Help - WDW Newbie - which hotel?

[Goofymommaof2]

Pop Centry gets my vote every time! Was there 18 months ago and will be going back in February! It's a place to eat and sleep and sooo much more. The theme is great, the pools are great - my kids won't even look at another resort. Now that I can afford it I offered. They said no way!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

If I were to rent DVC points, would I still get whatever the perks are:
Free shuttle from airport, extra hours in the park, dining plan (if I decide to do this) and transportation around the park. (I'm not sure of all the perks yet)?

If you rent DVC, do you stay at a certain hotel from the owner or do you still have to choose the resort?

Seems like Pop Century is a favorite around here. I, of course, like the price tag. A food court should be plenty for us. I can't imagine we will need more than a light meal when we are at the hotel. I want to take in a lot of amazing restraunts while we are there but I have plenty of time to research that later. Any restraurants that are a 'do not miss'?

Thank you all for the feedback!

 

[debbiedana]

Just remember to hunt down those discounts. I'm going MLK weekend, staying at Pop in a preferred room (this was my only choice - regular room swere unavailable) I am paying $72 for Saturday and Sunday night, and $65 for Monday and Tuesday night. These are for preferred rooms. I should also state that I don't feel the need to get a preferred room at Pop. Everything is close to Classic Hall. I just didn't have a choice this trip.

There are deals out there, you just have to be vigilant about finding them. Mousesavers.com will help you out there.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

debbiedana,
Thanks for the tip about the discounts. If I am not planning on going until 2009, when should I start looking/booking?

I am a AAA member, I would assume booking a package would be better than room only but am unsure of this. Does anyone know?

 

[slimplaw]

Consider the family suites at All Star Music. You'll have 2 bathrooms and a small kitchenette. You and DH will have a separate bedroom with a queen bed and the kids can sleep in the living room on separate fold out beds. I've stayed at value, moderate, deluxe and DVC resorts. I've found positives and negatives to most of them. I thought the food courts were fine and felt they were a good price value. The only 2 downsides to the values and moderates is that they have full size beds that are a little tight when you are used to a king bed. The other downside is transportation when returning to the resort if you stay until a park closes. The lines are long, but they do send additional buses to handle the crowds. I just take my time leaving the park and let the line reduce in size.

If you rent DVC, you still get Magical Express, extra magic hours and can purchase the dining plan.

 

[loco4dis]

We've stayed at Wilderness Lodge (on a conference rate!) and POFQ. Loved both, but POFQ was definitely the best value when we were paying full rates (frankly, WL is just a really, really expensive but rather ordinary hotel). We loved that POFQ was small, and our girls (ages 12 and 14) LOVED the boat to Downtown Disney, especially when it goes past the Treehouses. There is no sit-down restaurant at POFQ, but we took the boat to POR (10 min.) and had a lovely meal there. The counter service food area was never crowded (this was in Feb. 07). Though it does share buses with POR, POFQ is first to be picked up and dropped off, so first to get a seat. The pool at POFQ, while really, really nice, is more geared to 9 and under kids (though so was the one at Wilderness Lodge). And I should note that if mom and dad want to hot tub while the kids swim, you cannot see the pool from the hot tub. Overall, though, I believe POFQ is a great resort for first-timers. It's so, so nice to get back "home" at night after a long day at the parks and have a really short stroll to your room.

We're going in June to another conference so will be at the Coronado Springs. I understand their pool is probably the most awesome at Disney, but know that it's spread out and rooms can be a long walk from pool and restaurant areas.

 

[Aliceacc]

And POFQ has some rooms with trundle beds, so that's another issue NOT to deal with!

 

[studentmom]

AAA offers a discount if you book a package from them. We did that for our trips. I think the discount was off the room portion. Plus, they give you a few coupons. If you're wanting to book everything seperately, then you can book a 'room-only' through Disney, and ask for a AAA discount.

We can't do the deluxes, either, mainly because we spend so much on airfare . For our first trip, last year in September, we stayed at POFQ and loved it. As the pp said, the jacuzzi was really nice after a long day of walking. The boat to Downtown Disney was really nice. Even though the busses would make a quick stop at POR, it really wasn't bad! We stayed at Caribbean Beach this year, and we really didn't like it too much. Mainly because the busses seemed to take forever. We kept wishing we were at POFQ. However, there are many people here who really enjoy CBR, so you never know. On our next trip, we are considering a value, too! Probably either POP or ASMu.

Oh, I was going to suggest going on the WDW web page and ordering the Free Disney planning DVD. It's so much fun to watch and it gets you even more excited about going.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

I so had to take a second look at your screen name - very funny!
Almost thought I was speaking to myself - ha ha

Ditto! I was shocked to see another "Mickey" out there!!

 

[JoyMouse]

I know you've had a lot of imput, but I wanted to weigh in with my vote. We are a family of 4 and nearly always stay at POP. We love it, the food court is convienent, the bus line is great and the CM's have always been awesome to us. Good luck and have fun, the planning is nearly as much fun as the trip itself will be!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I am so ecstatic with all the feedback I am getting - thank you all for sharing you expertice with me.

Is Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter the same resort just different sections or two completely different resorts? Is the main difference the theming? I'm not sure how Disney-ish it would feel to me to be in the French Quarter but this is just my uneducated feeling.

Thanks studentmom for the idea of ordering the DVD. I actually ordered one about three days ago when I thought about starting to plan. I can't wait to see what info will be on it.

Will the price of a DVC rental be more or less than booking a moderate or value room? We would be there for at least a week so would need a weekend as well.

