Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog! LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[tinacaplan]

Tina, I'm truly sorry that car expenses have altered your plans. I know how much you were looking forward to staying at the CR. Mark and I really want to do AKL, so we are putting some money away each week ($20) in a special place so we can hopefully do it next time. The good news is that you are still going and the CR isn't going anywhere.

And I, of course, LOVE your top ten list for the CSR.

Oh, thanks, Kathy. Someday... I'm actually feeling a bit relieved, to tell the truth....I am going to our new home!

The deluxes are a crazy amount of money. I cannot get over the price difference. And, really, all I want to do is be at Disneyworld!

And I hope you make it AKL next time! I would love to hear your thoughts about it. Besides the CR, it is the one other resort I have any interest in staying at. Otherwise, I'm all about CSR! I don't think Max will get much out of AKL until he's a bit older, though. He isn't into animals too much right now. Of course, he's three, so by then he very well could be.

 

[jerseygirl81]

Tina I just caught up with your dining ressies and resort changes. I'm sorry to hear about your car expenses I guess its better it happened now and not after your trip when you already spent the money. CSR is a great resort, Max is so young you will have plenty of future trips and other opportunities to stay at the Contemporary maybe you will be able to get a good discount someday. Your ADR's sound great! Linda

 

[tinacaplan]

Tina I just caught up with your dining ressies and resort changes. I'm sorry to hear about your car expenses I guess its better it happened now and not after your trip when you already spent the money. CSR is a great resort, Max is so young you will have plenty of future trips and other opportunities to stay at the Contemporary maybe you will be able to get a good discount someday. Your ADR's sound great! Linda

Hi, Linda. Yes, the CSR is great! We had such a good time there last year. With the price difference, I'll also be paid in full a whole lot sooner and not have to worry the whole time. It just feels much better this way.

 

[pinkxray]

I love your top 10 list for CSR. I would love to stay there some time. I am thinking of stopping there for lunch next trip to check it out. The pool looks so cool and that giant hot tub will be in Feb.

DD really wants to stay at AKL next trip and while it looks beautiful the only rooms they have available are over $500 a night. Don't think so. The deluxes are beautiful and I would love to stay in one but until we get to the point where we actually relax and spend some time in the resort I refuse to pay the price.

for being able to pay off the package much sooner. That will be a great feeling.

 

[tinacaplan]

I love your top 10 list for CSR. I would love to stay there some time. I am thinking of stopping there for lunch next trip to check it out. The pool looks so cool and that giant hot tub will be in Feb.

DD really wants to stay at AKL next trip and while it looks beautiful the only rooms they have available are over $500 a night. Don't think so. The deluxes are beautiful and I would love to stay in one but until we get to the point where we actually relax and spend some time in the resort I refuse to pay the price.

for being able to pay off the package much sooner. That will be a great feeling.

The pool at CSR is fantastic. It looks every bit as cool in person as it does in the pictures.

And I know what you mean....the prices at the deluxe resorts are pretty hard to swallow and its hard to plan a trip six months out not knowing if/when you MIGHT get a discount, and if so, what kind it will be. I'm better off planning a trip I can afford to pay rack rate for if need be. And yes, can't wait to have it all paid off!

The one thing I didn't want to compromise on, strangely, was the dexlue dining plan. When I did the math, given what we'd pay OOP for with the regular plan, it just wasn't that much of a difference. I think the difference was $90, and that didn't take snacks and drinks into account. Plus, my husband and I love having as much of the trip pre-paid as possible. It ups our overall enjoyment level.

I know that my trips will evolve and change as Max gets older and can spend more time touring and can ride more rides... I shudder to think of the day when he will want to spend most of the day at a park and won't want to give up time to eat! But, he's my kid, so who knows?

One of the reasons why I tried to justify CR this trip is that I know we'll be at the resort quite a bit...but CSR has one amazing thing that CR doesn't and that's the playground. Max loves a good playground!

 

[eandesmom]

So...yeah, when I mentioned the price difference to Mark this evening he decided for us that we need to stay at the Coronado. I am perfectly happy with this, as I LOVED the Coronado when we stayed there last February. And, well, the price tag is one that I can live with a bit more comfortably.

My top ten reasons why I'm so excited to stay at CSR:

1. The lake is beautiful, especially at night.
2. I actually prefer outside hallways.
3. I cannot wait to hear the little automated voice on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs" I can hear it my head now and it makes me smile.
4. Less than ten minute bus ride to both EPCOT and DHS.
5. Super cool looking playground that Max will LOVE, as he is still hesitant around pools and water. Plus, I can guarantee the weather will be nice enough for Max to enjoy it!
6. The rooms are decorated beautifully.
7. I know my way around now.
8. GIANT hot tub.
9. Excellent bus service.
10. Um...hello? Who doesn't want to save a couple thousand dollars?

