Advice on where to stay

[OKWFan88]

Hi all, hoping I can pick all you fine people's brain on where to stay. We are doing a last minute trip this year to Disney. I plan on arriving at Disney, Sunday Dec 15th 2019 and checking out Friday Dec 20th 2019. It will be just myself and my brother. He is 18 and I am in my 30's. Yes big age difference but I act like a putz so we get along very well. We go to Disney around two times a year and have always stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom but have always been with a bunch of other people. This time it's just us. I have been doing research and I'm not having any luck in making a decision where to stay. We aren't picky and a studio is fine. I am aware that there probably isn't much left in regards to that, but wanted opinions. We already have park tickets with hopper, we plan on doing the DAH AK and one of the Mickey Christmas parties. But the last thing we can't decide on is a place to stay. I am fine staying at OKW in a studio, but he wants to try something different. We definitely want to stay on site so any suggestions? We don't care about the pool, our big thing is food and rides.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Maybe look at something in the Epcot resort area? Lots of good dining options and it's so convenient to be able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. My family stayed at Boardwalk this past summer and had a blast. We'll be staying at the Swolphin in December and then Beach Club in April.

Nevermind the upcoming stays at Wilderness Lodge in November and Contemporary in February....

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hi all, hoping I can pick all you fine people's brain on where to stay. We are doing a last minute trip this year to Disney. I plan on arriving at Disney, Sunday Dec 15th 2019 and checking out Friday Dec 20th 2019. It will be just myself and my brother. He is 18 and I am in my 30's. Yes big age difference but I act like a putz so we get along very well. We go to Disney around two times a year and have always stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom but have always been with a bunch of other people. This time it's just us. I have been doing research and I'm not having any luck in making a decision where to stay. We aren't picky and a studio is fine. I am aware that there probably isn't much left in regards to that, but wanted opinions. We already have park tickets with hopper, we plan on doing the DAH AK and one of the Mickey Christmas parties. But the last thing we can't decide on is a place to stay. I am fine staying at OKW in a studio, but he wants to try something different. We definitely want to stay on site so any suggestions? We don't care about the pool, our big thing is food and rides.

Are you only looking at DVC properties? Other than DAH AK and the Christmas party, what are your park plans? If your big thing is food and rides, perhaps consider BCV or BWV. If you like food, you are steps away from EP and all of the Festival of the Holiday booths in EP, not to mention all of the restaurants in EP and around the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk area also has a great vibe with entertainment in the evenings and the resorts will be decorated really nicely for the holidays. You can also walk, boat or Skyliner from both resorts to DHS.

 

[OKWFan88]

Thanks for info. Park plans will be rope drop whatever we want to center on that day in the morning and then hit the other parks all same day or at least three of them each day. We are park people so we have no problem staying in a park or bouncing from park to park all day and night long, with a possible break in between for a nap or lunch outside of the parks. And we aren't looking just at DVC, but I have only stayed at OKW whenever I have been to Disney, so I am not familiar with any of the other resorts.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Thanks for info. Park plans will be rope drop whatever we want to center on that day in the morning and then hit the other parks all same day or at least three of them each day. We are park people so we have no problem staying in a park or bouncing from park to park all day and night long, with a possible break in between for a nap or lunch outside of the parks. And we aren't looking just at DVC, but I have only stayed at OKW whenever I have been to Disney, so I am not familiar with any of the other resorts.

Is budget an issue? Since OKW is a deluxe, are you looking to stay in that class or maybe interested in trying something else at a lower cost?

 

[OKWFan88]

Is budget an issue? Since OKW is a deluxe, are you looking to stay in that class or maybe interested in trying something else at a lower cost?

We usually rent points for the OKW whenever we stay there so we wouldn't pay full price. I am down for something lower cost in order to spend money on other things.

 

[Babsy]

If you would like something different, I doubt that you will find much to rent in a studio at that time of year. SO, if renting points, you may be limited to whatever (might) be available.

If you want to book room only from a WDW resort, and are willing to stay in the same room, then there is currently lots of availability for your days at all price points. Budget would be my first criterion in making my choice. A few examples: in the value, you can stay at AoA for $175 per night in a LM room; moderate options (my choice) are CBR at $244, POFQ at $212 or CSR at $186!; in deluxe AKL IS STANDOUT AT $320 or BWI at $410.

The following would be my personal picks:

value AoA little mermaid room:
pros: great theming, next to new Skyliner for easy access to DHS and Epcot, lowest price

moderate Coronado Springs Resort (my pick as a balance of value and amenities)
pros: beautiful resort, new tower, lots of dining options, central location, price almost the same as value at only $186 per night! Wow!

deluxe Boardwalk Inn
pros: walk to DHS and Epcot, huge comfortable rooms, fantastic location, dining at all 5 Epcot resorts and World Showcase, balcony

There are lots of others, but these are my choices, FWIW, and why.

Good luck choosing!

 

[OKWFan88]

Thanks so much

 

[Sara_H]

What about AKL? fun resort...people complain that it is far away but we didn't mind. We also love Beach Club and being able to walk to EP and HS. Poly is also on my bucket list because Poly is iconic Disney is my mind.

 

[OKWFan88]

Thanks for the info. Was looking a POP as well as All Star Movies. Since my brother is 18 thought that might interest him but have heard conflicting things on the bus service.

 

[cheryllarsen]

AKL is my favorite and my kid's favorite!

 

[jennyq87]

You might have a hard time finding availability, but Wilderness Lodge with Christmas decorations is gorgeous! And Geyser Point is one of our favorite places to eat on property. If you're leaning toward a less expensive option, we also love French Quarter at Christmastime.

 

[buzznina]

Based on Babsy's post of resorts with prices, I would highly recommend CSR, it's a great resort and why pay more $$ for a resort when you will be at the parks all day.

 

[rangerxenos]

If you haven't started looking yet, you might want to check out if there is any availability, most of the first couple weeks of December have been booked up except for the really expensive deluxe resorts, depending upon your dates.

 

[Sandisw]

I can tell you that it is too late to book a DVC reservation by renting points from an owner. There is pretty much not much left in December,

However, there could be rooms vis Disney. I love all the MK resorts but Wilderness Lodge is especially beautiful at Xmas timel

I’ll be at BLT that same week and love that resort as well!

 

[mamamelody2]

Thanks for the info. Was looking a POP as well as All Star Movies. Since my brother is 18 thought that might interest him but have heard conflicting things on the bus service.

I don't know what you mean by conflicting things about the bus service, BUT: We stayed at POP last month for 10 days. AWESOME bus service. Last year we stayed at All Star Sports because I read that if the All Stars share a bus, Sports is the first stop. We were thrilled with the bus service. Only shared buses with the other All Stars a couple time during the afternoons. The only other resort we've stayed at is POR and the bus service was WAY better at both POP and Sports.

 

[Nancyg56]

At this date you may need to just pick what is open. I would look at a value since you are not planning to use any amenities, and will only be using the room so shower and sleep. If you find the buis transportation difficult the money you save can be used on Lyft or uber.