Best WDW Resort for college kids?

[BigRed98]

Thanks everyone again. You guys are all very helpful and all helped a lot. Now I just have to show my friends what you all shared. I really appreciate it.

 

[happymommy]

I think also you need to get an honest count on your budget per person. It's not just the room, but your tickets. Meals - you can all decide how much to spend (you can do as much or as little there individually as you choose, and honestly, you can save a lot by doing things like ordering Amazon Prime Pantry or Prime Now, or even Safeway, for breakfasts and splitting it up).

Coming up with a budget for lodging ahead of time helps a lot!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[rcraw45425]

There will be a fee (I think $15 for moderates, maybe less for values) for each additional adult over two in a room PER NIGHT. That will be calculated in when you book the room. If in your budget, check out a studio at Old Key West, they have two queen beds and you will not be charged a fee since it's a villa. If you have an annual pass (you mentioned that you go with your parents) the passholder rates for it are usually only a little more than the moderates.

 

[BigRed98]

There will be a fee (I think $15 for moderates, maybe less for values) for each additional adult over two in a room PER NIGHT. That will be calculated in when you book the room. If in your budget, check out a studio at Old Key West, they have two queen beds and you will not be charged a fee since it's a villa. If you have an annual pass (you mentioned that you go with your parents) the passholder rates for it are usually only a little more than the moderates.

I'm a DVC and annual pass holder member, I have to check out the price difference, didn't know about that. Thanks!

 

[rcraw45425]

I'm a DVC and annual pass holder member, I have to check out the price difference, didn't know about that. Thanks!

I'm a mom of two college girls and take them and at least one friend for Food & Wine and have run into this a few times. It really makes the rate go up on the deluxe hotels, think $25 per extra person over the two adults per night. Then I had someone tell me about Old Key West. It's the only studio with two queens, the other studios have a queen and a sleeper sofa. And the rooms are large too. We've never stayed there, two falls ago I took the girls plus one and stayed at Poly, club level, that was expensive, and last fall we stayed standard room at Yacht Club. Old Key West will also give you a boat to Disney Springs for all of the fun stuff there too.

 

[georgina]

When my DD and her friends graduated from high school, they stayed at Pop. Value rather than moderate was best for their budget, and using the buses to get around was ideal for them.

 

[happymommy]

Yes, it's $25 extra per night for the extra adults at the deluxe resorts. So that does add to the cost.

I'd go value all the way for college students, or see if you can rent a DVC from someone.

You already have an AP - that's great! Tickets are pricey too.

 

[BigredNole]

Something else to think about is renting DVC points. Yes, the second bed is a sleeper sofa. I have a very finicky back and find it rather comfortable. You can get DVC studios through renters for the price of a Value or less. Something else to think about. SSR, OKW, and AKV are usually the cheapest. I would take any of those over POR/FQ any day.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think also you need to get an honest count on your budget per person. It's not just the room, but your tickets. Meals - you can all decide how much to spend (you can do as much or as little there individually as you choose, and honestly, you can save a lot by doing things like ordering Amazon Prime Pantry or Prime Now, or even Safeway, for breakfasts and splitting it up).

Coming up with a budget for lodging ahead of time helps a lot!

Enjoy your trip!

I agree that before you talk lodging choices, talk total budget for all of you. Disney is expensive, and not everyone understands that until they arrive. Better to compromise of your lodging if that means all of you will be able to afford the food and extras a vacation entails.

My son always asks me to estimate the tips from Skycap to DME home and food, OOP food, and any extras we plan. He wants to have an idea what the cost is and that money set aside for him and DDIL early in the planning process. I think that is a good idea for you and your friends as well. Know before you go! LOL!

WE took a friend and her family with us on am 8 day trip. She was shocked at the cost of beverages, that tips added up, and spending in general. She was not in college, either. She had allocated $300 for the three of them in spending. I had already paid the lodging, DxDDP, and we stayed CL, but 300.00 was not enough. It was kind of awkward because we had tried to discuss the OOP costs she would be responsible for before we went, and she did get it.

 

[Ambehnke]

POR if you are planning on spending significant time at the resort.

 

[Nancyg56]

POR if you are planning on spending significant time at the resort.

What does CSR look like now? I know that construction is taking place but have no idea of the scope. If is is not a major impact, CSR would be a pretty nice spot for young adults to spend time.

 

[McKelly]

Port Orleans Riverside is our favorite mod - so if you go that route - that would be my pick! But if you are trying to stay on a budget, we have stayed at Pop too and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If you guys live in a dorm, you are used to sharing small spaces.

 

[Ambehnke]

What does CSR look like now? I know that construction is taking place but have no idea of the scope. If is is not a major impact, CSR would be a pretty nice spot for young adults to spend time.

I agree beautiful resort. But it is undergoing refurbishments now and they are also adding a tower and site upgrades (in the future) so for me it would really depend on timing to stay there because if I'm spending significant time at the resort I wouldn't want to be in he midst of construction.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree beautiful resort. But it is undergoing refurbishments now and they are also adding a tower and site upgrades (in the future) so for me it would really depend on timing to stay there because if I'm spending significant time at the resort I wouldn't want to be in he midst of construction.

I would not either. That's why I wondered what it is going through now. I had read the impact is not great, but I still am not comfortable referring csr without knowing g for sure.

 

[VAfamily1998]

W

We've never stayed at the cabins but I've always wanted to. I've heard lots of good things, although I've also head it can be a bit of a pain in the butt to get around the resort. Thoughts?

I've only stayed once-I was by myself (there for the marathon) but didn't find it difficult to get around. I think it might be harder with small children or people that find it difficult to get around in general--but since these are college kids I reckon they are used to walking all over campus to get to classes so the distances won't faze them!

 

[Roxyfire]

I would not either. That's why I wondered what it is going through now. I had read the impact is not great, but I still am not comfortable referring csr without knowing g for sure.

You're right, it wasn't going to be too bad. But then they announced the tower. They are demolishing building 9b right now can't imagine that's pleasant to hear. I imagine it'll be quite a mess for the next year and a half. I guess I'm glad we already stayed there once and got it checked off the list.

 

[gmboy95]

Me and my college friends are planning to go to Disney for the first time all together. Were only looking at value and moderate resorts bc we don't have too much money. Right now the front runner resort is one of the Port Orleans. Any comments, thoughts and suggestions?

If it is a moderate i as well would do port orleans as it has the boat to DS, which for college kids would be important!

 

[bamaliving]

I agree that you should see if you can get a good rate for Swan/Dolphin! It's so nice to be able to walk to Boardwalk - great restaurants, drinks, and entertainment! You can also walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.