Comparison HELP - My brain hurts!!! WL vs. Swan

[BlueFairy]

Help please,
Normally I'm good at this, but all the number crunching has me confused. Help me decide what is my most economical of these choices. I hope this is on the right board.

Stats- 2 adults + DD (2 yo) travelling Sept or October (very flexible dates), flying, 5 nights. Prefer 6day MYW tixs with PH ($262 x 2). Eating 2 Char meals, 2 or 3 TS, cold breakfast, and counter service all on property, with DD eating off our plates for the most part.

A) Have a ressie at Swan ($125/nt); no food discounts or dining plan ($500 food budget???); need town car transfer ($110?); can cancel anytime

B) Get WL ressie for std room and hope for AP rates? What is the typical rate found there last year with AP? Then buy 1 AP ($463) and 1 DDE ($65) if the rates are announced and apply it to our ressie. When can I expect this? Summer? Is a discount on std. room common then? Is this CHEAPER than choice A. I think maybe the total is about the same, depending on the AP rate. Use Disney transportation and ME. No towncar.

C) The ever-popular free dining with rack-rate std room at WL. I think for the food and the way we eat we'd save about $60 on food alone. Rack value season at WL is $215. Once again - was it common to get these dates with free DDP on a std room? Same transportation as B.

Finally, if we're hoping for B or C, should I make a rack room-only or DDP ressie now and apply discount later? Is there a charge for making the changes?

As you can see, it's been awhile since I did this and so much has changed. Thanks for your help. Sorry I have so many questions, but I know the folks here can help.

 

[*Belle*]

Hi BlueFairy
I prefer the Swan location over the WL. $125.00 is a steal for that resort. If your really are looking at the WL with Free dining, I would wait for it to be offered. In the mean time I would keep the Swan ressie.
We have stayed at both resorts and are transportation snobs.

 

[BlueFairy]

well, if you found transportation to be an issue at WL, then we would, too. I prefer to be a snob about it when we can afford it. Enjoyed the location of S/D last year. Just really wanted close access to MK for DD.


Anyone have input on the finances here??? PLEASE?? I have no clue what to guess at for a WL AP rate in value season.

 

[dabute]

Anyone have input on the finances here??? PLEASE?? I have no clue what to guess at for a WL AP rate in value season.

We booked a std room at WL during value season and paid $151/night w/tax.
It's usually $80 off per night at the Deluxe resorts during value season.

We were upgraded to a courtyard view room upon check-in

 

[BlueFairy]

That's so helpful!! Thank you!

I was guessing $140, but hadn't added tax, so I wasn't far off. Thanks!

 

[jwfla422]

Keep in mind that even if an AP rate is released it may not be available for WL for the dates you're looking at or for the type of room you're looking at there.

We stay at the Swan a lot and do alternate with the WL because I think they are very different resorts in very different locations. Totally different experiences.

I think $215 is a lot for a standard at WL, but if you go in Sept. you should come across an AP rate there as this is a low traveled time. You may even want to consider a "split" stay. While WL is convenient to MK, the Swan is even more convenient to Epcot and the Studios. As I said, both very different atmospheres. If I was staying a week, I'd definitely consider a split stay.