Disney Vacation through Costco

[JerseyJanice]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in 2012. I loved it overall, but finding a chaise in a shady spot was never easy. The "quiet" pool by the DVC area was packed to the gills at all times with kids running around everywhere.

At the Swan, the pools and hot tubs were so relaxing. I loved the landscaping that surrounded the three hot tubs by the Grotto. Rocky ledges and waterfalls--so lovely and upscale feeling. Workers came right up to the pool to offer us extra towels and water.

When I go back to WDW--hopefully in the fall--I hope to stay in the Swan again. If I can get a deal there, it's the best bang for my bucks.

 

[portocall]

Ultimately the decision is yours. I also looked up the Costco deal over the weekend. It is a fair deal. I have been to both the Dolphin and the Swan and they are beautiful hotels on the inside. (Not the biggest fan of the outside but they've grown on me).

That said, if getting the best price is important to you then you have to play with the airfare and resort options and jump on them when they meet your satisfaction.

My last two trips were to POR and we loved that resort. It really is pretty and peaceful. The main pool was fantastic. I am sure the other moderates offer the same level of immersion themeing that POR did.

I've also stayed at All-Star Music and while a different experience of in your face excitement, we also loved. In fact or next trip will be to a value resort because we miss the giant icons and energy buzz you find there. (We do love the mods, but we also love the values so we go where the mood strikes us)

What Costco offers is someone to do the reservations for you and pretty much tells you where to be when (exception, airport transport)

Picking yourself gives you more options, but you figure it all out and piecemeal a trip. I find this way the most fun, but not everyone does.

My main advice is once you decide, don't second guess yourself. The grass is always greener on the other side can apply to these decisions so just get excited about the vacation you are going on and forget everything else.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

We've eaten at Swan's Garden Grove (love the breakfast buffet, it's a character meal on weekends only) and Il Mullino (great Italian), and at Dolphin's Picabu and Shula's. Even if you decide to stay elsewhere, boat over from the Studios or Epcot to check it out and maybe have a meal, and you'll know where you want to stay the next time.

The Costco package sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[kniquy]

If you really want to go at that time, keep in mind that it is Easter week and also a marathon weekend. I am going at that time due to a conference at the swan and dolphin -- so expect it to be very busy, room prices will be more expensive, and flights will be more expensive as well.

If you are looking at saving some money maybe consider a DVC rental - which will get you the airport transportation because you will be staying at an actual Disney property. You can check out davids dvc for rentals and you can plug in different dates to get the cost for various rooms at the different DVC resorts. IT might be too late to book for that week but might be helpful if you are planning further in advance. Park tickets -- there really are not deals there - undercover tourist sometimes has deals. The kids eat free - that might be at a particular restaurant just at the S & D, but that does not include the restaurants at Disney parks/resorts - which my guess is that you will be spending more time at the parks than at the resort -- so that isn't a big benefit.

If this is your first trip I think i would pass going at that time of year --maybe price out another time when it won't be so crowded - If your kids have a February vacation look at that for price comparison or even keeping them out of school for a few days around memorial day -- i think it is busy but not as bad as around Easter. you can check out some touring plans/crowd calendars just do a search -- on that type of site it will give you predicted crowd calendars.

Unfortunately a Disney trip is unlike any other vacation you will take. It takes at least 6 months + of planning to have an efficient and enjoyable trip. If you plan too late -- you miss out on dining reservations and fast passes.

 

[kniquy]

Just for curiosity i checked out DVC and most of what available are 1BR at OKW, SSR, AKV and WL pricing for those at davids dvc are around 2800 -3500 - which is probably more that you want to spend, but a studio at SSR was $1575 -- for your time frame. Keep in mind that the holiday jacks up the prices. because for the same SSR studio for memorial day (staying the same length 5 nights) it drops the price to $1095 -- so about $500 more for the same room just because it is easter.

these are room only prices so add on the cost of park ticket and flights.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

You can't underestimate the power that a WDW resort will have on you. That said, There's no way you can put a price on being inside the bubble...All WDW resorts have that affect. Some more than others......The Swolphin all though nice, only gives you a small dose of that at best... Definitely better than staying offsite, but never will it compare to the full experience..IMHo that is Just sayin.

Why do you say you get a less Disney feel when you stay at the Swan or Dolphin?

We have stayed at the Swan/dolphin many times and the only difference between staying there and at a regular Disney resort is no magical express or free magic bands included with your stay.

You get the same perks plus it's in a primo area inside of the 'Epcot bubble.'

