Deciding on a budget is HARD!!

[BensWife]

I've been looking into a 2016 vacation. I'd like to come in January to escape the Florida heat. Last time we went to WDW, there were 7 of us and we stayed in a 2 bd villa at SSR. We loved having the more room, kitchen and washer&dryer. This time, it will be just our family of 4. We really want to have a separate sleeping space for our kids as I am a light sleeper and DH and I want to be able to stay up later than the kids without keeping them up. We have been looking into a family suite at AoA. I think our kids would like it and with the 2 bathroom and more space, sounds great. However, I was also looking into a 1bd villa at Kidani and at BLT since they both have 2 bathrooms. To move to the villa will be a significant price increase, but if we go in Jan, hopefully they will have the Play, Stay, Dine discount, which would make the villa a little less. We have the money for both, but trying to decide if we should or not is hard. I always love a nicer hotel, but my DH would be happy with cheap. I think our kids would love AoA, but I guess I am leery of the large crowds and just that it is a "value". I know the kids will love pretty much anywhere we go. How do you decide on a budget?

 

[Fizban]

First we figure out what we've done already and what we want to do next then we start looking at the resort options. Also as a suggestion expand your ideas to include maybe getting 2 adjoining rooms instead of a suite as that may be a better/more economical option.

 

[Hopefully]

First we figure out what we've done already and what we want to do next then we start looking at the resort options. Also as a suggestion expand your ideas to include maybe getting 2 adjoining rooms instead of a suite as that may be a better/more economical option.

2 adjoining rooms would not work. Minimally OP would need a Connecting room with a 5 YO and an 8 YO. This is only a Request and will never be guaranteed. There are lots of reports here of folks who were told their connecting rooms were guaranteed, only to arrive and not have them
OP I personally would go with the 1 BR Villa. In addition to the separate sleeping spaces you want it gives you a fully equipped kitchen, a washer & dryer, a whirlpool tub, a LR/DR area. It is so much more. I would also get a grocery delivery from Garden Grocer and order breakfast foods, fresh fruit, water, soda, beer, wine, and snacks. Even if you only eat breakfast in before you head to the parks you will be saving money.
Good Luck

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with Hopefully. Stay where YOU feel most comfortable. At least in our house, if Momma's not happy, ain't nobody happy. You might want to look at renting DVC points instead of booking directly thru Disney. The price might be significantly less.

 

[LisaCM614]

I've been looking into a 2016 vacation. I'd like to come in January to escape the Florida heat. Last time we went to WDW, there were 7 of us and we stayed in a 2 bd villa at SSR. We loved having the more room, kitchen and washer&dryer. This time, it will be just our family of 4. We really want to have a separate sleeping space for our kids as I am a light sleeper and DH and I want to be able to stay up later than the kids without keeping them up. We have been looking into a family suite at AoA. I think our kids would like it and with the 2 bathroom and more space, sounds great. However, I was also looking into a 1bd villa at Kidani and at BLT since they both have 2 bathrooms. To move to the villa will be a significant price increase, but if we go in Jan, hopefully they will have the Play, Stay, Dine discount, which would make the villa a little less. We have the money for both, but trying to decide if we should or not is hard. I always love a nicer hotel, but my DH would be happy with cheap. I think our kids would love AoA, but I guess I am leery of the large crowds and just that it is a "value". I know the kids will love pretty much anywhere we go. How do you decide on a budget?

To answer your question of how I decide on how much - we price out the 'what we really want to do' and then we price out the 'looks like it would fit our family' And then we compare - if it is <$200 variance we go with the resort we really want. IF the price is >$200 we start our pro's and con's. Your tolerance level might be higher or lower.
Staying at BLT has the biggest pro of all - location! I don't have a ton of time on vacation for me saving time with transportation usually outweighs the general cost. One year we did choose AoA because we were being more cost conscious. We loved having the 2 bathrooms and never had a problem with the buses. The theming is so well done, totally immersive Disney. We did have a problem with the food court. The food was great - we just missed having easy access to a table service restaurant for dinner.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you can swing it, I would do a 1-bedroom. I love having a washer/dryer and kitchen with a full size fridge and coffee maker. I find the villas to have much more comfortable furnishings. I've never stayed at BLT, but have stayed at VWL, BCV, BWV and AKV Jambo. They were all so comfortable and quiet! Really like a home away from home. AoA is a value and I found it very uncomfortable and loud. The bedding is the worst I've ever slept on and the food court is a chaotic mess. I couldn't wait to get out of there! If you are interested, you could also price out a cabin at Ft. W or a junior suite at CSR. These would also give you separate space and might price out lower than a 1-bedroom

 

[Haygar2]

We are in a similar boat. However, we are renting 2 rooms. Hopefully connecting. Our children are older. Our daughter will be 17 and our son will be 13 so as long as we are close, if we don't get connecting, we should be good.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

Planning Starts with seeing what Disney is offering during the time we will be there. Then we will pick a resort, decide how many days, extras we want to add(parties,Pirates league). I have Considered a AOA family suite in the past but never booked a stay. I'm like you, I prefer the nicer hotels.

 

[Accident]

There is a dollar amount I'm willing to spend and I know if I jump over it, it will change how I enjoy the trip. Once we have a basic idea of what we're after and how long we can be there, the delicate balance of what options, resort and price start to come in. Are we going to be around the resort that it's more than coffee and a bed? do we have more than a cheap food court to eat at if someone gets sick and has to stay around the room a couple days (this happened once and my biggest deciding factor on where). I then book it and only pay the deposit. A few days later, it sinks in better on what I'm spending and what I'm missing or overdid. Or it's so far in advance no discounts are out yet and I'm waiting for one. I'll keep refining it almost up until the last day I have to pay it off and most times I don't touch it again after that.

Basically, there is a tipping point where I feel we're just throwing money away and the vacation turns into a splurge. I don't really know what that number is when I'm starting to book, I only have a rough idea of what I'm comfortable spending at that time. That tipping point does go up if there is another reason. Are we doing christmas? is it a birthday (we've never done birthdays), is it a special occasion? What do I plan to spend and spoil us above and beyond the room/ticket cost?