courtyard by marriott vs. disney's fairytale package

[bugbugmom]

I booked the Courtyard by Marriott for 8/27 thru 9/5 at the $20.03 rate for a total less than $284.00 for 8 nights. However, I have been reading on the boards regarding the new fairytale package for stay 7/3 thru 10/30. Is anyone else considering changing to onsite due to this package I think the difference would be approx $200.00. Should I book the fairytale package to stay onsite and lose $100.00 on cancelling my Courtyard by Marriott or stay onsite. It is our first family trip to WDW and we are driving. Our children I know would probably enjoy the resort pool with slide. They are 2 and 8. I just don't know what to do.....Any other CtY by Marriott in the same dilemma. TIA

 

[Belle1962]

I believe you can add/change the name on your Marriott ressie if you can find someone to take the week for you. So if you can find someone to reimburse you..........

 

[ellie&mattys mom]

What is the fairytale package???

 

[CarolA]

I am not sure where you come up with such a low difference. The cheapest I have seen the FairyTale package is about $1200 at CBR and that is for seven nights. You don't get any more free nights at 8 nights. Plus the rates you see quoted on Mary's site don't include the additional ticket you would need for your 8 year old figure an additional $305 for that UPH.

So your tickets cost $679 for 2 adults (7 day park hopper plus). Your 8 day hotel and ticket cost is $960 (approximalty) which is the number to compare to Mary's site. So I see an additional cost of about $300, just based on the two adults plus one extra night and the money you will lose on Courtyard. (I thought it was ALL non-refundable on this deal). I think it would be hard to find someone to buy 8 nights from you.

Personally if I could have booked on the $20.03 I would have an not looked back.

Ellie and Matties mom, check www.mousesavers.com

 

[bugbugmom]

I got the approximate figure...because my accomodations will be $284.00 plus 6 day PHP tickets will cost me $800.00 thru Ticketmania ( 2 adults and 1 child). With the FT package it would cost me $1157.90 at the All Stars. And no, I am not looking for anyone to "sell" my days at the CtY by Marriott

 

[CarolA]

Well in truth it will cost you the $1157.90 plus the amount you lose on the DTD Courtyard reservation.

The other thing to consider is that with the 6 day PHP you get to keep any pluses or days you don't use which is not true with the UHP.


Just an FYI, I am pretty sure there is not a slide at the All Star pools (although I could be wrong) and I do know the room is MUCH smaller there than the Courtyard if that is a concern. I have stayed in both of them.

I think the Fairytale package is a good deal, but it may not always be the best for everyone.

 

[Belle1962]

Bugbugmom--sorry if I gave people the wrong impression--I was the one who suggested TO you that someone else could take over your ressie. This was actually suggested to me by the CBM staff when I called about switching weeks due to work reasons...they said I could book a different week if available and add another name to my current ressie so they could do the checkin--since they are nonrefundable but transferrable. Maybe you know another family member or friend who would want to go at the same as you and stay there????

The bottom line is: do what you think is best for you and your family. If the extra money will be made up in the "specialness" of staying onsite (Mickey wake up calls, Disney themed rooms, Disney themed food court, Disney themed pools, early entry--which at this time the CBM does not participate in, etc) then go for it. Sometimes we lose sight of the value of the non-monetary things and the magic they can bring too. (This from someone who never misses the $20 rate each summer at the Marriott but will pay $200 a night for a hotel when the mood/reason is right).

 

[bugbugmom]

Belle1962 and CarolA
Thank you both for your replies. I didn't get the wrong impression in changing my ressie at the Courtyard. I think I'll keep my original plans. It really doesn't matter where my family stays because after all it is a family vacation our first. e Besides there is always next year. Also, how were the accomodations at the Courtyard? Thanks again! I was driving my husband crazy regarding accomodations. LOL He is the type that always says, "you decide."

