Planning first trip to WDW, Have resort questions

[dawnstar]

I am planning my families first trip to WDW and need a little help with resort/hotel options. We would love to stay at one of the Disney resorts, but am afraid our budget won't allow it. I have seen the advertisement for the Best Western in the downtown Disney area for $49.00 a night and was wondering if anyone has stayed there in past. I want to be close to all the parks and have also noticed that they offer free transpertation to all 4 of them. Any advice would be helpful!!!! Thank you in advance

 

[safetymom]

Dawnstar, what time of the year are you planning on going? Will you be depending on the hotel transportation?

If you provide a little more information I am sure we can offer suggestions.

I haven't stayed at that hotel but have stayed off site.

 

[dawnstar]

I am planning the trip for December 1st. Like I said I have never been to Disney World before, so I have no idea what to expect. Any information will be helpful.

 

[safetymom]

Are you a member of AAA, Sam's Club or Costco because they offer discounts to different hotels?

You also might want to post on the Budget forum. You also could get information about using Priceline or Hotwire.

You also should visit http://www.mousesavers.com

Mary offers lots of great ways to save money when visiting WDW.

 

[PugLover]

I am planning our first Disney trip also! This board is fantastic so read it daily. I have learnd so much in just a few weeks.

We are staying at a Disney property (either the BWI or CBR) and initially we were not going to rent a car. After gathering much info we decided for our interests a car is the way to go. If you are staying at a monorail property you might not think it is necessary.

There is a board in this forum that addresses the off site hotels. Perhaps a look there would be helpful.

You will love this forum... I call them the Wise Disney Guru's

 

[Janet2k]

Dawnstar, welcome to the Dis!

First off, you need to purchase one of the travel guidebooks that are written about Walt Disney World. The old standard is the Birnbaum guidebook (I buy one every year, even though I’m a pro at WDW now). However, the PassPorter guidebook is one heck of a unique guidebook (I have purchased one every year, too). It is definitely one that you should consider purchasing. Any of the WDW guidebooks will tell you an awful lot about what there is to see & do while vacationing at WDW.

Second off, are you sure you can’t swing a stay in one of Disney’s value resorts? I only say that because it sure is *magical* staying in a Disney resort while vacationing at WDW – you get the Disney magic 24-hours a day. *Sigh.* With a discount code, you might be able to afford more than you realize. You could think about staying one day less at WDW and applying that "extra" money towards a WDW resort room that you're using a discount code for. You could also consider purchasing a theme park pass for a day or two less than your full stay. You could spend those “down” days bumming around your resort (my all-time favorite "bumming around" activity is swimming). The WDW value resorts have such wonderful pool areas (both their “main” pool and their “quiet” pools). Anyway, just something to think about. I have a trip planned for this October/November. I will be practicing what I preach – I’ll be spending quite a few days just lounging around my own resort’s swimming pool. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to that (my kids, too). I have survived three years of constant layoffs at my company, and the thought of myself sipping an ice-cold drink while sitting in a lounge chair at the pool is the only thing that is helping me keep my sanity during these tumultuous economic times.

If you want to check out video clips of each of the WDW resorts, please visit Dreams Unlimited Travel's "WDW Resorts" webpage (Dreams is the owner of this website that you're currently on). Click here to go to their "WDW Resorts" main page. Once you're on that webpage, just click on the resort of your choice. After you've done that, look for the link towards the top of the page that states, "VIDEO: Tour of xxxx Resort." I love looking at Dreams' videos. What a great way to see what each of the WDW resorts has to offer.

For more info on how to save money on a WDW vacation, check out the Dis' "Budget Board:" please click here.

No matter where you stay, I hope your first WDW vacation is *magical.* I know that mine was.

 

[dawnstar]

First off, thank you to those who have responded, after recieving all the info I looked around more and have found that my husband(who is in the military)will recieve 40% off the Disney resorts. Now all I have to do is choose the best one. I really like the Poly. but that still might be out since it would still be $174.00 a night. I really like the thought of having the monerail hooked to the resort. I don't really like the look of the CR. I have gone to mousesavers.com and have also found info on the hotels that she recommends that are off site hotels. I think that the Radisson is very nice also.

My next question is I think with the 40% off the Disney moderate resorts would be in our budget, but which is the best one? Do you get the Disney feel in each one? And since we will be going around Christmas will they all be decorated?

I think I will most likely stay at one of the moderate resorts, I just need to figure out wich one!!! Thanks again


I think I might buy the books that were mentioned in the previous post

 

[Janet2k]

Dawnstar, well, you've been a busy little bee, haven't you! Good going.

You can't go wrong with any of the moderates. I have stayed in all of them and loved 'em all. They are all unique and will offer you something slightly different, so if you have a preference for the "look" of one of them, then go with that one. Please view those videos that I mentioned in my prior post. They should help give you a "feel" for the resorts. That will help you with your decision.

