Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Did I not clarify by saying "some of y'all"?>> I have learned over the the years that those sorts of vague expressions are code for "almost all of you".
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Wait a sec, yates - that makes no sense. They're overpricing their rooms to the point where they need to do a big giveaway deal to make any money? Nope, I don't buy it. They're pricing the rooms as they are because they're getting that much for them.>> Or maybe they are targetting multiple demographics. On the one hand the uber rich will pay $600 without batting an eye. But maybe there aren't enough of them to fill up the deluxes, so they run promos for to get some upper middle class folks into the deluxes. Of course, this will cannibalize sales at the moderates, so they too must offer promos to get middle class people to stay there. But that cannibalizes the economy resorts, who must offer promos to steal business from I Drive. And its important to keep in mind what the "middle class" is. Its not families with low 6 figure icomes. The median HH income in the US is about 50K per year. Even at twice that amount spending $200 a night for a room is a stretch. Of course, when people could charge these trips (and many other luxuries) to their credit cards, and eventually roll those over into a new mortgage, it was easy to overlook the fact that these luxuries were very expensive. Now that people are having to pay for this stuff with genuine cash flow (while paying down the huge debts that were accumulated) they are beginning to realize that they really can't afford the lifestyle they had become accustomed to and are scaling back. I wonder what Disney will do if 2009 is an even worse year for the economy, as many believe will happen? And don't count on the rich to keep spending either. A lot of them got taken to the cleaners by their hedge funds. <<Who in their right mind would spend $1100 for a flight from Dallas to Orlando? >> Almost no one. First and Business class are full of frequent flyer upgraders. Take them away and they would become very lonely places.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<But there are business people who don't care about the discounts, who want to get to Orlando NOW, and the price doesn't matter.>> Not where I work. We are mandated to get the cheapest flight possible when traveling on business. And the big kahunas fly on the corporate jets.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Or maybe they are targetting multiple demographics. On the one hand the uber rich will pay $600 without batting an eye. But maybe there aren't enough of them to fill up the deluxes, so they run promos for to get some upper middle class folks into the deluxes.< This is EXACTLY what I've been saying. >We are mandated to get the cheapest flight possible when traveling on business. And the big kahunas fly on the corporate jets.< My corporate experience isn't exactly current, but I remember when a situation would come up and a big wig needed to get from Dallas to Phoenix on the next flight, and there was no discounting at that late date. Now, with teleconferencing and the like, there's probably not as much of that last minute travel. But I bet it still happens quite often.
Originally Posted By Fluppydogs How much do you think the rate at the Ritz would be if it was located at the doorstep of the Magic Kingdom? The GF is the best resort on any Disney property and has the only truly 5 star resturaunt in Orlando with Victoria and Alberts.IMO.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Then why are you so up in arms about what other people are doing? << Simply because out of control spending is bad for you, bad for me, bad for everybody. IE, how about our economy? When we all become desensitised to the cost of quality we are doomed to being locked into a cycle of paying more, and receiving less. While all the time making excuses for what we are doing.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Then why are you so up in arms about what other people are doing? << I wish everyone would join him!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> WHO are they running off? << Me, for one. I have no illusion about leaving. I'm sure someone will be more than willing to take my place. I only feel sadness for what WDW has done.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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. << How about throwing in nice towels better cable TV, a microwave, and free internet access.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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 can't vouch for the inside, but the outside looks like somethings Disney use to do.
Originally Posted By dshyates I give up MP, my view changed when I gave up snorting pixie dust. I will still visit the Disney Parks (if they ever build something I want to see), but I have seen the light and I can put together a higher Luxe vacation at 1/3 the price. I think the others would be surprised at how much it DOESN'T suck to stay at the Ritz. I feel freed from the requisite gouging one has to put up with on-prop. I don't care what others do, but I am glad I opened my eyes to what is possible.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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. ,, More expensive than what I am convinced most Americans spend on a one week vacation for their family year end, and year out.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 64 NEW! A Happy Haunt Sat 2/14/2009 5:27a <<Some might want to stay near the magic kingdom? Sure. Some insist on staying "in the magic"? Yup.>> AMEN! 65 NEW! A Happy Haunt Sat 2/14/2009 5:30a just trying to get my point across! I totally agree with you Nikki, if Disney Hotels/Resorts prices are not for you then stay elsewhere. >> 65 NEW! A Happy Haunt Sat 2/14/2009 5:30a just trying to get my point across! << ...or possibly trying to cover-up a double post? I also say "y'all" & I'm from the North.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I also say "y'all" & I'm from the North. << I bet that sounds strange with that New England accent!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Wait a sec, yates - that makes no sense. They're overpricing their rooms to the point where they need to do a big giveaway deal to make any money? Nope, I don't buy it. They're pricing the rooms as they are because they're getting that much for them. Out of line for you & me? Certainly. Out of line for the average clientele at the GF and the Poly? Not at all. << I have a feeling a lot of average Americans have been living way above their means for many years now. Maybe this recession, that might possibly become a depression, will enlighten some to the actual value of a dollar.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Oops, sorry for the double post, I'm having lots of trouble with my pc today. << At least you fessed up to it!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> But I have noticed that those that defend the $630 price also don't stay there. << Kind of like being a lobbyist.
Originally Posted By dshyates And a lot of those who would still charge it all, have seen their interest rates jusmp from 8% to over 30%. The economic world changed in September. I bet we will either see Disney lower prices or have a continual "deal" like they are offering for the entire year of 2009. Literally the ENTIRE year.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I've never been in hotel management, so I'm basically talking without real knowledge (something I'm good at!). << WE are Texans. That's expected of us!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Of course, when people could charge these trips (and many other luxuries) to their credit cards, and eventually roll those over into a new mortgage, it was easy to overlook the fact that these luxuries were very expensive. Now that people are having to pay for this stuff with genuine cash flow (while paying down the huge debts that were accumulated) they are beginning to realize that they really can't afford the lifestyle they had become accustomed to and are scaling back. << I hope it remains like that. Fiscal responsibility, both by the Government, and individuals is good for America,
