Any regrets upgrading?

[mad madam mim78]

You're singing my song and I have NO problem paying an extra $500 for Contemporary Resort, of course I had to poll people to finally bite but it's the best fit for our family...larger rooms (we actually prefer to be in the same room rather than 2 potentially not close values)...if it were more than $1000 difference I would say No for our family, but anything undr $700 is worth the convenience of being on the monorail, larger room, comfier beds, to MK in 5 minutes!

I with ya! Problem is I'm looking at over 1000. It kind of makes me wanna puke typing it. I always said it would never be worth it to me but I'm waning. I have an AP so I have to wait to see what kind of discounts come out. Maybe I can find a great deal. Or if I get brave enough to delve into points. Who knows?

I just want to hear some experiences. DH is way more easy going about money than me so whatever I do he will never balk. But I might. LOL

Oh we're staying 7 nights. That's why it would be over 1000.

 

[DISzy]

We have stayed POR and loved it! We have also stayed AKL an CR. I love both. However, the rooms still do not feel very roomy. They don't feel that much bigger than the room at POR, but the balcony is awesome! That makes the room feel bigger. Also, we have started staying club level and really enjoy hanging in the club lounge. I go there to have my coffee, read emails, etc while everyone else is still asleep. So in that way, it does feel like we can spread out more.

 

[lmhall2000]

I with ya! Problem is I'm looking at over 1000. It kind of makes me wanna puke typing it. I always said it would never be worth it to me but I'm waning. I have an AP so I have to wait to see what kind of discounts come out. Maybe I can find a great deal. Or if I get brave enough to delve into points. Who knows?

I just want to hear some experiences. DH is way more easy going about money than me so whatever I do he will never balk. But I might. LOL

Oh we're staying 7 nights. That's why it would be over 1000.

Depending on when you're going, you should find a deal that would get the span lower than $1000...we are going during the free dining deal and it's within $400 if we upgrade to DDP at the Values...so worth it for me...if I can find an opening with standard view it's almost the exact same cost. The difference before the special was over $1700 difference...wait for the specials, it will help ease your mind!

 

[mad madam mim78]

We have stayed POR and loved it! We have also stayed AKL an CR. I love both. However, the rooms still do not feel very roomy. They don't feel that much bigger than the room at POR, but the balcony is awesome! That makes the room feel bigger. Also, we have started staying club level and really enjoy hanging in the club lounge. I go there to have my coffee, read emails, etc while everyone else is still asleep. So in that way, it does feel like we can spread out more.

Those were my thoughts. If we're going to stay in one room with 2 queens and a pullout were going to stay at PoR. So upgrading to a deluxe of the same caliber isn't reasonable. I was considering either ft wilderness, AoA, or AKL jambo.

 

[mad madam mim78]

Depending on when you're going, you should find a deal that would get the span lower than $1000...we are going during the free dining deal and it's within $400 if we upgrade to DDP at the Values...so worth it for me...if I can find an opening with standard view it's almost the exact same cost. The difference before the special was over $1700 difference...wait for the specials, it will help ease your mind!

I know. Waiting is not one of my stronger points when it comes to booking my disney vacations.

I'm working on it.

 

[amelia1]

Now I'm curious about renting points. Will have to check out the link.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I know the deluxes we stayed at were definitely bigger than POR. In fact we once booked POR but one look at the room (after staying in a deluxe) and we checked back into a deluxe that same day.

You also will have more drawer/closet space and a patio or balcony.

One of my favorite things about deluxes though are the ease of transportation. Whether it's the monorail, water taxis or being able to walk to the parks that is really important to us.

Our favorite deluxe is the Beach Club. You can walk to both DHS and EPCOT or take a water taxi. Definitely worth the extra money to us.

 

[amelia1]

So...say I rent points from DVC owner and then free dining is announced for my stay. Anyone know how that would work?

 

[mad madam mim78]

I know the deluxes we stayed at were definitely bigger than POR. In fact we once booked POR but one look at the room (after staying in a deluxe) and we checked back into a deluxe that same day.

You also will have more drawer/closet space and a patio or balcony.

One of my favorite things about deluxes though are the ease of transportation. Whether it's the monorail, water taxis or being able to walk to the parks that is really important to us.

Our favorite deluxe is the Beach Club. You can walk to both DHS and EPCOT or take a water taxi. Definitely worth the extra money to us.

Very good info! This opens some options. I just got weary because some of the pictures the rooms look really small. As small as PoR. Is it true bay lake tower doesn't have balconies?

 

[jimandami]

So...say I rent points from DVC owner and then free dining is announced for my stay. Anyone know how that would work?

You would not be eligible for free dining nor would you be able to cancel your reservation. However, we have always found renting points to be a better deal than free dining, particularly if you rent a studio and rent from a private DVC member.

