Questions about the $95 RESORT FEE

[Redrosesix]

I seem to be the only one who has paid OOP to stay at resorts in Orlando -- so I'm going to give you a completely different theory. I'm pretty sure all of the WDW resorts charge a resort fee, even for room only reservations. Not surprising, since the icky flea bag motel that we almost stayed in when my daughter's team did a trip to Orlando also charges a resort fee. If this fee isn't included in the DVC MF's (I don't own there yet, so I don't know) then the fee is waived for them. We don't have fees on any services like this where I live, but I've seen them on just about everything in Orlando.

IMO, it's a "because they can" fee, just like the rental car companies charge you a fee for being at the airport because they can. As for ME, everybody who stays in WDW really is paying for it but some people choose not to use it. The rest of the WDW transportation system is free to anybody who wants to use it whether you have a park ticket or not -- it's just that it only goes to places in WDW, so I'd assume you're only going to be taking their buses if you're going to a park or are eating at a resort. But if you're staying off-site, you have to pay to park somewhere -- parking at DTD for the day is apparently no longer an option.

As for whether WDW resorts are the cream of the crop, I'd say no. The upkeep everywhere in WDW is excellent, the theming is great, but yes the rooms are smaller and more expensive than they need to be. But for us it is part of the WDW experience. AKV is in a class by itself, though, since there are few resorts anywhere where animal lovers can be surrounded by a Savannah. Then again, I'm also the type of person who would pay extra to have real whipped cream on my hot chocolate.

[AwayWeGo]

Originally Posted by Redrosesix

IMO, it's a "because they can" fee, just like the rental car companies charge you a fee for being at the airport because they can.

It costs the car rental companies more for on-site airport facilities (rental counters in the airport lobby, dedicated parking spaces in airport lots & garages) because the airport authority charges plenty for those privileges. It's not unreasonable for the rental car companies to pass those costs on to customers who are willing to pay for the added convenience.

Off-site car rental companies charge less because they can.

Customers have to decide whether saving time is worth more than saving money.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

[dvc_john]

I was simply pointing out that you are making excuses for Marriott ('At least with parking or golf you are actually getting something for the $$ '). Aren't the Marriott owners already paying for that parking/golf?

Originally Posted by timeos2

I do! Not only the fee but the whole Disney system if at all possible (I have to admit if we can get in free - more common than you might think - we will do it. But even then I find it to be a frustrating, underwhelming experience that is a shadow of what it once was).

'If at all possible'??? Trust me - it's entirely possible to avoid Disney/DVC. Millions of people do it!
Why in the world would you stay there and have a frustrating, underwhelming experience, even if it's free. I would never stay anywhere, even if for free, where I was guaranteed to have a miserable time!! I'm sure you'd be happier at 'Wastegate'!

[klynn]

Originally Posted by Redrosesix

I seem to be the only one who has paid OOP to stay at resorts in Orlando -- so I'm going to give you a completely different theory. I'm pretty sure all of the WDW resorts charge a resort fee, even for room only reservations....

I just had a room only reservation at AKL 6 weeks ago. I was not charged a resort fee.

[luvsvacation22]

Originally Posted by Carl D

I think you may change your mind if you stay in a Kidani Village grand villa.
That is hard to beat. Not sure words can really do it justice.

Or in a Grand Villa at The Villas Grand Californian in Disneyland.

[Carl D]

Originally Posted by luvsvacation22

Or in a Grand Villa at The Villas Grand Californian in Disneyland.

Soooo true!!!

[elaine]

You can book a room only reservation and it includes free Magic Express--however, I am sure that they have added the cost of ME into the room charge--it is just not separately broken out.
I am a DVC member and am trading in via RCI and am paying the $95 fee--we are not using ME and we are not making any dining reservations--so that $95 is total gravy for them---OK by me b/c my trade for Spring break week is a much better "deal" for me than if I had to use DVC points for that week-----dollar for dollar in maintenance fees, acqusition costs, etc., I got a 1 BR for the week vs. only a studio for 6 days using DVC points. Elaine

[JonathanIT]

Originally Posted by elaine

I am a DVC member and am trading in via RCI and am paying the $95 fee--we are not using ME and we are not making any dining reservations--so that $95 is total gravy for them---OK by me b/c my trade for Spring break week is a much better "deal" for me than if I had to use DVC points for that week-----dollar for dollar in maintenance fees, acqusition costs, etc., I got a 1 BR for the week vs. only a studio for 6 days using DVC points. Elaine

Exactly. Exchanging through RCI is just too good a deal for exchangers, and Disney saw that immediately. Even compared to DVC owners who book direct it's a better deal, and they like to brag that owners save 70% on Disney vacations. Forget about the comparison to cash customers!

I almost bought DVC before they rejoined RCI. I love my HGVC, but I also wanted occasional trips to WDW on property, and I was willing to pay the price of DVC to get it. But with ability to book my HGVC points for Disney now, I am elated. I don't have to buy DVC, and I can still get my trips to Disney, for less than if I had to buy.

The only drawback for exchangers is the limited availability, which doesn't seem to be such a problem right now with the drop in attendance at WDW. Also the requirement to stay a full 7 nights, but that is not a problem for me because I have HGVC for shorter stays.

So, you can scream and complain as much as you want; you don't have to pay the $95, just don't go! There are plenty of people like me who will happily pay the fee, because we are saving so much money overall.

Sure, in theory you can say that you are "paying for something twice" but that is just semantics. It's just a poor choice of wording to explain a fee that you are really paying "for the privilege of Disney Magic". And that's what I'm paying for, because it's a product and service that I desire.

If it's not something you want, you don't have to go and you don't have to pay. But don't scream and rant that nobody should be paying the fee or going to Disney, because well, that just ain't gonna happen.

But for the record, I don't stay with Disney every trip. I own HGVC and love staying there. But for the few trips I want a little extra magic, I am more than willing to cough up $95!