Having a hard time

[Hazeleyes536]

Hi there!
Im New to the board. We went to Disney in april 2010 and we rented a house off site and drove to and from the parks everyday. also ended up eating out all the time and at the parks.
This time we would like to stay at a resort but i am having such a hard time figuring out when to go. Its either going to be End of March so we can get the free dining plan or first week of december 2012.
When do you reccommend going?
also we cant decide on what resort to stay at! I like carribean beach, Port orleans and pop. the only reason i wouldnt consider staying at pop is because of the mini fridge and microwave. how much is it to get one of those at pop? And how hard is it to get to and from WDW stay at pop?

Does anyone think Disney will offer that free gift card for booking and staying at resorts again? or is the dining plan a better option. i was also thinking about getting the disney visa but only want to do so when they offer the $200 gift card!

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[vicki_c]

I think you should set your budget first - can you afford moderate, value or deluxe?

Then start looking @ the themes, sizes, layouts, locations, of the resorts and see which appeals to you most.

As for the value fridge, it has been stated that the values are getting refrigerators in the room very soon, so I wouldn't worry about that at this point. There are no microwaves in any rooms other than the DVC villas and maybe in the All Stars Family Suite (not sure about that one).

As for transportation, unless you are considering a deluxe where you can walk to a park, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that. Transportation can be generally the same all over - it's free, but can be hit or miss at ANY resort.

As to what kind of deals may be offered - it's anyone's guess. Early December often doesn't have many offers because the resorts can be crowded due to Pop Warner football. The end of March next year - hard to say - that's spring break. Easter crowds will start March 31 (that is when we are going for Easter). I haven't checked any current 2012 deals since we are DVC, but you can check the Codes board @ the top of the page or on Mousesavers to see what's been offered already for 2012.

 

[laceemouse]

It depends on what you are calling early December. This year, and many years before, there has been free food right after Thanksgiving, a blacked out week for PW, and then free food again starting around 12/10. You may very well be able to get free food for an early December trip, we are for 2011!

As far as which saves you the most, it depends on how many people you have and which meal plan you get for free. Currently it is the quick service meal plan with value resorts and the regular DDP with moderates and deluxes. The regular DDP is $45 per adult per day, so getting is free saves a lot more than $200 if you have more that 2 people and stay for a few days.

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome!

I would go in December so I could see the Christmas decorations and attend the Christmas Party at MK.

I agree, you need to set a budget first, then see which resorts work. Deluxes and Mod's are currently the only ones with small fridges. Rummer has it the values will be getting them. Deluxes have Queens, Mod's are slowly beeing switched from Dbls to Queens. Values have Dbls. Mods have 2 sinks, values only 1. Mod's have pool slides, Values do not. Mods have 1 sit down restaurant, values only have a food court. Except for POFQ, they have no sit down. But they are close to POR to use their's.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are considered "Mod". They have 2 rooms, full kitchen, and outside grill. You can save quite a bit by making your own meals. I think I'd want a car as they are a bit far away.

Happy planning!

 

[Hazeleyes536]

i think we switched our dates and were now going march 3-10.
out budget is about 3k
everything im reading online says the moderate resorts have mini fridges and microwaves!

 

[aubriee]

i think we switched our dates and were now going march 3-10.
out budget is about 3k
everything im reading online says the moderate resorts have mini fridges and microwaves!

The moderates have mini fridges and coffee pots, but not microwaves. If you stay at CSR, you may ask for microwave at check in, but they have very few and are first come first served. I have asked multiple times while staying there and have yet to get one. The other mods don't have them at all though.

 

[fla4fun]

i think we switched our dates and were now going march 3-10.
out budget is about 3k
everything im reading online says the moderate resorts have mini fridges and microwaves!

Going that early in March I believe you will qualify for the free dining promotion, correct? So I would not be concerned about needing a microwave in the room - you will have plenty to eat and if you really need a microwave, there is typically at least one in the food court of the value or moderate resorts. If you think that you'll want to have some breakfast food in the room (which I typically do, as a time saver more than anything else) you can always have cereal and milk, or other items that don't require heating.

