Need a *patient* Diser to hold my hand for a minute.

[brooklynnbaby]

I am *thoroughly* overwhelmed with trying to figure out the new discounts.

2 adults, 3 children.

We are booked, as of a month ago, for 6 nights (11/28-12/4) at POR, free dining (before new deals), 7 day base tickets (which we intend to upgrade to Hoppers once we are in The World). When all is said and done, including trip insurance, we're at just over $2200.

However... lol.

If we can 1) save money on our existing reservation, 2) stay longer, and/or 2) get more spacious accommodations (suite or villa) for the same amount (give or take, within reason... maybe +/- $500), I'd be ALL over it. But all the numbers I'm punching are pretty much sixes or totally out of our budget.

Then I read about all these amazing savings people have with the room discounts or free dining and I feel left out (can you hear the violin in the background? ). WHAT AM I MISSING HERE? I feel like I "get it" and technically am saving a lot of money with free dining. But at the same time, that I'm missing a critical piece of working the deal. That I could be saving more... or spending the same amount for something "better", kwim?

We'd like to stick with DDP, regardless of resort. And I'm fine to buy tickets from an outside source if needed.

A post or PM from someone who's feeling generous and has mercy on a first-timer who really has tried to figure things out and read just about everything she can read.... and can help me even just sort out my thoughts, I will sleep better tonight. :lol: And send lots of pixie dust vibes your way.

 

[padawans]

If you want to upgrade to a deluxe or villa a room discount will save you more money. For example our stay at poly with 40% off saved us 1600. FD would have saved us about 950. Look for room discounts if you wan't to upgrade.

 

[disney*mom*82]

The free dining is saving you about $110 a day. That is a guess, I havent looked at exact cost for that time frame, but it is roughly $40 per adult per day and $10 per child per day. If you were to switch to a room only discount, you loose free dining, so you will be picking up that charge, You would want to make sure the other discount saves you that much more to break even. Since you plan to get DDP anyways and tickets Im assuming, Im pretty sure you have the best deal for your family as is. And POR is the best resort, IMO! You will have a wonderful time, enjoy!

 

[brooklynnbaby]

If you want to upgrade to a deluxe or villa a room discount will save you more money. For example our stay at poly with 40% off saved us 1600. FD would have saved us about 950. Look for room discounts if you wan't to upgrade.

The free dining is saving you about $110 a day. That is a guess, I havent looked at exact cost for that time frame, but it is roughly $40 per adult per day and $10 per child per day. If you were to switch to a room only discount, you loose free dining, so you will be picking up that charge, You would want to make sure the other discount saves you that much more to break even. Since you plan to get DDP anyways and tickets Im assuming, Im pretty sure you have the best deal for your family as is. And POR is the best resort, IMO! You will have a wonderful time, enjoy!

Thank you to both of you! And yes disneymom, you're almost right on with the FD... it's $120/day for the five of us.
So it seems that my number punching is on the money, to to speak. Lots of different combos, but the total doesn't really change by all that much (unless we go from mod to deluxe or villa).

 

[snykymom]

And remember that you must buy at least a one day base ticket for each member of your party to get the (paid for) DDP, so buying tickets elsewhere won't really save you much.

 

[geenerbell]

If you upgrade to larger accomodations you may have to spend more than 2200, but you may save more with 40% off a villa. I think 2200 for five people is a good deal but you'll have to add the $250 for hoppers to that.

 

[Coconuts]

I think your current ressie sounds like a good deal. All of the huge savings you are reading about are actually similar to a deal that you are getting. If anyone is saving more than $1000, usually they either have large families(saving for lots of people/adults on FD) or using a room discount at a deluxe or villa(40% off a more expensive resort gives you bigger savings). Make sense?

In short, FD is a better discount for your family at a value or mod; the room discount isn't as much. If you switched to a deluxe or villa, room % discount would be better, but essentially you have to spend more to save more.

Hope this helps.

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Well, I think I've worked something out that will work very well for us!

I kept our original FD reservation and added a room-only reservation for a second room for just over $500. So, we will have ample room (which was our main reason for wanting a suite/villa), still at the resort we want, AND still *much* cheaper than booking a suite or villa.

ETA: Also, now, considering just one reservation at the FW Cabins. Still leaning toward the two room ressie, but that's still an option. Gonna sleep on it.

 

[disney*mom*82]

Thats a good idea! We are a family of 5 and always stay at POR and only get one room, wouldnt dream of a second room or a different resort, but that is just us. We know that we barely spend time at the resort, even with our upcomming reservation for 2 weeks in Dec, we still will just have 1 room. $500 isnt a huge chunk for double the space either, so if you really want to stick with that, it is a good idea. As long as they make sure the rooms are joined. We went with some friends last time and our rooms were joined, it was nice.

As for Wilderess Cabin, we have stayed there too. It is nice and a lot more room that a room at POR. It is ideal if you want a full kitchen for any reason. It has 1 bedroom with 1 bed and a set of bunkbeds and the living room has one of the beds that can pull out of the wall. I liked the cabin, just didnt care for the property.

We LOOOOOVE POR and this is the only resort we stay at when there anymore and we dont plan on changing that for anything as of now!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

If you want to upgrade to a deluxe or villa a room discount will save you more money. For example our stay at poly with 40% off saved us 1600. FD would have saved us about 950. Look for room discounts if you wan't to upgrade.

Yes, but she's paying $1,200.00 more for the room and she still have to pay for food for her trip for 5 people and that will add up to way more than $400.00.