Someday I will stay in the big, concrete tower...perhaps for my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary?

Thanks for putting up with me and all my changes. If it weren't for the Dis, what would my poor husband do?

yeah, that couple grand can make you change your mind rather quickly! It's how we went from BWV to OKW to FE Cabins for our trip last Feb. Not to mention the old buy 4 get 3.

Very cool that you actually prefer outside hallways, major bonus! The important thing is you will be at Disney!

 

[tinacaplan]

yeah, that couple grand can make you change your mind rather quickly! It's how we went from BWV to OKW to FE Cabins for our trip last Feb. Not to mention the old buy 4 get 3.

Very cool that you actually prefer outside hallways, major bonus! The important thing is you will be at Disney!

Its funny how that works! I have to say that everyday when I walked out the door of our room at CSR last year, I said, WOW! I couldn't believe that was where I was actually staying. I've requested Cabanas this time, to be a bit closer to the Dig Site and I went with a water view; its not that much more and I think its worth it to look at that interior section of CSR, rather than the parking lots.

Plus, depending on where we're at, this just might mean more money left for a trip next summer! More than I could possibly hope for...but you never know!

 

[dmoore718]

So exciting!! good for you!! We are staying at POP this time but will be forced to upgrade next time, since our baby will then be 3! Can't wait to try the different mods.

 

[chunkymonkey]

So...yeah, when I mentioned the price difference to Mark this evening he decided for us that we need to stay at the Coronado. I am perfectly happy with this, as I LOVED the Coronado when we stayed there last February. And, well, the price tag is one that I can live with a bit more comfortably.

My top ten reasons why I'm so excited to stay at CSR:

1. The lake is beautiful, especially at night.
2. I actually prefer outside hallways.
3. I cannot wait to hear the little automated voice on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs" I can hear it my head now and it makes me smile.
4. Less than ten minute bus ride to both EPCOT and DHS.
5. Super cool looking playground that Max will LOVE, as he is still hesitant around pools and water. Plus, I can guarantee the weather will be nice enough for Max to enjoy it!
6. The rooms are decorated beautifully.
7. I know my way around now.
8. GIANT hot tub.
9. Excellent bus service.
10. Um...hello? Who doesn't want to save a couple thousand dollars?

Someday I will stay in the big, concrete tower...perhaps for my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary?

Thanks for putting up with me and all my changes. If it weren't for the Dis, what would my poor husband do?

Yay for CSR! Is that that close to DHS and Epcot? We are huge DHS and Epcot fans and wanted to stay as close as possible. The Boardwalk and Beach n Yacht clubs are so expensive, so we want to avoid paying that much if possible. But yes the convenience to your fave park would be sooo nice.

We may do CSR next year for my sister's 30th' b-day!

 

[tinacaplan]

Yay for CSR! Is that that close to DHS and Epcot? We are huge DHS and Epcot fans and wanted to stay as close as possible. The Boardwalk and Beach n Yacht clubs are so expensive, so we want to avoid paying that much if possible. But yes the convenience to your fave park would be sooo nice.

We may do CSR next year for my sister's 30th' b-day!

We really loved it there when we stayed this past February. The bus rides to DHS and EPCOT were easily less than ten minutes. Also, because its a convention resort, the busses were rarely full as many of the hotel occupants are at meetings during the day. I especially love the interior decor at CSR; its modern and clean with nice, new down comforters. I highly recommend it.

 

[tinacaplan]

So exciting!! good for you!! We are staying at POP this time but will be forced to upgrade next time, since our baby will then be 3! Can't wait to try the different mods.

CSR is wonderful!

 

[Mindy5767]

Just wanted to give you a tip. If you'd like to stay at the BLT, Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk villas, it is less expensive to stay on points than it is to pay for the room rack rate. Not a member? No problem. Here's what you do. You visit the Disboards rent/exchange board and look for someone renting out their points. Although members can charge whatever they want to rent their points, the typical going rate is $10 per point. I did some comparing and found that renting points is a big discount off of paying for the hotel rooms not using points. This obviously works only with DVC properties. But let's use the Beach Club as an example. They have typical hotel rooms. If you choose to rent points for a Studio, you will get a better accommodation and save money in the process. If you're staying on points, you also get internet free, even if the points you're staying on ARE NOT YOURS. This is so because technically, you are a guest of the member. DVC privileges extend to guests of the member. The internet savings is $70 for the week if you would have otherwise paid the $10 a day for it. If you're a fan of the Contemporary, this gets you BLT and not the towers. BLT guests can use the BLT pool and the Towers pool but Towers guests can only use the Towers pool not BLT's. Beach Club guests get to use Stormalong Bay pool.

