I booked it...OFF-SITE for anniversary trip... I cancelled it!

[montessori]

I WAS going to get a reservation at FQ for our anniversary on Memorial Day weekend. I wish I had, it sounds like they will be offering some great deals on upgrades.
I was undecided about staying there though.
I am spoiled by The Boardwalk!
A few weeks ago, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and I just didn't enjoy it as much as the Boardwalk!
Imagine that?

Due to economic reasons, I thought we might not go to DW to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I wasn't feeling very happy about it.
I kept flip-flopping between the different moderates and couldn't justify paying the $$ for The Boardwalk.
We spend the majority of our time at The Boardwalk, no matter where we stay.
My husband LOVES breakfast at Spoodles, we like watching sports at ESPN, we enjoy dining at Spoodles and Flying Fish, we like the Dance Hall, and we have made friends with the bartenders in The Belle Vue Room.
We simply LOVE The Boardwalk and feel most at home there.
I have been fortunate enough to rent points from a terrific DVC'er on a few occasions. Generally, we can only travel to DW on weekends though, that makes renting points very expensive.

I'm making this post TOO long! Sorry.

Okay, I read about the new Wyndham Palms Resort, found a fantastic rate on HotelKingdom.com and I booked it.

This is a condo type of resort, I'm not crazy about that.
It's $65 per night for a one bedroom. I'd be crazy not to like that!
It's brand new. That's a plus!
People who have stayed there write rave reviews about it. That's encouraging!
It is NOT a Disney Resort. That nags at me, and I have to "get over it"!

I am grateful to be going to DW at all, I know there are far more important things to worry about than staying, or not staying, at a Disney Resort!

I just thought I'd post and see if other diehard on-site Disney Resort fanatics have any words of wisdom and encouragement about staying off-site.
I want to look forward to this vacation with the same excitement I always get about a DW vacation.

(I was going to post this on the Orlando Hotels board, but it's the DISNEY WORLD Resort fans I'm interested in hearing from.)

Thanks in advance!

I canceled the reservation. I just know I won't be happy there.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Have you ever stayed at Coronado Springs? I think they have a bus that runs back and forth to the Boardwalk. That might be an idea since you guys like it there so much. Or maybe try one of those great Swan/Dolphin rates! They are just a hop skip and a jump from the boardwalk area.

I wish I had encouraging words for you... we tried offsite last year at the Westgate Lakes Resort... got a great rate from hotelkingdom on a 4 bedroom villa ... but it was a nightmare. Driving back and forth to the parks and dealing with those parking lots made me appreciate the Disney transportation so much. Once we suffered out 3 nights there we switched to OKW and it was heaven on Earth. I hope your offsite experience is better than ours was. We will always stay onsite from now on.

Good Luck!

 

[montessori]

I canceled the reservation. I don't think we will be happy staying there.
Thanks for responding TigrLvsPooh.

 

[susy]

I don't think the bus runs from CSR to the Boardwalk anymore, but DH and I went there for our anniversary a few weeks ago and "WOW!!!" was all I could say! This place is a moderate???

I haven't stayed at POR/FQ, but we did stay at CBR. We liked CBR just fine, but CSR is a completely different experience. Since it is a convention resort, it is overflowing with amenities. We also did not notice as many families and children. The Casitas or Ranchos had the best theming!!! The pepper market is a very nice "food court"(I don't know why we keep calling it that. The resort itself does not.) The Maya Grill had the best breakfast buffet. The pool area really impressed us. The path around the lake is pefect for a walk, bike ride, or surrey bike ride. The marina had some very nice choices, as well. There is a salon and I believe I saw a sign about "massages" over by the spa (in Casitas ). We paid $109 here (FL resident peak season rate) and felt we really got a deal.

 

[Jomrog]

Have you considered the Swan/Dolphin? They are right near the boardwalk & cost less?

I have never stayed at BW so I can't compare. I did stay at the Dolphin and thought the proximity to the parks is great. I just didn't think that it measured up to the Disney resorts we stayed at (WL,AKL & POFQ). A lot of people, however have great things to say about S/D.

Good luck w/your decision. I always try to push for a Disney Resort. JMO

 

[jaysue]

I do not think where you stay matters as much as what you do - the Radisson is supposed to be good and is very very close to WDW and anyways you drive in, stay for the day and then go back to your hotel.

Having said that, I do prefer to stay on-site due to my 3 1/2 yr old DS - just makes it all the more easier

http://www.mousesavers.com/radisson.html

Now, to be quote honest, I believe that the Epcot resorts have a price premium attached that I am not sure is justified. They are great resorts - don't get me wrong - good location, pools etc. but the price just seems too steep for me to justify.

We stayed at the WL in March and loved it and are staying at OKW and CR in May (CR Garden Wing - Tower too much $$$). If it was not for the AEF rates no way we would be at CR.

Figure at the end of the day, we spend about 1.5 waking hours outside of sleep time in the room so not so important to us.

I would recommed trying the Radisson - I think for it be on Mary's site it has to be a pretty special place

Thanks
Jason

 

[merrywether]

Absolutely there's NOTHING like staying on site! However, budget restraints have caused us to stay off site the last three trips to the Mouse. I didn't dislike it though. We rented a vacation home, complete with full kitchen, 3 bedrooms and our own inground swimming pool. Loved it! Plus, they charge by the house, not by the amount of people staying. So it worked out for us. We kept the Disney magic alive by eating at some of the Resort restaurants - it's not a Disney trip without Tonga Toast at the Kona and a burger at Beaches and Cream. Plus, you can't help but get excited when you drive in under that Walt Disney World arch. Zipadeedoodah! Our next trip, we are renting a house again for 8 days, and will be staying on site (somewhere yet to be determined!) for the last 2 nights we're in town. DH has never stayed on-site before. It should be great! Anyway, just putting in my 2 cents! Have a great day, Disney Pals!

