I just gave up my room at the Boardwalk for Coronado Springs! Tell me it's OK!!

[BC]

I kept thinking about the $2,000 difference between them & knowing my frugal husband would prefer to save the difference, I just called & changed my ressie from a Boardwalk view at the Inn to a waterview at Coronado Springs. I really love the Boardwalk Inn, but my husband kept saying he would do it, but he just couldn't see spending 2 grand more to stay at the Boardwalk. Anyway, now I feel sad. I know with the Food & Wine festival, I am going to be bummed knowing we could be right around the corner from Epcot and within walking distance. Hope Coronado Springs is just as wonderful.

[snykymom]

Check out this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2232763
While you may not be within walking distance to Epcot, we had no problem getting to Epcot on the buses. (Or, for a lot less than $2K, you can splurge on cabs!) And Coronado is a beautiful resort. If you go in expecting it to be the Boardwalk, you'll be disappointed. If you go in with an open mind, you won't be.

[maddiesmom0116]

No matter where you stay you will have a great time - it is Disney after all. I am planning my first Boardwalk trip for Christmas myself and I can see how you would be sad :sad1:

[BC]

Guess you're right! It's mind over matter! I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. I know you can take the monorail from MK to Epcot or the boat from the Studios to Epcot or the bus from any resort to Epcot. My only concern with taking the bus is it puts you out at the front entrance and you have to walk all the way thru to World showcase for the Food & Wine fest and that is a haul! Any suggestions on the best way to get from Coronado Springs to the back entrance of Epcot quickly?

[lustergirl]

CSR is a beautiful resort and the bus system is great there!

[patchchild]

Although it will be a bummer not to be able to walk into the food and wine festival, CS is beautiful. I loved being able to head back there at the end of a park day because it was so quiet, compared to any of the other resorts.

[snykymom]

Any suggestions on the best way to get from Coronado Springs to the back entrance of Epcot quickly?
If I wanted to do that, I'd take a cab. You can take a lot of cabs for $2,000! When we were at CSR, there were always cabs waiting out front.

[let'sgo]

CSR is beautiful! We loved it when we stayed there, and there is the Pepper Market and Maya Grill. The theming is excellent. We stayed in Casita 4 and had a beautiful quiet pool view, a bus stop that was close, and a nice walk in the mornings thru the courtyards with their fountains and flowers to get to the main building. Or you can walk along the lake. We always like staying at a different resort to get a different feel from our last vacation. Enjoy it, it's a great resort!

[Kanga1]

Since you saved so much by downgrading to CSR, I would save a little more and downgrade to standard view. You really, REALLY will not notice the difference without the balcony to view it from.

[metime]

see I would be bummed if I spent 2k to be few minutes closer to something for a short period of time.

If 2K fell from the sky I would still prefer to keep it.

[WETWHISTLE]

Our entire trip (including air fare and spending money) won't even cost $2k, so I definitely wouldn't want to spend $2k more just for a specific place to stay!

Just be happy that you can go to the happiest place on earth. There are so many that don't even get to do that.

[ToyStory]

Our last trip we downgraded from the Poly to CSR and loved CSR so much we are staying there again.

I stayed at the Yacht club for business last year and it was great to walk to Epcot and DHS, however I was going there late in the afternoon. However our bus ride to AK took forever since we went from the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin and possibly the Boardwalk.

[BC]

3 nights at each location. Do you think 6 nights is long enough to split things up?

[Singinglizzie]

It sounds like you really want to stay at BC, so if you can afford 3 nights there, then 3 nights at CSR you might enjoy your trip better. As for the split stay, many people do it, so 3 nights each sounds very doable. No one but you can decide if its worth an extra 1 k or 2k, since we all have different priorities and resources to deal with. Our last trip we upgraded from CSR to the Poly, so I made sure to take a trip out to CSR to see what we missed. Honestly the resort was lovely, and the pool was much nicer than the volcano pool at the Poly. Although we enjoyed the Poly and the convenience of the monorail, next trip we plan to stay CSR and just rent a car because I can't shell out thousands of dollars every trip and in an ideal world we would go to WDW every year :banana:! Have you also looked into the Dolphin and the Swan. They are running some great promotionals, and although you wouldn't be able to get the DDP, they would give you access to the Epcot area. Anyhow, hope you have a great trip.

[princessmom29]

My entire 7 night trip with FD at CSR is only $2007 for the 3 of us. Me DH, and DD5. We loved CSR last year and look forward to going back this year. It really is a great place to stay.

[iman]

While CSR is not as nice as the Boardwalk (just being honest) $2000 is a LOT of money to save. Big deal about walking to Epcot...you are still on site at Disney and CSR is still a very nice, sprawling resort. It is basically just a place to sleep.

