Lower Disney budget for us next year, where to stay??

[dean308]

Hi everyone!

Just looking for a few ideas and opinions if possible.

Been lucky enough to go to Disney the last 3 years (having also been on other family trips as a boy)....

Stayed at the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn. All pretty similar because of their style and location, but that is why we have chosen them each year.....(also stayed at the Beach Club when I was younger and enjoyed being close enough to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and having a good variety of restaurants to choose from etc.)

We always go in January to catch a decent deal with prices and Dining, but even with the free Dining for 2013 being released, we can't justify staying at any of the previous hotels we have enjoyed. Prices seem to have gone up compared to the (possibly) magic prices we have stumbles across before.

Saratoga Springs and Old Key West aren't areas we have ever had a good look around before, but we are considering these for our 2013 trip. They work out so much cheaper than Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn.

We love Downtown Disney and spend a lot of time there in the evenings.

What is everyone's opinions of these hotels which would be a new Disney adventure for us for a 14 or possibly 17 night stay. Also open to other ideas if anyone has a suggestion thanks we have noticed that Animal Kingdom Lodge works out cheaper than BC, YC and BI. But to us it always feels a little too much out of the way of the other Disney attractions. We travel there each trip to look around the beautiful grounds or to try Jiko's, Boma and Sanaa. Is it somewhere to maybe consider 7 nights at?... and split stay with another hotel that would be closer to more of the theme parks and attractions?

Split trip between 2 different Disney hotels is a small possibility, but seems difficult to calculate with getting a good deal on the money side $$$ with dining and tickets etc...

Really unsure of where else to try, so open to ideas

Hope everyone has plenty of fun planning their own trips too!! I'll be happy to help out with any questions on the all the Parks and 3 hotels I have stayed at (and also managed to tick off a lot of the amazing different restaurants!)

Thanks in advance,

Dean

 

[micksn]

Just got back from OKW and really loved it! It has a very relaxed feel and the CM's are really welcoming. We stayed in a studio which is similar to a regular disney room with 2 queen beds, table and chairs, balcony and bathroom, but it also has small kitchen area which was really useful. The boat to DTD is an added bonus it stops at Pleasure island (very handy for Raglan Road and T rex) We found the buses pretty quiet and regular and were able to make it to all the parks in time for opening. The food counter and shop are small, but they are useful for basic needs (snacks and drinks) and were never too crowded. We stayed at AKL 4 years ago and loved it there too, but it is now quite a lot more than OKW, the rooms and balconies are a bit smaller although nicely decorated.We didn't have a problem with buses there either and only DTD seemed like a treck from what I remember! Happy planning!!

 

[mackay_j]

do know about ss but we were at OKW this year. It is a lovely resort but I would not choose to stay at a studio again. The problem we had was the noise form the aircon. It was a similar noise and level to that on a plane when you are seated over the engine. And as it cut on and off it would waken 2 out of the 4 of us each time it came on in the night. We spoke with reception about this and were told it is the biggest source of issues/ complaints that the resort has. We have also stayed at POR and did not have the same problem at that resort and as they have been redecorated I may be tempted to stay there if we go back.

 

[wen-tom]

if you spend a lot of time at downtown disney then either SS or OKW are a great choice. SS is a short walk from the marketplace side of DD and it's a nice relaxing walk. there are also the boats from the resort to DD.

We really enjoyed the location of SS as we enjoy DD but the resort is huge and so it can be a trek to get from your room to the main building if you are in a certain area. You could always request a nearer section though and you can use the buses to get around the resort too.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Just to throw in another idea, have you considered the Wilderness Lodge, I have to say it didn't appeal to me but I fell in love with it when we stayed there and it has a boat service straight to MK. The price is only a little more than AKL, we are going back August 2013. Have also stayed at SSR - it was nice but I wouldn't rush back and it wasn't anywhere on a level with Beach Club (you mentioned you had stayed there) we have also stayed there. They seem to market SSR and OKW as deluxe and whilst they are nice, I find they don't really compare to an actual deluxe hotel. Hope this helps a little!

 

[dean308]

Thanks for all the replies! I really do like the Wilderness and have never stayed there, but I just can't believe how much cheaper SS and OKW work out now compared to the true Deluxe options such as Wilderness Lodge, AK, BC etc...

Maybe we will persuade ourselves to spend more again because we really do love all the "Epcot resorts!"

But a change is always good and maybe a week at Wilderness and a week at SS would be good.....how is everyone's experience with 2 different Disney hotels in a fortnight?

