20th Anniversary Trip -- HELP ME DECIDE!!!

[Coconuts]

DH and I have decided to do a 20th anniversary adults only trip this September, but we need help deciding where to stay. One thing we are fairly sure of is that we want to do DxDDP. We love food and there are so many restaurants we haven't been able to get to with the kids. Here are our options:

1) Value(POP or ASMu) -- cheapest option, leaves extra money to do lots of extras like tours, fireworks cruises, dessert parties, La Nouba, etc.

2) renting DVC at BWV or AKL value studio -- @$500 more expensive than value but we would get a deluxe resort, and with BWV would be close to Epcot for F&W, which we plan on spending a lot of time at. Never rented before so I'm very wary of this and unsure of how the park tickets

3) a deluxe resort -- @$700-1500 more, to have nicer accommodations, and stay at a place like GF or CR, which we would never get to do with the kids; but would then have to cut back on DxDDP, maybe even eat OOP and watch the food budget, and have little money if any for extras listed above.

4) Moderate CBR or CS -- @$500 more than values, still on DxDDP, some money left for some extras and nicer accommodations than values.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[CarolynFH]

What are your dates? You mention F&W, so I assume you're going in the fall, but what year? If it's this year, I'm afraid the AKV value studios and the less expensive BWV standard view studios are likely booked already. Fall is the most popular travel time for DVC, and owners can and do book 11 months prior to check-in. AKV value studios in particular go very fast and even owners have trouble booking them. I'm not sure what availability for studios at BWV is at this point, but many BWV owners bought there specifically to book at 11 months for F&W. So, unfortunately, option 2 needs to be re-evaluated - other AKV studios might be available but will cost more than you've estimated, and BWV is probably a no-go. Sorry!

That said, I think a milestone like a 20th wedding anniversary should be very special, so I'd go deluxe, or if I wanted to reduce hotel cost I'd try for POFQ (both CBR & CS are starting major construction projects and might be less than special).

 

[MichaelWill&Megan'sMom]

My husband and I stayed at YC for our 15th anniversary last November. We usually stay at BC with our kids, but YC has a more adult feel. It is also cheaper. Perhaps this is a good option (assuming most refurb will be done by then)

 

[Branflakes]

Deluxe at either BC or YC, which is typically less. With the deluxe dining and food and wine festival I can't imagine too many extras you'd want to be honest. Unless you're talking a few tours, etc.

For a 20th anniversary, and no kids, I'd def be wanting to stay at a nice resort with amenities and an enjoyable resort atmosphere. Location of an Epcot resort cannot be beat. You won't get that at a value. And marginally at a moderate. As for renting points, you should probably have been on that already in it's for fall 2017.

We go just the two of us now a days, and we really enjoy our time. We stay yc/bc almost exclusively. And find the resort and location are worth a little more money especially during a festival like F&W or F&G, which we will be enjoying in two weeks at YC.

Have a wonderful trip no matter what you decide! 20 years deserves plenty of celebrating.

 

[NH-to-FL]

First, congratulations on your upcoming 20th!

Another vote for the deluxe resorts. More specifically, the Epcot resorts. For adults I think the Epcot resorts are the location in WDW. Especially if you will be visiting during Food and Wine. It is quite special to be able to just wander over to Epcot in the evening.

We are fans of the Boardwalk. We like the theming and enjoy getting an ice cream and just sit on the boardwalk and watch the world go by. But any of the Epcot resorts will do.

Wishing you a magical trip!

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

Congratulations on our 20th!
I'd also vote for the deluxe - we love Wilderness Lodge and it is certainly less expensive than GF and CR...still a deluxe and the watercraft to MK is great. We have a car and drive to the other parks, but I think the bus service is good as well. That choice would save you some money over GF and CR for perhaps a tour or some of the extras you mentioned. Otherwise, I would vote for Beach Club or Yacht because of ease of walking to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the great atmosphere at night - lights, street entertainment and restaurants.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Marthasor]

I think it comes down to what you would enjoy more - being able to do lots of extras or staying in a deluxe resort with more amenities. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and feel like you would be comfortable in a value resort with double beds, I would probably opt for PoP. Many people on here have rented DVC points successfully, so you may want to look on the DVC threads for more info on that. AKL is a gorgeous resort, so if you can get that at a discount, I would go for it. Our favorite resort area is EP, but if staying there means you have to skimp on other things you would enjoy more on your trip, I would probably opt for cheaper accommodations. You may also want to price out the Swan/Dolphin on their website. It will give you the same location as YC/BC/BWI, typically at a lower cost. You would have to pay OOP for dining at Swan/Dolphin, though.

 

[caliope]

We stayed at Poly for our 20th anniversary. It was lovely and we had a great time. We hadn't stayed at an Epcot resort before that trip but now that we have, I'd also consider BC or YC. The access to World Showcase is very appealing on an adults-only trip and if you're there during F&W, even better.

 

[HopperFan]

I guess my question is ..... are you going to be laying around the pool, utilizing the hotel restaurants often, hanging in your room ............ or is your plan to be on the go without kids slowing you down, booking extras, dining ALL over the world, visiting some lounges and the parks?

If hanging around, I'd like book moderate so I still had extra cash for some fun stuff ....

But if you are going to be on the good giving up pool time, I'd be in a value and blowing my cash on as much fun as I can without the kiddles along. I would book POP, and don't like ASMu at all.