If all you plan to do at the resort is sleep and maybe swim, then a value resort will suit you just fine. Spring Break is a more expensive time of year to go, so staying in the least expensive level of resort is the most economical choice. To get free dining, you have to pay rack rate for the room - I would spend a little time on the Disney website checking out the rates for your resort choices and see what fits your budget best.

Of the moderate resorts, I prefer either POFQ or CSR. CBR and POR are fine, I just prefer the others, especially since CSR has some amenities the other moderates don't, like a more extensive room service menu (the other moderates only have pizza). If you plan to spend more time at your resort just hanging out, then I would definitely choose a moderate if your budget will stretch that far.

All of the moderates and values use bus transportation to and from the parks, and there will be good bus days, and bad bus days. The only tips I can give you there is to be prepared to stand on the bus if you are traveling first thing in the morning or when the parks close at the end of the day, and if you plan to take a bus to DTD allow double the travel time you would to any other destination (I don't know why, but DTD buses are an issue at EVERY level of resort, from value to deluxe).

 

[BBQMommy]

Heading there is January and one of the reasons we chose POFQ is the boat the goes from the resort to DTD. DD6 picked the resort for the pool, though not sure how much swimming will happen in January.

Have fun planning!
Caryn

 

[Tricia's mom]

Welcome!

I would go in December so I could see the Christmas decorations and attend the Christmas Pa

rty at MK. I agree, you need to set a budget first, then see which resorts work. Deluxes and Mod's are currently the only ones with small fridges. Rummer has it the values will be getting them. Deluxes have Queens, Mod's are slowly beeing switched from Dbls to Queens. Values have Dbls. Mods have 2 sinks, values only 1. Mod's have pool slides, Values do not. Mods have 1 sit down restaurant, values only have a food court. Except for POFQ, they have no sit down. But they are close to POR to use their's.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are considered "Mod". They have 2 rooms, full kitchen, and outside grill. You can save quite a bit by making your own meals. I think I'd want a car as they are a bit far away.

Happy planning!

WELCOME !
HMM now I disagree with this... I would go in March. The weather will be better.. The problem with December ( aside from weather) is that the parks close earlier and re open for mickeys very merry christmas party SOOO you get to pay AGAIN for re admission. Thats fine to enjoy the party even if you plan it.. I would do March...Staying on property is exciting !

 

[daleswife]

We are thinking about the first week in december 2012 too!!! Trying to decide between POP and POFQ. We have stayed at pop the past 3 times we have went and love it, but we want to try a moderate this time so we are leaning more toward POFQ. Hoping for Free dining cause we have 2 adults and this year we'll have to pay for my son so 2 kids!!! We are doing December this time so we can see the Christmas decor...we've seen Halloween at Disney and loved it and Ive always wanted to see Christmas at Disney.

We've been the first week of March and it was nice. not too crowded. Im not too sure about the last week in March, isnt there a lot of spring breakers down there that week???

 

[daleswife]

WELCOME !
HMM now I disagree with this... I would go in March. The weather will be better.. The problem with December ( aside from weather) is that the parks close earlier and re open for mickeys very merry christmas party SOOO you get to pay AGAIN for re admission. Thats fine to enjoy the party even if you plan it.. I would do March...Staying on property is exciting !

when we do a party at MK, we just dont buy a ticket for that day and spend the day resting and relaxing or going to DTD. So we dont have the extra expense. Since we usually spend two days at MK, we do the stuff thats open during the party then do the rest of the park on the other day. And, durring the MNSSHP anyways, you can get in the MK at 4pm! Do they not do that during the christmas party too???

 

[auprincess]

There aren't microwaves int he rooms, but the food courts do have them that you can use (with food you bring from home). I am not a big breakfast eater, but my DH loves to have a warm breakfast (as oppossed to cereal/breakfast bars). We brought a package of those pre-made sausage biscuits, kept them in the fridge in the room, and then every morning on our way to the parks, he would stop by and heat them up.

