If we can't stay deluxe...

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Deluxe may be out of the question thanks to some unexpected home repairs for our upcoming July trip. So our hope of a Wilderness Lodge stay is looking like it won't be coming true.

I have concerns about avoiding the many tour groups that I have heard visit WDW during July. We've visited WDW many times, but never in summer. Do they usually stay value or mod?

DD would like to stay at ASMovies, DH is interested in POR, and I'm leaning CSR. DS says he's just happy to be going to Disney.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[macajack]

As I read your post my first thought was "I bet they wouldn't stay at the cabins in FW." No idea if this appeals to you, but we really had a great time there 2 years ago. If you have questions, just ask!

 

[bowbat]

What about Swan/Dolphin? You may be able to stay there for around the same price as a Mod.

 

[Shaden]

Deluxe may be out of the question thanks to some unexpected home repairs for our upcoming July trip. So our hope of a Wilderness Lodge stay is looking like it won't be coming true.

I have concerns about avoiding the many tour groups that I have heard visit WDW during July. We've visited WDW many times, but never in summer. Do they usually stay value or mod?

DD would like to stay at ASMovies, DH is interested in POR, and I'm leaning CSR. DS says he's just happy to be going to Disney.

Any advice is appreciated.

We LOVED our week at CSR last year. It is very tropical.

Being at CSR is very much like being at a resort down south, white sand beaches, beautiful pools, nice and quiet, amazing tropical landscaping.

We thought it was the best of both worlds, while at the resort it felt like you were on a resort vacation (with a couple touches of disney here and there) and at the same time, it was only a 10-20 bus ride to any of the parks so you could be at disney any time you wanted.

The Pool at CSR is also the Best at disney IMO, although we didn't tour all the Resorts, we did tour quite a few, Poly, GF, CR, BC, etc, and thought the pool at CSR was the best by far.

We are staying at POR this trip though, want to try it out, we were a little worried that POR wouldn't be as good as CSR, but after a lot of research we are excited to give it a try, only a little worried now

I am sure whatever you pick will be awesome, just wanted to share some love with CSR.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

From what I have heard the tour groups tend to stay at the values more, but stay at the mods sometime also. I guess it depends on the groups budget. I think you would be safe at a mod. The Swan/Dolphin is also an option - even though its not Disney - its still on property...

Good Luck and have a great trip!

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

In July there will be lots and lots of Brazilian tour groups. We have stayed at Pop Century three times in July for 10 days each trip and have never seen them there. It's very difficult to not notice them if they are there. I do know for a fact that they do stay at the All Stars.

 

[patty57]

Another vote to look into the Swan & Dolphin. You get deluxe accommodations, at a moderate price in WDW's best location (to me anyway). They also have a number of discounts you can look into...AAA, teacher, nurse. I would at least take a look if I were you.

 

[vicb]

We opted to stay CSR one trip when we needed two rooms vs. deluxe. That trip CSR was significantly less than S/D due to a great room only discount.

CSR is lovely. When we stayed the rooms were freshly redone and we stayed in the Castitas. Staff was friendly, landscaping pretty, bus transport pretty good, food options ok, great pool. But what we ultimately didn't care for was just location. We didn't like taking a bus everywhere, especially at night. We mostly have stayed in the Epcot area (Poly once) and loved being able to walk into Epcot at night for dinner. At CSR we felt we had to plan much more in terms of what we wanted to do at night, and had a couple of really late, not so pleasant bus trips back to the resort.

Last trip was adults only and we just needed one room, stayed at Dolphin and really liked it. We were there Easter week so Dolphin was a steal compared to a Disney hotel. Loved the location and amenities and would not hesitate to stay there again.

So if you can afford S/D I would recommend staying there but if not CSR is a nice moderate resort.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The Swan/Dolphin is an option I had forgotten about. We have stayed at the Dolphin before and liked it. We will be flying, so the inconvience of staying there is not having the ME.

I have considered the Cabins before for an extended family trip, but I don't see it for this trip.

CSR is the mod that appeals to me the most, since I have never stayed there. I have an AP so I'm hoping for some sort of discount for July. I'm hoping the kids will like it, but I could probably sell it on the looks of the pool alone. My only concern with CSR would be the possibility of many tour groups.

I think we will avoid Movies this time. DD really wants to stay in Dalmation Hall, but that can wait until a future trip.

 

[irishdancemomma]

What about going with the swan/dolphin, but spending the first and last nights at a value so you could use ME?

 

[wiigirl]

What about Swan/Dolphin? You may be able to stay there for around the same price as a Mod.

Thats a good option!

 

[TaraPA]

Smiling, I'm an admitted Deluxe snob. HOWEVER.....I fell in love with both POR and CSR last year when a Deluxe wasn't an option. I would stay at either again in a heartbeat, with a slight edge to CSR only because the room was gorgeous & more to my taste in decor (I could take or leave the POR decor).

I'm a HUGE fan of Swan/Dolphin & have stayed at both many times. I agree no ME is a huge disadvanatge, but the location makes up for it. Check the AP discounts for POR & CSR, and then compare with S/D adding in the $120 for round trip transfers (I've taken every mode of transfer from MCO to S/D just ask if you have any questions). It will also be nice in July to have the option of strolling around the Boardwalk on those hot summer nights!

 

[d1gitman]

how about checking DVC point rentals for WL villas? or pricing Cabins at FW (not sure if its less in cost though)

 

[TaraPA]

how about checking DVC point rentals for WL villas? or pricing Cabins at FW (not sure if its less in cost though)

This is also a great idea. We go to WDW 3-4x a year & renting points always scared me. I just did it for the 1st time in January - for the trip we leave for today, as well as another trip next month. It was super smooth (so far!) and the person I rented from was very nice & accomodating. I paid $9.50/pt for this trip & $10.50/pt for the April trip - a HUGE savings over the cash ressies I had booked (with AP discount). I saved $750 on an AKL 1BR villa renting points!

 

[patty57]

Renting points for a DVC property is a great way to save money. Again...deluxe resort at moderate prices.

 

[the who #3]

i have been told that swan & dolphin is very reasonable and it is very deluxe.

i have family who prefer s & d to the disney deluxe resorts and say it is cheaper, but they do not have children and that may make a diff.