Old Key West, Beach Club, Fort Wilderness or.... Private Villa?!

[starrysky]

OKW is now our favourite resort. We stayed there for the first time last year in a studio and due to the saving on a 1bdr we have book that option for this year.

Have had a look on the Disney website for october next year and OKW and SSR are not listed where as all the other resorts are

Its a lovely resort and there is plenty to do there with pool games and all sorts going on.

I personally would not go to Wet and Wild it just lacks the atmosphere and theme of the Disney ones. Aquatica my sister in law went to and she said while it was nice there was not as much as at the Disney ones.

We never book a car and if we do want to go to Discovery cove or shopping we get a taxi from DTD and back to DTD. Its a little cheaper from there. We did not like the idea of paying for a hire car to only use it for a couple of days.

 

[Tony Toon]

I'm another who wonders about the need to go to Wet & Wild. We much prefer the Disney water parks. Why? I don't really know other than feeling more secure and comfortable and of course Disney Transport will get you there. W&W has nothing that we look for that that Disney doesn't. What I would say is that if we go to Blizzard Beach then we have to get there quite early to get a good location whereas we seem to be able to find a good spot in Typhoon lagoon much easier later in the morning.

 

[Holstar]

I know how you all feel about Wet 'n Wild. I was quite horrified when I read some of the reviews... but it's the one place our 13 (will be 15 at the time) year old niece is quite adamant she wants to go to.

I'd be quite happy to do just Disney with Discovery Cove as Disney has been my dream holiday for too long... but we're giving our nieces this big one in a lifetime holiday, and as such they want to get involved in where we go and what we do too!

My plan is to hire a cabana and sunbathe whilst she runs around

But, we're mainly thinking about moving half way through due to money. I definitely want to stay at a Disney resort for as long as possible... but I'd like to go for longer than 14 nights. By staying at Disney for just two nights less, we could save up to £1,500! That pays for an extra week in a villa and then some!

xxx

 

[Elise79]

I know how you all feel about Wet 'n Wild. I was quite horrified when I read some of the reviews... but it's the one place our 13 (will be 15 at the time) year old niece is quite adamant she wants to go to.

I'd be quite happy to do just Disney with Discovery Cove as Disney has been my dream holiday for too long... but we're giving our nieces this big one in a lifetime holiday, and as such they want to get involved in where we go and what we do too!

My plan is to hire a cabana and sunbathe whilst she runs around

But, we're mainly thinking about moving half way through due to money. I definitely want to stay at a Disney resort for as long as possible... but I'd like to go for longer than 14 nights. By staying at Disney for just two nights less, we could save up to £1,500! That pays for an extra week in a villa and then some!

xxx

Have you shown her TL? I would think that would exceed wet n wild.

I would wait till next years prices are released before you start making decisions

 

[Holstar]

So!

My boyfriend Ben has made a decision about what he thinks he wants to do... and I can't help agree.

We contacted Disney today to get an update RE when they're releasing dates/prices/offers for OKW next year.

I'd mentioned that I wanted to stay at Beach Club, but we'd never be able to afford it and the guy made a recommendation that Ben and I agree with.

He suggested that we book a room at the Beach club - two double beds and a day bed. He priced it up at £3442 for ten nights/eleven days with our tickets! The same amount of time at OKW was going to be around £4300 (or so Disney quoted)!

I understand that it's not a villa, and the room will be crowded with two adults and three kids... but oh my gosh, this is my dream resort! And, to be honest, we're not going to be spending a lot of time there anyway!

So... our plan is ten nights at Beach Club and then a week in a Private Villa!!

EEEEEK!!

But I have two questions for you....

1. When the Disney Dining Plan offer is released (I know this hasn't been confirmed, but I can live in hope!), based on how it worked last year... which dining plan will this resort qualify for?

I know if you stayed in a moderate resort, you got the Disney Dining Plan, and if you stayed in a Deluxe Resort you got the Deluxe Dining Plan - do you guys think it will be the same this time around? If so, would that mean that our stay would qualify?

2. Our plan is to do all ten nights / eleven days of Disney, and then spend the week in the villa doing all the off site things, such as Universal, Wet 'n Wild and Discovery Cove. Do you think eleven days will be enough time to do all of Disney?

I feel like we've changed our minds a million times - but, I think I'm realising that this is my dream once in a life time holiday, and, I want to do it my way! That means my dream resort... even if I have to sacrifice on space!

Thank you guys for all of your help and support! You've been amazing!

xxxxx

 

[dixonsontour]

UK dining offer is usually QS for moderate resorts and ddp for deluxe resorts - you can pay extra to upgrade to deluxe but is never free.

 

[Holstar]

UK dining offer is usually QS for moderate resorts and ddp for deluxe resorts - you can pay extra to upgrade to deluxe but is never free.

Ah thank you! I wasn't sure, I didn't really pay much attention to this years offers as I knew we wouldn't be going this year!

Thank you for that

xxx

 

[disneyholic family]

So!

My boyfriend Ben has made a decision about what he thinks he wants to do... and I can't help agree.

We contacted Disney today to get an update RE when they're releasing dates/prices/offers for OKW next year.

I'd mentioned that I wanted to stay at Beach Club, but we'd never be able to afford it and the guy made a recommendation that Ben and I agree with.

