Deluxe Hotel Prices

[GrumpySue]

The prices at the deluxe hotels have gotten ridiculous over the past few years. We are currently booked at the Yacht Club in a Lagoon View Room for 12 nights at an AP 30% off rate. The total with discount (room only) is $4,501.00.

Just for kicks I went to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando website (this hotel is on Disney proerty) and put in the same days to see what it costs. Well, I can stay at the waldorf in a SUITE with a balcony with a Disney View for $3,588.75. I have stayed here before too and it is a spectacular hotel.

Savings $912.25. Really ???

Now I know we are paying for location and convenience, and I LOVE the Yacht Club so we will probably stay there anyway. But I am seriously starting to wonder if it is worth it.
(sad)

[BrerGnat]

What is not worth it, IMO, is the Lagoon View up charge. It is the same price to book a standard view Club Level room than a non club level Lagoon View. I don't understand that.

[AgentC]

What is not worth it, IMO, is the Lagoon View up charge. It is the same price to book a standard view Club Level room than a non club level Lagoon View. I don't understand that.

I agree. I usually do Garden view at the Yacht Club and most times have a lovely view. I am not big on paying for views.

[Lodger]

The prices are insane. I've stayed at the Beach Club and loved the location. It was great being able to walk to Epcot. Even better was being able to walk back to the hotel after Illuminations as the rest of the park visitors exited in the opposite direction.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I guess I kind of look at this as sort of an asked and answered kind of argument, as in my mind by definition (and my budget) deluxes by default are not worth it. Kind of like arguing, have Mercedes gotten too expensive, when most of us are driving Fords or Chevys.

I've tried on our last two visits, and am doing so again, to justify staying at one of the Epcot resorts vs. POR-AB (we have some limitations due to family size - 5). Being and accountant, I naturally have a spreadsheet outlining 8-10 different options, ranging from free dining analysis to room discount analysis to straight up rack rates.

I'm looking at a 10 night stay, and if I'm comparing rack rates, it would cost me almost $2500 more to stay at BC and $3000 more to stay at the Poly over POR-AB. In the world I live in, there is absolutely no way its worth it, based on the merits, to pay that much more. There is no way you get $2500 of extra value. Its worth it because some people can afford that luxury, and I certainly don't begrudge that, I wish I could do it.

That's why in my mind the argument is already lost, by definition the cost isn't worth it, but if you can afford a Disney Deluxe, this isn't an argument I see very often. Its such a financial leap from Disney Moderate to Disney Deluxe that I figure most staying at the deluxes have already come to terms with the "is it worth it" and opt for the luxury and convenience.

If there is no free dining and decent room discounts come out for the deluxes (30-40%) then there is a good chance we will throw caution and money into the wind and try our first deluxe.

[KODABEAR]

We're retired. Our adult children have been giving us Disney gift cards for the holidays. They want to use them for something special during our trips. So we have been able to upgrade to delux from moderate the past few years. ( With the help of Karen at MJ). It's the only way we could stay at the Beach Club, & Contemporary.

[joonyer]

Yes, I would say that the deluxe prices have gotten out of hand, at least for middle class families. You either have to have enough wealth to not care how much it costs, or be willing to go into great debt to pay for a "deluxe" WDW vacation .

For instance, for $4,500, (cost of the 12 day stay at YC mentioned in the OP) I could pay my mortgage payment, a car payment, my utilities and the insurance payment . . . . . . FOR 3 MONTHS!

There's no way I would consider paying that kind of money for 12 days in any hotel, anywhere. Not for our family. I know, that's why Disney offers the Value resorts, for families like mine. Still, I have to think the Deluxe pricing has gone crazy. I guess if the market will bear it, we can't fault Disney for upping the prices.

[stephicakes]

We always stay Deluxe now... why?? We can do so by renting DVC points for a great savings on villas

[mydisneygirls]

There is no way I could justify paying $4500 for just the room (unless I hit the lottery). I'm paying less than that for 8 days, including tickets and dining at the Wilderness Lodge. Did you look into what renting points at the YC would be? Being from Massachusetts, thankfully I don't have the desire to stay at either YC or BC because it doesn't accurately reflect Cape Cod.

I absolutely agree that the prices of not only the hotel but everything at Disney is getting outrageous.

