Help! What would you do (opinions welcome and needed!)

[atksn]

I posted this within another thread, as well as in a FB group that I am on, but I would love to get more insight/feedback. I am so confused/at a loss for what our best option is, and figured you all could help. Give me the good, the bad, the ugly on why you would/wouldn't go with any of my options below!

We booked a LM room, even changed dates from 11/3-10 to 11/1-10 a couple of weeks back, in anticipation of FD based on the PIN offers being indicative of general public offer. Now the "word on the street" is that FD is going general public a week from today (7/12), and potentially as early as Monday for Disney Visa holders.

I just ran some preliminary #s, and here is what I am coming up with:
(We are currently booked 9 nights in a LM room w/ DD & 8 day base ticket)

Switching to family suite @ AoA(and then paying to upgrade from QD to DD)= ADD $928

Switching to ASMu Family Suite (again pay to upgrade dining) = ADD $430

Switching to 2 connecting rooms @ POP, ASMo, AS, ASMu (again pay to upgrade plan)= SAVE $273 (or SAVE $791 if we do one room- which we have done in the past just fine.)

Switching to CBR PIRATE ROOM= SAVE $146

Switching to POFQ or POR= SAVE $450

Switching to CSR= SAVE $399

We are super excited to stay at AoA, and specifically the LM rooms, but I can not justifying paying MORE for ONE value room than I would pay for 2 connecting rooms, or a mod (Especially since we are also doing a cruise directly from our WDW trip!). We have stayed at POP our last 3 WDW trips (one room), and like it just fine, but we are also interested in trying something new.

 

[Jrabbit910]

just curious, have you thought about doing a split stay? This way you can experience a little magic in whatever hotels you want to try?


IMO: I always love saving a few extra dollars because I know I would end up spending that extra money saved while inside the parks.Either way they are always getting it I personally have a soft spot for POR, I think the resort is beautiful and I love new updates that they have made! GL with your choice.

 

[Karabee]

If I could save money by upgrading to a Moderate that would be an easy pick for me! You can always go visit AOA, but to pay more to upgrade to a suite AND pay more to upgrade the dining? That just seems like alot. Pay less and stay at a moderate, plus your DD upgrade won't cost as much when upgrading from the regular dining plan you will get with a Moderate - it's a win-win!

 

[atksn]

just curious, have you thought about doing a split stay? This way you can experience a little magic in whatever hotels you want to try?


IMO: I always love saving a few extra dollars because I know I would end up spending that extra money saved while inside the parks.Either way they are always getting it I personally have a soft spot for POR, I think the resort is beautiful and I love new updates that they have made! GL with your choice.

I had thought about it- briefly. Honestly, I don't want to pack up and move an extra time! As it is, I am packing 4 people for 15 days before we leave home, packing up again to go on the cruise, then unpacking it all x 3.

 

[atksn]

If I could save money by upgrading to a Moderate that would be an easy pick for me! You can always go visit AOA, but to pay more to upgrade to a suite AND pay more to upgrade the dining? That just seems like alot. Pay less and stay at a moderate, plus your DD upgrade won't cost as much when upgrading from the regular dining plan you will get with a Moderate - it's a win-win!

Regular DD is included at the mods! No upgrading on dining!

 

[Karabee]

Regular DD is included at the mods! No upgrading on dining!

Ahhh ok! I thought you meant the Deluxe Dining plan - so now I agree with my response even more!

 

[amzking]

Your kids are a great age for POFQ, the resort is very compact and the pool is fine for little ones, while bigger kids may consider it a bit boring (the slide is pretty small.) Another option is CBR, but without a pirate room unless you don't mind a good bit of walking. The kids pool at CBR is awesome, but those pirate rooms are the furthest away (along with the most expensive!)

Have you priced out WL or AKL? Great lower-cost deluxes, you may find they are a good option as well.

I would rather pay for a room-only at a more deluxe resort than two rooms at a value, but that's me, I like hotel amenities better than extra space.

 

[AJA]

I would save money and stay at one of the POR resorts. I think your kids would enjoy pool hopping and the boat to DTD. Riverside has a great pool! And the slide at FQ is perfect for a four year old. The theme there is also very different (if you're cruising I wouldn't go with CBR too much like the cruise). Unless of course you live around or visit NOLA often, then maybe CSR.

I totally understand the thrill of AOA but it's going to be around a LONG time. I wouldn't spend $$$ more than a moderate to stay there this year. Wait until it's included in a future promotion.

 

[ctl]

Both of your kids would really enjoy the AoA, but that's a lot more money to pay. How about the CBR Pirate room, where they could see something different? I have stayed there before and it was really fun and the pool areas are great. If you and your spouse want privacy then maybe the 2 rooms at Pop would be a good option. I just think it seems like an awful lot more money to spend for the LM. Think of all the cool things you could buy with that cash. Good luck, tough decision.

