I'd love your opinion, please!!

[plummer925]

Hi all,

I have been doing a lot of planning, figuring and math (ugh!) to find the right vacation for us. Have narrowed it down a bit and would LOVE your advice…

This will be mine and DH’s 20th anniversary trip. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times and love it. Only stayed onsite once – at Port Orleans, Riverside (loved it, but would like to stay elsewhere this time). We did not use the resort amenities, other than a quiet pool twice.

Our trip is going to be Sept 22-28, so will be going during free dining.

The choices we are trying to make is:

Pop for $1400ish (plus $200 to upgrade dining??)

Caribbean Beach King bed 1989.84

So – which would you choose – Pop Century or Caribbean Beach resort?

2nd Question:

Dining plans – what are thoughts about upgrading to the deluxe plan? It seems like a LOT of food, but we do enjoy dining out and the thought of having NO worries about food/snacks is VERY appealing. If we did Pop, we would likely upgrade to at least the Basic Dining so we’d have some sit-down meals too.

By my math, this is the values of the plans for us (cost x 6nights x 2 people)
Quick Service $453
Basic $801
Deluxe $1701

I went through menus to figure “real” costs of meals and snacks and if we were BUYING the dining plan, then quick service would not be a value for us...we’d break even or spend a little less. Basic would “save” us about $100 for the week and Deluxe would save us over $800 for the week – IF we bought that much food. It sure is a LOT of food.

I welcome all opinions!!

The other option is: NOT do the booking through Disney and “rent” DVC points and stay at boardwalk and pay out of pocket for meals. I’m just not sure.

Thanks!
Crystal

 

[ilovemk76]

Other

I would skip the dining plan and book a room discount.

We have stayed at CBR twice and both times hated how large it was.

I would stay at POFQ or POP.

 

[RitaE]

For an Anniversary trip I'd choose

Moderate
either POFQ or Coronado

I especially like Coronado because the two times I've stayed there it has been convention heavy in population and more adult and a little lighter on the hordes of screaming pre-schoolers running around. I don't know about you but when I travel on adult trips I kind of like to get away from the kid thing.

No offense to anybody but I do not enjoy the Budget category hotels and I really wouldn't want to stay there without kids on an Anniversary trip.

Any of the Deluxe but my favorite is either Beach Club or Boardwalk. We tend to enjoy EPCOT the most so that factors into our decision. I've never stayed at the Grand Floridian but if I had the budget I'd certainly consider it for a trip like this.

I'm not a huge fan of the Dining plan and I'm especially not a huge fan of "Free Dining" over a room discount when you only have 2 people staying in the room. The numbers seem to make more sense when you have more people. Still, I'd rather just eat what and when we prefer and pay for it separate.

 

[plummer925]

Thanks! Yes - hoards of screaming kids is certainly a factor. We do not have children. We do enjoy children, but this IS our 20th Anniversary. And, yes, it is Disney World and we need to realize kids WILL be around, but we do prefer when we are in the room, for it to be quiet.

Another factor - we are NOT fans of making dining reservations. We did that on our 1st trip and it was a nightmare!

I'm going to go look into the room only discounts now...the way we eat, that would likely save us money!!!

 

[Infamousmare]

Thanks! Yes - hoards of screaming kids is certainly a factor. We do not have children. We do enjoy children, but this IS our 20th Anniversary. And, yes, it is Disney World and we need to realize kids WILL be around, but we do prefer when we are in the room, for it to be quiet.

Another factor - we are NOT fans of making dining reservations. We did that on our 1st trip and it was a nightmare!

I'm going to go look into the room only discounts now...the way we eat, that would likely save us money!!!

I have three kids and I dream of the day when I can do WDW alone. Wait, well, I'm not pushing them to grow up...I guess I understand where you guys are coming from.

Okay, here's my two cents on the dining plan (can't comment on the resorts b/c I've never stayed at any of those listed):

I like the deluxe plan. No, we don't eat apps & desserts at home; however, we love to share food. We find it really super fun to try all sorts of new things, so we'll all order different apps, entrees & desserts and have a little party trying each other's food. Also, we tend to steer toward signature dining (and with a family of five, we HAVE to make ADRs!), so we're really only eating 2 meals a day in the park. We have leftovers boxed up and we store them in the 'fridge of our villa. They make great leftovers for b'fast or desserts can be neat midnight snacks. If you like having the option of being able to order this way without breaking the bank, the DxDP can be a good option for you. Also, we like to use our leftover snack credits to buy chocolate bars/bags of chocolate coins as souvenirs for our friends.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[jimandami]

I would go with the DVC point rental and pay OOP provided that there are studios available at this late date. We almost always rent points and it's a great value for what you get. For adult only trips, we especially love the BW or BC because of the ease of walking to Epcot or DHS. If you decide to go with FD, I personally would choose Coronado Springs if that's an option. It's a great resort that seems more "adult" than the others. I wouldn't do Pop or CBR simply because of the twin bed situation.

