Advice for 2 soon to be 30s

[Nimbusteach]

My best friend and I both turn 30 this summer and we have decided to go to WDW!! This we be our first adult trip to WDW. We will be going somewhere between august 16-28 (still working that part out) for 7 days/6 nights. We were thinking about staying at Pop, but after reading many of the boards not sure if we should stay there or at a moderate instead. If moderate. then which one? We plan on going to the parks in the morning then head back to hotel for swim/nap then back to the parks again. With pleasure island closed are there any dance clubs still open? We also are thinking about one of the meal plans--is the deluxe really a better deal (although it seems like way to much food). Has any one added the wine package to their trip, how much does it cost? Neither of us have been in 10 years so any advice would be welcomed! Thanks!

 

[twotoohappy]

My best friend and I both turn 30 this summer and we have decided to go to WDW!! This we be our first adult trip to WDW. We will be going somewhere between august 16-28 (still working that part out) for 7 days/6 nights. We were thinking about staying at Pop, but after reading many of the boards not sure if we should stay there or at a moderate instead. If moderate. then which one? We plan on going to the parks in the morning then head back to hotel for swim/nap then back to the parks again. With pleasure island closed are there any dance clubs still open? We also are thinking about one of the meal plans--is the deluxe really a better deal (although it seems like way to much food). Has any one added the wine package to their trip, how much does it cost? Neither of us have been in 10 years so any advice would be welcomed! Thanks!

Here's a link for moderate resorts info http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm
I love staying in the Epcot area but that's deluxe unless
you go to the rent board and rent a dvc studio.
The Swan/Dolphin sometimes has really good deals too!

The Epcot area has two nightlife spots.
I loooooove Jellyrolls (dueling piano bar -
check out the link in my signature for more info)
There is also Atlantic Dance Hall that has a DJ
and plays top 40 songs, but it's usually dead there

Never done the meal plan so maybe somebody else
can help you out there.

We'll be there the same time! Can't wait

 

[Floydian]

I don't know much about the resorts other than decor, but I hear many folks say that the value ones tend to have the most kids, which makes sense to me, as there's so much more cost with a whole family. Anyway, I'd say that moderates are a great choice, as the cost is usually manageable compared to value, yet the theming and overall atmosphere is different. On this board, it seems most people love the POFQ, though I'd guess all of them are enjoyable.

For nightlife/dancing, there's really not a lot on Disney property. If you really wanted to get out and do some club-hopping, the most common place is probably Universal City Walk.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Anyway, I'd say that moderates are a great choice, as the cost is usually manageable compared to value, yet the theming and overall atmosphere is different. On this board, it seems most people love the POFQ, though I'd guess all of them are enjoyable.

For values, I like ASMu for my solo/adult friend trips as I think it's the most "adult-oriented" value - tends to be a little quieter than the other AS resorts. Love the Broadway section - it's closer to the quiet pool and love the theming.

As far as mods, I personally like POFQ as it's the smallest mod and has great theming. I also like the boat that goes to DTD. My other favorite mod is CSR - this is also a convention hotel so also tends to be a little more "adult-oriented" and I like it's theming alot, especially the pool.

HTH!!!

 

[zima-cheryl]

My best friend and I both turn 30 this summer and we have decided to go to WDW!! This we be our first adult trip to WDW. We will be going somewhere between august 16-28 (still working that part out) for 7 days/6 nights. We were thinking about staying at Pop, but after reading many of the boards not sure if we should stay there or at a moderate instead. If moderate. then which one? We plan on going to the parks in the morning then head back to hotel for swim/nap then back to the parks again. With pleasure island closed are there any dance clubs still open? We also are thinking about one of the meal plans--is the deluxe really a better deal (although it seems like way to much food). Has any one added the wine package to their trip, how much does it cost? Neither of us have been in 10 years so any advice would be welcomed! Thanks!

We've done the regular meal plan several times & like it. Only go delux if you plan 2 sit down meals each day. Unfortunately DH isn't a wine drinker, so the add on for that won't work for us -- I could drink a whole bottle myself, but wouldn't be getting up the next morning!
There is also a new counter service only plan, I've never used it, but we are the type to have a nice, sit-down dinner every night so it wouldn't work for us. But if you aren't the type to take 2 hours out of your park time to eat, that may be a perfect fit for you.

I don't know that you save much on the dining plan, but I love that it is paid in advance. No budgeting & fussing over having cash for food & no big Visa bill when you get back home from all the meals you charged. You still need pocket $$ for soda, popcorn, etc (one snack a day doesn't cut it for me!). I'm sold on it simply because of the convenience factor.

