Is it worth it to upgrade to a Deluxe resort?

[mzmickey]

My DH and I are staying at PO - R from December 17th thru the 21st. We both just got "healty" raises and we are now kicking around the idea of upgrading to another resort.

I don't know if it is worth it, considering the amount of time we spent in our room the last time we were there, and that was for our honeymoon. Plus I have heard great things about PO - R, except for the transportation issues. But I would also like to be closer to the parks.

So we are considering the Wilderness Lodge (because I have always wanted to stay there), the Yacht Club (because we both loved the boardwalk), or the Contemporary (because of the view of the MK).

But would it be worth the extra $$$ to change resorts?

Has any one done this and loved it?

Or has any one done this and wished they hadn't spent the extra money?

 

[PamOKW]

You've got the right idea. You need to think about what you would enjoy and the price difference. If you plan to be running to the parks most of the time, it doesn't make that much sense to spend the extra money. If being on vacation means you want to laze around the pool, spend time in the shops and lobby, eating meals, etc., then bumping up to more luxury makes more sense.

There is something to be said for being in the Epcot area. You have the ability to get to both MGM and Epcot quickly and to enjoy some nightlife on the Boardwalk and just walk back to your room. Also, your comment about "always wanting to stay at WL" should be considered. Why not do the things in life that "you always wanted to do"?

No answers -- just some things to mull over. You might also see what the price differences might be. If it's a $50 per night difference it might make sense. If it's $200 per night, I'd think about how much you will really be using the resort.

 

[SharonS]

For me, it would depend on 'how much' extra to upgrade. If I thought it wasn't too bad, I would do it. There is a possiblity that you could get a decent discounted rate for that time.

In addition, since you will be there in December, WL would be a great choice! Their tree in the lobby is beautiful, and you could sit in the lobby in the evening and enjoy the decorations.

If you plan on being in the parks from early morning until closing every day, then it may not be worth it. Since December can be chilly, I wouldn't count on being able to sit on the balcony or use the pool/boating facilities.

That said, I normally stayed at the deluxes as long as I was able to obtain a rate that I was willing to pay. If I couldn't get a discount and ended up with rack rate, then I stayed at the moderates. I know own DVC at Boardwalk, although we usually stay at AKL.

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

We decided it wasn't worth upgrading to a deluxe so I booked CBR last week (99 a night for water view).

Then, I got one of those "Magic postcards" (WL @ 119 a night) and the difference of 20 a night, (160.00 total for all who don't have their calculators), was soo small that it then became "worth it" for us. We too have never stayed in a deluxe & were curious.

Now that we are booked in a deluxe that we hear is soo pretty, we decided to take "a day off" out of our trip & NOT go to the parks on that day & just enjoy what we are paying for! This works out great for us because we won't be paying for passes for that day, hence the deluxe price difference gets that much smaller!

Hope this helped!

 

[MJames41]

I can answer your question with a definate...maybe. It depends on what you will be doing at the resort and what you are looking for. For your trip in December, you might want to consider that the hours will be shortened at the beginning of your trip, and the Christmas activities that will be available. Personally, I am of the opinion that WL has the best decorations, although many others believe the GF has the best. This is also one time that I would not suggest a split since if you do, the 2nd part of the trip would be in Holiday season (the most expensive). Here are the advantages/disadvantages to your options:

POR - A - Very nice grounds, perfect for romantic walks
- A - Boatride to Downtown Disney (if you like that)
- A - Food Court is nicest of options listed
- A - Cost
- D - Size
- D - Disney transportation is only bus (except for Downtown)

Wilderness Lodge - A - Beautiful resort, especially at Christmas
- A - extremely relaxing lobby
- A - Boatride to Magic Kingdom
- A - Least expensive deluxe of ones you listed
- A - Ft. Wilderness very close
- D - Except to MK, direct Disney transportation is bus

