Need some advice...

[familydisney]

So we have planned a last minute and well deserved trip to the World this July. We got great (by Denver standards) airfare and YES tickets, but we are struggling to get a good resort deal.

So far, the only DVC that is available for the whole trip is Saratoga Springs, which has never held any interest to us at all. We aren't big DTD fans and love theming. Still, it is a deluxe, though the kids would have to sleep on a pull out. We can get it for $1320.

The other alternative is Caribbean Beach. Through the 20% off, we can get it for $1395. It is a moderate, but it has slightly more theming. It is also not one we have ever considered since it doesn't get much love on the boards. It also apparently has only full beds?


What would you choose? Pop Century is only $200 less, so I think these are the cheapest and best deals. The problem is I can't get excited about either one. I usually stay at AKL and LOVE it there, but I know we will love anywhere that's on-property. Please help me choose and pump be up about our choices.

 

[bnk1120]

We planned a last minute trip last July and SSR was the only resort available. We are DVC owners at WLV and really love the beautiful theming there. We found SSR to be wonderful! The main pool was huge and my dd loved the activities during the day. We enjoyed everything about this resort. The grounds are beautiful, the resort has a really quiet, relaxed feeling. We booked another trip for this July and my DD and DH both wanted to stay at SSR as their first choice! We are now looking for a contract to add on there.

I know SSR gets a lot of negative reviews, but I can't really understand why. The only thing it doesn't have is walking distance to a park. To me it is a no- brainer!!!

 

[twinboysmom]

Let's see, SSR is our home DVC resort and we love it and we just returned from a cash stay at cbr last week and really enjoyed it. I will confirm that cbr is only full size beds (except for king bed rooms).

They are both large but in my opinion, cbr is much easier to get around if you will not have a car. SSR is huge and some areas are quite far from the main pools and quick service, although I have found the internal bus runs very frequently.

SSR now has 2 themed pools with watersides, etc and numerous quiet pools. The themed pol at cbr has 2 water slides and a separate area for the under 48" group. We enjoyed it quite a bit.

As for food options, I thought the food court at cbr was well, not great but it has more options than SSR. SSR has a superior sit down restaurant as well.

The grounds at both are gorgeous and yes, SSR does have theming. Good luck with your decision. Only you can choose what is best for your family but I think either would be just fine.

 

[familydisney]

Thanks for the reassurances. I just need to get my head in the right place and I know I'll be happy wherever we end up...I just wish it were a landslide decision!

 

[Butterbunkins]

My parents book a last minute trip 2 years ago SSR was the only thing available. They never had a desire to stay there, but booked it anyway. They actually loved it. They are not big DTD people either and still didn't spend much time there. They were suprised at how much they enjoyed SSR though.

I will give CBR love. My mom and I stayed there once and we really liked it. In fact of the moderates I've stayed in it's my favorite. But I would still always prefer a DVC over a regular room.

 

[danceintherain]

I would probably choose SSR, because we've never stayed there, even though I loved our stay at CBR. We had a king bed room though.

As per why I loved CBR:
The grounds are gorgeous. It really made me feel as if I was in the caribbean, even when it got cold at night. We also snagged a ground floor room, so the fact that they don't have elevators wasn't a problem. We were about as far away as you can get from the main building and didn't mind the walk at all. The laundry room was convenient for when we needed to do an emergency load.
I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again at some point, especially since we didn't use the main pool at all, since we were two adults and a 3 month old.
The options at the food court were also nice.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So we have planned a last minute and well deserved trip to the World this July. We got great (by Denver standards) airfare and YES tickets, but we are struggling to get a good resort deal.

So far, the only DVC that is available for the whole trip is Saratoga Springs, which has never held any interest to us at all. We aren't big DTD fans and love theming. Still, it is a deluxe, though the kids would have to sleep on a pull out. We can get it for $1320.

The other alternative is Caribbean Beach. Through the 20% off, we can get it for $1395. It is a moderate, but it has slightly more theming. It is also not one we have ever considered since it doesn't get much love on the boards. It also apparently has only full beds?


What would you choose? Pop Century is only $200 less, so I think these are the cheapest and best deals. The problem is I can't get excited about either one. I usually stay at AKL and LOVE it there, but I know we will love anywhere that's on-property. Please help me choose and pump be up about our choices.

How old are your kids? SSR has three themed pools, all fun for kids. Plus activities to do at Community Hall (some free, some have a fee).

And SSR has great theming. Beautiful buildings, lovely furnishings, lots of places to walk around and see things, like birds, lizards, rabbits, etc.

 

[cvjw]

I would pick SSR, just because of the pools. We have stayed at both resorts, and did not really enjoy the pool at CBR. My boys loved the rock springs pool at SSR, and we are staying there a couple of nights in June, just to try out the newly themed pool.

 

[familydisney]

My boys are 10 and 13. They have been to Disney several times but we are usually too commando to spend much time in the pool. This time it's in the dead of summer, so we may take breaks if it's convenient. If that's true, they may finally get pool time.

Are both resorts so out of the way that a mid-day break is not very do-able? I know they aren't as convenient as a monorail resort but staying at AKL usually prohibits a break.

Thanks for all the help, guys!

 

[Deb & Bill]

My boys are 10 and 13. They have been to Disney several times but we are usually too commando to spend much time in the pool. This time it's in the dead of summer, so we may take breaks if it's convenient. If that's true, they may finally get pool time.

Are both resorts so out of the way that a mid-day break is not very do-able? I know they aren't as convenient as a monorail resort but staying at AKL usually prohibits a break.

Thanks for all the help, guys!

Both of them are just a few minutes by bus from the resorts. For summer, I'd always take a mid-day break just to nap by the pool (or on the bed). Or to cool off in the pool during the heat of the day.