[KatMark]

Truthfully, we wouldn't stay at the Boardwalk--that clown at the pool scares the cr** out of me. Seriously, we love the CSR and in today's economy, $2000 is a lot of money. We cancelled our ten day trip for next month back in April; luckily, we were able to book a quickie trip for four nights now (September 18-22) because of the special $96 rate for moderates. We've done the whole deluxe thing in the past (stayed at the CR and the Poly a number of times each) but we just can't justify the cost anymore--not with two boys in college and rising tuition bills and DH having pay cuts three years in a row. The CSR offers everything the deluxes offer that we need -- queen beds, hot tub (something the Poly doesn't even have), a fitness center/spa, three quiet pools and a great themed pool, etc. Personally, I wouldn't do a split stay for that short amount of time...seems like a lot of packing/unpacking for only six nights (we are doing a split stay next year at the AKL with the CSR...but it will be four nights at AKL and six at the CSR--it's to make up for cutting our trip so short this year if the finances are available). But if you have your heart set on Boardwalk then go ahead and shoot for the three nights at each.

[AJA]

2K is a lot of money, especially in this economy! I don't think you'll be sorry, just think of it as a big deposit on another trip.:thumbsup2

[loperella]

2K is a lot of money, especially in this economy! I don't think you'll be sorry, just think of it as a big deposit on another trip.:thumbsup2

DITTO! :thumbsup2

Heck, if you get a good deal it could even be a whole another trip!!! :goodvibes

[sherry8253]

If location is important, you might want to price the Swan and Dolphin (unless you want Disney Dining which you can't get at these hotels.) There are often good rates at these hotels along with many discounts if you qualify for any of them. Good luck on your decision. My DH and I are seriously considering CSR for our Jan trip. The rooms look very nice after the rehab and the price is decent.

[disneydreamingdebby]

I loved CSR - they have great new rooms with queen beds. The resort is beautiful. We stayed in Cabanas 8B which wasn't far from the main building and had a nearby bus stop. Aside from the location not being right at EPcot for F&W, I think you will enjoy it!

[BC]

but we are going with a pin code for free dining and also the rates at the Dolphin for our dates are still pretty high. We have stayed at the Dolphin and liked it (except less of a magic feel). I guess like you all say, for the difference we could take a cab to Epcot every day for what I would be saving! I still am thinking of a split. I actually would like to try out CS, but also love my Boardwalk! I called to price it out and the CM said I would have to purchase the 6 day pass on the 1st ressie & then purchase a single base ticket for our 2nd ressie since we are on the FD package. It would be $86 more per person, but we could use the extra base tix at a later date. Bottom line, splitting resorts came to about $700 less than all nights at the Boardwalk.

[SnackyStacky]

If I wanted to do that, I'd take a cab. You can take a lot of cabs for $2,000! When we were at CSR, there were always cabs waiting out front.

My $.02 would be to save the cab fare. Yes, World Showcase is definitely a haul from the main entrance. However, I don't see the porte cochere at any of the Epcot resorts being too much closer. It's convenient if you're staying there - but I really wouldn't pay money to get to the Epcot resorts.

In terms of your decision to switch - I think it depends on YOU. If you're open to the idea of staying at AND enjoying Coronado Springs, than you most likely will enjoy it! If you go in, upset that you're not at the Boardwalk? You'll probably find fault and not enjoy it as much.

I personally don't think 6 nights is long enough to do a split stay. We did 10 nights several years back, and I didn't think that was long enough. Too much of a pain to pack it all up and get situated in a new room.

I would pick one, be confident in the decision, and go knowing that you'll have a blast. :)

[beth_cam]

but we are going with a pin code for free dining and also the rates at the Dolphin for our dates are still pretty high. We have stayed at the Dolphin and liked it (except less of a magic feel). I guess like you all say, for the difference we could take a cab to Epcot every day for what I would be saving! I still am thinking of a split. I actually would like to try out CS, but also love my Boardwalk! I called to price it out and the CM said I would have to purchase the 6 day pass on the 1st ressie & then purchase a single base ticket for our 2nd ressie since we are on the FD package. It would be $86 more per person, but we could use the extra base tix at a later date. Bottom line, splitting resorts came to about $700 less than all nights at the Boardwalk.

We did the split stay last time. We were only there 5 nights. We were going to sea world 2 days so we didn't want to commit to dining plan for both parts of the trip (we were paying for it). Anyway, I didn't see any problem with it being so short at each hotel.

