HELP!!!! I Really Need Advice!!!!!

[mom2taylorandemily]

My family has a MYW with DDP package booked for 9 days booked at GF from Dec. 7 thru 15 booked with AAA. Well, my AAA agent told me today she could get me preferred room at POR, POFQ, or CBR with MYW and DDP for 10 days for almost $2000 cheaper. I'm so confused. My family has said that they will stay anywhere as long as it is Disney. We have 3 ressies at different hotel restaurants during our stay as well as DDs have the Wonderland Tea Party booked. How difficult will it be to get to these resorts for the ressies we have booked and back to our resort? I don't really know what to do, $2000 is a lot of money and it sure would help to get DH a new car. Can anyone convince me one way or the other, I'm sure the GF is nice, but again, $2000 is a lot of money. Can anyone help me?! I think I am going crazy!!

 

[bradk]

well, specifics aside (there is no preferred at POFQ and I wouldn't pay for preferred at CBR), the GF isn't really all that difficult to get to at all considering it's near the MK and is a simple boat ride or monorail ride away.

 

[nonsmom]

Hi, I would look into WL. That way you are still in the same area near MK. Also, I think the rooms start out at $215/night there. You would still be in the deluxe category, and still get a great value on the room. Also, WL is really nice when decorated for the holidays. Check out some of the pictures people have posted.

 

[Redbudlover]

I think it depends upon how important the $2000 is to you. POR is beautiful and more serene imho, but then although I have stayed at POLY, AKL, and BWI with BC booked this Sept (for free dining!) I have never been tempted to stay at the GF. I eat there! I have tea there!, but prefer the other deluxes.

 

[stitchlover]

I think it all depends on how much the $2000 means to you! I have to say I would take POFQ and run with it! We love POFQ and will be staying there again our next trip. But there really isn't a preferred level there...maybe she is talking about waterview. I can't remember if your post said you have children but we have a DD that is 11 and have always attended things at GF but have always stated we don't want to stay there because it seems a bit stuffy and not really geared towards kids! Of course there are a ton of people who will disagree with me, that's just how our family feels about it.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I think it all depends on how much the $2000 means to you! I have to say I would take POFQ and run with it! We love POFQ and will be staying there again our next trip. But there really isn't a preferred level there...maybe she is talking about waterview. I can't remember if your post said you have children but we have a DD that is 11 and have always attended things at GF but have always stated we don't want to stay there because it seems a bit stuffy and not really geared towards kids! Of course there are a ton of people who will disagree with me, that's just how our family feels about it.

I agree 100% with you, we have always said that it takes a certain type of person to stay at GF, no offense to those who love the resort.

Back to the question--I personally would take the offer just because I love POR and it is one extra day at Disney. Now mind you that the preferred/water view rooms at POR (not sure of POFQ or CBR) can be anywhere at the resort. This resort is sooooo spread out that you can be in the AB section at the opposite side of the resort and would have to take a bus to get to the main area, where the marina, pool, foodcourt, etc... is. If you do plan on staying at POR, see if you can request AB bldg #14, this is close to EVERYTHING. Hope this helps and have fun on your trip.

 

[goinback]

I think you will be happier with yourself AFTER the trip is over if you save the money and put it towards the car for your DH! POR is wonderful, CBR is wonderful! They are both full of Disney Magic. I personally do not think GF is worth 2000 extra! CBR is in a great location, and it does not take long to get to the parks. POR is immaculate and restful.

 

[jhryb]

Hi, I would look into WL. That way you are still in the same area near MK. Also, I think the rooms start out at $215/night there. You would still be in the deluxe category, and still get a great value on the room. Also, WL is really nice when decorated for the holidays. Check out some of the pictures people have posted.

I agree. I would ask my TA at AAA to give me the price of WL. It will still be much cheaper than the GF, and it has the advantage of being close to the MK. I think that your kids might actually like the WL more than the GF. I stayed at the POR a few years ago and it is very nice, but it is not near any of the parks. Another advantage of the WL over a moderate resort like the POR is that it has queen sized beds instead of doubles.