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Thats a good idea! We are a family of 5 and always stay at POR and only get one room, wouldnt dream of a second room or a different resort, but that is just us. We know that we barely spend time at the resort, even with our upcomming reservation for 2 weeks in Dec, we still will just have 1 room. $500 isnt a huge chunk for double the space either, so if you really want to stick with that, it is a good idea. As long as they make sure the rooms are joined. We went with some friends last time and our rooms were joined, it was nice.

As for Wilderess Cabin, we have stayed there too. It is nice and a lot more room that a room at POR. It is ideal if you want a full kitchen for any reason. It has 1 bedroom with 1 bed and a set of bunkbeds and the living room has one of the beds that can pull out of the wall. I liked the cabin, just didnt care for the property.

We LOOOOOVE POR and this is the only resort we stay at when there anymore and we dont plan on changing that for anything as of now!

I've heard such wonderful things about POR, I really got my heart set on being there for our first trip, so I'm going to try and make it work. And I think it will!

I KNOW we won't make it a whole day in the parks, so we will be doing mid-day breaks at the hotel. And DH is 6'4" and can use up a double bed all on his own. :lol: Plus, we'll appreciate the private time after the kids are down for the night. I'm feeling pretty excited about the two rooms. And if it's too much, we know for next time.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I've heard such wonderful things about POR, I really got my heart set on being there for our first trip, so I'm going to try and make it work. And I think it will!

I KNOW we won't make it a whole day in the parks, so we will be doing mid-day breaks at the hotel. And DH is 6'4" and can use up a double bed all on his own. :lol: Plus, we'll appreciate the private time after the kids are down for the night. I'm feeling pretty excited about the two rooms. And if it's too much, we know for next time.

I think that you would enjoy POR. Having two rooms would be a luxury. Remeber that Disney cannot guarantee that they would be side by side. That is one reason why we did upgrade to deluxe. I did not want to chance it from what the DISers said.

 

[brooklynnbaby]

I think that you would enjoy POR. Having two rooms would be a luxury. Remeber that Disney cannot guarantee that they would be side by side. That is one reason why we did upgrade to deluxe. I did not want to chance it from what the DISers said.

Yeah, that's sitting in the back of my mind. I'm hoping because our oldest is only 7, they'll take mercy on us. But I'll do everything I can to cover my bases and just hope for the best.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

Brooklynnbaby,

Have you considered staying at All Star Music Family Suites. I just priced it out and they still have availability. For your dates, with six day tickets, and upgrading to regular dining plan the price came to $2,597.20. This option is well within your price range.

In addition, you and your hubby would have a bedroom with a queen sized bed, a nice upgrade from the Full beds at the rest of the Values and all the Mods except CSR. You would have a kitchenette for getting ready in the morning. All of the suites are in a preferred location. You get two bathrooms.

They really are nice rooms with plenty of space.

If you kept the Counter Service Meal Plan you would spend just $2440.21.

The suite also gurantees your kids are in the room next to you.

I also think it wise to hold off on park hoppers until you are on property. If you get hoppers and then realize you didin't use them, you cannot get a refund, but if you get there and realize, hey I want to hop any ticket window will happily add the option and take your money. Same goes for water park option. If you buy ahead of time and then get there to a week of downpours and lightening, you are out of money spent.

Here is a nice thread with everything anyone ever wanted to know about the family suites. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Brooklynnbaby,

Have you considered staying at All Star Music Family Suites. I just priced it out and they still have availability. For your dates, with six day tickets, and upgrading to regular dining plan the price came to $2,597.20. This option is well within your price range.

In addition, you and your hubby would have a bedroom with a queen sized bed, a nice upgrade from the Full beds at the rest of the Values and all the Mods except CSR. You would have a kitchenette for getting ready in the morning. All of the suites are in a preferred location. You get two bathrooms.

They really are nice rooms with plenty of space.

If you kept the Counter Service Meal Plan you would spend just $2440.21.

The suite also gurantees your kids are in the room next to you.

I also think it wise to hold off on park hoppers until you are on property. If you get hoppers and then realize you didin't use them, you cannot get a refund, but if you get there and realize, hey I want to hop any ticket window will happily add the option and take your money. Same goes for water park option. If you buy ahead of time and then get there to a week of downpours and lightening, you are out of money spent.

Here is a nice thread with everything anyone ever wanted to know about the family suites. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409

We have looked at them... and technically, it's still on the table as well. Can't say it's not tempting, very honestly. But I can't explain my draw to POR. We'll see how much my anxiety rules as we get closer to pay-off date, lol.

 

[Tammydc30]

Reservations will promise connecting rooms if there is only two adults and three children. This is what they told us anyway!

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Reservations will promise connecting rooms if there is only two adults and three children. This is what they told us anyway!

Oh I really hope that's true - and it's the most logical answer! Our reservations say connecting rooms are guaranteed, but I know from the message boards that's not always the case, so.... yeah.

 

[northcoast_momma]

We're a family of 5 as well (kids are 10, 8 and 7). We stayed in the family suites as Disney Music last year and LOVED them. Yes, POR has a better setting - but we loved having our own room and knowing the kids had their own space right next to us. If we stayed at POR, we'd have to do one room and put someone on the trundle. PLUS I agree with the other poster re: the bed sizes (we have a king at home - hubby is 6 ft 3....so a full sized bed is out of the question - we'd have to split and ea. sleep with a kid)...

We're doing a multi-family trip this year and we're staying in the Treehouse Villas (40% off the room saved us more than free dining).

Good luck