Help, I'm ridiculous!

[Mom of Jack 2009]

So I am extremely indecisive and need help!! It's me, my husband and 7-year-old son. I'm looking at a split stay August 28th to September 4th. Funds are a concern. I was thinking of doing a moderate for 4 days and deluxe for 3, but may have to consider a cheaper alternative if discounts aren't available. Previously we have only stayed at POP, which we liked but we are looking to upgrade for both convenience and amenities. In the past we have done 2 days at a waterpark (which sometimes included a park at night) and the rest at the regular parks. We would consider a strictly resort day if the resort was nice enough. We also would do a MNSHP on Sept 2nd. Those things could cut down on the length of tickets we would need for park days. We previously did free dining, which worked out well. Since that time my husband has been diagnosed with celiac disease and can't eat gluten. As the biggest eater of us, that diminishes the value of a dining plan so a room only discount might make more sense, or at least for the deluxe portion.

I was considering starting out at either the Swan/Dolphin or Coronado Springs than moving to either the Poly or CR. I really like the convenience of the Swan/Dolphin and the look of the pool. That said, it doesn't appear all that Disney and the restaurants look really expensive. I love the theming of Coronado Springs, but it definitely seems less convenient than the Swan/Dolphin. As for the Deluxe resorts, the Poly looks beautiful and convenient, but obviously is expensive. CR looks even more convenient but seems as expensive as Poly (or more?) an doesn't have the theming I love, so a stay there for us would be about convenience only. WL, is undergoing renovations so I'd like to avoid that.

Thoughts, suggestions? Sorry for sounding so crazy!

 

[Oswin]

If price is an issue, I wouldn't count on great discounts at Poly. Summer discounts are out and many deluxes have 30%, but poly is only 15% off. We were booked there for our trip this summer but changed to Yacht Club instead because we were able to get a 30% discount there. I believe the garden rooms at the CR are cheaper than the standard ones at Poly, so that could be an option for you. Poly was 30% off in the spring discount though, so maybe there's hope for a good one in the fall!

 

[Nancyg56]

Honestly, if funds are a concern, I woudl skip the Deluxe altogether. With a 7 YO boy, would probably look at POR or CBR. Both have great pools and I think both would appeal to a little boy.

AS much as I love the Deluxe resorts, I am never willing to break the bank on one unless I know the funds spent there will not impact the rest of my trip. If you choose a moderate you will have excellent theming, lots of amenities, and in the case of POR...a really nice water taxi to DS. CBR is pretty darn nice as well. Both of these resorts have an onsite TS restaurant, and we like both of them. They have good food courts, and plenty to choose to eat.

The grounds are lovely on both resorts. If you want you can book a referred room at CBR, still save money by not choosing Deluxe, and be close to Old Port Royale and the main bus stops.

 

[tstidm1]

If money is a concern, I would stay at POFQ (without a discount currently, but has advantages over POR) or POP over trying to get a Deluxe. I think doing a nice sit down dining couple evenings or a unique experience such as Chef Mickeys is worth the money over a hotel room you may sleep more than you explore.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Yes, I'd go moderate the whole time. The are beautiful and have nice pools with slides. I would save my money for experiences.

Also, regarding DDP and celiac: Disney is my favorite place to travel because of all the GF options (well, Disney and Boulder, Colorado.). Your husband might be surprised at how much and how well he can eat, so if free dining comes up and you enjoy that discount, it's still worth it!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

if you want to stay deluxe my kids LOVED Contemporary. Everything is under 1 roof and they loved that the monorail went right through the building and my oldest DS who was 7 at the time, loved the arcade! We are planning a trip to WDW in 2017 hoping to stay at Poly but if their prices dont drastically change we might be booking Contemporary again.

 

[Eastern]

I would call a couple of travel agents as well, as some of them get group rates that are cheaper than the Disney website prices. google. That is probably the cheapest time of the year to go to WDW.

 

[Shellyb84]

I believe there is a magical deal at that time through a TA. We got one for July and we were pleasantly surprised at our quote. Out of the resorts you listed, I would go S/D and then Poly (my 6 yr old daughter loved the Poly). That would give you easy transport to 3 out of 4 parks during your trip. Save the resort day while you're at Poly. I would consider skipping the water park to save money on the tickets.

