Plan B

[joolz1910]

I'm starting to plan ahead (what a surprise) just in case the OKW 1 bed deals aren't as good this year. I have worked out that our park tickets will come to approximately £1500 (4 Disney adults and 1 child). The 'free' DDP looks to be around £2000. If OKW + tickets + 'free' DDP is around £4500, we wll go for it as this means that we will have accommodation, tickets and food paid for upfront. The worry is whether OKW will downgrade the dining plan to quick service. Would it be sensible to accept that, upgrade to the regular dining plan or look elsewhere?

Any more than that, and we might have to consider other options...

I will have to pay for park tickets (£1500)
Food: I would expect to spend no more than £150 perday on 5 of us, so that's £1800 (over 12 days), so that is £3300 already!

We won't stay in one room, so alternative accommodation would have to be a suite. I have looked at AoA and Bonnet Creek. I don't want to drive.

Decisions, decisions.

Would anyone like to tell me what to do??

 

[wilma-bride]

Have you considered renting DVC points Jules? It may work out cheaper in the long run and you wouldn't have to buy tickets in order to get the dining plan.

 

[DLPDreams]

Hello Joolz

I know I looked at AoA in a suite (so we have separate sleeping areas) and for our dates next year (17 nights) price on WDTC at the moment is over £4,000. This is just for the suite, no tickets etc. I hadn't realised it would be that much tbh as thought AoA was a more basic hotel. I know this is a full rate, but it still did shock me. Obviously if you can fit in one room and happy with that, the price reduces drastically (but I realise this isn't for you - or us). I didn't price up two standard rooms - think it was about £1800 per room, so slightly cheaper to do that if you were happy with that.

I have a feeling the 'free' DDP just isn't going to be as good this year. Changes are afoot - just like the PP+ to MM, Disney wants to make as much money as possible by offering as little as possible that they can get away with (like most businesses)! I am hoping for a good room discount if nothing else!

Have you been able to find out the cost difference from upgrading QSDP to DDP? That might help you make a decision? When you are a family of 5 or 6, eating out in Disney is never going to be cheap , especially if you want do to some TS meals.

I know you were keen to stay at Disney - and you mention Bonnet Creek - is that any better for prices? It does look really nice there and so close, but I'd guess you'd then have to start thinking about taking the car you weren't going to bother with then? And all the issues of prebooking meals/FP/EMH come into play. I know it's not a big deal to some, but to others it is.

Guess it's just a waiting game .

At least you have your flights booked .

 

[joolz1910]

Have you considered renting DVC points Jules? It may work out cheaper in the long run and you wouldn't have to buy tickets in order to get the dining plan.

Yes Joh, that is something I would consider. Will have to get your help with working out costs though as I can't get me head around it lol.

Hello Joolz

I know I looked at AoA in a suite (so we have separate sleeping areas) and for our dates next year (17 nights) price on WDTC at the moment is over £4,000. This is just for the suite, no tickets etc. I hadn't realised it would be that much tbh as thought AoA was a more basic hotel. I know this is a full rate, but it still did shock me. Obviously if you can fit in one room and happy with that, the price reduces drastically (but I realise this isn't for you - or us). I didn't price up two standard rooms - think it was about £1800 per room, so slightly cheaper to do that if you were happy with that.

I have a feeling the 'free' DDP just isn't going to be as good this year. Changes are afoot - just like the PP+ to MM, Disney wants to make as much money as possible by offering as little as possible that they can get away with (like most businesses)! I am hoping for a good room discount if nothing else!

Have you been able to find out the cost difference from upgrading QSDP to DDP? That might help you make a decision? When you are a family of 5 or 6, eating out in Disney is never going to be cheap , especially if you want do to some TS meals.

I know you were keen to stay at Disney - and you mention Bonnet Creek - is that any better for prices? It does look really nice there and so close, but I'd guess you'd then have to start thinking about taking the car you weren't going to bother with then? And all the issues of prebooking meals/FP/EMH come into play. I know it's not a big deal to some, but to others it is.

Guess it's just a waiting game .

At least you have your flights booked .

The cost to upgrade from QS to DDP looks to be around £800. I don't think I would want to pay that on top of £4500 for OKW. We really enjoyed the TS meals but when you step away from Disney, would I really be willing to spend an additional £800 on them? Probably not. Bonnet Creek does complimentary shuttles every half an hour, so we could probably stay there and not have a car, at a push. But do I sacrifice the Disney bubble of onsite accommodation and go to Bonnet Creek and have more space??

