Having a Disney Planning Breakdown!!! PLEASE HELP, what would you do?

[addie]

OK, I am going out of my mind!!! I mean my eyes are not even focusing anymore!!! I have spent so much time on the DW website, talking to DWTC, CRO, time on mousesavers, and in my excel spreadsheets I think I am about to have a Disney Planning Breakdown, I'm now going to call it the "DPB!"

Here are my options. I think I know what I should do but I really need some opinions before I do something tragic!!!

Basic Story:

My DH and I are paying for family to go on this trip. Although we are Disney nuts this will be a once-in-a lifetime trip for my SIL’s family. I really need “easy” for this trip. Everyone here really wants to eat at nice places, go on tours, and see shows, so I’m thinking if we do the FT package we would definitely do the Silver plan. Our dates are October 9-16.

Cast:
First Room
Me: 26 Disney Nut
DH: 28 Disney Nut
DS: 2.5, Second trip to Disney

Second Room
SIL: 26 first Disney trip
BIL: 30 first Dinsey trip
Nephew: 2.5
Nephew: 1.5

Option A – Split Stays, rent DVC points * we would have to wait list BCV on the 12th, if we don't get it stay another night DD hotel

Oct 9-11 $600 DD Hotel (or another for 100 per night) 2 rooms
Oct 12-16 $1408 Rent Points and stay in a 2 bedroom BCV
Tickets $1108 “6 day park hopper plus passes”
Food $1200 $50 food per adult per day
Total $4316

Option B – FT Package at the Beach Club

Oct 9-16 $2038 1st standard room, 2 adults, all tickets
Food $1608 Silver Add on Package for 4 adults
Oct 9-16 $2038 2nd standard room, 2 adults, all tickets
Total: $5684

Difference is $1386.

Any opinions please? Is there a better option out there I’m missing? We really want to stay at beach club, is the FT package at BC a good deal, or should we just stick with the point rental and hope we get the waitlisted room for the 12th?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for your responses!

(Sorry.. I edited and fixed the dates)

 

[luckytso]

I would go for the package so that you don't have to move rooms and get the ultimate park hoppers, especially if they will not go there again. This way, they don't have to waste time packing and unpacking and they can go to any park they want, including the water parks and PI.

The other thing that I think the package may be better is for its cancellation policy. Sometimes when someone else pays for things, people are not as careful as when they are paying for their own. Just in case your family cancels on you, it may be easier to cancel their reservation.

In addition, your price includes the silver add-on which won't be there with DVC point rental. The wishes will enable you to attend Cirque due Solei's show, many tours and many nice sit down dinners). Your other budget of $50 per adult per day will not offer you this much.

If I don't have AP, I would take the package myself.

However, a 2-br villa is wonderful with the washer/dryer. We really enjoyed our stay last Feb. in a 2-br at BWV.

I have good faith that your waitlist will come through on 10/12 if you stay on the waitlist.

Good luck with your choices!!

btw, I am not sure your dates are correct in option#2.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I think I would just go with the FT package. However, and I'm not sure about this, but couldn't you just do the silver add on for one of the rooms which would still give you 28 wishes, certainly enough for really nice dinners and just pay for the kids. It would be even better if you went concierge, than breakfast and snacks would be taken care of as well. Just a thought.

 

[epcotitis]

addie,

Are your plan B dates for the FT package the 9-16? It says 9-11 but your dates and the price seem to make me think 9-16. If that's true plus you get all those wishes... the silver add on would really be a benefit. It may seem like a great gift to your bil and sil because you will pick up the bill once and not have to do it much more with all the wishes. Less uncomfortableness at check time.

You just need to add the price for me to be in your family!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

If it were me planning...I say...stay in one place (BC) instead of splitting the stay (one less decision to make as to split it with what resort). Go with FT package, this way the tickets are included (another one less thoughts as to which tickets to buy).

