Last Minute Bookings for FTP

[PugLover]

Hey Ya'll,

I haven't posted here in several weeks. Some of you might remember DH and I were planning a belated 4th wedding anniv. trip to WDW using the FTP for a early Sept. trip. I was debating endlessly between the BWI or the CRB.

We had a semi-huge family crises (not involving us thankfully) that required us to do some unplanned travel not once but twice. This took a mega chunk out of our vacation fund and we never got to book the FTP to boot.

We are still going to go and I know we need to book today. Due to this last minute booking I know our resort choices are going to be slim. Partner that with the very reduced reduced budget we have to work with I am not sure what to do. I have been entering all sort of dates/choices on disney's website all morning to see what is avail. in our budget. We want to stay for 8 days (7 w/the FTP and one extra day using a AAA discount). We will be leaving either the first or second Sat. of Sept.

Our new budget and resort avail. will allow us to stay at the following resorts:

Wilderness Lodge with a standard or lodge view OR the CBR or the CSR. The difference in price for the WL views (standard vs. lodge views) is 100.00 and I dont know if it is worth it or not as we can certainly funnell that extra 100.00 to a meal.

The prices for the BWI, AKL and Poly (even w/standard views) are several hundred more so we nixed those right off the bat.

I have read all the FAQ for the WL and CBR and I just cant decide. Any input? Anybody want to decide for me? For your info we will be renting a car.

Edited to add: we really would dig having a balcony in our room. If I understand correctly we can have a balcony w/any view at the WL BUT for a savings of 200.00 (difference of staying at a moderate) we could give it up!

Thanks once again all you wise Disney Guru's!

 

[jkovick]

Are those rooms all still available? (The reason I ask is because some other posters have been saying certain dates are now sold out.) Have a great trip.

 

[PugLover]

Yes, Jen.. all the choices that are doable for us that I listed above are all avail. for the two different weeks we can go.

WL (Standard or Lodge View)
CBR
CSR

 

[jel0511]

If you're really going to go on a reduced budget, I'd suggest CBR. That way, if your dining budget is also going to be trimmed, you'll have the food court available for some quick and cheap meals. If you still plan on eating at some of the more expensive WDW restaurants, I'd stay WL in a lodge (woods) view. The standard views at the WL mainly overlook the service areas or roof peaks. They also are located over the lobby, so can get a big noisy from the restaurant downstairs. The lodge (woods) views overlook either the villas, or the woods and are very quiet. There is a snack bar (better name than food court) at the WL for quick meals, but not something that can be relied upon for meals often. I prefer the ambience of the WL over the CBR, and it is a deluxe resort, with deluxe aminentites. You can request and get turndown service, receive a paper every morning, have a balcony, and have interior corridors at WL. You won't receive any of these at CBR.

 

[safetymom]

You won't have a private balcony at CBR but it is a beautiful resort. We truly feel like we have escaped when we stay at CBR. It really is beautiful.

 

[mep319]

I'd go for WL. Ever since we stayed we haven't been back to the moderates, not to say they aren't nice. But it is a deluxe resort and the proximity to Mk can't be beat. We had a woods views, it was very quiet and sitting on the balcony was nice but we rarely did it. (Trees aren't a thrill for us) So I'd go for the standard view and save the money. Just my imput!

 

[jkovick]

You are celebrating an anniversary and you have just had a family crisis--- I'd say go for the WL. You can have the balcony you would like and you can't beat WL for calm relaxing atmosphere. Have a great trip!

 

[woody5]

I feel it depends on how much you would use the amenities at the WL vs CBR. WE have stayed at both. We loved the WL but didn't feel as though we used the amenities of the deluxe resorts. We spend most of our time at the parks. Mostly we just swim at the resort. The difference for the two being two hundred dollars buys several nice meals. It is a tough choice but I would probably do the moderate if I were trying to scale back the costs. Good luck deciding.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

DH and I love the CBR. The balconies are private, but the last several times we were there the resort was very quiet. We even went one year during the Cheerleading competitions and didn't have any trouble with them at the resort. (I think they were all at the All Stars!). $200 is a chunk of change if you aren't going to spend a lot of time in your room.

 

[PugLover]

Thanks so much for the input/suggestions everybody!

We are very impressed with the Deluxe resorts from what we learned on these boards and would love to stay in one someday. That being said we just firmly decided on the CBR. The cost difference between the WL (lodge view) and the CBR was substantial enough that it would pay for our rental car for 8 days and the majority of one of our plane tickets. That made the decision fairly simple, lol.

We certainly plan to use the resort as a big part of our vacation.. just walking the grounds, lying on the beach and swimming and I think the CBR will work out wonderfully! We are not sure if we are big time "park people" since this is our first visit to WDW but we have Epcot very high on our list! We will visit the deluxe resorts to check them out and we are planning on 4 upscale dinners at resort restaurants.

We probably could swing the deluxe but we decided not to add any unecessary financial stress. We have a planned vacation with my sister/brother-in-law for Thanksgiving and a vacation w/friends in late Feb. or early March. This will be the perfect compromise financially for us.

Today is our actual 4th wedding anniversary and DH just sent me the most stunning flowers, we booked the CBR and are going out for a wonderful dinner tonight. Things arent too shabby

Thanks again!
Nicole

 

[iwannabeminnie]

Congratulations! When you get to CBR make sure you take the time to try out one of the hammocks on the beach. I great place to snuggle and watch the stars come out, or to watch the sunrise if you are a morning person. Very romantic.

 

[safetymom]

Be sure to watch the fireworks from Epcot on the beach at 9 PM. Laying in the hammocks is a great way to view them. The beach by Martinique gives a great view.

 

[PugLover]

Thanks for the tips! Glad to see there are some CBR experts here. Have a great day