I think FW may be losing me

[shocker]

I used to divide trips amongst off site, deluxe, and tent camping at FW (the latter was used for the anti-budget buster trips...read cheapo). Now FW is just pricing themselves off the list when a Value can had for less than $10/night more. With A/C, my own bathroom, and no internal buses. I may have to give Values a try for the first time.

Anyone else given up on FW pricing?

Maybe I should ask this over on the resorts board to see who else has had to move on

 

[Miss Peach]

I know just what you are saying.

We live in California and one of our favorite places--Newport Dunes--has done the same thing. Their nicest summer sites are $200+

It just doesn't make any sense to me.

But I guess when camping went from a budget vacation for families to a place to park your million dollar class A, they can keep moving the prices up until they get to the tipping point where they finally have too many empty spaces. And that appears to not have happened yet.

Cathy

 

[martymarty]

well I wouldnt normally pay 100+ a night, but this will prolly be our only trip to disney, so I wanted to make it a good one for the kids.............but after this trip, I wont again, seem there are MANY great RV sights just off property

 

[becky1960]

I think I must agree, the cost are really getting high, but then again I think that everything is starting rise rapidly because of the Dollar losing it value. We made reservations for Dec at $ 125.00 a night for Preminum. Probably our last trip after 30+ years. Look at the resturant cost at WDW, we eat mostly offsite now..

 

[Born 2 Fish]

When you consider everything that the Fort has to offer, it really is hard to beat it (during off season) During their SEASON however, the prices really are kinda hard to choke down.
My problem is, the Fort really does fill like home to me. A few weeks ago we spent a week off property , it was okay andFthe price we paid was good,,then we went to the Fort for a week, it felt like we finally came home, the whole feel was just perfect and all was ell again. (but the price stunk)

But in my long winded conclusion, yes, I do feel Disney has out priced themselves.

I guess I'll just havta eat the price if I want that awesome feeling.

 

[tim5055]

I'm sorry, I see things like this posted a lot and don't follow the logic. I have never been able to find a period that rates were only $10 different from FW to Value unless something else was happening. i.e.

• The FW site price was quoted with taxes and the Value without
• unequal things were compared, like a premium site vs a standard value room

Lets look at some prices, comparing basic rack cost (no taxes):

Jan 1, 2011
FW Full $105
FW Preferred $111
Value Standard $159

Value Season 2011
FW Full $61
FW Preferred $66
Value Standard $82

Regular Season 2011
FW Full $83
FW Preferred $89
Value Standard $105

Holiday Season 2011
Tropical Palms*
FW Full $108
FW Preferred $115
Value Standard $164

The more appropriate comparison is between FW & a place like Tropical Palms Resort. For most of the year, a standard back in site is $50 and during the summer it drops to $35 due to the heat.

Now, I could have overlooked something, but the closest I can get is $21, not $10. If you throw in the free dining that Disney attaches to rooms sometimes the Value wins hands down

Now, with that said I do agree with the basic thought, Disney is really pricing themselves out of the market. But, so are many campgrounds in resort areas.

 

[Brocktoon]

When you consider everything that the Fort has to offer, it really is hard to beat it (during off season) During their SEASON however, the prices really are kinda hard to choke down.
My problem is, the Fort really does fill like home to me. A few weeks ago we spent a week off property , it was okay andFthe price we paid was good,,then we went to the Fort for a week, it felt like we finally came home, the whole feel was just perfect and all was ell again. (but the price stunk)

But in my long winded conclusion, yes, I do feel Disney has out priced themselves.

I guess I'll just havta eat the price if I want that awesome feeling.

This is pretty much how I feel. There's no doubt the prices have become crazy, and they've been going that way for a while. But staying at a value just isn't the same as staying at the Fort. For me, staying in a value would just act as a functional base of operations ... a place to sleep, shower, etc ...

FW is a destination all to itself. I would never just spend all day hanging around a value resort, but I can easily spend a day lounging around FW and Bay Lake. I guess it really comes down to the target of the vacation. If it's just hitting the parks, then the values are probably the best deal. For us, FW is a major part of the experience.

 

[armadafrfs]

I don't know...I switched a FW trip for a value resort last year, and I have regretted it since. We did mainly because we could not get the DDP added because we were using military tickets. The value resort was about on par with a Motel 6...clean but very tiny with zero frills. The only thing I liked was having a food court as part of the resort, which is something FW needs to add IMHO.

