worth $600 more? suite over reg. room?

[ZanyToes]

Okay, I switched my reservation from POLY (sniff sniff) to a family suite at all star music today. It saved me $400! (DH's biz. has really slowed down lately so I'm trying to cut a bit of cost out.. also canceled our deluxe dining which saved us $600 mroe) However, a regular room at a value would be about $600 less.

1- DH doesn't really like Disney World.. he puts up with it to make us happy. Our last vacation was to the smoky mountains where we had a cabin.. so we had our own room. DH enjoyed our trip much more because of that. we had more privacy, AND we didn't have to go to bed right when the kids did (or hide in the bathroom until they feel asleep.. otherwise they just sit there and talk to us)

2- the kitchenette would be great, I know we'll have leftovers at every dinner and I plan to bring breakfast stuff for us to save some money (and if my kids don't eat right when they wake up they are VERY cranky)

So, stick with that or save $600 and do a regular room at a value?

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Have you considered a FW Cabin? Maybe you and your DH would like one of them a little better since they are spacious and they fall under the "Moderate" Category. If it's available during your time frame, maybe it would come out close to the cost of a suite at ASM?

Worth a try! Let us know how it works out.

 

[greenpea89]

I would vote to stick with the suite and make up some of the $600- difference by utilizing the kitchenette and eating breakfast, snacks, and some other meals in the Family Suite. I just feel that given what you've said about your husband that he would have a MUCH better time in a little more space and when you add a bit of privacy into the equation it seems like the hands down winner. Who knows - he may actually end up liking WDW a little more.
Have a great trip!!

 

[prncess674]

You will also have TWO bathrooms at the ASMu family suite. Having some adult space and an adult bathroom will help too.

 

[Tara922c]

Here's how I would look at it. Does the 600 dollars mean that you are going to have to give up anything else? Last year we were staying at POR, we found a deal for a little more to stay at SSR, so we dropped the meal plan, and switched there. (we thought we would bring our own snacks and things like that). Then when we arrived to our room, I opened the door to what was supposed to be a suite, but turned out to be a one bedroom. DH yelled suprise, but what he didn't tell me is we went from 1500 spending money with the meal plan, down to 900 with NO MEAL PLAN. Although our room was lovely, although I really enjoyed the space, watching every penny on vacation SUCKED! We had to cancel an ADR because we really didn't have anymore spending money, and didn't want to go over budget. This year, DH is planning better because he didn't realise how much everything cost at DIS. We are doing the meal plan, and bringing more! If your still going to have plenty of money to take the trip, then I would say stick with the suite.

 

[Sandisw]

I say stay with the suite. The values are small and if you are used to staying in rooms at the deluxe resorts, you will feel really cramped.

If your DH isn't a huge fan of Disney anyway, squeezing him in the room with no place to unwind might not be worth it, at least IMO.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[avic77]

Price out Fort Wilderness Cabins. Your Dh sounds like mine. Year before last we did Disney all 5 in a POR room with trundle. It sucked! Last year we went to Universal and did an offsite condo (needed updates but was cheap and comfy) we were all MUCH happier and easier to get up and into the parks each morning. Feb we are going back to Disney after alot of begging on my part. DH wants to stay onsite and do DDP because thats all he liked about Disney (not driving and not worrying about finding a place to eat outside the park and paying OOP for food). I knew POR was not an option so i priced out All Start Music suites, 2 all star connecting rooms, and the Cabin. 2 rooms where about $200 less then a suite and a suite about $50 less then a cabin. I brought all 3 options to my husband with a list of pros and cons for each one.
2 rooms: Can be crowded since its cheer dance week and its a value resort, shared bus with all values resorts, double beds, no fridge, Food Court fun themeing lowest price, possibly not getting "connected" rooms
Suite: All the kids beds are pull outs (which is why he said no to this one), 2 bathrooms micro fridge but same bus busy issues as the 2 rooms
Cabins: more expensive but room to spread out, resort ground very spread out, and more buses to deal with no food court, Kitchen with full size fridge.
You get the point. He decided to spend the extra and go for the cabins. I hope since he picked where to stay he will be better able to enjoy himself.
We are going to put kids in the room and us adults sleep on the Murphy bed since its the same size as the bedroom bed.

 

[tony67]

If you have kids it is well worth the 600 IMO.

The standard rooms are very tight and you really have to go to sleep when the kids do.

You also do not have the benefit of the kitchen, fridge , coffee maker etc...

Would it be worth downgrading to the QSDP from the DDP especially since you have a kitchenette?
It would save you a lot in tips and extras and reduce the stress of going to a certain park at a certain time for a meal.


I am in the same boat as your husband this year and to save money stayed at the CSR and got the QSDP.
Had I got the DDP I know I would have spent a lot more on tips, drinks and appetizers.
I was very surprised at how good the CS food was, it is not just burgers and hot dogs.

 

[Sue M]

I'd stick to the suite, I think DH would be miserable in a small value room. And no coffee maker or fridge. And get the regular DDP rather than the Deluxe. At any rate, I'd def. get a DDP, either basic or the QSP.
Another thought is to book at AKL or WL, still a deluxe, but sig. cheaper then Poly, and you'd have a balcony to sit on, getting away from the kids trying to sleep. Good luck with your plans.

 

[christinec68]

I say stay with the suite. The values are small and if you are used to staying in rooms at the deluxe resorts, you will feel really cramped.