[Terra]

Yes, I would say that the deluxe prices have gotten out of hand, at least for middle class families. You either have to have enough wealth to not care how much it costs, or be willing to go into great debt to pay for a "deluxe" WDW vacation .

For instance, for $4,500, (cost of the 12 day stay at YC mentioned in the OP) I could pay my mortgage payment, a car payment, my utilities and the insurance payment . . . . . . FOR 3 MONTHS!

There's no way I would consider paying that kind of money for 12 days in any hotel, anywhere. Not for our family. I know, that's why Disney offers the Value resorts, for families like mine. Still, I have to think the Deluxe pricing has gone crazy. I guess if the market will bear it, we can't fault Disney for upping the prices.

Yes exactly to this.
I can't imagine paying that for it. However, if I were extremely wealthy or had the chance of a lifetime, I absolutely would stay at least once. My son who has ASD, is fascinated with the Contemporary. I would love to give him a couple of nights there as a surprise one day.

The structure, engineering of it, the dynamics of it are just an obsession for him [because of the ASD].

But being middle class, anything above $100 a night [and that is pushing it!] is wasteful [in my own personal opinion. I'd rather have the extra money for In-Park, dining, letting the boys pick toys, t-shirts, etc.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

We always stay Deluxe now... why?? We can do so by renting DVC points for a great savings on villas

This really only applies if you are comparing full rack rates to full rack rates.

I've got so many lodging scenarios laid out on a spreadsheet right now, Scrooge McDuck would be envious.

For our 10 night stay, renting pts at OKW @ $14 a point would be about $1200 cheaper then staying at the BC (at full rack rates). However, if I can get a 30% room discount then the BC is cheaper then OKW using rented points by about $150.

If no discounts are available, then yes, renting points is the best opportunity to get into a deluxe at great savings, but only if discounts are not available.

[1DisneyNut]

The prices at the deluxe hotels have gotten ridiculous over the past few years. We are currently booked at the Yacht Club in a Lagoon View Room for 12 nights at an AP 30% off rate. The total with discount (room only) is $4,501.00.

Just for kicks I went to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando website (this hotel is on Disney proerty) and put in the same days to see what it costs. Well, I can stay at the waldorf in a SUITE with a balcony with a Disney View for $3,588.75. I have stayed here before too and it is a spectacular hotel.

Savings $912.25. Really ???

Now I know we are paying for location and convenience, and I LOVE the Yacht Club so we will probably stay there anyway. But I am seriously starting to wonder if it is worth it.
(sad)

It is ridiculous for sure. What is even worse is you are comparing a 30% off rate at WDW to the standard rate at the Waldorf for a Suite and it is that much less. I have a corporate discount at Waldorf (as well as any Hilton brand) that will usually get at least another 20% off that rate. Plus the Waldorf is a very nice actual "Deluxe" resort.

[stephicakes]

This really only applies if you are comparing full rack rates to full rack rates.

I've got so many lodging scenarios laid out on a spreadsheet right now, Scrooge McDuck would be envious.

For our 10 night stay, renting pts at OKW @ $14 a point would be about $1200 cheaper then staying at the BC (at full rack rates). However, if I can get a 30% room discount then the BC is cheaper then OKW using rented points by about $150.

If no discounts are available, then yes, renting points is the best opportunity to get into a deluxe at great savings, but only if discounts are not available.

Ok, I see your point and I am sure you did your research! ... but going rate per point is about $12.50 a point for the current season. I guess you have to ask yourself, 'which season do I prefer' because as you know, number of points needed for stay are dependent on season. We try to stay flexible. We don't go through the "big guys" to rent points, we go through an individual whom we have a great relationship with (we can split our total cost into two payments). Sometimes we can find points for $9 a point - we did that the time we stayed at OKW (2 bdrm villa).

Oh, and if you rent points you are considered DVC and get that perk for 10% off merchandise, etc.
It seems to work for us and we enjoy the deluxe resorts

steph

[JerseyDad]

......WDW "deluxe" resort rooms are "deluxe" ...only because WDW says so. If you compare price per sf. of room at a real 'deluxe' hotel ...there is NO comparison ...WDW loses hands down.

....as mentioned ...for WDW deluxe room prices ...you can normally get a suite at a top notch hotel ...if ...you need a suite.