 

[JLS]

Don't have a breakdown!! It sounds like you are doing just great, and you are so nice to pay for your family's vacation. I think by the fact that you said "simple" is key for you, you should definitely just go for the Fairytale package at the BC. The Beach Club is wonderful, and with the other option you are only waitlisted there - there is no guarantee you will get it. Plus, with a big group and small children, changing hotels is going to be more trouble than it is worth. Unless you cannot afford the extra money, go for FT package!! Also, as someone else pointed out, the FT package will offer you more flexibility on cancellations (you are in a bind if you need to cancel rental points.... it usually cannot be done unless the person you rented from can and is willing to bank their points).

For first timers, I think the unlimited park hopper passes are great - you could go for a few hours each at Disney Quest and each water park without having to worry about using too many "plus" features.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Definately Plan "B"

Plan "A" is complicated and plan "B" gives everyone a wonderful deluxe resort and magical wishes... think of all the nice meals you can have with no extra expense...

This is a very nice thing for you to do for your family....

Have Fun & Good Luck!

>>^..^<<

 

[addie]

Thanks for your kind words!! I feel much better now getting other opinions! I fixed my dates

Does anyone think that the value for the FT package at the Beach Club is better/worse than other resorts?

Thanks!

 

[minster22]

You are doing just great planning a fabulous vacation!! I am another one voting for "Plan B." As wonderful as the two bedroom would be at BCV, it is always nice to have your own space to retreat to after a long day anywhere at WDW. I can just see your two families having the time of their lives at the Beach Club, with the SAB pool, the lovely lobby, Beaches and Cream. I vote for Keep It Simple.... the FT package is perfect for you!! Have you stayed at the Beach Club before? You asked if we thought it was a good value? It is being refurbished, maybe even all done now, and the Epcot resort area is my absolute favorite part of Walt Disney World!! It is very kid-friendly but adults love it too!

 

[Dancind]

One lone dissenter here. If you can swing the 2 BR at BCV, I think it would enhance your vacation. Your kids are all very young, and will be out by 8 p.m. most nights, and need afternoon naps. With the 2 BR, you can put them to sleep in the BR's, close the doors, and have the living area with TV, DVD, and kitchen to enjoy some adult time. Or even request a ground floor overlooking the quiet pool. If close enough, you could get away with hanging out at the pool/spa at night and during naps(bring a baby monitor!). Either way, you might want to set aside some money for the Sand Castle club for a couple of adult nights out. Diana

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

Okay I am going to give you my two cents worth. First, no you are not over anlyzing this. You can ask my wife and she will tell you about someone that overanalyzes these things . First in regards to option A, I noticed you used $11 per point for the renting points, I know you are being conservative with this, but I think you can still probably rent points for $10 per point.

Second, I would suggest doing an apples to apples comparison for price comparison and either using the Silver option price for both or the $1,200 for both (I know you can't get the Silver option with option A, but I think what you are getting is quite a bit different from each and it is better for analysis purposes to keep things the same).

Third, I have found that Expedia allows you to actually get a quote for a two room, one package option and that it is is usually lower than running two rooms through Disneyworld.com. For the BC the FY package price for your dates is showing as $3793 with the insurance.

Fourth (and this point is going to stir up trouble), I am wondering why you chose the BC? I am betting it is because of SAB. But as a parent of a 2 and 4 year old, I know that the park you will spend the most time at is MK. Where the BC gets you conveniently located for Disney Studios and Epcot. Disney Studios are great for the young ones, but I didn't even take mine to Epcot last year (I will this year). You might want to think about a MK resort. An added bonus with the little ones would be one on the monorail or with boat service to MK (real convenient). A couple prices from Expedia:

$3443 Wilderness Lodge (2 courtyard view rooms)
$3254 Fort Wilderness (2 cabins)
$3883 Polynesian (2 garden view rooms)

I understand your quandry. I orignally booked my FT trip in August in a 1 bedroom villa at BVW but then changed my mind and switched to the Polynesian. Hope these thoughts help

 

[addie]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I have to tell you that these final two decisions came after putting together about (no kidding) 8 different options! We have decided to go with the 2 rooms at the BC with the FT +silver package.