Also, I *think* it is $10 a day to rent a fridge.

 

[BenA81]

My vote is for CBR in December! My family and I stayed there at the same time in '09 and had a wonderful time.

 

[Hazeleyes536]

Going that early in March I believe you will qualify for the free dining promotion, correct? So I would not be concerned about needing a microwave in the room - you will have plenty to eat and if you really need a microwave, there is typically at least one in the food court of the value or moderate resorts. If you think that you'll want to have some breakfast food in the room (which I typically do, as a time saver more than anything else) you can always have cereal and milk, or other items that don't require heating.

If all you plan to do at the resort is sleep and maybe swim, then a value resort will suit you just fine. Spring Break is a more expensive time of year to go, so staying in the least expensive level of resort is the most economical choice. To get free dining, you have to pay rack rate for the room - I would spend a little time on the Disney website checking out the rates for your resort choices and see what fits your budget best.

Of the moderate resorts, I prefer either POFQ or CSR. CBR and POR are fine, I just prefer the others, especially since CSR has some amenities the other moderates don't, like a more extensive room service menu (the other moderates only have pizza). If you plan to spend more time at your resort just hanging out, then I would definitely choose a moderate if your budget will stretch that far.

All of the moderates and values use bus transportation to and from the parks, and there will be good bus days, and bad bus days. The only tips I can give you there is to be prepared to stand on the bus if you are traveling first thing in the morning or when the parks close at the end of the day, and if you plan to take a bus to DTD allow double the travel time you would to any other destination (I don't know why, but DTD buses are an issue at EVERY level of resort, from value to deluxe).

THANK YOU! We do qualify for the free dining plan, and that would be the reason i had breakfast stuff in the room.

WELCOME !
HMM now I disagree with this... I would go in March. The weather will be better.. The problem with December ( aside from weather) is that the parks close earlier and re open for mickeys very merry christmas party SOOO you get to pay AGAIN for re admission. Thats fine to enjoy the party even if you plan it.. I would do March...Staying on property is exciting !

thats what we were thinking of too. if we went in MArch my ds and dd would only be missing days at pre k and not kindergarten. also it will be very crowded in december and i dont have patience for crowds. lol

There aren't microwaves int he rooms, but the food courts do have them that you can use (with food you bring from home). I am not a big breakfast eater, but my DH loves to have a warm breakfast (as oppossed to cereal/breakfast bars). We brought a package of those pre-made sausage biscuits, kept them in the fridge in the room, and then every morning on our way to the parks, he would stop by and heat them up.

Also, I *think* it is $10 a day to rent a fridge.

And thats a wonderful idea for breakfast food. my dh loves those things too so thats what ill do!


We booked our trip yesterday.
we leave MArch 3-10 and we are staying at Coronado springs resprts. i also booked our ADRs for crystal palace, princess dinner at the floridian i beleive, also a princess lunch in epcot, and donalds lunch in animal kingdom.
im trying to figure out one more character dining my ds would enjoy. we dont care to visit hollywood studios, so it cant be a meal there.
any ideas!?

 

[vicki_c]

We booked our trip yesterday.
we leave MArch 3-10 and we are staying at Coronado springs resprts. i also booked our ADRs for crystal palace, princess dinner at the floridian i beleive, also a princess lunch in epcot, and donalds lunch in animal kingdom.
im trying to figure out one more character dining my ds would enjoy. we dont care to visit hollywood studios, so it cant be a meal there.
any ideas!?

We enjoy 'Ohana breakfast at the Poly. I would only book that though on a day that was convenient - like on a Magic Kingdom day. I just booked a late 'Ohana breakfast for an upcoming trip - at 10:30 I think. So we will go to the park early (it opens at 7 or 8 AM that day) and then leave to go to breakfast. Obviously, that doesn't work as well if the park opens at 9 and you have a lot to do there.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I would go in December 2012, and hope for free dining. In fact, that is what I am doing!!!!!

Christmas at WDW is so magical, beautiful, incredible, the list goes on and on.....