DVC resort versus All Stars

[Chester's Mum]

You'll really enjoy the extra space (all stars rooms are quite a bit smaller). Remember that the dvc resorts have a fridge, coffee maker, and microwave in a studio, (if its a one bedroom you get a full kitchen and washer/dryer). These amenities are not available at the All Stars (you can rent a small cube fridge for $10/day, not enough fridge space for someone with 1 year old twins) With your little ones you'll appreciate the space and the extra amenities. Have a blast!

 

[gpshemi]

I thank you all so much for your input. We just can't seem to wrap our heads around Saratoga . We're the commando type anyway, we drag them everywhere all the time. They're use to that. We wouldn't be using the resort features much due to our style, and beyond that there just isn't the "eye candy" there for the little ones we think they'd prefer. We showed the DS4 pictures of Saratoga and he just wasn't into it. So we've passed on the deal . I'm sure they'd all still have a great time there. I mean Disney doesn't really screw much up. However, going through older photo's of our DS4 when he was there at 2yr old was really priceless. I mean where else do you see a 4 story dalmation right? ...that just screams two year old.

I think we'll shoot for it again in the future when that novelty of this wouldn't be as impressive. I think a moderate or deluxe would be really nice, especially for us.

To answer a previous question though, it was DVC points for sale by someone local I met. He's a very nice person, and I think was giving me one a heck of a deal. Book direct online it was $4300!!! It's a little bitter sweet I will say, but this is the right desicion for the little guys at this stage.

So anyway...we're off to see the mouse!!! Time to find a flight.

 

[chalee94]

yeah, i would prefer SSR, but i have to admit little ones might think all-stars was more "fun."

 

[Hopefully]

Have a great trip. It sounds like you are comfortable with your decision and that is all that really matters. It is YOUR vacation.
However, I just can not see how "eye candy" can matter that much to a 1 year old. I would have chosen the space over the "eye candy"
Have fun.

 

[lazydazy8]

Hands down, SSR. No doubt!! We stayed at Pop in 2006 (my kids' first trip). They LOVED it!! We did DVC and we stayed at SSR in 2007. My kids were just as happy there and when we asked where they wanted to stay next, they said SSR!

Your kids will LOVE the pools there. The Values may be more kid oriented in terms of themes, but the SSR main pool has a wonderful slide!

Where did you get this fantastic rate?

 

[magsnden]

SSR for sure! we stayed at POP for a few days then moved to SSR and had a 1BR. what a difference! being able to get the kids to sleep, and be able to stay up a little while was priceless. i also was able to do things for the next day like wash and make bottles, get some laundry done without waking them up. and the pools are great - zero entry, great slide.

i see you passed on the deal, maybe next time! either way, i'm sure you'll have an awesome trip! have fun!

 

[MAGGIED]

I stayed at SSR with my sister last May and while it is nice I like so many places at WDW better.... here is why

the pull out sofa is uncomfortable.... maybe not for a child but for an adult the bar was in the middle of my back all night....

I am not a big fan of the no housekeeping..... I am on vacation.... I tip well and like someone to straighten up a bit. (although we do most of it ourselves)

I felt like it was a hike to get anywhere

What I did like was the pool..... the slide was tons of fun... and they play games with the kids... the dining was nice as well... nice selection for lunch

just my thoughts....

 

[kileybeth]

gosh! can you have your neighbor call me??? I would so jump at a chance for SSR again.

Enjoy your trip though.

 

[Boston5602]

Ssr

 

[alyssa810]

Hey neighbor, boston5602!
I'd always take the non-all star route!! The kids will have PLENTY of eye candy at the parks!!

 

[gpshemi]

It's all true. I think they'd have a perfectly good time there. No doubt.

However, the oldest will be turning 5 while there, and he wanted Movies. The twins will be about 2 and will certainly like the eye candy based on the other turning two while there. Using the idea that "they get enough eye candy at the parks" just invites the idea why not just stay off site then at a really nice place. The point is to be enveloped by Disney 24/7. Right?

I thank you all. You all had great points.

Anyone know which airport the buses pick up at? I'm a little confused between ORL and MCO....

