Newbie.....help!

[tinan]

Hello all! I am hoping that some of "experts"/long time visitors can help a newbie out. This is our very first time going to Disney.....I've been living under a rock what can I say? Seriously....this is the kids and my first visit and hubby hasn't been there in about 2 decades. Ok here's what I have so far and now I am doubting myself. I have booked a room only reservation at the end of regular season for two nights. I then booked a MYW plus dining for 8 nights at the All Star Movies. The package price came out to be just under $2200 (I only got one day for the parks because I bought a 5 day plus hopper which has no used days on it). Before booking this directly through Disney, I called AAA and I thought the rate they quoted was going to be higher. Now I have noticed on the boards that a lot of you have received yet a lower price from AAA than you would have by booking directly with Disney. I'm wondering if they have lowered their prices since this all came out and if I could almost afford switching to a moderate with the difference. Also, I have noticed some not so good reviews on the beds and pillows at the All Stars which is starting to scare me. Are they really that bad? I'm starting to wonder if the mods. are worth that much more or if we will feel as though we should have stayed with the value?! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[disneyfan67]

I would look into the moderates if I was you. For a few dollars more you can stay at anyone of the mods and enjoy yourself even more. I stayed at the CBR and enjoyed my stay while I was there. Check them out and compare and I'm sure other DIS members will be more than glad to help out!

 

[Leota]

I agree - if you can afford to upgrade to a moderate you might be happier. I notice that you only have a 5 day hopper for an 2 night room only & 8 day package + 1 MYW pass - I assume that means you'll be spending time at your resort. If that is the case, the moderates will offer you much more to do than a value.

We stayed at a value once & it was fine for the type of trip we were on (all day, every day in the Parks, no resort time except to sleep) I will never do it again tho. Even tho we were only there to sleep, it was noisier than the other resorts we stay at & that interefered with my sleep. I don't recall the beds really standing out as horrible, just small. We are also at the point where we take advantage of what the resort offers now instead of doing the Parks full tilt boogie for the whole trip.

If you do re-book at a moderate, I'm wondering if you might want to add a few days to your MYW passes - 6 days of admissions for 10 day vacation would be rough for us, unless you are doing the other 4 days at non-Disney Parks.

 

[MickeyMouth]

Three votes for a moderate especially POR. If you have more than 3 people in a value room it is crowded. Plus we have found the value theming to be more relaxing and the moderate resorts are definitely more quiet

 

[alecam]

Go for the moderates! They are very much worth the extra money!!
POFQ is my favorite, but all of them seem great. CBR was pretty good, and I am trying CSR in December!! Can't wait.

Enjoy your planning! I do!!

 

[tinan]

I'm hoping that I am posting this response correctly. Yes that is 5 day plus two hopper plus I added the one extra day on the MYW. That gives us a total of 6 days in the parks. Hubby is not going to want to go to the parks every single day. I am also scheduling a 1/2 night for the MVMCP so that is like 6 1/2 days in the parks. The first day we are there we will be getting in late in the afternoon and not hitting any parks, the day we leave we will be flying out early afternoon so we have to be to the airport by late morning. Not counting those days, we will only have 2 rest/sightsee/do other things days. I know one of those days, I want to resort hop and check out how all of the hotels are decorated for the holidays. The plus two option gives us the opportunity to do Disney Quest, TL or BB. We're from NE Ohio so that may not sound as crazy as others would think.

Thanks,

Tina

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I'm hoping that I am posting this response correctly. Yes that is 5 day plus two hopper plus I added the one extra day on the MYW. That gives us a total of 6 days in the parks. Hubby is not going to want to go to the parks every single day. I am also scheduling a 1/2 night for the MVMCP so that is like 6 1/2 days in the parks. The first day we are there we will be getting in late in the afternoon and not hitting any parks, the day we leave we will be flying out early afternoon so we have to be to the airport by late morning. Not counting those days, we will only have 2 rest/sightsee/do other things days. I know one of those days, I want to resort hop and check out how all of the hotels are decorated for the holidays. The plus two option gives us the opportunity to do Disney Quest, TL or BB. We're from NE Ohio so that may not sound as crazy as others would think.

Thanks,

Tina

Hi Tina

Is your 5 day Park Hopper with the 2 pluses the older version ( pre - My way?) Only asking because you mentioned doing Disney Quest with the plus options - unfortunately Disney Quest is not available as a plus on the old Park Hoppers. You can only use it as a plus on the new My Way Hoppers. I made that mistake last year too when I bought my 7 day hoppers with 4 pluses - I thought I could use a plus at DQ but couldn't. Just wanted you to know before you get there so there are no surprises.

Have Fun
Melissa

 

[tinan]

Well......shoot! I am going to have to double check that, but when I purchased them a year or two ago I was told that DQ would be included in the choice of pluses. I think it was DTD, BB, TL, WWS, and DQ. If that's the case then it would be an extra plus. With the rates the way they are now, I kind of wish I wouldn't have bought the park hoppers when I did.

One of the reasons I am considering the All Star Movies is because I can secure the location I want. I guess I should have mentioned in my first post that this is very important to me and part of the reason I scheduled rests. I have a bum ankle. I need to be as close to the bus, food court, pools as possible. Basically without getting into all the details, the cartiledge in my ankle is crushed and I have no cushioning between my bones. When standing/walking for too long periods of time, they rub together. I know we will be doing tons of walking while there, I just need to minimize where I can. I am also trying to condition myself before going so I won't be in as much pain.

To me it looks as though the moderates are much more spread out then securing a preferred location at the movies resort. Am I correct in thinking this?

Thanks again!