Disney resorts vs. costs

[alwaysappy]

Hello all,
I am very new here so please bear with me. I have always dreamed of visiting disney and finally have the resources to do so. We are still on a very limited budget and what I would like to know is this: Are the value resorts really the best way to go (we have no kids traveling with us)? What are the pros and cons and are the moderate resorts that much more expensive? Also would it be better to stay off property? We also want to check out universal studios and sea world but are mainly interested in disney world. What are food costs and is it worth to buy a dining package as well? Like I said we are very limited with finance but have been wanting to go forever and really want to make this happen. We are also flying in from Canada so that is also something to consider.
Thanks so much in advance sorry it was so long.......
AlwaysAppy

 

[jordanyosh]

Don't worry about the length of your post...believe me when I say yours is actually on the short side.

If you are on a budget, the values should be fine. I will qualify that with the fact that the Values tend to have more large teen groups staying there. So depending on when you were planning to go and where you choose to stay, that may be a determining factor.

Off-site vs on-site is always interesting....I will say this. If you want Disney Magic 24/7 then no question; stay on-site. The Magic will still be there at the resort if you allow yourself to be caught up in it. If WDW is just another vacation to add to your list, then I would probably stay off-site.

Moderates rooms are larger. They almost all have a food court AND a table service restaurant ( French Quarter doesn't have a table service). Better luggage service. I can't remember if all of them have a marina with boat rentals...some of them do.

Anyways good luck....

 

[weluvpluto]

Staying at the Disney resort also gives you access to Extra Magic Hours and free parking at the theme parks.

We like the moderates more because of the relaxed atmosphere. That makes the cost worth it to us.

 

[Gary M]

Keep an eye on this site for possible room discounts www.mousesavers.com

If you stay at a WDW resort see about Disney's Magical Express for free transportation from MCO to WDW.

What dates and what length of time do you plan on making the trip to WDW. Different times of year make a difference in the cost of rooms and possible room discounts.


You'll have a great time.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I think if it were just me and DH, I would try to go with the moderates. Be sure to register with disneyworld.com, for the offers. You may get a really good rate. Often they are cheaper than the values rack rate. We have usually spent, 79-99/night on our moderate hotels. I haven't stayed in a value resort yet, but will this trip are going to Pop. I might have a different answer for you when we return. I just don't expect it to be as calm as the moderates.

Before kids, DH, and I always stayed off-site. We had a good time, but if it is that Disney feel you are looking for i vote for on-site.

The meal plan, I feel, is a good deal. If you want to get an idea of food choices/costs. Go to www.allearsnet.com & click on menus. THey are great, and will give you an idea of what to expect.


Hope this helps. Good Luck with your planning, and welcome to the DIS.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Stayed once at Pop Century, one night, and had to get out of there. It's just me and wife and we're in our fifties. Way to noisy, too many children in the food courts and pools. We snagged a room at the Polynesian and truly enjoyed our stay. As for dining package. Have tried that once too and wouldn't recommend it. You're tied down to where to eat, limited choices, and you have to plan your day around where your meals are. You don't want to be, say, in EPCOT and your meal for the day is in MGM. I feel there is no savings in these packages either. The meals at WDW are huge, most of the time, we share one meal between us and don't feel stuffed and have no doggie bags cause there is no place to store them and its just wasted food. We share and can not feel guilty about having dessert every day. Also, if you find a resturant with something on it you like, go in, pay for it and go on your way. Not all resturants are on the dining plan, look at it before you commit.

 

[swilphil]

Unless your trip is going to be 2 full weeks, I would stick with a Disney World trip only. With 4 different parks and all the other happenings, you won't run out of things to do. You can save money by not renting a car. Just take the Magical Express transportation from the airport for free. The values would be fine for you, but the moderates would be even better.

 

[sweetinmaine]

Welcome and have fun on these boards! You can learn so much!!

All of the above, and don't worry about getting to Sea World and Universal. Ask the CM at your resort to call you a taxi. It was less than $40 to get 8 of us to/from Sea World. Much less expensive than renting a car! If you're coming all that ways from Western Canada, stay on property. It's really a magical place and make this vacation a special one! With Disney now transporting you to/from the airport, save money and don't get a rental. Use their transportation. We've stayed at the value resorts and the mods. Stay at the mods if you can. Either way, you won't be disappointed especially if this is your first trip. Have a magical time!

 

[imatoad]

You're traveling a great distance, so I would cut costs in other areas to afford a moderate or deluxe hotel. In my opinion, staying onsite is the only option, the difference between that and offsight is like night and day.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Stayed once at Pop Century, one night, and had to get out of there. It's just me and wife and we're in our fifties. Way to noisy, too many children in the food courts and pools.

Hehe, too many kids at a Disney resort eating and swimming? Who'd of thunk?

It all depends on what you are looking for. I absolutely love Pop and PERSONALLY spending $200/night on a room that I'm only going to use to do the 5 S's (Shower, Shave, Shampoo, Sleep, and...well, you know the fifth S - this is a family board so I won't write it hehe) is a huge waste of money for me. I don't want turn-down service, I don't need spa treatments or such.

I'd rather spend that money on things when I'm awake (like fancy sit-downs and such) or on extra days. For the price of 2-3 nights at deluxe you can stay a week in a value resort.

If you just want a basic room with great access to busses and the parks than Pop is for you. I recomend it far above other value resorts because it has a dedicated bus line and since it's only a little over a year old it's still "new" - and a lot of the mistakes they made when constructing the All-Stars were rectified here.

It also is steeped in "Disney" - one just has to see the 4-story tall Lady (from Lady & the Tramp) to get giddy.

The moderates and deluxe resorts are great, if you are looking for that sort of experience. I live in a tourist-y area in the northeast where some of the finest hotels and resorts in the U.S. are - if that's what I wanted I'd stay right here. But for me, it's all about the parks - it would be a waste to pay any more.

Just another perspective - everyone is different. The OP just needs to take a look at what they are wanting in a vacation. I know what I want - the PARKS, and a place to fall asleep and shower. If that's what you want, Pop is for you!

N.E.D.