Please! Resort Help Needed!

[jayyyloooo]

My family has been to Disney multiple times, but we are going on a trip in November and considering staying onsite for the first time.

We have two problems though:

1) We can afford to stay at a deluxe, it will be going a little over budget, but if it is worth it we will. But I've been reading things lately about how they are way to expensive and not worth the money. The two reasons I have always wanted to stay at one have been proximity to the parks and the pools (but we are going at the end of November so I'm not sure how much swimming we will be able to do). And I'm pretty sure (please, correct me if I am wrong) that those resorts will be better decorated for the holidays. Based on this information, do you guys who have stayed at both deluxes and the others, think it would be worth it?

2) My family is not the typical Disney target family. We are not young children. I am sixteen, my brother is 22, and my sisters are 24. The four of us and my parents would rather not spend are vacation crowded with children (no offense to those kids, I find their total excitement of being in DW completely magical, but we are past that time in our lives). Not so much that we don't want to be around kids, but we don't want the theming to be just around them, a little more sophisticated. I know the deluxes would probably satisfy this, but are there any mods or (less likely) values that would?

We also have the option at staying at the Hilton near DTD for free (using points). I would like to have the full experience of a Disney resort, but if this is close enough, let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Verstehen]

I haven't stayed at the Hilton, but free sounds nice to me. If you're still really leaning towards a property hotel, I've stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and did not think it was a bad experience at all. In fact, I loved it. The deluxe hotels do tend to be better decorated, but it's not difficult to visit other hotels to look at their decorations.

What you could do is stay at a moderate hotel, or the Hilton, and make dinner or lunch reservations at one of the more expensive hotels, so you'll be able to see the decorations. The moderate hotels have nice pools.

 

[maryj11]

I have stayed at a Disney value resort, 2 moderates and 1 deluxe. The value resort seemed to have more kids and be more hectic. I really enjoyed the moderates just as much as the deluxe we stayed in. I think you would like one of the moderates and that would save you some money. I'm not sure which one would appeal to you but, I'm sure you will love staying onsite .
I know Coronado Springs is large and alot of walking, but it has great bus service, a really nice pool and hot tub and queen beds.
Port Orleans Riverside is also really nice, it seems really peaceful, it has a great food court and restaurant, nice pool and a boat to down town disney.You can check all 4 out here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/resort-descriptions.htm

 

[pixidustmom]

I've never stayed deluxe but if we did (my girls are 20/21) they liked WL or the Poly. We have stayed at the POR and it was very nice to them but we stayed in the mansions. They buoy wasn't the theme they liked so it worked out great for us. They enjoyed taking the boat to DTD and renting the little ones themselves. They were 16/17 when we last took them. They are renovation being done too with queen beds.
We prefer to use the money for fun things not so much for the rooms.

 

[gracy_hm]

I am the type of person who doesn't turn down free. Free can not be beat. Heres why:

1)You will spend only a small amount of time in the hotel
2)Hilton has a nice comfy bed more so than most Delux
3)Unless your intention is to do DDP you don't need it.
4)With the money you save you can divert that and use it for indulgences that will push your trip over the top.
5)By all means stay at a resort if your set on it BUT they aren't going anywhere and you'll have a great time regardless.
6)FREE!

Have fun

 

[gracy_hm]

Just a note the full Disney experience. Imagine a Spa Treatment for a woman in the family or man thats about $300 or one night at a deluxe.
Then imagine a special tour or a fireworks cruise to illuminations. Those memories are worth more to me than a nice lobby. But I could argue the other way as well.

 

[danceintherain]

If I was going to Disney with all adult type people and could afford it, I would probably stay at one of the hotels in the Epcot resort area.

When my parents took us, at similar ages, we stayed at the Doubletree in DTD. We ended up getting a really good rate through the Mousesavers newsletter, so my Dad didn't have to use his points. While I still prefer on property, the Doubletree was a nice place to stay. They have transportation to the parks that is slightly less convenient than Disney transportation, but manageable, and you can walk to DTD.
The only major difference between the Hilton and the Doubletree is that the Hilton can used EMH, but the Doubletree is an all suite hotel, each of which sleep 6, so you would only need the one "room."

 

[Sue M]

With 6 adults, you won't fit into a regular room at Disney. So you'd have to get 2 rooms. Or a 2 bdrm villa which is very pricey.
I love the deluxe resorts, but only when I can get a discount. Disney does put out discounts, have to watch the web site and look under Specials. Mousesavers.com has a chart of historical discounts you can check to see if there have been discounts in the past during your time period. http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends

Another option is 2 rooms at a moderate. POR is our fav. moderate, and my daughters are 21 & 25. You can look here to get info on the resorts, look on the left side http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Since you are six people you need at least 2 rooms at a Deluxe or Mod. Or you could do a villa at a DVC resort.

I think the BWV would be a great choice because of your ages and the location. You could check rates and see if there are any deals (or rent points!) to do a 2 BD at the BWV. Once we did that, we ended up DVC members....

Staying onsite is well worth it to us.

 

[SIMJUN]

Kidani Village might be a good choice.

 

[cbg1027]

I would definitely avoid the values. They seem very little kiddie with their cartoony-ness, and I notice more children at them.

The only mod I've stayed at is POFQ, but it was very quiet and relaxing, with a subdued elegance to the atmosphere. From what I can see, CSR looks like a good options for fewer kids.

I do agree the deluxes are decorated better around Xmas. I've stayed at AKL twice, so that's my only experience with a deluxe....but I would say it is worth it if you like to spend time relaxing at the resort. I would not book a deluxe if you're in the parks for everything except sleeping and showering.