We love CSR. We enjoyed AK. Didn't care too much for CR. And haven't tried any of the other deluxes.

One thought about buying the tickets to get the free dining at both - you are then commited to the price of tickets that you might never use. You might for some weird reason never go back. But you also might always be purchasing 'discounted' packages, and would be having to buy tickets for those anyway.

[beth_cam]

I also wanted to add about the room discounts. savings are showing up on the website at around 100/night. Depending on your group size, this may or may not be more than the cost of DP if you were to buy it. If you want to do the split stay, this may benefit you instead of buying the extra package with more tickets, you could pay by the meal. But this ofcourse depends on how much you would spend if you weren't on DP.

ex: Standard rooms on oct 4; rack rate = 380; discounted = 269

[BC]

and we do lots of character meals and nice sit down restaurants, so I think we would come out better with the dining plan. I guess I can just keep hoping for one of the new pin codes that covers dining and the 40% discount!

[bwilcox]

I don't think the free dining promotion will work very well with a split stay. You would have to make two separate reservations, which means you will have to buy the first (most expensive) day of your tickets twice. Make sense? I like split stays because I like experiencing more than one resort. You may try the room only promotion and just pay for dining oop-that way came out cheaper for us.

[BC]

it doesn't start until 10/4 and we leave on 10/3, so I would not get a discount at all for the first night. Guess I could still call and price it out that way.

[beth_cam]

there is a code through the 3, and another starting the 4th.

and maybe i'm missing somehting, but you would want the room only on the more expensive hotel for there to be a good discount and you would want it to be the second part of the stay so that you would already have tickets from the package

[Disney Lovin' Grammy]

While I haven't stayed at Boardwalk or Coronado Springs, I say you are lucky to still be able to go and $2,000 is a huge difference. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Enjoy and just think about all the extra money you now have.

[LindyN]

I LOVE CSR!!! You're not making a mistake.

No creepy clown pool at CSR. beautiful landscaping and decent bus service. Can't walk to theme parks, but it will still be a wonderful trip.

[BC]

book the first 3 nights at Coronado Springs under the Free Dining pin and then the last 3 nights at the Boardwalk under the room only code? If I get the tix under the first ressie, can I get a 6 day park hopper on a ressie that is only for 3 nights?

[nurse.darcy]

My honest opinions:

1. I have stayed at the Boardwalk. It is not my favorite resort. If I could save 2k staying at a mod I would jump on that.

2. Have never stayed at CSR. My mods are POR and POFQ. Love love love both of these resorts.

3. If it cost me 2k more to stay at AKL, I would be all over that in a heartbeat. . .but that is an entirely different story.

4. I have taken a taxi several times from POFQ to Boardwalk and it was about 6 to 8 bucks. Take your savings. Take a taxi to the beach or yacht club on Epcot days, go through the back entrance and enjoy.

5. World Showcase does not open before future world so going in the main entrance is kind of a plus. You will already be there when world showcase opens and you can get to your "choice" of booth at Food and Wine early. The walk is not as long as people make it out to be and you can do it at your leisure.

6. Split Stays: Did one in August 08 from POR to Boardwalk. I was so disappointed with Boardwalk (other than the size of the room, though I must say that the whole trip was kind of a letdown for me for personal reasons that have nothing to do with Disney or Resorts) that I would have preferred to stay at POR. I have had 2 trips to Port Orleans since then. One at Riverside and one at French Quarter.

I love going deluxe, but I also like saving money. My entire trip with 4 "adults", a savannah view room and 7 day park hoppers was only $2800. Saving 2k I would have gladly downgraded to POR or POFQ. . .(p.s.; by "adults" I meant two actual adults and two teens)

[snykymom]

book the first 3 nights at Coronado Springs under the Free Dining pin and then the last 3 nights at the Boardwalk under the room only code? If I get the tix under the first ressie, can I get a 6 day park hopper on a ressie that is only for 3 nights?
Your park hopper ticket on a package is not tied to the length of stay. (It used to be.) You can get a 1 day or a 10 day; Disney doesn't care anymore. Or you can just get a 3 day with your reservation and then add days to it once you're there. Doesn't matter.

The downside to a split stay (other than having to move) is also psychological. Are you going to spend the first 3 days in a "holding pattern" until you get to Boardwalk, so that you will without question not enjoy CSR? A sort of "it's only 2 more days until Boardwalk!" mentality? If so, I'd advise not doing a split stay. Why spend the money at CSR if you're not going to be happy about it? You may feel like you're only getting a 3 day vacation.

If, on the other hand, you can look at the CSR stay as a vacation on its own, you may be OK.

