newbie question

[photolover]

Hi,

I have never been to WDW before and been plannning for our vacation this year with the free dining promotion. Just wondering if guests at Value resorts can visit and use the facilities (pool, water sports, kid programs, etc) at Moderate or Deluxe Resorts or not?

Thanks!

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome.

That's kind of a hot button topic around here.

The answer is no: pool use is liimited to the resort you stay in.

But you can, of course, visit the other resorts and eat or look around. And I believe you can sign them up for the babysitting programs at night. So, for example, you could use the Neverland Club at the Poly while you eat at 'Ohana (or elsewhere).

For more exciting water choices, you could spend a day at either of the water parks.

Sorry-- I'm guessing that isn't the answer you were hoping for.

 

[photolover]

Thanks Alice for answering my questions. Now I have a few more

1. Are there any kids programs/nice things to do for kids at Moderate/Deluxe resorts that worth the upgrade from Value resorts? I am thinking about kid activities for the time we wanted to take a break from the parks, especially mid-day when temp is too hot for walking around in the parks.

2. If I booked at value resorts for 10 days and when I got there and decided to upgrade to Mod/Deluxe for a few days, would they let me do it or will charge me penalty and crazy fee?

3. Should I do the split reservation now? I am planning for Aug 24-Sep 3 with free dining and 10d park tickets.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Aliceacc]

I just answered your PM.

From my (admittedly pretty ignorant) point of view, here are the reasons we chose deluxe (even before we lucked into the code):

- We're a family of 5. Our options are pretty limited.

- I LOVE The proximity to the Magic Kingdom. That will be our prime focus, and we'll be a monorail ride away. I hated the thoughts of too much time spent on busses.

- Since we're going in August, the pool was an important factor. My kids are total water-rats. We'll be spending part of each afternoon in the pool; that's a given. So having easy transportation back and forth, and a great pool, were part of what I was looking for. I'm hoping the mid afternoon breaks will keep my kids cheerful and make the vacation more enjoyable for all of us.

- I have to admit, I have champagne taste on a beer budget. Since we can't afford for this trip to be a regular trip (Lake George is our normal vacation), we're really doing it up this time around. For us, that meant dropping from 7 nights down to 6. Then we booked a 7 am flight down and an 8 pm flight back, so I still feel we're getting a full week's vacation.

- I love the fact that we can see both the electrical parade and the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. If the kids have had enough of the parks, we can still sit back on the sand and watch the magic go by. The Deluxes seem to have SO much going on-- the resort will be part of the vacation, not merely a place to sleep.

2: During Free dining, I'm not sure that you can count on availabilty.

3. From what I understand, a split stay during FD isn't a great idea. You'll have to buy 2 sets of park tickets, losing some of the FD savings.

 

[EnnEss]

Thanks Alice for answering my questions. Now I have a few more

1. Are there any kids programs/nice things to do for kids at Moderate/Deluxe resorts that worth the upgrade from Value resorts? I am thinking about kid activities for the time we wanted to take a break from the parks, especially mid-day when temp is too hot for walking around in the parks.

There are more activities in general at mods and some deluxes have more than others, like camp fires and stories at AKL. There are different things at each one basically. I never noticed much at Mods in that way verses Values. For me not having kids, Its presumptuous to think what yours would want but I'd assume similar levels of happiness at mods and values for them. I think you'd find the mods to be more to your liking though. Everyone would love the deluxes I'm sure, although I'm not sure they would enough to justify the cost for you.

2. If I booked at value resorts for 10 days and when I got there and decided to upgrade to Mod/Deluxe for a few days, would they let me do it or will charge me penalty and crazy fee?

If you upgrade there is no penalty or fee, even if it is a package and you're locked in, which you will be 45 days out for free dining. An upgrade costs more money, which is the determining factor. Downgrades and sidegrades cost 50 bucks. At free dining time, it will nearly definately be too late to do it on arrival.

3. Should I do the split reservation now? I am planning for Aug 24-Sep 3 with free dining and 10d park tickets.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

The other poster pointed out the problem with this elegantly.

The pools at the value are fun, I think your kids will enjoy them. Being your first time there I think i would stick to the value if that's your budget and spend extra money at the parks on the kids if you're looking to make it memorable for them. It can be stressful upgrading then wondering what if in regards to money.

With that extra money you could do the waterpark one day. The kids would probably love that. Since you're there 10 days you could do water park and more and do both water parks, and disneyquest included in that. Or just one waterpark and disneyquest too.

When planning trips I always try to make sure I'll be able to do everything I want to there, the hotel is fine wherever I stay and I stay deluxe if I have the money, but if not it doesn't really matter. I've never regretted the resort I'm staying at. I would regret being short cash there or overspending and regretting it upon returning home. The values, if anything, are geared theme wise to children, everything is over the top. I think its probably specifically so children go to disney and are thrilled by it without their parents having to outlay HUGE amounts of cash for a deluxe, the kids don't feel like they're missing out on the amazing disney theming.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We usually stay at a value, sometimes a mod (CBR). I would love to stay deluxe one day, but I'd rather spend that money doing things at WDW...if that makes any sense.

My boys loved the Pirate Adventure Cruise at the Grand Floridian; you don't have to be staying at the GF to participate. There is also a cruise at the Yacht/Beach Club resort, one of the Port Orleans resorts, and Caribbean Beach resort.

What resort are you staying at? We stayed at Pop last year (twice) and they had activities/games/etc for the kids near the main pool during the day. ASMusic has a poolside movie in the evenings, etc.

 

[samiet620]

Hi! I don't claim to know much being that I'm going for the first time myself in August. But in the name of compromise....why not choose a moderate? This way you still stay at a nice resort and save a litlle cash. I had the same dilema as you and opted to at a moderate- CSR. So far the reviews for CSR are awsome.The pool looks really nice and fun...my three are water rats too. Well whatever you decide have fun!

 

[kaytieeldr]

1. Are there any kids programs/nice things to do for kids at Moderate/Deluxe resorts that worth the upgrade from Value resorts? I am thinking about kid activities for the time we wanted to take a break from the parks, especially mid-day when temp is too hot for walking around in the parks.

Not usually - but that's true of any Disney resort - because they want you in the parks spending money during the day

But All Star Movies has, I think, more evening activities than most of the other resorts.

 

[Aliceacc]

TAken from allears.net:

Polynesian: "What are the Island Guides?

The Island Guide desk is a separate desk located at the entrance of the main lobby. Island Guides are an extension of Lobby Concierge, and are there to answer any and all of your Polynesian and Walt Disney World questions. After you check in, the Island Guides will greet you with traditional Polynesian leis. They are also the hub of children's activities at the resort, holding daily lei and bracelet making, and arts and crafts activities. The cultural experts of the resort are located here, in case you have any questions about the islands or the Resort. The desk does not have a computer, so cannot work with your reservation, or make dining arrangements."

POR:" For kids (and kids at heart), catch-and-release fishing on Ol' Man Island is available at the Fishin' Hole. Open 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., it is stocked with catfish, bass, and blue gill, and a catch is almost guaranteed. Ol' Man Island is also home to a playground, where the little ones can burn off some energy (if they have any left after a day at the Magic Kingdom!). Craft activities, organized by Cast Members, are held near the pool on some days. If you're visiting during a holiday period, you may even find special activities such as an Easter egg hunt. "

I think it depends on the resort.