I think everything is obviously contextual, if you are taking into consideration the hotel simply being a hotel? Then yes, they are ridiculously expensive. My family and I just came back from Europe and I took my wife to stay at a really 'expensive' 5-star hotel that Simon Cowell stays ay when he is in town, it was 'legit' as the cool kids would say ;o) Friday night stay, inclusive of Valet and breakfast? $135 lol. Thats a night at POP these days?!? That said, when I go to a soccer tournament in Oregon we stay at a run of the mill (albeit new) Springhill suites and its $200 per night! lol
I don't think any of the hotels are anywhere close to $500 a night that some of the rooms get to even on discount. But you have to look at the overall inclusiveness at what you are getting, and it is more than just the room. It doesn't justify the expense of course, but it does give it a little more context than simply being a hotel room. When we stay at the Poly or the CR for example, we are doing so because of location and convenience of travel too and from the MK and other parks. Our last stay at the Poly was in an older long house and the room was tired with a door missing to the fridge! lol, definitely not something you would expect for the price. But somehow, Disney is able to convince you that all of the additional extras are worth it... and perhaps they are, as people keep coming back! My family included. But this discussion does bring up some interesting points, is there a ceiling to the prices that Disney can charge that will truly see attendance drop significantly? I don't see if happening soon, even with all the discounts we have access too, the cheapest we have had for the Poly and the like will not be seen again for a long time, so nothing but Split stays will work for us, some time off site and some time onsite.
With respect to the food? My family loves the food at the Poly from all the service points as well as the restaurants, so I guess its all a matter of taste. Sometimes when you get caught up in how much things cost it can skew the way you evaluate it, that's not to say that price is not a consideration, but having it be at the forefront all the time definitely alters people perceptions. I convince myself I am paying for 'experiences' and not tangible things, maybe its lying to myself so not to think about how much money it really costs! lol... but either way, its the thing that keeps us coming back for now. I guess that may change as the kids get older but until then I better keep saving!