HELP! Tried & True, or Something New?

[BedKnobbery2]

Being the Compulsive/Bargain Shopper that I am, when I stumbled across a RT total airfare of $71 for the last weekend in September, I decided to go for it! When speaking on the phone with a friend about it this morning, he told me he'd been planning a hum-drum vaca for October, but would love to go with me to WDW (he's NEVER been) instead, and would pick up hotel/car rental costs for the both of us (within reason). Oh Boy, Oh Joy!

So, I'm in the process of (don't laugh) making spread sheets with our different options/pricing. He really knows nothing about WDW or the Resorts, and I want to WOW him with this trip, while still keeping it relatively inexpensive (so he doesn't walk away thinking about how expensive it all was).

I called CRO, and several resorts are available, and the 4 I've narrowed it down to are All-Stars Music, All-Stars Sports, Coronado Springs, or Port Orleans.

Now, being the Disneyphile I am, my initial reaction is to stay at ASMu or ASSp, as I've never stayed at either resort. However, I know that the resorts are pretty spread out, the rooms are small, and dining is limited to food courts.

The Proud Disney Fan in me wants to put us in a resort I am sure will impress him, namely CSR. (I've ruled out the Deluxe resorts in the interest of economy.)

Cost differential is about $29/night, not including taxes. So around $100 total for a 3 night trip.

So.....what would you do? Satisfy your Disney curiosity and stay in a new (albeit 'lesser', by some standards) resort, or impress your friend with what you already know is top quality? or for you experienced All-Stars people, do you think the AS resorts would be 'impressive enough' for a person who has never experienced disney at all?

I know he'll go with whatever I steer him towards (he's easily influenced like that...LOL), but I truly want this to be MAGICAL for him (Hey, I need all the disney addiction support I can get!!)

Now,

 

[gravymom]

This is just my opinion, but I thought that CSR was a wonderful resort and I hated every minute that I stayed at ASSp. I generally love to stay at the CR but don't have a problem at all staying at CSR. Do you and your friend a favor and stay at CSR or Port Orleans. Some will argue that you are not in your room that much so it should not matter. We were in our room long enough to really hate ASSp. have fun on your trip.

 

[PieInYourEye]

I liked ASMu. It was a fun with teens. However, I'd go for the more adult atmosphere of the two moderates. As for which one? I haven't been to either of them... but I'm going to POR this weekend. I'd say if he likes a latin atmosphere, go for CS. Otherwise, go for POR. There's a boat to Downtown Disney and that'll just add to the magic.

 

[jennymouse]

Definately go with one of the moderates. If you know & love CSR go with that. I stayed at ASMu last year w/GDG7 and we enjoyed our stay, and I would do it again in a heartbeat, but I'd prefer one of the mods or deluxes.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Bedknobbery2!

How are you? How was your last trip? Did you and the boys have a great time with pin trading? and Where did you find that airfare? (so many questions.......lol)

I would vote for the moderate, but I have never stayed at any of the All Stars!

I am soooo excited for you!!!!!

 

[cathyce2]

I'd definitely go with a moderate. The little extras they put into the themes are very much worth it. We've stayed at all of the All Stars and most of the moderates and while the All Stars are fun, the moderates really are more impressive for adults.

Now I don't care for CS and the FQ is my all time favorite,
but it's really a personal preference thing. Maybe show your friend some pictures and info on both and let him pick.

Have a great at which ever you choose.

 

[chrissyk]

What about renting points for one of the new villa places? You may be able to get a very good rate this way if you rent from people who need to unload expiring points. I haven't stayed at any of the resorts you listed, so I can't help you there unfortunately.

 

[smfnj]

OK, I'll be the one to throw a wrench into your plans,LOL.
Since you were planning on going yourself anyway, see if you can get a $160 - $170 rate for BW, BC, YC or Poly and split the room expense. It's true you don't spend a lot of time in the room but there's a lot to be said for location and atmosphere.
Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

steve

 

[BedKnobbery2]

disneydreamer: Our trip was AWESOME, and we had so much fun pin-trading!! We are definitely addicted now! LOL The airfare was a fluke--apparently American Airlines entered their one way rate for the roundtrip rate. It was corrected by 11am, but luckily I got in that little window of opportunity. Woo-hoo!

cathyce: GREAT suggestion, and that's exactly what I did. I created a Word document with photos of each resorts main building, pool, and a room, and then snippets of info and the total price. LOL Yeah, I'm a disney geek. But it was fun!!

chrissy: That was a great suggestion, and I looked into it but the cost turned out to be pretty expensive because it is a weekend stay, so the average points for a studio are 30/night (except for Sunday, when it is 12 points).

steve: oh, you are an evil man. LOL I actually included BW and the Contemporary in my little document of resorts, just in case! They were both around $200 a night, which was the best rate (AP rate) I could find.

