Disney Hotel Prices are Out of Control!

[sethschroeder]

But I also stayed for $19 room rate (excludes taxes and fees) for a Thursday and a Sunday night (with Friday and Saturday being higher) at Excalibur in Vegas.

Vegas is a massive exception because of the gambling. The expectation is the $19 room has you dumping $500+ in to their casinos pockets.

Vegas they actually pay to have certain people stay in the rooms.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Vegas is a massive exception because of the gambling. The expectation is the $19 room has you dumping $500+ in to their casinos pockets.

Vegas they actually pay to have certain people stay in the rooms.

Our room rates, as you would expect, were higher on Friday and Saturday nights which is when the bulk of people are going for a quick weekend. I used Vegas because that was the most recent hotel we had stayed at but I think the rest of my original comment, not quoted here, not speaking towards Vegas still stands as valid.

In terms of Vegas I think it would be more that you have a higher liklihood of a steep discounted rate there than a not so steeply discounted rate elsewhere but I'm not sure I would count them as an exception because you can still have high rates especially on the two nights people are most likely to be there. But I would agree that they hope by offering discounted, sometimes steeply discounted rates or they comp your room, that you'll inject whatever 'savings' you had back into them.

 

[bryanb]

It's just amazing what Disney gets away with on the deluxe rates. Don't get me started on the club level thing, either.

I’ve never stayed Deluxe at Disney (maybe I can finally afford it... but haven’t ever paid $300+ for a hotel room... yet). But there is a HUGE number of rich people right now who can afford to pay high prices for everything, and until Disney got smarter about it, they didn’t offer them enough upgraded stuff to take the maximum amount of money. My stock broker uncle is one of them, who never travels anywhere that’s not first class. He’s why its so hard to get an upgrade on a plane, because he’s putting his family in all the seats including the kids, with paid tickets.

My friend from college just went on a big family trip... all club level at Boardwalk, after hours tickets, deluxe dining plan, etc., to celebrate a milestone birthday. They pay for preferred parking just because time is money. They didn’t do the VIP tours but maybe next time they will, now that they know about it. It’s hard to say that Disney is wrong in taking their money when people want so badly to give it, and fill all those hotel rooms.

You know Universal charges a lot less for much nicer hotels.

It’s all supply and demand, right? You charge what the market will bear... no more (or you’ll have too many empty rooms) and no less (or you’ll not have enough rooms to meet demand). Universal has amazing hotels for the price, so spread the word. It’s just that Disney still has more intangible perception of magic that is packing people in. Universal has to work harder to get those same consumers.

 

[bryanb]

Vegas is a massive exception because of the gambling. The expectation is the $19 room has you dumping $500+ in to their casinos pockets.

Vegas they actually pay to have certain people stay in the rooms.

I totally agree! I don’t even like to go to Vegas. But I went for my buddy’s bachelor party weekend and we stayed at the Bellagio. Really nice hotel, definitely more luxurious (though not as magical lol) as Disney’s. Well, since my stay there, every once in a while I get a mail for free comp rooms.

Last month I even got one for a Tues-Thurs stay, where the room was not only free, but they would give me $250 in room credit for spa or dining, two tickets to a show, plus $50 per night in gaming match credit (I guess you bet $50 and they add $50 as a bonus bet?). I wasn’t even a high roller but somehow I got associated with a friend in our group who is a huge player.

My point is that Disney doesn’t need to pull out all these stops and discounts to fill their rooms with profitable guests. Those rooms get filled at the high prices they charge.

 

[ww52]

My point is that Disney doesn’t need to pull out all these stops and discounts to fill their rooms with profitable guests. Those rooms get filled at the high prices they charge.

100% correct. It's pretty simple, isn't it?

There are threads like this all the time - and what they really mean is "I want Disney - with all their money - to reduce prices so I can afford it."

Why would they - or any company - do that? Analogous to Apple charging so much for iPhones and Macs. They have a very loyal customer base (cult?) as does Disney.

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

Yep, it isn't just Disney. Looked into a hotel to stay in Stowe, VT in the fall. One night during peak fall foliage season would cost my family $300 at a hotel my husband would be willing to stay at. The more "affordable" ones were pushing $200 & they were very dated. The Jersey Shore is the same thing. Looked into that a few years ago and the cost of the hotel stay was about the same as a Disney deluxe. My sister-in-law pays the price b/c her family loves the beach & the whole experience staying there for a few days. My husband & I figure we'll drive down for the day and save our money. The great thing about planning a family vacation is you select what your family loves to do.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Yep, it isn't just Disney. Looked into a hotel to stay in Stowe, VT in the fall. One night during peak fall foliage season would cost my family $300 at a hotel my husband would be willing to stay at. The more "affordable" ones were pushing $200 & they were very dated. The Jersey Shore is the same thing. Looked into that a few years ago and the cost of the hotel stay was about the same as a Disney deluxe. My sister-in-law pays the price b/c her family loves the beach & the whole experience staying there for a few days. My husband & I figure we'll drive down for the day and save our money. The great thing about planning a family vacation is you select what your family loves to do.

