HELP!! Which Resort.....CSR or Deluxe

[hopelea]

We are currently booked at CSR for March 14 - 21. Love the look of the hotel and the queen beds really made our choice easy, UNTIL......found out the PM may not take the DDP in '09. That would not be good. We will eat breakfast at the hotel & also buy snacks. If we can't use the DDP at our resort then I feel we must change.

DH doesn't want to go to a value because he thinks that if we are going to be there 7 days we will spend more time exploring our hotel. So now I don't know what to do.

DD's want AKL. I think it is so far away from every thing that it would take us forever to get to the parks on the buses.

I love WL. DH is leaning to Poly.

HELP....

 

[Lilolvr]

If the DDP is important to you and your family, I would go with a resort that could meet your needs. WL and the Poly are great choices.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Unless you are referring to information that I haven't heard about, the PM and Maya Grill were not added to this year's dinning plan until December 2007. Since they are not Disney owned, it seems to take a bit longer to hammer out the contractual details. Most of us hope that they will be added to the 2009 dining plan in December of this year! JUST READ THE THREADS REGARDING SPRING FOODS NOT ON DINNING PLAN FOR 2009??? I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE!!! Regarding your thoughts about switching - I have been in your shoes many times! We looked at so many possibilities, but ultimately kept coming back to CSR. This will be our first stay on-site, as we have stayed off-site a couple of times. I'd say make a list of pros/cons for each resort then try to pick the one best meets all your needs. My problem was that in my heart I wanted to stay at them all so needless to say I kept switching!!! I think each of the properties has their own appeal. My consolation is that I hope to visit many times in the future and can try the resorts we didn't pick this trip then . Have fun with your planning!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Singinglizzie posted:
PM and Maya Grill were not added to this year's dinning plan until December 2007. Since they are not Disney owned, it seems to take a bit longer to hammer out the contractual details.

I remember when this happened too, but of course, if it is important then choose a resort that draws your family the most. We're not crazy about most of the deluxe CS options, so that would make it a difficult decision if based on the resort CS.

I understand your hesitancy to try AKL, but since your DD is requesting it... ...When we stayed at AKL we were surprised to find the buses were great and did not feel long at all, even for a short stay...whereas at SSR it was like being on another planet.

Although might not stay at AKL again (or until my grandbaby is old enough to request it), glad we did. Savannah view is the way to go. Great resort, very unique, fantastic for kids. Didn't think I'd like a Savannah view (when offered an upgrade, asked if we might have pool view instead, but CM convinced us to try Savannah view), it was one of the best resort stays and it was hard to leave the balcony each morning.

While the Poly/ CR and GF are my favs, the buses from the monorail resorts are awful! Longest waits ever. These days we stay at a monorail resort if we only plan to visit MK and EPCOT that stay.

Have fun deciding and a great trip no matter where you stay!!

 

[Lilolvr]

Unless you are referring to information that I haven't heard about, the PM and Maya Grill were not added to this year's dinning plan until December 2007. Since they are not Disney owned, it seems to take a bit longer to hammer out the contractual details. Most of us expect that they will be added to the 2009 dining plan in December of this year! Regarding your thoughts about switching - I have been in your shoes many times! We looked at so many possibilities, but ultimately kept coming back to CSR. This will be our first stay on-site, as we have stayed off-site a couple of times. I'd say make a list of pros/cons for each resort then try to pick the one best meets all your needs. My problem was that in my heart I wanted to stay at them all so needless to say I kept switching!!! I think each of the properties has their own appeal. My consolation is that I hope to visit many times in the future and can try the resorts we didn't pick this trip then . Have fun with your planning!!!

This year may be different. Looks like none of the non-owned WDW restaurants will participate. Check the DDP board or the CSR thread.

 

[rie'smom]

Do you have time to wait a few weeks? The Pepper Market may be added. It is definitely the BEST CS restaurant at any of the resort hotels. The GF, WL, and Poly CS restaurants are pitiful.

OT: I see in your signature that you're attending the MVMCP on the same night that we are. Have fun!!!

 

[poohmomof5]

Hello!

My family of 7 LOVES the AKL! I have 3 teens, 11yo and 4 yo. When we went there, they actually requested more time at the hotel. It is truly amazing and like others have said, the bus service is fine. Also, the bus service isn't shared with any other resorts, so you don't waste time at other hotels loading and unloading passengers.

Give it a try, I really think you will enjoy it. It is a destination hotel that we could stay at without even having to go to the parks!

Good luck with your decision!!!

Nicole

 

[mmmears]

That would be bad if you cant eat at your resort!

