New here! Whats best? Better resort or longer trip?

[BriarRose129]

I like all of the resorts so I usually choose by what we'll be doing. No values during hot months as I want a ceiling fan in the room. If its a short trip and we won't be using the pool I skip the deluxes. I haven't been able to take a long vacation from work in too long! but if I could, I'd choose a longer stay, especially if pools weren't important. Our best vacations, to me, are the ones where we can stay the longest, relax, and enjoy all that Disney World has to offer. One of the best vacations we had we stayed at ASMo for 10 nights in Oct. We didn't go to parks everyday all day, we took off mornings, afternoons and evenings to visit other resorts, play mini golf, go to DD. For example, breakfast at Boma, then bike ride at WL. lunch and afternoon swim at ASMo and MK in the evening. We stayed at WL for 10 nights over Christmas, that trip was fantastic, but it was so cold we never used the pool and I had to force myself into the hot tub. The following Christmas we were going for 10 days again and I choose POR to save some $, loved it! They were all great vacations! Enjoy your planning!

Thank you for all the info!! I also will be there in December and that's another reason the pool isn't make or break. It may be too cold to swim anywhere I love the idea of trying different things there too like mini golf. Is that on the Disney property?

 

[BriarRose129]

I would be very happy at a moderate, but the small beds at the values just do not make for a comfortable night's sleep so I would go for less days, and at least moderate resort.

Are they double beds? While we are used to a queen at home, we fit well in a double at other places so I think it should be ok. Thanks for the heads up though!

 

[amberpi]

Dh and I stayed at a value last year for one night when we changed our flight with a day notice we took what we could get. His feet hung off the bed, tall skinny guy at 6'3. We got in very late and were very unhappy with the lack of room service (we were starved after our late flight and my dh loves to get wings). The doors are on the outside and it just wasn't comfortable to us at all. I wouldn't recommend it especially to a family of 4, but wdw keeps building values so it must work for a large number of people...I think it's also matter of what you're used to, I have some friends that would be in love with the values, and others that wouldn't check in, just know your family and what's important to you.

 

[Ofinn]

I would wait until discounts are released to decide. You may be able to stay for more than 7 nights in a deluxe. The deluxe resorts are beautiful at Christmas time especially the lower level deluxes like Akl and Wl. I know you probably want to book and make a descision, but I would hold off and see what Disney has to offer in the way of discounts. You may be pleasantly surprised. We have been in Dec twice and it was in the high 70's low 80's so it definitely can be swimming weather. You might also want to consider splitting your stay between a value and a deluxe.

 

[homedad]

at first I would say longer over nicer resort, but after I thought about it the first time we went with kids we stayed at the WL and though we loved the resort I said never again 1 week all in one room so we bought into DVC. We now can enjoy our 1 week every two years with lots of space, convenience, and our own bedroom.

 

[Sammie]

Are they double beds? While we are used to a queen at home, we fit well in a double at other places so I think it should be ok. Thanks for the heads up though!

yes they are doubles. All the moderates except CBR now have queen beds.

 

[BriarRose129]

I would wait until discounts are released to decide. You may be able to stay for more than 7 nights in a deluxe. The deluxe resorts are beautiful at Christmas time especially the lower level deluxes like Akl and Wl. I know you probably want to book and make a descision, but I would hold off and see what Disney has to offer in the way of discounts. You may be pleasantly surprised. We have been in Dec twice and it was in the high 70's low 80's so it definitely can be swimming weather. You might also want to consider splitting your stay between a value and a deluxe.

When do they announce deals? Just curious how long wed need to want to book if I did it that way the Wilderness and animal kingdom do loom beautiful!

 

[mmmears]

I'd pick the shorter stay (as long as it was 7 nights) and the nicer resort. While I'd love 10+ days in WDW, my family spends lots of time at our resort and really enjoy the deluxe resorts (AKL's theming is amazing). I'd pick a week at AKL over a value anyday. It really depends on what you would prefer and how important the resort is to you. Another option is doing a split-stay...

 

[BriarRose129]

I'd pick the shorter stay (as long as it was 7 nights) and the nicer resort. While I'd love 10+ days in WDW, my family spends lots of time at our resort and really enjoy the deluxe resorts (AKL's theming is amazing). I'd pick a week at AKL over a value anyday. It really depends on what you would prefer and how important the resort is to you. Another option is doing a split-stay...

