WDW resort going forward

[clsteve]

Ancillary spending...and hundreds-of-millions of dollars that Four Seasons is undoubtedly paying to Disney as part of the agreement.

No doubt. That up-front cost was mind-blowing I'm sure....

But the interesting thing is it's a one-time big money deal and not a lease. So, once they open in October, Disney's competing with them for the room night, at least.

Check out their website - it's a really impressive property - 443 rooms and 68 suites.

Just for grins, I did a price check for the 12/7 - 12/13 week between GF and Seasons, 2 adults and one child:

At Seasons, a 500 sq ft Golden Oak view room with one king and a queen sleeper sofa goes for $333.00/night

At GF, a Garden View Outer Bldg room with 2 queens or a king with a day bed is $555.00/night.

That surprised me. Well, really surprised me....

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I did the same thing and wasnt surprised at all...

The GF, poly, contempt, and...for the money... Caribbean beach are IMHO the most overpriced hotels...possibly in the entire US

And that is even taking into account the "LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!" argument.

 

[clsteve]

I did the same thing and wasnt surprised at all...

The GF, poly, contempt, and...for the money... Caribbean beach are IMHO the most overpriced hotels...possibly in the entire US

And that is even taking into account the "LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!" argument.

Isn't that the truth....

A $222.00 difference and you get a larger room, with Seasons beds, linens, bathrooms, amenities and a queen sleeper versus a day bed.

The location argument - I mean, well I'm sure Seasons transpo to and from will be excellent. Plus, 222 bucks buys you a lot of $15 cab rides. And you know there will be no shortage of taxis in front of that property....

 

[PatriciaH]

Didn't the Four Seasons deal happen because Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invested in Disneyland Paris a few times when it was not doing well?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Didn't the Four Seasons deal happen because Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invested in Disneyland Paris a few times when it was not doing well?

He's still a huge owner... And more importantly debt holder at euro...

But I don't think the two were related...in this case.

The Sauds (in English "bushes") have no need for "favors" in regards to central Florida real estates

 

[ArwenMarie]

Are those December prices for the GF before any discounts though? For this year, there was a 15%-30% room-only discount for those dates (up until Dec 23rd when the really impressive gouging begins!)

Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, was there even a break in the discounts this year?

 

[clsteve]

Are those December prices for the GF before any discounts though? For this year, there was a 15%-30% room-only discount for those dates (up until Dec 23rd when the really impressive gouging begins!)

Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, was there even a break in the discounts this year?

Straight up prices from both websites - no discounts, packages, points, etc., used from or for either property.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Are those December prices for the GF before any discounts though? For this year, there was a 15%-30% room-only discount for those dates (up until Dec 23rd when the really impressive gouging begins!)

Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, was there even a break in the discounts this year?

You can't assume discounts..

For most hotels...yes. Not wdw...it's safe to say they've sold more rooms at rack in their history than probably all hotels with the possible exception of the upper class/elite places where room cost is never even discussed

 

[Planogirl]

You can't assume discounts..

For most hotels...yes. Not wdw...it's safe to say they've sold more rooms at rack in their history than probably all hotels with the possible exception of the upper class/elite places where room cost is never even discussed

Like some Four Seasons locations and even nicer places.

I know which one I'd pick if I could afford either the Four Seasons or Grand Floridian. It boggles my mind that we stayed at the Polynesian Resort when DS was little. I refuse to pay more than my mortgage for one week at a Disney deluxe.

 

[OldsDr]

You can't assume discounts..

For most hotels...yes. Not wdw...it's safe to say they've sold more rooms at rack in their history than probably all hotels with the possible exception of the upper class/elite places where room cost is never even discussed

I know they have stated discounts are goining away, but it seems they are simply going the KOHLS route. Show an inflated "normal" Rate then offer discounts and tell people look how awesome we are this is how much we saved you today.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I know they have stated discounts are goining away, but it seems they are simply going the KOHLS route. Show an inflated "normal" Rate then offer discounts and tell people look how awesome we are this is how much we saved you today.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was wondering too when I was looking at the discounts for 2014 on Mouse Savers. It seemed constant. I guess those only apply to a select number of people who nab the discounts in time.

But to your point, it's like I can't even look at the rack rates like they are real anymore, just like Kohls.

 

[Andrew015]

I know they have stated discounts are goining away, but it seems they are simply going the KOHLS route. Show an inflated "normal" Rate then offer discounts and tell people look how awesome we are this is how much we saved you today.