AKL, WL, and Poly are all such nice resorts. I dont think AKL is any more "out of the way" than CSR, and I think it has so much more to offer with all the animals.

 

[KatMark]

There is a very good chance Pepper Market, Siestas and SEVERAL World Showcase restaurants will NOT be on the dining plan because of who they are owned by because they are losing money (this info is on the CSR thread and on the dining plan thread). Fortunately, we do not have young children and it will not bother us if we can't eat at the resort (we usually have one breakfast and one lunch there and it is no big deal if we eat elsewhere) so it will not alter our staying at the CSR.

For the OP, I would pick the Poly in a heartbeat over the WL.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

So we will not be able to use the Dining Plan here?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We are currently booked at CSR for March 14 - 21. Love the look of the hotel and the queen beds really made our choice easy, UNTIL......found out the PM may not take the DDP in '09. That would not be good. We will eat breakfast at the hotel & also buy snacks. If we can't use the DDP at our resort then I feel we must change.

DH doesn't want to go to a value because he thinks that if we are going to be there 7 days we will spend more time exploring our hotel. So now I don't know what to do.

DD's want AKL. I think it is so far away from every thing that it would take us forever to get to the parks on the buses.

I love WL. DH is leaning to Poly.

HELP....

You are right, if your resort food court is not participating in the DDP and you are getting the DDP it would make things hard all around. I definitely wouldn't stay somewhere and purchase the DDP and not be able to use it at my resort (with or without kids).

If you are staying 7 days and plan to spend time at the resort (like your DH said) then I would agree with him on not wanting to stay at a Value. Have you considered any of the other Moderates? I know you were drawn to CSR for the queen beds and none of the other moderates have that, but they each have something to offer that the others don't. POFQ & POR have the ability to use each others pools, and have a boat ride to DTD. CBR has larger rooms than all the other moderates (same size rooms as WL & AKL) and the rooms are currently being redone and they recently opened up a brand new huge zero entry pool with 2 slides that looks like it belongs at a Deluxe resort! Plus CBR's children's pool is like a mini water-park with several slides and a tipping bucket.

I'm sure you can't go wrong with a Deluxe either! But of course with a Deluxe comes the extra price. We like the looks of the Poly and the Beach Club!

Good luck!

 

[KatMark]

Looks like the World Showcase restaurants will be VERY limited on the dining plan in 2009 as well.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Looks like the World Showcase restaurants will be VERY limited on the dining plan in 2009 as well.

Really? Where are you getting the list? Last time I looked I thought most of them were on there. . . Maybe I didn't look close enough. . .

Thanks!

 

[Lilolvr]

Really? Where are you getting the list? Last time I looked I thought most of them were on there. . . Maybe I didn't look close enough. . .

Thanks!

Here is what buzz posted on the DDP board.

Last year the PM, Maya Grill and Siestas didn't sign up until December BUT I heard from a friend at CSR that the Pepper Market is losing money by participating in the dining plan.

Also, there will be only 2 restaurants at Downtown Disney that will take it (Captain Jack's and Food Quest in DisneyQuest).

The number of countries is also going down as well. Only Canada, the UK, Norway, Germany, and the US will accept the dining plan.

It looks to be all restaurants that are run by outside companies will no longer be participating in the dining plan.

It's not in stone yet but just a heads up.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Here is what buzz posted on the DDP board.

Wow that really stinks.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Nainolaf]

Dont know what to do now! We dont fly across the pond until May 2009 but would've started booking ou ADR'S soon!!
Really loved the look of CSR but having paid for the DDP there would be no point staying there if not avail!
Prob we have is if DDP is confirmed to not be avail at CSR then where to stay?
We have previously stayed at POR '07, and POFQ '06, loved both but would like to try somewhere new! CBR doesnt really appeal to us! We cant really afford the Deluxe Resorts as works out a MAJOR price increase on the moderate resorts!!!

 

[marivaid]

We're in the same boat EXCEPT our trip is in 44 DAYS ! I just paid it off yesterday and am *not* happy with this. My AP is not valid anymore and I can't check online for availability at the YC/BC at AP rate, but I'm going to call & see what's available.

You'd think that Disney would warn people who have a trip coming up instead of waiting for them to check in and then give the bad news. "Hi folks,welcome to Disney World! You paid for the DDP ? Oopsie, can't use it anywhere in this resort,but have a great stay!".

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I would wait a few weeks and see beofre switching. If they do take PM off, then I would do AKL. It is not a far bus ride to anywhere, maybe a minute or two longer, but what's that in the grand scheme of things?