I voted as if it were me ........... I don't go to Disney to sit at a pool, that's for my beach trips. If I wanted my Anniversary trip to be luxury, pampered, chill .... I'd be at a beach resort, spa or fancy cruise and I'd get my money's worth. If I'm heading to WDW, I'm planning to pack in as much as possible. I'm going to remember all the cool stuff we did and great meals more than I'll think about the room/hotel.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Hi there! DH and I will be celebrating our 20th on our next trip, along with the marathon and DD's last trip before HS graduation. We are bringing the kids but with 2 teens and a tween it is easier for us to find adult time than it used to be. We have zero question that since this is such a "big" trip that splurging on a deluxe room at BC was a no-brainer in fact if it were just the 2 of us we would've done CL at WL-where we honeymooned.

 

[Coconuts]

Thanks to all for all your feedback! It gave me a lot to think about. Maybe what I should've said is that even though its our 20th anniversary, our budget is not unlimited nor can we truly splurge. Just taking a trip at all and spending a few thousand dollars probably isn't the smartest decision with 4 kids and college on the horizon, but we were going to do some trip and our favorite place is WDW.

What I realized it came down to was deciding between spending money on the hotel or spending it on our food and extras.

That being said, I think we are going to do ASMu, as it's the cheapest option. We have stayed at values before and we enjoy them and love the Disney atmosphere. The hotel being the cheapest allows us to get the DxDDP (we love to eat!) and can do a tour and maybe a fireworks cruise. We plan on spending lots of time at F&W eating and drinking, touring efficiently without kids in tow, and spending little time in the room anyway. I'm so excited to see all the things the kids never want to do! Like Hopperfan said, if I wanted a relaxing vacation to lounge at the hotel, I wouldn't have picked WDW! Hahahaha

 

[skuttle]

We just returned from a kid-free trip. We compromised and stayed at POR (Magnolia Bend). I don't like values and with three kids we normally stay deluxe. We originally had CS booked, but moved to POR due to the construction. We've stayed at POR before on a spilt stay with the kids, but had to stay in Alligator Bayou, so staying in Magnolia Bend was something new.

We never do the dining plan, though, because we don't think it's worth it. And the way we did this trip, it definitely wouldn't have been worth it. We had two Epcot days and spent the time eating and drinking around the flower and garden booths. It was awesome. We also had drinks and small plates in several lounges as our meals that we normally wouldn't do with the kids.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks to all for all your feedback! It gave me a lot to think about. Maybe what I should've said is that even though its our 20th anniversary, our budget is not unlimited nor can we truly splurge. Just taking a trip at all and spending a few thousand dollars probably isn't the smartest decision with 4 kids and college on the horizon, but we were going to do some trip and our favorite place is WDW.

What I realized it came down to was deciding between spending money on the hotel or spending it on our food and extras.

That being said, I think we are going to do ASMu, as it's the cheapest option. We have stayed at values before and we enjoy them and love the Disney atmosphere. The hotel being the cheapest allows us to get the DxDDP (we love to eat!) and can do a tour and maybe a fireworks cruise. We plan on spending lots of time at F&W eating and drinking, touring efficiently without kids in tow, and spending little time in the room anyway. I'm so excited to see all the things the kids never want to do! Like Hopperfan said, if I wanted a relaxing vacation to lounge at the hotel, I wouldn't have picked WDW! Hahahaha

Wonderful - I'm glad we could help you figure out what was most important to you and then make the decisions you needed to make. I hope y'all have an excellent trip - with kids vs. without is almost like visiting a different WDW! Happy 20th!

 

[Coconuts]

Wonderful - I'm glad we could help you figure out what was most important to you and then make the decisions you needed to make. I hope y'all have an excellent trip - with kids vs. without is almost like visiting a different WDW! Happy 20th!

Thanks! I'm planning on it!!! Now I just have to decide where to eat...so many places I've always wanted to try but I have to narrow it down to which ones I think we'll enjoy the most.

 

[YZFMoose]

Question? Is this for the Dis 20th Anniv. party or 20th Anniv of being married?

I guess I would stay at a moderate for either you dont get that many kiddos, and there are some nice quite places to relax
If for 20th Anniv, Congrats!

 

[Coconuts]

Question? Is this for the Dis 20th Anniv. party or 20th Anniv of being married?

I guess I would stay at a moderate for either you dont get that many kiddos, and there are some nice quite places to relax
If for 20th Anniv, Congrats!

Our 20th wedding anniversary!

 

[Summerdaze33]

If deciding between BC or YC without kids, I understand that there are less families at YC and it is quieter. BC seems to have more families.

If going moderate, either POFQ or Riverside are always nice. I stayed at POFQ alone for a 2 nights and then my sister joined me. It was late April, so similar crowds as October. It was quiet even with families. Of the moderates, it's one of the nicest because it is small. However, they need to improve the food court. We walked over to Riverside for breakfast.

Congratulations on 20th.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would do mod and book a king bed. Values aren't my thing because of double beds.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

For an adults trip I think doing the Deluxe Dining plan would be wonderful. We totally agree about the Moderates or above being worth it for the larger beds. For the same price as the Moderate we would prefer the DVC option, especially if you could get in at BWV, but a Moderate would be fine too, and our second choice. Finally, if you do go Deluxe, WL is usually the most reasonably priced, especially with a standard view room, which might help fund your dining adventures.

Congratulations and have a great trip. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year and could totally see a trip like yours in 10 years.

 

[helenm29]

Oh certainly the Grand Floridian! you need to go in style! it's a beautiful resort with FANTASTIC restaurants, lots of walking areas to take a romantic stroll. Food and wine is a great thing to do also. Just as a side note...if you want a MAGICAL dinner on your anniversary go to Victoria and Albert's! FANTASTIC food, AMAZING staff, beautiful restaurant....you will pay good money but it's WELL WORTH IT. We reserve the Chef's table a year from the time we are going...so special! Have a great trip, enjoy wherever you stay and Happy Anniversary!