PRICES are killing me, anyone else feeling it too?

[mickeysmouse]

Rates across the board have increased so much it is ridiculous. We used to go to WDW two or three times a year. Now we can hardly justify the cost even with the discounts. lol We are in the same boat as you, we prefer the deluxe hotels. Last time we decided to try a moderate and went with Port Orleans Riverside resort but we weren't happy. Walking to the main building for the restaurant and big pool was like going on a hike through the wilderness. We were so far away it wasn't even funny.
We have decided to do something else for our next vacation and are going to New York to see the sites, museums and take in a broadway play. We are already working on plans for the vacation after that one now and it looks like it is probably going to be a cruise and we are going to take a tour to the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins. Both of these vacations are working out to be less expensive than our usual trip to WDW.

sad but true, we were going from NY down to FL 3x a year as well. These prices coupled with unemployment and gas prices are keeping us from even doing ANY vacation. Very sad. What happened to the deals???

[lovinmesomedisney]

This is EXACTLY why I don't understand how anybody could stay at a deluxe. I can take three to four trips to a value resort for the cost of one deluxe trip. Just doesn't make sense to me! I am a park person though. If I want to sit around at a nice resort, I can do that anywhere in my own city. All I need is a place to sleep and it's off to the parks from open to close!

[Dsnygirl]

I hear what everybody is saying about the prices, and I agree that Disney's pricing on their deluxe rooms, even the mods at peak season, are out of proportion to other (and better) hotels out there.

But I also think you have to factor in the rest of the costs of a Disney vacation and understand that b/c of park tickets, you ARE going to pay more than other vacations, unless you plan on going to a theme park in some other part of the country every day for a week or more, which most people rarely do. If you were to pay for that, your costs would be very similar.

Take going to an indoor waterpark for a long weekend, for example.

Great Wolf Lodge is $389/night (+ tax) for a family of four in a regular room. This includes tickets to the waterpark, but nothing more. 4 nights/4 days - $1560 (+ tax), + food & gas $$ to get there. Average meal cost for each day, bkfst, "snack" lunch, dinner runs about $150, so add in $600 for food. You're talking $2200 for 4 days!!

My upcoming trip to Disney in August is costing our family of 4 $2900, including food, for 10 days. Granted, that's during free dining, so if you add in what we traditionally spend on food per day, about $150 w/ snacks, it comes to $4400 - which would be the waterpark price, on average, for 8 days. And all you get is one indoor waterpark -- not four parks, shows, fireworks....

This is only one example... of course, if you're taking a vacation that is primarily visiting national parks, museums, maybe one or two stops to a water or amusement parks, tours... your expenses will be FAR less that a Disney vacation.

We have priced out TONS of vacations that are less than Disney... even cruises. And to do an "apples to apples" comparison of what you get is almost impossible.

But on the whole, even though the prices for Disney's deluxe resorts and such are out of line with the traditional hotel market, if you're willing to stay at a "lesser resort" like a moderate (which are still quite nice, IMHO) you really aren't paying that much more for everything else, if you factor in everything you're getting in each park.

Just my , for what it's worth... I really do hope that Disney realizes their deluxe, etc., prices are crazy at some point... but that would take people not staying there anymore, and as long as people are willing to pay it, they'll keep the prices as they are.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Great Wolf Lodge is $389/night (+ tax) for a family of four in a regular room. This includes tickets to the waterpark, but nothing more. 4 nights/4 days - $1560 (+ tax), + food & gas $$ to get there. Average meal cost for each day, bkfst, "snack" lunch, dinner runs about $150, so add in $600 for food. You're talking $2200 for 4 days!!

Well we stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio two summers ago for 3 nights and we didn't spend anywhere near that amount. Our room was only $250 a night, we had a kid camp room, meaning the kids had their own little room with TV and bunkbeds within our room. This room was way bigger than any WDW resort room. We ate all meals at the resort, including the buffet, the sit down, fast food, pizza window, and ice cream and snacks. We bought a few things in the gift shop and we spent just over $1000 for the entire weekend. And this was 4th of July weekend. Disney's prices are way higher than that for a holiday weekend, just for the room. I don't typically compare Great Wolf Lodge to WDW, but since you did I just thought I'd share my experience.

The thing is that the prices are way higher this year than they have been over the past few years for the same week. I understand prices go up, but the prices seem to have sky rocketed this year for some reason. With so many resort options still available for Easter week (one of their busiest weeks of the year-and only 8 or 9 weeks away) I'm wondering if their huge price increase is going to bit them in the rear.

[Dsnygirl]

Well we stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio two summers ago for 3 nights and we didn't spend anywhere near that amount. Our room was only $250 a night, we had a kid camp room, meaning the kids had their own little room with TV and bunkbeds within our room. This room was way bigger than any WDW resort room. We ate all meals at the resort, including the buffet, the sit down, fast food, pizza window, and ice cream and snacks. We bought a few things in the gift shop and we spent just over $1000 for the entire weekend. And this was 4th of July weekend. Disney's prices are way higher than that for a holiday weekend, just for the room. I don't typically compare Great Wolf Lodge to WDW, but since you did I just thought I'd share my experience.

