New Member - Resort Questions

[mkwdrs]

Heading to WDW 9/8/03 - 9/13/03 with this being our first trip with a kid (almost 4 years old). We made a ressie at All Star Movies for $78 (includes taxes) for a preferred room with a AAA discount. We asked for all other kinds of discounts and none were available. We do have the Visa card, but she said that all Visa discounts were gone due to the Fairytale packages.

I get the impression that my wife wants to move up to a moderate. Any suggestions of the moderates for mom, dad, and a kid.

What is the Mickey Monitor? Is that associated with the Vacation Club or something?

What percentage off of rack rates are the AP usually? We haven't got tickets yet and we know that we will be back next year, but not sure if we will be back within 365 days. If the room discounts are good enough, that might sway us to get one.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[jennymouse]

Welcome to the DIS! Check out this site for great info on special rates, passes, etc. www.mousesavers.com

 

[helenm29]

Hi There! I'm pretty new myself and I have been all over the Disney web sights...THIS IS THE BEST! We have stayed at the GF which was pretty expensive and we've stayed at other moderately priced resorts..our favorite was Dixie Landings (which is now called Port Orleans Riverside) our three kids...12, 6 & 6 at the time...had a really great time! we had a pool directly in front of our room where we relaxed every night as late as we wanted and the staff provided us with little surprises involving their stuffed animals usually. I would recommend staying there but I'm sure the other resorts will be just fine. We are staying at the YC the first week in december and are keeping our fingers crossed. HAVE FUN!

 

[Carrieberry]

Welcome to The DIS! First of all I have to say that a 4 year old would LOVE All Star Movies, possibly more than any other resort because as you know, kids look for different things than adults do as far as resorts go. All Star movies is a great place for little kids, with fun play areas, a great pool and fun whimsical rooms. Of course, the giant characters don't hurt!

Having said that, the moderates are also a great option because they are slightly quieter and less hectic with bigger rooms, which is nice for adults. I would try for a standard room at any of the moderates (I like PO Riverside best but have heard great things about CBR and CSR as well) with your AAA discount and see which one you might be able to get. They have been filling up fast due to the closure for refurb at PO French Quarter, so there are less rooms available at the mods these days.

The rate you got is decent and is a standard room rate for value season and you got the preferred room, so it is like you got the preferred room for free. You will either be in the Fantasia section or the Toy Story section. For a 4 year old, if it is a boy, I would call and request Toy Story to be put on your ressie, they can't guarantee it, but if you follow up with a request fax 2 days before your arrival, you have a decent chance of gettng it. The bus service and food court at the ASMo are great.

The Mickey Monitor is the newsletter for Annual pass holders. Just so you know, you can call and ask for an AP rate/ make an AP rate ressie without having an annual pass yet, as long as you have one at check in. Only one person in your party has to have an AP in order to get the rate. Not sure if you could get one since the amount of rooms are limited for these as well, but it might be worth trying!! Good luck and you really can't go wrong with any of the onsite resorts. GOOD LUCK AND LET US KNOW HOW IT TURNS OUT!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Smiles, everyone, smiles!

Be prepared to get answers to every question you ask - and every question you don't ask!

Since you're new, this and this will help with the alphabet soup of Disney abbreviations you're going to see.

Been a while since I had a 4-year-old (DS is 22), so I'll defer that to others. I do know that the All Stars are really the places that would appeal most to younger children. Of the moderates, POR and CBR seem to be a bit more child-focused.

Mickey Monitor is the quarterly newletter you get once you activate an Annual Pass.

As jennymouse said, check out mousesavers.com - there are some very good sections on past discounts and the break-even point of an Annual Pass.

Best of luck!

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I was thinking of booking a few night for the opening of Pop Century Resort. When they open do they give gifts to the first people there?

I like free stuff.

 

[safetymom]

If you are interested in the moderates take a look at CBR. It is a wonderful resort for a family.

I have pictures on my web site if you want to check out the resort.

 

[susy]

If you have the preferred room at the Movies for $78 including tax, I would keep it. That is the Fantasia section. It's very pretty and right next to the main pool, food court and bus stop. I would stay here this trip , while your child is still too young for waterslides. I think the "theming" of the moderates would be lost on a 4yo. Our son was 4 when we went to ASmo. He loved all the icons It was great just seeing the look on his face. The rooms are pretty basic, but themed. Check out the pcitures and faq at wdwig.com. I don't think you will go wrong at the movies.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I actually am staying at the ASmovies in Sept. I was just thinking of a second prechristmas trip.

 

[webray]

Hi,

We prefer the all stars over all the moderates. The all stars are more conveniently laid out...and the food in the food court tastes much better.

Your rate is pretty good at the all stars. An annual pass may get you around $60 per night if you choose to get one, only if they offer something lower.

Don't forget to check mousesavers.com for discounts/codes that you may be eligible for. Sometimes you can get a standard room at a deluxe...like the WL for around $129 and that would be better than a moderate for just a little more. Just a thought depending on what your budget is.

Happy planning.

 

[soccer mom]

Our annual pass got us 45% off in November the last two years (also value season). If you are going again next year you might want to really think about trying to do it twice in 365 days. That would be a hugh savings for you between the room savings and only buying one set of park passes for two trips.

 

[PamNC]

My favorite moderate is Coronado Springs. We don't have kids but I'm sure a child would love it. I would upgrade to a moderate if I were you, but that's just me. We're a childless couple so the All Stars don't appeal to us (we stayed there twice). I think kids love the big theming though and the pool wasn't bad!

Anyway, I would seriously consider going before the 365 days were up if I were to buy an AP. It's a huge savings. Second trip tickets are free. And, who knows if AP discounts will continue or be as good as they have been with the success of the fairytale magic plan.

I think you could spend a little more IF room only codes or AP codes do come out and upgrade to a moderate or a deluxe even (WL or AKL are somtimes offered for about $139 a night). If you're going to Disney, go in style as much as your finances will allow. That's my motto.

Have a great time.

PamNC