Staying At The Resort.... Not Anymore

Originally Posted By Tikiduck

In all honesty, are there any true middle class people here who can honestly afford to stay at a Disney hotel, especially the Grand, without making a financial sacrifice?
Fact is, the Disney hotels are becoming ridiculously exclusive. I only hope the entire resort does not evolve into a place that only the wealthy can enjoy.

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

I firmly believe, TD, that the path you describe is ultimately what will happen to the resort, as demand increases for a destination with limited space.

I wouldn't be surprised to see DLR room rates remain above $500/night for some time to come.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

They will if occupancy rates remain high. If enough people make the decision "well, I love staying there, but that's just too much dang money" (which would be my decision if I was going there tomorrow, despite the fact that I go infrequently and have splurged on Disney hotels our last several trips), then their occupancy rates will fall and the prices will come down (either officially or via discounts).

 

Originally Posted By disneylandfan8

I have never paid to stay on property. I have never been able to convince myself to spend the extra money just to sleep closer to the park, and yes, that's how I look at it.

I would much rather spend the extra money in the parks, either on food or souvenirs.

I was lucky enough to sleep on a sleeper sofa in a room at the Grand (thank you to some special friends), but have always wondered what it would be like to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I will just have to keep dreaming.

 

Originally Posted By DyGDisney

I remember 4 years ago staying at the PPH for $129/night. We also stayed at the Grand the year before for just under $200/night. The prices are out of control now, and, as much as I'd love to stay at the newly redesigned Disneyland Hotel, we just can't justify -- or afford-- the cost!

 

Originally Posted By ecdc

OP has this really well put. The cost even in just a year has gone up enough that I'm thinking about where I really want to spend my money.

 

Originally Posted By Tikiduck

Lets put it this way, if you had to make a bucket list, but still had to adhere to a budget, would the Disney resorts be on it?

 

Originally Posted By Malcon10t

Here is the bigger issue. While everyone complains about Disney pricing the market so high, they will only price it as high as demand will allow. They still SELL OUT. If you had a product you couldn't keep in stock at $5, so you up it to $7, and it still sells out fast, and you up it to $10, and it still sells out, don't you want to maximize your potential? They have a limited supply of rooms. If you have 100 rooms at $70, or 70 rooms at $100, which would you prefer to sell? The 70. You make a higher profit (less costs involved.) They are not pricing themselves out, we as the consumer, by buying the product, are showing them they are within reason.

 

Originally Posted By Malcon10t

Oh, and no, I don't stay on site, even though I could, simply because I don't find value in the hotel.

 

Originally Posted By Tikiduck

I think if any of us could truly afford to stay on-site, wouldn't we? I know I would.
It goes back to the old saying, if you have to ask the price, you probably cant afford it.

 

Originally Posted By Pollyana

Sadly, I see that Hojo's, a family favorite, is also getting high priced. Even with the Entertainment Card rate, its not a huge savings like it used to be. Very hard to find the 50% off rates anymore.

 

Originally Posted By Malcon10t

In regards to "If we could, would we?" No. It doesn't work well for our family. We have found our niche using Residence Inn Maingate and the Candy Cane for shorter trips.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

<<<I think if any of us could truly afford to stay on-site, wouldn't we?>>>

No! I love Disney but I also feel that I get my enjoyment from the parks. I'm not a big fan of Disney Movies or TV. I get chills when I think about being captive by staying on-site, welded to ADR's in order to have a relatively good meal and the thought of sleeping with a 5 foot mouse running up and down the halls is not in the least comforting to me. And on top of that...paying that much a night would keep me awake. For that price I want to be entertained through the night at the very least.

I have a budget for vacationing and just the thought of giving every cent I have to Disney makes me squirm. I know, I'm weird that way, but I feel better spreading the wealth around and in a smaller increment.

 

Originally Posted By TMICHAEL

Hmm, lets see....just paid $99 a night for a 12 night stay in a 660 sq ft studio, with full granite kitchen and marble bath, at an ocean front complex in Ka'anapali Maui.
....$500 a night for a small room in a themed hotel.....never going to happen.

And tikiduck, I can afford it. But only a fool throws money away....there are a lot of fools blinded by an increasingly greedy Disney machine.

 

Originally Posted By KCCHIEF

I can afford it.....I just am not going to do it.

 

Originally Posted By lvwayne

I really think the themed rooms are for the kids. How many young Families with these young kids can afford it. I understand them wanting to make money and appearently people are paying the price to stay.
How many young kids are missing out during those short years of magical experiences just to layer someone pocket.
They have a monapoly and they know it. I hope they use the money to build more Hotels and expand the park...

 

Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder

"I can afford it.....I just am not going to do it. "

And that's the heart of it. As I said in my post, we can afford it, too. But if I'm spending that kind of money for accomodations, I better get a LOT more that the "thrill" on knowing I'm staying on site. And from last year to this year, not a whole lot has changed at the hotels to justify the increase, DL Hotel remodel included.

 

Originally Posted By Disney Joy

I stayed at the Grand once... after 911 when the rooms were cheaper than staying across the streets.

I am always in the park day and night. I sleep in the room only. When we stayed at the grand we were alos in the park all the time.

I stay at BW Park Inn and Suites for 1/5 of the price. AND I shop away at Disney and spend money on whatever I want.

No way..... WDW I stay on property. The rates are very decent.

 

Originally Posted By Disney Joy

^ I should say I spend money on whatever because I have soooo much extra by staying at BWPPI

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

Maybe when the time comes a little closer, they will start discounting the rates, SPP. I know it's hard to price out more than a month or two with DLR hotels because they don't run their specials that far out.