Please help!

[almommyof2]

Hello guys! We have done several short disney weekends over the past 2 years or so. However, in September we plan to do it right so to speak and plan a nice 4/5 night trip. We like the deluxe dining as we get to eat where we want without worrying about cost and we are NOT a fan of disney quick service at all. Last trip we stayed at CAribe Royale and we like having the space of a 2 bedroom villa. (we have a 2.5 year old little guy and a 6 year old girl) However, this time hubby wants to stay on propery but we like having space to spread out. I just saw the AOA cars suites and my 2.5 year old son is a cars NUT!! I think it would be neat but also woner if this will feel like a value? For the price do you think I would be better suited in AK (we liked our stay there and having a balcony) or possibly vacation club studio? The vacation club 1-2 bedroom is not an option as it will put us over budget. We want to spend no more than around 3400-3500 for the whole trip suvs and all) I really like the idea of the room at AOA but want it to still feel nice and be quite not loud like some of the values. Any help or ideas would be greatly appricated! Have a great weekend!

 

[DizDaD7]

Is that with or without airline tickets? Just saying because for the last. 2 yrs we've been going we spent 3900 and 3800 each. This is for park tickets airline tickets free dining and accommodations at mods. Csr and por. Both trip s 9 nights. I definitely would do AoA because yes it will feel like a value. If you have heart set on a deluxe then ak is a good choice. But i would stay at tje mods which have a lot of other amenities that values dont have and you could extend you 4-5 day trip into a few more days for same price.

 

[DizDaD7]

Oooops typo.... that should read definitely wouldn't do AoA.

 

[almommyof2]

We actually are driving because we are only 6 hours away. I would love to do a longer trip but with hubby's work routine 5 days is max we can get away. Honestly, 4 will prob be more realistic. I am kind of thinking of AK. What do you think of cornodo springs? Are the rooms large enough? And 3400 is top end of my budget i would much rather stay under 3 as we will likely do a cruise or something in the spring. How are pools at the mods? We have stay at POR Jan 2011 but didn't even see the pools as I was sick most of the trip. We would like to have nice pools for kiddos to play in. Thank you so much for all your help

 

[I Run Long]

If you want to stay deluxe like AKV (as you mentioned you loved it there) why not try and rent points? You could get 5 nights at a 2 bedroom value view in Sept from a Sunday to Friday for 125 points. If you times that by say $11.00 per point that is $1375. Something to consider but only if you are fixed in your dates. They are not flexible and certainly don't have the ability to cancel and move about. We've done it once before and are renting about this year.

 

[almommyof2]

Thank you. I have thought about it but what if something falss through. You loose your reservation correct?

 

[I Run Long]

Yes that's true that if you reserve and have to cancel the DVC member may not be able to rebook using those points depending on whether they are due to expire etc. If, however, you are determined to go, know your dates - it is a great option. For instance, nothing short of me dying will be me from going.

 

[rookie78]

What about Carib Beach, the pool and pirate ship are a lot of fun. The pirate ship does have a height limit, my 7.5 was too tall to play on. My 4 loved it. You would want to get a preferred room. I don't think it would be great as far as space though, but we loved it. They show movies at night, I think it was really nice considering it was a moderate. I def think AoA is going to feel like a value. Which I don't have a problem with, but if you don't want it to feel like a value and want more space you are going to have to pay. If you have a max on your budget, you may have to compromise either space or money. Could be fun staying a brand new hotel and the themes look so neat, especially if 2.5 likes Cars!!!

 

[almommyof2]

What about Carib Beach, the pool and pirate ship are a lot of fun. The pirate ship does have a height limit, my 7.5 was too tall to play on. My 4 loved it. You would want to get a preferred room. I don't think it would be great as far as space though, but we loved it. They show movies at night, I think it was really nice considering it was a moderate. I def think AoA is going to feel like a value. Which I don't have a problem with, but if you don't want it to feel like a value and want more space you are going to have to pay. If you have a max on your budget, you may have to compromise either space or money. Could be fun staying a brand new hotel and the themes look so neat, especially if 2.5 likes Cars!!!

Thank you! It's such a hard decision LOL. I have actually started looking into carib beach

 

[DizDaD7]

U mentioned csr. This actually is my fav. Heres alil info between por n csr.

CSR- Resort Grounds: The theming here is really nice. All 3 areas are unique to its section and very well maintained. A nice walk around the whole resort is roughly 15-20 minutes or so.

POR- Resort Grounds: The theming here is also very nice. Just a little different. Southern feel. Both gorgeous grounds though. I'd say just a tad longer to walk around the grounds, but a pleasant stroll again.

CSR- Rooms: Stayed in Casitas 4 which had renovated rooms & was a perfect location. Queen Size beds too.

POR- Rooms: Stayed in Magnolia Mansions. Also Beautifully redone, w/ queen size beds as well.

CSR- Pool The main Pool is awesome. Really nice slide. Plenty of lifeguards on duty. Never Ever,ever crowded. I think the most amount of people there while we stayed was maybe 20. The quieter pools are very nice too.

POR- Pool: This Pool Is very nice as well. Slide is just a tad smaller than CSR but equally nice. the pool always had plenty of people around , but never felt like overcrowded. You always had plenty of chaise loungers to sit at. a lot more kids it seemed too. quieter pools were just that very quiet..

