Another "help me pick" question...

[Gibbygirl]

I normally cringe at these posts, but now here I am looking for help. Thinking of a June trip for myself & DD9. This will be our 4th trip in 5 years but first time without DH & DS. As a family we have stayed at ASMU, CBR & CSR (in that order.) I'm thinking value for this trip since it's just the two of us & we don't really need the extra space + double beds are fine. I think a value fits better in the budget. DH thinks we should spend a little extra ($200-300 more) for a moderate. Even though he isn't going, he thinks we would be happier with the bus situation (he has bad memories of crowded buses from ASMU!) as well as the over crowded pools from ASMU. My problem is, if we go moderate, I would like to try POR & it's $400 more than any value. (POFQ would be nice too, but it's $500 more & I can't justify that.) We loved CBR & CSR but I like the idea of trying somewhere new. Plus, our weeks at those were so wonderful, I'm afraid if we return & it doesn't meet those memories, I'll be let down. Sounds silly, I know, but I want to keep those great memories & not have my experiences there tainted by a return trip that doesn't duplicate what I remember. I've also looked into the Swan (no availability at the Dolphin for our dates.) It would be about $400 more when you add in the Mears shuttle to/from the airport & the nightly hotel fee. Not doing a dining plan so that isn't an issue. SO--I guess my question is--tell me why we should or shouldn't spend the extra to stay at a moderate/Swan & especially if we should really spend the extra to stay at POR or the Swan. It would take A LOT of convincing to go that route as I can think of a lot of other things to spend the extra $400 on...but I'm open to ideas & friendly discussion! Thanks so much!

 

[Mama Moose]

I am taking my girls by myself in June also. We thought DH and his brother and SIL were going to join us, but it looks like it will just be the 3 of us now. I had the same question, Pop, CSR or POR. I have booked us at POR because of recommendations from my TA's office. I had wanted CSR, but wasn't sure there would be enough shade at the pool on a June afternoon. Also, POR has the boat to DTD and good food court reviews.
We have stayed at Pop in the past and were fine with it, but we wanted a pool with a waterslide.
My opinion would be to stay at Pop if you will never be in the room. If you will be spending time at the resort, upgrade, especially if your DH wants you to. You want to make him happy, don't you!!

Have fun!!

 

[Gibbygirl]

Ugh! I've been reading all the resort specific threads & pouring over pictures and videos trying to decide. I've changed my mind 100 times! I would really like to try POR, but can't justify the extra $400 to do so. DH is tired of hearing about it and just wants me to get it booked! After re-figuring, the Swan is out as it would be almost $600 more by the time we add in park tickets, shuttle & nightly hotel fee (that's even with my teacher discount!) Of the values, I am mostly considering POP. My concern there is the number of rooms + just the one bus stop. That's A LOT of people trying to get on the buses each time. I also remember the pool at ASMU being so crowded it was hard to find any real swimming space. POR is $200+ more than CBR or CSR which is an easier jump, until I think about it being $400+ over POP. Between the 3 we've been to (ASMU, CBR & CSR) DD is voting CBR, but she hasn't looked at the pictures of any of the other options. I'm still open to suggestions or reasons why to pick one over the other...if anyone is interested in sharing...

 

[Bon]

I went down a few years back with my DD who at the time was 12. We stayed at a preferred room at POP and we had a excellent experience while there. The preferred room we were in was in a great location, we ate in the food court a few times w/out any problems, bus service was more than adequate and the theme appealed to my daughter. Now - would I stay there when I go with DH? Nope. The theming would never appeal to him and we love love love POFQ.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Well, if you want to stick to your budget, there may be a possibility that you could book one of the Little Mermaid rooms at the new art of animation, which is a value room. There is limited availability, so they may or may not be available for your dates in June. In your shoes - this is wear I would choose to go. Another idea, is to rent points from a DVC member. The going rate is $11 to 12 per point, and there are some value studios at AKL, and studios at OKW that may be in your budget. POR is great, but if CBR is $200 less, then go with that.

 

[jude&jonah]

I vote for one of the following:

1. POR and just pay and it don't look back

2. Pop Century- I think this is a fun resort for a little girl and you haven't done it yet- usually I hear people like it a lot more than the All Stars ones.