 

[chalee94]

MCO

 

[pickles]

Is this really a hard choice?..let us review

Values
noisy toilets
lots and lots of kids
odds of unattended teenagers gone wild
long lines for buses
hotel type rooms
paper thin walls

while SSR is not my fav deluxe(I can guess based on other del I have been in) we will compare it to the above
quiet rooms
amenities in the rooms(coffee pot,fridge, etc)
close to dtd
nice boat ride
amenities available at the resort
I assume they have kid projects like AKV and OKW does

This is a no brainer...cheeseburger at Mc'Ds or fillet at Cellier's?
You are paying for the trip, you deserve a vacation and sadly for your kids you should feel an entitlement to some luxury..least IMO. Your kids will like whatever you choose and if not they will at least like the parks and at 2 and 5, they don't need to have much more vote than that

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I stayed at SSR with my sister last May and while it is nice I like so many places at WDW better.... here is why

the pull out sofa is uncomfortable.... maybe not for a child but for an adult the bar was in the middle of my back all night....

You must have had the only sofa bed @ SSR with a bar in the base. All pull-out sofa beds at SSR are made without the uncomfortable bars. The sofa beds are actually quite comfortable.

As for the comment about it being "a bit of a hike" to anywhere @ SSR -- YMMV. The walk from the farthest building in the Congress Park section to the Carriage House and feature pool is 0.25 miles.

 

[littlestar]

The Allstars have paper thin walls, the smallest full sized beds I've ever slept on, and really loud toilets. My husband and I both couldn't sleep comfortably on the beds (we're not pooh sized either), so he ended up sleeping in one bed and me in the other one. You might need to have your spouse sleep on one with one of the kids and you in the other one to make the All Stars work. I think Disney will provide pack and plays for the little ones (they provide one pack and play in the closet at SSR).

Good luck. You never know until you try it, but we just don't do the All Stars very well in our family. We'd rather stay in an off-site condo than subject ourselves to what our family affectionately calls "the Disney dorms."

 

[gpshemi]

Well again I thank you for your comments. I fully understand that the SSR is a nicer resort. However, we don't use the hotel much anyway and we're dead tired by the time we get back to the room. The noise has never bothered us there before.

I guess I simply value what my kids want more then some others here. To me family is also about compromise. If my kid wants a cheeseburger on his birthday trip rather then a fillet...by golly he'll have it. On MY birthday trip the DW and I can take another cruise to the Caribbean.

At this point I'll ask the mod to kill this thread so I don't get beat up any further over this.

Thanks chalee94 for answering my question. I think I have the new shuttle bus deal figured out now.

 

[SantaRay]

So we've passed on the deal ...... I mean where else do you see a 4 story dalmation right? ...that just screams two year old.

I think we'll shoot for it again in the future when that novelty of this wouldn't be as impressive. I think a moderate or deluxe would be really nice, especially for us.

To answer a previous question though, it was DVC points for sale by someone local I met. He's a very nice person, and I think was giving me one a heck of a deal. Book direct online it was $4300!!! It's a little bitter sweet I will say, but this is the right decision for the little guys at this stage.

So anyway...we're off to see the mouse!!! Time to find a flight.

Be happy in your decision for your family! Maybe that very nice local person would sell a few points to you for a little stay without the kiddos at a future date. Best wishes for a magical trip.

 

[gpshemi]

I don't regret the decision. I regret the post.

 

[MAKmom]

I thank you all so much for your input. We just can't seem to wrap our heads around Saratoga . We're the commando type anyway, we drag them everywhere all the time. They're use to that. We wouldn't be using the resort features much due to our style, and beyond that there just isn't the "eye candy" there for the little ones we think they'd prefer. We showed the DS4 pictures of Saratoga and he just wasn't into it. So we've passed on the deal . I'm sure they'd all still have a great time there. I mean Disney doesn't really screw much up. However, going through older photo's of our DS4 when he was there at 2yr old was really priceless. I mean where else do you see a 4 story dalmation right? ...that just screams two year old.

I think we'll shoot for it again in the future when that novelty of this wouldn't be as impressive. I think a moderate or deluxe would be really nice, especially for us.

To answer a previous question though, it was DVC points for sale by someone local I met. He's a very nice person, and I think was giving me one a heck of a deal. Book direct online it was $4300!!! It's a little bitter sweet I will say, but this is the right decision for the little guys at this stage.

So anyway...we're off to see the mouse!!! Time to find a flight.

Sorry OP I did not see you wanted this closed before I responded.