advice needed for scout troop - All Stars or Boardwalk Villas???

[MichelleB]

I am taking my Girl Scout troop to Disney next June. We've been working very hard for 2 1/2 years to earn the money for this trip - there will be 9 girls from the ages of 9 to 13 and 3 adult chaperones for a total of 12 people. I currently have the All Star Movies preferred booked for 3 rooms. I am a vacation club member and have tossed around the idea of renting my points to the troop for a discounted amount and reserving the Boardwalk Villas for us (providing I can get the rooms we'd need at the 7 month mark). We are doing the education program at MGM and it takes place at 8:15 in the morning so we would need transportation to the park and if it's not a EMH morning then we'd have to provide our own transportation (we are not renting cars and will be using magical express). I am trying hard not to be a "Disney snob" (my phrase) and look at it from all angles. My inclination is to go BWV because: 1. the rooms are larger with a queen bed for the chaperone to share with her daughter (1 of our chaperones is not happy about having to share a bed so this is a plus), 2. we'd have the refrigerator without having to pay for it (one of our girls is on medication and we will need to rent at least 1 refrig if we go ASM) and could also utilize the kitchenette for breakfasts, drinks, etc., 3. the pool at BWV is nicer (this is a big plus on the girls' part as they're already talking about swimming on our trip and I know they'd love the slide at the BWV pool), 4. we could walk to MGM the morning of our program instead of messing with getting transportation and also can walk to Epcot, and 5. it'll be an overall quieter resort. I'm sure there are a few other pluses. The negative is that there is more options at the food court at ASM and since we'll be a youth group, they will allow us to purchase the old vouchers that can be used at ASM food court but there's nowhere to use them at BWV. The difference in price is $255 (BWV being the higher of the 2)for all 3 rooms total for our 5 days. In the budget for our trip, we have used the higher amount from day one so this is already budgeted but the girls could save some money if we go with ASM. The girls are still working to earn the remaining money but we do not see a problem with raising the rest of the money with what we've got planned for the upcoming year. Part of me says, save the money and go ASM but the other part says it'll be nicer and more convenient. I don't know that the girls will know the difference from one location to the other, but I know the adults will. I just can't decide so am looking to my experts for advice. Also, what are the pluses to preferred instead of standard rooms at All Stars...should I consider standard if you say I should go ASM instead of BWV? I'm trying to make this trip as easy as possible on the chaperones yet a memorable trip for the girls. They've worked so hard for this and I want it to be something they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

 

[Rhonda]

Have you thought about the Wilderness Cabins at Fort Wilderness? They are beautiful, have full kitchens, sleep 6, and have lots of room to run around! They also have decks with grills and picnic tables. Just an idea.

Otherwise, renting your DVC points is a good idea, but the girls will have fun no matter which resort you stay at!

 

[MichelleB]

I did think of it, but running the pricing it was only a savings of $27 a night and then we had to work out the sleeping logistics. I think 3 separate rooms would be better and this way it doesn't make 1 chaperone have 5 girls and the other 2 chaperones to jointly have 4. I like the idea of evening out the numbers and making them smaller groups for sleeping, getting ready for bed, and getting ready to go to the parks in the morning. Plus this gives us 3 bathrooms this way also.

 

[CPer'sMom]

BWV!! BWV!! BWV!!

Yes, I'll admit I'm a resort "snob" But I do truly think BWVs would be great for your trip. The location is a huge plus ~ walking/FBs to MGM and Epcot would be such a convenience for you all. The BWV rooms are very nice & large, plus having the kitchen area with the 'frig ~ so handy for keeping drinks chilled. Really nice pool (s).

Sorry, other than the $ savings, I can't think of any benefits to staying at ASM!!

What a fun trip to plan and look forward to ~ hope you all have a wonderful time

 

[Lynne M]

The ONLY reason that I can think of for choosing the All-Stars in your situation would be the cost....and since you're using points, that's sort of a non-issue.

Infinitely better accommodations at BWV, and the proximity to MGM seals the deal. The kids will love it. The adults will love it. Go for it!

It's true that the CS options are limited at BW. But....you're within easy walking/boat distance of the CS place at Swan/Dolphin, or Beach Club Marketplace and Beaches and Cream. Plus, interesting munchies in Epcot.

 

[Cool-Beans]

If I'm reading this correctly, and maybe I'm not so correct me if I'm wrong...

If the troop goes to the All-Stars, Disney gets the money. If they go to the Boardwalk, you get the money. And paying you will cost even more than paying Disney.

I'm sure your reasons for this are all above-board and altruistic, but it might cause some hard feelings with the parents of the girls.

I'd either not charge the group anything extra for use of the room I was renting (pay for it myself, using my points) or just go to the All-Stars. It wouldn't kill you.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Congrats to you & your girl scout troop. I can remember my Mom taking her GS troop in the 70's to the Contemporary. They worked so hard to raise all the money to go - I was jealous. I was away at college & couldn't chaperone!!! Like everyone has said - no matter where you choose the girls will love it because it's DISNEY!!

 

[helenabear]

If I'm reading this correctly, and maybe I'm not so correct me if I'm wrong...