Thanks again for the replies

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Hello, changing Disney resorts is easy, but before I continue, I will warn you that if going during free dining you will only get the dining during the first portion of your stay, Disney will not let you move hotels, not even to one of equal rank and continue the dining.

Changing hotels goes like this, on the day of check out at Hotel A, leave luggage with bell services and explain you need it transferring to Hotel B. Go check out at the front desk and enjoy your day. At your allotted check in time or later, rock up at the front desk of Hotel B, check in, then ask bell services to transport your safely transferred luggage up to your room - simple. We have done this several times.

 

[Paivafamily12]

Subscribing

 

[dean308]

Is there no way at all to get a split stay where we could benefit from free dining in both weeks? Is the solution to force yourself to buy park tickets for each week separately for each weeks hotel booking (which would cost an extra £500 for 2 people's park tickets @ 2013 prices).... but then you could have the benefit of the dining (which may actually be worth less than that?? Oops! I don't know!)

Sorry...contradicting myself there.

Anyway, any more ideas would be great as to where people can recommend.

We love BC/YC as stated earlier, but we only ever use the amazing pool once every trip (and the weather in January can be surprisingly cool or it can be quite hot)....so basing a trip on hotel facilities isn't always important to us. I just can't believe that Saratoga (with tickets & dining) works out less than half the price of the Epcot resorts (with the same tickets & dining options) for a fortnight in January 2013.

 

[wayneg]

Your only option to do split stay and get free DDP at both is buy 2 lots of tickets, highly doubt its worth it.

OKW & SSR are so much lower because they are offering 38% discount, you are paying rack rate for the Epcot resorts. Its been something they have offered for about 4 or 5 years now, although upto this year we have had 48% off. Less discount for next year.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Your only option to do split stay and get free DDP at both is buy 2 lots of tickets, highly doubt its worth it.

OKW & SSR are so much lower because they are offering 38% discount, you are paying rack rate for the Epcot resorts. Its been something they have offered for about 4 or 5 years now, although upto this year we have had 48% off. Less discount for next year.

Ah I did not realise the lower discount started from just next year only

 

[torsie24]

We adore AKL. So are always very quick to recommend it.

I know on a map it is out of the way. But I have to say the bus transportation is the best of the resorts we've stayed in. The others being BW, GF & BLT.

Yes you can walk to a park from BW and BLT and the GF has the boat and monorail. But if you want to go to any others I found the buses at the Contemporary and BW to be much slower than AKL.

We've been lucky and always gotten wonderful views of the main savannah. So I would say pay for a view if you stay there.

We spend a lot of time in our resort so having a nice room and view is important for us. That being said I was looking at photos of an OKW 1 bed yesterday and it looked gorgeous. So we might give it a go one year.

 

[debbiedoo]

Absolutely love AKL. I have stayed at OKW and SSR. OKW has its own charm and have always enjoyed out stays there.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[wayneg]

Absolutely love AKL. I have stayed at OKW and SSR. OKW has its own charm and have always enjoyed out stays there.

Totally agree, loved our stay at AKL but for us it has to be Savannah view which is too expensive for me now. Just stayed at OKW for 4th time, enjoy just as much as AKL, for a relaxing holiday I would choose OKW over AKL myself, something about the resort that is so peaceful.
I didn't like pool at AKL same as I don't like the main pool at OKW, I know I wouldn't enjoy BC/YC pool all too busy for me.

 

[Samaya]

Is there no way at all to get a split stay where we could benefit from free dining in both weeks? Is the solution to force yourself to buy park tickets for each week separately for each weeks hotel booking (which would cost an extra £500 for 2 people's park tickets @ 2013 prices).... but then you could have the benefit of the dining (which may actually be worth less than that?? Oops! I don't know!)

Sorry...contradicting myself there.

Anyway, any more ideas would be great as to where people can recommend.

We love BC/YC as stated earlier, but we only ever use the amazing pool once every trip (and the weather in January can be surprisingly cool or it can be quite hot)....so basing a trip on hotel facilities isn't always important to us. I just can't believe that Saratoga (with tickets & dining) works out less than half the price of the Epcot resorts (with the same tickets & dining options) for a fortnight in January 2013.

Hi Dean and here's another option to think about which is possibly less than booking at an Epcot or Magic Kingdom Resort and allows for split stays with the option to purchase any type of meal plan or just pay as you dine.

Renting points from a Disney Vacation Club Member might be worth exploring and depending on availability you can stay at any of the DVC resorts which includes Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake Tower, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and Wilderness Lodge Villas.