 

[gorkt]

I also voted for the DVC rental. Your Boardwalk idea is a good one for the budget, especially if you can get a standard, which might be difficult this close to your trip.

If you don't like paying OOP, get a gift card with your budgeted food money preloaded on it and just use that.

Enjoy your 20th anniversary trip!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

My vote would be for POFQ over Pop. Pop is so much like "just a hotel room". Without kids - especially for an anniversary - POFQ would my pick. I like the idea of having dining taken care of - free dining with the upgrade for sit down meals. Remember - regardless if you have free dining or not - you will definitely still need to make some reservations!! Happy Anniversary!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Happy Anniversary in advance Op!!

I too would not choose value...just not our cup of tea....for several reasons....personal preference.

I think you are wise to look for a room discount based on what you posted as ditch the free dine!


Have a Wonderful Trip!

 

[plummer925]

Thank you SO much, everyone! I appreciate the candid answers!

I'm going to see about renting DVC points and HOPING to get into the Boardwalk. If not, then there are other options!

I'm going to 'forget about' the dining - it just doesn't seem to be a match for us, and it's great that you all agreed!

 

[buzz5985]

I voted for DVC also. But I would go for a 1 BR. Something to be said about having a nice big Jacuzzi bathtub large enough for two on an anniversary.

Have a great time and Happy Anniversary!!!

Janis

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The Dolphin is coming up at $149 a night on your dates, total about $1000, if you qualify for one of the discounts. I'd stay there and pay OOP for food.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................... The Dolphin at $149 is a steal!

Food is def OOP! Look into AKL! After 20 years you deserve something nice without being ripped off. It was considered a moderate, when we stayed there, but was more expensive than the other moderates. But much cheaper than the deluxes. The rooms are small, but if you have only 2, who cares! Get a Savannah view. You will be able to to see lots of animals from your room. Tell them it is your 20th anniversary, and you will probably get the upgrade for free!

We celebrate 25 years on August 17. Will be at WDW from August 16 to August 22.

DD has a newly minted husband from the UK that she met when she studied at Oxford last fall! Moved to Gainesville last month for a 5 year Phd. program, that the Gators are paying for! So we are still stuck with "kids". Only this time we can hit the House of Blues and the rest of Downtown Disney!!!

 

[sara mom]

I voted for DVC also. But I would go for a 1 BR. Something to be said about having a nice big Jacuzzi bathtub large enough for two on an anniversary.

Have a great time and Happy Anniversary!!!

Janis

If your dates are this September, be warned that any DVC(especially BWV) are going to Beverly hard to get! That tends to be a very popular time of the year to book with points. The rooms are usually booked 11 or 7 mos out.

 

[pryncess527]

I have three kids and I dream of the day when I can do WDW alone. Wait, well, I'm not pushing them to grow up...I guess I understand where you guys are coming from.

Okay, here's my two cents on the dining plan (can't comment on the resorts b/c I've never stayed at any of those listed):

I like the deluxe plan. No, we don't eat apps & desserts at home; however, we love to share food. We find it really super fun to try all sorts of new things, so we'll all order different apps, entrees & desserts and have a little party trying each other's food. Also, we tend to steer toward signature dining (and with a family of five, we HAVE to make ADRs!), so we're really only eating 2 meals a day in the park. We have leftovers boxed up and we store them in the 'fridge of our villa. They make great leftovers for b'fast or desserts can be neat midnight snacks. If you like having the option of being able to order this way without breaking the bank, the DxDP can be a good option for you. Also, we like to use our leftover snack credits to buy chocolate bars/bags of chocolate coins as souvenirs for our friends.

Have a GREAT time!

This is how we eat too. For the trip I'm planning, I think we'll do the Deluxe Dining plan just for the fun of trying tons of apps and enjoying desserts. I used the complex dining plan spreadsheet and the way we eat, Deluxe would save us quite a bit (we love steak!!). But I'm also planning on using credits for a signature dining meal every night and will be making ADRs

 

[Shmily1]

I would choose CBR and use the free plus dining. That way you can do a few nicer meals, but still have most of your meals with lots of freedom while staying at a moderate resort. It's a win-win. I wouldn't do a DVC because you likely will not be needing a kitchen or laundry area any way and the expense would be more.