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Actually if I do change the tickets through costco it comes out to 2600 which is not too bad

Imho that you should keep the park hopping feature on your tickets. I can't imagine having to stay at one park all day and night without having the option of leaving to go to another park if you so desire.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I never purchased park hopping before, but I did on the last trip because most of the other people in my group had annual passes. I found the park hopping option especially helpful while staying at the Swan for going in between Epcot, the Studios and MK.

If you have a AAA card, you can use it to get 20% off the food at all the casual restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin--Picabu, The Fountain, Fresh, Splash and Cabanas--as well as the Garden Grove. Picabu is comparable to any Disney food court, and it's open 24 hours for snacks and grab-and-go items after a certain hour. You won't get that at every Disney resort, and it will be welcome when park hours are late.

We ate at the Garden Grove on a Friday night for their Seafood Sensation and all of us were very happy with the quality and selection of food. We didn't have characters that night because it was the day that the parks were closed for Hurricane Matthew. I definitely plan to go again with my baby great nieces to see them. It's so nice to be able to show up there and dine without the hassle of making and keeping an ADR.

Like another poster said, I hope I'm not coming across as pushing the resort too hard, but I was truly impressed with the Swan in October, and I am rarely disappointed by anything I purchase at Costco.

Good luck and enjoy your trip planning.

 

[DizDaD7]

Just for curiosity i checked out DVC and most of what available are 1BR at OKW, SSR, AKV and WL pricing for those at davids dvc are around 2800 -3500 - which is probably more that you want to spend, but a studio at SSR was $1575 -- for your time frame. Keep in mind that the holiday jacks up the prices. because for the same SSR studio for memorial day (staying the same length 5 nights) it drops the price to $1095 -- so about $500 more for the same room just because it is easter.

these are room only prices so add on the cost of park ticket and flights.

Yes & No. Although Good Friday is the 14th this year, technically before and after are all in that same time frame...So yea the pts. are higher because it's in the PREMIER SEASON...(same as XMas) Needing 105 pts. The same scenario used for Memorial would be 69 pts. & considered in the DREAM SEASON... There's one more in between those 2 called the MAGIC SEASON...& then there are actually 2 lower seasons called the CHOICE SEASON & the ADVENTURE SEASON...

Why do you say you get a less Disney feel when you stay at the Swan or Dolphin?

We have stayed at the Swan/dolphin many times and the only difference between staying there and at a regular Disney resort is no magical express or free magic bands included with your stay.

You get the same perks plus it's in a primo area inside of the 'Epcot bubble.'

Because I feel you do. It's nowhere as themed as a WDW Value Mod or Deluxe. And the workers(although they may call them CM's) there (to me) aren't like the cast members at all either.... Just my opinion.
This isn't entirely true. You can't get the dining plan here. And they hammer you with all the extra hidden daily fees when staying there too.
Not the same perks, because you lose DME, or Magic Bands, or DDP. Although you are in close proximity to EPCOT & HS..(Which is nice)
The resort for a hotel is very nice, w/ great pools,restaurants, but the resort itself just doesn't scream WDW to me at all..Merely just plain Jane.

Imho that you should keep the park hopping feature on your tickets. I can't imagine having to stay at one park all day and night without having the option of leaving to go to another park if you so desire.

You get the PH's because it works for you..& that's great..Every family is different & every vacation is different. For you it works.
For them, a bunch on here were just simply showing them how they can save around $220 . With only 5 days at parks they don't have a whole helluva lot of time to waste going from park 2 park. My theory (which works for US) is If you're going to start out at a park for 1/2 day then jump to a different park. Only to find that you'll be going back to that park for another 1/2 day or so....But will have less time ,because more time will be on WDW transportation?

 

[DizDaD7]

I never purchased park hopping before, but I did on the last trip because most of the other people in my group had annual passes. I found the park hopping option especially helpful while staying at the Swan for going in between Epcot, the Studios and MK.

If you have a AAA card, you can use it to get 20% off the food at all the casual restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin--Picabu, The Fountain, Fresh, Splash and Cabanas--as well as the Garden Grove. Picabu is comparable to any Disney food court, and it's open 24 hours for snacks and grab-and-go items after a certain hour. You won't get that at every Disney resort, and it will be welcome when park hours are late.

We ate at the Garden Grove on a Friday night for their Seafood Sensation and all of us were very happy with the quality and selection of food. We didn't have characters that night because it was the day that the parks were closed for Hurricane Matthew. I definitely plan to go again with my baby great nieces to see them. It's so nice to be able to show up there and dine without the hassle of making and keeping an ADR.

Like another poster said, I hope I'm not coming across as pushing the resort too hard, but I was truly impressed with the Swan in October, and I am rarely disappointed by anything I purchase at Costco.

Good luck and enjoy your trip planning.