....I don't want to hear that I'm 'paying for location' when it comes to the deluxe resort rooms. You are booking a room with a bed or two ...four walls, a roof, and shower & toilet facilities.

....the only 'deluxe' amenity of the WDW resorts 'deluxe' room is the price.

....kinda' reminds me of the first time I went to Atlantic City with my 'wife to be'. We gambled ...won some money, it was after midnight, and didn't want to drive all the way back to Staten Island. We decided to get a room in a casino hotel ...and the girl at the desk asked, "Do you want a room with an ocean view? ....it's only $200 more".

....I said to her, "It's pushing 1am ....how much of the ocean will I really get to see"?


....we took the room that looked out over the lovely A.C. landscape ...in the same pitch blackness that enveloped the ocean side of the hotel.

....my mama learned me well!!

[Sylvia]

I have favorite deluxe resorts that I always visit on my WDW vacations, but other than a few years ago when I stayed at CR (back in the days when SoG was expanding and the North Garden Wing at the CR was the temporary SoG), I'm quite happy staying at one of my favorite moderate or value resorts. One day, I may decide to splurge, and may book a stay at AKL, but for now, when I'm in the mood to stay at a deluxe, I will stay at SoG.

[moe513]

For my family of five we refer to all squeeze into a deluxe room that get two moderate rooms. It is almost the same price. My kids are too big for the alligator bayou rooms.

[Middle of the Map]

I think the word "deluxe" is being overused by Disney. I've stayed at two different deluxe Disney properties, and I can still hear the folks next door and people walking in the hallways. And don't even mention the toilet flushes and shower noise in the morning. It's a room with beds, walls, bathroom, etc. Nice if you can afford it, but not necessary to have a good time.

[AndrewJackson]

We always stay Deluxe now... why?? We can do so by renting DVC points for a great savings on villas

We've done this as well. It is a great deal. We have stayed at VWL twice, SSR, OKW, and BCV. Due to the fact that our family is getting bigger and older (we have 2 kids in college and a 9 yr old) we can't fit in the DVC studio anymore. We are renting a cabin at FW instead this year.

However, if we were able to rent points for a DVC studio, we would. Currently, with the 30% discount at the moderates, renting a DVC studio at AKL, BWV, SSR, OKW, and VWL for $14 a point is cheaper. BCV is about $150 more for the week, and BLT is about $250 more for the week.

So, for less or about the same as a 30% discounted moderate, you can stay at a DVC villa with all the deluxe amenities. And, this is at $14 a point - which is the high end of rental prices. A little shopping can save you another $100-$200 for the week.

[eandrsmom]

We used to stay at the Deluxe resorts years ago. As our family grew, we needed two rooms. That being said, there was a time that deluxe resorts were expensive, but not outrageous. I could usually get a good discount with an AP. That isn't the case anymore. The base price for the rooms is so high, that even a 30% discount doesn't really help. The last few visits, we've stayed offsite, and were very pleased with the accommodations and value. Typically, we found the rooms to be much nicer than any of the deluxe rooms at Disney at a fraction of the cost.

[Bruegge]

Staying at GF for the first time in June.

DW and I love resort hotels... full service... resort hotels. Fine dining (we are foodies)

We love having more than one or two dining "choices" without leaving the grounds.. We also love the option of full room service.

With that being said... Is GF Poly or Cont. Restaurants available to the people staying there for last minute/same day reservations? I think not....

ADR's are made for my June trip... many are at GF, but what if I decide we want to go to Narcossee's again on one of the nights we didn't book 6 months ago...

What if The girls DW, DD15 and DD10 decide they want a sit down breakfast at grand Floridian café to start their day rather than a quick "food court" breakfast? THAT MORNING!!!


When you are paying $368.00/night (that's with a 40% discount no less) you should have that option. I don't want to tell them "we can't do that" When we are staying at one of the "Best" Hotels on site.

Do you know what I mean????

I bet the Waldorf wouldn't do that.

I guess what I'm saying is that this aspect of our vacation still takes away some of the "deluxe-ness" of the resort for me.

I'm still very much looking forward to our stay but I have some concerns... ok fears... I hate to overplan or underplan but I really want this to go off without a hitch..