I'm. Trying to find info on the spilt stay. My search bottom doesn't seem to be working though. So I guess I should just call Disney to get info.

 

[amberpi]

Thank you for all the info!! I also will be there in December and that's another reason the pool isn't make or break. It may be too cold to swim anywhere I love the idea of trying different things there too like mini golf. Is that on the Disney property?

Mini golf is either a) just across from the Swan or b) right near blizzard beach. My 5 year old nephew loved the Fanastia golf close to the Swan. That was a highlight of his trip! We have not experienced the Winter Summerland course tho!

 

[Ofinn]

When do they announce deals? Just curious how long wed need to want to book if I did it that way the Wilderness and animal kingdom do loom beautiful!

My best guess would be sometime in August. Lately the Epcot resorts have been discounted more than the MK resorts. It was actually cheaper to stay at a Epcot resort this Spring than WL or AK. If I remember correctly the discounts were in the 30-35% off range for deluxes in Dec 2012. I believe mousesavers website has a record of past discounts.

 

[Ofinn]

I'm. Trying to find info on the spilt stay. My search bottom doesn't seem to be working though. So I guess I should just call Disney to get info.

A split stay just requires making a room only reservation at two different resorts. All that is required is the first nights deposit. You can buy your tickets through Disney or through a discounted broker such as Undercover tourist. Disney will move your luggage for you, and it will be at the next resort by 4pm. 5 nights at a value/ and 5 nights at a deluxe(always do the value first) would give you a longer vacation and cut down on some of the cost. If you want the dining plan its a little more complicated. I'm not a fan of the dining plan, but I'm sure someone on here could answer that for you.

 

[BriarRose129]

A split stay just requires making a room only reservation at two different resorts. All that is required is the first nights deposit. You can buy your tickets through Disney or through a discounted broker such as Undercover tourist. Disney will move your luggage for you, and it will be at the next resort by 4pm. 5 nights at a value/ and 5 nights at a deluxe(always do the value first) would give you a longer vacation and cut down on some of the cost. If you want the dining plan its a little more complicated. I'm not a fan of the dining plan, but I'm sure someone on here could answer that for you.

This is wonderful info. Thank you!! Yes we were doing dining. It just seemed to make sense for us with character meals.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Adding the dining plan to your reservation complicates the split stay. Each reservation would need the dining plan, room and park tickets, I believe. Therfore, you would need to start over with ticket pricing for the second reservation. This would negate any savings, the more days you add to your first set of park tickets. I would stay longer at a value resort. Typically we stay nine days. This year, it looks like ASSp. The plan is shaping up to be breakfast, pool time, head out for lunch and then where ever the Disney transportation will take us. The transportation adds to the adventure. We were at ASSp last Thanksgiving weekend. The temperature started out around 45, climbed to 70 during the day (went swimming), but once the sun went down it got cold fast. We are from the midwest. My family does not need to go to the parks everyday. There is a lot of other stuff to do. If you want ideas of free things to do, I'd be happy to help.

 

[BriarRose129]

Adding the dining plan to your reservation complicates the split stay. Each reservation would need the dining plan, room and park tickets, I believe. Therfore, you would need to start over with ticket pricing for the second reservation. This would negate any savings, the more days you add to your first set of park tickets. I would stay longer at a value resort. Typically we stay nine days. This year, it looks like ASSp. The plan is shaping up to be breakfast, pool time, head out for lunch and then where ever the Disney transportation will take us. The transportation adds to the adventure. We were at ASSp last Thanksgiving weekend. The temperature started out around 45, climbed to 70 during the day (went swimming), but once the sun went down it got cold fast. We are from the midwest. My family does not need to go to the parks everyday. There is a lot of other stuff to do. If you want ideas of free things to do, I'd be happy to help.

Thank you so much!! I'd love it if you could give me done ideas and tips. We are definitely set on a dining plan. So I think the split stay is out. If we do a value I was looking at the Sports. My boys are big athletes and think they will love that theming would you be able to private message me on here with any planning ideas you have! And how to handle a 10-11 day disney stay.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Will do.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Finally sent you a pm.