20% is nice.
Picabu is Awesome I must say..We did eat there 3 times in 2015 when we stayed at BWV.

 

[SharonZ]

I realize that flying Spirit is cheaper, but I've had a few issues with them. The last time we waited for our plane to arrive for 5 hours. Once our flight was cancelled and they couldn't get us on a flight for another week. I'm just saying check all of your options.

 

[DizDaD7]

I realize that flying Spirit is cheaper, but I've had a few issues with them. The last time we waited for our plane to arrive for 5 hours. Once our flight was cancelled and they couldn't get us on a flight for another week. I'm just saying check all of your options.

This is true, but the main aspect of the conversation was about the pricing and the resort. SW & DoL vs. WDW's.

I only threw in Spirit Air, for I just did a quick search that day...There are other flights & airlines & times of day that would change the price for sure..

 

[rlessig]

We just booked our next Disney trip through the Costco site. We went back and forth between POP and the SD deal offered through Costco. Typically we usually only go when free dining is offered. Since we have never been to WDW when it was decorated for Christmas, we decided this was the year for it. After looking at the historic dates where free dining was offered, as well as the typical crowd levels, we decided that free dining was probably not happening for us for the dates we wanted to go. We priced out some different resort options both through the WDW web site and through Costco. Costco definitely won. While I agree that perhaps you are not going to be immersed in Mickey Mouse every day when you wake up, the location of the Dolphin with the possibilities of viewing fireworks from the resort, as well as walking to two different parks or being able to take a boat, more than makes up for it IMO. We have only ever stayed at POP, mostly because of the price but also love the decor. Super kid friendly. We usually do Disney commando style, so who cares what the room is like, we only sleep and shower in it. We are definite park hoppers, so not having a hopper is not an option for us. Some days we would just get in the shortest bus line in the mornings just to get moving. We do the parks in chunks and repeat the parts we LOVE. Anyhow, these are the numbers we came up with....

TRAVEL DATES: 11/28/2017 - 12/06/2017; 9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS; 9 DAY PARK HOPPER PASSES

As per the Disney web site:
POP CENTURY, preferred room: $2682.41 *not sure if resort fees are included

WDW Dolphin, standard room: $4772.22 *not sure if resort fees are included


Costco travel site:
WDW Dolphin, resort view room (complimentary upgrade): $3002.17 *resort fees included


We did not account for air travel yet or transportation to/from the airport, but there are lots of options. We also have a Disney Reward Dollars saved up from using our Disney Visa so we will have Credits available to use for Bibbidibobbidee Boutique for our daughter, as well as for dining. Garden Grove also does their own character meal, which we intend to use at least once. Another perk to the Disney Visa is 10% off at certain restaurants, so we will earn points for eating out!

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Hoping the OP comes back and let's us know what choice was made

 

[Malissa Boymom]

i don't know any many people you actually have going or their ages, but even if you had 2 adults, and 2 children under 10 going. It seems high. I bet you could get a moderate and dinning plan for about the same or just a few hundred more. Could do a value for prob cheaper

 

[WDWNY]

Just an FYI- we stayed at Dolphin for thanksgiving and the ride from the hotel to MCO was $98 with tip.

 

[crazylady]

I'm not sure if anyone answered your question about resort fees but the Disney-owned hotels don't have a resort fee.

If you choose to stay at Dolphin, I would recommend the park hoppers. When your staying in that area, it is so easy to hop to HS or Epcot in the evening after a day at one of the other parks, it is a nice feature to have especially for nice dinner options inside Epcot. If you go the POR route, I think you can skip the hopper and only plan on one resort a day. With POR you have easy transportation to Disney Springs for nice dinner options.

Personally, POR is one of my favorite resorts but I would choose Swolphin if it fits the budget because I love the option to walk to two parks.

 

[schrammalot]

(don't forget the $35/bag each way charge for Spirit!)

 

[meadowlands]

Yeah I do not think I will be using Spirit....$35 each bag? No way. I have had good luck with United so I think I will stick with them. I am leaning towards tthe Costco package and staying at the Swan. Only comes to around $2600 for 5 days

 

[Mordu]

We just booked through Costco for this May. We spend a lot of time at Epcot and love the Boardwalk area. (After staying at a Boardwalk DVC last year- my kids expect to get funnel cakes and watch street performers every night.) The closest Disney hotel price-wise was Yacht Club and that was about $1000 more. The Costco Swan deal was about the same price as POFQ. We could have stayed at AOA (Little Mermaid Room) or Caribbean Beach cheaper- but it is worth it to us NOT to take a bus everywhere and to come back to the Boardwalk in the evenings for some entertainment.

For what it is worth- my friend who is a Disney travel agent could not beat the Costco deal for the Swan.