I guess it depends on which Great Wolf you go to... we are in the middle of 3, and all 3 have different prices. Ontario is more expensive than Poconos or Ohio, and offers less "deals", and that's the resort I was using as the comparison. Summertime is also traditionally less expensive, since more people go to the outdoor water parks, so they lower their prices, even on a holiday wknd. I've seen Ontario as low as what you quoted, but rarely. We've yet to bite the bullet and go, primarily because the prices ARE so high... but many of our friends have, and that's where I got the numbers... they came home amazed at where $2K went in 4 days. Plus, if your room was $250/night, your room alone would have been $1000 plus food -- I was comparing 4 nights, even though I know you can stay 3 nights and end up with 4 days in the waterpark. But -- you are also talking a pretty sweet room, if you had the kid camp room... those are WAY better than anything you'd get at Disney for that price!

It's all a part of everyone's individual variables... and I am hoping what everyone else here is hoping -- that Disney's obscene pricing on the deluxes, and their crazy room rates in general over holidays and peak seasons w/o any discounts -- will in fact do exactly what you said and bite them back... maybe they'll learn?? But, doubtful if there are still people willing to pay it....

[Disney_pups2]

It's not just you hon. I think many are feeling it and are trying our best to find and get what fits our budgets and us but that is indeed difficult. I so hope that you get what you need to make your trip magical. Maybe a great new offer will come out very soon for you.

[disneyjo-91]

I have to agree with disney prices being outrageous. We used to go to disney 3x's a year and have stayed at deluxe, moderate and value- We love the poly however, dont think we will ever be able to afford to go there again. even in value season!
We havent been in 3 years. Now for my kids who have gone 17 times .. that is a long time to go without disney!
I think that with this economy and loss of jobs that disney would Lower their prices not raise them!
We started cruising. We did a 7 night cruise to bermuda last year for a family of 4 with a outside cabin on NCL and paid only 2200. April of 2009 (vacation week) we did a NCL cruise to St thomas, tortola and Dominican Republic and their private island for only $1900 for an inside cabin for 4 people.
We are finding Cruising is a much better deal and alot of fun.
We are giving disney a shot in Aug again this year.. $2300 for a moderate for 4 people including food.
Missing disney very much.. but also missing the good deals as well...

[Tigerinvestigator]

This is EXACTLY why I don't understand how anybody could stay at a deluxe. I can take three to four trips to a value resort for the cost of one deluxe trip. Just doesn't make sense to me! I am a park person though. If I want to sit around at a nice resort, I can do that anywhere in my own city. All I need is a place to sleep and it's off to the parks from open to close!

Because some of us have too many people to stay at a value or moderate. Even the cheaper deluxe resorts are out of the question. I think alot of people think we all choose the deluxe resorts when in fact they are the only accomodations available to a family of 5 unless you get POR.

[PopPhan]

Because some of us have too many people to stay at a value or moderate. Even the cheaper deluxe resorts are out of the question. I think alot of people think we all choose the deluxe resorts when in fact they are the only accomodations available to a family of 5 unless you get POR.

Often, it is cheaper to just get two rooms at a Value resort than to upgrade resort levels...AND in those cases, you get TWO bathrooms!!!

[Auntie]

This is EXACTLY why I don't understand how anybody could stay at a deluxe. I can take three to four trips to a value resort for the cost of one deluxe trip. Just doesn't make sense to me! I am a park person though. If I want to sit around at a nice resort, I can do that anywhere in my own city. All I need is a place to sleep and it's off to the parks from open to close!

I think you answered your own question. You're a "parks person".
We've been visiting regulary since '91. We enjoy the amenities of the Deluxe resorts. In particular..the balcony. It's important to us. You don't get that in a value, or even in the moderates. I'm not one for spending day to night in the parks. We pick and choose the things we like and then check out anything new. Give the economy..we have curtailed how often we visit and the length of stay. Everyone knows that the Disney resorts are outrageously over priced. We don't visit because they're a great value, never have. Given the rates, it may mean we skip this year. Wouldn't be the first time. I do know that when we do go back, we'll stay Deluxe again.

[KennyandKim]

This Sept will be our 3rd trip. The first time we stayed offsite because it was cheaper but after our trip onsite we would never stay offsite again. Our second trip was onsite and it was at POR with the dining plan. We loved stayin onsite but weren't happy about the walk to get anywhere on the resort because of where our room was located. On our Sept trip my husband insists he wil not stay anywhere but WL. He fell in love with this resort when we ate at Whispering Canyon. I want to stay club level so for now that is how we are booked. We are taking our twin daughters for their 16th birthday and our son doesn't want to go. He hates flying. Our trip is 4019.00 with dining plan staying 6 nights. As the trip draws closer it's more difficult for me to justify paying this much since we are going during value season. If need be I will forego the club level but we will still stay at WL.

