Help me Decide where to stay

[KrzyKtty101]

So I am planning a quick WDW weekend in mid August 17 -20. Go down late Thursday evening, then return on Sunday. From looking at past years, I have a very good chance of a MNSSHP being that Friday the 18th, and my kids school normally starts that Monday August 21st. Technically since neither schedules are known, this is a bit of a risk, but historical records are a bit in my favor.

The goal would be to go to MK that Friday for Tron and MNSSHP, then Saturday Epcot for the Food and Wine festival, and Guardians (our favorite ride last time).

Where should we stay? Normally we love staying in the Deluxe hotels, but since we will be just doing parks till we drop most days, I'm not sure it is worth it. However, the convenience of the transportation would be nice. For example if we stayed at the Poly or Contemporary, we could ride the Monorail to both and not worry about busses. Beach Club we could walk to Epcot, but would need a bus for MK. If we did Art, we could ride the Gondola to Epcot, but would need the bus to MK. So while it seems silly to spend a lot of money on a Deluxe hotel for only transportation, it is a nice perk considering the short nature of the trip?

Thoughts? Should I save the money and just deal with the busses, or splurge for a hotel that is closer and has nicer transport options?

 

[Disneylover99]

I have zero issues with the buses as long as there is a single dedicated bus stop at each resort and no sharing with other resorts.

I would choose the AllStars. Great for quick trips when you’re planning to spend the majority of your day in the parks. We were there this past August. We used the buses at Music. Buses seemed plentiful and I didn’t notice any sharing between the other AllStar Resorts. My other choice would be POFQ if you’re looking for a moderate.

I‘m not a fan of the Skyliner in August when thunderstorms can shut it down.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

I have zero issues with the buses as long as there is a single dedicated bus stop at each resort and no sharing with other resorts.

I would choose the AllStars. Great for quick trips when you’re planning to spend the majority of your day in the parks. We were there this past August. We used the buses at Music. Buses seemed plentiful and I didn’t notice any sharing between the other AllStar Resorts. My other choice would be POFQ if you’re looking for a moderate.

I‘m not a fan of the Skyliner in August when thunderstorms can shut it down.

I didn't think of the Skyliner in August; that is a really good point. I'm in SC, so thunderstorms are so normal that time of year, I honestly forget about them if that makes sense lol!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would highly recommend Pop. We love it and the Skyliner to Epcot is a great option! Buses are frequent and easy transportation to MK.

Re: Skyliner in August. We stayed at Pop from Aug 22 - Sep 1 this year and there was not a single time that the Skyliner was closed due to weather. It closed once for a couple of hours for another reason so they provided a bus from DHS to Pop but honestly it wasn't a problem at all. The Skyliner is a game changer for us! We love it!!

 

[georgina]

Skyliner was closed due to weather sometime over Labor Day weekend. I was hopping from Epcot to HS and it was not running from CB to HS because of impending thunderstorm. I called an Uber to CB and managed to get in just before the deluge hit.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

For us, we no longer find Deluxes really worth it and we have actually had more trips because of the $$ we saved. We also have no issues with taking the buses and we always have our vehicle with us and still prefer WDW transportation I would not spend $300+ per night just to save a little time on transportation.
No way would I cancel a resort based on "there is a possibility that the weather may be bad" and close the skyliner. Even if it is you then just use the bus.
You can always check the Swolphin, to see if they have any good rates.
For us, our last 4 trips have been at POP and we absolutely love it and having the skyliner as an option.

 

[DJFan88]

I have a different view and am doing something similar this Nov. We are taking a quick trip just to do the Christmas party at MK, followed by a full Epcot day for FoH.
We chose to stay at YC to not waste time on transportation. The reason we chose Epcot area is because we have plenty of time to get to party at MK and will bus back late. We are planning on going in to EE at Epcot the next day and prefer to sleep a little later than catching a bus and then want to be at the International gateway for EE purposes. We have the added bonus of having extra night hours too as the Epcot day has them and we are at a deluxe. We are not stay in the park all day people and it is so quick to get back and forth so will chill out,nap at Stormalong bay, etc. and pretty much walk in whenever after that without wasting any back and forth time since our trip is so limited.

 

[SnowWhitee]

If it were me, I would save the money. Go with All Stars or Pop. I never had bus issues at All Stars. (never stayed at Pop)

If you want to split the difference, stay at a mod - CBR still has the skyliner if that appeals to you. Maybe request a building near the CBR skyliner station or near the Riviera skyliner station in the back.

You could also see about renting DVC points. Depending on how many people are going, you might fit into a studio.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

I have a different view and am doing something similar this Nov. We are taking a quick trip just to do the Christmas party at MK, followed by a full Epcot day for FoH.
We chose to stay at YC to not waste time on transportation. The reason we chose Epcot area is because we have plenty of time to get to party at MK and will bus back late. We are planning on going in to EE at Epcot the next day and prefer to sleep a little later than catching a bus and then want to be at the International gateway for EE purposes. We have the added bonus of having extra night hours too as the Epcot day has them and we are at a deluxe. We are not stay in the park all day people and it is so quick to get back and forth so will chill out,nap at Stormalong bay, etc. and pretty much walk in whenever after that without wasting any back and forth time since our trip is so limited.

We really loved BC last year when we went for those reasons. This will be our first time at the Food and Wine festival too.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The deluxes are so incredibly overpriced. I would stay at a cheaper resort and use Uber if the transportation options bother me.

 

[hertamaniac]

I would go for a deluxe resort and the amenities.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

OP - well there you go, hopefully this has cleared it up for you.

 

[Upatnoon]

There are endless options and none of them are bad. The real question is your budget and your frame of mind.

If you like staying deluxe, will you end end being miserable because you have to take a bus or have a smaller room and a crowded food court? Or will just enjoy the new experience of staying in a less "fancy" resort?

Are finances a concern? If money is an issue, and you can have just as much fun by saving it, why spend the extra? That takes you back to the frame-of-mind discussion.