And they've even copied the "Kohl's Cash" philosophy.... "Hey, here's a nifty little Bounce-back Offer! Come back and see us again so we can save you even more money..."

 

[Aurora0427]

Are those December prices for the GF before any discounts though? For this year, there was a 15%-30% room-only discount for those dates (up until Dec 23rd when the really impressive gouging begins!) Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, was there even a break in the discounts this year?

We got 30% off the room rate. We are going 12/11-12/17. For 6 nights, our rooms plus 7 day park hopper tickets for 3 came to $3800-$4000. I can't remember exactly. I've been booking Disney trips for years and have never had this good of a "deal" at the GF. We spent $3500 last time at the BC for 4 nights.

I priced out the Waldorf, and by the time you add in the resort fee & rental car, it's more. The Four Seasons is actually $500 less because we qualify for a free night, but we really wanted to be on property around the holidays. I realize we are spending a ton of money, but this is a special trip for us. It'll be our last trip as a family of 3 (God willing!) and it'll be awhile before we stay at the GF again.

 

[Aurora0427]

I think that they won't (can't?) lower the deluxe prices because they are the top of the pricing pyramid upon which the rest of the pricing follows. You can't charge $175 for a room at POP during Thanksgiving if the Contemporary isn't charging $600. If they lowered the deluxe prices, they would have to lower the mod and value pricing as well. Ditto for selling DVC. I think that the inflated deluxe prices help make DVC look like a good deal (whether it really is or not depends on the individual buyer and their circumstances and travel habits). I think the DVC timeshares are for the hardcore Disney visitors, the people who want their guaranteed trips to Disney. I agree, I don't think income really plays in as much as we think, probably a very wide range of incomes represented. Honestly, I think half of it is spouses cajoling the other spouse into signing, therefore guaranteeing their Disney vacations for the next decade or two or three. I have no data for that I'm not sure about the private jet crowd. If they are that rich, they can probably fly in and rent a hotel suite at one of the Disney hotels if they want to and not even think about it. So they probably aren't much of a factor in the regular Disney deluxe room business. And maybe going forward they would be more likely to rent a few rooms at the new Four Seasons.

My inlaws are the private jet crowd. They looked closely at DVC and decided against it. It's just not necessary. They can afford any room at any time at any resort on or off Disney property. Why tie up money on a DVC contract?

 

[manning]

Like some Four Seasons locations and even nicer places.

I know which one I'd pick if I could afford either the Four Seasons or Grand Floridian. It boggles my mind that we stayed at the Polynesian Resort when DS was little. I refuse to pay more than my mortgage for one week at a Disney deluxe.

Gee, I stayed at the Polynesian Resort for $45 a night.....lagoon view.

 

[beer dave]

Gee, I stayed at the Polynesian Resort for $45 a night.....lagoon view.

My Wifes grand parents stayed at the contemporary (in the main building)for 25 a night--- they were the first people to occupy their room..... He still carries the reciept in his wallet...

 

[indyannamom]

My Wifes grand parents stayed at the contemporary (in the main building)for 25 a night--- they were the first people to occupy their room..... He still carries the reciept in his wallet...

That's so cool!
Have they been back since?

 

[AquaDame]

I am seeing the Four Seasons as $449 a night, not $333? For May 2015. Add a third adult and it is $524/night.

 

[mvk]

I am seeing the Four Seasons as $449 a night, not $333? For May 2015. Add a third adult and it is $524/night.

There's a trick to posting on this board. Find the highest price Disney charges, compare it to the lowest price a competitor charges, then bash Disney (for everything from price to service to pace of construction). If you can do that, you will be okay here.

 

[clsteve]

I am seeing the Four Seasons as $449 a night, not $333? For May 2015. Add a third adult and it is $524/night.

The week used for the comparison was Dec 7-13, 2014. It was picked because it was and average attendance week- crowd levels of 6 on the weekend days and 4 or 5's on the weekdays.

I checked May 2015 and found the $449.00/night rate for the week of May 18-24 2015. The GF rate was $590.00/night for the same week......

There's a trick to posting on this board. Find the highest price Disney charges, compare it to the lowest price a competitor charges, then bash Disney (for everything from price to service to pace of construction). If you can do that, you will be okay here.

There's another trick - actually doing some objective research. If you can do that, you'll be okay here, as well....