If the troop goes to the All-Stars, Disney gets the money. If they go to the Boardwalk, you get the money. And paying you will cost even more than paying Disney.

I'm sure your reasons for this are all above-board and altruistic, but it might cause some hard feelings with the parents of the girls.

I'd either not charge the group anything extra for use of the room I was renting (pay for it myself, using my points) or just go to the All-Stars. It wouldn't kill you.

That's not entirely true. The OP is paying for these points to Disney via maint fees and Disney had been paid for with the room. In the end if the OP is going to give them at a discounted rental rate, then I doubt the OP will be pocketing money at all.

I think if you just say I can help get a good deal on BWV, then why would it cause hard feelings? Leave it at that and don't worry about it at all.

The only negative IMO to doing BWV would be the lack of housekeeping for the girls. If they are neat it isn't as much of a problem, but you won't be getting the bed service, so if you do that you better tell the families up front. For some it would make a difference.

However, the walking to MGM would be a BIG bonus in my eyes. If they are for it, I would definitely pick BWV over AS too.

 

[Cool-Beans]

That's not entirely true. The OP is paying for these points to Disney via maint fees and Disney had been paid for with the room. In the end if the OP is going to give them at a discounted rental rate, then I doubt the OP will be pocketing money at all.

I think if you just say I can help get a good deal on BWV, then why would it cause hard feelings? Leave it at that and don't worry about it at all.

The only negative IMO to doing BWV would be the lack of housekeeping for the girls. If they are neat it isn't as much of a problem, but you won't be getting the bed service, so if you do that you better tell the families up front. For some it would make a difference.

However, the walking to MGM would be a BIG bonus in my eyes. If they are for it, I would definitely pick BWV over AS too.

I'm just pointing out that it could very well cause hard feelings if they end up paying the OP more than they would have had to pay Disney.

The time-share deal between the OP and Disney is absolutely irrelevant. How much she makes or loses is irrelevant.

If they have to pay the OP more than they would have had to pay Disney, some of them might be a little bit ticked. I can see that coming.

 

[Mich Mouse]

BWV is better choice for so many reasons.......You will have some very happy scouts wherever you stay, but BWV is not in the same league with The All Star Resorts.

One thing to consider though is that there is no food court at BWV...This may be of concern to you. This is a non-issue for us but you may want to condsider this fact.

Have fun planning! I wish you were my girl scout leader!! On my honor I'll do my best.....

 

[QTMichele]

Personally, I LOVE the Boardwalk hotels & villas!!! However, this isn't about "me," it's about your Girl Scout Troop. Have you VOTED on this? Maybe a troop discussion is the key to your answer. Show the girls (and the chaperones) pictures, prices, etc. and discuss. Maybe my thinking is over-simplified, but I've always known that the girls are supposed to make decisions for their group and the troup leaders are there for support. I'm sure you'll have a WONDERFUL time regardless of which resort you choose. Let us know!

 

[minnie61650]

I'm just pointing out that it could very well cause hard feelings if they end up paying the OP more than they would have had to pay Disney.

The time-share deal between the OP and Disney is absolutely irrelevant. How much she makes or loses is irrelevant.

If they have to pay the OP more than they would have had to pay Disney, some of them might be a little bit ticked. I can see that coming.

I agree. I was also thinking the same as you.

If the OP was able to give the girls a discount that would cost less than staying All Star Movies or better yet donate the rooms to the troop than I think the girls and parents would be quite happy.


I remember being a scout leader and I know if I were in that situation I would either donate the rooms and let the girls use the funds for other things ---
Maybe even earmarking part of it for Give kids the World a charity for critically ill children
http://www.gktw.org/how/enewsletter.asp charity
Or give the troop a deep dicount so the cost is the same or less than staying than staying at All Star Movies.The girls will need more money for meals since BWV does not have food court.

If the OP charges more than the cost of the rooms at All Star Movies than the girls and the parents might feel resentful and think the OP is overcharging even though she is giving them a discount.

Just my 2 cents

 

[MichelleB]

Our girls are actually spending a day volunteering at Give Kids the World!

I see what you all are saying about the slight cost difference to the troop. What if I took into account the fridge rental we'd need for the 1 room and added that to the cost of the All Stars and then added in the cost of transportation from ASM to MGM for our program and whatever that cost was is what the troop would pay for the rooms at BWV? Would that be more fair?I really don't want problems with the parents. When I estimated the budget of the 2 locations based on costs, I didn't take into account my AAA discount and the room prices would have been the same based on our estimated cost for the points (which is what we were asking from the troop). If I could afford to just give the troop the points necessary, I would, but I honestly can't. I am not looking to make money on the deal or I would rent my points out at a much higher profit or gladly just use them myself (using these points means my foregoing a family trip for a year but we're willing to do that if it's better for the troop). I'm truly trying to pick the best location. There's another plus to staying at BWV in that we need rental cars to go to Give Kids the World for our volunteering day and we could just walk to Swan/Dolphin and get the cars versus having to mess with getting to the Car Care Center.