 

[Nayan]

There's other things to consider as well, like folks who might receive a %-off code, AP rate, FL resident discount, etc. Last year we planned to camp at the Fort but got a discount rate that made a Value room only $58/night, so it made sense to do that one trip. Other times last year it was cheaper to camp. This year I'm not sure if we'll camp or not as I haven't seen rates for our time of year yet. I do know that when I look at the rates in general they seem high and if I had to travel a great distance to get to the Fort with gas rising it would push me right out.

 

[retired and happy]

I have to agree with Frank. If price is the main concern, maybe Values are a decent deal. But if a relaxing vacation in a place of your own, activities and amenities, a neighborhood experience, then the Fort wins IMHO.

 

[MadFF]

Another thing to think about with resorts is the amount of sleeping area. Now that our two "kids" are teenagers, we realistically need at least two Queen beds in a room... but preferably two rooms, or a "suite". And the dining plan needs to be 3 meals a day.

I just "ran the numbers" for a FW stay versus getting two rooms at a value resort (because at most, the single rooms have "double" beds which simply aren't big enough). Staying at FW, for us, is still at least 1/3 less.

 

[stpetedisneydad]

Waking up in the morning, sitting outside sipping a cup of coffee listening to the birds chirp, waving to the people going by walking their dogs. Later in the day when we're done with the parks the kids can take off on their bikes or meet up with other kids playing on the loop much like when we were kids playing in our neighborhoods. You can't buy that at the other resorts.

 

[skyp4WDW]

The "Value" Resorts do offer good special rates. I stayed at the Pop Century (Dec. 2010) for $65. per night. I wanted to stay at Ft. Wilderness but couldn't justify spending the same amount (or more) for a Square of land.
This summer we're going to have to skip our annual camping trip at Ft Wilderness because we can get a (Deluxe level) room at Shades of Green for $47. per night vs. the same price for a partial site. Our room has 2 queen beds, a sleeper sofa, frig, air conditioning, and a terrace.
The Fort is my favorite resort; but it's just not the "deal" it used to be...

 

[Disneylitch]

We are from Maryland and The Fort prices are cheaper. However, the prices at Christmas have gotten a little steep. I think at Christmas you are paying for the atmosphere at WDW and for me that is worth it. If you want to pay lower prices at The Fort and still want to visit during the summer months, go the middle of August. In my experience summer in Florida is hot. June is hot, July is hot, and so is August. Why not go in August and save some money.

 

[iluvStitch29]

I'm sorry, I see things like this posted a lot and don't follow the logic. I have never been able to find a period that rates were only $10 different from FW to Value unless something else was happening. i.e.

• The FW site price was quoted with taxes and the Value without
• unequal things were compared, like a premium site vs a standard value room

Lets look at some prices, comparing basic rack cost (no taxes):

Jan 1, 2011
FW Full $105
FW Preferred $111
Value Standard $159

Value Season 2011
FW Full $61
FW Preferred $66
Value Standard $82

Regular Season 2011
FW Full $83
FW Preferred $89
Value Standard $105

Holiday Season 2011
Tropical Palms*
FW Full $108
FW Preferred $115
Value Standard $164

The more appropriate comparison is between FW & a place like Tropical Palms Resort. For most of the year, a standard back in site is $50 and during the summer it drops to $35 due to the heat.

Now, I could have overlooked something, but the closest I can get is $21, not $10. If you throw in the free dining that Disney attaches to rooms sometimes the Value wins hands down

Now, with that said I do agree with the basic thought, Disney is really pricing themselves out of the market. But, so are many campgrounds in resort areas.

I agree.. I've never seen there to be only a $10 difference between a campsite and a room at a value.. unless, of course, you are comparing a premium site with a standard room.. Which, even then, isn't always a $10 difference, either... But, it's been a little while since I've looked at pricing.. The prices may have gone up, and you could very well be right about the $10 difference! Either way, choose whatever makes you feel happy: I personally wouldn't want to give up the feeling I get while at the Fort, but if you feel you would be more comfortable and happy in a room at a value, then, by all means, go with that!

 

[TBOLDEN]

If it's just a matter of $10 - $20 dollars a night, then no way would I choose a value over FW. At the Fort you don't have to worry about the pitter patter of little feet overhead, voices through the wall, TV too loud next door, noise form the hall way, we have stayed at the Fort for the past 4 years, generally 2 weeks at a time and at no time have we had a problem with neighbors or noise and all the amenities and atmosphere and space to roam, definitley not worth it to me, the Fort wins hands down, even with a 10 hr drive.