 

[loves to dive]

I stayed at Swan for the first time a few weeks ago, did a split stay of 2 nights CBR and 4 nights Swan. I actually got the Swan for less than I paid for CBR (I had to switch my reservations 4 times between Dolphin and Swan and watch these boards and discounts but saved about $250 in the end). I didn't think I'd like the Swan since it wasn't Disney and was a convention hotel and I love YC/BC. Wrong, I'm actually planning on trying to get in the Swan/Dolphin again for F&W this year. The pool is amazing, there are many options for food and the rooms are big. Personally, I'd do WL even with the construction if I had to have a MK resort (which I don't do because I dislike the monorail) since it tends to be less than the other three. A split between Swan/Dolphin and WL could come out at pretty decent prices if you shop around.

 

[Poola]

Personally, I'd do WL even with the construction if I had to have a MK resort

Agreed. We're doing a 6-night stay at WL in May, and I got a CY view room for less than a std. view with the spring discount, so we should be shielded from most of the construction. I'm keeping an eye on it but not particularly worried about it. People are coming back from their trips happy with their decision to stay there because half of the resort rooms are closed, so WL is very quiet right now. I haven't heard any serious complaints about construction. If a discount pops up, a full stay at WL may be a good alternative to having to pack all your stuff and move from a moderate to the Poly or CR. And your DS would love the theme.

 

[nilla]

Stay at Coronado. Problem solved

 

[Indio]

We stayed at the Dolphin last year for Columbus day weekend. We did NOT like it... at all. There was nothing Disney about it - very much a convention hotel. The restaurants are very expensive and they add a surcharge to all the bills - even their counter service. There's also the resort fee added to that so be sure to figure that into your price. The pool was great, but that and the location were the only things we liked about it. I'd go Wilderness Lodge and Coronado. We just got back this past weekend and even with the construction, it was still great.

 

[firstwdw]

Disney resorts will have many many options for gluten free dining. We are gluten free. The Riverside and French Quarter food courts are excellent for gluten free and both resorts have great pools with slides, hot tubs etc. The Alligator Bayou section of Riverside is a great theme for a boy-my then 7year old loved those rooms and resort. Caribbean Beach resort is another option I'd look into. The moderates are wonderful, family friendly, good gluten free options, great themed pools.....

 

[Mom of Jack 2009]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I agree that having money for experiences probably outweighs the benefit of a resort upgrade. I have looked through so many reviews of each hotel and obviously everyone's taste is different, but there seems to be something to love about each one. I am going to check out some websites/travel agencies to see if I can find a better deal than on the Disney website.

For those who have stayed at WL during the construction, besides a wing (or wings) of rooms being closed, is anything else closed? I thought I read somewhere that the beach either is or will be closed at some point. I am not very familiar with the hotel so I don't know how much that would affect the overall atmosphere of the hotel. The main pool is still open, correct?

I really did not realize the Disney was so gluten-free friendly. The last time we went (my husband was not diagnosed at the time) I did not notice many things on the menu that were gluten free, but we ate almost exclusively at quick service restaurants due to having a QS dining plan as part of our package. Perhaps its the table service restaurants that are more accommodating?

I really appreciate all of your responses!

 

[Minnesota!]

I would either do a moderate for the whole trip (CBR pool is fantastic!) or, if you really want to do deluxe, split stay with a value instead of a moderate. We have done Pop/AKL vacations (doing it again in June) and it's the best of both worlds!

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

You also may be able to book the entire trip at AKL or WL for the same total that you would end up paying if you booked a mod and a more expensive deluxe. Also, if you are at all interested in renting points, they probably still have availability at AKL. We stayed there last June and my 3 boys loved it. They hated leaving the resort every day to go to the parks and we're always in a hurry to get back. Anyway, just a suggestion..something else to consider, maybe.

 

[Mainemama]

My only additional suggestion is to price out Yacht Club if you like Swan/Dolphin for convenience. We have gotten very good rates there in the last year, especially compared with other Deluxes. My guess is 7 nights there might price the same as 3 CR/4 at a moderate. Otherwise, I agree with all PP.... Do all 7 moderate or CR garden wing (which is wonderful, by the way) or contact an agency.

 

[dmaxphil]

I'd pick Swan/Dolphin over Coronado. Convenience to the Boardwalk, Epcot and HS is nice. I'd also look at WL or AK. You can often find rooms here at moderate-ish prices.

 

[RubySue]

Disney is great about food issues and allergies. Allergy Free Mouse and Gluten Free Dairy Free WDW are good sites. If you have questions check over on the disABILITIES board.

And just my opinion, I'd stick with a moderate (CBR or POR).

 

[CandiceF]

I am GF and have stayed at both CBR and POR and they were both excellent with allergies! We have usually had free dining and I have found the buffets to be wonderful. The chef takes you around the buffet and shows you what you can and can't eat. There was lots I was able to eat!