Goofydad, thanks for the advice to compare them the same. I am checking with Expedia right now I want to find out about their changing / cancel policy just in case.

About Beach Club, Dh and I have always wanted to do BC. We have been to CS, Polly, Dolphin, and every time we walk by beach club with a huge desire to check in . Dh grew up around DL so he does not care much for MK. We will go do the MH mornings and do the kids rides then leave. We are also planning on a sitter and taking some nights out in Epcot for nice dinners.

Thanks so much for your expedia tip!

Dancid- Thanks for your advice. I know a 2bdr sounds good, and if I could add the silver package to the 2bdr I would do it in a heartbeat. The idea of telling my family at every meal "no I have the check" does not sound fun vs everyone gets their own wishes! Great tip on the baby monitor!! If we have two connecting rooms we will use this for sure! Now, can I rent DVD's or VCR's anywhere at BC?

Everyone else-thanks so much sighhhhhhh. I feel much better!

Now for PS times for 7 days!

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

Hi Addie,

One other thing I wanted to throw out there for you. I was playing with Disneyworld.com and found one package that is in between what you were looking for, but just not quite right. I found the BWV available with a 2 bedroom for your dates for a price of $3672 for your group with the FT package. This way you could get the villa, and decent price and be able to add the silver package.

Of course you are close to the BC, but not quite there. You would still have a great location though. Just a thought.

 

[Dancind]

Yes, and you could do Silver plan by booking the BCV villa through Disney for cash (if available). It might even be available on the FT package if you are going this summer. But it would probably cost more than the two rooms at BC plan. You might want to request a first floor, quiet pool view room at BC, you might get it! I don't think you can rent DVD players at BC though. The 1 & 2 BR's at BCV have DVD players in the rooms, and DVD's available for free. We've only had studios at BCV so far, so haven't done this. Diana

 

[addie]

Dancid - thanks for the info. Do you know if the tv's have a good selection of movies for the kids to watch? What channels do they get in? Thanks!

Goofydad,

Thanks for letting me know, that would have worked great, but I went to the site and called and it was not available. Guess I was just a little to late.

I will keep trying though! Maybe someone will cancel.

Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[Dancind]

Addie, the Disney resorts have lots of TV channels for kids. Disney channel, cartoons, etc. That's if you can get them out of the kid's pool at Stormalong Bay! Diana

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

Darn, darn, darn. It really ws there. I put in 4 adults, 3 kids, ages 2,2, and 1 and then chose Boardwalk Villas and it gave me a choice of a 2 bedroom. Maybe you can try first thing tomorrow, after some people that didn't put deposits down fall off.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

If you are driving, Target has a nice TV/VCR combo on sale this week. There is even a coupon for a little cooler. The TV is a must have for little ones in the car and can be brought into the room as well. It may not cost much more than renting too. You are a very kind sis in law to plan all this!!! Be prepared for the kids to want to come with Aunt everytime!

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

I ran it again this morning and it did come up:

Review Quote


Your Disney Vacation (USD) $3,672.45
September 9, 2003-September 16, 2003 (7 nights) Change dates
4 Adults, 2 Children, 1 Infant

Disney's BoardWalk Villas More Info Change Resort

Have you ever stayed at this resort before? Yes No
Two Bedroom Villa More Info Change View
Special Requests
- Non-Smoking Room

Includes Disney's Fairytale Vacation More Info




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vacation Protection Plan More Info
Click check to remove.


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Total Price (USD): $3,672.45 Note: Your itinerary is
not reserved in your name until payment is applied

 

[addie]

Goofydad,

You are so sweet to look again, but my dates are October 9-16 not September. That's why I can't find it!

Thanks for looking! Iwill keep checking.