Resort Conundrum...

[KyCoKe16]

What fees are you referring to? Do you mean taxes?

Taxes and resort fees. They were almost $800

 

[JM23457]

Taxes and resort fees. They were almost $800

Disney doesn't charge any resort fees.

 

[KyCoKe16]

Disney doesn't charge any resort fees.

This is the Swan that I was referring to. Through the Marriot site

 

[JM23457]

This is the Swan that I was referring to. Through the Marriot site

I see. You were discussing an AP rate, so I thought you were referring to Disney.

 

[SarahC97]

What fees are you referring to? Do you mean taxes?

Swan and Dolphin charge a $30/day resort fee on top of their base rate. But they are offering an AP rate that's actually pretty good.

 

[KyCoKe16]

Swan and Dolphin charge a $30/day resort fee on top of their base rate. But they are offering an AP rate that's actually pretty good.

Yes, the rate is great. I found it for $165/night. And the total before taxes and fees was around $1200. But after the taxes and resort fees it was almost $2,000 which is more than $400 more than what we are paying for AOA for the week. I could justify paying like $200 more on the week, but not that much

 

[SarahC97]

Yes, the rate is great. I found it for $165/night. And the total before taxes and fees was around $1200. But after the taxes and resort fees it was almost $2,000 which is more than $400 more than what we are paying for AOA for the week. I could justify paying like $200 more on the week, but not that much

Oh yeah, I don't blame you. We're coming next month and saved a little money at Swan with an AP discount over a Disney moderate (which was the cheapest they had available). I think it depends on when you go and what Disney has available.

 

[82Bruhaha]

What fees are you referring to? Do you mean taxes?

Swan and Dolphin since they are owned by Marriott have a resort fee per day in addition to a parking fee.

 

[JM23457]

Swan and Dolphin since they are owned by Marriott have a resort fee per day in addition to a parking fee.

Yes, I thought OP was referring to a Disney resort.

 

[happymommy]

One thing to consider, Pop rooms have queen beds now, while AOA LM rooms have doubles. I’m 5’7” and a double bed just is not as comfortable.

 

[_19disnA]

If your party is multiple families using several rooms, I would make sure everyone pays their own way. Far too much can go wrong if you try to make all of the plans for the entire group. Some families may not have the same budget as others and likely that isn't something most people want to discuss with you. Also need to talk ahead of time how these 10 people plan to spend their time. Everyone walking in one large group at a park is probably not the best option. If you don't discuss that ahead of time, the first time you go to a park could become awkward when some have other ideas where they want to go next.

 

[chasgoose]

First, while I'm not sure what specifically you didn't like about Pop besides the buses (which are probably going to be somewhat similar, good and bad, to those at AoA), but I doubt you are going to like the LM rooms at AoA that much better, especially if you are separated from the rest of your group. Most of the things people like/dislike about Pop are also things that they will like/dislike about the LM rooms at AoA. I haven't seen the new LM rooms, but the current ones definitely aren't as nice as the renovated Pop rooms. Furthermore, unlike at Pop where you can still at least request to be somewhat close to the center of things in a non-preferred room, with an LM room, you are guaranteed to be in the most isolated rooms on the property (about a 10 minute walk from the main area at AoA, including the walkway over to Pop). I just mention this because if you are having second thoughts about paying $200+ per night for either Pop/AoA, I think AoA would probably be even more disappointing than the devil you know with Pop.

As far as staying at a DVC goes, unless you are really OK being separated from the rest of your group (which is more of an issue since you can't resort hop as easily right now, even with a car, and Pop doesn't have any ADR restaurants) I probably would limit your other options to CBR or a DVC rental at the Riviera. At least those two resorts are on the Skyliner so you wouldn't feel so isolated from everyone else. If Pop/AoA are in the $200+ range with an AP discount I imagine that CBR is probably at least $300 if not $350+ for those dates, so that would be a big cost increase. The thing about the Riviera though, is with a party of 3 adults you would have to get the upgraded Deluxe Studio, which even with rented points would still cost around that $300-$350+ range as the CBR. Given the not insignificant added risk of a DVR rental, combined with the fact that your MIL could still get a commission if you booked CBR, I would probably recommend CBR (also CBR is only one stop from Pop on the Skyliner).

Personally, unless this was a long trip, I would probably suck it up and stay at the Pop so as not to ruffle feathers and make life easier for a big group trip. I definitely wouldn't bother with the AoA since I think you will find the same problems with it you had at Pop and probably more given the LM rooms location at AoA. On the other hand, I get that if you are going to be paying $200+ per night, with the reduced park hours and if its a long trip it might be worth it to have a resort you actually enjoy staying at, even if you end up spending more.