I like the look of AoA but the suites look small for a family of 5, and like you say, they ain't cheap lol.

Or just saty at OKW with QS (if that's the way it goes) and accept that we can only have 1 or 2 TS meals as we will pay OOP?

 

[wilma-bride]

Yes Joh, that is something I would consider. Will have to get your help with working out costs though as I can't get me head around it lol.

Message me later and I will work some figures for you

 

[joolz1910]

Message me later and I will work some figures for you

Thanks Joh

 

[Elise79]

Hello Joolz

I know I looked at AoA in a suite (so we have separate sleeping areas) and for our dates next year (17 nights) price on WDTC at the moment is over £4,000. This is just for the suite, no tickets etc. I hadn't realised it would be that much tbh as thought AoA was a more basic hotel. I know this is a full rate, but it still did shock me. Obviously if you can fit in one room and happy with that, the price reduces drastically (but I realise this isn't for you - or us). I didn't price up two standard rooms - think it was about £1800 per room, so slightly cheaper to do that if you were happy with that.

I have a feeling the 'free' DDP just isn't going to be as good this year. Changes are afoot - just like the PP+ to MM, Disney wants to make as much money as possible by offering as little as possible that they can get away with (like most businesses)! I am hoping for a good room discount if nothing else!

Have you been able to find out the cost difference from upgrading QSDP to DDP? That might help you make a decision? When you are a family of 5 or 6, eating out in Disney is never going to be cheap , especially if you want do to some TS meals.

I know you were keen to stay at Disney - and you mention Bonnet Creek - is that any better for prices? It does look really nice there and so close, but I'd guess you'd then have to start thinking about taking the car you weren't going to bother with then? And all the issues of prebooking meals/FP/EMH come into play. I know it's not a big deal to some, but to others it is.

Guess it's just a waiting game .

At least you have your flights booked .

Yes Joh, that is something I would consider. Will have to get your help with working out costs though as I can't get me head around it lol.




The cost to upgrade from QS to DDP looks to be around £800. I don't think I would want to pay that on top of £4500 for OKW. We really enjoyed the TS meals but when you step away from Disney, would I really be willing to spend an additional £800 on them? Probably not. Bonnet Creek does complimentary shuttles every half an hour, so we could probably stay there and not have a car, at a push. But do I sacrifice the Disney bubble of onsite accommodation and go to Bonnet Creek and have more space??

I like the look of AoA but the suites look small for a family of 5, and like you say, they ain't cheap lol.

Or just saty at OKW with QS (if that's the way it goes) and accept that we can only have 1 or 2 TS meals as we will pay OOP?

Upgrade costs at the moment with Disney for 2015 per night are:
Adult (10+) - £15.00
Children (3-9) - £2.00

For adults you are paying an extra $24 roughly to get a TS meal instead of QS - now you have to then work out what is the value to you

 

[DLPDreams]

You probably know best, having been, whether you would be happy staying offsite - there are clearly lots of people on here who don't think twice about it and wouldn't dream of paying Disney prices.

I actually think the QSDP looks OK - you've said yourself in the past that you get plenty of food. With £800 saved from not upgrading, you could buy a few TS meals OOP.

The upside of not doing too many TS meals is you have more time in the parks. In an ideal world we'd wanted to go TS heavy (this being our first trip) - this includes 2 signature meals and a two breakfasts, but we'll see what Disney offer. If it's isn't a go-er we'll cut back.

Bonnet Creek does sound an option then - I am sure your girls would love the pool If it really is a silly price when offers are released we may end up there too. But I think we'd want a car for the duration if we do which has a cost implication.

I know nothing about renting points and don't even think my brain can take it right now - too many other things swimming around there! Joh sounds like she can help you out .

At least you are formulating a plan - unlike me .

 

[joolz1910]

You probably know best, having been, whether you would be happy staying offsite - there are clearly lots of people on here who don't think twice about it and wouldn't dream of paying Disney prices.

I actually think the QSDP looks OK - you've said yourself in the past that you get plenty of food. With £800 saved from not upgrading, you could buy a few TS meals OOP.

The upside of not doing too many TS meals is you have more time in the parks. In an ideal world we'd wanted to go TS heavy (this being our first trip) - this includes 2 signature meals and a two breakfasts, but we'll see what Disney offer. If it's isn't a go-er we'll cut back.

