ADVICE NEEDED! Where do I stay?

[crazyash83]

Hi everyone, I need some assistance... I am going to WDW Nov 28 - Dec 5, 2018 for a solo 35th birthday celebration and I know during this time there may be promo's such as Free Dining and Room Only Discounts. With this in mind, where would YOU stay if you wanted to spoil yourself in moderation? Right now I am booked at AoA in the Little Mermaid rooms. Love to hear your suggestions and thoughts on this matter

 

[kboo]

"Spoil yourself in moderation" ... this may not be in moderation, but we love the Grand Floridian. For a solo stay, I might look into renting points for a DVC studio, but those are really hard to get. For a slightly more economical stay, I might also look into renting points for a studio at one of the other MK resorts.

I also love the Boardwalk area, including the Dolphin and Swan, which may be less $ and just as luxe as Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn and Villas.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd ditch the LM room and stay at Pop. All of their rooms should be completely refurbished by then.
If you want a moderate resort, I'd go for POFQ.

 

[KenHutch]

For moderation FQ, it quiet and small everything is a 5 minute walk away, For Christmas decorations and such I just think that Wilderness Lodge does the best job.

 

[crazyash83]

"Spoil yourself in moderation" ... this may not be in moderation, but we love the Grand Floridian. For a solo stay, I might look into renting points for a DVC studio, but those are really hard to get. For a slightly more economical stay, I might also look into renting points for a studio at one of the other MK resorts.

I also love the Boardwalk area, including the Dolphin and Swan, which may be less $ and just as luxe as Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn and Villas.

I always forget about renting points... I will look into this more, thanks!

 

[crazyash83]

I'd ditch the LM room and stay at Pop. All of their rooms should be completely refurbished by then.
If you want a moderate resort, I'd go for POFQ.

I started my reso there but changed because of theme-ing... I love the look that POP is going for and I may resort back there if the renting points thing does not work out

POFQ is amazing... stayed there 5 years ago in a split stay with Corando Springs (which is also nice, large, but nice)! Thanks for your lovely suggestion

 

[Lynne M]

If you're looking to snag a free dining deal, that wouldn't be an option if you were to rent points.

IMO, wanting to "spoil yourself in moderation" is the very definition of a moderate resort.

 

[kboo]

If you're looking to snag a free dining deal, that wouldn't be an option if you were to rent points.

IMO, wanting to "spoil yourself in moderation" is the very definition of a moderate resort.

That said, dining plan is often too much food for one, and free dining = paying full rack rate, which may not be the best deal, financially. Full rack rate at a mod may be more $ than a better deal at a deluxe, even including food on the dining plan. OP needs to run the numbers.

 

[crazyash83]

That said, dining plan is often too much food for one, and free dining = paying full rack rate, which may not be the best deal, financially. Full rack rate at a mod may be more $ than a better deal at a deluxe, even including food on the dining plan. OP needs to run the numbers.

Yeah I am aware of the pricing of the Free Dining promo vs Room Only discounts, which is why I came here for advice and one of those "What would you do" moments.... I am now looking into renting DVC points and weighing the options... better location, better amenities vs no promo's etc

 

[kboo]

Yeah I am aware of the pricing of the Free Dining promo vs Room Only discounts, which is why I came here for advice and one of those "What would you do" moments.... I am now looking into renting DVC points and weighing the options... better location, better amenities vs no promo's etc

FWIW, I like to eat, and eat well, and after each trip I try one of the dining plan calculators on line, and I always find that we saved $ paying out of pocket, and choosing to eat where and what we wanted by our appetites rather than by using our credits. For me, "spoiling myself" includes eating at nicer restaurants, so plans that include too many QS meals don't include enough TS for me, but the deluxe dining plans are too much food. My ideal plan would be 1.5 - 2 TS meals a day and 0.5 -1 snacks a day. And I'd substitute unlimited soda for one adult beverage per day.

 

[toodycat]

I would go with AKL or WL...they’re deluxe, but not as crazy expensive as the monorail resorts and the theming, which is already great at both resorts, will be even better at that time of year.

 

[happymommy]

What I would do is, for one, not stay in a LM room at AOA.

You are going solo? AOA is not the place. LM rooms furthest away. Very cute for a couple with a little girl. Not so much for an adult looking to celebrate.

Not sure your budget. Or your favorite park.

If it were my favorite park, it would be Epcot. I'd look at the Swan.