I should also clarify, that the ASM will actually be more than I was going to ask from the troop if I cannot get us to be tax exempt in the state of FL. I have the necessary paperwork, but it still needs to be approved by FL or we'll need to pay tax making ASM actually more expensive.

The girls have discussed where they want to stay. Some have been to Disney before and Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge were the 2 that came up. At the time, I showed them the costs and we couldn't afford them so we looked at which value resort would they like to pick. They were disappointed, but at $300 or so a night, we just can't afford that for 3 rooms for 5 nights and ultimately they'll be happy wherever we end up (9-12 year olds forget pretty quickly about a resort when the end focus is Disney!). I haven't stayed at ASM so I have no idea what the resort is like - admittedly I was a deluxe girl before purchasing DVC and even though we own DVC, the Poly is still my all-time favorite resort.

Does anyone know how much a taxi would be to go from ASM to MGM? And can a taxi take 4 people (I'm assuming they can, but I'm not sure)?

As for housekeeping, the girls will try to be slobs whether we stay at ASM or BWV. I will say that 2 of the 3 chaperones are neat freaks, so the girls that get to room with the 3rd chaperone will be happy! I don't think the lack of housekeeping is an issue except for towels. I admit that I like to have a fresh washcloth and towel each day so being in a studio is an issue for me as far as laundry, but I'll adjust.

 

[MichelleB]

My initial thought was also concern about lack of food court at BWV versus the food court at ASM. Then I thought more about our trip and I don't know if my thinking is valid so anyone correct me if you think I'm off base.

We are arriving on a Sunday morning and will check in and head to a park (we do not have hopping priviledges on our passes). We will be there for 5 nights/6 days and plan to do 4 parks (they want to do as much as possible in those 4 days!), a volunteer day at Give Kids the World (we will be eating lunch there and then stopping on our way back to the resort off-property for dinner), and our last day we'll go to Downtown Disney and have lunch at Rainforest Cafe while waiting on our flight out. I don't expect much time at the resort, although they've asked to go back mid-day and swim.

So...is the lack of the food court important? I'm not sure.

 

[MichelleB]

And no one addressed if we stay at ASM, is it worth being preferred versus standard room? Having not been there, I don't know if it's really much difference in location. I am going to be at WDW in November and plan to go check out ASM so I have an idea what it is like before the troop needs to make this final decision.

 

[WildGrits]

I have never stayed at either of these resorts so I have no 2 cents to offer.

I just wanted to say that, that is just great that they where able to earn enough money to go to WDW. How AWESOME!!!!

 

[StrwLady]

All that preferred will give you is a building closer to the main hall. If walking a little bit more is an issue for the girls then Id say consider preferred. Here is a map of the ASM. I know the Calypso bldgs are perferred but I'm not sure if the entire bldg is. My son stayed in Broadway during our June 2006 trip and I didn't think it was that far of a walk to the front.

http://willcad.org/maps/resorts/resort_asmu.jpg

If the map comes up small move your cursor over to the map area and click. It will enlarge.

As for the parents paying you vs Disney if you do BWV, I would write everything up. Showing cost of each, pros and cons and anything else you can think of. Make sure they know that you let them know that they will be paying you directly. I would explain how as much as you would like to give them the points you need to recoup some of the yearly fees and that you will be charging far less then what you could actually rent the points for. Answer all questions as clearly and fairly as you can and then let them decide. I'm telling you right now if I was going with my sons Cub Scouts and had a choice of paying Disney for the ASM or paying the DVC owner for the BWI I would jump at the BWI in a heartbeat. I think the only thing that could cause a problem is if a parent wanted to pay with a credit card. But even then y'all could do something like use paypal.

While the BW does not have a food court, they did at one time have a walk up place on the boardwalk that did hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken strips and stuff like that. There is also the Spoodles walk up window that you can get pizza and a few other things and if my memory serves me right the bakery did have some sandwiches. (but don't trust my memory...its old and often I don't trust it! )

Good luck! I hope it all works out!

 

[StrwLady]

oops posted 2 times

 

[slmcn66]

It sounds like a lot a big decision making dilemma. Have you put the choices out to your troop and the chaperoning parents?

If they choose BWV, I don't there is any issue with the troop renting your points. Especially because you are making the opportunity available for them. Maybe the mothers chaperoning would be willing to make up the price differential so that they could benefit from the nicer surroundings.

Good Luck. Kudos to you for leading a troop and bringing them this far. It is hard work but can be very rewarding.

 

[twinspluscade]

It sounds like you guys have a fun trip planned! I bet the girls are so excited.

I'd leave the decision of where to stay totally up to the parents and the girls. Maybe you could make a chart that shows the differences between the two resortsrices, amenities, travel times to the parks, etc. Better yet, have some pictures to show them. And then let them all vote on where they want to stay. That way, if you have people not happy about where they stay, they can't come back and complain to you.

As for transportation--I'd just take the bus to MGM that first morning. The busses run REALLY early--I think it's an hour and a half before official park opening; maybe even earlier. They have a character breakfast at MGM (Plan n Dine) that starts at 8:00 a.m., so you certainly won't be the only ones going to the park that early.
Takin the buses would be no problem.