New Member With a Question!!

[drj898]

Would booking April 1st for a July 10th vacation be too late????

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Never too early or too late?

I think most would tell you to book as early as possible. You can modify later if needed. But - be aware of the package's cancellation policy. You have to cancel 45 days in advance to avoid any charges. Otherwise you lose $200. I believe they also charge you for modifications if made within that 45 day window . . . but I don't know costs of that. (We only tried a package once and sadly had to cancel w/i that window and lost our $200 and our flight change fees. But I digress.)

I would vote for doing as much planning and thinking now and then book as soon as possible. Then you have something reserved! (And you only need a $200 deposit to book now if you're thinking about money up front.)

 

[Kelblum]

Love POFQ! I think it is very romantic, even though I have never just gone there with my DH! Have a great time!

 

[DixieBelle]

POFQ gets another vote. It really is a pretty resort.

 

[bytheblood]

Another vote for POFQ for the reasons noted above.

 

[wezee]

POFQ

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We love CSR - it's a great choice! It definitely has more of an adult vibe over POFQ. I especially think that if two will want to swim, CSR is the much better choice. POFQ has a small pool and the slide is very juvenile. CSR has a huge pool (and 3 quiet pools, as well, while POFQ only has the feature pool) and a fun slide. CSR also has a huge hot-tub.

Another benefit of CSR is that there are more and better food options at CSR than POFQ. CSR has the sit-down Maya Grill, the casual counter-service Pepper Market, the grab-n-go Cafe Rix, plus the pool bar and an outdoor lounge. There is an adults-only nightclub, also.

We've stayed at CSR 4 times and never found it to be overrun with convention-goers. We've seen some, of course, but they have never detracted from our resort experience.

We have stayed at POFQ, as well, and I personally thought POFQ was almost too small and the buildings were closer together than I like. I like the space the CSR has - it feels much more tranquil and peaceful than POFQ to me. The evening views are amazing as the lights are up around the lake. It is beautiful.

We have stayed in the Cabanas twice and Ranchos twice. The last time we were in Ranchos, it took us right at 10 minutes to get to the main building, which I don't think is bad at all. We were about 3 minutes from the Dig Site pool and literally a dozen steps from the Ranchos quiet pool. We were about 3 minutes from the parking lot and 5 minutes to the nearest bus-stop (which was the Cabanas one). I thought we had an excellent location.

Re: time of booking. I've booked with as little as 3 days' notice. I've also booked 9 months in advance. If you book at full price and a discount becomes available, you can always apply it to your existing reservation subject to availability.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mom2maggie]

Csr!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Okay! So...after doing some more looking around at POFQ, and POR..and then comparing with CSR, I think I like CSR more. Even though all of you guys highly suggest POFQ, and all websites suggest POFQ too. I'm not crazy about how small POFQ looks, and that I'd have to travel over to Riverside just to have a nice dinner with my girlfriend. She's a mexican food nut. So that's a bonus about CSR, and I really like that it is larger so it looks/feels more substantial. It just looks like it's more us. More so than POFQ/POR.

What important points do you guys have about why POFQ is better and more romantic for my girlfriend and I?


PS: How late can I make reservations for a vacation package (room, mealplan, flight, transportation)?

As is often mentioned around the DIS, the good news is there is a resort that fits everyone .
As far as your package, I recommend making it as soon as you know you are going. Resorts do fill up and I would hate for all your planning to go to waste. Listen to the CSR experts so you can also ask for a certain section (not a guarantee but it is worth noting on your ressie).
Are you booking flights and package together through Disney? You might want to look at booking flight separately and just add your flight info for Disney Magical Express onto your ressie. I do this because I like the flexibility of changing my flight info if needed (or the price reduces).
Also, I highly recommend using Dreams Unlimited (travel service) with helping you book. I used to use them before we became DVC members and they are wonderful!

 

[drj898]

Okay!!!!!

Complete turn-around on plans! I realized that I was able to dump off my dining plan, and instead, upgrade on resort. I'm gonna go with WL, most likely. It'll be refreshing. Long Island is pretty hot in July, and so is Orlando outside of WL. It looks incredible. My mom just got back from Yellowstone, and she can't stop talking about it. She'll see this resort and be with me on it, in an instant. I'm totally psyched!


PS: I just put in my info for a quote with Dreams Unlimited. Thank you.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Okay!!!!!

