Presidential Suite in Grand Destino Tower or Riviera Villa

[BingoJoe]

If I can ask, approx when is this trip?

August 2021, COVID willing.

 

[BingoJoe]

I'm a huge fan of the Riviera and the 1-bedroom was fine for a trip of just my boyfriend and me for a week, but if you're looking into other options, have you looked into Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary?

Nothing coming up for that at the moment. Is the pool nice there. I have only looked round the main pool.

 

[doleddanielle]

Nothing coming up for that at the moment. Is the pool nice there. I have only looked round the main pool.

Gotcha. I haven't personally stayed at BLT and we aren't really pool people but as a guest at the tower, you are able to use the Contemporary pools as well (but you cannot use the tower's pool as a Contemporary guest)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry @BingoJoe, I’m full of questions. Is there any preference to the sleeping surfaces for your mid trip guests? How important is that to your overall consideration?

 

[BingoJoe]

Sorry @BingoJoe, I’m full of questions. Is there any preference to the sleeping surfaces for your mid trip guests? How important is that to your overall consideration?

I want them to be able to sleep in a different room to me and my husband if possible, but I don’t care if it is a sofa bed or anything.

 

[starry_solo]

I would go with the presidential suite at the GDT for the room.

Although the Riviera does have sufficient sleeping spaces for 5 people (with the pull-down Murphy bed and the sleeper sofa), I think the sleeping arrangements for the GDT are great (1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I want them to be able to sleep in a different room to me and my husband if possible, but I don’t care if it is a sofa bed or anything.

My last question (sorry!), but I assume you must be looking at a special TA package or something, or a non-US package? I've been trying to understand the math difference in your two preferences with the GDT Presidential Suite that has a rack rate in the low $2ks in August vs a Riv 1 BR Villa that has a rack rate in the $1k range for a Preferred View (not sure of your dates, August has a range of prices for Riv so I picked one). That must be a heck of a discount on GDT! Maybe too good to pass up. We have some friends from England that come to CSR for two weeks every year and I'm always a little jealous of their rates!

My opinion is that other than what seems to be an awesome deal on the GDT Pres suite, suites that fit your room configuration at the other WDW resorts are all going to be well over the $20k budget, generally speaking.

That leaves Villas - places like the 2BRs at BLT fit into your budget, for example (and are fantastic rooms given your layout preference and guest count). Or really any of the 2BR villas anywhere, if there is availability.

And to totally contradict everything I just said... you mentioned a YC Turret Suite earlier. That one would be pretty high on my list if you can swing it.

 

[BingoJoe]

My last question (sorry!), but I assume you must be looking at a special TA package or something, or a non-US package? I've been trying to understand the math difference in your two preferences with the GDT Presidential Suite that has a rack rate in the low $2ks in August vs a Riv 1 BR Villa that has a rack rate in the $1k range for a Preferred View (not sure of your dates, August has a range of prices for Riv so I picked one). That must be a heck of a discount on GDT! Maybe too good to pass up. We have some friends from England that come to CSR for two weeks every year and I'm always a little jealous of their rates!

My opinion is that other than what seems to be an awesome deal on the GDT Pres suite, suites that fit your room configuration at the other WDW resorts are all going to be well over the $20k budget, generally speaking.

That leaves Villas - places like the 2BRs at BLT fit into your budget, for example (and are fantastic rooms given your layout preference and guest count). Or really any of the 2BR villas anywhere, if there is availability.

And to totally contradict everything I just said... you mentioned a YC Turret Suite earlier. That one would be pretty high on my list if you can swing it.

I am looking at the UK website and yeah the discount on the GDT is good.

Maybe I should splash out a bit more and get the turret suite.... hmmm. But for 12 of the 14 days it would only have us in it!

Thanks for the help! I just have to pray flights are back on by then, at least for vaccinated people or something. If not Disney are being really good and they will just move your deposit to another time, up to two weeks away. So at least there is no danger.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I am looking at the UK website and yeah the discount on the GDT is good.

Maybe I should splash out a bit more and get the turret suite.... hmmm. But for 12 of the 14 days it would only have us in it!

Thanks for the help! I just have to pray flights are back on by then, at least for vaccinated people or something. If not Disney are being really good and they will just move your deposit to another time, up to two weeks away. So at least there is no danger.

Ah. Well that changes stuff for me!

If the room will only have 3 people and one a kid I’d pick Riviera. The twin drop down is adorable and fine for a kid. If you trust the 9yo with unsupervised access to the front door it could work out nice. If the other 2 people are only staying for 2 nights the drop down in the living room bed is NBD.

As far as the other folks being in “a different room” do know there is only a door between the Riv living room and the bedroom and it has a very decent size crack under it. Fine for sleeping, ok-ish for snoring, definitely not ok if trying to shield disagreements

Btw, there is chatter- just chatter right now- of the US moving to a test system for international arrivals so maybe you’ll make it!!

 

[crazylady]

Ooh. I like to spend other people's money. For two weeks, I would do a week at Poly and a week at BC/YC.

You could plan on lodging for just the 3 of you for two weeks and just add a room on for the days your guest will be there. That would open up Boardwalk and BC for you.

The pool at BLT is pretty boring but it is very peaceful. It was never very crowded when we were there.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am looking at the UK website and yeah the discount on the GDT is good.