If your DH isn't a huge fan of Disney anyway, squeezing him in the room with no place to unwind might not be worth it, at least IMO.

Have a great trip!!!

I agree with Sandisw.

Saving $600 sounded great until you said would have to hide in the bathroom until the kids are asleep.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

A garden wing standard room at the Contemporary costs about the same as the ASMu family suite if you would like to stay closer to the MK and on the monorail. If you got a first floor, you and your DH could hang out on the patio instead of the bathroom Edited to say that the price comparison is for end of July/beginning of August when CR is at value season for when I priced it all out for our vacation!

 

[Rosanne]

Or.... if DH really doesn't like Disney he could stay home and you could just get a standard room. My exDH didn't like Disney and it was so blatantly clear that it took the magic out of any trips he took with us. Does your DH really want to go at all? Is he pleasant to be around at Disney despite not being a big fan?

 

[SRICE100]

Go with the suite.

My DH is like yours- likes the privacy. Now that we have started to stay in suites and in 1 bedrooms when we travel to Disney and other spots, he hates to be all in one room.

When we can unwind and relax at night and not worry about waking the kids it makes the vacation so much better- which is the whole point!!

 

[FINFAN]

I would stay with the suite as well, eating breakfast in the room alone would save about 15-20 each day, so knock that off your difference. You mention the timing of eating breakfast right away...so having that ability in the suites for a HOT breakfast asap is going to make your trip smoother right off the bat. We love the food courts at the values...all the theming! Thegrounds at ASMU are very lush, not as much as the Poly but more so than say, CR. The main pool is huge and thatisi a plus over the Polynesian, also the location of the suites is pretty nice in such a large resort.The time savings of having 2 bathrooms? Priceless, time is money, especially at WDW! It is a vacation after all, and while $$ is always a consideration, your want to spend your $$$ wisely in the quality of what you are purchasing.If more room is going to make/break the trip, yes, it is worth $600 to stay with the wuites IMHO.
Have a great trip!

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

I am going to add my vote for the Family Suite at ASMusic. We stayed at ASMusic in a standard room over spring break and it felt crowded for the 3 of us. I don't even think 2 people could fit in that bathroom to hide IMO That being said, it is a very fun resort and the Family Suites look like they are a perfect option for families needing a bit more space. Someone earlier mentioned the cabins at Fort Wilderness and that seem like a good compromise considering DH liked the cabin in the SMokey Mountains. There is a lot to do at that resort that he might enjoy. Good luck with your decison!

 

[ZanyToes]

thanks guys! Sorry I didn't reply sooner.. my sister had her first baby this morning so I've been sitting in waiting rooms all day long.

I think I'm sticking with the suite.. just sounds like it will work best for us.

We shouldn't have to sacrifice anything spending wise for that.. I'll just have less to spend around here for a month or two LOL. I am for sure sticking with the dining plan.. that was his fav. part of our trip last time. :0

 

[christinec68]

thanks guys! Sorry I didn't reply sooner.. my sister had her first baby this morning so I've been sitting in waiting rooms all day long.

Congratulations!!!!!!

 

[ARmomof2]

We are in the same boat! We were at ASMu in a suite, but moved to POR to save money with the 4/3 deal. Now I am regretting giving up my suite. I think 6 days in that room with 4 people (me, DH, DD3, DD1) may be a bit much. I called to price out WL and it was $600 more. I may call to check on the Cabins. I was just unsure about the distance to buses etc. with 2 little ones. I don't want to rent the cart and dig an even deeper hole.

 

[Elmo888]

We are in the same boat! We were at ASMu in a suite, but moved to POR to save money with the 4/3 deal. Now I am regretting giving up my suite. I think 6 days in that room with 4 people (me, DH, DD3, DD1) may be a bit much. I called to price out WL and it was $600 more. I may call to check on the Cabins. I was just unsure about the distance to buses etc. with 2 little ones. I don't want to rent the cart and dig an even deeper hole.

FYI, I didn't find WL rooms very big with a 6 yo and 2yo in a pack n play, so I wouldn't move there if you are looking for space. If you can't get a Family Suite (keep calling - one might open up), I'd check the cabins to have 2 rooms. That would be my next choice. I can't help with the golf cart situation as I've had the same concerns when considering the cabins.

Try posting on the camping board.

Have a great trip!

 

[JOEYDIS]

Okay, I switched my reservation from POLY (sniff sniff) to a family suite at all star music today. It saved me $400! (DH's biz. has really slowed down lately so I'm trying to cut a bit of cost out.. also canceled our deluxe dining which saved us $600 mroe) However, a regular room at a value would be about $600 less.

1- DH doesn't really like Disney World.. he puts up with it to make us happy. Our last vacation was to the smoky mountains where we had a cabin.. so we had our own room. DH enjoyed our trip much more because of that. we had more privacy, AND we didn't have to go to bed right when the kids did (or hide in the bathroom until they feel asleep.. otherwise they just sit there and talk to us)

2- the kitchenette would be great, I know we'll have leftovers at every dinner and I plan to bring breakfast stuff for us to save some money (and if my kids don't eat right when they wake up they are VERY cranky)

So, stick with that or save $600 and do a regular room at a value?

Sometimes two value rooms are cheaper than the Family suite. One adult booked in each room with the kids split. Request connecting rooms and sleep adults in one room and kids in the other. That way mom and dad can have privacy and two bathrooms. The family suites don't have real beds for everyone just one queen size and pull outs for the rest. I have booked this for people and they liked it