Yikes!

[monkeybug]

Too many choices and I'm no good at choosing!! With Disney resorts I can change my mind a half dozen times in two months and be fine, but I'm thinking of using AFVC and after I pay I'm stuck!
I'm trying to choose between staying at Silver Lake for $329 (for a week) Bonnet Creek (for about 1200 a week) or SOG (unless disney offers 40% off again and then maybe the Poly)
Help me narrow it down! Tell me about your experience. Is silver lake worth the huge savings or is it dumpy? What about Summer Bay?
Thanks!!

 

[LisaZ1113]

Too many choices and I'm no good at choosing!! With Disney resorts I can change my mind a half dozen times in two months and be fine, but I'm thinking of using AFVC and after I pay I'm stuck!
I'm trying to choose between staying at Silver Lake for $329 (for a week) Bonnet Creek (for about 1200 a week) or SOG (unless disney offers 40% off again and then maybe the Poly)
Help me narrow it down! Tell me about your experience. Is silver lake worth the huge savings or is it dumpy? What about Summer Bay?
Thanks!!

Maybe look these up on Tripadvisor.com?

They will most likely have more reviews...

Good luck!

 

[monkeybug]

Maybe look these up on Tripadvisor.com?

They will most likely have more reviews...

Good luck!

Oh I did! That's how I narrowed it down to Bonnet Creek and Silver lake. I was just hoping to get the perspective of some fellow disney nuts who know all the ins and outs of a Disney vacation. We have only ever stayed on site, and my husband is VERY reluctant to go with out the dining plan, but I'm thinking that all that extra space would be nice, and at $329 a week that's less than one night at the Poly. We have high expectations from our last trip though and I don't want to feel like I'm staying at a super 8 either. I guess one of the perks of staying on site is that it is much easier to narrow down the choices! Trip adviser is a dangerous place when you can't make up your mind! Every time I think I have it figured out I click on that little "what's nearby" tab and all of a sudden there are more choices!! Eeek! We are thinking of going in Feb. but I doubt I'll have my mind made up by then! I want to stay somewhere that feels like a resort, not a hotel, it's easier to feel vacationy that way!
I need to join over researchers anonymous or something!

 

[pbmouseman]

I've never stayed at Bonnet Creek, but I toured the property a few years ago. It was very nice and spacious (compared to the room we had at the Grosvenor resort). I would have switched to BC immediately, but they didn't have availability at that time. Next month we'll be trying our first WDW Resort stay, with dining. My opinion going in is that it isn't worth the extra money to stay at a Disney resort, but I'm open to having my mind changed, and I'd like to see if the Disney experience is worth the extra $$$. If I'm less than thrilled with this trip, I wouldn't hesitate to give Bonnet Creek a try.

 

[Sue M]

I have heard good things about Bonnett Creek, and it's location is great.
Any off site resort I think you would have to factor in a car rental which will add $. Although Bonnett Creek isn't a WDW hotel it is in WDW, and I think their shuttle service would be decent.
Were you aware that WDW has a new promo out? Gift cards. I think depending on the resort category you get a $300 - $750 WDW gift card with booking. Instead of adding DDP, you could use this for food!

 

[Sue M]

I didn't notice SOG is an option for you too! I would choose SOG, location, location, location! And you're near TTC for easy transp. options. My second choice would be Bonnett Creek. Staying off site would be a very distant 3rd choice!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'd go with SOG too. Plus you can cancel that as long as you are 30 days out and by then you will know if Disney will offer the 40% off.

 

[monkeybug]

I've never stayed at Bonnet Creek, but I toured the property a few years ago. It was very nice and spacious (compared to the room we had at the Grosvenor resort). I would have switched to BC immediately, but they didn't have availability at that time. Next month we'll be trying our first WDW Resort stay, with dining. My opinion going in is that it isn't worth the extra money to stay at a Disney resort, but I'm open to having my mind changed, and I'd like to see if the Disney experience is worth the extra $$$. If I'm less than thrilled with this trip, I wouldn't hesitate to give Bonnet Creek a try.