 

[shocker]

I'm sorry, I see things like this posted a lot and don't follow the logic. I have never been able to find a period that rates were only $10 different from FW to Value unless something else was happening. i.e.

• The FW site price was quoted with taxes and the Value without
• unequal things were compared, like a premium site vs a standard value room

Lets look at some prices, comparing basic rack cost (no taxes):

Jan 1, 2011
FW Full $105
FW Preferred $111
Value Standard $159

Value Season 2011
FW Full $61
FW Preferred $66
Value Standard $82

Regular Season 2011
FW Full $83
FW Preferred $89
Value Standard $105

Holiday Season 2011
Tropical Palms*
FW Full $108
FW Preferred $115
Value Standard $164

The more appropriate comparison is between FW & a place like Tropical Palms Resort. For most of the year, a standard back in site is $50 and during the summer it drops to $35 due to the heat.

Now, I could have overlooked something, but the closest I can get is $21, not $10. If you throw in the free dining that Disney attaches to rooms sometimes the Value wins hands down

Now, with that said I do agree with the basic thought, Disney is really pricing themselves out of the market. But, so are many campgrounds in resort areas.

I knew someone would chime in with a comparison pricing chart.

So, to be fair. I'm pricing a trip using a PIN Code that would be 15% off campsites (not listed on my PIN promotional but the CM mentioned it so I starting looking at that pricing as well and it's definately there) and 35 % off value rooms.

The campsite I'm looking at is for full hook-up because I refuse to be placed out in never-never land again when booking for a tent site.

The value room is for standard room.

Because the % off is so drastically different, it has created a scenario for us that the campsite may not be worth it for us. We'll just have to reserve tent camping for closer to home this year and put our lawn chairs out on the walk-way in front of our value room window. The square footage of a value room is still larger than my tent, so I'm not going to sweat that.

 

[shocker]

If it's just a matter of $10 - $20 dollars a night, then no way would I choose a value over FW. At the Fort you don't have to worry about the pitter patter of little feet overhead, voices through the wall, TV too loud next door, noise form the hall way, we have stayed at the Fort for the past 4 years, generally 2 weeks at a time and at no time have we had a problem with neighbors or noise and all the amenities and atmosphere and space to roam, definitley not worth it to me, the Fort wins hands down, even with a 10 hr drive.

Unfortunately, in a tent, we have had this problem. Only add bus breaks (won't request near a bus stop again), screaching golf cart races, fireworks, all-night music from MK for Grad-Nite (think this has changed parks now??), music from neighbors, neighbor kids that get up WAY too early, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong we enjoyed our trips to FW and obviously I'm still willing to look into going, just not at these price margins. Once we try the value, we might be back

 

[marclichon]

Another thing to think about with resorts is the amount of sleeping area. Now that our two "kids" are teenagers, we realistically need at least two Queen beds in a room... but preferably two rooms, or a "suite". And the dining plan needs to be 3 meals a day.

I just "ran the numbers" for a FW stay versus getting two rooms at a value resort (because at most, the single rooms have "double" beds which simply aren't big enough). Staying at FW, for us, is still at least 1/3 less.

Though we've yet to stay (until next week!) at the Fort, our math comes up the similarly. We have 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) so we'd either need two rooms, a suite (essentially 2 hotel rooms price-wise), or a superduperexpialidocious villa at $1000/night because Disney doesn't seem to believe a family would ever be more that 4 people (look at their standard 'specials'). We love the Resorts but also love camping so we're hoping this trip will prove to be more than the sum-of-its-parts and still economical.

... except that pulling a TT 1000mi south with a V10 gasser will net ~7mi/gal = $1050@(2100mi@$3.50/gal, I'm hoping I'm wrong ) However, it looks like we'll spend about $1500 for a week (including transportation) on a Premium site and can cook (mostly) for ourselves so it may still be economical.

 

[shocker]

But I guess when camping went from a budget vacation for families to a place to park your million dollar class A, they can keep moving the prices up until they get to the tipping point where they finally have too many empty spaces. And that appears to not have happened yet.

Cathy

I know, I love this. I often point to rigs we see on the road and explain to DH that it would cost more than our house (he's out of the loop when it comes to RV's). He says it "better come with a live-in foot massager for that price." I've also heard about "those" campgrounds where you're rig must be newer than a certain year and valued at more-than a certain amount. Its the Home-Owners-Association of camping.

I also agree with the free enterprise aspect of pricing higher and higher until someone breaks. I guess $10/night was my tipping point. So, now we'll try something different. Just wanted to see if others had found their tipping point as well.