And The Beat Goes On!

[PSUGuy]

I could ALMOST understand if it was optional. If you don't pay the fee, you don't get ME, Magic Bands, etc. But resort fees are never optional.

At Swan and Dolphin they used to be. You'd get a newspaper and I forget what else for the fee but one could waive it. We always did but sometimes we still got the paper. At that time self parking was free at S/D too. I know S/D is only associated with WDW but I still consider them to be 'onsite'.

Bill From PA

 

[Darcy03231]

We hit that wall a long time ago and stay off-site with a rental car. Better rooms, less money and more flexibility. I've found I can drive to WDW, park and get into the parks in less time than it takes to wait for an overcrowded bus.

 

[mom2rtk]

So they cut back on EMH and now want me to pay extra for it?

 

[Livvie]

Exactly. And that number (whatever it is) is different for every person. I also think Disney needs to watch that they don't continue to raise prices without also ensuring and even raising quality.

I can only speak for myself, but raising quality has not happened over the last year.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I believe you meant "And the beating goes on!".

 

[EdmondD]

Does this mean they could no longer claim that Magical Express or Extra Magic Hours are free for resort guests? Or would they use some ridiculous language like, "free with resort fee payment."

 

[DisDadDVC]

Does this mean they could no longer claim that Magical Express or Extra Magic Hours are free for resort guests? Or would they use some ridiculous language like, "free with resort fee payment."

Does freemium make you feel better?

 

[KT0191]

What is going to stop more people from staying off property then? People can save a lot of money and factoring in a $15 resort fee per night (which I agree - super tacky), it would only be $5 more to pay for parking each day. Especially with EMH cut backs. Unless, of course, they raise parking fees.

 

[WEDWDW]

I believe you meant "And the beating goes on!".

"Thank you Mickey,may I have another?"

 

[RachaelA]

Once again i can't believe I'm shocked at this.

 

[connie1042]

If they start charging for resort fee, Magical Express, Children's activity's, then we will start staying off site. It just blows my mind that everyday, they remove a perk or attraction, and now want me to pay even more money. At some point, people are going to say enough is enough!

 

[Momtomouselover]

Not fond of the idea. It just becomes hidden fees alongside the already high cost of resort rooms.

 

[EdmondD]

Does freemium make you feel better?

Ha! While there are few bigger fans of a good portmanteau than yours truly, in this case, no.

 

[Mikie]

Like so many things Disney does, the proposed fee would only be opening shot, put there to get people used to the idea. I'm sure it would go up from there. Then once a year they can raise this fee, and once a year they can raise the room rates. Plus the resort fee doesn't get included in any discount offered.

Good point about the discount. Even if the same total room price listed were unchanged; when they offer a discount, it will be off the base rate and not off the fees. For one customer, it's irritating but not substantial, but multiply that by however-many-thousand rooms and it really adds up to Disney.

And the airlines have been playing with this nickel-and-dime fees for a while. I think they're starting to back off a little and some are advertising/bragging about their "all inclusive" pricing. I believe WDW will turn the screws as tight as they can before people really scream, then back it up slightly and claim a victory.

 

[11290]

We hit that wall a long time ago and stay off-site with a rental car. Better rooms, less money and more flexibility. I've found I can drive to WDW, park and get into the parks in less time than it takes to wait for an overcrowded bus.

i

If you haven't looked lately, many off-site hotels in the Disney area are now charging resort fees, a couple as much as $30 per night. Don't remember which were that high but was an article in the Orando Sentinel not too long ago.

 

[Livvie]

I wonder if the fee is $15 per day per room or $15 per person per day per room?

 

[mom2rtk]

i

If you haven't looked lately, many off-site hotels in the Disney area are now charging resort fees, a couple as much as $30 per night. Don't remember which were that high but was an article in the Orando Sentinel not too long ago.

I doubt that it matters since offsite rates tend to be so much less to begin with.

 

[Jcon]

In defense of Disney...

Itemized billing and pay-per-service billing is quite in fashion right now. You're already paying to the service, it's just included in the all-in price you pay. Each year, the price of this service goes up, it just gets buried in with all-in price increase.

If you're someone that does not use these services or amenities, do you like subsidizing everyone else? Of course not.

I, for one, appreciate that everyone else subsidizes my Magic Express transportation.

The fact is, the resorts are packed, the parks are packed and it is the responsibility of Disney management to maximize shareholder value. Now and into the future. How that happens is up for debate.

(Now I'll go hide)

 

[anniemae]

I don't like it either. It seems like Disney is really making it difficult for me to continue my love affair with them! LOL!!

First the ticket price increase (I get that it's inflation, but I personally believe they should wait until everything is done, then I can justify it. But in the transition phase with so much construction and closures? Not so much), then the possible rumor of banning food & water (will be like $20 extra a day just for water for our family in the summer. I get that this is pure profit for them, and they probably view it as money flying out the window and they want to keep that money.), Now the possibility of a resort fee? Sigh. Come on Disney, just stop! I can't take much more!

I just shake my head and wonder who the heck is making these decisions? It's almost like they are TRYING to drive people away. Maybe they are seeing how much they can push the envelope?

 

[sam_rogers]

Unfortunately I think Disney adding a resort fee would be the final nail in the coffin with whether we plan a trip for next year. Memory makers etc are already included in the package when you book on the UK site so this would just add more on top and for a two week stay the resort fees would add £200 to our trip with no other bonuses.