Really Truly Debating - What Do YOU think?

[tinkbyday]

Okay - DD REALLY wants to head back to the world and would LOVE to see the decorations during the holidays. We've been five times in the last six years, but have never seen the decorations and truly experienced the holiday there. I must admit - I really want to go too, but with the economy and such, I have to admit, I'm concerned financially if it's the right thing to do right now. I am stable with my job of 21 yrs for now, but you never know!

Anyway, we do spend most of our time at Epcot and DHS, but would obviously want to go to MK at least one full day and DD wants to do AK one day as well.

I found availability with the room only code at WL for a CY Bunk room -which is fine cuz it would just be her and I, for $1260 - BUT - I also found the YC CL room for $1553. The location is better based on where I know we will spend most of our time - the CL offers us the option of breakfast each morning and snacks, etc.

I can't decide if it's really worth the $300 for the CL, but the location is ideal. The WV room is more than CL (I don't get that!).

To throw yet another wrench in this dilemna - I can also get the Swan (with a balcony) for about the same price as WL. I know I would have to pay for transportation and the $10 resort fee, but the location is also awesome.

What do my fellow DISers think?

 

[MickeyNicki]

If you can afford to take the location you want then go for it but if you are too worried about the cash then go for a cheaper resort, you will not be there much anyways as you will want to see the parks.

I have a GF RPC CL room booked for 3 nights in Dec because it has been 3 years since we have seen the decorations and we miss it but if we are in a money crunch I have no prob switching it to a value as long as I still get to go

 

[tinkbyday]

If you can afford to take the location you want then go for it but if you are too worried about the cash then go for a cheaper resort, you will not be there much anyways as you will want to see the parks.

I have a GF RPC CL room booked for 3 nights in Dec because it has been 3 years since we have seen the decorations and we miss it but if we are in a money crunch I have no prob switching it to a value as long as I still get to go

We actually do spend some time at the resort. Neither myself or my DD are commando types. We like to go back mid day and take a break, relax and we LOVE to do evening EMH.

I can get a moderate or value for so much less, but I won't do the values - please don't flame me - I am admittedly a hotel snob. I've done a couple of the mods and just didn't care for the motel feel of them.

I honestly won't go if the money situation seems to tight - I won't go in hock to do this, but just trying to figure out if YC CL is worth the extra $300 over WL both because of location and what is offered in the lounge.

 

[FINFAN]

do you have a theme preference? If you like to swim, obviously Storm a long bay is awesome, but so is the grotto pool at the Swan...we like a tropical feel when we travel so the WL is not really our cup of tea when in Florida. It is beautifully done, just not what we look for when it is 80 degrees out.
You sound like you are not really desiring WL, but accepting of it for the rate. THEREFORE, if you are sure you do not want a Moderate ( CSR comes to mind due to Q beds and no sharing of the busses ...good for getting back and forth from the parks)I would go for the Swan...2 sinks for you both, not an overwhelming size to the building, pools and food are great ( you can use your AAA card if you are a member and save 20% on the restaurants at the S/D) Do you think you wil be at the resort to use the CL amenities? I know we would not make it back for evening offerings, maybe get bkfst tho. We love the Epcot area, love the Dolphin..not that I would decline a Disney Epcot resort if I could afford it, but for the same location, the S/D is an amazing place at usually a lot less $. Especially if you want to do evening EMH, being located walking disance to 2 parks makes me think you may not care for WL as much.

 

[happymommy]

What are your dates? It really depends, as with the Swan you agree you also need transportation to and from - that can be about $100.

I think the YC is the best option, personally, but really don't know how many nights this is for.

I found the GF concierge level outer lodge room was deeply discounted ($300 or so to $479 or so per night) in December, and am considering it. They have more food offerings than the other concierge levels, plus champagne, and we would definitely spend lots of time at the resort. We've been lots of time and just want to enjoy the atmosphere. Also, if it's a busy time, they can get reservations for you when maybe you can't (got us Breathless on NYE at the AKL concierge level once).

The closer you get to Christmas and New Years the more crowded it is, so your location is important. Also, the resort is important as you may spend more time there.

It doesn't sound like WL is thrilling to you, so I'd still explore more options. Maybe see about GF - they were about the same price as the other deluxes for concierge level and I was surprised.

 

[tinkbyday]

What are your dates? It really depends, as with the Swan you agree you also need transportation to and from - that can be about $100.

I think the YC is the best option, personally, but really don't know how many nights this is for.

I found the GF concierge level outer lodge room was deeply discounted ($300 or so to $479 or so per night) in December, and am considering it. They have more food offerings than the other concierge levels, plus champagne, and we would definitely spend lots of time at the resort. We've been lots of time and just want to enjoy the atmosphere. Also, if it's a busy time, they can get reservations for you when maybe you can't (got us Breathless on NYE at the AKL concierge level once).

The closer you get to Christmas and New Years the more crowded it is, so your location is important. Also, the resort is important as you may spend more time there.

It doesn't sound like WL is thrilling to you, so I'd still explore more options. Maybe see about GF - they were about the same price as the other deluxes for concierge level and I was surprised.

