First adults only trip - help with a couple of decisions

[Chelley00]

DH and I are heading to WDW for my birthday in late April - kid free! With 4 kids we are rarely alone so I can't begin to tell you how much we are looking forward to doing the things we want to do in Disney!

Right now we have POFQ booked with regular dining plan. We are toying how to spend my birthday money from family on our trip.

1. Upgrade to Deluxe Dining. We are kind of looking forward to nice leisurely meals without kids rushing us to get back to rides!

2. Upgrade to a deluxe resort. I've stayed deluxe twice with my mom and kids (AKL and Poly), DH has never since we usually stay offsite because we need the extra space for 4 kids and other family. We are planning 2-3 days at Epcot for F&G and would love to be able to walk to Epcot. Plus in all our trips we've never been to the boardwalk!

3. Something extra? Illuminations Cruise? Cirque de Soleil? Other ideas?

 

[loves to dive]

I'd upgrade to the deluxe.
My thinking:
The dining plan is too much food for me to start with and we rarely save money on it, it's hard to eat that much food and be tied down to a schedule. With the deluxe dining plan you are tied down even more. You will still get one TS a day on the regular plan, that gives you the nice meals and still doesn't tie you down too much.

If you are going during F&G I'm going to assume you are going to do some sampling of the food booths, probably negating at least one meal possible more.

The Epcot hotels are very nice (I'm partial to BC/YC but BW is o.k.), a walk over to Epcot whenever you want can't be beat. If you have PHs, you can spend your mornings at one park and spend each afternoon/evening at Epcot and just walk back to your resort.

The something extras are nice too but how many times are you going to be without kids and able to stay in a deluxe? I'm assuming even as the kids get older, you are going to be staying in a Mod but can still do the extras with them.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your adult time. Don't try to plan too much or put too many extras in there. It's the perfect time to go slow and just enjoy.

 

[spiceycat]

would go with the hotel too - love BC - staying there (just one day) in April too!

 

[Bete]

I vote for a better resort. Hopefully, you can enjoy some time at the resort, too. You don't necessarily have to be at the parks every minute. If you can afford it go for a spa treatment together.

The regular dining plan is enough food for us. Besides, meals take away from park time. I wouldn't want to lose the time doing three table service meals.

 

[dancemonkey]

I'm doing deluxe dining plan for the first time in December. Not sure if it will be worth it for two of us. I'll let you know. POFQ is actually one of my favorite resorts. But we are actually are fans of club level. I think based on what you've said I would book Beach Club CL. Because you want to be near Epcot and it has been recently renovated. We stayed at Yacht Club recently. It was convenient but was in need of updating.

 

[kwdw]

Definitely upgrade resort over dining plan.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Another vote for upgrading to one of the Epcot resorts. We have stayed at the Boardwalk many times. Being able to wander over to Epcot whenever you want is wonderful. It is the one thing we miss now that we have shifted to off site. I should pass along a warning. Once you stay at an Epcot resort you will want to go back.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I would definitely recommend Cirque show especially if you have never seen one of their shows before. They are amazing! I too will be at WDW for the F&G in late April--staying at POR. I chose this because I heard the landscaping at the Port Orleans resorts is really great, especially in the Spring. That said, I stayed at the Boardwalk this past Feb and loved it--very, very convenient to the International Gateway and walking distance to HS. I preferred it to the BC by far....unless you are really going to spend a lot of time swimming in the pool, then I would recommend the BC over BWI. Have fun deciding and have a wonderful time sans children!

 

[Stefecatzz]

Another vote for the upgrading to a deluxe resort.

 

[brertoad]

The deluxe dining plan is going to be a lot of food. A LOT. Probably too much, 3 table service meals a day with appetizer and dessert! If you are okay with upgrading to Signature Dining with some of those extra credits, you probably can use up all your dining credits. But, if you want to eat Quick Service meals, then I would say stay with the regular dining plan, it gives you the most flexibility as far as not having to be overwhelmed with food and also the best flexibility with making less than half the reservations you would have to do if you went with Deluxe.

I would say upgrading the resort would be best, upgrade to where you want to spend most of your time. If you are going to plan on being at Epcot most days, get an Epcot resort, like Boardwalk or Beach Club. It is so convenient to walk to Epcot. You will save valuable time by staying closer, think of the bus rides you will save on. And the Boardwalk area is also close to Hollywood Studios, walk-able even.

Plan something special too, if you are celebrating your birthday it's nice to do something a little extra. Ship Shape Salon does a very nice pedicure.
A Signature restaurant, or dessert party, a VIP tour - these are great (The Keys to the Kingdom at Magic Kingdom is excellent). I like to have afternoon tea at the Garden View Tea Room in the Grand Floridian, my husband goes with me and he enjoys it too, it's relaxing.

 

[Accident]

i've never saved money and regretted paying for dining plan anytime I got it...

I personally plan my trip, get my adrs, etc without the food plan (unless it's free). Then once I know where I'm going to be eating and how much table service. I can look at the food plan options/costs and make an informed choice on if it's going to save me money. When it looks better, I call up and change my reservation to add the meal plan.

 

[MKay]

Beach Club would be our suggestion for the already mentioned reasons. Ask for a quiet pool view room closest to Epcot entrance as there is a back way out of that building where you can cut off some of the extra walking time. There is a bar in the Yacht Club if you want someplace to go late for a night cap.