As several PP's pointed out though, you would have to book two rooms. So for that reason I would probably stick with a mod.

It is entirely possible (I would give it a 50% chance) that it will be warm enough to swim in late November. I'm a Floridian myself, and on my last two trips in mid-December, I went swimming.

I personally would not want to stay at the DTD Hilton. I like staying in Disney hotels so I can be in the magic 24/7. Also, the traffic on Buena Vista Drive around DTD to the parks can be pretty bad, so staying at a DTD hotel can significantly increase your transportation time. While free is nice, I personally would save the Hilton points for another destination.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Hello! I sent you a private message! We have been all adults going to WDW for YEARS! I can help you with this!

 

[sleeperclan]

Since you are six people you need at least 2 rooms at a Deluxe or Mod. Or you could do a villa at a DVC resort.

I think the BWV would be a great choice because of your ages and the location. You could check rates and see if there are any deals (or rent points!) to do a 2 BD at the BWV. Once we did that, we ended up DVC members....

Staying onsite is well worth it to us.

I agree with the above poster! We are DH, myself, DS (19yrs) and DD (16yrs) and have enjoyed staying at DVC resorts on rented points. The EPCOT resorts can't be beat for location for your group; so, I would try to rent either BWV or BCV! Either way, though, you'll be at Disney

 

[1971DBday]

Just a note the full Disney experience. Imagine a Spa Treatment for a woman in the family or man thats about $300 or one night at a deluxe.
Then imagine a special tour or a fireworks cruise to illuminations. Those memories are worth more to me than a nice lobby. But I could argue the other way as well.

We are the opposite! We really take the time to enjoy our resort. We have stayed at two of the moderate resorts: CBR and CSR. If you don't want to be near many little kids, then I personally wouldn't choose CBR. However, CSR also has a convention center and therefore the pool was never really packed.

As for deluxe, we have stayed at Poly, WL and GF (parents stayed at CR). You will have little kids wherever you go, but all of these our great options and not an over abundancy of little ones. However, I agree with a previous post that you may prefer a deluxe near EPCOT/DHS. We tend to stay closer to MK since we still have a little one (and well...it is still my favorite park and we are hooked on the Poly.) Others may be choosing the deluxe resorts with little ones for that same reason. One other benefit of the Poly is a a monorail ride away to MK and EPCOT.

By the way this is our first year going in October, but we have spent the past 5 years going during November/December. We have swam EVERY trip. Yes some of the temps were just reaching 70...were nuts...but we did have high 80 even some 90 degree days.

Good luck and have a fantastic time on your trip!

 

[bluejasmine]

I have stayed Hilton DTD it is pretty close and is nice! Huge in fact with several restaurants in it not counting the ones across the street at DTD. The Hilton also has a nice pool area and shuttles to the parks..

I say do a split stay.. Part of it at Hilton for free then move to a deluxe! If your a MK family stay at a monorail resort or if your an EP family stay in that area.. Also I hear AK is nice and is a cheaper option.

Or stay POR its a very nice, relaxing Moderate resort.

Now I would suggest if your a on the constant go family dont spring for a deluxe if your a family that likes to spend daily time at resort swimming and relaxing do a deluxe or mod.. There is a chance you can still swim alot in Nov..

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Coronado Springs is a great moderate if you are interested in getting two rooms.

I think you should visit the DVC boards and look into renting points. AKV is a great resort, and the points are lower (and so is the cost.)

I think that Beach Club (2 bedroom villa) is a great option but would cost you more.

 

[pjhootch]

Coronado Springs is a very nice moderate resort that never seems overwhelmed with little kids. The nice thing for your family (like mine) is the Disney bus service from the resorts. Teens and adult kids can come and go as they need to if the adults are exhausted and there is never any worry about how to get to and from the resort. The bus ride from Coronado is not bad at all, even though the resort isn't right in the middle of everything.

 

[Disneygal27]

for us (I'm 21 and an only child, so we've been doing more adult/relaxing trips for a good few years now), BWV is great for us. it gives my parents a separate bedroom, a 2BR has an extra bathroom, and having the living area and laundry in room is really nice. The decorations were beautiful when we went at christmas, and the location can't be beat. easy access to 2 parks, plus the nearby resorts, gives great options, and the boardwalk itself is amazing. yes there are kids, but i really see more adults than kids it seems, and we've been there for a few trips now. Look into renting points, it comes out to be cheaper than a deluxe, and you're still in the heart of Disney magic.

 

[jayyyloooo]

Thanks everyone!
If any kind of reasonable discount (either room only or free dining) comes out, that will sway us towards a disney resort. That would really make the deluxe easier to handle. Or that would make a mod definetly in our price range, and I've heard really great things on this thread and others about POR.

If no discount, then we will probably stay at the Hilton or POR, because both have easy access to DTD and we plan on spending a day back and forth between there and the pool (hopefully!).

I didn't even think about renting points but that could definitely work for us. Thanks so much for that suggestion.

If we did stay deluxe (or in a villa), it would most likely be in the Epcot area (Epcot and DHS are my family's favorites, even though mine is still MK ). Would you recommend BW/BWV or BC/BCV?

 

[jayyyloooo]

Three things:

1) Something I forgot to mention in last post: I know we will have to be getting two rooms. My older siblings will be sharing one room and splitting the cost of it, which is why we would need a discount to stay most likely.

2) Are the villas at BWV not as nice as the others. I just did a points calculator (comparing BWV, BCV, and BLT) and BWV was very fewer points.

3) Is anyone here an AP holder or Florida resident? My sisters are moving to Florida and plan on getting APs and I wanted to know how good those room discounts are.

Thanks again!