Contemporary - A - Magnificant View (if Tower)
- A - Room size is huge - largest standard rooms for Disney properties
- A - Monorail
- A - Monorail
- A - and of course, Monorail
- A - of resorts you listed, best transportation to MK and Epcot
- D - Least noticiable decorations for Christmas
- D - Most expensive (for tower; a garden wing would be less expensive, but the view isn't as good. We love the garden wings anyway)

Yacht Club - A - Storm-Along Bay (pool)
- A - Closest to Epcot (with it's fantastic Christmas decorations and storytellers)
- D - Might be too cold for Storm-Along Bay

With all this to consider, my choice would be Wilderness Lodge, but it's your vacation, so my choice doesn't really matter. Enjoy your trip.

 

[mzmickey]

You guys are awesome and have given me a lot to think about. We'll have to sit down and weigh all the options.

I think on one hand it would be more convenient to have the access to the wonderful transportation options, more time to spend at the resort to enjoy it.

But I know that the last time we were there in December, it was too chilly to enjoy the outdoor activities.

Hmmmm, I'll have to contact the travel agent and see what kind of deal we can work out.

Thanks for all of the input/advice/opinions. Definitely given me a lot to thin about!

 

[caverill]

Like everyone else, the answer is...it depends.

Prior to us purchasing into the DVC, we stayed twice at Dixie Landings (now PO-R). We absolutely love the resort. It is very large, but it never seemed that crowded (and it was full at the time).

You won't go wrong staying there!

However, we prefer the EPCOT resort area due to it location between EPCOT and MGM. You can walk to both theme parks (and more importantly, return to the hotel to rest).

The availability of dining (both on the Boardwalk and EPCOT) and the night life make any of the EPCOT resorts (YC/BC/BWV/BWI/Swan/Dolphin) first choice in our book. The only thing that would make them better would be a monorail stop.

I would like at the price difference and wieght how you plan on touring the parks. We have found we don't "hit the parks" everyday anymore, although it is more related to owning DVC then the hotel.

Good Luck,

 

[dg39]

If you can swing the price diff. I say go for the deluxe. If you don't do it , you'll be second guessing yourself. I love the deluxes, luckily we're able to stay at the CR tower. I chose the deluxe because I am a balcony lover. The transportation can't be beat to the magic kingdom and I love the CR. Whichever you choose, you'll be happy cause your at disney.

 

[Nolcrest]

Just my 2 cents here but you may want to consider not going to a travel agent. With info here you can probably put together a trip that would be suited to your needs and more reasonable plus you'll know about discounts as they come available. Dreams Unlimited, from what I hear, is also a great help in planning your trip. Look into that also. Like you need one more thing to research. Have fun planning!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by mzmickey
My DH and I are staying at PO - R from December 17th thru the 21st. We both just got "healty" raises and we are now kicking around the idea of upgrading to another resort.

I don't know if it is worth it, considering the amount of time we spent in our room the last time we were there, and that was for our honeymoon. Plus I have heard great things about PO - R, except for the transportation issues. But I would also like to be closer to the parks.

So we are considering the Wilderness Lodge (because I have always wanted to stay there), the Yacht Club (because we both loved the boardwalk), or the Contemporary (because of the view of the MK).

But would it be worth the extra $$$ to change resorts?

Has any one done this and loved it?

Or has any one done this and wished they hadn't spent the extra money?

Whether it is "worth" it or not is a personal choice based on your vacation budget. I would not spend the extra money for a deluxe if it was going to cause us to "worry about money". We make up a budget of how much we have avaiable to spend on our vacations. So take a look at your vacation budget if you think you can swing a deluxe go for it. We started staying in the deluxe resorts in 1998 and we have never regretted spending the extra money. But it is a personal choice.

 

[Gabrielle]

I don't think it's worth it. Not that the deluxes aren't nice - they are. They're just not twice as nice for twice the money.

Now, upgrading to a moderate from a value is definitely worth it.

