DIS Newbie appealing for your advice!

[MinneMickey]

First timer -- have no idea if I should post here or somewhere else!

Me (DH46) and my family (DW48, DD12, DS8) are traveling to WDW this December. We currently have a 4 night reservation 12/8-12/12 at ASM and then we will stay off property for 7 nights at our timeshare (Vistana).

Reservation/Cost: Is for 4 nights ASM Family Suite, 7 night base ticket/person plus (Free) Disney Dining. Cost, including all taxes and fees, $1770 total.

Here is where I really could use your expert advice!

This is a very big splurge for us. We have been cash strapped for a few years but want to experience Disney more than just staying off property and visiting the parks. Is this way too expensive? Or in the Disney reality, seems pretty good? (Tickets alone are over $900) OR ... Do you have other suggestions/ideas that might make better sense?

We went with the Family Suite because it appeared to offer the most room (bedding, room size) at the best price. We also decided on base ticket and not Park Hopper because after long day at a park the only "Hopping" we look forward to is to bed!

Finally: We were offered MVMCP at a very reduced rate. We have never been to MVMCP. What are your thoughts about and would you recommend MVMCP?

Thank you so much for taking time to help us out. My family and I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Disfan891]

Sorry, I don't have any advice for your reservation questions but I can say that my family really enjoyed MVMCP in December 2005. We were able to ride many rides, haunted mansion for one, where we just got off and hopped right back on for several rides in a row. We also loved the parade, saw the later one as my kids were older, and loved the hot chocolate and cookies! The fake snow on main street was sorta fun. Since we're from new england snow wasn't a big deal to us, but a nice disney touch. You may really enjoy staying off property as well. Our resort was full of cheerleaders as Pop Warner was there during our visit. (About the same time frame as you.) Made the food court really crowded and the resort noisy. Hope I am of some help to you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure that you and your family will have a great time!

 

[ceecee]

Not bad considering free dining. It seems a little high for a value for 4 nights but I don't know about the family suites. You want the base tickets and not hoppers? Have you checked a moderate resort for pricing? It would be big enough for 4, CSR have queen beds. The MVMCP would be a lot of fun too as long as it's not braking your budget.

 

[MinneMickey]

Thanks for your help! As for the noise, hopefully our two kids won't disrupt the hundreds of cheerleaders! Seriously, if we keep this reservation, the Dining Plan will take us all over Disney for one great dinner after another!

 

[MinneMickey]

Thanks CeeCee,

The Disney agent I spoke with said rooms at CSR for same nights was the same price as the Family Suite at ASM. The Family Suite has separate Queen Bedroom and a dbl sleep sofa and two single sleep chairs in the main room. The room also has a refigerator plus two complete bathrooms. I know, I know, $1770 for only 4 nights on a budget (7 nights base ticket + Dining Plan).

BTW: We rarely use the "hopper" option as we typically run a long full day at a park. We would upgrade to no expire if anything... Thanks again for your reply!

 

[stitchlovestink]

First timer -- have no idea if I should post here or somewhere else!

Me (DH46) and my family (DW48, DD12, DS8) are traveling to WDW this December. We currently have a 4 night reservation 12/8-12/12 at ASM and then we will stay off property for 7 nights at our timeshare (Vistana).

Reservation/Cost: Is for 4 nights ASM Family Suite, 7 night base ticket/person plus (Free) Disney Dining. Cost, including all taxes and fees, $1770 total.

Here is where I really could use your expert advice!

This is a very big splurge for us. We have been cash strapped for a few years but want to experience Disney more than just staying off property and visiting the parks. Is this way too expensive? Or in the Disney reality, seems pretty good? (Tickets alone are over $900) OR ... Do you have other suggestions/ideas that might make better sense?

We went with the Family Suite because it appeared to offer the most room (bedding, room size) at the best price. We also decided on base ticket and not Park Hopper because after long day at a park the only "Hopping" we look forward to is to bed!

Finally: We were offered MVMCP at a very reduced rate. We have never been to MVMCP. What are your thoughts about and would you recommend MVMCP?

Thank you so much for taking time to help us out. My family and I greatly appreciate it!

Okay, is you price good? You are getting free dining with a nightly value of just under $130 (3A/1C for a total 4 night savings of just under $500). Remember that you get 1 credit of ea type for ea person for ea night (not day), so you'll have a total of 16 credits of each type. Things to keep in mind in your case: you'll still need to budget for tips for table service restaurants and your youngest MUST order off of the kid's menu (will they be okay w/ that?).
I think free dining is great, but the best value is in staying on property as cheaply as possible since you must pay rack rate. So in reality you'd be getting a much better deal by staying in a regular value room.
Running the #s for 4 nights at a value in a std room would be approx $93 per night or a preferred room would be approx $110. It appears that the rack rate for the family suite is approx $208 per night. These are incl the 13% tax rates too. Only you can decide if the add'l cost is really worth it. If you are on the dining plan you really don't need the kitchenette in the family suite. How much time are you really planning on spending in the room other than showering/sleeping? I'd take the regular room and use the $460 savings to add the hopper feature and get the MVMCP tix. But that's me. Different strokes for different folks. Also, consider w/o the hopping feature you will have to make your ressies based on the park you'll be in unless you choose to do them at hotel TS restaurants. and you won't have the flexibility of changing your mind (i.e. you have a ressie for Prime time 50's on Thur, you'll have to go to Hollywood studios that day). We like to park hop for the nighttime emh. Again though, different strokes. I'm just trying to give you things to consider. And I do recommend not adding the hopping feature until you get there, it won't cost any more or any less. If they are offering you MVMCP tix at a significantly reduced price, I would get them. I the parties and can't wait to go to another. My fav party of all is the Cmas one.
I guess what I'm trying to say is can you 'stand' to stay in one of the regular rooms together for the 4 nights and then spread out when you get to your time share? Keep in mind that you'll have to be out of your room on the last day by 11am. So how much do really need the extra space? Only you can decide. It's a tough decision. I wish the best with your decisions. And I hope you have a fantabulous vacation.

 

[MinneMickey]

Thanks so much, Stitch!

I totally overlooked adding Hopping to support the Dining Plan! That's why you guys are the experts and I'm just trying to hold my head above water!

My original offer from Disney was $1284 (no taxes included and 5 day base tix) at the ASM. So when I ran the numbers it was about a $360 upgrade for the Family Suite (taxes included). So for me, it's a question of getting a good night of sleep with two rooms and lots of bed space, or can our family sleep okay with two double beds? Or spend more (but not as much) for a room with two queens.

But for sure, I'll get the Hoppers and also add MVMCP. Thanks again for your help!