We also only drive down for the day for the shore or we rent a house with friends for a week. Splitting a 4-5 bedroom house with 4 other couples saves us tons. Other than that it's day trips to Wildwood. We are about an hour away so it works for us.

 

[Captainkidd76]

100% correct. It's pretty simple, isn't it?

There are threads like this all the time - and what they really mean is "I want Disney - with all their money - to reduce prices so I can afford it." Why woudl they - or any company - do that?

They are doing it. Look at all the promotions they are running right now. Free Dining, Seasonal Halloween Party Pass, Room Discounts for winter, After Noon Tickets. They have pushed the pricing envelope as far as they could. We all have a ceiling. I think what Disney (foolishly it seems) didn't take into account is the crowd they are looking to attract will, for the most part, not come to Disney every single year. They're going to go to Europe, Hawaii, Cruises, etc. They can afford it. They need the middle class families who go to Disney because it's (or was) an affordable option.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Hotel costs in the US are why we usually cruise or go to Europe. Our trip to WDW next year is going to cost us more than our trip this summer to France (and that includes our airfare)! It's for less days too. That to me is insane.

We had planned to stay offsite but decided against.
-My dad will have an ECV. Just watching videos about how to take it apart and put it in the car was exhausting and confusing.
-My DS and niece are old enough for some autonomy including going and coming to the parks. They want to sleep in and I am a total morning person. My mom or dad may also want to sleep in or leave the parks earlier in the evening. If we were all forced to travel together all the time someone would not be happy (probably me).
-This will be our last trip before the 2 youngest are off to college and their own lives

I truly wish we could save some money. It's not that we can't totally afford it with some budgeting but it would be nice if it wasn't so over the top expensive. We are going to squeeze 4 of us in a Moderate room. With 2 teens I would love 2 bathrooms but it was going to cost several hundred dollars more for 2 Value rooms. We will also invest in an air mattress as DS will be 17 1/2 and doesn't want to sleep with any of the girls!

 

[vacationer1954]

They are doing it.

Yet people still complain continuously, so those people obviously disagree.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Hotel costs in the US are why we usually cruise or go to Europe. Our trip to WDW next year is going to cost us more than our trip this summer to France (and that includes our airfare)! It's for less days too. That to me is insane.

We had planned to stay offsite but decided against.
-My dad will have an ECV. Just watching videos about how to take it apart and put it in the car was exhausting and confusing.
-My DS and niece are old enough for some autonomy including going and coming to the parks. They want to sleep in and I am a total morning person. My mom or dad may also want to sleep in or leave the parks earlier in the evening. If we were all forced to travel together all the time someone would not be happy (probably me).
-This will be our last trip before the 2 youngest are off to college and their own lives

I truly wish we could save some money. It's not that we can't totally afford it with some budgeting but it would be nice if it wasn't so over the top expensive. We are going to squeeze 4 of us in a Moderate room. With 2 teens I would love 2 bathrooms but it was going to cost several hundred dollars more for 2 Value rooms. We will also invest in an air mattress as DS will be 17 1/2 and doesn't want to sleep with any of the girls!

Have you looked into what the overall cost (including fees) would be for one of the non-Disney owned Disney Springs hotels? You could get a larger room or at least a bit better of a sleeping situation because you can get suites (I mean hello 800sq ft suite for example I'd take that over 314sq feet). Plus you can get ones that include EMH and 60-day FPs.

Anyways just a thought.

 

[ww52]

This will be our last trip before the 2 youngest are off to college and their own lives

Our kids just kept on wanting to go when they hit that age. And then we did one with all of them and their SOs over 21 and we did the drink around the world thing. (Well, it took the old man two days to finish it!)

And now we've transitioned to trips with grandchildren (one last year with 2 of then, one planned next year with all 4.)

The point I think all of us are making (and is always made on threads like these) is that for some people, Disney is a type of experience that is as much emotional - or more so - than logical. So you really can't quantify the value - it's too personal.

If/when Disney pushes it too far, they will in fact pull back. (which I understand they did after the great recession hit). They have by far the best analytics team anywhere (I'm a statistician by education and trade, and I'd LOVE to be part of their analytics team)

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Have you looked into what the overall cost (including fees) would be for one of the non-Disney owned Disney Springs hotels? You could get a larger room or at least a bit better of a sleeping situation because you can get suites (I mean hello 800sq ft suite for example I'd take that over 314sq feet). Plus you can get ones that include EMH and 60-day FPs.

