Help. Please! :]

[Musicequalslove.]

Hi! I'm new here.

and i have a quick question!
My friend and I were thinking of taking our senior trip after we graduate to the happiest place on earth! Disney! So we can celebrate graduating, and hang out before we go to different colleges. Where would you recommend staying for 2 girls right out of high school, who are kind of on a budget and want to be close to the parks, and won't have to worry about driving anywhere? [We are going to fly down there.] We want to have fun, and we probably won't use the hotel room only to sleep or to come back and rest for a while. We don't necessarily have to stay at a value resort. Moderate would be nice. We just want to stay at a fun resort!
Thanks in advance!

 

[helenk]

I would suggest either the POP or the Allstar Sports, I think that these 2 value resorts would be a great fit for you. The Port Orleans French Quarter would be a nice choice for a moderate, or even the Caribbean Beach. Personally I'd go with a value resort if you think you will not be staying in the room that much.
The nice thing about staying on site is that you get to use Magical Express to take you to your resort from the airport and return for free.
Your transportation to the parks will be by bus, the MK would be the longest ride.
Here is a link to information on the WDW resorts from Deb Wills site, there are pictures of the resorts and rooms and there is also information on the resorts http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm
and here is another link for resort information from these boards
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/resortmain.htm

 

[ntsammy5]

I would suggest either the POP or the Allstar Sports, I think that these 2 value resorts would be a great fit for you.

Very good advice.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

also, how crowded is it in late May early June?
and I have read all the All stars share a bus. is it really that bad?
We are thinking of leaving May 31st and coming back June 5th. This is also in 2009, and rates haven't been released yet.
But what is the average rate of a value resort room between those times?

 

[nikki'smom]

POP Century would be a nice choice. Great bus service!

 

[simonkodousek]

If you don't plan on being in the room a lot, I would stay at a value. That way, you have more money to spend on nice meals and other fun stuff.

 

[luna99]

congrats to you and your friend! Going to Disney as a graduation trip was exactly what I did back in 1994! (wow, has it been that long?!)... I went with 2 girlfriends and I was the only one who had been to disney previously.

We stayed at Caribbean Beach and had a fabulous time! We loved the caribbean feel and would sometimes chill out in the evenings in the swimming pool or walk around the resort and felt completely safe. We even met a few guys our age and played cards at a table near the pool. I would not recommend going into anyone's hotel room though or letting strangers into yours.. stay in well lit public areas! (look at me, acting like your mom or something! LOL ).

anyway.. back to you! Have you stayed at WDW before? are you familiar with getting around and the bus system that will pick you up at the airport? It's very easy to get around and I know you'll have a great time with your friend! Since you're young you will probably have the energy to get up early in the mornings and hit the parks hard and even stay out late.. we did that and went to pleasure island in the evenings while still getting up early to get out to the parks.

As for the caribbean (and all of the moderate resorts)... I personally think they are better than the value resorts because they give you a feel of being someplace else.. like you're really on vacation. The tropical feel of the caribbean resort was perfect for us young girls back then. If you are going to want to spend any time at your resort relaxing or swimming I would recommend a moderate.. but if you truly are using your resort for sleeping and showers only then the value resorts would be the best.

feel free to private message me if you have any questions .. I'd love to help you out!

 

[Harambe]

I'd keep my eye out for a nice discount at either Swan or Dolphin. You can get a room for about the same as a moderate - if you hit those discounts, I mean.

The Epcot/Boardwalk area is great. Lots of restaurants, but a few places to go for a pop or two, also. And you'll have the boat to get you to Epcot (or you can walk) and HS. Very convenient!

Congrats on your graduation!

 

[Musicequalslove.]

Okay, I will private message you very soon!
We have alot of questions!
haha.

 

[Aliceacc]

How about one of the Port Oleans Resorts?

You're a boatride away from Disney Downtown, with all excitement there. The pools look wonderful!

 

[SpaceGirl]

Remember one of the two of you must be 18 years old at the time of your stay.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

I will be 18.
We made sure before we even started talking about this being a possibility.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi! I'm new here.

and i have a quick question!
My friend and I were thinking of taking our senior trip after we graduate to the happiest place on earth! Disney! ...

Actually, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. And it's lots of fun. Enjoy planning your trip.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

What about deluxe hotels?

Which one would you pick for a graduation trip.
We MIGHT be able to stay at one and if we get the opportunity we will!

 

[Aliceacc]

I went down with 2 friends right after our HS graduation.... in 1976!

We stayed at the Contemporary (not nearly as many choices in those days) and had a blast!!!

Some things you'll want to consider in choosing a resort:
a) I assume you'll want to be on site. Transportation will be a non-issue and your parents will sleep better at night.

b) Cost. Just for the heck of it, order the trip planning DVD and play with dates (for this year) on the reservations website.Have your friend do the same. That may (OR MAY NOT) get you in the running for the every popular PIN codes. I was incredibly lucky and got one for 40% off our room rate.

c) Location. With 3 young kids, we most definitely wanted to be near the Magic Kingdom. It may not be as important to you.

d) transportation. I've never ridden the busses that get you from one location to the next. But resorts that offer more options (monorail, boats...) are more money because they give you options. For that reason, you might want to look at the Wilderness Lodge-- it has a boat that goes to the MK. Likewise, take a look at the resorts near Disney Downtown and Epcot.

e) Theme. You're saving for over a year for this trip. You won't want to feel as though you're at a Holiday Inn. Take a look at the fact sheets at www.allears.net , even those that don't sound appealing at first. Make up a list of those you would love if money were no object (or if a PIN code came in) and one of those within your budget. See what you can save in the next few months before you make a reservation.

f) safety. Your parents may feel more comfortable with you in a Deluxe resort that has indoor corridors. Or if you pay a bit more for a particular building of a resort, so you won't be in too "desolate" an area (if that's possible at WDW)

g) Would you consider including a 3rd or even a 4th friend?? Those moderate and deluxe resorts become a whole lot more reasonable when they're split 3 or 4 ways.

h) amenities. I assume you want a GOOD pool. (Think 11 pm, after a long hot day in the park, being able to take a swim!!) Depending on your budget, you may also want a variety of dining options, whether or not you choose to be in the dining plan. Do you want a gym? Tennis courts? Fridge in your room? Other things that would point you towards a deluxe? Or do you sincerely want a bed and a bus ride? For our family, the pool and a decent sized room are both important-- there are 5 of us-- and the other things don't matter nearly as much. But decide what does matter to you and your friend.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

I want another friend to come, but for her graduation trip she is going on a cruise. and she's really excited about that. So, it will probably just be us 2 best friends.

 

[Aliceacc]

Honestly, money aside, it's probably for the best. Three can be an awkward number.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

yes. it can be an very awkard number.
Now we might be moving the trip up a week.
When do summer rates start?

 

[Aliceacc]

Like so many other things with WDW, there's no quick answer: http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2008.html

Keep in mnd: those are these year's prices. Next year's will probably be released in early-to mid August.

 

[Musicequalslove.]

Ohkay.
We really want to stay at a deluxe resort.
They just seem so nice!
Now, the thing is, which one if more fun, for two 18 year olds?
We know we don't want to stay at the GF. It's too fancy and what not.

Other than that, we are considering Pop.
or a moderate. we just don't know what yet.