Originally Posted By GalDisney It is President's week, which means schools are out and family's are traveling which explains the high prices.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<As a matter of fact, I think its a really DUMB business move. Running of people who WANT to give you their money can't be good.>> WHO are they running off? People are obviously paying the $630 rate if they're charging that. I don't think the Grand Floridian is a ghost town right now.
Originally Posted By dshyates "WHO are they running off? People are obviously paying the $630 rate if they're charging that." Well, they have run ME off, and NO obviously people AREN'T paying it or they wouldn't be running the buy 4 get 3 nights for free deal. At that rate, the actual rate is $360 a night. Which is what I DID pay the last time I stayed at the Poly in 2005. I would consider that rate acceptable considering the monorail access, IF they had 24hr room service.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<they wouldn't be running the buy 4 get 3 nights for free deal. At that rate, the actual rate is $360 a night.>> That sounds like a smart thing to do, IMO... make it seem like they are giving 3 nights free. They also get someone to stay 7 nights, and reap more money from tickets, food, beverage, souvenirs, etc.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 isn't that just like BOGO -- or buy 2 get one free in the grocery store etc... heck there were car dealers hee where if you bought a new Dodge Ram truck they gave you a free PT cruiser ( like 2 years old) - so if it works out to be $360 a nite - and that's fair, is there really an issue? may not like the marketing but otherwise ?
Originally Posted By dshyates But unless you want to stay 7 days, it not a good thing. Say like next week when I am down for business, And I want to stay 3 nights. Those prices would be a deterrent. And My money will walk somewhere else.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL And it's not just because it's Presidents Weekend. April 11th thru the 18th: Grand Floridian $553 per night, The Grand Wailea on Maui $368 per night. So guess what, I just booked us for the Grand Wailea. Disney lost a fairly big spender here for the third year in a row. The Grand Wailea is consistently ranked 5 star while now the Grand Floridian is only 3 at best.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Just to be fair, it wasn't just the hotel prices that caused us to book Hawaii, again. WDW has really done nothing since Expedition Everest that I care to experience. Other than Victoria and Alberts, the dining options are beyond pedestrian now and not worth what they charge or the hassle to book. And Disney shopping is geared toward kids, and I can find the exact same high end stuff here at Disneyland or elsewhere for the same or less.
Originally Posted By dshyates ***Stands and applauds*** Sorry to hear that you are having to slum it WAY off-prop at the Grand Wailea. I glad that I'm not the only one they have run off. Let's see, tht makes Me, TMICHAEL, Davewasbaloo, MPierce, and Spirit. I guess the problem is that we just don't get it. Or maybe we all just HATE Disney.
Originally Posted By dshyates Yeah, 2006 and Everest was the last time I was there (stayed at Orange Lake). As I have said, I am not really boycotting, just nothing that requires a visit. And I will be going to Orlando to ride HRRR, Simpsons, and Manta sometime this summer. But Disney hasn't built anything I want to see since Everest. I will hit TSMM next time I go, but it isn't something that I would make a trip for.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Some of y'all amaze me. First, the people that stay in the values are rednecks and low class.>> I have never said that.
Originally Posted By dshyates I never said anything of the sort either. Since I am a low class redneck and I won't stay there. I would tent camp at Fort Wilderness before I ever stay at the All Stars again.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I think the price difference between the GF and the Ritz is absurd. But I also think that many of the folks who would pay to stay at the GF (I've only stayed once and paid $169 per night to do so ...) are doing so because of the perceived Disney Difference (even if in this case it means vastly lower quality and service unless things have improved vastly since I stayed there 6-7 years ago). I also have the feeling many of them wouldn't feel comfortable at a Ritz in Orlando or anywhere. I wouldn't pay $630 a night for a standard hotel room anywhere on Earth ... anywhere. A condo or huge suite ... that's different. But a regular room? I have to tell you I have stayed everywhere from Red Roofs to Ritz Carltons (and so many places in between) and I have a hard time when the rate for a standard room goes above $200 ... maybe I am a cheapskate, but I just know what values can be had. The Marriott Orlando World Center is going for $90 a night on Priceline.com and provides an experience better than Disney deluxe resorts do across the board ... it is a beautiful resort and closer to many Disney locations/parks than if you stayed at certain Disney resorts. I don't tell people how to spend their money unless they ask because I resent when people tell me how I should or shouldn't spend mine. But do I think they're crazy for spending that amount? Yeah.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***<<And I am literally flabberghasted at the price difference considering I think the Ritz is a FAR FAR FAR superior hotel.>> And obviously there are some people who disagree, hence the fact that they're getting roughly $600 a room.*** I highly doubt there are very many people out there who would seriously argue that the Ritz is not as good. Some might want to stay near the magic kingdom? Sure. Some insist on staying "in the magic"? Yup. But who out there really thinks the Grand is "superior"? Not many (and if they do, they really don't know quality from crap frankly). And no, I'm not calling the Grand crap. But no, it's not as high quality as the other properties mentioned. Not anymore, anyway (SuperDry spoke a lot about this..the Grand USED to be right up there, but the management chose to cut corners to help the bottom line...and if they're still commanding top dollar, I suppose that made perfect sense!).
