First time to WDW as adult!

[disneydave2003]

My girlfriend and I are planning on a trip to WDW in either March or maybe the fall. I haven't been to Disney in years (It was only MK and Epcot when I was there and she hasn't been) I was thinking moderate and she is thinking deluxe of course . What kind of deals do you think we can get on either a moderate or deluxe for these times of the year? What are your favorite resorts?

 

[Jen D]

Congratulations on planning your trip! Although it would be great to go SOON, I would try to plan to take a trip in the fall. The discounts you can get (check www.mousesavers.com) are generally better than Spring (when the parks are packed for Spring Break.) Late September is a particularly great time to go-- value season, usually good discounts, low crowds.

I'll let everyone else chime in with favorite resorts, but the best thing you can do is read up on all of them, both on this sitre and on www.wdwig.com. They all have very different theming. Also, with the Deluxes, some of them are very convenient to certain theme parks- for instance, the Boardwalk, Yacht Club/Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin are all walking distance from Epcot and MGM. Read about the resorts and decide what is important to you!

The planning can be as fun as the trip. Enjoy!

 

[vbfamily]

The fall is a great time to go, we have been several times in late October-early November.

You should be able to get some pretty good prices-I saw another post where several people stayed at Wilderness Lodge last October for $140-courtyard view. We paid full price because I had not discovered these boards yet.

The above poster is right, check out mousesavers.com, this will keep you informed of when codes come out that allow you to get a discount. You can always make a reservation and call back later and get a lower rate with a code if it is available.

People on these boards are more than willing to help you with any info you need.

I would go for a deluxe, especially if you get a great price but you really have to look at all the resorts and see what theme you like, what park you want to stay near, what ammenities you want, etc. Any place on-site is pretty good.

Have fun planning and feel free to ask more questions, you'll get a lot of help.

 

[crisi]

Figure out how much you want to spend and what is important to you to spend it on. I personally would rather stay at a moderate than skimp on meals, but I'd rather skimp on souveniers to stay at a Deluxe.

Also talk about what you both expect from the trip. If you girlfriend want Romance, she may be thinking of the Grand Floridian, which is a fabulous (but expensive, the priciest at Disney) hotel. Or she may remember watching Wonderful World of Disney and having always dreamed of the Polynesian. But there are a ton of hotels at Disney, all with their own theming and price.

If you are planning on spending a lot of time in the room, a Deluxe generally gives more space. But if you are planning long days in the parks - a moderate may serve you just as well.

Deluxes also have better theme park access - all have a park within walking distance or having special transportation (monorail or at WL a boat) to the parks. The exception is AKL -- where you'll take a bus where ever you go. Moderates have good bus transportation to all the parks.

Back when we went on a budget, we'd stay moderate, but then eat a dinner or character meal in the deluxe hotels - which gives you a chance to check out the other hotels on site.

 

[mm6mm6]

You're gonna love it DisneyDave! We went in June 2002 as a family (Me, DW and DD5) and I hadn't been there since 1975 when I was ten years old. When I watched the video they send you and it showed old footage of the monorail with a kid riding it and then they faded to that same kid 20 years later on the new monorail with his own child, I felt THE MAGIC! When I actually rode it with my DD5, I got pretty choked up. When you first get there, it'll hit you...the magic, the fun, the memories!

 

[Pig Pen]

I thought Coronado Springs was very nice for a moderate. It may be a good compromise. Except for the location I actually preferred it to the Dolphin.

 

[cinmell]

Welcome!

We usually go to Disney in September but we did go in May 2000 and we are going again this May. The deals are much better in September. We have never had a problem with crowds in September either. I don't think May was too bad crowd wise. We used a code last Sept. and got a great deal at the Grand Floridian. We are staying at the Contemporary in May and we are hoping for another code or an Annual Pass rate. The annual pass has worked out for us and you may want to look into purchasing AP's depending on how long you will be in WDW.

I love the Contemporary for many reasons. I love the location because you can take the monorail to Epcot and MK and you can walk to MK which is a wonderful advantage to staying at CR. The view from the tower is awesome and you can take the boat to go over to Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness.

My favorite moderate is the Carribbean Beach Resort. I love the theme and layout of this resort. The grounds are beautiful and each island has it's own beach area and pool. You can relax on the hammocks on the beaches or rent boats or bikes. I don't think you can go wrong with the CBR

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

If it were me- I'd go with a moderate. But ask her WHAT it is about the deluxe she has in her mind that makes her want to stay there and see if you can work around that.
For instance, if it's the restaurants- you can still eat there just fine!
If it's the spa- she can still make appts to use the spa just as if she was staying in that resort.
That way you could save some money on a moderate but still take advantage of the amenities of the deluxe.

Ofcourse this won't work if her reasons are because of the accomodations or the view/etc. LOL I can't really speak about that though- I'm not in that league. I couldn't care less about views.... I'm at the parks or DTD the majority of the time. LOL

 

[disneydave2003]

WOW! Thanks for the answers and suggestions. It seems kind of overwhelming but you all have provided a great start for me. Maybe the fall is a better time to go, less crowded and cheaper

 

[disneydave2003]

One more thing, I've noticed there are quite a few acronyms and abbreviations. Is there a page or section that decode these things?

 

[Beast2Prince]

Here you go!

http://www.disneyfan.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[susy]

Welcome!
I grew up in south FL, so I've been to WDW many, many times!

I have to say it is much more fun as an adult!!!

We have stayed at the All Star Sports and Movies, CBR, and AKL.

They were all wonderful. You can get very good rates at WL or AKL in value season. AKL was breathtaking!!!!!

Make sure to take an early afternoon break each day and enjoy your resort. I don't really feel I'm there, until I have my margarita poolside!

Don't shy away from character emals. They are awesome!!!! I recommend one sit down meal per day.

Arrive early and get your "commando" touring done early, when there are no lines. They just enjoy whatever you can. Have fun!!!

See menus and resort info at wdwig.com!

Definitely use mouseasavers to see discounts!

 

[disneydave2003]

Thanks for the input so far, you have been very helpful. I have taken a look at the links provided. The Caribbean Beach seems like it would be our first choice for a moderate and maybe the Polynesian for a deluxe. I am intrigued by the Contemporary

I'm not a fan of animals, not interested in seeing them from my hotel so I'm thinking the Animal Kingdom Lodge is not for me. We will probably wait it out until Sept. or Oct.. Do you know when the annualy passholder rates are available to book or codes? I skimmed mousesaver and it looked as though those deals go to April.
Thanks
disneydave2003

 

[DemoBri1]

disneyDave,

I would take a look at the the Epcot resorts (i.e. Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk). These resorts are centrally located to all of the magic in the world. You can walk to Epcot and MGM from any of these resorts, plus you have the ability to jump on the monorail from Epcot to get out to MK. AK is the only place you will really need to take a bus or drive to.

An added bonus is that you have the Boardwalk for evening entertainment (i.e. ESPN Club, Atlantic Dance, Jellyrolls).

I agree with alot of the people here in that I would definitely look in the early-mid November timeframe or the early December timeframe. Better deals, less crowds and more pleasant weather. Plus if you time it right you'll get to take in the Christmas decorations as well.

Also...check out the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and the Passporter Guide to WDW 2003. These are excellent books to help plan your vacation. There are also some Disney for Couples for books out there as well.

Just some food for thought. Enjoy your planning