Hi peeps! Been sort of MIA but am back :) and need your help

[miss missy]

HI everyone!!

I have had a tough 9 months, but am back! I have been dealing with BIG life changes and not through it all yet, but getting there. I had to cancel our ABD CA trip with the group because of all this stuff, just couldn't pull it all off for that time. But now I am able to start to plan a WDW trip for May BUT this will be my 1st adult only trip!! I have only traveled with my teen daughter to WDW (10 trips in 5 years!) but planning for an adult trip is stumping me! HELP!!!

I have listened to most of the podcasts, but not caught up on the boards so much. Can you guys help me with hints on adult trips. I can tell you we dont need a lot and arent big into dining (love to but dont have to have 5 star every time) We will be doing a lot of resort touring and hit the parks, just being out and about is FUN for us. But I am not sure if I should go for POP or something like AKL, dining or not? AKL comes with 750 card so we can use that to dine... but POP with dining is 1100.00 less too

For those who had done adult (couple) vacations, can you help steer me please, get me thinking!!

Thanks everyone! I missed you guys!! Been lurking but was not myself so much. Working my way back HOME!!

 

[NC Belle]

Resorts: We tend to like moderates and above because we prefer to have queen size beds (CSR had in the past year and a half installed them). We love DVC studios for the convience of fridge, microwave, and a balcony (great for quiet time when we need a break/space from each other). We love BWV for its location and hope to go there in the future since its been newly updated (BCV/Y&B---are on want to try someday list). We had enjoyed the Contempoary when we did a sample night to check to see if we like the MK location---thumbs up on the wing room that we had. We enjoyed AKL---except for a hiccup in the 2009 trip (can't give details because Mickey will be mad at us). We love seeing the critters and walking around. Last year, we stopped at Kidani AKV and we toured various rooms for future ideas.
Moderates--- We only tried CSR out of the mods. We like the pool, atmosphere, rooms (queens, fan), shop, and the dining options (multiple bars if one is so inclined, Cafe Rix is handy for gelato/soda, Pepper Market can be hit or miss--depending on time of day).
Values--- We did 2 of the All Stars and Pop. We like Pop's food court, but the values are quite busy and noise travels (never plan to stay at all Stars again when Pop Warner is going on---). We had bad experiences the last couple of times in trying values---Sports---change 3 times in one night. The first room---nasty bedding, second room---faulty a/c cooling unit plus it was a handicap accessible king that didn't quite work out with outlet needs/table (dh uses cpap at night so we need a big enough space for it not to fall...which did happen at Pop in 2007).

2. Food--- we like ddp and out of pocket. We tend to split some meals now that we are watching our portions. We did on our last trip--- quick service ddp for our first night, regular ddp when we did SSR, and we did out of pocket for Sports (we used up on credits from the SSR stay before midnight, did out of pocket at Beaches and Cream, split some at Peco's, MC Donald's near All Stars, and we had some granola/extra snacks from home/snack credits from the earlier part of the week). When we do a week long on regular DDP...usually a meal at a 2 TS resteraunt and maybe share some oop at Beaches and Cream and 50's Prime Time.

Last year, we were fortunate to be able to do a walk-up at the GF for tea. It was a nice afternoon which led us to request the pianist to play some songs as we took in the GF atmosphere.

I can more to this later---too tired to think hard at 3 am. Remember---enjoy your time.

 

[mainegal]

Pop vs. AKL = big money difference!

If you are going to be touring the parks and other resorts, go for Pop. If you think you will be resting in the room, relaxing around the pool, go for a higher level resort.

Have a great time!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I would look at the moderates. Meet in the middle from POP, which I think of as more of a family/kids place and AKL which is very nice, but pricey. I think the moderates are great for couples, especially Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside. French Quarter is my favorite, but alot of people love Riverside. Comparing to the value resorts, the rooms are nicer and a bit bigger, the pool and grounds have more to them and I think are more relaxing. I loved strolling the grounds at POFQ and they have a boat that goes to DTD that we really liked.

Adult trips are great. I've done two and we loved it. I would look into some of the tours. The Segway Tour at Epcot or Keys to the Kingdom at MK. Or if you can manage it the Backstage Magic Tour. It's $200, but it is an all day tour and I thought it was worth every penny.

 

[miss missy]

Thanks you guys!! Sooo hard to choose!!

 

[farmergirl]

I love AKL and if you will be doing lots of relaxing it's a nice place to be. DH and I have no kids but as soon as I read your post first thing I thought of was TOURS!!!!!! Will you be taking in any backstage tours at the parks???? We have done most of them and enjoy them so much we have done some 3 or 4 times.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I agree with mainegal. First decide how much time you want to stay in your room or at your resort before you decide on where you want to stay. I am a single adult and it is my plan every trip to go-go-go! So if it were me I would stay at POP. I stayed there in 2005 and liked it MUCH better than ASmovies (stayed in 2006). The last trip I went with two friends (a married couple) and we stayed at POR. It was lovely but honestly, we were almost NEVER at the resort. So even though it was definitely prettier than POP (or any AS), we probably could have saved the money and stayed at POP.

As for other adult tips, don't forget about WDW's night life I can highly recommend Jellyrolls (duelling piano bar at the Boardwalk). Just know that Jellyrolls has a cover (around $10 each) but it is well worth it! One of my favorite things to do is to watch Illuminations and walk over to the Boardwalk to Jellyrolls. And taxis are pretty cheap back to your resort which is better than having to deal with the bus schedule (or driving if you plan to have anything to drink).

I also love to watch Bob the pianoguy at the bar in POR. He is very fun and family friendly too - just in case others are wondering.

Have fun!!

 

[Michele]

Do the Segway tour at Epcot. We've done it twice. Once it was just DH and I on a trip and the 2nd time we were with 3 other couples. It's awesome.

 

[miss missy]

Ya I think we will be on the go so POP seems smartest. Stayed there lots of times so I know its good too. Tours, hmmm that would be fun!! Gotta look into those too! Night life will be for sure Thanks for the ideas, getting very excited!!

 

[TXYankee]

When I go solo or with a gal pal I stay at the POP.

DH likes things a little more swankey and likes to relax at the resort. (he is not a fan of the Values) I like night life. We usually stay at the Swan/Dolphan or the POR. (much cheaper then a deluxe). S/D is right on the Board Walk and a 1/3 of the price of the BC and so close to Epcot and the Studios. POR has beautiful grounds and we love to take the boat to DTD for dinner and drinks!