Picking Resorts 1/28-2/3-Any advice welcome

[Haley R]

Hi everyone. We just did a really last minute decision today and decided we are going to wdw from January 28-February 3. We were able to get amazing plane tickets from Frontier and Southwest! We have 4 options for hotels and I'll list those below. It's just Dh and I and we will be doing DAH events on 1/28-MK (arrival night), 1/31-AK, and 2/2-HS. We also have 2-day base tickets that were comped to us and want to use those at Epcot for sure one of the days, maybe even both. The rest of the time will be relaxing, Disney Spring, and maybe putt putt. So here are our hotel choices:

#1: Boardwalk and Beach Club (both garden view)-$2482
-This would be a 3/3 split.
#2: Boardwalk and Caribbean Beach (king bed)-$1937
-This would be a 3/3 split.
#3: Boardwalk and Caribbean Beach (king bed)-$2137
-This would be a 4/2 split with the 4 nights at BW.
#4: Priceline Express Deal and Beach Club-$1738
This option is the weirdest. I've been using Hotel Canary and the options listed for this listing are: Boardwalk, Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boulder Creek Villas (Wilderness Lodge), Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, Yacht Club. I'm pretty sure it's AKL and that would be our least favorite out of all of the ones listed since we would like to spend most of our time near Epcot.

The Priceline price is pretty significant, but not guarantee we even get a Disney resort and we aren't sure about taking that risk. BW and CBR would be new resorts for us. We have stayed at AKL and BC before. What do you guys think?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would choose #4 first, but of course you need (or need to budget for) transportation. And you need a sense of adventure .
Then #1, because you're not going down a level with the move.
Then #2, because itsw a 3/3 split and lets you "settle in" more at each location.
Finally, #3.

But is it possible to flip the order on #2 or #3? Moderate first, then Deluxe?

 

[Haley R]

I would choose #4 first, but of course you need (or need to budget for) transportation. And you need a sense of adventure .
Then #1, because you're not going down a level with the move.
Then #2, because itsw a 3/3 split and lets you "settle in" more at each location.
Finally, #3.

But is it possible to flip the order on #2 or #3? Moderate first, then Deluxe?

Thanks for your input! I looked up every possible option and BW for some reason only worked the first part of our trip. The second part is over a weekend so we think that might be why. I agree with you about #1 and I actually like that one best even though it's more expensive because we get to stay in the Epcot area. We won't have a park ticket for 2/1 which would be our second resort so I would rather not be near Epcot then because I know we'll want to go in lol.

 

[Happy814]

I think I would do #4! That's a pretty significant savings, plus an upgrade in hotel category. Especially since this is a last minute trip, and you've had several trips in the last year. Throw caution to the wind and see what happens lol.

 

[Haley R]

I think I would do #4! That's a pretty significant savings, plus an upgrade in hotel category. Especially since this is a last minute trip, and you've had several trips in the last year. Throw caution to the wind and see what happens lol.

Lol but I'm so nervous!

 

[Happy814]

Lol but I'm so nervous!

I completely understand! I'm obsessive when it comes to WDW and I like to plan every detail. What I've learned is that *usually* things work out perfectly and we have a great time.

What's the worst that can happen? You get AKL which isn't your favorite but you can make the best of it with a Boma breakfast or reservation at Jiko. Or you get off property (worse, worse case) BUT you're already in your 30 day FP window so that doesn't matter, you just have to worry about transportation which you can easily afford Lyft a few times with your savings. And it's only for 3 days. Best case scenario, you get theme park view at The Grand Floridian!!! And you're squealing from your computer chair!!! Haha!

In all seriousness though, I get it. It's tough. I have to be up in 5 hours but I'm scouring the web for wdw deals bc I'm having serious regrets about cancelling my bounceback for free dining.

 

[Haley R]

I completely understand! I'm obsessive when it comes to WDW and I like to plan every detail. What I've learned is that *usually* things work out perfectly and we have a great time.

What's the worst that can happen? You get AKL which isn't your favorite but you can make the best of it with a Boma breakfast or reservation at Jiko. Or you get off property (worse, worse case) BUT you're already in your 30 day FP window so that doesn't matter, you just have to worry about transportation which you can easily afford Lyft a few times with your savings. And it's only for 3 days. Best case scenario, you get theme park view at The Grand Floridian!!! And you're squealing from your computer chair!!! Haha!

In all seriousness though, I get it. It's tough. I have to be up in 5 hours but I'm scouring the web for wdw deals bc I'm having serious regrets about cancelling my bounceback for free dining.

Lol it's all kind of a gamble I guess. So now someone mentioned Orbitz which I didn't even look into and they have a promo code. I have to go through all of those options now, too. AHHHH!!!

 

[TJA]

I'm not a fan of going from a deluxe to a moderate in a split stay, so I voted for #1. I know you said you won't have a park ticket for Feb 1, but we've always loved staying at Epcot resorts without entering a park, especially the BC. Hanging out at the pool, walking to mini golf, eating around the boardwalk somewhere, and renting a surrey bike during Illuminations equal a great non-park day to us!

 

[Happy814]

Lol it's all kind of a gamble I guess. So now someone mentioned Orbitz which I didn't even look into and they have a promo code. I have to go through all of those options now, too. AHHHH!!!

Just to make it more complicated, be sure to check Hotwire, CheapTickets and Undercover Tourist. Also, you could check the DVC rental sites for last minute dedicated reservations.

 

[Haley R]

Just to make it more complicated, be sure to check Hotwire, CheapTickets and Undercover Tourist. Also, you could check the DVC rental sites for last minute dedicated reservations.

I actually do have Hotwire and undercover tourist in my pricing. It’s kind of a mix where I got the prices from.

 

[Haley R]

Okay so I got a new option with a magical rate:
$1,800 for all 6 nights at WL

We’ve never stayed there before so I’m not sure if we’d want to be there all 6 nights and be away from the Epcot area. I could ask our TA if we could do the last 3 nights there though

 

[Haley R]

Well we ended up going with 3 nights at yc club level and 3 nights at cbr. Super excited!

 

[TJA]

Well we ended up going with 3 nights at yc club level and 3 nights at cbr. Super excited!

Nice! I think you might get a little spoiled by YC CL, though! Enjoy

 

[Haley R]

Nice! I think you might get a little spoiled by YC CL, though! Enjoy

I'm thinking so, too! lol

 

[dansdad]

Well we ended up going with 3 nights at yc club level and 3 nights at cbr. Super excited!

Excellent choice. Both are awesome!