 

[Aliceacc]

Our silver anniversary is next summer.

We're doing a week at the Beach Club, with DDP.

We already have $3200 saved. Since we're a family of 5, we still have a ways to go. That's OK; we still have over a year.

 

[branv]

DH and I have made every trip child-free, simply because we haven't had children (well, we will in a few months, and I imagine our first trip will be an eye opening experience ).

I would 100% go DVC, if it's available. We tried POP, and it is definitely was not for us as DINKS. We like more quiet, more space and comfort. Even if you do like it for regular trips, a big anniversary trip deserves something more romantic, I think. We enjoyed moderate -- nice grounds, etc. But, especially for your big anniversary, do it up right and go Deluxe if you can. If you can't get DVC, save money by going with WL or AKL -- beautiful resorts, quieter, better rooms, definitely more romantic for when you're not at the parks. And an anniversary deserves down time. We always love going swimming at night, never anyone at the pools, and it's very serene (particularly at WL when you're right off the lake...we'd walk right from the pool to the beach and wait for the water parade). We did our 10 year anniversary at CR and just loved it. Rather than the tower, we had a wing room that was a sidewalk and a small stretch of beach away from the water. You could open the "balcony" door and all you'd see was the lake and a little beach. Amazing

We stayed at Beach Club recently when DH had a convention at the Coronado. Wow, talk about a wonderful area! The whole Boardwalk is just magical, especially at night and in the morning. It now tops my list for romantic trips to WDW! On multiple nights, after a day in another park, we'd end up taking a stroll from our resort into Epcot to mull around and eat at World Showcase. And this is where we really liked not being on the Dining Plan. Often we just made meals out of the little things at various food carts, not the entrees. I probably spent waaaay too much on champagne at the cart in France Which, incidentally, the moral of this story is that if you stay in the Boardwalk region, definitely, definitely, definitely get park hoppers. When you stay within walking distance of any park it's really great to be able to just "hop in" for a few quick rides, or just shopping, or your favorite snack.

Congratulations on your anniversary! Hope your trip is magical!

 

[jimandami]

I would choose CBR and use the free plus dining. That way you can do a few nicer meals, but still have most of your meals with lots of freedom while staying at a moderate resort. It's a win-win. I wouldn't do a DVC because you likely will not be needing a kitchen or laundry area any way and the expense would be more.

Actually, if you get a studio, renting DVC is usually on par with or even a bit cheaper than a moderate.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

This will be mine and DH’s 20th anniversary trip. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times and love it. Only stayed onsite once – at Port Orleans, Riverside (loved it, but would like to stay elsewhere this time). We did not use the resort amenities, other than a quiet pool twice.

Our trip is going to be Sept 22-28, so will be going during free dining.

The choices we are trying to make is:

Pop for $1400ish (plus $200 to upgrade dining??)

Caribbean Beach King bed 1989.84

So – which would you choose – Pop Century or Caribbean Beach resort?

2nd Question:

Dining plans – what are thoughts about upgrading to the deluxe plan? It seems like a LOT of food, but we do enjoy dining out and the thought of having NO worries about food/snacks is VERY appealing. If we did Pop, we would likely upgrade to at least the Basic Dining so we’d have some sit-down meals too.

By my math, this is the values of the plans for us (cost x 6nights x 2 people)
Quick Service $453
Basic $801
Deluxe $1701

I went through menus to figure “real” costs of meals and snacks and if we were BUYING the dining plan, then quick service would not be a value for us...we’d break even or spend a little less. Basic would “save” us about $100 for the week and Deluxe would save us over $800 for the week – IF we bought that much food. It sure is a LOT of food.

I welcome all opinions!!

The other option is: NOT do the booking through Disney and “rent” DVC points and stay at boardwalk and pay out of pocket for meals. I’m just not sure.

Thanks!
Crystal

Since your trip is only a couple of months out and you are considering using the Dining Plan(s) I would suggest that you look at adr availability before booking your room. Because of "free" dining you may find out that some of the locations you would want to use the plan at may have little to no availability at this point.
I personally don't care for the dining plans. The only time we have found them to be worthwhile is for very short trips where we will be on-site the whole time for all our meals. On our last trip it would have been a very poor value - we did Chefs de France for lunch twice and Beaches 'N Cream for supper once. Neither of these locations would have been a good "value" on the Dining Plan, but we enjoyed each meal and ate there because we wanted to.