The way it works is this. Once you find someone who is renting the points you want. You arrange with them for payment. They will then call member services and make the reservation for you, in your name. The confirmation paper will come to the member, who will forward it to you by mail, email or fax. Once the member makes the reservation, he/she will immediately have a confirmation number to give you until the paper arrives. I am a member myself, but I have rented points from other members when I ran short of points as an alternative to paying cash for a similar reservation.

 

[KatMark]

Mindy5767 has a very good suggestion. However, just be sure you get REFERENCES. We tried to do this several years ago and we did not get references and we ended up getting screwed (hence, we've never tried again).

 

[Mindy5767]

Mindy5767 has a very good suggestion. However, just be sure you get REFERENCES. We tried to do this several years ago and we did not get references and we ended up getting screwed (hence, we've never tried again).

Oh That's terrible. I wonder if there is a way to report this to anyone. Like an Angie's List type of thing? I know member services can't do anything about it. Small claims court? I can't believe a disboarder would do this!!

The first time I used a friend that I'd met on the disboards and we'd become good facebook friends. The 2nd time I used the brother of a neighbor. I think most members who rent points are good citizens just trying to make some money off their otherwise-not-being-used points. Its a shame that the few can really spoil things.

 

[tinacaplan]

Thanks for the tip, Mindy. Good to hear from you again... how was your trip?

But I have to say that unless I knew the person I was renting points from, I don't think I could do it. Way too scary for me. I know its something people do all the time and I know there's an entire section for it here on the Dis, but I'd be too scared.

Plus, the truth is, we're quite happy to be staying at CSR. I know that Max is going to love the Dig Site, especially the playground, and Mark and I already know WE love it. And there's something to be said for returning to a place we've already been...yep, we are creatures of habit, for sure, even when we're traveling.

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks for the tip, Mindy. Good to hear from you again... how was your trip?

But I have to say that unless I knew the person I was renting points from, I don't think I could do it. Way too scary for me. I know its something people do all the time and I know there's an entire section for it here on the Dis, but I'd be too scared.

Plus, the truth is, we're quite happy to be staying at CSR. I know that Max is going to love the Dig Site, especially the playground, and Mark and I already know WE love it. And there's something to be said for returning to a place we've already been...yep, we are creatures of habit, for sure, even when we're traveling.

That's exactly why I haven't done it before, it would have to be someone I know. I know it works out great for tons of people but unless I knew the person, it would freak me out!

I just need to buy!

 

[tinacaplan]

That's exactly why I haven't done it before, it would have to be someone I know. I know it works out great for tons of people but unless I knew the person, it would freak me out!

I just need to buy!

Yeah, buying would work, too!

 

[LisaKeys]

Hi There! I read your PTR starting last week, and made it all the way through in one day, but am finally taking the time to post a response. I'm enjoying your blog and look forward to many more posts all the way up to your TR!

We are also going to CSR in Jan '11. (We is my husband, I, my eldest daughter and her husband.) It will be our first time at CSR - and we're very excited, especially since all of the rooms have been refurbished now.

Read you soon -

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi There! I read your PTR starting last week, and made it all the way through in one day, but am finally taking the time to post a response. I'm enjoying your blog and look forward to many more posts all the way up to your TR!

We are also going to CSR in Jan '11. (We is my husband, I, my eldest daughter and her husband.) It will be our first time at CSR - and we're very excited, especially since all of the rooms have been refurbished now.

Read you soon -

I love new readers! Always makes my day a little brighter to know I'm not writing into the void, so to speak. You will LOVE CSR. It really is as pretty as all the pictures make it out to be and the pool area (the Dig Site) is amazing. You might also appreciate the overall quiet and "adult-ness" of the place, too. At least ,we found it to be quiet when we were there, and we were there during President's week last year, which is one of the busiest of the year, or so I'm told. My husband and I are both teachers, so we don't have a lot of options in terms of when we go. Oh well. Better to be going to Disney at all than to not be going!
The location is also prime, IMO, as we were whisked away to DHS, AK, and EPCOT in well under ten minutes every time.

Also, check out the CSR thread, if you haven't already. Its chock-full of super helpful information and I have found it to be one of the more informative resort threads on the boards.

 

[Mindy5767]

Yeah, buying would work, too!

I think my DVC membership is the best thing I ever spent that kind of money on ever!!