 

[amelia1]

So...say I rent points from DVC owner and then free dining is announced for my stay. Anyone know how that would work?

Never mind...I answered my own question reading through David's website.

 

[scottmel]

I use to be pretty frugal. And in some ways I am but honestly the older I get (45) the more I like things to be the best they can be. When DD14 was young we use to rent points and loved it. I marveled at WHO would ever NOT rent points this is a steal staying at AKL for 90.00 a night!!!! Well fast forward and our tastes changed and for the past 5 years we have stayed CLub level at BWI or YC. Love it.

Last summer we did a split stay and I stayed in a mod for the first time in YEARS and I laid there in bed on a hard mattress listening to the ac kick on and off in a too tight of a bed with foot traffic outside my front door and said :WHY DID I DO THIS?????

It will be hard to go back once you make the leap to deluxe! LOL. go for it. Change it up a bit this summer. We adore YC and this summer am doing 6 days at YC and 5 at OKW on rented points. Makes the trip a little more cost effective yet I get the deluxe feel for 140 a night at OKW. Can't beat it.

 

[kellietony]

Each time I have looked to book, and I have watched down to the last minute, an upgrade to deluxe from Coronado has always been more than $1000 (at least 6 nights), and that was to AKL, a bit more for WL. To get to anything on the monorail has always been another $2000 or higher.

We were upgraded for free upon check-in on our last trip this past November to AKL. We loved it there. Now I don't know how we will go back to moderate, but I really can't fathom spending that much more when we don't spend a ton of time at the resort.

So where are these small prices to upgrade? Each time I see all the people who stay at these resorts, I wonder about their spending $5000+ for their trip while I'm only spending $2500. What am I missing? And I'm aware of the DVC rentals, but those aren't at Poly, GF or Contemporary.

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[Upatnoon]

This question is for the frugal. I am pretty thrifty for the most part. I'm not cheap....I just love value. I like to get the most for what I pay. I've recently always picked the cheapest option for resorts for my family of five. Usually PoR. I love the resort. It's beautiful. The only thing is the room is really a tight fit. Not really a big deal but definitely no room to move.

I'm considering spending more money this time. I guess what I'm asking is have any of you done this? Put aside your frugal ways and upgraded? Did you regret it? Did you get your money's worth? Please.....do tell.

We are also a family of 5 that's also into value -- and having some space and luxury. So we now stay in 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens, balconies and 3 TVs. And we always pay less than the price of a value. How? By staying off-site and renting one of the many timeshares around Disney.

 

[bluejasmine]

I could imagine having any regrets! Only regret maybe that we got use to CL and deluxe and now we have to go back to mods! Lol. But no I'm very grateful to be able to back in Sept!

Those deluxes are addicting!!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[Abby Wednesday]

I had a lot of trouble shelling out the $200+ (with a 40% pin) per night for our 2010 trip. I made the decision to go deluxe out of convenience (3 year old who napped), and I stuck with it. No regrets here. Convenience and comfort can be worth the money, especially when you are trying to have a relaxing vacation. We're not park commandos.

Our norm for hotel costs is 50-100, so we're no strangers to budget hotels.

 

[KELLY]

I guess I'm in your category. Not so much frugal but more I would rather go for longer than choose a deluxe. Have been there done that and then we tried a value and was wondering why we spent all that money. We have stayed at pop the last 5 years. I would rather spend my money on extra dining experiences,Pl or BBB for the girls and stuff like that.

I would say pick what is on your budget. We Are a family of 4 stay in a value for 17 days and I don't find it bad. But if you need 2 rooms I guess I would do the value route and get 2 rooms vs POR. It is over 1200.00 for us to upgrade to a moderate so it makes no sense for us. Except we would get the RDP instead of the QSDP. But we prefer the QSDP the a e just pay OP for a few TS meals that way we aren't on a schedule.

 

[Minnesota!]

Yes. We chose AKL/CSR over Pop last year. AKL was great - we made those days non=park days b/c I don't see the value in staying at a $$ resort if you are not there to take advantage of things they offer above a value/mod.

However, we regretted taking CSR over Pop. Twice we have done that and both times CSR has been a disappointment.

WE will not make that mistake again. For our family, value is where the true value is

 

[Mousemommy1]

Last year, we made the move from values to deluxe. I was worried about whether it would be worth it. We stayed at WL (even did CL) and had an amazing time!!!!

My only regret is that my family loved it so much, we can't see going to Disney any other way. My wallet is regretting the decision!

We literally just got back last night from a YC CL trip and it was worth every penny! (we even got some pixie dust and were upgraded from a SV CL room to Lagoon/Pool view!!!)

So, my "regret" is that our vacations got a lot more expensive, but to us, it is worth the expense, and we will continue to vacation our way until we no longer feel its a value.