O-oh! I'm having second thoughts. What should I do? Deluxs vs value

[*Fantasia*]

Current:
Poly GV $355 X 2 = 710
WL CY$310 X 3 = 903
POFQ $150 X 3 = 447 (booked thru Travelocity)
Total of 8 night stay.

I am booked at Poly for $355 a night for 2 nights. I thought if I just do POP, it would be $245 less per night! I also have WL booked for 3 nights for $310 a night, and this would be $190 less per night.

I guess if there was only a general code I can use, it would have been different. But I really am not saving much with the AAA and the value season for the deluxes doesn't start until about after July 4.

I am considering how busy it is going to get in late June and how hot it is going to be. And the convinience of the monorail and the boat would be wonderful. But if I go with the value resort, I know I can save tons of money...money I can use for character meals and a lot more sit down meals and I could purchase a 7 day MYW park hopper vs 5 days.

I have no problem staying at the value. I am okay with POFQ. I'm leaving POFQ just the way it is. I just don't know what to do with the Poly and WL.

If you need more info, please ask. There will be just me and the children. I am open for any suggestions or share your thoughts/opinions. Thanks so much!

 

[palmtreegirl]

I chose the first one but I would switch it to this order- POFQ, WL, Polynesian. The reason I would switch it is because moving from a deluxe back to a moderate would be hard, it would exaggerate the differences. But if you start out in the "lower level" resort and then move up it makes both seem great for their own reasons.

I'd do the POFQ first because it's a moderate, I'd take advantage of the boat to DTD as this is unique to the resort.

Then I'd hit the WL and then tranfer over to the Polynesian because it's the most magical of all with the fireworks view, volcano pool and monorail access. End the trip on a highest note!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Howdy!

I know ya'll are big fans of WDW and you go a lot, why not purchase an AP for one or both of your kids and use the AP rate? You can save a lot with that! You've been very excited about doing the Poly so I don't know if I want to vote against it! Someone must help keep your conscience to the deluxe dark side.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I know how hard it is to pick a resort, I'm having similar issues! I voted for Pop/POFQ mainly for money issues!! But there is also the issue of packing and switching resorts 2 times. I've done a split stay between 2 resorts before and it was fine but doing it any more than that seems just too time consuming!!

Just go with your gut feeling and stop second guessing yourself!! No matter what decision you make it will be fine!!

 

[Yardbird]

I'm sure that you will get many different opinions on this! As much as I love WL, I would have trouble paying 310.00 a night. The same goes for Poly, though I have never stayed there, 355.00 is beyond what I am willing to pay. It just isn't worth it to me. I guess I have gotten a little spoiled by the room only codes. At rack, or AAA rates, during anything but value season, I would go with moderates for the 8 nights, that's quite a savings!

You seem to go as much or more than we do, have you thought of a DVC purchase? We bit the DVC bullet last October, because on previous trips I have anguished over the deluxe, rack rate, dilemma. Now, the question is do I want to spend precious points on weekends.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

 

[cdntourguide]

My two favourite resorts are POFQ and POP. You could not make a better choice.
I have been to AKL and WF and have not gotten any additional benefit from spending the extra dollars over POFQ or POP.
IMO for the dollars spent,POP is the best buy. But then again I am so exhausted after at day at the parks, all I do at POP (or any resort) is sleep.

 

[lookingforward]

I think that due to the time you are going (summer) and the crowds that go with it, I would choose the Poly, WL, POFG. I might switch it around and stay at the POFG first and then just pick the poly for the remainder. It is only $45 more per night than the WL and the convienence of staying on the monorail during busy times is huge. Perhaps you could stay at POFG for four nights and the Poly for four. Total would be $2020 vs. your original cost of $2060. OR you could choose Wilderness for four nights and POFG for four which would save you another $180. OR you could stay at POFG for five nights and the poly for three, total savings: original cost $2060 new cost $1860. (forgive me if my math is not perfect!

I have stayed at the POLY several times and it is a great resort for kids. The pool is awesome and there are mouse boats, pontoons, etc. to rent. Ohanas is a great restuarant for kids too. And there is nothing like watching the fireworks from the beach of the Poly.

Whatever you choose I hope you have a wonderful vacation. You have beautiful kids!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

I chose the PO's: Poly/Pop/POFQ or whatever the order is! Those were going to be the resorts we stayed in.

 

[maxaroni]

I voted for Pop-POFQ.....

I think it's a personal decision and we all have different ideas. However, with that being said, the reason I went this route was because I just can't justify that much money to sleep. Yes, there are other perks but I think it is alot of money that I'd rather put elsewhere.

 

[threeboysmom]

Hi Fantasia! If you are concerned about the amount of money, I would replace one of the deluxes with Pop - my pick would be the WL (save it for another trip!). I'd do the Poly, Pop, and POFQ, except I'd change the order to have the Poly last and savor it You'd still get your deluxe and your beloved FQ, but would save almost $500 to put towards tickets.... Either way, HAVE FUN!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

*Fantasia* ~ This may seem like an unusual question - but have you talked to your kids about it? You mentioned the one option that would give you more $$$ for the character breakfasts, etc. Are your kids really interested in the character breakfasts? The picture of you and your kids is great! They look old enough to be in on the planning.

