More "bang for our buck"? Resort experts help, please!

[paigevz]

We had planned on AKL or Poly for the next trip (though I'd love to try the Boardwalk, dh doesn't seem sold on it), and then my mom wanted to come and bring my nephew, which would make us six, so we were going to need two rooms, and being as my mom is on a limited budget, we needed a moderate...........we decided on CBR since we've stayed POR and CSR and wanted to try something new. Now, my sis-in-law will not let my nephew go, so mom is going to come with us, so we'll be 5. I would like opinions on the best "bang for our buck"..........the cheapest experience while still having plenty of magic and convenience, etc...............would it be better to stay 2 bedrooms in a value (dh really doesn't think he'll like the values), or better to have one deluxe, or a FW cabin? Which would give us the best value, in your opinion? And then, which one can we actually have 5 in...........3 adults, 2 kids, no infants under 3? Mom will pay 1/4 to 1/3 of the room, so how can we come near the price of a mod, adding in the 1/4 mom will pay, and have a great time without being on top of each other? And if you don't mind, we'll just figure by rack rate, that way if we're lucky enough to get a code (we never have) it'll be extra savings!

As I said, we've stayed CSR, POR, and WL.......so will want something different than those..................thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

with 5 in the room and no one under 3 - that leaves only the deluxes (except for AKL and WL)

fw cabins

or DVC resorts- BCV, BWV, OKW, SSR and VWL - you would need a 2-bedroom - so very, very expensive.

the POR is the only one that allows 5 that is not a deluxe or DVC.

with the DVC resorts you would get 2 bathrooms - everything else one.

you can rent points from a DVC Member to bring the cost down - but a 2-bedroom is still going to be expensive. (if you rent points - no housekeeping is included - you can have it at an extra charge).

 

[AJKMOM]

We had 5 at AKL. 1 Queen (2), 1 set of bunks (2), and a small daybed that was used as a couch during the day. Our 8 year old was fine.

 

[TJA]

I would say either Fort Wilderness or a wing room at Contemporary (CR) for your group of 5 people. Any other deluxe (besides WL and AKL) will most likely be more expensive.

 

[paigevz]

so sounds like DVC would be too much for sure. Do you think we should try the deluxe route, or two value rooms, or a cabin? We'd save money on the two values, I think, but would the pools, locations, restaurants, etc of the deluxes be worth a little more? Will all the deluxes sleep 5? And will the cabins be cheaper than a deluxe? Well, I could look all of this up myself, I guess, but just wondering what would you do?

 

[conciergekelly]

Have you heard of renting points from the DVC members? It is $10.00 a point. You can get a 2 br. at BWV for 300.00 a night in value season. If you split that it wouldn't be too bad. OKW would be 220.00 a night in value season. You can look on the DVC rent/ trade board.

 

[debbiedoo]

I would recommend renting from a dvc member at OKW. They have larger rooms and the points are the least amount there.

 

[spiceycat]

two values rooms would probably be the cheapest way.

I happen to like the pop century - it is not a deluxe - but it is very nice.

at $59 a room (off season with discount) - they would be hard to beat.

 

[colleen costello]

I believe that Riverside is a beautiful property and priced quite reasonably. We stayed there with my parents last spring break before heading to our DVC room together. We got adjoining rooms and I think the price was $104 per night per room (with a discount code). That means for $208 we got 4 beds and 2 baths. It was really nice. There is a great pool with a slide plus many quiet pools, a food court plus a sit-down restaurant, and lots of "extras" like boats and carriages for rent. We love Riverside and believe it is a good value for the money. I personally feel that 5 in ANY room is tight and would rather pick a resort where I could afford two rooms. I believe there is an old saying "The more bathrooms the happier the guests." If you spend 99% of your time at the parks, 2 rooms at a Value would be a great way to go. We enjoy a lot of time at the resort, so I always book the nicest I can afford.

 

[paigevz]

I am looking into Pop Century, and I'll research the DVC for OKW.......perhaps the poster who thought it would be too much didn't know of the going rate for OKW................unfortunately, Colleen, two mod rooms would be out of our range...........we're looking at all of us together for slightly more than one mod rack price, or two for about the same, which I guess would be values. We did stay at POR once before and it was beautiful..................my mother was with us, but we had only one child then........................more thoughts welcomed!

Edited to add: we are still thinking of deluxes, too!

 

[sandraB]

We stayed at the FW cabins, and really liked it alot!

There is a bedroom with a double and bunk beds, and then a murphy bed in the living room.

It is great because you can have the privacy of your own room, and have all the conviniences of a cabin.

We loved being able to put the kids to bed and watch tv, read, etc.....

the kitchen is awesome, and they even have a barbq on the deck.

It is very quiet because there are no adjoining rooms. The boat to the majic kingdom is very fun. We did use our car for the other parks though.

there is a nightly campfire singalong with chip and dale, and a movie outside. lots of stuff for kids, petting zoo, the beach and playground.

THe cabins are very cute, and decorated in a wilderness theme. I really loved the table (which seats 5-6) and full kitchen.

anyway, just my experience!

 

[MELSMICE]

My suggestion is either a FW cabin or renting points from a DVC owner. Remember, if you rent points from an owner there is no tax on the price, so it may not be as out of your budget as you think.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[dznyntnh]

I haven't stayed at the cabins, but my Uncle (who is almost a bigger Disney nut than me) is sold on them after two recent trips. He takes the whole family and (of course) ends up footing the bill so he looks for the best deal. The cabins have always been that for him.

There always seems to be a good rate for them whether a general code, AAA or AP rate. Plus you can purchase your own food and cook right there and save money that way.

 

[TheIncredibles]

You mentioned you are still considering deluxes. If so, you might find codes or other value saving options, but ultimately you will need to decide the "value" or "cost" for the increased amenities they provide and there impact to those you are bringing.

In other words, do your traveleres want to hang around the hotel? Is walking/bus waiting an issue to you? Will you spend more time at MK and EPCOT? A deluxe on a monorail might still be expensive, but these features and others specific to your plans might give a hidden benefit or "savings" to your group...another way to consider cost vs benefits.

 

[paigevz]

.........thanks, neighbor, that is what I'm trying to consider. Bus wait time is a big deal for us, and my dh really wants to stay at the Poly, with the monorail for the MK that would be very nice..........we really don't want to cook our own food, and FW, well, not too different from Fort Worth, kwim? However, those all star prices, sure are tempting. Just wondering if we'd be happy in them or not. We have 4 pluses and 1 day left on our old Park hoppers, and we are thinking about driving down, staying All Stars and using those, bringing our sandwich fixin's and the whole cost-cutting thing, to check out the All Stars before our next BIG trip. We might fall in love with them.........and without having to buy tickets, we could probably get by with a little trip. Somebody help me convince dh!

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm confused by that comparison?

 

[paigevz]

we have plenty of the rustic, woodsy, horse-riding type stuff where we live near Fort Worth Texas.........and travel, between here and the Oklahoma mountains..................................looking for something a little more vacationy than home-y..................I should've been more clear, sorry.

 

[paigevz]

we're going to try a short drive-down trip and try out the All Star Movies (that's where the kids want to go)......................using our old hoppers. It will be just one day in the parks................and two water parks, but it will let us know what we think of the All Stars and give us a taste of disney to tide us over! 20 hour drive through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and into Florida. Anybody know of a good beach-front stopover? That's not too expensive and is back in business since the hurricanes?

 

[TheIncredibles]

Transpotation Boards will probably give you a wider range of options. Might find somebody who has driven that exact route.