Is your NEED to go to WDW greater then your NEED to stay at your Fav. Resort?

[milmore104]

Silly question I know but I need a little help. My DH and I decided to go back to WDW in May 04' because we had went all out on our last trip. But that Disney Bug is REALLY itching me. We need to go to WDW. I don't think I can wait until May. I was thinking of going in Oct. or Nov.! But I don't think I could save up enough money to go for 12 days and stay at the AKL. I was wondering if my fellow Disers could help. We really love AKL and don't want to stay anywhere else. But I think my need to go to WDW is greater than staying there. But it is really close! What would you do?

Just a little more info. I know you all will say split your stay but it is not an option. My DH refuses to do it. This is his only stipulation he has, For ANYTHING!
And I really don't want to shorten my stay. We are from the Canadian Border of NY. It is a little town with not a lot of air line deals, if you know what I mean. We have to drive 4 hours to get to the airport and we usually spend the night there so if I'm going on a vacation I'm going for at least 10 nights!
Thanks

 

[PamNC]

and a difficult one to answer.

if you had asked me this question say 4 or 5 years ago I would say my need to visit outweighed my need to stay at my favorite resort.

Now, I'd be really torn and would lean towards holding out for my favorite resort. Why? Because we've gone every year at least once since our honeymoon in 1994. Therefore, we don't do commando touring. We do enjoy the parks, but we almost equally enjoy the resort. YC/BC is our favorite and I think the only way I would go and not stay there is if I got a super, kick-butt deal at the Swan or Dolphin. I choose those resorts because they are in the Epcot resort area and often have good deals.

Otherwise, I would problably either shorten my trip and stay at my favorite, or wait until I could afford my favorite.

I think - I'm not 100% sure that I would hold out but I'd say I'm about 90% sure.

PamNC

 

[MermaidsMom]

Interesting question! EVERY TRIP I toy with staying off site and always end up staying onsite at the last minute. I don't know why I can't make the change but I can't!

 

[DrTomorrow]

There's a few resorts I'd probably delay a trip rather than stay at (and the GF might just be on it), but a longer list that I'd 'settle' for . But's that using cold logic - if push came to shove, I'd probably sleep under the Racetrack bleachers for another trip to WDW!

 

[jkovick]

If it were me, since this is a spur of the moment trip, and $$ is an issue, I would try a moderate. Especially if you are going again in May. Look at this trip as a "bonus" and go all out,as planned, for the trip in May! Good Luck and have a great trip.

 

[adams66]

I know exactly how you feel

We are planning on a Thanksgiving trip. Right now, I have rooms at BWV (first try on DVC points) and Poly Conc. My 2 DS's loved Poly this past Jan. but I really wanted to try BC/YC for SAB. And now, mousesavers has some incredible deals for preferred offsite hotels. My practical side says save the extra $ and try offsite, but my Disney side says "are you nuts"

We stayed at the AKL on the trip before last and all I can say is that it is probably the most relaxing resort I've ever been too. Have I answered your question yet?? LOL!

I say that it depends on your touring style. If you do the commando-style like my one DSister, then compromise on the hotel - she usually just goes for the All Stars because she only sleeps there. If you like to spend a lot of time at the resort, then don't give in...you'll regret it. There is no comparison to a day spent at the All Star pool compared to one at the AKL pool and savannah watching. There....that's my 2 cents. Did I answer your question yet???

 

[antkim]

I have stayed at values and deluxes depending on finances and I can tell you we have had wonderful trips at all the resorts. We will be staying at a value on our next trip because the deluxe is out of the question this trip(staying in St.Pete for a week after WDW). Our last trip was split between 2 deluxe resorts and I can honestly say I have no problem going back to a value just so we can go!
Kim

 

[boston-yachter]

what about investing in an Annual Pass...
since your returning in MAY...you will get good use out of it...and possibly another discount on that suite you have reserved...
If you have APs...then wait to see what the discounts are...usually good ones come out for october/november...but theres a whole other thread to look into for that...

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Ok answer this: Do you still get to go to the akl as planned, if you go this fall off site? And what kind of "off site" are you talking? There's s/d, the official hotels of wdw, Marriot, hyatt, 192, usf resorts, I-drive, kissimiee, etc....? Makes a big difference.

S/D: is basically on site.

Official hotels of wdw:v Hilton gets early hour, & all get e-nite's they are located by dtd, have fairly good bus transportantion, and running pretty good deals. Not a bad options.

Universal Studios Resorts: if your doing IOA or USF is a good choice due to the FOTL options. but a drive to wdw. Nice resorts, good deals and discounts now.

Other options: Very off site I'm not really interested in. Unless I still get the other trip, and it's a deal of a life time. Talk me into it.

 

[cindala]

A VERY BIG part of our enjoyment in going to WDW, is staying at the YC Resort. If that resort wasn't there, I don' know if we would even go as often.


