how important is a resort? - sorry, long....

[California Mom]

Sorry so long...but need your input....

How important is the resort that you're staying at?
We are leaving in 10 days, staying for 10 days! 3 days at ASSports (my football boys can't wait to check it out) and the remainder 7 days at BWV (got a GREAT deal on a 2b villa from BW directly since our last visit 5 years ago had it's problems and we'll probably never get a great rate again)!

My question...we've come into some 'budget' obstacles with only 10 days to go and I'm worried that we might 'run out of money'. With 5 kids, I'm trying to accurately estimate meal costs, spending, etc, but with 3 big eatters, it's hard. I am trying to be realistic that when you're in the 'magical world' that it's very easy to get caught up in buying this and that, eating here and snacking there, etc. And of course, kids, don't understand the value of a dollar....and as a parent, I hate saying no.

I actually have the ASSports booked for the entire time of our visit, so we could stay there the entire 10 day visit, if we wanted to? It would save approximately $900 on our lodging...however, I love the BW and it's proximity to everything...the teens will be able to come and go to Epcot & MGM on their own...and I kinda planned our 10-day detailed schedule around staying there....BUT....I also am nervous about the money....SO should I just skip the BW and stay at ASSports the entire time? How far out of the way is it to go/come each day to/from parks?

BUT...I also am thankful that we're EVEN having the opportunity to go back to the Magical World.....So how important is the cost of the resort as opposed to the locatioN?

THANK YOU SO much for hearing me out!....

 

[*Fantasia*]

So how important is the cost of the resort as opposed to the locatioN?

The location would not be an issue if I was on a tight budget because the only thing I will be able to afford would be the moderate or better yet the value resort. If money is not an issue, then I would opt for location (MK resort or Epcot resort).

we've come into some 'budget' obstacles with only 10 days to go and I'm worried that we might 'run out of money'.

If I was to think that I may run out of money, then I would go with moderate or better yet a value resort. I don't want to worry during my vacation wether I will have enough money left to finish the trip.

If you have money, but you want to save, then I would want to stay at the deluxe and just cut the full service dining and do less and buy less. Or I can go moderate or value and have more money for dining and do more stuff and be able to buy more stuff.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Don't worry about it. You'll still have a magical time.

 

[California Mom]

Thank you for taking the time to 'listen' and respond! You've just put a smile back on my face!

 

[Denmark]

California Mom,

I would stay at a value, and use the 900$ on you, your husband, and 5 kids.

Its not fun to stay at an expensive resort, and not having the money to buy souveniers and snacks at the parks.

Im going to WDW in a few days staying at 2 deluxe resorts, but i would NEVER do that, if it ment that i couldnt buy food, coffee, cakes, icecream, souveniers when i feel like it at the parks.

You can always, when you have saved the money, stay at a moderate or a deluxe with your family.

Just my 2 cents !!

 

[Troy08]

If you are worried about running out of money divvy the funds up per day. Give the kids X number of dollars to spend-once they spend it-it's gone! Eat at more counter service restaurants and leave the more expensive large meals to just a few-that way they feel more "special".

I know the temptation to buy everything in sight is powerful-but stop and think? Do I really need that (fill in the blank). I know I have purchased things and when I got them home I thought, Why????

I would rather spend my money on the resort then on useless knick knacks or another sweatshirt.

 

[ckret01]

Your boys might love the themeing of the AllStars so much that they might be disappointed in the other resort. Even though AS is a value resort, it has more color and charchter than other resorts. I would rather stay cheaper and buy more food and nic nacs than stay at a higher resort.

 

[bevemjake]

Personally I would stay at the value resort. If this will make you less stressed about money while you are on vacation then it would be worth it. You are at Disney either way.

 

[dawgfan]

Go with the budget and don't worry. You will have a great tiem. I loved the All Stars. I love POFQ as well. Each has it's own flavor but they are both great disney hotels.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Go for the AStars and enjoy yourself, have you thought about adding the dining plan? It is 35 per person(adult) a day and covers 1 Table Serv, 1 snack and 1 Table Service a day. Great Value for big eaters. You can get breakfast at the counter service for 6-7 a day.

 

[sunni]

You'll enjoy yourself more if you aren't stressed about money. I'd go with the value resort if that means no worries for you. The teens can easily manage a bus to wherever they want to go... and you can even afford to give them a little spending money for the inconvenience!

 

[#1hockeymom]

If you are worried, and your post says you are, go with the value! Your boys will probably perfer it anyways, and the smile on your face knowing there are no money worries will make the magic happen for everyone in your family!

Have a wonderful, MAGICAL vacation!

 

[California Mom]

THANK YOU so much to everyone for taking time out to respond to my concerns!

 

[Greg K.]

Instead of 3 at one and 7 at the other, maybe 5 and 5? Or 6 and 4?

That way, maybe given everyone a little of what they'd like -- and save some bucks, too!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Maybe do 3 days at a value and 7 days at a mod or lite deluxe like AKL or WL?

 

[imatoad]

I agree with the others, go value and have a stress free trip, besides, your still staying onsite, and you'll be in Disney. A vacation should be fun, not worrisome, no matter what you choose, it'll be great.

 

[TSWJan78]

not sure what you have at BWV but you will have a kitchen... were you planning to eat in durring some of those days.. maybe meet back for lunch or dinner if people are on there own at Epcot or DS... I think you may end up spending that $900.00 on food if you loose your kitchen!!!

 

[antkim]

not sure what you have at BWV but you will have a kitchen... were you planning to eat in durring some of those days.. maybe meet back for lunch or dinner if people are on there own at Epcot or DS... I think you may end up spending that $900.00 on food if you loose your kitchen!!!

This is exactly what I was going to say! The kitchen can save you a bunch on dining out! If it were me(and it's not!) I would still opt for the villa's....maybe shorten it a night or 2 if that would help. But the location is key, you said yourself that you are getting a great rate that you may never come across again, it is your vacation as well as the kids and the BWI is wonderful for adults and children, you will have your own space with the extra room of a 2 BEDROOM VILLA which will put a smile on every one's face! and again you can cook in...that will save a boodle of money! Call me selfish but there is nothing quite like the deluxe resorts....especially a villa!

Now I have stayed at all levels of resorts at WDW and no matter where you stay it will be wonderful but I think the money you will save cooking in at the villa can come very close to the money you will save staying the whole time at the Sports!

 

[pjathome]

Sleep cheap and have fun!! Since no disney resort is a dive its a win win situation. With 5 kids the extra cash will be easy to spend of food and fun!! Have a great time. We are at pop in just a couple of weeks!!

 

[tar heel]

Tough question. One option is to keep the villa and eat there a good bit to save $. You also could split between the two resorts. My family would probably either fewer days at the BW or move to a moderate. We found out the hard way that resort amenities and especially pool and location do matter to us. For other families, it's not an issue.

For what it's worth, my teens would probably list All Star Sports as one of their two least favorite resorts (FW cabins being the other) b/c it wasn't close to anything and didn't have a good pool or hot tub. Their pool standards are high, though, b/c we have a neighborhood one.