Originally Posted By danyoung I don't think the rates on the moderates and values have gone up that much. And most of the premiums, while expensive, aren't out of line with what they've been in the past. But I really believe that there is a class of folk who will come to Disney, want to stay in the best Disney has to offer, and money simply isn't a consideration. For these folks, the difference between $300 a night and $600 a night is pocket change. Disney will always offer deals for the rest of us schlubs, but for the uber wealthy, they'll just keep upping the price as long as they're willing to pay.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I had friends who paid $250 a night to stay at Dixie Landings from Dec. 27-Jan 1st 2007. Absurd rates. When it opened in 1991 I believe the starting rate was about $65 non-discounted. I still have a hard time paying more than $99 for what amounts to a very nicely themed motel.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<But unless you want to stay 7 days, it not a good thing. Say like next week when I am down for business, And I want to stay 3 nights. Those prices would be a deterrent. And My money will walk somewhere else.>> You haven't stayed at a Disney resort since 2005 by your own admission! It's not like they lost you simply based on this rate. <<<<Some of y'all amaze me. First, the people that stay in the values are rednecks and low class.>> I have never said that.>> Did I not clarify by saying "some of y'all"?
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<I highly doubt there are very many people out there who would seriously argue that the Ritz is not as good. Some might want to stay near the magic kingdom? Sure. Some insist on staying "in the magic"? Yup. But who out there really thinks the Grand is "superior"? Not many (and if they do, they really don't know quality from crap frankly).>> What makes it "superior" for some people is the fact that it is the best DISNEY resort on property. As someone else said earlier, in this case it's all about location. Now, if the Grand Floridian was in Miami and it was up against the Ritz, it would probably be a different story. I don't know the difference between the GF or the Ritz because I've never stayed at either and don't plan to do so, unless I hit the lottery or something.
Originally Posted By dshyates "You haven't stayed at a Disney resort since 2005 by your own admission! It's not like they lost you simply based on this rate." No, this is true. The last time I stayed at the Poly in 2005 there was peeling wall paper, mildew in the shower, and the icing on the cake was the urine stained old lumpy mattresses (just plain gross). At $360 a night I thought that was substandard. But I have heard that the Poly went through an extensive rehab right after we were there. And that they really did a great job with the place. I would love to go back and see what they did as the Poly is one of my favorite hotels anywhere. But now the prices for it are over $500 a night. But I am not adverse to staying on property if the deal is right. If I could do a 7 day trip right now, I would be all over the Wilderness Lodge this summer with the 7for4 deal.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***What makes it "superior" for some people is the fact that it is the best DISNEY resort on property. As someone else said earlier, in this case it's all about location.*** Which is exactly what I said when I said "near the Magic Kingdom" (location), and "in the magic" (Disney). Didn't I? ***Now, if the Grand Floridian was in Miami and it was up against the Ritz, it would probably be a different story.*** Well, not really. Some would still stay at the Grand over the Ritz, even at a higher price, because it says "Disney" on the reservation form. And that's fine (I'm one of those idiots that pays double for Apple products "just because", and I do have some Disney hype in me as well..no doubt). BUT, all of that is irrelevant insofar as talking about one or the other as "superior", unless you're saying that the Grand has a superior location, which is a fact. I guess what I'm driving at is if a well respected bunch of hotel critics reviewed the two, it is highly unlikely any of them would argue that the Grand is ACTUALLY superior (again, except for location). More fun? Maybe. More whimsical? Maybe. Superior? No way. And they would point to facts to back up their critique such as amenities, services, quality of room furnishings, reputation, management, linens, etc., etc., etc... That's all I'm saying. It's fine for you to say "some people LIKE it better", that's a horse of a different color, but that's again different from "superior" which is a measurable thing. ***First, the people that stay in the values are rednecks and low class. Then, the people who pay premium money to stay at the Grand Floridian are idiots. What's wrong with people who stay in the moderates? We haven't covered them yet.*** Perhaps we haven't covered them in fear of NikkilovesMickey, who tends to patronize the moderate resorts and is scary when she's ticked off. <--ducks and covers. ;p