 

[Hopefully]

There are differences between moderate and deluxe resorts that you need to consider. In a moderate you will have a smaller room, only 2 double beds vs. 2 queen beds and no private patio or balcony to relax on. Your windows will look out onto a public walkway - if that matters to you. We felt a need to keep our curtains closed for privacy, making the room pretty dark.
We have stayed at POFQ and we loved it there. I would go back anytime. It is a beautifully themed resort and small, so that everything was convenient. It shares buses with POR, but you are first stop both going and coming home.
Resort to resort travel is not easy on Disney transportation. You basically need to go to a nearby theme park and transfer to the resort bus you need, or do to DTD and transfer. It is doable, but it takes a fair amount of time.
Another option would be to take a cab between resorts - or at least home after dinner. You can basically get anywhere on property for under $20 one way. Even if you took a cab to your 3 resort hotel dinners, you would still be saving a lot of money over your stay at the GF.
Good Luck with your decision and let us know what you decide.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I love GF, but do not stay there often because the savings at other resorts is so great. I've been tempted, but always happy to have spent less!

CBR is a large spread out, although beautiful, resort as it POR - POR Riverside and French Quarter do not have a preferred room rate - CBR does and it is worth to us because we are an easy walk to Old Port Royale. The rooms at CBR are 340 sq ft, whereas at other mods it is 315 sq ft. A little bit, but it is almost the same size as std WL and AKL rooms (those are 344). We have enver closed our curtains for "privacy" becuase no one really stares into the room whrn passing by - and not that many people anyway. Not like it is a constant stream! LOL

Honestly, you can get to any where on the property just asd easy from a moderate as from a deluxe - might mean a bus ride, but it has worked fien for us. You can also drive for your resort dining reservations.

If you would like a smaller, quaint resort, French Quarter is lovely. One bus stop, nothing is a long walk and the walk is so pretty.

Maybe look at www.allearsnet.com photos of the resorts and read the facts - that might help in making a decision.

Good luck! GF is gorgoeus, but other resorts are wonderful too!

P.S. Sometimes it can take longer from a deluxe to get to other resorts or parks becuase they share buses with another deluxe. CBR does not share a bus. POR/FQ do share a bus but we stay at FQ and have enver been on a bus that picked up at POR.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I have to wonder why you booked the GF to begin with if you now consider a value or mod? I mean there is a huge difference in accomodations - are you going to be happy with downgrading?

If you want the deluxe experience, queen beds, convenience to the parks etc but want to spend less - you might consider one of the other monorail resorts (CR or Poly), a less expensive category of room at one of those or the GF (I don't think you said what kind of room you booked), or the WL. The WL is not quite as easy to get to the MK, or the GF for your tea party - but it's not bad. You can take the boat from WL to the CR and then hop the monorail to the GF. WL is a beautiful resort and wonderfully decorated at Christmas.

Before you jump on the money savings (and I know it's a lot), consider what it was about the GF that you wanted. Compare that to what is offered at a mod or value and consider the compromise above. It's important to go on a trip you can afford, but it's also important to have a trip that you love and fits your needs. Do some research on all the resorts you consider, be realistic about the trade offs and what the family will be happy with when they get there, then decide.

Have a great time, Christmas at WDW is truly magical !

 

[texasdisneygal]

We just got back from GF. Yes, it was nice. No, I don't think it was truly worth all the money. I was very surprised at how poorly the individual buildings looked. The main one is nice, but I think it's a good thing that GF is getting a rehab on the smaller buildings because it sure needs it, IMO. We won't be staying there again, most likely, but probably wouldn't anyway as we want to experience more resorts. We just booked WL for March. You're right, 2 grand is a lot of money, and that's something to consider, esp. when you're around buying a car.

You'll have to share what you decide!

 

[Sea Turtles]

You could have saved close to 2K at the time of booking if you chose those other resorts to begin with. If it didn't matter then, why now? IMO stick with GF and enjoy the convenience of the monorail, beautiful location, and save the aggravation of having to change your ressie. Good luck with your decision. You'll have a great time either way!