Flip flopping on resort choice

[05ChristmasSurprise]

We're getting ready to give our friends the trip for Christmas and I've printed up the ressies (sans prices) and put it all in a scrapbook...

But, now I'm questioning my decision to stay in the Swan.

Right now, we're paying the AP rate for three nights and 6 nights at $249, which is around $4000 for all of us before taxes and resort fees. (Bummer - just realized the tax/resort thing today)

I keep seeing the AP rates coming out for months ahead and just don't know what to do. Obviously they aren't going to be out for next december until around august, so I'd have to make a reservation and just keep my fingers crossed that the prices will get better and that I'll get into the room at that rate.

Then again, for four grand, we could stay somewhere else onsite and still save paying rack rates for the value season, kwim?

I think I'm most afraid of missing out on some disney magic, or paying way more than we really have to.

Saving money is always a good thing.

Any ideas?
Where would you stay for $249 or less per night, per room...onsite...connecting rooms...during the Thanksgiving holiday...with your own car to drive to the parks? (Though, we may not drive every day - sometimes parking was a pain).

 

[Connears]

Stayed at the Swan for the first time last yearover New Year's(12/27-1/02/04) and loved it! We are DVC members and usually stay @ OKW or BCV, but just loved the Swan. We got teacher's rate for that week of $149 and they currently have around the same rate for general discount. We upgraded to CL which was wonderful(SPG points-join if you are not a member and its free). I think that there are no WDW owned resorts with discounts that christmas week, but many before the check-in of 12/24? I would assume you could get less than $249/night at either SWanor Dolphin. If not, you could probably get AKL or WL at a similar price for the deluxes. The Swan is a Westin and service was wonderful and I felt right in the middle of everything with the location. I have been to WDW 14 times since joining DVC and did not feel any less Disney at this resort as others have said. I am staying at Swan for 12/25/04 before we check into BCV for 5 inghts and I got $159 from their website.
Connears

 

[Kapp]

and the Dolphin are great resorts and you can't go wrong with either one!

Enjoy!

Kapp

 

[Luigi's Girl]

CONNEARS<
What's SPG points?

 

[swilphil]

I would definitely stay at the Swan over Wilderness Lodge. It's much more of a deluxe, in my opinion, but you may want to look at some of the other deluxes for that price. If you are going 9 nights over Thanksgiving, $4000 may be about the best you can do. Other good choices would be the Boardwalk or the Contemporary, but some don't like the room decor at the latter. I wonder if it's possible that the Swan may have a special on room rates at that time, or at least a AAA rate that is a little better than the $269 that you are getting. If the prices of the new Disney packages are competitive enough, the Swan may REALLY drop their prices. Your best bet is to transfer your reservation to a Disney specialist Travel Agent, like Dreams Unlimited, and let them figure it all out! You could stick with the Swan reservation for now, and then let your friends have a say in the final decision.

You definitely won't be missing out on any "Disney Magic" by staying at the Swan. You are right next to the Boardwalk and may see Tower of Terror or Epcot from your window. You can walk to Epcot and MGM. It's LITERALLY in the middle of Disney. Plus it's a nice hotel. The service is great. If there are no kids going on your trip, the Swan is the perfect choice. We actually had our kids with us at the Swan, but it is more "adult" than some of the other Disney Resorts.

SPG is the Starwood Preferred Guest program. You earn points for every dollar you spend at the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Beachangel]

I stayed at the Swan last New Years and it was great, very Christmasy and I didn't miss any Disney magic. As far as rates, I think $249 is pretty good.

 

[SnowWitch]

I would personally pick the WL over the Swan for a holiday trip.