Kim (pining away for the Mouse as I watch the snow outside - sigh)

 

[Pig Pen]

Have you ever thought about renting DVC points? A Boardwalk Villa studio - standard view is 9 points per night (Sun - Thurs) during the cheapest season. You can rent points for about $10 per point. This comes out to about $90 per night.

Check out the DVC forums on these boards.

 

[eeyore0062]

My Words Of Wisdom are this:

It is your 25th aniversary... it only happens once in your life... live a bit

STAY ONSITE!!!!!

And treat yourself to the BOARDWALK!!!!

You know you deserve it!!!!

 

[gepetto]

You should be able to get a the teacher's rate at Swan/Dolphin

 

[montessori]

I appreciate all the replies!
I like this one best:

"It is your 25th aniversary... it only happens once in your life... live a bit

STAY ONSITE!!!!!

And treat yourself to the BOARDWALK!!!!"
Thank you Eeyore00662

I'm considering all the options.
As I stated in my original post, renting points won't work for this trip. Too many points for the weekend nights and I don't think I'd get a reservation anyway. I have a reservation for Christmas week though!

Susy, we stayed at CSR quite a few years ago and we did enjoy it. Thanks for the reminder! It's on my list.

Kim -- we've rented homes and condos in the past too.
It did work out well, it's just not what I'm looking for to celebrate our anniversary. It's just the 2 of us for 2 or 3 nights.
I appreciate your input. I'm sure your next DW vacation will be great and I hope you start getting some nice weather soon too!

Jason -- our daughter stayed at the Radisson Resort Parkway last year and loved it. It's an option but I go back and forth between that and a moderate Disney Resort. With Florida resident rates, the moderates are pretty much the same as The Radisson. Yet, I believe the quality at the Radisson is more like a Deluxe. hmmmmmm
I agree that's it's very difficult to justify the cost of the Epcot Resorts...but I LOVE The Boardwalk so much!

Jomrog and Gepetto -- I am going to call the Swan/Dolphoin today. I read on these boards that they only accept State teaching certificates now. I am Montessori trained and certified and have had my own school for 17 years. I'm definately a teacher but I'm not sure I qualify for the rate now!
We stayed at The Swan last year and I was not happy, I think we got one of the worse locations in the hotel.
When I read all the threads raving about these resorts, I get confused. Those people use SPG points and all kinds of other programs to get what they want. The average Joe, booking with the discounted teacher's rate, seems to be stuck with what they give you. Sure, it's a good rate but if you don't "work the system",
you pretty much get what you paid for.
Not that getting what you paid for is a bad thing.
The location of these resorts do make them very attractive to me, I will call today to make sure I qualify for the Teacher's Rate. If I do, I will consider giving it another try.

I appreciate all your suggestions and will keep you posted!

 

[Jomrog]

Montessori-I felt the same way about using the teacher rate at S/D. I ended up in rooms that were not spectacular.

I agree with the other poster, go for it. Book something nice and have a great time.

Let us know what you choose!

 

[Luvinit]

Montessori-- Have you tried to call about a Fla Resident RAte? Call and ask them...just ask them what availability they have don't ask for a particular resort. They have some amazing rates right now. I was quoted the CS for $84.00 a night incld. tax. and the WL for $136.00 per night incl. tax. IMO I would rather stay onsite anywhere in WDW, than at the most luxuraious resort outside of WDW. Good Luck and have a great anniversary.
Tracy

 

[montessori]

Hello Joanne and others,
I got excited about Coronado Springs after reading the thread about it. But, they dont have any special discounts there.
This is what I came up with:

Swan/Dolphin --- $129 (I can get the Teacher's rate) plus tax and resort fee. We were not happy with the room we got here last year.

Boardwalk -- $235 (including tax) Our FAVORITE resort!

Coronado Springs -- $165 (including tax)

Caribbean Beach Resort -- 83.00 (including tax)
Looks like it'll be the Caribbean! I can't resist that rate and it's nice and close to the Boardwalk!

We just stayed there last year but I can't remember if they have central A/C or do they have those box units under the window?
Do they have a coffee pot in the room?
I've made up my mind to be happy staying there.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[montessori]

Hi Tracy,
The 2 weekends I am looking for are not discounted at CS. They must have some conventions booked.
When are you going?
I totally agree that onsite anywhere is better than offsite anywhere!
I feel good about the deal I ended up with.

Now I have to arrange for a golf game for my husband.
It's his anniversary too!


Thanks for the input and well wishes!

 

[Luvinit]

We are going Wed the 14th through Monday the 19th. But that really isn't a "holiday" time. Sorry, I think you would love the CSR, we have ressies at WL...but I am seriously considering moving to the CS...by DH says not to, but I am stuck on what to do too...at least you know you are in good company. LOL!!!
Tracy

 

[montessori]

It IS funny, Tracy...we have such tough decisions to make, don't we?
Have you ever stayed at WL? We haven't yet, but we've spent plenty of time hanging around there. It's a great resort.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Dreams Unlimited, I got CS for Memorial Day weekend for $83 per night!

I am very happy now and just have to figure out which area I'd like to request. We usually use our car most of the time so the bus stop doesn't have to be close. I guess I'd like to be close to the main area. I have to go back and read up on it!

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[eeyore0062]

Request the Cabanas, they are the prettiest, and between the main pool and the main building!

 

[Luvinit]

Oh Good for you...I am still trying to figure out what is best for us. But you got a GREAT rate... same as Fl Res. Have a great time
Tracy