 

[dturner]

BUGBUGMOM:

I also have reservations at the CBM in DTD for the end of September. Last year I stayed at the All Star Sports (2 of us for 5 nights with tickets for $953.05) with my 6 year old son, he loved the pools there but there is no slide or anything like that and they don't even let the kids jump into the pool. This year I decided to stay at the Marriott because of the $20.03 rate and also decided not to do Disney but instead go to Universal and Sea World because we didn't get to do that last year. Then, Disney comes out with this Fairytale Package, now I don't know what to do. I'm thinking about changing my plans yet again but like you, don't want to lose the money I put into the CBM (even though it's been a month and the money still hasn't come out of my checking account via my debit card, go figure!!).

I'm going to wait until tomorrow and call and see just how much this new package will be and then decide whether or not it's worth it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bugbugmom]

dturner

I think I just got "caught up" in the FT package thing. I'm staying with my original plans besides I've got my ps in place. Sometimes, (as my mother always said) leave things they way they are....I believe..well I know we'll still have a good time. Good luck with your decision.

 

[maggiew]

I think you have a great deal with the Courtyard Mariiott. Not only will it be cheaper, but you will have Park Hoppers, which you can use later if you decide to sleep in one day, or rest (which you can't do with the UPH). Also, depending on what time you are arriving and departing, the UPH's might not be a good deal. You still have to pay for your "tickets" that day, even if you arrive at 8 pm or depart at 8am. Also, you are sooo close to Downtown Disney.

So, feel good about your deal. Some of us are jealous and wish they could have gotten it. Believe me, I tried, but it wasn't valid during our stay. Don't let this ruin your trip.

 

[figment27]

Hi,
We stayed at CYM in January for 8 days/7nights.
I would not hesitate to stay there again.
The accomodations were clean, the rooms large.
The transportation was great. They ran every 1/2 hour. each park had its own bus. At each park they had an assigned parking space so you always knew when and where to met the bus when departing the park.
If you have any questions about CY, ask away!
Figment

 

[bugbugmom]

Figment

How would you compare Ctyd Marriott to the Caribbean Beach re sort rooms? I am still confused.. TIA

 

[figment27]

Hi,
We stayed at CBR way back in 1992.
The rooms, as I remember are somewhat smaller at the CBR than at the CYM. CBR has since been renovated, but I do not believe the room size has changed.
Of course, at CBR the famous Disney theming is ever present.

Both the CBR and the CYM have the bathroom sinks outside the bath area which makes it nice in the morning.
The rooms at CYM are extremely clean, have in-room safes, hairdryer, coffeemakers with a coffee packet provided daily.
Our room had a balcony, which we were able to watch Epcot fireworks from in the evening.
If you stick with the CYM ressie, call the hotel directly and ask for a room with a view of the fireworks. We were on the 9th floor.

CYM has a dining room attached to the hotel which serves a decent breakfast buffet every morning at a very reasonable price. They also have a small snack bar that serves Pizza Hut pizza, various snacks such as donuts, coffee, juice, milk, ice cream, etc.
They will also provide a refrigerator at your request. If you do want a refrigerator, I would have them note it on the ressie.

The staff were extremely polite and helpful.

CBR is HUGE meaning it has an enormous number of guest rooms. They are broken down into "villages" named after the Caribbean islands. You may not have to wait long to catch a bus to the parks but because the resort is so large, the bus takes a some time to make all the individual stops it needs to within this resort.
Dollar for dollar you cannot beat the CYM deal. I was a little bit concerned about the transportation at CYM but it turned out to be great. Busses ran every 1/2 hour, were on time and very comfortable.
We were able to plan some very nice meals in the parks with all the money we saved on the room.
Hope this helps.
Figment

 

[bugbugmom]

figment

thanks so much for your prompt and detail reply. i really appreciate it. good luck to you

bugbugmom

 

[nowellsl]

We just got back from CYM on 5/7/03. We enjoyed our stay there, even though we had a balcony view of I-4 (make sure you request a pool view or fireworks view). We could have moved the next day but we weren't there much so didn't mind. The buses were OK as long as you get there on the 1/2 hour you don't have to wait much. The rooms are larger than all-stars and clean. All in all, it was alright. We're going again in Sept. at the 20.03 rate.

 

[figment27]

I should have added, we stayed at CYM in January 2003.