Finally!! 2008 Rates are out!! Now where do I stay?

[makewifehappy]

YAHOO!!! 2008 rates have been set!! Dining rules have been set!! I guess it's time to start planning the vacation of a lifetime. My wife and two wonderful kids. (I guess the extra week of vacation will come handy next year - a plus to having worked for the same company for 10 years.)

OK, now the real planning starts. My wife and I are planning are planning 14 nights. We want to arrive on a Saturday and then leave the property two Saturday's later. We live in the Atlanta area, so we don't need to get airfare as driving is an option.

At this time, we cannot afford a deluxe resort (unless someone wants to finance it, which I wouldn't be opposed to.) Therefore, it's either going to be a moderate resort, as in the Coronado Springs, or a value resort (anything but Pop Century).

So I'm looking for some advice from the experts - those who travel with families to DisneyWorld. This will be a June 2008 vacation for 14 nights. We will arrive on a either a Saturday afternoon or a Saturday evening, and we will leave two Saturday's later. Most of our days will be spent at the mornings/evenings at the parks, and then some afternoon time at the resort. On the Sat/Sun we stay there, I'm sure one of those days will be a laundry day, and the other day would be a water park day or DisneyQuest day.

For longer stays, is it better to stay at one of the value resorts, or should I go ahead and work to get the extra money to stay at the moderate? If there are those who think there is another resort better than the Coronado Springs as a Moderate, which is better and why should I stay there?

I'm looking for help, folks!! Anything you can offer will be very appreciated!!!

makewifehappy

Next trip - June 2008

Previous trips-
Disneyland - 1977
DisneyWorld - 1988
DisneyWorld - 1992
Honeymoon - (All Star Music) April 1997
Disneyland - April 2001
Contemporary and Disney Cruise - July 2004
Disney Cruise - June 2006
Disney World - (All Star Sports) Dec. 2006

 

[stacy6552]

Since you have a car and kind and plan on such a long stay, I suggest a cabin at Ft Wilderness. With AAA's 25% discount its about eh price of a moderate. You get a bedroom, with bunkbeds for the kids and a bedroom door. That's so important, especially with such a long stay. To be able to put sleeping kids to bed, close the door and stay up as adults is priceless. Plus you get a full kitchen (cuz hey just how many buffets can one take) I know who wants to cook, but is cereal or PB&J really cooking? Plus the resort has alot of fun things on site for your down days. Go for it!

 

[Redbudlover]

I think the above poster has a really good point. I didn't realize the cost would be about the same. I wa going to suggest POR over CSR because I didn't like the long walk to the bus and everywhere else at CSR. It was beautiful but way too spread out for me. I never did see the big pool while I was there. I love POR - it ranks right up with the deluxes for me in everything but the size of the room and comfort of the beds...

 

[happymommy]

Okay - I'm a woman (SAHM). Two great kids. If I were going for 2 weeks, I'd opt for some kind of condo/villa and I wouldn't care if it were on site or not. Off is definitely cheaper. And for that long, I'd rather have 1) a kitchen, for simple meals (no I'm not gonna cook tons, but simple stuff), and 2) my own washer/dryer. I don't mind going to the resort laundry room a couple of times, but it's nice when it's in the room!
Since you may drive, you can bring a lot of great stuff! We drove (from near DC) 6 years ago. It was great - we were staying at the BWV so I packed a case of juice boxes (Costco) water (ditto) and tons of nonperishable foods, laundry soap, okay some wine and beer that we ended up not needing, as I'd rather wander Epcot with a beer than have it in the room
If money is a factor (for 2 weeks I can definitely be!) I'd consider an offsite, but close, and definitely resort style condo. Not to knock Disney, but the villas can run a pretty penny for 2 weeks.

 

[bab31]

I would go over to the DVC boards and check out renting points- there is so much to being on grounds. I have thought about the swan or dolphin and then I think how convenient it was to put everything on the room and not worry about how much cash I am walking out the door with today. Loved staying on grounds and would love to do it again-especially for two weeks!

 

[PinkEars7]

You could always split-up your stay between a moderate and value resort. This would save you money...if you don't mind switching mid trip. I think a lot of people divide up their stay.

With regard to the CSR...a lot of business travelers stay there because of the conference facilities. If this is something that would bother you....I would opt for a different moderate resort. We stayed at the POR during our last trip and absolutely loved it. Definitely comparable to a deluxe resort. POFQ is smaller than the POR if you would like a smaller setting. You can use the facilties at both resorts if you stay at either the POR or the POFQ. They have a riverboat that takes you to the DD area. That is a plus!

From what I understand....the All-star music value resort is one of the nicest.

Happy planning!