Complete turn-around on plans! I realized that I was able to dump off my dining plan, and instead, upgrade on resort. I'm gonna go with WL, most likely. It'll be refreshing. Long Island is pretty hot in July, and so is Orlando outside of WL. It looks incredible. My mom just got back from Yellowstone, and she can't stop talking about it. She'll see this resort and be with me on it, in an instant. I'm totally psyched!


PS: I just put in my info for a quote with Dreams Unlimited. Thank you.

lol welcome to the perpetual resort changers club! We have visited WL many times but never stayed there...I think you will enjoy it. DU should take great care of you!

 

[drj898]

Any other suggestions about that high-moderate, low-deluxe level of resorts?

 

[drj898]

Here we go again lol, for us...a romantic trip for my girlfriend's birthday...us in our 20's I have a question:

AKL or WL?!? I've decided to up the resort to this level. Not as low as moderate, and not as high as poly/contemporary/GF/etc.

I'm looking at Artist Point at WL and I'm not sure if she'd like that food. I think we'd have a lot more options for food at AKL. The only downside, is how far AKL is from everything. I really really really like how close WL is from MK.

She said that the animals roaming would freak her out, but I'm sure she'd get over it lol.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Here we go again lol, for us...a romantic trip for my girlfriend's birthday...us in our 20's I have a question:

AKL or WL?!? I've decided to up the resort to this level. Not as low as moderate, and not as high as poly/contemporary/GF/etc.

I'm looking at Artist Point at WL and I'm not sure if she'd like that food. I think we'd have a lot more options for food at AKL. The only downside, is how far AKL is from everything. I really really really like how close WL is from MK.

She said that the animals roaming would freak her out, but I'm sure she'd get over it lol.

Ok, here are my thoughts:

WL: close to MK, quiet, nice boat ride to MK or other resorts (just take the boat to MK and head over to MK resort bus stops), scenic. Have to take buses to all other areas.

AKL: animals!!! Personally, this was one of my favorite parts of AKL and why we bought our DVC here…we love eating at Boma even though I’m not really adventurous with eating, I was able to find LOTS to eat. Sometimes the walks to the room can be long (comparable to staying at BW). Personally, I like the atmosphere better at AKL than WL. I can get WL atmosphere at home (woodsy, mountain lodge feel), but I can’t get African safari here in VA. The downside to AKL is the distance to the parks but that could also be a positive…you are away from everything (read: hustle and bustle). I also like the pool area better at AKL.

Now I must admit we have visited both resorts MANY times but never actually stayed at either. We tend to visit during F&W fest and like staying near Epcot.

 

[akclayton]

Me and my family LOVE WL. My parents bought their DVC there. My husband and I are both 29 and really love WL. We are both outdoors type of people. We love that we can take a boat ride to to the MK. Also, there is a boat that services to Fort Wilderness and to Contemporary as well. So, if you don't want to eat at Artist Point, you can take a boat to Contemporary and eat or grab the monorail and take a ride to GF or Poly. My parents love to eat at Ohana at Poly. The boat to monorail at Contemporary or MK will get you there.
They have a beach area that has nice lounge chairs that stays pretty quiet and not many people frequent which could make for a nice quiet getaway from the loud pol area. At night, there is also a small light parade that makes its way through the lagoon and you can watch it from the beach area.
There is a nice walking trail to walk or ride bikes on that's very secluded and completely surrounded by trees. It's very peaceful.
Even though the only resort you can reach by boat is MK, we like to take the boat over to Contemporary and grab the monorail over to TTC and ride over to EPCOT. It's an nice little change from the bus.
Good Luck with your planning. Your GF is one lucky girl!

 

[drj898]

Well well!! This thread got woken up again! Made me very happy to see more comments. I could use all the help I can get. After looking at everything while trying to research and plan our vacation, I honestly feel overwhelmed.

So..this is what I've come up with: WL and AKL are at the top of my price range. And if I'm going to have an incredibly romantic and magical vacation with my girlfriend, I'm going to hit the top of my budget. Unfortunately, I can't afford poly, which would be my first choice. I guess we'll do that for our honeymoon in a few years
I love love love WL and will probably do that. But I'm going to spring for a courtyard room instead of a woods view. The only things I'm questioning is whether or not my girlfriend will like the whole wooded/rugged thing, and I heard the rooms are outdated and dirty. Maybe?

