Decisions decisions(help)

[mom2munchkins]

I really think I need to stop looking at all the different resort options at WDW. I was thinking budget would only allow a value resort. I however am not sold on staying at a value,especially in June. I really like POFQ and my dream would be WL. I saw pics of the Swan last night and it looks really nice but I wonder if it not really as kid freindly as the rest of the WDW resorts(my kids will be turning 8 while there and 5) The reason I even looked at the Swan was I saw they have discounts for nurses and dh is a nurse.So I guess I'm trying to figure out which of all the above would be the best economically and for our kids 1st trip to WDW. Can I get some opnions of the Swan vs any of the other Disney properties I mentioned. Please help me! I just want this trip to be the best not sure when we'd be able to return again

 

[YesMickey]

I really think I need to stop looking at all the different resort options at WDW. I was thinking budget would only allow a value resort. I however am not sold on staying at a value,especially in June. I really like POFQ and my dream would be WL. I saw pics of the Swan last night and it looks really nice but I wonder if it not really as kid freindly as the rest of the WDW resorts(my kids will be turning 8 while there and 5) The reason I even looked at the Swan was I saw they have discounts for nurses and dh is a nurse.So I guess I'm trying to figure out which of all the above would be the best economically and for our kids 1st trip to WDW. Can I get some opnions of the Swan vs any of the other Disney properties I mentioned. Please help me! I just want this trip to be the best not sure when we'd be able to return again

It all depends on what you enjoy while at Disney. I have kids similar in age as your's, DD7, DS4. We enjoy the parks and the meals, therefore we are on the Dining plan. I am pretty sure, if you stay at the Swan you can not get the dining plan as it is not a Disney resort. Also it is very nice, 4-5Star. If you stay at the resort plenty than it is great. If you love the parks and only sleep and bath at your room than it is overkill. The values have very small rooms. We have stayed at POR twice in '06 and loved it but stayed at POFQ this Feb. and loved it more. It is a very small resort and it is a 15 min. boat ride to DTD. your kids will love DTD, and there is Wolfgang Pucks there. We are AAA members and you get a discount on the room portion of your stay with them of anywhere between 10%-20% depending on the season you stay. The only downfall to POFQ is it has a small food court. Bring your own breakfast, cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, juice, plastic bowls, utensils etc. and put in in your fridge in the room, and you never have to go into the food court. That is what we do. Also with the busses you are the first stop on pick ups and occassionally they go to POR and pick up also, so if you have a dining reservation at one of the parks, you need to be at the bus stop at least 50 min. before you need to be at your reservation. Hope that helps, have fun.

 

[dkostel]

The Swan & Dolphin are beautiful resorts, but less Disnified thant the others. For your kids first trip you may want All Star Movies. Very Disney, huge characters everywhere. I also love POFQ, nice size, nice location.

 

[spiceycat]

if you can take VWL instead of WL (no courtyard views at VWL)

then go rent a reservation from a DVC member. don't stay fri or sat too expensive.

also no housekeeping.

a studio has a queen bed, double (full) sleeper sofa, kitchenett and balcony - then all the stuff regular room has.

 

[mom2munchkins]

YesMickey~ Another question for you. We are considering getting AAA. Are you saying I can get a discount on my room with a package? I really want to do the dining plan. I figure since even though I've been to WDW I've never stayed on property and want to make the most of it. We will be driving so I plan to bring our on breakfast stuff so that helps with the credits.

 

[spiceycat]

with AAA you can get a discount on the package - however that is only with AAA not WDW (CRO)

with WDW (CRO) you can get a room only discount (with better terms than AAA - but sill using your AAA discount)

 

[YesMickey]

YesMickey~ Another question for you. We are considering getting AAA. Are you saying I can get a discount on my room with a package? I really want to do the dining plan. I figure since even though I've been to WDW I've never stayed on property and want to make the most of it. We will be driving so I plan to bring our on breakfast stuff so that helps with the credits.

Right. You call your local AAA office and they do everything. You even get Disney brochures with AAA logos on them and you can go online and view AAA own Disney brochure. You basically figure out your vacation package on Disney's website and then see what the room portion discount is from AAA and subtract that amount from what the Disney site says. It will be exact to the penny. I have done it 3 times now. Also the DDP will cost you approximately $98 per night for your family of four. You will make that up with table service meals if you do it right. Good luck. P.S. we always have to pick up our package from AAA in person. They don't like to mail them, so pick one that is close to you.

 

[mom2munchkins]

How cool! I'm getting the feeling we will be staying at POFQ.Yeah!!! One more question. In order to view the disney brochures on line throughAAA do I need to be a current member? We ar not members yet but gota good deal in the mail to join.So it's just a matter of time before we are members

 

[spiceycat]

don't think so - they only want the zipcode (I think)
http://www.aaa.com/AAA_Travel/Guides/travel_destination_guide.htm

 

[mom2munchkins]

Ok I went to that link(Thanks BTW) I'm not seeing where it tells you the AAA discounted rates. Do I need to call AAA to find that out?

 

[RMulieri]

Ok I went to that link(Thanks BTW) I'm not seeing where it tells you the AAA discounted rates. Do I need to call AAA to find that out?

Call your local AAA travel agency for a quote.It wouldn't give me one online so I just called them.

 

[griz4]

Ok I went to that link(Thanks BTW) I'm not seeing where it tells you the AAA discounted rates. Do I need to call AAA to find that out?

I just booked a vacation through AAA for July at POFQ and it was $120 cheaper than Disney website, so not a huge savings, but a savings. You seem to get a better deal if you go during the non peak times as i think then the discounts are 15%-20% depending on what resort you stay at.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I just booked a vacation through AAA for July at POFQ and it was $120 cheaper than Disney website, so not a huge savings, but a savings. You seem to get a better deal if you go during the non peak times as i think then the discounts are 15%-20% depending on what resort you stay at.

Some discount is better than no discount

 

[Charleston Princess]

POFQ was fabulous during our summer stay; Pop was fabulous during our fall stay -- I have to stay that I have always had great experiences at all the Disney resorts we stayed at. If you are leaning towards POFQ, you and your kids won't be disappointed -- they will love the pool with the sea serpent slides and there are these alligator statues (figures) on the way to the pool that my kids adored -- they always had to stop and goof around by them -- we have some great pictures with the jazz-playing gators!