[BC]

between AKL & Boardwalk. Actually, it was like having 2 vacations. We only stayed at AKL for 3 nights & 6 at the Boardwalk. I am still thinking of splitting this trip also, but it seems so messy trying to figure out the least expensive route. If I do part of it on the Room Code only, then we pay for meals those days, which would probably offset any savings. Geez, my brain is tired!

[beth_cam]

You get a greater $ savings per night on a delux room than a moderate room when using a room discount code. So if trying to keep costs down you should use the room code on board walk. As previously posted, you can get whatever length of tix you want (up to 10 i think). So then if you are trying to do a split stay there is no reason to make both parts a package unless you want the dining plan the entire time. This saves you having to buy tickets 2x. So since you will want to use the room code on the more expensive room, you would then want to do the free dining room on the cheaper room. This means that at CSR you would be getting a package including tix and free ddp. And, to keep from buying 2 sets of tickets, you would do CSR first so that you can get long enough tix for your entire stay. I hope that made sense.

I can help you figure out the costs if i knew your specifics. But I'll show you some numbers based on standard rooms, 2 adults, 6 nights, 6 day base tickets, travel october 3-9. This is an example only. Different numbers of guests, qty of rooms, room type, will all effect the totals and which costs less to. In order of least immediate cost. All except the one that is only BW are 6 day tickets at CS

6nights at CS rack rate with free dining $1796. (king)
3nights at CSfree ddp 1055 + 3 nights BW w/disc 908= 1963
3nights at CS free ddp 1055 + 3@ BW w/disc +DDP (1day ticket) 1310 = 2465
3nights at CS free ddp 1055 + 3 @ BW free ddp (1 day ticket) 1445 = $2500
6 nights at BW rack rate with free dining $3047

Since I don't know your group size or type of room, how many rooms it is hard to make this accurate for you. If you work out something like this with your specifics and lay them side by side you can see it a little better. Or let me know about your group and I can help. As I said this is based on immediate cost. You would have to look into what you will actually be spending.



Also I'm not sure but it sounds like terms are being confused, so just incase I thought I'd address that. Whenever they put out a new special they assign various codes for which type of package a guest can order. This code simply tells them that. A pin-code is a code that you must have a pin number to be able to use. this makes 'sure' that only the specific people they sent the deal to can use it - like having to have a pin number to use an atm card. Public codes (the ones you see on here and mousesavers and the like) are not pin codes; anyone can use them so there is no pin required to access them.

[huey578]

Coronado is my favorite moderate... great choice!

[BC]

We have 4 adults in one room with 6 day park hoppers and free dining pin I got in the mail (not the general public one). I had a waterview room for 6 nights at the Boardwalk Inn and was quoted $4753.56. Also, I had not added insurance when I booked Boardwalk. When I called back and changed to Coronado Springs-waterview room under the same pin code, adding insurance, it's $2962.88. I asked about splitting the stay and the CM said I would have to add a one day base ticket to the 2nd ressie if I did that and it would be $86 per person more for the base ticket. I did not understand why I can't just book a 3 night stay at one with a 3 day ticket and the same at the other. The others in my family want to split the stay, but I'm not sure it would be worth it if it's not gonna really save me 3 nights rate at the Boardwalk vs CS.

[WUVmyDISNEY]

If the decision is based purely on finances, then you have made the right decision. Of course, our Disney trip decisions aren't only finance based as we all know. I think if it will make you sad not to be at BW, but you are wanting to save some money, then you should at least do the split. I am doing a split on only a 6 night stay and I've done it before and was fine with it. When doing the DP, I dont think it is worth the split if you want FD for the entire trip. I would do as a PP mentioned.....get the ticket and FD at your first hotel choice, then move on to BW without the FD. Because I am doing a split this time, I have decided on no DP. I did the DP on my other split with only having it on my first hotel. It's just throwing money away to have to purchase another 1 day ticket for each person in the party, to me, it's like giving the money away for nothing. Anywayyyyy...personally I think you need to stay where you will be happiest. I would hate for you to have regrets for your Disney trip! I originally was booked at Caribe Royale with a great great rate. They have scheduled bus service and it is all completely refurbed, just about a 5 minute drive or scheduled bus from Epcot. I just kept wishing I was staying onsite so I wrote it all out on paper, justified in my mind a good portion of the extra cost to stay at BW/GF split and I am much happier now lol

[beth_cam]

4 adults, water view (either hotel), 6 day park hoppers, 10/3-10/9, no insurance. Using public free dining code. I'm having trouble getting CSR to come up so I'm using CB since the $$ should be the same.

