Disney Resorts with a balcony...help!

[becckss]

Hello!

I'm currently in the planning stages of my 2018 Disney Trip.

After spending 3 weeks in a one bed villa at Old Key West with my boyfriend and his family last year, I fell in love with being able to sit on the balcony with a coffee in the morning or a beer at night after a day in the parks.

For my next trip, it will be just me and my boyfriend that are going and we were looking at staying in a moderate resort (either Carribean Beach or Port Orleans Riverside) but I've realised I'd really miss the balcony!

Can anyone recommend a resort that is around the same price range as a moderate but has even a small balcony?

Thanks in advance!

xx

 

[nursejackie]

On site or off site recommendations?

 

[chiisai]

You could rent points at old key, Saratoga, or wilderness lodge and would come closer to a mod pricing than any other deluxe.

Or, I read of others bringing chairs outside at mods.

 

[becckss]

It would need to be on site as I'm going to be getting the dining plan when I book too when the free diningoffer comes on

 

[brittanidp]

Studios at Saratoga have balconies but if you're getting it through Disney it will be more than a mod. If you rented points, it would be much less, but you'd have to pay the dining plan out of pocket

 

[Beer Me]

At CBR I would sit in a hammock on the beach. Not quite as convenient as a balcony but it is peaceful and relaxing. It surprises me how little used those areas are. I had it all to myself most of the time.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are no moderates with balconies.

The cheapest deluxes are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, but they are a decent step up from mod pricing.

 

[Babsy]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has sometimes had good discounts on their standard view rooms that are not a lot of $$$ more than a moderate. On our last trip in Jan, I think we paid about $20 per night more than at POR in a Royal Room. That said, the prices of deluxe continue to rise so I am not sure if this will continue to be the case. If it is available and at a good discount, then I believe that an AKL standard room will give you your best shot at an inexpensive balcony (when paying cash). The view may not be stellar, but sometimes people have been able to get partial savanna views as standard views or even the 'people pen' views as standard views. Something like that would be great for the price!

The only other possibility would be renting points to stay DVC in a studio. We have never done that, so I can't personally recommend the best/cheapest way to get a balcony with DVC. However, I am sure that others here will be able to help!!!

Good luck!

 

[Babsy]

It would need to be on site as I'm going to be getting the dining plan when I book too when the free diningoffer comes on

If you are looking for free dining, then you will be much better off staying in a moderate. The only way AKL comes close is with the larger discount on deluxe room only. If there are only two of you in the room, I would carefully check the savings of free dining against the room only savings. This is especially true when staying in deluxe with just two people.

For example:

We ate the most food that we could at signature and character meals throughout our trip and we never ever ate as much as what the dining plan costs. We saved more staying in AKL room only AP discount.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just be aware that OKW 1 BRs have a bigger balcony than you can find at any other resort on property. It's the only one with a 4-person table, where you can all sit around and enjoy your morning coffee or even a meal. I can understand your love for the balcony there-it's a big reason for my OKW love.

 

[HopperFan]

Ft Wilderness Cabins have a deck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just be aware that OKW 1 BRs have a bigger balcony than you can find at any other resort on property. It's the only one with a 4-person table, where you can all sit around and enjoy your morning coffee or even a meal. I can understand your love for the balcony there-it's a big reason for my OKW love.

I was going to say the same thing. You won't find any balcony like the OKW balcony anywhere at WDW. You might find long narrow ones, but none with a large table with chairs that you can sit outside and eat.

 

[justme0729]

Swan and Dolphin balcony rooms might be a good price

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

As PP said which I think is a great idea for your party why not rent DVC points? You are planing in plenty of time. You could opt for a studio which is less points but still has a balony. Any resort but OKW is good on points. You could rent through a company like David's if you didn't want to do it private. Obviously there are risks but you could read up on those.

 

[goofy4tink]

You'r going to have to make a choice...free dining or a balcony!! The DVC resorts don't allow free dining unless you book full price, paying cash! If you rent DVC points, no free dining. Same thing with the S/D...no free dining.

 

[happymommy]

I always stayed deluxe, and used to use the balcony more than I do now. Funny, but when we stay now at Pop (and are booked next month at All Star Sports), I don't miss a balcony! You could easily put a chair outside for a bit, but also just take you beer down to the pool area or go for a little walk.

I'd take the savings of free dining (if offered) over the cost of a resort with a balcony. Or if you rent points, you'll lose free dining.

Seriously, I don't miss having one when I look at how much less I'm paying!

 

[heidijanesmith]

I love a balcony too, a must for our trips! AKL pool view rooms are gorgeous, and you can get a good room discount. Better savings than Free dining.

 

[disneyvoice]

Have you considered Coronado Springs? They don't have balconies but it is one of our favorite resorts because there are so many quiet, pretty places to sit around the resort and just relax. Because it is so big and spread out I feel like you don't encounter as many crowds of people in any one area, except right around the main building - and even then there are a lot of nice places to sit and relax right around there as well.

 

[iheartbelle87]

Have you considered Coronado Springs? They don't have balconies but it is one of our favorite resorts because there are so many quiet, pretty places to sit around the resort and just relax. Because it is so big and spread out I feel like you don't encounter as many crowds of people in any one area, except right around the main building - and even then there are a lot of nice places to sit and relax right around there as well.

I agree with @disneyvoice we love CSR! But... that being said I also love a good balcony. If we're doing a trip thats RD to close, I'd rather stay at MOD for the price as we wouldnt use the balcony that much. BUT if you are planning on some R&R, get the balcony