft .53/sqft Grand Floridian 440 sqft .99/sqft Is the Port Orleans worth 1.4 times the cost of the All Stars? I would say it definitely is. Is the Grand Floridian worth 2.6 times the cost of the All Stars? I've never stayed there, but I have a hard time imagining that it is.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< As others have mentioned before, what the GF offers is just on par with what you'd expect from a $600/night hotel. >>> Should be just NOT on par.
