Non DVC days-All stars or Days Inn Suites

[msdis]

Although a resort type of question only DVC members can relate. I'm sure many of you have by choice because you wanted to save weekend points, or by force because of lack of points; have stayed a few nights elsewhere before or after your DVC stay. If we stay in the All Stars we need 3 rooms, 9 of us. If we stay at the Days Inn Suites we only need 2 rooms and they are about the same price/nt/rm as the All Stars. Also the DI have a Kitchen, living room and very large br. The problem is that DH wants to stay on property and I want my 7 guests to have a GREAT time. There will be 4 kids ages 8-17. Does anyone think the AS would be a better overall experience than the DI? Had anyone stayed at either or both recently that can say good or bad things about either? We stayed at DI about 9 years ago and I was blow away by it but that was before ever staying at any WDW property. Now I'm sure I would think differently. Also DH HATES, I mean HATES a bunch of screaming kids. I think he is confused that staying at the AS is going to be better. I think ameneties such as at the DI would far out weigh the atmosphere of the AS which may in fact be a horrible atmosphere. Plus we can eat in our room and have a fridge. We will be staying 2-3 nights then switching to okw for the big splurge of a 2br and a studio for 5 nights. What do you guys think and how do I convince him or do I let my guests vote?

Forgot to add that this will be middle of July if this adds to anyones opinion.
TIA!

 

[vernon]

I'd pick the accommodation depending on what you plan to be doing. If you're going to be on site and spend time in the parks then the AS is likely to be the most convenient. If you're going off site or would use the cooking facilities then a suite hotel off site ( on I-Drive if you plan to take in SW,US or IOA) would be the easiest way to go.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

hi, we stayed at the all stars last april and believe it or not we did not see a whole lot of kids the pool was right outside our door and we did not hear much at all,we were 4 adults staying in 1 room and we absolutely lovd the AS, we bought into DVC while we were there but we still stay at least 1 night at the AS though because to us it just makes feel like a kid again, we do not stay on weekends either so that is what we do so we can still be on sight.
misty

 

[BounceyOne]

Have you stayed at days suites before? If not I highly recommend all stars. Days suites is bigger and it does have a kitchen, but it is beat up and run down, the kitchen comes with no supplies, you have to bring your own or rent them from them.

All stars is Disney all the way, the themeing is great and the food court has good food.

I votre for AS!

 

[spiceycat]

I was trying to decide this question for trip in March - I went with a Universal hotel - they were having a great sale for annual passholds - $99 a night. the All stars (even with the spring discount) would be $109 - so that decided me. when the annual passholder discount came out I was too slow all my nights were sold out.

I have not stayed in the DI suites - rooms yes - if it was just the room I would definitely stay with WDW and the All stars.

Maybe he knows how much trouble it would be to get everyone to WDW without WDW transportation. Most of the places have buses (some charge extra some do not) - but most of them go to other resorts before taking you to a WDW theme parks - limited schedules and all that junk.

If he doesn't want to drive everyone and who can blame him - I would definitely go with a WDW resort.

I recently stayed at an All Star resort and I loved it - these are really neat places - I will be back to an All Star in the future I am sure. I just went with the best price for my trip. I want mother to see US or IOA anyway and this seem to best route for us.

sorry I can't be more help to you. but I really think you will disappointed in the DI - as you say you stayed there before you stayed at a WDW resort.

and you need to think about transporting all those people and their luggage - stay in a WDW resort - no problem - bell services will tranport your luggage (if you want) and you just take a bus to the DVC resort - otherwise - well you would have to either rent a car - probably a van with that many people and expect to make several runs with the luggage and all. this would be a headache to me - think about how you are going to get your guest by and forth.

I will be driving my car - so that is not my problem - but if any of your guests are flying this could be a big problem

 

[msdis]

Thanks for all the thoughts and advise. Thought I had it all figured out but now I don't. DH said after presenting him with the facts that the DI made the most sense given the situation. Paying for food out is a big issue. . But I also don't want to sacrifice a good time for 2 days in a terrible room either. We will be driving so transfers are not an issue.

Bounceyone-when did you stay there? Is it really run down? Yikes! I might need to rethink this.

Any other suggestions out there for anyone who has stayed off property? Ok yet really inexpensive as we will need 3 rooms.

 

[fkj2]

Have you considered Priceline.com? Check out www.biddingfortravel.com

 

[MELSMICE]

We stayed in a Days Inn Suites once & only once. It was very run down. The accommodations were large, but the appearance was awful. It not only needed paint - it needed a complete washing with Clorox to get rid of the mold & mildew throughout the resort. We never even used the pool - couldn't imagine letting my kids in it.

Have you considered renting points from another DVC member for those days of your stay that you don't have them for? If you are splitting the cost with the others in your party it may be worth it.

 

[BounceyOne]

My Nana who is 88 insists on staying there every summer. She is very set in her ways. So the last time I was in a room there was in august. I will not stay there, it is not for me. As a chld I stayed there quite a few times and nothing has changed since then.

If it is only for 2 days, I would think you could really budget your food money and still stay on property. Have BF in the room and make lunch your big meal of the day (cheaper then dinner).
If your are accustomed to staying at DVC resorts, DI doesn't compare at all, its not even in the same league.

Good luck with whatever you decide.