Wow, room rates are ridiculous!

[sherabby]

I'll never stay off site ever again either! We just loved POFQ! Last year we stayed at CBR. Nice resort but huge! We had to do a lot of walking. POFQ is so small and it is an easy walk every where!
Cannot wait until we go back again next summer!

[jeremyleo]

We always stay on property when we travel to WDW. We love the idea of staying at a monorail resort, but the cost does not fit our travel budget. Because we like to take advantage of resort amenities, we either stay at moderates or at DVC properties (with rented points). DVC ownership is something we are considering, however we only get to WDW every 2 years so it is a little more difficult to justify.

On our most recent vacation we stayed in a DVC Savanah View Sudio at AKL for significantly less than rack rates (Sun-Thur), and we had a kitchenette. Although this option requires trust between parties, we have found it to be an excellent opportunity to stay at deluxe-level resorts when at WDW. We have stayed at OKW, AKL and SSR - all are beautiful and have great amenities.

I have heard some folks opt to stay at a value resort for part of their trip and then cap off with a couple of nights at a deluxe. Moving luggage is painless - Disney does it for you if you are switching Disney resort hotels - and it's free!

JR

[Esmeralda]

For anyone who was waiting to book their vacation till the rates for 2009 came out, now's the time! The new room rates have been posted. I'm feeling like a vacation right about now!

[IMFearless]

Get your camping gear and do Fort Wilderness. It's a unique experience, and only costs $30 something a night on off seasons. Price may have raised a bit, but I'd be surprised to see it above 40.

[aboden]

...$300 for a room without a view and $400 for a lagoon view?...

Wow, I stayed at the Venetian in Vegas and it was $425 a night and that was a suite with a concierge and free cocktails. With a inside pool view.

Ya staying offsite is typically better unless you don't mind paying it.

[SimonTemplar]

WDW room rates increase like everything, and sometimes it's sticker shock. As great as WDW vacations are, you just have to go in knowing that the mouse is going to get you (or at least your wallet). We always go knowing that it's going to be expensive, but well worth the enjoyment and memories.

[ctrain2281]

After looking at the new rates, I didn't think that the budget and mid-range prices were all that bad, especially considering the perks of staying on Disney property. The high end prices are up there (gone are the days of staying at the Poly for under $150); however, the WL and Animal Kingdom Resort are pretty decent prices for being a top tier hotel at disney.

[js3901]

I know that if you are a AAA or CAA member, you can get about 20% off the room portion of your package. and, if the price drops or a new promotion comes out during the time of your stay (ie - free dining), your trip advisor will call you tolet you know and you can choose what to do...

they also give alot of nice perks - like preferred parking, a free PhotoPass picture, free luggage tags, discounts on tours, food, and shopping...

[briar_rose_59]

I've stayed at POFQ a couple times and loved it but POP suited my budget a bit better for my next trip. It was only about $100/ night for late october, but I got a deal (pin code) that took it down to about $70/night. I've got to say living in Toronto, there are very few hotels here that are $100/night and under that I would be willing to stay in or feel safe in, let alone be able to get anywhere from.

[cccmouse]

I know that annual passes have been mentioned for getting a cheaper room rate, but if you can't afford APs for everyone in your family you can buy just one and still get the benefit of the reduced room rate. We saved enough on one trip to the Beach Club using the AP rate to pay for more than half of an AP. With the room savings, the pass only cost about $200.00 at the time. That was about what you'd pay for a 4 day park hopper.

[Blackie Pueblo]

I was checking on room rates at the Polynesian Resort and I swear the computer gave me sticker shock! I just want to stay in a room for a few nights, I don't want a timeshare! $300 for a room without a view and $400 for a lagoon view? I'm thinking I should have a kid so we can put him/her down as the deposit.

Anyway, does anyone know of any specials of Florida resident discounts for hotel accomodations at any of the lagoon resorts? I was looking forward to a stay there, but not at those rates.

I'm glad someone feels the same way I do. I love Disney and live only an hour away. I have a Season pass and try to go at least once every month if I can, if not more. But yes, sometimes the rooms are way out of my price range. But seriously, I think most rooms are way out of MOST blue collar workers price range.

I know you are paying for the "magic" of Disney rooms but it does get out of hand. It just seems like for those like me that love Disney but don't make nearly as much as most Disney fans, we get left out in the dark. After food, and souvenirs, the room...I know I know... it's the plus for making more money.

But Disney use to be a place that Walt wanted people to visit at least once a year. Now it just seems like it's a once in a life time trip.

"Recession doesn't deserve the right to exist. There are just too many things to be done in science and engineering to be bogged down by temporary economic dislocations."
---Walter Elias Disney

[boilerbabe]

If you have a Disney Visa, as I'm sure many of you Disney fans know, you can get codes for discounts. But, I agree, the Deluxe Resort room rates are a bit out of control. They're only semi manageable if you go during "Value" season. But, even then, it's a huge chunk of change! There's a big jump if you go from Moderate to Deluxe too. Once you've stayed in a Deluxe resort, it's hard to go back though. Does anyone else feel that way?!

[Cazza and Livvie's Mum]

Once you've stayed in a Deluxe resort, it's hard to go back though. Does anyone else feel that way?!

My family has done value, moderate and deluxe and there is definitely a difference. If a trip to WDW means staying outside of the world then I'd rather not go, I'd 'sacrifice' a deluxe for a value if budget commanded and has done this year, flights are so expensive so we've gone for POP Century as opposed to Poly.


My husband has always said staying off property with kids is cruel (and I agree whole heartedly), especially if you're visiting MK. Drive to the car park, shuttle to TTC, Monorail or Boat across. Too long for excited little ones. Staying on property is fab (even if the buses are full and not as frequent as we'd like them to be and appear as if by magic when we arrive at bus stops) and trying to find a rental car in the dark at the end of a very long day with tired kids is not so fab.

We also find staying on property that little bit more magical. My friend was definitely an off property girl but we persuaded her to stay on property for the first time 3 years ago and she is hooked!

[theCaptain]

i've stayed on many disney on site hotels (grand floridian, pop century, boardwalk, etc). my wife and i stayed at a value resort a couple years ago, pop century. the bus transport from it was GREAT. we had no complaints. for teh savings, it was totally worth the price we paid. off season rates (which just started) can be less than $80 if i remember correctly. it's honestly hard to beat that price by staying off grounds even, plus you save $12 a day or so by not having to park your car at the the parks, plus if you fly in you can do without a rental car. win win.

don't get me wrong, the lagoon hotels are NICE, i love grand floridian, and there are few things cooler at DW to me than being able to hop on the monorail after dinner to go watch the fireworks at MK without having to deal with a car and being there in just a few minutes

[spodie]

We got a really good deal with those APs. We're staying for 7 nights in December at the All Star Movies and our total room fee was $462.00. I don't know of many other vacation places where you can get that quality of a room for 7 nights that cheap...