I'd like your opinions

[jenga1030]

We just got back from Disney World a couple of weeks ago and I have been suffering from the Disney Blues. So, what better way to cure them than to start planning my next trip! But I need your help.

The only onsite place we've ever stayed at (The last 2 years) is POR. We love it here but are wanting to try something new this next time. We can't afford Deluxe, not even WL, totally out of our budget. The 3 choices are:

Another Moderate? Which other moderates do you like? Why? I don't think we'd do POFQ because it's so close and similar to POR. But what about CBR or CSR?

Value? I'd have to sell my DH on this one. I'm thinking All Star Movies? How could I convince him? I'd love to save money per night and stay a few more nights since we can only usually stay 4 nights. I would love to stay 6 or 7. And I am so sold on the dining plan now after free dining, so the savings would help pay for the plan.

DVS points rented? I would love to stay at BCV on rented points and during value season it's pretty cheap. But the big drawback is no dining plan, so to eat the way that I am now accustomed to (thank you free dining) our food budget would have to be greatly increased!!

We are planning a September 2006 trip if that means anything. We went in October this time and it was pretty crowded! I'd like to see it empty like it was in September this year. So tell me everything you know. The good the bad the pools the rooms, everything! I'd like to book my trip and start paying for it, it just seems more real that way, you know?

Jennifer

 

[bytheblood]

I love POFQ, and more than POR. That is my resort of choice. Coronado is great as well.

 

[PrincessKitty]

If you or DH are a teacher, nurse, or government employee, you might consider the Dolphin--I think their current discounted rate is $149/per night. We don't stay there often (we go to WDW a lot, since we're just a couple of hours away, so we usually stay at a Value), but it's absolutely worth every penny of the discounted price.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We stayed at Coronado Springs and while we enjoyed it we have never been tempted to go back there. I've visited relatives in the Swan and Dolphin and those rooms, lobbys and pools were MUCH nicer than Coronado in my opinion. Places we've stayed and loved....Ft. Wilderness (used to own camper) will try a cabin there when 3rd kid is over age 3, Contemporary ( my favorite if you stay in the main building) and Poly (beautiful, but spread out) This trip we are doing a split stay at POP and AKL.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

We just got back from CSR and loved it. It was a very quite resort and very beuatiful. The only thing that I did not like was all the convention people walking around... sometimes I forgot I was at Disney because of that, but it would only last for a second. The pool is very nice and the grounds once again were so beautiful.

If I was you though I would go for the longer trip in a value. I have stayed at Music and it was a fine hotel. I had no problems there. To sell your DH you could maybe consider POP since it is newer or maybe try to sell him with the fact that you guys could stay longer and take time to relax instead of going full force the whole time.

I do not know anything about renting points but I am considering doing this in 2007. From what I ahve noticed you buy in a block of 150-300 points at about $10-15 a point... so it can still be quite a bit more than a value or moderate resort but it can be a great deal on a deluxe resort. Good luck and you'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

 

[ellyn2000]

I know what you mean about the difference in rates and being able to afford a longer stay. I've stayed offsite and then started staying onsite beginning with CR. Then I decided it wasn't worth it to me to spend the extra funds on a deluxe and stayed numerous times @AS--Movies, Music and Sports. I was well pleased for the price and did not have any complaints. Next trip I was planning on Pop, but got a great deal on CSR and now I'm very excited about that resort and I'm glad I chose a moderate. If it meant that I got to stay a little longer and have more vacation I'd stay at a value every time. We don't spend any time at all in the room other than a break, shower and sleep at night. The pools at AS are nice, love the food courts and was never bothered as some are by the bus service. I recommend the value resorts very highly. I hope you work it out and have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Value? I'd have to sell my DH on this one. I'm thinking All Star Movies? How could I convince him? I'd love to save money per night and stay a few more nights since we can only usually stay 4 nights. I would love to stay 6 or 7. And I am so sold on the dining plan now after free dining, so the savings would help pay for the plan.


Jennifer

I loved our stay at POR but if it meant staying more nights I would have NO problem whatsoever doing a value! We have stayed at All Star Movies and Sports as well as Pop Century. Here are some good selling points on the values:

Great theming, especially for your kids. Huge icons of Lady and Tramp, Jungle Book, Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, 101 Dalmations to name a few. You can spend a lot of time and film checking out the fun stuff at the values!

Rooms are not that much smaller than what you had at POR. I frankly noticed no difference, the beds are the same size too. Bathrooms are smaller, you only have one sink but for our family of four it didn't make a lot of difference. There is no privacy curtain in the values bathrooms, but this might not matter to you if you are saving enough money!

Great food courts. I love the food courts at the All Stars especially.

If you stay at Pop you won't have to share a bus like you did at POR. At the All Stars you do but not necessarily all the time.

I was able to score an AP rate of $49 a night at Pop Century last January. I'll bet in September (a cheaper season than October) you could get a great rate.

The pros to Pop over the All Stars are: larger television, more drawer space, better bathroom set up. That said, I still love Movies the most of the three values I have stayed at. My family really enjoyed them all.

The cons are that the resorts are generally more crowded and noisy but I would still rather spend more nights at a value than less at a moderate! Good luck convincing him. If you go to allearsnet.com and click on resorts you can check out slide shows of all the resorts and really get a feel for the values.