Oh I bet you'll love the Poly!! In my own personal opinion it's not worth the full rack rate, but at a discount I would stay there! In fact if Disney offers the 40% off rooms and ability to buy the dining plan like last year we will probably spend at least part of our stay there. You can't beat the convenience of having access to the MK and Epcot with the monorail, the beach area is lovely, and the Poly has real coffee!!!! And sushi!!!! And Ohana is one of our favs. (don't even know where we are staying but I already have dinner ressies for Ohana!)
It's so hard to decide!! Save money and stay with AFVC, stay at SOG and be closer to the action, or stay at Bonnet Creek and have all that space (and a lazy river!) Or cross my fingers and really hope that Disney let's me buy the dining plan with military tickets and stay at Disney resorts.
Or stay at Summer bay, or the hilton, or the Omni, or....

 

[monkeybug]

I'd go with SOG too. Plus you can cancel that as long as you are 30 days out and by then you will know if Disney will offer the 40% off.

OK I just went to SOG site and for the dates we are going I could get 25% off! That's only 600 and something a week! I'm sure even with out the dining plan that's one heck of a deal for the location!
My only concern is that I have read some of the rooms are out dated. I am sort of a hotel snob...I don't know why because I'm not wealthy or anything, but when I'm on vacation I want to feel like I'm on VACATION! And the pool looks blah...but I guess I could add water park tickets to make up for that...
Is Florida water park friendly in late Feb?

 

[pbmouseman]

Oh I bet you'll love the Poly!! In my own personal opinion it's not worth the full rack rate, but at a discount I would stay there! In fact if Disney offers the 40% off rooms and ability to buy the dining plan like last year we will probably spend at least part of our stay there. You can't beat the convenience of having access to the MK and Epcot with the monorail, the beach area is lovely, and the Poly has real coffee!!!! And sushi!!!! And Ohana is one of our favs. (don't even know where we are staying but I already have dinner ressies for Ohana!)

I'm sure we'll love it...I'm just trying to lower my expectations so that I'll really be wowed. Because of our family size (6), we either need a suite, two rooms, or a villa. We're bringing my in-laws this year, so we opted for two rooms at the Poly. Being on the monorail is a huge bonus for us, but we also like our space. It sounds like BLT would be a great option for us (no availablity for this trip).

 

[monkeybug]

I'm sure we'll love it...I'm just trying to lower my expectations so that I'll really be wowed. Because of our family size (6), we either need a suite, two rooms, or a villa. We're bringing my in-laws this year, so we opted for two rooms at the Poly. Being on the monorail is a huge bonus for us, but we also like our space. It sounds like BLT would be a great option for us (no availablity for this trip).

Oh I totally know what you mean! For me everything is all about expectations!! Much better to expect mediocre and then be wowed, than to expect to be wowed and find it only mediocre.
Let me change what I told you before.
I think you might kinda' like the Poly. It's OK I guess...at least they have good coffee.
Really though it's not like the Ritz or anything, not what you would normally get for the price (but what Disney hotel is?) but very nice for the location and convenience!

 

[pbmouseman]

Let me change what I told you before.
I think you might kinda' like the Poly. It's OK I guess...at least they have good coffee.
Really though it's not like the Ritz or anything, not what you would normally get for the price (but what Disney hotel is?) but very nice for the location and convenience!

Great, what do I do now? I can't afford another upgrade.

 

[AGT001]

Good question..

 

[SilverMickey]

My Family LOVE LOVE LOVED Silver Lake Resort!

We talked to a woman (Cindy???) a few weeks before we got there and worked out our room request. Our Condo was huge, clean and the beds are to die for.

We only had to look across the back gate and there it is Disney property!

Maybe 7 minutes to the gates and Animal Kingdom!

We will go back for our next week long trip.