The only thing that is making me nervous is the talk about the double beds. We are used to a Queen so I keep wondering if the difference will be as noticeable. The Suite at All Star Music sounds interesting but I am not sure about the price jump. It's almost the same to get two rooms at Pop for the price of a Music Suite - if I have done my calculations right - feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Aliceacc]

No, I think you're pretty much right.

I was thinking of you when I started this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1672880

It may help you narrow down the options.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

No, I think you're pretty much right.

I was thinking of you when I started this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1672880

It may help you narrow down the options.

Thank you very much! I will keep an eye on this thread as well.


Good thing I have a lot of planning time because my head is swimming with all the things I need to research. I have heard of books to help familiarize me with the resort. Which one is best? Is the Birnbaum's only for discounts or for general info too? Would anyone recommend the books or is the DIS all I need?

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Please...Please...Please...
Tell me - Should I buy a Book to learn all there is to know about WDW? See my previous post.

Have any of you bought one and which is the best?

 

[Aliceacc]

I...er Santa...got me the Unofficial Guide to Disney World for Christmas.

But most of what I learned, I learned here. This is a wonderful community and they'll guide you through it.

Like me, you have tons of time to play with, so that's the best thing in your favor. And you have an idea of what you want... that's important too.

So, unless you got a gift card to a bookstore that's burning a hole in your pocket, I would wait until this time next year, when the 2009 issues come out. Or hit the library for an overview... the stuff you want on the resorts doesn't change much from year to year.

Or, better yet, post questions here

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Thanks for the advice. I will just live on here for awhile - ha ha

Maybe I will hit the library too - I should look for the book you mentioned? Any others?

 

[kittythepoohbear]

Hi and Welcome to WDW M_I_C_K_E_Y!
When it comes to resorts I am a big POP fan. It is a fun resort, the foodcourt has great options, 3 pools, a lovely lake, and the best part - only one bus stop! I can see the rooms being a bit of a squeeze for a family of 4 though. But if the room is mainly for showering, sleeping and a pool break, it should be ok. You mentioned CBR in one of your earlier posts. My mom and I just stayed there for our September trip and it was ok. The theming is really nice and the beaches were relaxing but the resort didn't wow us. Plus the foodcourt was very disappointing. Have you checked out the CBR FAQ thread? It has great info that might help you make a decision: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=655543
The Port Orleans resorts are very nice but when I stayed there with my Disney commando BF (it was his first trip) we weren't there long enough to enjoy it. I could see our quiet pool from our window but I never once put my toes in it! That is one thing to consider when choosing your resort. As a first time visitor you will be overwhelmed by the size of it all and may be tempted to run about like a chicken without a head! (At least that is what my BF and my mom did on their first trips!) A value may work out best for this reason since you won't feel that you wasted money on a resort that you didn't enjoy. Then again, if you make a point of relaxing by the pool at night or having a resort/DTD day, it may be worth paying the extra $ for a moderate.
As for books, I live by the Unofficial Guide. I get a new one every two years. For websites, check out allearsnet.com. It has pictures from every resort, so if you haven't been there check it out.
Enjoy your trip planning!

 

[spiceycat]

OKW studio (DVC resort) has 2 queen beds

the other studios have 1 queen bed and double sleeper sofa. which can be nice to use in the daytime as a sofa.

here is where you look for information - parent site of the dis

www.wdwinfo.com

also this has a bunch of stuff

www.allearsnet.com

really love passporter book - they have a website too
www.passporter.com - sign up here before you buy their book - you get a better discount


to look for discounts
www.mousesavers.com

a DVC member has 11 month booking at their resort. at the other resorts 7th month booking.
so yes you can get any DVC resort.

they are - OKW, SSR, BWV, BCV, VWL, and the new AKV!

you don't want to use DVC points for any non-dvc resorts - the costs are too much. we can get POR for 16 points - but I can get a 1-bedroom for that at OKW, and a studio at OKW for 8 points. So getting something non-DVC is not worth the price.

here is information on DVC
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/index.html
to answer questions
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

spiceycat,
I assume when you are quoting me points, that is per day right? So when you say 8 points, then for a week it would cost 56 points. And unless I am mistaken, did I see that the points go for roughly $12/point. So for a wk, it would cost me about $672.00. Which would be about the same price as POP for a week (preferred).

I have to have my math wrong? Please tell me where.

What are the pros and cons of renting DVC? I need to go research those links you sent me.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

 

[summerlandjeff]

I'll put in my two cents...

Coronado Springs Resort!!!

A few points:

1. The price is not outrageous for the quality of the resort

2. It is centrally located and I have never had a bus ride of more than 15 mins. to any of the attractions

3. The pool is awesome! I know you say the pool is not important but... we thought the same thing when we took our DD12 . You know "all day at the parks, forget the resort" type of thing. DD got one look at the pool area and boy did our plans change!! Great water slide, fun playground, huge pool and for the adults a great cabana bar with food!!! We ended up spending 3 of our 8 days at the pool, going to the parks at night!

4. Great food with lots of variety! The Pepper Market is very diverse; Mexican, Chinese, Italian and for us carnivores the best prime rib at WDW !

5. The resort is beautiful and feels uncrowded, which was great for our after dinner walks. The lush tropical feel and interesting theme are a joy after a weary day at the parks.

Well I hope this helps, weve stayed at three resorts (CBR, PORS, CSR) and by far our favorite is CSR.

Enjoy the decision!

PS: Check out Buzz!