back and forth..how do you decide where to stay

[Misty89]

OK i know we have a TON of time yet, but the resort choices are driving me nutz !

we have 4 nts booked at CR, standard veiw. it is alot of money per night ($244.00 w/o tax)
we are going down on a monday with the hopes to do MVMCP that first night. want to do MK. epcot and MGM. AK is not high on the list...seaworld would be a better choice then AK for us. we might extend our trip for 1 nt if we can figure out a plan.

i dont want to stay at a value resort ( read too many horror storys on here) and the moderates dont really strike my fancy ...( not really into any of the themes)
thinking about the S/D.....but those are kind of expensive right?
thought about breaking up and spliting 2 resorts ( CR and then something else) we have not yet ruled out renting a car ( seaworld and Orlando exploring) anyone have any suggestions?
we want to stay ( ok I,) at CR for atleast 2 nights......and save money on a cheaper room the next 2 or 3 nights would be super....

any thoughts?

i dont want to rent points from DVC i dont think.



thanks

 

[bjsmico]

I have heard a few horror stories as well about the value resorts so I was REALLY surprised and how pleased we were when we stayed there last year. We had 2 connecting rooms and with the door open between the rooms it felt like PLENTY of room!!! The mousekeeping was awesome and the food court was only a 5 minute walk away. The noise level was very low and all in all I have NO problem with staying there. There are 6 in our family so we need 2 rooms and this is the only affordable way to go. Next year we will be at the Pop Century and not one bit of hesitation. Now mind you, we always book rooms at Embassy suites or Marriot when on other vacations, but going in knowing this is a VALUE resort,we were very pleased, we know this is not a deluxe resort and don;t expect deluxe accomodations. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Misty89]

well, i did it LOL i cancelled 2 of our nts at CR.have a room credit now of $90.90.
i am going to focus on a DTD hotel ...

thanks i feel better about not having a $1,200 hotel bill for 4 nts.. i am sure i find something for under$100 for the last 2 nts.



thanks!

 

[susy]

How about the WL??? I am really missing it right now!!!!

 

[webray]

We decided where to stay based on what we are doing/what parks visiting that trip.

We only stay at the CR if and only if we are attending an event there, in conjunction with the MK because the walk is easy.

Other than that..we stay at All Star Sports..don't know what horror stories you have heard about value resorts..but, they are great, with great prices. The food courts have excellent food, the pools are great, laundry rooms...they are the best laid our resorts on disney property. NO matter what room/building you get..you are no more than a few minutes walk away from everything. You definately can't beat the price.

You are right about the moderate resorts...they are not worth the money..and a huge pain in the butt. We have tried all three, and will never stay at one of them again.

As far as the other deluxes...Boardwalk is our favorite, Yacht club second if you want a disney resort and spending time at EPCOT and MGM. So easy and convenient...and so many food choices so close. You can also choose the Swan or Dolphin..now there is quality for great prices.

For just a relaxing weekend..our favorite is AKL...what a place..you don't have to ever leave, they have everything you need there.

Good luck!

 

[TN Traveler]

Misty, I have been a travel agent for the last 9 yrs, a Disney Specialist for 8. Whenever I have a client call and say they want to go to Disney, the first thing I ask is "what is your budget?" The majority of my clients are on a strict budget so I usually suggest one of the value properties. I have sold all 4 of them and can honestly say I have NEVER had a complaint about the properties. If they have mostly boys, I lean toward All-Star Sports, girls toward music or movies and if both, whichever the parents suggest. Of course this is good for families of 4 or less. I have personally stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and French Qtr and enjoyed both of them alot. If you are debating about renting a car and going to Sea World I would suggest to definitely w/o
a question do it! Sea World is awesome. We went after spending 6 days in the Disney Parks and were pleasantly surprised at the smaller crowds. The shows are great--be sure to get there 15-30 mins before they begin and you MUST ride Atlantis and if brave enough, Kraken. I loved it but I like big roller coasters so take that w/a grain of salt. Regardless of what you decide, you are at Disney.....you can't go wrong!!! Have a wonderful time.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've stayed at all levels of resorts in WDW. My dd, 10, actually liked AllStarMusic better than the Polynesian. And said that Port Orleans Riverside was more magical than the Polynesian. I was quite prepared to 'make do' at the AllStars but I really liked it there. We are staying at the CR for our first two nights this August then over to BWV since that's our home DVC resort. I guess what I'm saying is that you shouldn't decide that you have no interest in the value resorts. While their pools aren't quite as nice as the more expensive resorts and they don't have any sit down type restaurants, they do fit the bill. I found that the CMs at AllStarMusic were nicer and more helpful than any we had encountered to date. Mousekeeping was wonderful..only place they have ever gone out of their way to do anything nice, such as towel animals, arranging dd's stuffed animals in funny ways. The food court had everything that we needed.
Would I stay there again? Yep. In fact we were going to in August but got a pretty good rate at the Contemporary and wanted to try it out.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

My main thought as I read your post was, "Only 4 nites? That's not enough time!"

Especially if you want to do Sea World and explore Orlando.

If it were me, I'd do whatever I could to be able to stay at least a week. Either that or forget about touring anything off-site.

You have a year and a half to save, if money is the issue. I would scrimp and save and try to extend the trip and stay at a value resort or even off-site if that's what it takes.

Best wishes!

 

[cooldisneymom]

Originally posted by susy
How about the WL??? I am really missing it right now!!!!

Sounds good to me susy!!!!! I'll vote for WL.

 

[missydisney]

Have you considered the Wilderness Cabins. They offer full kitchen. There are lots of resort activities and offer all the resort perks. Lots of room. We stayed there when they were the old trailers. Loved it. Quiet no problems. Just a thought. Choosing the right resort is a fun part of planning. I want to someday try them all. We just travel on a budget right now so out last few stays have been at a Value, Again we have had no problems lots of awesome themeing.

 

[Misty89]

thanks all!

we are going to 2 nts off-site - DTD area....we only have 4 nights because DH is not a big traveler and that is what he can handle ( he also going w us 3 girls LMAO ) so i will take what i cant get :0


we are looking at doubletree guest suites or country inn and suites. only bad thing is i cant book until exactly 1 year in advance ( unlike my CR ressie thats booked and paid with room credit !! - i am itching to get things paid off in advance .
so we will decide from those 2 and reserve one in november this year.

i did look into the FW cabins...but i would like to save some $$ for other stuff beisdes sleeping quarters. - i did check mouse savers and this site and both DT suites and country inn got good reviews

WL, and AKL are not our thing....not into the lodge look.
thanks though!

also realized about 1 hour ago, if any codes come out for room only in nov next year we will have a bigger room credit, or from AAA if i dont find mousesaver/ DISboards codes - plenty for dinner at concourse grill and CRT.





Tina

 

[Beka'sMom]

WOW- You are really booking way in advance- I have to say, you will probably change your mind numerous times based on discounts that come out along the way!!!!

That's what usually happens to us- we book, a new code or discount comes out and we re-book, etc, etc, etc.........Always end up having a great time where ever we end up staying.

We have stayed at Doubletree Suites in downtown disney and it is quite nice- close to downtown disney and the hotel is great-
spacious suite like hotel room- nice pool & restuarant-

Wherever you end up staying, HAVE FUN!