Have fun!

 

[ducklite]

A lot depends on how much time you plan on styaing in the room. If you plan on hitting the parks from dawn until PI closes, then perhaps the mod will do you fine.

On the other hand, the moderates only have double beds, the deluxes offer queens.

Personally I do think the deluxes are worth it. I guess my feeling is why would I bother to go away of I can't have the space and amenities that I have at home, if not nicer. I like to be pampered, and I just don't get the level of service I desire at the moderates (and even some of the deluxes!)

Anne

 

[Nik's Mom]

We went through the same decision when my husband and I took our 2 year old for his first trip to WDW. I had originally booked a room at Dixie Landings, which is where we stayed for our honeymoon. When I received a promotion at work, we decided to switch to the Wilderness Lodge. We definitely made the right decision. The hotel is so beautiful! We just loved it! I have to say that the rooms were not that much bigger, but we found the service to be better. And it was nice to be closer to MK. Go with the deluxe! You only live once! Enjoy your raise and spoil yourself.

 

[eeyore0062]

Has any one done this and loved it?

Well, yes and no! We stayed at the WL and didn't find it to be much more convenient than the moderates, the rooms really weren't any bigger, and we didn't stay at the resort long enough for it to make any real difference... so for the WL, no.

We upgraded in January to the Contemporary and LOVED it. We had a garden wing room with a great view of Bay Lake. It was very convenient to MK and the bus service was fantastic. The rooms were HUGE! We spent more time at the resort at this time, because it was so cold outside.

If you aren't going to spend time enjoying the resort, I don't feel that it is worth the extra money to stay at a Deluxe. You will be just as happy at a moderate. The only real difference in that scenario is the proximity to the parks.

 

[smjj]

the last two times, we switched this year to POR and ALK. AKL is a deluxe but is new and we wanted to try it. I think POR is a deluxe for the price of a moderate. We liked the Poly and WL but the money was hard to justify because we spent soo much time away from our rooms. We could have spent as much time visiting the lobbys we stayed at if we were not there and visiting so why pay for the extra except for maybe the monorail resorts. As I said they are nice but not that much nicer. I would like to try the YC/BC but again it is just hard to justify since we are on the go and away from our resort so much..smjj

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you're curious as to what the deluxes are like, then split up your stay. Do 2 nights at a moderate, and 2 nights at a deluxe!

 

[mzmickey]

splitting the stay that is. But I am afraid that we would lose time in transferring our stuff from one resort to the other.

I have to say that I am leaning towards the Contemporary. A good friend of mine pointed out that this is probably our last trip to Disney before we have kids (who knows, maybe we'll try to conceive one at Disney on this trip - LOL!) and that we should "splurge" on ourselves, before we have kids.

I have always dreamed of staying at the Contemporary. And I am thinking that the convenience of the resort to the monorail system will save us enough time that we will be able to enjoy the resort. I don't know, there is just something about waking up and knowing that the MK is in your backyard!

You guys are great and have given me alot to think about. And now I know better, the next time I will be booking this trip on my own, with the help of you guys!

 

[lynr]

MZMICKEY:

The first thing I thought when I read your post was how beautiful the decorations are at the Wilderness Lodge for Christmas. I stayed at the Contemporary and their Decorations were not that great. The Yacht Club I can't comment on yet beause I haven't stayed there.
What ever you decide I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Mzmickey, I believe that if you stay in two Disney resorts, you can request that your bags be sent to your second resort. So you can leave in the morning, have your bags sent, and when you come back for an afternoon break, check in at that point.

Sorry to give you more to have to think about!

 

[Jasmine1237]

If you really want to stay at a Deluxe, and can afford, go ahead and try it. They are attractions to themselves, so just plan on spending some of your time at your resort so you can enjoy it. And the locations are good too. If your budget allows, then why not treat yourself, you only live once... you'll have a good time no matter what though. It's a no lose situation