We have three boys...16 (with Down Syndrome), 12 and 10. Last year when we were planning our trip for October we sat down with them and let them in on the options and got their feedback. Some of the options had to do with WDW and some carried through into this year. We put a lot of thought into their opinions before we made our final plans. They all wanted to stay at POLY and they were willing to do without the character meals. They all said that they would be willing to give up a few extras, both at WDW and at home) to be able to stay there. (We did manage to still do one character meal at the Crystal Palace for our 12 year old's birthday. )

We did end up staying at POLY and everyone was thrilled with. And our boys never seemed to miss the few things that we gave up to be able to stay there. We're now planning our trip for next October and the boys have said the same thing....POLY!

Good luck!!!! I'm sure that whatever you choose you'll have a wonderful time with your kids!!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Oooops - One more thing....

I thing you'll really appreciate the monorail transportation from the POLY since it's going to be so crowded...and hot...when you go!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I asked my son where he wants to stay and he said "Hard Rock Hotel!" I said to him only Disney resorts. He said POFQ and ASSports. My daughter said "Somerset Inn." (It's a nice hotel that is a walking distance from us.) I said no just Disney resorts only. So she said POFQ and POP and WL. And of course she also mentioned CSR and ASMovies!! (She didn't mention CBR...which is fine with me!)

Yes... the HEAT the CROWD is something to consider. I have asked my son which parks he is interested and he said MGM and MK. Epcot only for making the masks (Kidcot).

The kids and I are fine with the food court at the moderate and the value. We do a lot of mid-day break and sometimes we head back out and sometimes we just end up staying and don't go back out until the next morning. We are "refill mugs folks." Even thought it's a hassle to go back and forth to our room just to drop it off before heading out the park. We love to swim (I don't swim, but we love water!)

I guess I did get spoiled with the discount code they used to have. I was able to stay at the WL courtyard twice for only $165 a night! And I know the location and the transportation can't be beat!

If anyone else would like to add or share your thoughts, please you are welcome to chime in! Thanks in advance!!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Okay...sounds like the kids weren't a lot of help! I think I'm out of ideas!

Good luck!!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

That's okay eeyoresmountainpals. Thanks for your help. I know for sure she loves POP and POFQ a lot. She is big enough to go down the tame slide at the POFQ. And she loves the kiddie pool at the POP. She has yet to try the Goofy's POP Jets.

I wonder why my son didn't care for the WL. He is in a cub scout and he likes the outdorsy stuff and likes to camp. He loves sports and I can see why he wants to stay at the ASsports.

 

[epcotfan]

I would switch to Pop/Porfq for the sheer simplicitity of only have to move between two resorts. Or I would ditch Pop entirely and spend the whole week at Porfq. The money you saved by getting rid of WL or Polynesian might cover an entire stay at Porfq.
Funny thing is last night I started thinking about dropping three days at CSR out of my 10 night stay to go to the Poly. I immediately thought of your dilemma

 

[bigbabyblues]

I voted for Pop/PO, because if we were going to split a stay that's what I'd do, and I wouldn't want to move twice and we're too cheap to pay for a deluxe. We liked ASMo when we stayed there, and right now our kids are small enough, the values are fine. When they get a little older, it will probably change.

It's a hard choice, but as often as you go, there will always be another trip for you (I hope), so if you miss one this time, you could stay there next time. Not much help I know, it's hard to choose where to stay!

 

[Magic2000]

I voted for Pop Century and Port Orleans French Quarter. (In fact, that's where we're staying in a few weeks!!!) My DD doesn't know about the pool slide, so I can't wait to surprise her with that!!

Since your children love Pop Century, as well as POFQ, why not save some money (and be able to plan ANOTHER trip HAHAHA). The kids will be happy with the choices too!! My DD loves All Star Movies and now, Pop Century! In fact, when we finally got to stay at Grand Floridian, she kept asking to go visit All Star Movies!

We've gotten spoiled with the codes too. Boy did I miss them this summer! Last summer, we stayed at Pop for $59/night, and WL for about $121/night. I just can't see paying too much for the hotel. We've stayed at Polynesian, Contemporary and Grand Floridian - we LOVE these hotels and the convenience just can't be beat (but we've only paid LESS THAN $200/night, including the early Dec 2002 trip to GF!) Right now though, I like staying at hotels that make the kids happy, and saving some money, and being able to go more often!!!

Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[Tishke]

I voted for Pop and POFQ. I know how it is to plan a trip on a budget, and I would much rather spend the money on character meals and souvenirs of the trip than on the room itself. DOn't get me wrong, the Poly looks beautiful, and I wouldn't mind staying there myself one day, but for the price difference and the fact that you could upgrade the tickets to enjoy more of the parks, Pop/POFQ seems the way to go. We'll be over at ASSP because of this reason. Less money on the hotel= more money for in park. Just MHO

 

[jarestel]

All that room changing sounds kind of brutal ( I don't like to check in-out so many times in such a short period of time ), so I chose the option with the fewest changes. And it's probably the cheapest option too.

Good luck!