Newbie with a dilemma

[Christymarie222]

Hello everyone...first a BIG thank you for all of the advice and information I've learned on these boards...you guys are awesome!

Okay...here is my problem. We are a family of 5 (Me, DH, DD9, DD2 and DD8mos. We are planning a trip to Disney at the end of August for a week. I already have a room booked at CBR with the hopes of getting FD when/if its offered! Don't slam me ....I know I shouldn't have booked yet...I just couldn't resist and I know a room is not guaranteed with FD when and if it is released. I have obsessively read all of Knox's wonderful advice.
I am actually debating on cancelling this reservation anyway.
Here's the thing....I REALLY REALLY want to stay at the cabins at the campground. We are just an outdoorsy type of family...not to mention the bedroom is a big plus with two babies who go to bed at 7pm.
I want to book a cabin and there would be no need for free dining anyway...it will be much easier to use the kitchen with the two babies instead of dragging them to a restaurant every nite.
Do I book the cabins hoping they will release a room only discount code in a few months....OR...just stay at CBR with free dining (if and when it is offered). The cabins are just sooo much more money, especially if there is no discount. We can afford it...it is just hard to justify the 150 to 270 dollar jump a night!
HELP!!!!!!!!!! I'd love your opinions....do you think there will be a room only discount for the end of summer???? Should I just risk it and book the cabins?
Thanks in advance...you all are the best

 

[lizerbug]

Well, personally, I would follow the advice on the Disboard threads and try and get a discount PIN code. If you don't have an account on the WDW web site, create one. Then create a couple of itineraries, one that says you need accomadations and one that says you are staying off site.

I called WDW about 3 days after I did this to see if I had a PIN associated with my name / address (I just couldn't wait for them to e-mail it to me) and I had one With 40% off a deluxe resort, I booked a week at the AKL for September

 

[mking624]

I agree about following the advice on trying to get a PIN. There's no guarantee you'll get one, but it never hurts to try.
As for cabins vs. CBR w/ FD...I think you've answered your own question. You really want to stay in the cabins, the bedroom makes it easier for your two youngest, and you'd prefer the kitchen over taking them to the restaurants every night. While more expensive every night, it seems as though the cabins meet your needs more.

 

[Christymarie222]

Thanks for the replies Sadly, I have followed the advice to get a pin (with five email accounts -some new, some old) and no pin!!!!! I will keep waiting patiently...hopefully something good will come my way!

Mary...you are right. Not only do I want to stay in the cabins it is a better fit for my family..just not sure I want to shell out the 270 a night if I can't get a discount. Here's to hoping I will get a pin or they will release a room discount (as well as FD...cause I know so many of you are wishing for it) for the end of summer!

Thanks again!

 

[cm8]

,, I would say go for the cabins if that is what you really need. A word to wise, you may want to make sure you get a cabin close to the bus stops if you are not planning on driving or renting a gold cart as every thing is pretty far out( from what I have heard). I hope you get your dream pin

 

[mumto2]

We love the cabins! I had Wilderness Lodge booked for our Oct. 08 trip (once we stayed here, I thought we'd never stay anywhere else - we loved it so much. But then a discount came out that made WL amost $1500 more for our vacation (WL had no availability) than the cabins. I just couldn't justify the added $$, so we "downgraded" to a cabin. Boy am I glad we did! For our summer trip, I didn't even consider going elsewhere. With or without a discount, if you can afford it, I'd recommend the cabins!

Not only do you have a seperate bedroom and a kitchen, you have a deck, and an area for your kids to be kids without worrying about disturbing neighbors. You are a short boat ride from MK, which is our favorite park. You are a short bus ride to the campfire sing along, which means as your little ones poop out, one parent can take them back to the cabin while the other parent enjoys smores and Chip & Dale with your older child.

While at some point in the future, we will probably go back to WL, for right now, the cabins are the perfect resort for our family (including DD11 and DS5).

Have a great trip!

 

[chabs]

I would say that they are going to offer a room only discount in addition to free dining. They did it last year. We did a split stay-free dining at the All Stars and I believe it was 35% off the deluxe rooms at the WL Club Level. We went for the last week in August and first week in September.

 

[Sandisw]

If you can afford it, then I say go with the cabins. There is nothing more frustrating, IMO, than being at WDW, having a great and busy day at the parks, and then getting back to the hotel, wanting to just relax, and trying to do that with 3 kids in a small space.

We have stayed at the cabins (our first few years at WDW) and we loved the extra space. The kids hung out in the bedroom and DH and I hung out in the living room. Well worth the extra money.

And, we didn't really use the kitchen that much, but enough to have breakfast, snacks, and on occasion, a meal.

I think you will be much happier!!! And, I also think that you will find a discount coming for that time period. Have you check out AP rates? Not sure if they are out yet for that time period, but even if you don't have one, it may be worth getting it to save on the room.

Good luck!