6nights at CS rack rate with free dining $2695.08
3nights at CSfree ddp 1936+ 3 nights BW w/disc 1414= 3350
3nights at CS free ddp 1936 + 3 @ BW free ddp (1 day ticket) 2113 = $4149
3nights at CS free ddp 1936 + 3@ BW w/disc +DDP (1day ticket) 2218 = 4254
6 nights at BW rack rate with free dining $4754


Hoping I got these right. It's getting late.

So you can see where each one falls. You will need to think about where the savings are and what is worth it. Is 600 savings enough to split stay and have 4 one day tickets left over? Can the four of you eat for 3 days on little enough so that the 1400 dollar difference between 6 nights at BW and the split is enough of a savings? Where are you going to be happy with the money you are spending.

Personally I love CSR but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to spend enough time at the resort to justify the cost (but I do it anyway) much less going to a delux. But I do so understand the want to do it if you can afford it. We are taking a short trip for my birthday to a very delux hotel elswhere just to hang out at the resort. I hope I don't get spoiled.

btw something I thought about on another one of your threads - The bar at CSR has a dress code. 'Park attire' (we were wearing jeans and sweatshirts) were not allowed.

[BC]

I will get with the others in our group and decide. BTW, what do you mean by "park attire"? Doesn't jeans & sweatshirts fall in that category?

[beth_cam]

I meant they wouldn't let us in. We weren't shabby just not dressy or business dressed.

[BC]

I didn't think there was anything at a moderate that required a dress code. Glad you told me.

[beth_cam]

Totally shocked us!! We went out about 11:15. Early enough they weren't just trying to close up. There were only a couple in there. And they were adament that we were not getting in. it's not like we were in tank tops shorts and flip flops.

[BC]

Why can't I go with the free dining plan for 3 nights at the Coronado Springs with a 6 day park hopper and then just get a 3 night stay at the Boardwalk with the room only discount and no tickets. Can you not stay at a Disney hotel unless you purchase park tickets? I have read of folks spending the weekend at these resorts just to hang out by the pool and relax for a weekend.

[Rosanne]

I surely think you could. I thought someone else mentioned this as well. Well, then again, I forget what I've read a lot. If for some strange reason there was a problem getting more days initially on your ticket, you can always go to guest services at any park and have the other days added on.

[beth_cam]

Why can't I go with the free dining plan for 3 nights at the Coronado Springs with a 6 day park hopper and then just get a 3 night stay at the Boardwalk with the room only discount and no tickets. Can you not stay at a Disney hotel unless you purchase park tickets? I have read of folks spending the weekend at these resorts just to hang out by the pool and relax for a weekend.


You can do it. That was the second option in the list I gave you. Totalling 3350

[BC]

Don't know why I was thinking there were tickets involved with that one. However, on the 4th item on the list it shows getting the room with the discount and adding the dining plan and also a 1 day ticket. Why do I have to get the one day ticket if I am paying for the dining plan? Hope I am not getting on your nerves with all my questions. I really appreciate your help.

[beth_cam]

Dining plan can only be added on to a package, not purchased separately. To have a package you must have room and tickets.

[loperella]

I kept thinking about the $2,000 difference between them & knowing my frugal husband would prefer to save the difference, I just called & changed my ressie from a Boardwalk view at the Inn to a waterview at Coronado Springs. I really love the Boardwalk Inn, but my husband kept saying he would do it, but he just couldn't see spending 2 grand more to stay at the Boardwalk. Anyway, now I feel sad. I know with the Food & Wine festival, I am going to be bummed knowing we could be right around the corner from Epcot and within walking distance. Hope Coronado Springs is just as wonderful.

WoW! Looks like you've gotten tons of excellent tips/ideas/suggestions.

It looks like you're going to be there during FWF and I'd say go with your gut on this one. There are always going to be +'s/-'s about each place and you can analyze til you're paralyzed. The thing is, with MNSSHP, F & W, AND F/D, rooms are getting 'scarce' and your choices will soon be made for you, due to limitations on what is still available.

I can see advantages to the $2000----but also could see being in a funk because I'm not truly at the resort/location that I'd be happy at. Not knowing your finances, you'll just have to be the judge of will you really miss the $$$ or not? :confused3

If you do go with CSR, I'd for one ditch the $ for the cost of water view. I'd maybe do a split stay starting with CSR, (free dining) get park tickets for entire length of stay and then pick # of nights with % room disc. @ BW or get ya' a good rate at Swalphin and just OOP.

Also, as I highlighted in red above in your original post, if it's going to make your stay less "enjoyable", just kiss the $$$ good-bye & go to BW! Only you know what your're comfortable with spending.

Good luck on whatever you decide & let us know! :thumbsup2