Everthing in my life has increased in price. Food, gas, clothing, etc

[Ian]

Great Wolf Lodge is $389/night (+ tax) for a family of four in a regular room. This includes tickets to the waterpark, but nothing more. 4 nights/4 days - $1560 (+ tax), + food & gas $$ to get there. Average meal cost for each day, bkfst, "snack" lunch, dinner runs about $150, so add in $600 for food. You're talking $2200 for 4 days!!

I will completely agree with you about GWL. It's really expensive. My kids love GWL, but man ... it's really, really pricey. We went last year and we dropped a grand on just a two night stay. And we didn't have crazy accomodations either ... just like a Camp Cabin suite or something. It's like their second-from-the-bottom room category.

What really gets you is the food and entertainment. The room is expensive for sure, but it costs a small fortune to eat there two or three meals a day and when you factor in the arcade, spa, and whatever else your kids want ... Yikes!

I'm not really one who thinks Disney prices are all that crazy, to be honest. I think if you looked at it on a micro level you'd see that it compares favorably to just about every other form of entertainment there is ... it's just you do it for so long that it really adds up. I mean you pay $8 for a hot dog at the ball game, but you only do that once not nine days in a row!

We did a 7 night cruise to bermuda last year for a family of 4 with a outside cabin on NCL and paid only 2200. April of 2009 (vacation week) we did a NCL cruise to St thomas, tortola and Dominican Republic and their private island for only $1900 for an inside cabin for 4 people.

I have to say that I think we, as a family, are really going to start incorporating cruising into our vacations as a replacement for one of our Disney trips.

We did an NCL cruise of the Mexican Riv in 2009. My kids loved it, it was very affordable, the service and amenities were top notch, and everyone had a blast. Totally agree with you on this one!

If need be I will forego the club level but we will still stay at WL.

Can I ask what makes you want to stay Club Level? I know there are lots of opinions contrary to mine, but I've done it and I think it's a huge waste of money. The only real benefit you get is the food and they've cut that back so far now I'd barely call it a benefit.

Seriously ... if you want my advice skip the "club level." It's a total waste.

[johnO]

Because some of us have too many people to stay at a value or moderate. Even the cheaper deluxe resorts are out of the question. I think alot of people think we all choose the deluxe resorts when in fact they are the only accomodations available to a family of 5 unless you get POR.

You could always do two rooms at a value. We've done it before with connecting rooms. Worked out great and was a good way to save money.

[pamickeys]

If you don't have the money at the time of booking your trip, should you really be going? By putting it on your card and slowly paying it off, how much extra money in interest are you paying on this "good deal". Things in 2011 are real different than just 5 yrs ago, and don't look for them to change any time soon.

[PopPhan]

If you don't have the money at the time of booking your trip, should you really be going? By putting it on your card and slowly paying it off, how much extra money in interest are you paying on this "good deal". Things in 2011 are real different than just 5 yrs ago, and don't look for them to change any time soon.

If they are putting it on a Chase Disney Visa, there are no interest charges for 6 months AND no accrued interest on the trip amount!

[Dsnygirl]

If you don't have the money at the time of booking your trip, should you really be going? By putting it on your card and slowly paying it off, how much extra money in interest are you paying on this "good deal". Things in 2011 are real different than just 5 yrs ago, and don't look for them to change any time soon.

I don't think it's fair to make a judgement on whether or not they have the money to be travelling... vacations are a very personal decision, and I think this thread should remain about the cost of a Disney vacation, not whether or not someone should be spending their money on one.

Plus... if someone is used to deluxes and concierge level service, I think they're doing okay...

[pamickeys]

exactly, so if the cost is an issue,????????

[Ian]

exactly, so if the cost is an issue,????????

I think what folks are gently trying to tell you is that openly passing judgement on how others spend their money is inappropriate at best and offensive at worst.

Might be time for you to move on to a new thread ... please ...

[Goofy Texan]

I'm starting to wonder if there is another motive to having such high prices at the deluxes. Like maybe Disney wants to encourage people to book the moderates (higher profit margin?).

It could be a supply and demand issue. Higher prices mean fewer will book. That means fewer rooms are needed, which means less staff are needed. Higher price means profit stays the same since less is being paid out for staff.

I'm not sure if that's it, but it sounds like something like that is going on. Maybe. Possibly.

[DisneyQuester]

Have you thought about staying at a mod resort but still spending a day at Poly? Even though we cannot afford to stay at a deluxe we always take a day to enjoy one on every trip. Just take a bus to a park then take a bus back to the Poly and enjoy all its amenities. Good luck!