I will update once we decide on our resort.....I am strongly leaning towards a moderate, although I did find a rate of $136 for the wilderness lodge.........I hope he's impressed with the resort enough to think it is worth it!!

BK

 

[travelitis]

Here's another thought. While I'm with you wanting to stay at the nicest place the budget will bear, is that how your friend likes to travel? When he travels is he happy at Motel 6 or does he head for a Hyatt? If he's a Motel 6 guy, the All Stars are the ticket, but if he likes more frills then you're better with the moderates or better. Some people (not me) think money spent on a nicer room is a waste.

 

[disneefamily]

I think he would be impressed with Dixie landings, I was enough to stay there twice. All Stars are more for families like us, but at Dixie you are 90 seconds away from the hubbub, foot traffic, food court etc as you head to the antebellum mansions that are beautiful and quiet! All Stars was good enough, Caribbean Beach was ok, AKL was fantastic! pricey but fantastic. If you can catch a $144 savannah view grab it, an AP rate. They are sold out for dates I want, but you never know when you might get in at the right time. Dollar for dollar I don't see how you can beat Dixie Landings.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Hi travelitis!

We did discuss staying off property, but decided to stay on-property for the following reasons:

1. we are only there for 2.5 days and 3 nights (I don't count our last day as a 'day at disney', because our flight leaves in the morning), so we want to maximize our available time at the parks.

2. He really wants to check out DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island, and at least 1 water park (I know, we are being VERY ambitious for the time we have!) and a UPH will make that cheaper (around $150 cheaper) and a better use of tickets, as he'd basically (well, IMO) waste his Plus options if he bought a PHP because we wouldn't have much time to spend at each place. With the UPH, we can (conceivably...I'm not sure about practically!) go to a Park in the morning, a water park in the afternoon, a Park in the evening, and Pleasure Island late night.

3. He's like me--if he only had the money for a budget hotel, he'd stay there. But when he has the money for luxury, he likes to spend it (but doesn't want to go into debt doing it). Since we're only going for a few days, it makes it easier to splurge--a whole week might break the bank for us.

4. (my reason) He's one of the people who've always questioned me about how could I possibly go to WDW EVERY YEAR? So I'd really liked to "WOW" him with all Disney has to offer.

We spoke on the phone late last night, and I have a feeling we'll end up at one of the moderates or (crossing fingers) Wilderness Lodge.

Man, I love this. LOL Planning is almost as much fun as going!!

BK

 

[smfnj]

steve: oh, you are an evil man. LOL [/B]

BK
I have been known to push the envelope when planning trips to WDW, hehe.....

steve

 

[PamNC]

My vote is for Wilderness Lodge - didn't you say the rate was $136. You said you wanted to impress this Disney non-believer so that would certainly be the way to do it. WL is a beautiful resort - the theming is wonderful. And at that rate you can't beat it.

Or, my second vote is for Coronado. We've stayed there twice and it's our favorite moderate. I'm not that impressed with PO. And, the All Stars are too basic to impress someone. They have their place...but I don't think this sounds like an All Star vacation.

go ahead - try Wilderness Lodge. I think you'll be very very pleased.

PamNC

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've stayed at POR, ASMusic, and also WL. Of the 3, I'd choose POR (not WL? Duck and hide!) First off, I'm very "money-conscious" (DH says that's a nice way of saying "cheap") and I think POR is definitely a better buy than WL. On the other hand, I stayed at ASMu and thought that it was so far below PO in quality. Of the 3, I think PO (actually either Riverside or FQ) is the best "bang for the buck".

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Ok, our plans are FINALLY made!

We finally decided on Port Orleans Riverside. The Deluxe resorts were ruled out because all that was available at the AP rate were either rooms at the DCV areas or Concierge level rooms--and the least expensive of those was $800 for the 3 nights. So, for the value, convenience, and *bang for the buck* we picked a Moderate. We chose POR over CSR because my friend really wants to hit the night clubs at PI, and initially, we thought the ferry to DTD will make that safer than driving and more convenient than the bus system....but then we found out the ferry no longer operates to DTD....still a great place to be! Our total for a Water View room for the 3 nights at the AP rate will be $345, including taxes.

Initially, my friend's reaction was to go with ASMu--using the special at Disney Online, that came to $198 with taxes. However, once he looked at photos of each resort, he decided POR was more to his liking.

Thanks to EVERYONE for all of their input!!

BK