The dates were 12/8 - 13 for YC - so 5 nights. BUT, if we choose the Swan, that price is for 12/15 - 12/20 - they are offering a deal that doesn't start until that week. I know the crowds will start getting worse the closer you get to the holiday, so not sure I wanted to push it out that far.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the WL - I really think it is a beautiful resort and have read how beautiful it is during the holidays, but the rooms were just so-so and the location is not ideal based on where we will spend most of our time. But $300 could be used for alot of things (meals, etc.).

That's why I'm trying to figure out if CL at the YC is worth the extra $300 for the 5 nights....the price is great for CL at that time of year, but if I am watching the $$, is there enough of a difference to make it worth it? Do you know what types of offerings they have at the Regatta throughout the day?

 

[missycj96]

Its really which hotel experience would you prefer. I think that YC Concierge is worth $300 more than the WL if you prefer YC. For the extra money, you get storm along bay and walk to epcot and convenience to DHS. And you could save some money on food costs at YC by having breakfast in the lounge plus some snacks - so even if you saved just say $20 per day, you'd narrow your cost difference to $200. On the other hand, at WL you get a boat to MK and a great holiday feel. It comes down to how important the money is and that is a personal decision. Another idea is to look at what a moderate with a good discount would come to - maybe POFQ?

 

[happymommy]

I think the YC club level sounds like mostly breakfast (figure saves maybe $10 or so per person, maybe $15) then sodas, juice, water, coffee, milk during the day. I think from what I've read the snacks in the middle of the day are pretty minimal, but appetizers in the evening can tide you over till dinner. We stayed at AKL club level, and the mid day snacks were minimal, but in the evening the appetizers were dinner a few nights. We liked their wines also - and they had beer. If it's at a different time, and it's not out, they would always go get you one, just ask. That trip we saved a ton of money, as we were paying only $259 per night AP discount, and that was 12/26 for a week.

I think for about $40 per person per night, it's worth it. Or maybe my math is wrong: $300/5 = $60 so $30 per person per night.

Well, for that you can add quick service dining. If you need tickets.

Love the Swan and Dolphin, have stayed there a few times, but they don't have the holiday feel.

12/15 to 12/20 the crowds are still fine in my opinion. It's the 24th and beyond that are crazy crowded.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[tinkbyday]

Thanks Happymommy! Appreciate your feedback.

If I book this trip, it will most likely be the YC - but I would love to hear from folks that have stayed CL at the YC so that I can get a sense of what types of offerings they have at the Regatta and if they felt it was worth the extra cost.

I realize we won't be making meals out of the offerings (other than breakfast) - but compared to other CL rooms at other resorts, how does YC compare?

 

[hockey mom]

Have you considered WL with the free dining offer?

WL is breathtaking at Christmas and I would choose that over location any day especially since the reason for your trip is to see the decorations.

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

You mentioned your DD and you both love to do EMH. Can you still get that perk if you stay at the Swan hotel? that might be something to consider also.

 

[StrwLady]

Do the math! Figure out what it could cost you for breakfast and snacks if you did not stay at the YC CL. Then subtract that from the $300. Then decided if the remaining cost is worth the location. I love the Epcot area so I would probably do it. If it was $300 for a regular room then maybe not if I was trying to pinch pennies. But being that you will be up and using the lounge for breakfast and back at the resort during the day to get snacks or drinks then it seems you will get something for that $300.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[tinkbyday]

You mentioned your DD and you both love to do EMH. Can you still get that perk if you stay at the Swan hotel? that might be something to consider also.

Yes, the Swan and Dolphin get the EMH benefit as well as transportation to/from the parks.

 

[tinkbyday]

Have you considered WL with the free dining offer?

WL is breathtaking at Christmas and I would choose that over location any day especially since the reason for your trip is to see the decorations.

Oh, now you had to go and throw that into the mix

I just priced that for the same time period (Courtyard is what is available) and it actually will cost almost the same exact price as staying YC CL with no dining plan. Hmmm...but again, the location is not what is ideal for us...if we will spend most of our time at Epcot and DHS, I'm not sure it makes sense! Oh, this is such an ordeal!

The free dining is tempting, but I haven't enjoyed being tied down to ADR's when we did the plan before.

I think I've made my decision....just need to sleep on it for a night or two.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[swald91]

I see you just said you've made a decision, but you could stay at the resort you like most just not as long. We love the Poly, but it's not cheap so if we really want to stay there, we have to shorten our time-which is ok for us we've been many times. We are fans of MK & Epcot when our kids get older we'll probably opt for a resort closer to Epcot...either way I would go. I debated this trip as well but if this is going to be our last trip for awhile, I am going to make sure we have a great time!!

 

[newcomer52]

Have you considered WL with the free dining offer?

WL is breathtaking at Christmas and I would choose that over location any day especially since the reason for your trip is to see the decorations.

While I agree that WL is fabulous at Christmas, it sounds to me like you would prefer YC. I think you should stay at YC, but be sure to visit all the deluxe resorts to see their Christmas decorations. You can see how wonderful WL looks in its Christmas splendor, but stay here you will be happier. I think the extra money is worth it for the food you'll have plus the peace of mind at being in the Epcot resort area.

Jeralyn

 

[tinkbyday]

Yes, I agree that visits to the other resorts is a must if we make this trip!

I would make the trip shorter, but you know how that goes - there is always the worry that there won't be enough time to see and do everything. Since we have never been this time of year, I want to be able to experience all the holidays has to offer - I could shorten maybe one night....