3. little mermaid room at AoA. You could put a spin on this in your mind that even though it's a value- it's the newest resort and would be really fun to stay somewhere brand new.

That's my vote- I think if you are feeling really sick about upgrading 400.00- turn that option off in your head and choose a great value and put your money towards some great meals with your dd.

Ps. I agree with you in not liking to repeat hotels if I can help it!

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

we've stayed at Pop twice and our kids love it, I think your DD would like it as well, but if she is into alot of the Disney characters, you might want to give ASmo a try as well, they loved the big Woody and Buzz. We liked ASmu ok,but wasn't a fav to us...in two days we'll be at ASsp for the first time so can't really comment on that yet,they both play sports so thought it would be nice.
Overall so far though I'd say in order Pop, ASmo,ASsp(only cause of theme) then Asmu..but my dream one is to one day stay at POR

 

[jennabcassell]

I did the same thing you are thinking about. My ds and I go often by ourselves since my husband travels for work. We often stay at the values and CB. I decided to switch it up once and stay at POR. I was very disappointed. After staying and loving values and CB, POR didn't seem 'Disney' enough. It was very subtle in theming, very set back in the woods, and not my style- or the style we were used to. The pool was great as well as the slide but not enough to justify $400 again. I personally would stay at POP or we even love ASMovies as well. Since you and your family have not stayed at Movies before you won't be comparing it to other memories. Get a preferred room and save the $400 towards your next whole family trip! If you know that you enjoy the atmosphere of these resorts, then go with what you know!

 

[Gibbygirl]

All good comments--thanks! For those of you who are number crunchers, the difference between POR & POP is $355.20. POR & ASMO=$252.15. POR & CBR=$147.63. POR & AOA=$28.37 (!) That makes it easy to jump from AOA & CBR to POR, but less easy to go from ASMO or especially POP. $355.20 would buy a lot of Mickey ice cream bars!

 

[fla4fun]

I think I would go for Pop or a Mermaid room at AOA. I don't think you will have trouble with transportation there, and there will be lots to explore and see that will be all new.

While personally I would probably do the upgrade to a moderate, I have stayed at value resorts when the budget was a consideration, and I haven't had a bad time at one yet. If saving the money means you can do other fun things on your trip, and if you aren't planning on spending a lot of down time at the resort, then why pay the extra for the upgrade.

I will say that the worst bus experience I've had at WDW was at POR. Our room was close to the last stop and there were several times that buses just didn't stop because they were already full of passengers. I've always stayed at POFQ since then because they are the first on/off of the PO buses.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I second that... I would do Pop or AoA. The buses won't be as bad as All Star. Plus I don't think the mods are going to give you $400/$500 worth of extra enjoyment.

 

[danceintherain]

Ugh! I've been reading all the resort specific threads & pouring over pictures and videos trying to decide. I've changed my mind 100 times! I would really like to try POR, but can't justify the extra $400 to do so. DH is tired of hearing about it and just wants me to get it booked! After re-figuring, the Swan is out as it would be almost $600 more by the time we add in park tickets, shuttle & nightly hotel fee (that's even with my teacher discount!) Of the values, I am mostly considering POP. My concern there is the number of rooms + just the one bus stop. That's A LOT of people trying to get on the buses each time. I also remember the pool at ASMU being so crowded it was hard to find any real swimming space. POR is $200+ more than CBR or CSR which is an easier jump, until I think about it being $400+ over POP. Between the 3 we've been to (ASMU, CBR & CSR) DD is voting CBR, but she hasn't looked at the pictures of any of the other options. I'm still open to suggestions or reasons why to pick one over the other...if anyone is interested in sharing...

Yes, but with everyone waiting at the same bus stop, you know exactly how many people are trying to get on the bus. At other places, you could get on first, then end up being crunched in when 100 more people get on elsewhere.

Ultimately, don't listen to your husband, because he's not going. If you're having a hard time stomaching the extra money to stay in a Moderate, then stay in a Value. You're right...$200-400 is a lot of money.
It really depends on what is most important to you. If I was going on a Mother-Daughter(Son) trip, I'd probably go with a Value, because the space wouldn't be as much of an issue. I haven't minded the buses on any of my trips though.

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Just as an aside--if you are worried about the buses, by staying at POP you could easily rent a car with the savings and still have $ left over