 

[spokanemom]

I chose to move to Pop, 2 rooms. You wouldn't be able to swim in the pools, but you would get to walk across the bridge and see everything that AoA has to offer.

Honestly, if it were me, I may even move to one room. I seem to always talk a big game about staying somewhere expensive and not caring about saving the money, but when push comes to shove, I usually cave and save the money. I think the Disney resorts are absolutely amazing and I want (in my head) to stay at each and every one of them. Until I realize that if I don't stay deluxe, I can come back for another trip sooner. Or buy more stuff. Or see Cirque du Soleil. Or... you see where I am going with this...

But I am guessing you know what you really want to do. Go with your gut. You will feel better about whatever choice you make.

Regardless, have a wonderful trip!

 

[jojomoore]

I also have a 8 night reservation at AOA- LM and we have decided to cancel it because of the possibility of no free dining. I cant justify paying more to stay at AOA-LM than a moderate resort. If my children were younger and had their heart set on staying there, i would. But my children are 10, and 13 and out of all the choices of value and moderates they have chosen to stay at POR - RGR hopefully with a water view be closer to bridge leading to food court, etc.. Of course our final decision will be made on what is available under general public discounts or free dining availability.

Even though CSR has never appealed to me, i spent quite a while looking at videos on youtube and pictures here on the disboards and decided that i would be happy staying there- i would just need pay for a preferred room. However, CSR didnt appeal to my family either. So we have decided on POR - RGR if discounts or free dining is offered there.

I have considered staying in AOA - family suite for 5 nights and reduce LM room only reservation to three nights but i just cant justify the extra expense for a family of 4. Free dining would have to be upgraded, meals would have to planned at beginning of trip, we would pay OOP for TS meals the last couple of days, etc. My children still love character meals and we usually eat at least one TS meal a day when we visit WDW and they do not want to give this up. I think we will be the happiest at a moderate for entire trip with free dining.

 

[MMS1125]

I'm confused..how many LM rooms do you have booked and why do you need 2 rooms? Is it just you 4 going? If that's the case I'd stay at a mod with free dining

I don't get if you have 1 LM room booked that POP for 1 room is that much cheaper..I'd check your math if that's the case. If there's free dining and with 2 rooms you'll be paying rack rate for 2 rooms..1 of which you won't need unless I'm missing something

 

[JerseyJanice]

Free Dining at a moderate would be my pick. CSR for $50 more than PO/POFQ is something to be considered or debated.

But paying to upgrade to regular DDP at any value, whether it's a suite or 2 rooms? Hands-down, go with a moderate.

 

[momtwoboys]

Value with 1 room! either POP or ASMOVIES!

 

[DisneyMom5]

If I could stay at a moderate for less than a value, I would. So I voted POFQ/RS. That said, I'm all about saving $$$, so in your shoes I'd probably do the ONE room at a value. But since it's YOUR $$$...

 

[ilovezach33]

I say POR. It's a beautiful resort and you save money!

 

[sndral]

I voted CBR because I think the pool is the best of the moderates (and better than some deluxes, IMO) and because the rooms are the largest of the moderates. I love the landscaping as well and the steel drum music by the pool will make you think you are already in the caribbean.

just curious, have you thought about doing a split stay? This way you can experience a little magic in whatever hotels you want to try?

I haven't done free dinning in awhile, but doesn't it require that you book a minimum of 2 day park tickets for each member of your family and since the tickets are most expensive in the first few days, decreasing in price per day as you add more days, it strikes me that splitting is not a good free dinning choice (room discounts, OTH, no problem) not to mention being sure you've used all of your first set of credits by midnight of first resort checkout day.

 

[Sammie]

What is LM, that is one I don't know.

 

[nolanboys]

What is LM, that is one I don't know.

I'm assuming it's Little Mermaid.

I would switch to a moderate. You get a big savings and get to enjoy more amenities. I agree that AoA would be nice, but I would have a hard time justifying the cost. Our kids loved POR and POFQ.

 

[Sue M]

With just 2 young kids I don't get the 2 rooms at a value

But to answer your question, POR-Riverside is our fav moderate! It's a beautiful resort. I think its one of the best landscaped resorts on property, aside from Poly.
Great pool with slide, rooms larger then the values with double sinks, 2 queens, and rooms newly refurbed. Great food court. Evening (family) entertainment in the lounge. Bob puts on a great show. B oat to DTD, horse & carriage rides, marina that also rents surrey bikes, fishing hole.

I think there would be loads the boys would love about POR. We like the mansion section, Acadian House or Magnolia Terace location near Old Man Island Bridge is very central. Walking along the river path is so nice.