Anyways just a thought.

I did look into this. It wasn't an ideal bus situation and I wasn't sure how the ECV worked. It appears they use regular buses with the high steps to get into as well.

I could save quite a bit on the hotel but then that means driving 1500 miles round trip, picking my dad up at the airport at some point, paying to park (I HATE doing that unless I am at a downtown type hotel and even then ugh).

I hit the Easy button and will just put some on the old CC if I must.

 

[Pappy Tom]

Hmmm, just wonderin'...

Since Disney is an infinitely large business conglomerate with their bank accounts bleeding money hand-over-fist, don't you think maybe they should be PAYING ME to take vacation time there. I mean, come on, really...

Sorry, but in the real world, this isn't how business works. Look who you brought to the dance; if you're there with the prom king or queen, you're gonna pay the price...

And it never comes cheap!

 

[ww52]

I hit the Easy button and will just put some on the old CC if I must.

I am an analytical person and generally very logical vs emotional. There are a few things where I logically realize logic is not really relevant. Time with family in a magical place like Disney is one of them. I cannot logically cost justify the tens of thousands I've spent of that over the past 30 years.

And I don't give a molecules worth of caring about that. The memories are literally priceless.

And I realize even those who complain about the pricing are really just venting / fantasizing about how much better it would be if they could afford the conveniences etc of the more expensive hotels. I'm quite sure everyone understands why they charge what they charge and why many people will sacrifice to pay it. I'm far from unique.

Last year we went with my older son, his wife and their two kids. His wife, ever the practical financially responsible one, was reluctant to spend what we all did.

When they pulled out to head home and their older daughter was crying because it was over, my son told me his wife said "d@mn you Disney - you got me!"

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I did look into this. It wasn't an ideal bus situation and I wasn't sure how the ECV worked. It appears they use regular buses with the high steps to get into as well.

I could save quite a bit on the hotel but then that means driving 1500 miles round trip, picking my dad up at the airport at some point, paying to park (I HATE doing that unless I am at a downtown type hotel and even then ugh).

I hit the Easy button and will just put some on the old CC if I must.

Ah ok.

I'm confused why you would have to drive 1500 miles RT?

On the ECV part I would be calling the respective hotels checking how their Accessibility was with their shuttles-that was the advice I told someone else too.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am an analytical person and generally very logical vs emotional. There are a few things where I logically realize logic is not really relevant. Time with family in a magical place like Disney is one of them. I cannot logically cost justify the tens of thousands I've spent of that over the past 30 years.

And I don't give a molecules worth of caring about that. The memories are literally priceless.

And I realize even those who complain about the pricing are really just venting / fantasizing about how much better it would be if they could afford the conveniences etc of the more expensive hotels. I'm quite sure everyone understands why they charge what they charge and why many people will sacrifice to pay it. I'm far from unique.

Last year we went with my older son, his wife and their two kids. His wife, ever the practical financially responsible one, was reluctant to spend what we all did.

When they pulled out to head home and their older daughter was crying because it was over, my son told me his wife said "d@mn you Disney - you got me!"

Pretty sure everyone knows value is subjective. Apologies for attempting to give advice on how to not be so cramped in a room and spending $ when there may be another viable option that is less money and more room when the poster mentioned the cost and the cramped aspect/sleeping situations.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Ah ok.

I'm confused why you would have to drive 1500 miles RT?

On the ECV part I would be calling the respective hotels checking how their Accessibility was with their shuttles-that was the advice I told someone else too.

When we first decided to do WDW offsite we thought to drive (we live 750 miles from WDW) so we wouldn't have airfare, rental car, gas & parking at the parks. Now we will just fly since we will have ME and bus service.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

When we first decided to do WDW offsite we thought to drive (we live 750 miles from WDW) so we wouldn't have airfare, rental car, gas & parking at the parks. Now we will just fly since we will have ME and bus service.

Oh ok I gotcha. I do think there are options from getting to the airport, even with the accessibility aspect, to a hotel but I want to say that for you it's pros and cons you're dealing with. You can save $ and have more space but there are some other things out there that spending the more money makes it easier. I get it. Just thought I would put it out there for DS area

 

[sethschroeder]

Look at all the promotions they are running right now.

This just in Disney does a discount! Holy cow!

Sorry but this is not the first or last discount. Hell we were just talking a month ago how Disney might not offer discounts for the first time. Then they throw out some pretty mediocre discounts and you want to act like they are giving rooms away lol.

I guess Universal is overpriced as well right? I mean after all they offer as much and more discounts than Disney does on cheaper hotels/tickets.