I spent 3-1/2 weeks at WDW over the Christmas/New Year's holidays (2001/2002). We resort hopped all over the place (we stayed in five different WDW resorts: CBR, CR, ALK, OKW, BWV). The one thing I can tell you for certain is that EACH and EVERY WDW resort was decorated for the holiday season. And each resort's decorations were different than the next (sure, they all had trees, but it's amazing what can be done with the decorating of a simple tree).

Have fun planning.

 

[NTDIANE]

HI,

i HAVE STAYED AT THE CONTEMP. AND FOUND IT TO BE VERY MODERN AND A LITTLE COLD. MY FAVORITE RESORT IS THE WILDENESS LODGE, I HAD A VERY WARM FEELING BEING THERE.

 

[XStAnt]

If your husband is in the military you are really in luck. Besides a 40% discount on resorts, your husband gets a FREE 5 day pass, and can buy additional passes for family at only $99.00. What a steal. (The rest of us are very jealous). That will really cut down on your trip costs. Make sure you get the passes from guest services and not Shades of Green.

The moderate resorts are wonderful. You certainly get the Disney feeling at all of them. And at that time of year every resort is decorated for the holidays.

As to which moderate, that's something that's a matter of opinion. Many people on these boards prefer one resort over another (and often think the other moderates are subpar compared to the one they like). Personally, I'd pick the one that has the theme that appeals to you the most. IMO, beyond theming all the moderates are very similar (and I know others will disagree. No flaming).

You are going at a very good time of year. Crowds will be small yet many holiday activities will be going on. Get tickets to MVMCP and an E-Night if possible.

In addition to the guide books others have mentioned I'd recommend the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It provides tons of info. Some people don't like the tone because it can be a little critical at times. I think it's a little more unbiased than Birnbaum's (the "official" guide book). It also has some very handy touring plans.

Good luck with the planning and enjoy your trip.

 

[Janet2k]

Don't forget to order the WDW Vacation Planning video: click here to order it.

 

[safetymom]

You can't go wrong with any of the moderates. We have stayed at POR and CBR at Christmas. They were both great. They are decorated in keeping with the theme of the resort.

They had a cookie decorating party and Santa and the characters were there at CBR.

Christmas at Disney is a great place to be.

 

[dawnstar]

Safetymom-
The pics are great!!!! Was that a standard room you stayed in at the CBR, it was very nice. I called Disney resevations just a few mins. ago and they are really offering great rates!!! I am really starting to get excited

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at all 4 moderates and they are all great. I do have a preference but since it is mostly based on theme I won't state it!!! You should take alook at the pictures on the links below and choose based on which theme you like best.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/rescc/costcalc.asp

http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

www.wdwig.com

http://64.41.109.164/resorts.htm

 

[dawnstar]

Wow!! Thanks, Daannzzz!! Those sites were great! After seeing those I think my decision just got harder. They all are so great it will be hard to choose. Tomorrow morning I guess I will just call and see which ones are available. I will post again and let all who have helped know.

Thank you to all!!!!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Dawnstar,

I know you said you didn't like the look of the CR, but if I were you I'd still call SOG and see if your dates are available. It's based on rank, but we are only paying $99 a night to stay in the North Garden Wing in August. Since Shades will still be under rehab in Dec, that's where they'd put you, as well.

 

[tina95]

Dawnstar we will be at WDW at that time too. We are also at SAFB and live in Burk. I have 5 in our family and decided to get 2 rooms at All Star Movies, that way everyone has their own bed. It was about the same price as the mods but more room. We booked at a price of $80 per night for both rooms plus tax.
Also try WWW. afvc.com they have condos for mililtary for $249 for 7 nights. The only one I have found right now sleep 4. But they tend to open up more.

 

[dawnstar]

I have tried to book rooms through SOG but there is nothing available the time we are going. I don't really like the look of the Contemporary but I liked the idea of having the monerail. I have also looked into the Holiday Inn Family Suites. My daughter loved the theme rooms there. I would love to stay at a Disney hotel, but after my daughter seen the Disney themed kids suite there she was hooked. She loves the fact that she would have her own little space(which is suprising to me because latley she has been camping out on our floor) and the bunk beds she loves!!! Have any of you stayed there. I have gotten on to tripadvisor.com and everyone has given it great reviews.

 

[BlueFairy]

Dawnstar - you can request rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge which have bunk beds. And the atmosphere is to die for at both of these. Consider the Disney transportation, too, when you decide whether to stay at a non-Disney hotel. Good luck!!

 

[susy]

Nothing compares to being onsite. My favorite resort for the $$$ is Coronado Springs. It is very "deluxe" for a moderate! Has your daughter seen the pictures of All Star Movies? The codes for last year were for $49 at the All Stars. If you can get 40% off now, I would go ahead and book it! Check out wdwig.com for resort FAQ's and pics.