Cosidering the expense from where you are coming, the Canandian dollar conversion too, maybe you are better off trying to hold out as hard as that may be.


sunny:

 

[diskids2]

I have stayed off and on site. Off site at a hotel on 192. I love staying onsite, but I would always go off site if that is the only way I could go. I had a great trip even then.

 

[Gemm01]

If it were me, knowing I would be back pretty soon at the resort I love, I would opt for one of the AS resorts. I know this is not for everybody but a value resort is better than no Disney at all or putting yourself in a bind.


Jennie

 

[CamColt]

Absolutely I would go and stay elsewhere. I love everything about the Poly, but I cant afford that for every trip. Yes we sometimes try to spend the last night there, but even if we couldnt, like this August trip, Id still go. Im thrilled about going to WDW, and staying at ASMO, another wonderful resort even if its not my top favorite...but pretty close.

 

[ptrbryant]

We can only afford one real family vacation a year and we're in love with WL! Staying there is a big part of the pleasure of our WDW vacation. If we went to the parks and stayed at a hotel off-site or a value resort, it would have to feel like "not the trip we'd hoped for" and in that case, any money spent wouldn't have been spent wisely for us. I'd rather wait and spend the money on a vacation we TRULY want than spend any money on a vacation that is just okay. Also, we're not HUGE ride fans, etc., so the parks all on their own are maybe 60% of our pleasure at WDW. We LOVE the atmosphere at WL, the leisurely walks, the pool, etc.
Karla B.

 

[milmore104]

Thanks everyone. You are giving me some great advice! I should have given just a little more info to you all. We do have current AP's. We got them on our last trip in Nov. that's why I really want to go I want to get some more use out of them. We only used them that one trip but it was for 16 days so the price was better then a UH. Anyway I just ironicly got an email on airfare prices and I found a great deal on tickets. Only $405 for 3 tickets. we would have to drive an extra hour to a different airport but I would! So I'm hoping I will see the AP rates come out soon and see what they offer for the AKL. I do have one other option. My DH really wants to stay at the CSR and I really don't want to so I could stay there!
Also for those wondering I don't think we would make it back in May if we went in Oct. But you never know! We said on our last trip we wouldn't go back until we added to our family and look at me now!

 

[safetymom]

We stay at the moderates so we can go several times a year. I would rather go several times at a moderate than just 1 time at a deluxe.

 

[DrTomorrow]

milmore104,

So you have APs and low-cost flights, but are uncertain about CSR. Given the low marginal cost of the trip, unless you are vehemently opposed to CSR, I'd go for it. Consider it a bonus trip. And be careful about assumptions for the future; you never know what can happen between now and next May, go for the trip now. We purchased PAP vouchers in March, planning on trips this Oct, next Spring, next Sept. But lo and behold, out came the FTP. Thankfully, the vouchers are good forever, and we can afford to have them locked away until next year. Moral: Things change (particularly Disney) enough to make planning difficult.

Best of luck.

 

[walt's assistant]

I was going to tell you to just hold out until May but then I saw your last post and my mind changed. Stay at a place you can afford but go in October. You should try and get one more use out of those APs. So you don't stay at AKL...you DO get to discover a new property.

We are big CR fans but are going to stay at YC for the first time. We've read many positive things and thought we'd try something new. We've done this before with WL, DVC VB, LBV Hilton and enjoyed it!


Good luck!


WA

P.S.: Personally I agree with your DH...moving around is a pain (though I understand that others enjoy it).

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I love WDW so much that I would stay *anywhere* as long as it is still on WDW property. I must say that The All Stars would be my very last choice because I hate the decor of the large icons.

I can only afford to go to WDW one week per year, anyway.
I sure wish I could go more often.

I am lucky in the fact that I live only 5 miles from the Albany, N.Y. airport.

 

[susy]

I would give CSR a try. We stayed t AKL for my birhtday and WOWW!!!!!!!! AKL is spectacular. It's not just another "nice hotel". It has that something very unique and rare! That being said, we tried CSR for our anniversary. We were really impressed. We only had CBR (as a mod) to compare it to. While we liked CBR, we were blown away by CSR. What a nice place for so little $$$$$. I told my DH while we were there that if this was all we could every afford I would be very happy. The rooms are just okay. Just your average (but well themed) moderate resort room. All the amenities were there. The pool, food, gift shop, lobby, landscaping and the architecture here are magnificent. You wil have to take the time to walk (or ride a bike) all the way through the resort. I think th Ranchos are the best themed, even though I didn't like the pictures I'd seen, If you want something a little more formal looking, try to get Casitas with a water view. The pool is just as pretty as the Poly's wth a great slde and HUGE hot tub!

The All Stars... yes, I would rather stay here than not go. The resorts have a lot of energy. The food courts are the best, the pools are really cute and the rooms are clean and adequate. The landscaping is really nice and I was surprised at how nice it was. We even saw bunnies here several times. You must walk around to all the areas and see all the cute icons and laugh at the tacky ones. If you go with the right attitude, you will love it. The buses were great here!