Any thoughts re upgrading flights/hotels?

[ButterbearUK]

Hey guys,

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the following...

I am trying to work out a budget so that I can start saving for my next trip to WDW (2009) I shall be going with my DBF in late August/Early September (I know, the hot weather, the crowds but it's the only time of year we can go ). We are planning to stay at the CSR/POR for a week.

It will be DBF's first trip to WDW and I would like to surprise him with a little extra something. I am umming and ahhing between upgrading our flights, or our Disney Hotel stay (to AKL or the Contemporary), and not letting on til we leave

So, your thoughts please... What would you do? Spend the extra money on Premium Economy flights, or stay in the on the monorail route/with the cool animals? (Both options would cost about the same based on this year's prices- £500.)

There is of course a third option... I could be sensible and pocket the money to put towards a future hol. LOL!

Milia

 

[mushumadness]

I would upgrade the hotel as you will be there longer than being on the plane

You can always still keep an eye out for a special offer on upgades for nearer the time

 

[ButterbearUK]

That is a very good point... I hadn't really thought about it, but we would probably be spending the afternoons in the hotel. After 3hrs in the parks I need a rest!

 

[Miffy2003]

Pocket the money for a future trip! Seriously, if it's his first trip he's bound to love whichever hotel you choose

 

[penlanspice]

I would def go for the hotel. You would get many more hours worth out of it, I would choose the hotel and stay on the monorail.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

It all depends on how tall you both are.
Tall and the PE room will save many hours of backache and ruination of your first few days.
Plus its a bit more special and starts and ends the holiday better.

 

[irenep]

As you are in no hurry to book why not keep an eye open for special offers from BA Holidays. I booked for October 2008 in May this year when they had early booking offers (had to book before end of June) - got FREE upgrade on return and paid just £150 for outward upgrade to world traveller plus.
With that kind of deal - you could do both!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

I have a fairly straightforward approach to this, what do I get and how else could I spend the money.

I've travelled LGW to MCO in all three classes in the last 3 months.
I would not pay the extra for Premium and that's me at 6'1".

If it were the 4 of us @ £100 per person, thats £800 I could use for another week in a villa, car hire and some spending left over.
At £200 I'd be thinking more of 2 trips instead of 1.
I'm not a huge fan of PE on the MCO route but that's personal experience and opinion. Others may disagree but I think the money can be better spent if you have a budget constraint.

What will you remember 6 months after the visit, the plane journey or your time spent on the ground. It's no contest for me.

If the £500 will get you back to Florida 6 months earlier then it's worth considering.
Personally I'd go for the accommodation upgrade.

 

[Claire L]

Can you only go for a week? There is alot to do in 6 days so if you could extend it then that would be my choice.

Claire

 

[christi]

Upgrade definitely! I would suggest WDW Dolphin which we chose for your first WDW trip. We loved it and it comes up slightly cheaper than other deluxe Disney Accomodation!

Enjoy whatever you decide!

 

[ButterbearUK]

Thanks for all your lovely replies You rock! Given the comments received I will probably upgrade the hotel. As has been pointed out, we will spend much more time there than on the plane.

irenep- thanks for the info about early bookings, will definitely be booking as far out as we can so will keep an eye out for that. We have enough miles for one BA flight, but we'll have to pay for the other ticket OOP.

Claire L- we are going to florida for two weeks, but are spending the first week in Miami with Pete's family so we're limited to 1 week in WDW. I totally agree though that only going for one week makes it tough to see it all! We shall just have to go back someday to see the rest

Milia

 

[fuse04]

I would definielty go for a accomodation upgrade...we did this year to AKL and WL. Great theming at both, Wl was really great being so close to Mk, monorail and good resturants.

Only one warning though......difficult to go back to value or moderate having stayed in deluxe!!!!

 

[ButterbearUK]

You are right fuse04, but I have done it. In fact we did the resort categories backwards! We stayed at the CR on our first onsite trip, then at the POR, then the POP. I would hapily stay at the POP again if I knew I'd have a car and could go elsewhere to eat, but I think we'll be relying on good old Disney for transportation this time...

When we stayed at the CR the monorail was so convenient and we were spending most of our time in the MK. We stayed at the POR next trip as it was cheaper, and the resort is beautiful so we weren't disappointed. Last time we went, we stayed at the POP for a week because we could have two rooms there for the price of one at a mod. We spent all our time in the parks and we visited the GF and AKL etc for nice dinners If I go to WDW again with DBF I'll take him to the POP, but I think he'll need some downtime on this trip to get over "Disney-Shock", a Mod or Deluxe is the way forward.

Milia

 

[Claire L]

Oh Miami is a great city and the Keys Would love to go back one day. As you only have 7 nights at WDW go for the hotel upgrade

Claire

 

[wideeyes]

I would go for a hotel upgrade, they are some beautiful resorts at WDW.

 

[fuse04]

You are right fuse04, but I have done it. In fact we did the resort categories backwards! We stayed at the CR on our first onsite trip, then at the POR, then the POP. I would hapily stay at the POP again if I knew I'd have a car and could go elsewhere to eat, but I think we'll be relying on good old Disney for transportation this time...

Milia

I agree with POR, that was our first stay at WDW (last year) and it is a very nice resort