CSR- Food Court: aka. pepper market. I know not many people like the idea of being escorted to you seat, but literally u wait maybe 5 secs, honestly. Never is it packed, the market itself has a nice array of food too. A small gratuity ( maybe $5 ) should cover your server.

POR- Food Court: Although the food selections here are awesome, the way it's set up is like the values. And yes the seating area is bigger, It was always busy, no matter what time of day. Mornings are Chaotic though. Worse lines here than the darn parks...LoL

CSR- Bus Service: The best hands down: Although there are multiple stops, It seems most people grab it at the main one, to go to the parks. Never di we wait for more than 1 bus which were sooo frequent. NEVER did we have to come close to standing either, Going to the parks or returning..

POR- Bus Service: This one was just Eh. Imho. At least heading out to the parks in the morning. I think we waited for an extra bus 3 days going to parks. Coming back from DTD we waited for 3 buses, & forget coming back from Fantasmic. That was like 7 buses... But when we do return, the west stop ( i think) was very close to our mansion, which was nice. Also POR, Has the Boat ride to DTD, which is a pleasant ride & convenient.

I didn't eat at either of the 2 TS restaurants here, but have heard very good things about both. Also POFQ is just a smaller version of POR, but the New Orleans theming & closer feel, just didn't do it for me. Also the pool is a lil on the kiddish side. CBR I'm just not a big fan of. Layout, Theming, buses. The pool is good though. If I want to get a tropical theme ,then I'll go to the islands, not here. Thats just my $.02. Sorry. Don't mean to offend all of the CBR lovers

My suggestion, ( although its a hard one ) would probably got to CSR. It's a convention hotel , so it's never too crowded.

Either one you pick I'm sure you won't be disappointed.. Have a fun time choosing and once again its Disney u cant go wrong.

 

[almommyof2]

U mentioned csr. This actually is my fav. Heres alil info between por n csr.

CSR- Resort Grounds: The theming here is really nice. All 3 areas are unique to its section and very well maintained. A nice walk around the whole resort is roughly 15-20 minutes or so.

POR- Resort Grounds: The theming here is also very nice. Just a little different. Southern feel. Both gorgeous grounds though. I'd say just a tad longer to walk around the grounds, but a pleasant stroll again.

CSR- Rooms: Stayed in Casitas 4 which had renovated rooms & was a perfect location. Queen Size beds too.

POR- Rooms: Stayed in Magnolia Mansions. Also Beautifully redone, w/ queen size beds as well.

CSR- Pool The main Pool is awesome. Really nice slide. Plenty of lifeguards on duty. Never Ever,ever crowded. I think the most amount of people there while we stayed was maybe 20. The quieter pools are very nice too.

POR- Pool: This Pool Is very nice as well. Slide is just a tad smaller than CSR but equally nice. the pool always had plenty of people around , but never felt like overcrowded. You always had plenty of chaise loungers to sit at. a lot more kids it seemed too. quieter pools were just that very quiet..

CSR- Food Court: aka. pepper market. I know not many people like the idea of being escorted to you seat, but literally u wait maybe 5 secs, honestly. Never is it packed, the market itself has a nice array of food too. A small gratuity ( maybe $5 ) should cover your server.

POR- Food Court: Although the food selections here are awesome, the way it's set up is like the values. And yes the seating area is bigger, It was always busy, no matter what time of day. Mornings are Chaotic though. Worse lines here than the darn parks...LoL

CSR- Bus Service: The best hands down: Although there are multiple stops, It seems most people grab it at the main one, to go to the parks. Never di we wait for more than 1 bus which were sooo frequent. NEVER did we have to come close to standing either, Going to the parks or returning..

POR- Bus Service: This one was just Eh. Imho. At least heading out to the parks in the morning. I think we waited for an extra bus 3 days going to parks. Coming back from DTD we waited for 3 buses, & forget coming back from Fantasmic. That was like 7 buses... But when we do return, the west stop ( i think) was very close to our mansion, which was nice. Also POR, Has the Boat ride to DTD, which is a pleasant ride & convenient.

I didn't eat at either of the 2 TS restaurants here, but have heard very good things about both. Also POFQ is just a smaller version of POR, but the New Orleans theming & closer feel, just didn't do it for me. Also the pool is a lil on the kiddish side. CBR I'm just not a big fan of. Layout, Theming, buses. The pool is good though. If I want to get a tropical theme ,then I'll go to the islands, not here. Thats just my $.02. Sorry. Don't mean to offend all of the CBR lovers

My suggestion, ( although its a hard one ) would probably got to CSR. It's a convention hotel , so it's never too crowded.

Either one you pick I'm sure you won't be disappointed.. Have a fun time choosing and once again its Disney u cant go wrong.

Great information!!! Thanks!! Now plans have changed and we are going end of July. Would you still say CSR? Thanks so much!

 

[DizDaD7]

Im going for the 1st time too in the summerthis year so i too am skeptical. That being said. I know its going to be hot, so being around my resort will take place more this time than in years past. So having a reall nice pool is a must. We're at bwv so its probably the 4 th best pool on property. You will be lucky too because the quiet pools are awesome and so close to laundry facilities and main pool is probably 2 nd best, next to beach clubs pool. Trust mE u will love it at csr.