He suggested that we book a room at the Beach club - two double beds and a day bed. He priced it up at £3442 for ten nights/eleven days with our tickets! The same amount of time at OKW was going to be around £4300 (or so Disney quoted)!

I understand that it's not a villa, and the room will be crowded with two adults and three kids... but oh my gosh, this is my dream resort! And, to be honest, we're not going to be spending a lot of time there anyway!

So... our plan is ten nights at Beach Club and then a week in a Private Villa!!

EEEEEK!!

But I have two questions for you....

1. When the Disney Dining Plan offer is released (I know this hasn't been confirmed, but I can live in hope!), based on how it worked last year... which dining plan will this resort qualify for?

I know if you stayed in a moderate resort, you got the Disney Dining Plan, and if you stayed in a Deluxe Resort you got the Deluxe Dining Plan - do you guys think it will be the same this time around? If so, would that mean that our stay would qualify?

2. Our plan is to do all ten nights / eleven days of Disney, and then spend the week in the villa doing all the off site things, such as Universal, Wet 'n Wild and Discovery Cove. Do you think eleven days will be enough time to do all of Disney?

I feel like we've changed our minds a million times - but, I think I'm realising that this is my dream once in a life time holiday, and, I want to do it my way! That means my dream resort... even if I have to sacrifice on space!

Thank you guys for all of your help and support! You've been amazing!

xxxxx

pardon my bluntness, but i think you're absolutely insane trying to squeeze 5 people into a beach club room.
I've stayed in those rooms many times.
Once my kids got to be teens, we had to take two rooms.
you will be terribly cramped in 1 room with 5 people.

by the way, if the free dining offer includes a 43% discount, an OKW 1 bedroom will probably be cheaper than the beach club.

 

[Elise79]

pardon my bluntness, but i think you're absolutely insane trying to squeeze 5 people into a beach club room.
I've stayed in those rooms many times.
Once my kids got to be teens, we had to take two rooms.
you will be terribly cramped in 1 room with 5 people.

by the way, if the free dining offer includes a 43% discount, an OKW 1 bedroom will probably be cheaper than the beach club.

I agree with Beth! Its not just sleeping its the 'stuff' for 5 people too.

This year our OKW stay was £1100 for 7 nights excluding tickets for a one bed villa. With tickets it will be in the same reason however you will be comfortable and have over double the space!

Both resorts have previously been offered the DDP - one TS, one CS and snack per night.

 

[Tony Toon]

I'm obviously not alone taking a sharp intake of breath when you mentioned 2 adults and 3 children in one of the Beach Club rooms. You are right in that it is a dream resort - we just love it - but it will be so cramped trying to do all the things 5 people want/need to do. We have done it with our 2 adult children. Wishing to finish off our holiday at our favourite resort we booked a room at BC where, to be fair, we had a lovely time. However we were very aware of the difficulty in not stepping on each other, sharing bathroom facilities etc - and we were adults and for only 2 nights. I would hate for you to have another otherwise magical dream holiday spoiled in some way by any tension caused by falling over each other at the beginning and end of the day(plus any down time you might require). We "coped" over 2 days with the understanding we would have to compromise. 10/11 days might be very difficult not to be able to "spread out" or have any privacy whatsoever.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a fantastic holiday.

 

[fitnessmouse]

If you really have your heart set on the Beach Club, you may consider renting points from a DVC owner and stay in a 1-bed or 2-bed room villa.
The DVC-owner can add the diningplan for you (if you wish) and you can purchase your tickets separately at any UK vendor you wish.

 

[Holstar]

If you really have your heart set on the Beach Club, you may consider renting points from a DVC owner and stay in a 1-bed or 2-bed room villa.
The DVC-owner can add the diningplan for you (if you wish) and you can purchase your tickets separately at any UK vendor you wish.

You can do that? Oh gosh, I wouldn't even know where to start though... How does one rent DVC points? And, how much would that cost? Where would I find someone to rent from?

And, I know I'm probably being naive. But, we've stayed in family rooms (for five/six) people during holidays in the past, and I'm very aware that we're simply not going to be in the room much - even if we did have a villa.

Out of interest... the Disney guy said the rooms were huge, and big enough for two adults and three kids, with a balcony etc. Is this not the case?

xxxx

 

[Tony Toon]

Hi - some pictures of the room we had, to give you some idea of dimensions. They are good sized rooms (and surprisingly but importantly reasonably tidy) but not what I wold describe as huge. I hope this helps. Tony

 

[Elise79]

How old will the children be? That might make the difference.

Also with Florida you might be surprised how tired you get and you may want more of break in your room.

 

[Holstar]

The girls will be 15, 12 and 9... so not tiny I know!

Thinking about room types, Disney have said that the standard room is 400 square foot, but a pool view room is 500-550 square foot... and it's only £350 more.

xx

 

[fitnessmouse]

you can check www.dvcrequest.com for starters. you can also try to arrange something with an owner individually. check the dvc rental forum.

 

[Elise79]

The girls will be 15, 12 and 9... so not tiny I know!

Thinking about room types, Disney have said that the standard room is 400 square foot, but a pool view room is 500-550 square foot... and it's only £350 more.

xx

I am not sure that is right - most of the rooms at a resort are the same size.
This is the

Beach Club FAQ Thread

They are really friendly bunch and helpful. The biggest standard rooms on site are at Contemporary and Polynesian.

However with three girls of those ages I would give some thought to a villa as I truly believe you will all have a much nicer time.