The resorts are tough...my favorites to date have been Animal Kingdom & Boardwalk. AK for, well, the animals - lame I know, but I love giraffes!
Boardwalk was great 'cause we got to spend every evening in the bar @ the ESPN club. But as someone else pointed out those are delux. You didn't mention if budget was a big concern or not? Or is convenience the driving factor in choosing a location? If it is budget go moderate (French Quarter is very nice) and check out the stay 4 get 3 free deal. Otherwise if you want convenience, consider where you plan most your park time... if most days would be at Epcot, go for one of those resorts. MK, then go for a monorail resort. If you plan by location, your travel time back for your afternoon breaks will be much shorter/easier on you.

Honestly, it may help you to talk to a TA (we use Magic for Less & they are fantastic - but I know there are several good ones out there). They will help you decide on room, tickets, etc, track down discounts, make ADRs for you, & steer you towards the best choices based on your priorities.

And, I know you didn't ask, but be sure when you book that you mention the birthdays. If you are actually there on your birthday you get free admission!
Plus, get your birthday buttons so the cast members can help make it a special day for you.

You only turn 30 once & since it ends in a zero it should be a big celebration!

 

[michael's mom]

Carribean Beach is also an Epcot resort, as are all the mods I believe (not sure about CSR). I only know that CBR is for sure because I've followed the "Epcot Resort Area" sign for too many years to forget.

I would take a look at the resort photos here on www.wdwinfo.com to see which theme you'd like. I love CBR, and we're trying POR this trip for something new. But, CSR has a spa if you're into that kind of thing (might be a nice gift to yourself), and the grounds there look beautiful too!

The dining plan (even the basic 1 snack, 1CS, 1TS) saves you some money, if you plan your meals correctly. Use it for dinner, don't order a sandwich. It's approx. $40/day/person. A typical snack item is between $2-4, CS lunch could be up to $15 because you get a meal, drink (non-alc.), and desert if it's lunch or dinner, and with the TS you get an entree, drink(non-alc.), and desert per person. If you order correctly, you'd save money. But, like another poster said, it's so nice to not have to carry the money around for your meals. You'll only need $$ for tips, extra snacks, and souvies! I definitely don't think the deluxe plan is worth it...way too much food. But, I've never done it. I just know that I thought there was too much food on the basic plan the last time I did it. Besides, I don't go to Disney to eat...I don't want to waste all that time in restaurants. To be honest, I think this will be the last year I do the meal plan because I have been way too stressed making my reservations for meals...(long story) that I think I'd just rather eat counter service for the week, or do the quick service meal plan. Ahh, not my thread, sorry for rambling.

I've never added wine so I don't know anything about that. I would recommend not staying at a value...in the summer especially it will be swamped with kids. If you go before 8/15, check out the 4+3 like a previous poster said. We saved over $700 and ended up with more days in the park and non-exp. on them. If you go after 8/15...sign up to receive offers from Disney because you may end up being sent the free dining offer.

Do your birthdays fall close to one another that you'd each be able to get your free admission/or gift card during your stay?

I, too, am turning 30 this year, and I too, will be celebrating in WDW! What better place to be? I am actually looking forward to 30, which surprises me because for soo long, I've been dreading this year...it's only been the last few weeks that I've become excited about it.

Happy Birthday! I know that no matter what you decide, value/moderate, dining plan/no dining plan, you'll have a blast!

 

[suorkaterina]

Well I'd have to suggest CB myself as it's my home away from home. The budget resorts are only worth it(IMHO) if you plan to spend NO time at the resort at all. I'm not a fan. CB is so colorful with a more mature yet playful feel to it. Also if you are from the north, getting into the tropical theme is nice for a change.

As for the meal plan...we loved the mid-level one. 1CS, 1TS and 1S. It was just enough food. Actually there was once or twice where we just wanted to take a sandwhich back to the room but had a TS left so we had to do it=P At those times we stuck with Shutters, close to the room and good food. I agree that more than that would be too much. You spend so much time at a TS, waiting for food, reading the menu etc. It just takes a long time. At lunch I just wanna eat something quick and continue on.

There's my 2 cents

Oh yeah, and i too will be turning 30 this year!! Crazy huh. My b-days in Nov. but I'm celebrating in February durring off season so i can stay longer!

 

[Spacemonkaay]

Like someone else said, Coronado Springs has that convention crowd. It makes for a much more adult vacation, even more so than many deluxes in my opinion. You can go over to that SUPER COOL pool and hang out in the hot tub and there's probably going to be more of a grown up crowd. But with the specials running at Swan and Dolphin, assuming you don't need Disney transportation, that may end up costing you a similar amount to a moderate. Haven't added it up but it's close.

If you don't mind kids everywhere and want to save some money then there's nothing wrong with the values. They just don't feel like resorts. I wouldn't hang out in the pools at ANY of them, but I would spend the day at the CSR pool any day! It's a bit more luxurious. The values are more like cartoonish motels, though they are at least of consistent quality and have food courts & stuff.

Have fun!