Maybe I should splash out a bit more and get the turret suite.... hmmm. But for 12 of the 14 days it would only have us in it!

Thanks for the help! I just have to pray flights are back on by then, at least for vaccinated people or something. If not Disney are being really good and they will just move your deposit to another time, up to two weeks away. So at least there is no danger.

Ahh, gotcha - all makes more sense now!

We always joke/laugh with our friends that stay at CSR 2 weeks every year - like I said above spending that much time in one spot would drive me bonkers, but they absolutely love it! They eat out almost every meal, do tons of shopping, and cover SO much ground all over property. They don't split resorts given their specific packages, sounds similar to your situation as well. I always appreciate hearing their plans/perspectives because it's a good reminder for me of just how many ways there are to do Disney.

Anyway, sounds like you know what you're getting into and you've had lots of advice in this thread. Good luck deciding, and I hope everything works out so that you can travel this year.

Curious, does the UK site actually call the YC suite a "Turret Suite" or does it go by some other name? The US site has always listed a "2 Bedroom Suite" which isn't a turret suite, although they recently changed the photos to be of one of the turret suites so I've been confused as to what they are up to. YC has a handful of different suite types and some are only bookable by phone in the US, so it gets pretty confusing there.

 

[BingoJoe]

Curious, does the UK site actually call the YC suite a "Turret Suite" or does it go by some other name? The US site has always listed a "2 Bedroom Suite" which isn't a turret suite, although they recently changed the photos to be of one of the turret suites so I've been confused as to what they are up to. YC has a handful of different suite types and some are only bookable by phone in the US, so it gets pretty confusing there.

Yeah, this is the copied name and description:

Turret Suite - Club Level
Sleeps 1-8
You can enjoy your own privacy and ultimate luxury in this 2 bedroom suite. Lounge in the six-sided turret living room or enjoy access to the club level lounge serving free breakfast and refreshments throughout the day. You'll also have health club access and a personalised front desk service. Includes standard amenities plus a DVD player. While inside your suite, you can relax with views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yeah, this is the copied name and description:

Turret Suite - Club Level
Sleeps 1-8
You can enjoy your own privacy and ultimate luxury in this 2 bedroom suite. Lounge in the six-sided turret living room or enjoy access to the club level lounge serving free breakfast and refreshments throughout the day. You'll also have health club access and a personalised front desk service. Includes standard amenities plus a DVD player. While inside your suite, you can relax with views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake.

Wow, thanks! I'm jealous, they keep a lot of those suite details off the US sites and you have to call (which half the time they are just as confused given the various suite types) or go through a TA who knows what they are doing, or dig deep online to find out info about them.

Separately, I meant to say this before, but someone upthread mentioned a pull-out couch in the GDT Presidential Suite. There is not a pull out couch in that room - just the king in the master bedroom and 2 queens in the second bedroom. Granted the couch in the living room is quite large/wide and someone could sleep on it as a single, but it's not a traditional/real sleeper sofa in the way that Disney normally counts beds. Just wanted to note that in case there is any confusion.

 

[BingoJoe]

As far as the other folks being in “a different room” do know there is only a door between the Riv living room and the bedroom and it has a very decent size crack under it. Fine for sleeping, ok-ish for snoring, definitely not ok if trying to shield disagreements

I don't care about shielding my disagreements, it is more about shielding the view of my sleeping testicles.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I don't care about shielding my disagreements, it is more about shielding the view of my sleeping testicles.

The door will work for that then

 

[focusondisney]

For August & the best pool, I say the Turret Suite at the YC. You can walk to Epcot, walk, boat or Skyliner to Studios. And if you enjoy pool days, Storm Along Bay is the best.

 

[Stuck31]

If youre a fan of the NBA, theres a good chance LeBron stayed in that Presidential Suite at Destino. Not sure if that makes it more appealing, but its a cool fact.

 

[BingoJoe]

If youre a fan of the NBA, theres a good chance LeBron stayed in that Presidential Suite at Destino. Not sure if that makes it more appealing, but its a cool fact.

I never even heard of LeBron so I guess I am not a fan hehe

Cool to know though!

 

[Marthasor]

Is there a 2-bedroom villa available at BCV? Or even BWV? We are a family of 3 and love to have a lot of space and separate sleeping areas. The 2-bedroom at BCV is our favorite due to its proximity to two parks and a ton of restaurants and recreation options within walking distance. We loved the RIV 1-bedroom, but really didn't like to rely on the, at times, unreliable Skyliner and the food options at RIV are a bit limited (though you can walk to CBR from there if you want some variety). CSR is far too remote for us and, personally, I wouldn't want to be there for a full two weeks. I far prefer having the variety of options the location of the EP resorts provide. Also, for a two week trip, having a washer/dryer comes in handy to keep packing to a minimum.

 

[Eastern]

Yeah, this is the copied name and description:

Turret Suite - Club Level
Sleeps 1-8
You can enjoy your own privacy and ultimate luxury in this 2 bedroom suite. Lounge in the six-sided turret living room or enjoy access to the club level lounge serving free breakfast and refreshments throughout the day. You'll also have health club access and a personalised front desk service. Includes standard amenities plus a DVD player. While inside your suite, you can relax with views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake.

I was in this suite when they had an open house. It is gorgeous. Beautful views. And walking distance to Epcot and DHS. That would be my choice! If CL came back, it would be a no brainer for me.