The cost per point through David's rental (www.dvcrequest.com) is $13.00 but you could also rent points directly from a member for normally between $10.00 and £12.00 per point, check that out at http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

Except for OKW or SSR there's little to no availability for a 14 night stay in January as most DVC studio's are fully booked 6-months before, also to remember is the popular Disney Marathon which takes place between 10-13 January, so the earliest 14-day rentals I found had a check-in date of Saturday January 26 and checking out on February 9, 2013 and those are...

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort in a studio with a lake view for 268 vacation points, so the price for renting ranges between $2,680 and $3,484.

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge in a studio for 231 vacation points, so the price for renting ranges between $2,310 and $3,003.

Disney's BoardWalk Villas Studio with Garden or Pool View for 236 vacation points, so the price for renting ranges between $2,360 and $3,068.

Disney's Beach Club Villas, Deluxe Studio for 231 vacation points, so the price for renting ranges between $2,310 and $3,003.

Therefore, the approximate costs in GBP's for 2-weeks in a studio ranges between £1,500 and £2,200.

Add in the cost of any of the 2013 dinning plans at....

Disney Dining Plan is $55.59 per night per guest. Approximately £1,000 for 2-guest over 14-nights
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is $37.58 per night
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is $99.97 per night

So you could have 2-weeks at the Boardwalk for a maximum of $3,062 about £1,940 plus £1,000 for two dinning plans plus £504 for two 14-day tickets, a maximum total of £3,444.

Or you could have 1 week at the Beach Club plus 1 week at Bay Lake Towers for a maximum of $3,244 about £2,050 plus £1,000 for two dinning plans plus £504 for two 14-day tickets, a maximum total of £3,554.

The benefit of renting points over booking through Disney at resorts other than OKW and SSR means you can do split stays and have the option of the dinning plans and hopefully at a lower price.

Hope this helps and good luck with your planning....

 

[disneyholic family]

i've stayed at almost all of the WDW resorts and all of the deluxes (usually on concierge level)....of all the resorts, my favorites are GF and WL....

having said the above, we loved staying at OKW....we've stayed there 4 times.....i love the theming, the friendliness of the CMs, and love love love the 2 bedroom there!!..
i wouldn't hesitate to stay there again!!!

 

[dean308]

These replies are great, DVC renting/point purchasing isn't anything we have looked at before, what are the pro's and con's to it? There is no mouse cleaning included is there? To us this is always a big perk to going on holiday.....but I suppose the difference in £££ and $$$ is quite big, as illustrated above....thank you for the great input

 

[Tink2312]

I can recommend David's DVC rentals having used them last Christmas to supplement our own DVC points. If you love the Epcot resorts, i'd recommend the renting points option and then you can stay where you really want to. Having said that, we've stayed at SSR twice using the free dining promotion and loved it. If you decide to go down the rentals route and fancy a change from the Epcot resorts, why not try a split stay with BLT? I'm biased because it's my "home" resort but I absolutely love it and it's my favourite DVC resort.

When renting you'll be treated like a member and will essentially get 2 maid services a week - one just to replenish towels and clear trash and one a full clean. However you can pay extra to have more in between. We've not found this a problem since joining DVC and in fact, I prefer it as it means no maid coming in every day and no disruption should we want a lie in/ lazy morning.

 

[Samaya]

These replies are great, DVC renting/point purchasing isn't anything we have looked at before, what are the pro's and con's to it? There is no mouse cleaning included is there? To us this is always a big perk to going on holiday.....but I suppose the difference in £££ and $$$ is quite big, as illustrated above....thank you for the great input

Con's
When booking with David's rentals there is a no cancelation policy, as all Sales are Final, so you must be 100% sure of your dates. When renting directly through some members they will allow for a limited cancellation policy and each member will be slightly different. But as you would normally take out travel insurance, then if you need to cancel because of sickness then that should cover your loss, but best to check that out with your insurance company first.

There is no daily housekeeping when staying on points and is limited to the following.

Trash & Towel Service

For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:
Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
Provide fresh bathroom linens.
Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service

For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12.

With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:
Change the bed linens.
Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
Clean the bathroom(s).
Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Con's
When booking with David's rentals there is a no cancelation policy, as all Sales are Final, so you must be 100% sure of your dates. When renting directly through some members they will allow for a limited cancellation policy and each member will be slightly different. But as you would normally take out travel insurance, then if you need to cancel because of sickness then that should cover your loss, but best to check that out with your insurance company first.

There is no daily housekeeping when staying on points and is limited to the following.

Trash & Towel Service

For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:
Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
Provide fresh bathroom linens.
Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service

For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12.

With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:
Change the bed linens.
Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
Clean the bathroom(s).
Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

I think the only thing that I would miss is fresh towels daily