Please help!! Need to book today.

[smazarluvsdis]

Okay, here is our deal...
We are 2 families.
Family #1: (us)Mom, Dad, dd5, ds4
Family #2: Mom (7 months pregnant when we go), Dad, dd6, ds6
We are making a last minute trip 6/21-6/26. Of course we wanted SOG but it is booked. We could stay at POP for $99 or CBR for $149. Or, we could stay off site at Amerisuites Calypso Cay ($79-$89) or Wyndham Palace for $129.

Of course if we stay onsite we will have Magical Express. The other places have shuttles, but will they be as convenient for us? Will we need to rent a car? What would you do? Of course at this late date it is slim pickings...

Is the POP awful? It is the other family's first Disney trip so I don't want it to be horrible for them. Also, with my friend being so preggo I don't want the resort to be a horrible walk for her.

Okay and one more thing...next week we will be down there and we are getting annual passes...is it way too late to get an annual pass rate? Do you have to have the AP to book a room, or just when you check in?

Sorry so long, this is just daunting...

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Did you inquire if SOG would have any overflow rates during your time frame? If not, I would definately stay on site. I hear many great things about the POP. We are staying at Port Orleans this time but have always stayed at Value restort before and really enjoyed them. The theming is great for young children. As for your preggo friend I would just put a room request (of course not guranteed) to a building close to the main building. I think there are too many perks to staying on site. Magical express( no need to rent a car and then have to pay to park at the them parks). Early entry to the theme parks, etc. If you can afford to pay the $99 a night, then I say go for it!! Hope this has helped!

 

[elaine and the boys]

Love the CBR. Stayed there February 2004. Very relaxing. I recommend Jamaica building. Close to bus and just a short walk across the bridge to the food court. As far as APs, well from what I've read on these boards is that you don't need the actual AP at check in. An AP voucher will do. The CM at registration will probably require you to show your actual AP sometime before checkout. Good luck and have fun!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My personal choice would be to go with POR or CBR. You don't want to stay off-site especially with your friend being pregnant. If you are not booking room only you can get a good deal on the MYW dining plan $35 per adult and $10 per child per day and you get a sit-down meal, a counter-service meal and a snack. THe moderates come with a refrigerator ($10 a day at value) so you already narrow the difference in price.

THere really is a difference in the magic when you stay on-site. ALso if you're staying on-site you can use Magical express and not have to rent a car or pay for a town car service. You get the benefit of EMH in the parks when you stay on-site. Theres a lot to do for kids at POR. They have a neat pool and a fishing hole. They have Bob Jackson at the River Roost Lounge which is nice family entertainment. They also have a boat that goes to Downtown Disney. There are carriages ride - $30 for 1/2 hour. CBR has a beach if that's more important to you.

Whatever you decide - have fun!

 

[elaine and the boys]

Any chance of staying at POFQ? Smaller resort...less walking. Might be good for your pregnant friend. Loved that resort, too. It's been recently renovated, too.

 

[eeyore45]

POP will be wonderful for your family - stay on site, take advantage of the Magical Express as well as the on site transportation at Disney, read some of the great reports here on Pop, great theming etc... also you can request to have adjoining or connecting rooms, at Pop (and other resorts too!) You may want to use the 'search' feature here and read more on the POP, which building etc...

Good luck, and know it will be magical!!

 

[jcsbama]

My suggestion is to try to stay onsite if at all possible. It's hard to describe the "extra magic" by staying onsite. I have stayed off site once, and I won't do that again. There is just something different about staying at a Disney resort. I'm staying at Disney the same week you are and as of yesterday I changed my ressie from one resort to a different one with the AP rate, so there are still rooms available on the AP rate for that week, at least there was yesterday. By staying onsite and taking advantage of the magical express, you won't have to worry about dealing with your luggage and four small kids at the airport. When you check your bags in at the airport, you won't have the hassle of going to baggage claim. Your luggage "magically appears" in your room (or so I'm told, I'm anxious to here how this really works out). If you decide to stay offsite, I suggest a town car or limo as a transfer from the airport instead of a shuttle or just getting a rental car. Have fun planning!

 

[suevee]

People start to cancel at SoG 30 days out from their reservation. I would would make alternative ressies but not give up and keep calling SoG every few days just in case a room opens up.

 

[smazarluvsdis]

through SOG overflow. Our rate is $149, not a discount but not too bad. I will be at SOG next week so I will check again while I am there and again when I get home just to make sure no one has cancelled. Thanks for all of your advice. I think staying onsite is best too, but I just wanted to make sure. CBR is the only moderate that was available to us. I've read some mixed reviews about it...hope it's ok. Regardless, it will be more convenient for us than staying offsite. Can't wait for my trip next week!!