Animal Kingdom is too far from the rest of the resorts, even though it looks really nice, has the savannah rooms, and has the amazing food. I figure I could just travel to any of the other nearby deluxe resorts and get great food there too.

Any thoughts?

Oh..and I'm pushing the trip back to go July 8th - 13th. Sunday-Friday. Rather than 10th - 15th (Tuesday - Sunday).

 

[akclayton]

We stay in the Villa building since my parents have the DVC there. I can't speak for the rest of the rooms. The rooms aren't modern and you can call them a bit outdated. It has a rustic feel to it. The comforters on the bed have like an Indian type design on them. It's not what most people would call an upscale room. You'll find those at Cont/Poly/GFL. I don't think the rooms have been renovated since it opened and that was almost 12 years ago.

Google Disney Wilderness Lodge Rooms and Click Images. You'll be able to see pics on there of the rooms. I tried to link one on here for you but I don't have enough posts to put a pic up yet.

 

[akclayton]

Also.. Look at the Disney World official website and look at places to stay. Look up both places. The pictures look pretty close to what I know them to be. Another recommendation I thought about.. You may want to check in to the Swan or the Dolphin. Both are very nice and I think cater to a more mature atmosphere. They are about the same price as WL if not a little cheaper. You may even be able to find deals off of the Disney website for them. They do get the same perks as all other Disney Resorts. You can walk or take a boat ride to both Epcot and DHS. The putt-putt right across the street is really nice. Who doesn't enjoy putt-putt. The pool area and beach area are both very nice. I'm sure there are nice restaurants in both. They are also within walking distance from the Beach and Yacht Club and Boardwalk which also have good places to eat at from what I've seen. You may want to take a minute and check them out. Disney's official website has pictures and stuff on them. You can read reviews on here I'm sure of them. If my husband and I were to come ourselves without my parents, we would stay at one of these in a heartbeat. Remind you. We are both 29. Hope this helps..

 

[DisneylandDad]

Also.. Look at the Disney World official website and look at places to stay. Look up both places. The pictures look pretty close to what I know them to be. Another recommendation I thought about.. You may want to check in to the Swan or the Dolphin. Both are very nice and I think cater to a more mature atmosphere. They are about the same price as WL if not a little cheaper. You may even be able to find deals off of the Disney website for them. They do get the same perks as all other Disney Resorts. You can walk or take a boat ride to both Epcot and DHS. The putt-putt right across the street is really nice. Who doesn't enjoy putt-putt. The pool area and beach area are both very nice. I'm sure there are nice restaurants in both. They are also within walking distance from the Beach and Yacht Club and Boardwalk which also have good places to eat at from what I've seen. You may want to take a minute and check them out. Disney's official website has pictures and stuff on them. You can read reviews on here I'm sure of them. If my husband and I were to come ourselves without my parents, we would stay at one of these in a heartbeat. Remind you. We are both 29. Hope this helps..

Here is a link to a website that have really good pictures of all of the resorts http://allears.net/index.html I would also consider the Swan or Dolphin. I have not stayed there, but my cousin always does and she loves it there! They have pretty good discounts--teacher, AAA, etc. You might look into those too. Happy Planning!

 

[mariamouse]

Wow-- I am 22 and would kill for a boyfriend willing to do something like this. For a romantic get-away, I would definitely go with either the AKL, WL or Swan/Dolphin.

In regard to the WL vs AKL, I would choose whichever resort theme most appeals to you. I much prefer the food at the AKL (Boma and Jiko are amazing), but certainly appreciate the location of the WL. The pool at the AKL is much larger than the WL pool, although both are equally fun. Rooms at both resorts are the same size, although I prefer the room decor at the AKL. Thankfully, I believe the WL rooms are about to receive a much-needed refurb.

Long story short, I would look at pictures of both resorts and go from there. It sounds like the WL theme excites you more, so go for that! Just make sure you pay the AKL a visit one night for dinner since it is truly so distinctive.

I would choose the AKL/WL over the Dolphin/Swan, but would choose the D/S over any moderate in a heartbeat! The resort themes are not my favorite (although the Swan is a bit more romantic than the Dolphin), but the location cannot be beat. The resorts are located right next to the Boardwalk, which has a lot of nightlife options that would be great for a young couple. Epcot and the Studios are super close too. The restaurants at the S/D are also fantastic (Il Mulino, Bluezoo, etc) and I have heard great things about the pool as well.

Let us know where you end up!