Oh boy, I need your help!!!!

[mykidsrock76]

I am asking, okay begging, for everyone's help. We are coming to WDW for 4 nights, pre-cruise in September. Our plans have gone back and forth many, many times and at this point my head is spinning.

We are planning on doing one day at MK and then hitting each waterpark for a day. But I cannot decide on a resort/dining plan.

So, this is where your help comes in. Please vote on which option you would choose and (if possible) tell me why.

TIA for all your help!!!!

 

[wahmtexas]

you will eat a LOT on the cruise so I would go with quick serve dining especially with Water Park day included CBR was our least favorite resort, lots of transportation problems and rooms not clean
just my 2 cents, have a great trip

 

[mykidsrock76]

That's what I was thinking with the food too. We don't overeat on cruises, but we definitely eat more than normal.

I was thinking about doing the QSDP, and maybe doing the Luau one night and paying OOP. And since we're doing the waterparks, I'm not sure how much swimming we'll be doing at our resort pool, except maybe our arrival night and the evening after MK (park closes at 7 that day).

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I voted for QSDP at CBR. And CSR is also nice, we've stayed at both. I prefer the theming of CBR a little more so than CSR, but both are lovely resorts. CBR has the newer zero entry pool.

Actually, I'd skip the dining plan and pay out of pocket, but we're not dining plan types, so do what is good for you.

I think the mods are so much nicer than the values because of their pretty, tranquil grounds. Have fun!

 

[mykidsrock76]

We really prefer the mods, but we're not opposed to a value. I'm concerned about the busses at ASMu since I have heard that they share with the other All Stars. What is the bus service like at CBR and CSR?

 

[momofkids]

I voted for Pop with QSDP, but if you are going on a cruise you might want to skip the DP altogether. Cruises always have soooo much food. You have already shelled out a bunch of money for the cruise, so why not save on the hotel a little. POP has its own buses separate from the other values from what I have heard. The transportation factor is more important to me than the accommodations anyway. I have heard the POP pool can be crowded, but if you are doing the water parks anyway, that may not matter much.

 

[Starclassic]

We've stayed at All-Star Music and loved it! The busses were never a problem.

 

[shannonstar]

I voted CBR w/ QS. I think the theming will go well with your vacation.

However, if it were me, I would choose POFQ. Much smaller resort and has better transportation in my opinion.

 

[mykidsrock76]

I voted CBR w/ QS. I think the theming will go well with your vacation.

However, if it were me, I would choose POFQ. Much smaller resort and has better transportation in my opinion.

Hadn't thought about POFQ... just what I need, another resort to think about.

 

[mykidsrock76]

I voted for Pop with QSDP, but if you are going on a cruise you might want to skip the DP altogether. Cruises always have soooo much food. You have already shelled out a bunch of money for the cruise, so why not save on the hotel a little. POP has its own buses separate from the other values from what I have heard. The transportation factor is more important to me than the accommodations anyway. I have heard the POP pool can be crowded, but if you are doing the water parks anyway, that may not matter much.

We originally weren't going to do a dining plan. But I figured it up and by the time we had lunch and dinner each day, and the kids will want a snack- we figured it was better to get the plan.

For those of you that do not get a dining plan.. how do you typically do meals in the parks to save $$$?

 

[MMS1125]

Depends how big of eaters you are..when we take a room discount and pay OOP for meals I usually get a kid's meal at QS or share a regular meal for lunch. (especially Flame Tree who IMO has huge portions) For my family Free Dining is a bigger savings unless we're staying in a villa or something.

I voted CSR with QSDP however, if I was doing the dining plan I'd do regular dining. You can use 2 credits for the Luau without having to pay OOP for that and still have a QS lunch or something. You could then just pay OOP for a QS meal later or something since you used an extra table service credit.

The queen beds and food choices make CSR better then CBR for me. Plus the breakfast buffet at CSR counts as a QS!

 

[mykidsrock76]

Depends how big of eaters you are..when we take a room discount and pay OOP for meals I usually get a kid's meal at QS or share a regular meal for lunch. (especially Flame Tree who IMO has huge portions) For my family Free Dining is a bigger savings unless we're staying in a villa or something.

I voted CSR with QSDP however, if I was doing the dining plan I'd do regular dining. You can use 2 credits for the Luau without having to pay OOP for that and still have a QS lunch or something. You could then just pay OOP for a QS meal later or something since you used an extra table service credit.

The queen beds and food choices make CSR better then CBR for me. Plus the breakfast buffet at CSR counts as a QS!

I didn't realize adults could order off the kids menu. That's good to know. The Luau was just a thought, but not a definite. And I like that the breakfast buffet counts as a quick service.

We actually won't get to our resort until around 9PM on arrival day, and doubt we will use any of our credits that day, except maybe a snack. So, I'm figuring we'll only need to pay for 2 meals (probably breakfast) OOP.

We had originally booked this as 9 nights at CSR with FD, but cancelled it to do something else. Now I'm kicking myself for cancelling it.

 

[softballmom3]

I chose Pop w/ QSDP because to be honest, I've stayed there before and LOVED it. Bus service was great too.....also I've done a cruise and know how much food is available there!!! I would go w/ a dining plan because I just wouldn't want the hassle, but that's just my 2 cents .

If I chose a mod it would be POFQ, very nice, smaller resort!

 

[KELLY]

I chose Pop w/ QSDP because to be honest, I've stayed there before and LOVED it. Bus service was great too.....also I've done a cruise and know how much food is available there!!! I would go w/ a dining plan because I just wouldn't want the hassle, but that's just my 2 cents .

If I chose a mod it would be POFQ, very nice, smaller resort!

We actually prefer the QSDP and like pop. So that would get my vote!

 

[mykidsrock76]

So, after more discussion last night, I think we've narrowed it down to a value. We're going to save CSR for our next trip when we have more time at WDW and can enjoy the pool more.

POP seems to be winning by a landslide over ASMu. Why is it so much better? The last time I stayed at ASMu was in 2001 and POP was 2007. So, I don't have much to compare. Are the All Stars that bad? I know the busses aren't ideal at ASMu, but we're only going to MK one day and the waterparks the other days. POP is $85 more for our stay and I'm just trying to weigh out if it's really worth it.

What makes POP better than ASMu?

 

[CanadianPaco]

I picked ASMu with DDP. I love this resort and would stay there in a heart beat!

 

[Herbie]

I vote CSR with QS, Its my fav mod resort and you will get enough "big" meals on the ship.

 

[AllieMallie]

We actually prefer the QSDP and like pop. So that would get my vote!

I vote for this too! I think it would be the most economical choice esp. since you're going on a cruise too.