Bonnet Creek does sound an option then - I am sure your girls would love the pool If it really is a silly price when offers are released we may end up there too. But I think we'd want a car for the duration if we do which has a cost implication.

I know nothing about renting points and don't even think my brain can take it right now - too many other things swimming around there! Joh sounds like she can help you out .

At least you are formulating a plan - unlike me .

Patsy, I'm only planning like this because I have booked the flights - it's sent me into planning overdrive. lol

I have never stayed offsite, so this is completely unknown to me but most who have done it say that you need a car. I just don't want to drive as it's my holiday and I always do all of the driving.

It's weighing up whether to pay a premium price for onsite (and the benefits) or pay less for more space offsite but without the benefits.

 

[Elise79]

Did you have a car last time Joolz? You might be surprised about driving out there - its really easy and make life a lot easier

 

[joolz1910]

Did you have a car last time Joolz? You might be surprised about driving out there - its really easy and make life a lot easier

I did drive but I preferred not to. My DH doesn't drive, so it was always me, plus I like to have a cocktail in the evening, so we didn't use the car enough to make it worth it.

 

[DLPDreams]

I did drive but I preferred not to. My DH doesn't drive, so it was always me, plus I like to have a cocktail in the evening, so we didn't use the car enough to make it worth it.

This is one of the reasons I do not think a car would be worth it for us while 'fully' onsite. We don't intend going offsite once we've done US and DC (think we've scrapped SW for this visit which is a shame as it's in the price of DC ticket), and a bit of shopping at Premium Outlets. So, we figure the first week we will use it and so a split stay with US. Once 'into Disney mode' we won't be offsite so it will be sitting there. I know a lot of people like to use cars to get around WDW, even if staying onsite but I am hoping (!) we'll be happy with onsite transport. And, while we won't be drinking an awful lot each night, I too am a sucker for those glowing cocktails , and DH will want a beer etc. I just can't warrant another £300 plus for a car we'll hardly use.

As your DH doesn't drive, I can see why you aren't bothered about a car.

Hopefully Joh can help you with DVC points if that's something you can do. Even more hopefully, it won't actually be an issue at all (for all of us) when WDW do release offers!

Re the planning - you are right to do so - like you say, you have flights booked so ARE going, and not being organised or having a plan when it comes to booking accommodation can cause all sorts of problems . It's not like it's a cheap package holiday where you can take it or leave it, and being bound to school holidays and therefore sometimes, finite dates can make planning more difficult.

 

[wayneg]

You probably know best, having been, whether you would be happy staying offsite - there are clearly lots of people on here who don't think twice about it and wouldn't dream of paying Disney prices.

I wouldn't say I wouldn't dream of paying Disney prices, we stayed at OKW from 2009-1012 but over the years we have seen free dining at OKW go from £80/nt upto last year £160/nt, exactly double in 5 years, alongside the doubling in room rate they have reduced the DDP, early years used to include a starter and tips, now both extra. Plus as a tripple whammy they have increased the menu prices way more than inflation meaning if you want a starter you pay way OTT plus 18% ontop of overpriced food + 18% ontop of the "free" food + alcohol thats 2-3 times offsite and yet again 18% ontop.
One of the last meals we had on DDP in 2012 was at Sanaa, when we added a bread selection, other starters, drinks and tips we totalled almost $40 for 3 of us, we don't spend that total for food and tips at many places offsite.

So we do enjoy staying onsite but equally enjoy offsite and offsite dining, Disney have just chipped away at us every year, still trying to make out its free dining, I had to take a stand last year and say no more, others are still willing to pay it. Do the maths when they release prices, might be the right option for your family.

Juliette, you mentioned WBC buses earlier in the thread, If I have read it correctly its Grand Bonnet Creek(Hotel) that has free buses (plus $16/nt parking), the Timeshare villas have a fee each trip(plus free parking). I think I have that correct.

 

[joolz1910]

Juliette, you mentioned WBC buses earlier in the thread, If I have read it correctly its Grand Bonnet Creek(Hotel) that has free buses (plus $16/nt parking), the Timeshare villas have a fee each trip(plus free parking). I think I have that correct.

That's right Wayne. I went away and checked - the shuttle bus is $6 per person for each round trip. This means $360 for us over 12 days if we make one trip per day.