Need urgent help deciding on my resort (LONG)

[luvpooh]

I need some advice on where to stay during my upcoming trip. My sister and I were originally scheduled to go during Frances, but rescheduled to the beginning of October. When we were supposed to go in September, we were staying in the Contemporary Tower. We decided that we wanted to stay in an Epcot resort since we're going to be doing the Food & Wine Festival, but nothing was available at BWI or the Y&B Club. I briefly booked the Contemporary again, but we decided against it, so I booked the Dolphin with an AP rate.
Then, a wave of frugality hit me, and I booked Pop Century at the AP rate. I was all excited to stay there since, A) all 4 nights were almost the same amount as 1 night in the Contemporary Tower, and I paid in full and B) we have never stayed there before. Plus, my sister and I stayed with our parents at the Dolphin in December, and while it was nice enough, it just isn't what we're looking for right now (the non-ability to charge back to the room is a particular point of contention). We decided we'd pay extra for a fridge in the room since the values don't get them for free, and we'd valet if necessary and pay for that convenience as well, and we'd still come out ahead.
All was well and good until I won an award at work yesterday, giving me an unexpected bonus. My boyfriend is urging me to use it for my sister's and my vacation (he and I are going on vacation 2 weeks after I return, also to WDW, but our entire stay is planned and paid for, so nothing extra to do there). Well, I was going to book spa treatments for me and my sister, and put the rest of the $ towards dinners and spending, but she vetoed that (wants nothing to do with the spa?!?). So I keep getting this nagging feeling that we should try again to get the Boardwalk or Yacht & Beach...

Should I stick to the Pop Century and save the $ for something else, stay at the Dolphin, or should I try to get Y&B or BWI? Or should I try something altogether different???

 

[Longsx3]

If it was me I would use it for fun money while at WDW, it really doesn't sound like you will be in the room that much and it sounds like you want to stay at PC too.

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

One thing to consider is there is no vallet parking at any value resort that I am aware of.

We booked PC for Dec and then changed to POFQ because of the Pop Warner mess.

You said that the Dolphin didn't have what you wanted for this trip. What is it that your looking for and maybe we could help you better??

 

[luvpooh]

sorry, I wasn't clear
I meant we'd valet at the resorts that we went to for dinner and such (instead of being able to take more convenient transportation methods, i.e. monorail, boat, feet, etc); I didn't mean valet at Pop Century.

Mainly, I think the one of the things that is deterring me from staying at the Dolphin is the inability to charge back to the room (may not be a big deal to some, but I have some kind of neurotic thing about having multiple little charges on my credit card, and I know that I wouldn't use it for i.e. a round of drinks, a food and wine festival tasting, or a small souvenir because I'd hate to keep track of everything on my CC statement). The other thing is that if I'm spending the $ for the deluxe, I really want to have a balcony, and the balconies at the Dolphin are few and far between and also only in the more expensive rooms.

 

[Dalpal]

The Poly would give you easy access to MK, Epcot and if you take the boat from Epcot,... MGM.
This is my resort of choice.
I have stayed at the YC and it IS really nice. If you keep trying you may still get in there. The pool cant be beat!


Bottom line......
I would book a poly room and , then keep trying for the YC or one of the others you wanted.
If you still cant get it you have the Poly. If you luck out, you can change over to the resort you tried for.
IMHO
The values are loud and I always feel like for a few more bucks a Mod is SOOO much nicer.
Betsy

 

[rileyroosmom]

It sounds to me that you have already made up your mind and that you want to stay at Pop. I say do it! I agree, you'd have lots of $$ to spend on nice dinners etc. Maybe instead of the spa you could book a Illuminations cruise. I think whatever you decide will be right, because you decided on it! Good luck and have fun!!

 

[TWOOD]

The Epcot resorts can't be beat - my sis & I had a blast staying @ YC & enjoying drinks on the balcony while we watched Illuminations from our standard view room - my advice is to keep your POP AP ressie & keep calling the 1-800 number daily to see if there are cancelations for any of the Epcot resorts with the AP discount - I've been able to get it within days of arriving after it wasn't available I totally understand about the charging back to the room - I prefer to do it that way, too. Whatever you decide, have a great time!

 

[Kimberle]

I think it depends on how much time you are planning on spending in your room & using amenidies such as the pool. If not much, then I'd stay at Pop. You'd have plenty of room for 2. If you want to hang out at the pool areas quite a bit, then I'd stay in the Dolphin or another. Try looking into the AKL. It's not to far, one of the least expensive deluxes, and has a nice pool area.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I've stayed at both of these Resorts and I understand your panic! Last Feb I went down for a quick weekend with a friend and due to the last minute planning we wanted to save $. I was convinced by the CR to give the Pop a try and I must say that even at check-in I wanted to call to see if we could a get a room at the CBR. Having said that, the POP was nearly brand new, clean and fresh. You've just got to psych your mind up for a very different Disney experience! I am not sure I would stay there again - yes, I would if I wanted to save lots of $. BUT As someone esle wrote, it is not much more to upgrade to a moderate resort and you do get so much more. The first time I stayed at the CBR I had only stayed at the Poly, CR and GF - it was a shock at firs,t but then it became my favorite resort for years!
If you do decide to stay at the POP be sure to ask for a room in either a preferred location or near room 2456 (non-smoking). We were on the top floor and could see Illuminations, as well as fireworks from maybe MGM - it was amazing for $74 a night!

Have fun and let us know where you decide to stay!
Christine
To Disney on Sept 27!! Although I am very, very unsure about staying at POFQ -I'll be there 2 days alone and then my friend will arrive. Anyone have any suggestions , another resort or is this one a good choice??? THANKS!!

 

[pstepka]

Have you considered renting points from a DVC member and staying at BCV or BWV? A studio is comparable in cost to a moderate, plus you get a fridge and microwave. We stayed in a BCV studio and absolutely loved it. The BC is an awsome resort and so close to Epcot.

Edit: I didn't realize you were going so soon...it may be too close to be able to rent points. I would definitely check it out, though. I have a couple of people that I and friends have rented from if you'd like me to ask them to check.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Pam, thanks for the suggestion, but I've no idea how to go about doing that! Can you tell me how?

I booked POFQ with a mail code so the price is excellent, but I would LOVE to be back near EPCOT again! It's been years (1998) since we've stayed over at the BC.


Thanks much!!
Christine

 

[pstepka]

If you'd like to email me, I can give you some more info.

pam@stepka.net

Pam

 

[luvpooh]

Hi Pam, I'm the OP and I'm not sure if your post was for me or for the other poster, but I'm sending you an email - thanks.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I'd spend the extra cash and stay at the YC/BC or BW if there is availability. While I like Pop Century (stayed there in May), the location of the Epcot resorts is fabulous. I am a Food and Wine Festival junkie and always stay at one of these resorts during that time. In my opinion, the convenience of being able to walk back and forth to Epcot at will is priceless. Not to mention all of the other things there are to do on the Boardwalk.

PS As strange as it sounds - I totally understand your sister. I'm not that crazy about spas either. (I know . . . freaky.)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I agree about the EPCOT Resorts - nothing better than to be able to wander back at the end of the evening. I checked today for one of those resorts, but still no availablity at the mail pin I am using this time. Last week the BI was available and I passed - how DUMB was that???

No matter which Resort you stay at, you'll have a wonderful vacation!

Christine
12 more days to wait...
my 35th stay at a Disney Resort - first was Poly in 1982. Perfect in every way!