VDH Opening

[DonMacGregor]

But Disney should have known exactly this was going to happen. One way to minimize issues would be a release of prices on the website so people wouldn't have to call and ask for the info before deciding.

Or, people just don't fall into FOMO mode and HAVE to be the first person to book a room. It's just a hotel. It's not going anywhere. If it hadn't been built in the first place, then no one would be in line waiting for anything, and the universe would still be here.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

DLH cash rooms have all the charm and nostalgia of that property... love the picture of Walt by the castle, the headboard, etc. If the point charts don't reflect a significant discount, I won't be buying, I'll just book cash and put up waitlists at 7 months with my WDW-based points, then if they don't come through I'll be happy staying cash.

 

[gmi3804]

Or, people just don't fall into FOMO mode and HAVE to be the first person to book a room. It's just a hotel. It's not going anywhere. If it hadn't been built in the first place, then no one would be in line waiting for anything, and the universe would still be here.

But being a Disney fan is ALL ABOUT FOMO! How else to explain Gideon's?

 

[Brian Noble]

Regarding the wait times, I'm reminded of this chestnut: "You don't build a church for Easter Sunday."

 

[The_MT]

Wait times probably wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the apparent issues CMs are having looking for pricing/availability. I just don't understand how this is an issue as this isn't their first rodeo in cash bookings.

And now the CM just came back with Dec 1-3 again for a Studio and somehow the price jumped by 300. What an absolute waste of 2 hours I just spent on the phone and again, I got a rep right at 6AM.

My rep told me that it was a brand new system with different codes that they have to learn. Disney IT strikes again!

 

[NeutralNovice]

Or, people just don't fall into FOMO mode and HAVE to be the first person to book a room. It's just a hotel. It's not going anywhere. If it hadn't been built in the first place, then no one would be in line waiting for anything, and the universe would still be here.

Why do you care If people have FOMO or want to experience something as soon as possible? Lots of people like shiny and new things. This doesn't excuse the apparent ineptitude of Disney to handle what should be a relatively simple situation since they are deep in the entertainment and hospitality business. It's just inexcusable. These next couple days where they open booking to other groups is gonna be a S. Show.

 

[DonMacGregor]

DLH cash rooms have all the charm and nostalgia of that property... love the picture of Walt by the castle, the headboard, etc.

Here is a lithograph I have hanging in my office:


It’s entitled “Footsteps” and was painted by Charles Boyer:

CM exclusive for the 30th in 1985. Note Dick Nunis and Ron Dominguez signatures.

 

[DonMacGregor]

 

[Cfabar1]

I went to DLH for a conference in 2013. I paid $169 a night for three nights for a standard 2 queen room. It was a lovely and happy stay. I did not go into the park that time as I was traveling alone and didn’t think it would be fun on my own. In hindsight I wish I had.

Can’t wrap my head around these prices at all. Hope the points chart isn’t too crazy.

 

[The_MT]

Just learned that there is apparently a big DVC discount off garden view rooms so if anyone is trying to book make sure to ask for the price on that view!

 

[DonMacGregor]

I went to DLH for a conference in 2013. I paid $169 a night for three nights for a standard 2 queen room. It was a lovely and happy stay. I did not go into the park that time as I was traveling alone and didn’t think it would be fun on my own. In hindsight I wish I had.

Can’t wrap my head around these prices at all. Hope the points chart isn’t too crazy.

They still offer very low conference rates. Here are the rates for a conference I attend every year. These are good for 5/17-5/21 2023:



Of course, that's based on a guarantee block of like 700 rooms (which also helps drive up the cash rates due to limited availability). The conference has +/- 1,400 attendees.

 

[cseca]

My rep told me that it was a brand new system with different codes that they have to learn. Disney IT strikes again!

My husband used to work in IT and he always laughs when I rant about Disney IT. Billion dollar company and always seem to underestimate the demand.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

They still offer very low conference rates. Here are the rates for a conference I attend every year. These are good for 5/18-5/20 2023:

View attachment 746404

Of course, that's based on a guarantee block of like 500 rooms (which also helps drive up the cash rates due to limited availability). The conference has +/- 1,400 attendees.

That's even better than my conference rate this year, $389 for DLH, $479 for Grand Cal!

 

[MShadey]

The VDH website now says to check the page “in the coming months for add-on details and booking with points.” Didn’t it used to say weeks instead of months?

 

[DonMacGregor]

That's even better than my conference rate this year, $389 for DLH, $479 for Grand Cal!

He's been holding that conference at DLH for at least 25 years. Very strong relationship with the convention and group sales people. He can pretty much guarantee he'll fill 700 rooms every year and always seems to be asking them for more. I think they hold the entire Frontier Tower for him as a starting point.

Groups typically buy out Catal, Ralph Brennan's, Splitsville, etc. on the Thursday night for private parties. In the old days, ESPN Zone and House of Blues would also shut down for private parties (private concerts at HOB). The second floor at Naples is usually booked out as well. The whole resort makes huge bank off that conference. Two years ago, they cleared out the entire second floor of Ralph Brennan's and turned it into a casino, for example. It's all law firms, insurance carriers, and consulting firms. We co-sponsor one every year, and our 20% share is usually +/- $20k.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Here is a lithograph I have hanging in my office:

View attachment 746395
It’s entitled “Footsteps” and was painted by Charles Boyer:
View attachment 746396
CM exclusive for the 30th in 1985. Note Dick Nunis and Ron Dominguez signatures.

I like the cardinal and gold matting

 

[ehh]

The VDH website now says to check the page “in the coming months for add-on details and booking with points.” Didn’t it used to say weeks instead of months?

It still says “weeks” in a Private/Incognito window. Odd.

 

[Littlelulu01]

My rep told me that it was a brand new system with different codes that they have to learn. Disney IT strikes again!

Pretty sure the wait times, cash booking only, new system in place for the “unexpected” demand for non discounted room… are all by design. They will have an initial demand from their die hard base and then they will have millions of points to sell where they can tell us, “look how hard it is to get a room here! It’s a wild success! it’s the only way to get these rooms for less than this high demand cash price!” Star Wars hotel experience did sell out initially and had hours long wait times, system crashes…but it wasn’t long before they had to cancel reservations due to lack of demand and discount pretty heavily. There’s only so far they can take this “latest and greatest opportunity” if the point charts come out decent I’ll still buy but they’re not going to tempt me into a purchase just because they created an initial booking frenzy.

 

[nlenguyen]

Just learned that there is apparently a big DVC discount off garden view rooms so if anyone is trying to book make sure to ask for the price on that view!

Good to know

 

[Littlelulu01]

The rate just a regular Joe, no conference rate, no resident discount, no visa or anything special, just their website advertised rate for our last visit in February of 2023 was $377 at dlh. The $800+ rates might be a “tad” inflated. They’re more than Aulani, more than the 4 seasons next to aulani.