Need your help! Planning another trip

[PAFamily]

Hi all,
I need some expert opinions, our trip in September (Poly Conceirge) was canceled due to Frances and we packed up the family and went to Disneyland instead.

The trip was fun, but I didn't get my WDW fix for this year! I need to go, I can't wait another year!

So... I convinced my hubby to let me plan a short trip (4-5days) in early December, we have never seen the Christmas Decorations which I hear are spectacular. We always stay in Delux resorts on our annual trips, but this year he is putting me on a budget since we already went to Disneyland.

Which Moderate should we choose? We are 2 adults and 2 kids- ages 5 and 3.

Any help is appreciated!!!!!


Thanks

 

[gigi1313]

well, it would depend on what is important to you...

size of resort? big (cbr) or small (pofq) or in between...

theming? recreation? pools?

food court/sit-down restaurant? have heard some strong opinions on pepper market at csr...

location? what park will you be visiting the most?

also, have you considered a value? we loved our stay at pop century earlier this month... if i had a choice (and i do!) i would pick pop over cbr (the only mod i've ever experienced)...

good luck deciding!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I love POR, but I want to try CSR sometime soon too.

Have you checked for any special AAA rates?

 

[DNBois]

We absolutely love CBR if you are into that tropical paradise feel but like gigi said, it all depends on your preferences.
We were also supposed to go this month but canceled (after already canceling back in March due to DH's kidney stone issues) so we also cannot wait, especially since we renewed our AP and should have gone twice this year. We just rescheduled for 12 nights in late January and we are staying 6 at CBR and 6 at CSR. Let us know what you decide

 

[luvsTink]

With the fall special rates you could spend 4 nights (Dec 5 - 9) at the AKL for $589....not SO bad...unless of course you compare that to $246 at Pop!

Anne

 

[leighe]

If AKL is in the budget I would go with that all the way! I loved it there so much that I am kind of sad about staying at GF instead of AKL this Christmas.

 

[PAFamily]

Thanks for all of the great advice! I am still on the fence- I would love to stay at the AKL, we have never stayed there before. The past 3 years we stayed at the WL and Old Key West, we loved the WL and the theming.

I'll keep you posted on what I decide, keep the advice coming I definitely need it!

 

[flyball]

We stayed at POR a while ago and loved it. If we were visiting a moderate around Christmas time, that's where I'd want to be. It seems like it would feel more "Christmassy" than the other moderates, although I've never been to any of the moderates during Christmas.

 

[PAFamily]

Well I did it! I took the plunge, I called and spent an hr with a great CM. With his input I went with POFQ and I hope we won't be disappointed!

On a separate topic- how do I set up a counter?


Thanks everyone!

 

[chyam]

I think you made a great choice......POR and POFQ are great moderates, I haven't stayed there since the renovations but I like how it is close to the MK and you can take a boat to DD. The grounds are beautiful. I don't think you will be disappointed at all. I will be at the WL the first week of Dec. I just can't seem to tear myself away from that place! If you have time try and check out some of the resorts for their decorations, maybe a character meal at the GF they have a neat gingerbread house in the lobby.

 

[MELSMICE]

Have you looked into renting points from a DVC owner for a studio? Early December has the lowest points per night used. You may be able to get something that is within your budget. Points rent for approximately $10 each.

If not & you can swing AKL then I would definitely do that. It's a beautiful deluxe resort.

Good luck planning!

 

[PAFamily]

I have never rented points before, how do you go about doing that?

thanks

 

[cjsmom5]

For the moderates, I think the POFQ is a great choice. Your kids will like the playground, it is perfect size for them. The pool is also great for the kids. Colorful alligators playing instruments with a huge clam and cascading water. The slide is smaller and our DS loved it at ages 3-5. The resort is also very compact and easy to navigate with kids that age. There is only one bus stop and while you share with POR you are the first stop on and first stop off. It is great at night with tired kids. The food court is smaller than the one at POR but it is a 10minute walk down to Riverside. My DS loves the walk as he gets to see ducks and wave to boats along the way.

The boat ride to Downtown Disney is also nice especially in the evenings. The time of year you are going, though, you will definitely need a jacket for the ride back at night. It can get nippy.

We really like this resort and when we go the week after Thanksgiving we stay here for the first 3-4 days (never any discounts on Thanksgiving Day) and then move over to AKL for the next 7-8 days. It is great!

Plus, they just rennovated the entire resort so the condition of the rooms should be very nice. With kids that age, I would ask that they change the comforters and pillows prior to you checking in. We always do ... that way we know they are fresh!

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by PAFamily
I have never rented points before, how do you go about doing that?

Go on over to the Rent/Trade Board. DVC members rent their points out. Head on over there & ask LOTS of questions about it. I don't know if it would be easy or hard to get points at that time of year. You may able to find someone who really has to get rid of theirs & will be renting for a low price - maybe not though.

Anyway, post that you are looking for information about renting points during your time frame. Also, answer threads about people renting points during your time frame. Again, ask LOTS of questions.

Not sure of the days/dates you'll be there but just look into the cost of it to see if it is more feasable or not. A studio sleeps 4 & has a kitchenette in it.

We did this for our first trip to a DVC resort & it was a pretty simple process. I checked references of the person we were renting from & didn't have a problem. We joined after staying at OKW on the rented points.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Melanie

 

[northern michigan]

If a food court is an important option for your family, do not book Coronado. It's a great hotel, but we missed the convenience of the food court for quick things here and there. We don't always sit down to eat a "meal" as a family.

We haven't tried the other three, but visited CBR. There transportation looked time consuming. We tried to get POFQ for our Dec. trip, but it wasn't available. We'll be splitting our stay POP/POR.

Sorry, I didn't read all the posts to see you've already booked. Based on my post, obviously, I think you made a great choice! Let us know how you like it. We won't be there until X-mas.