Resort recommendations, and how to add a guest partway through?

[Jsharp13]

Hi members! I'm sure some of you here can help me!
I've done Disney once a year for the past two years, and am thinking ahead for a 2024 trip already. In the past, it's been me and my teenage son, and we've stayed on site Value and it worked perfect for us!
2024 might look different and I need some help and advice. I want my husband to join us but NOT for the whole time! He is not a Disney fan, but we really want to show him Galaxy's Edge. Plus, I think he'd have some fun in Epcot for a few hours riding GotG, and drinking in the countries. MK, there are a few rides there for him. Also, I'd want him and my son to get to Sea World as they are really big on coasters and that looks like a great stop.
So, my thinking is that my son and I would go for a full week! That way he and I could do all the fun and silly things that we like to do. Then, have my husband arrive for a couple days. Hit HS, Epcot, maybe MK, and then a day at Sea World for the two of them. Maybe that's about 3 or 4 days?

Here's where I need help:

Should I stay one place for the whole week, and hubby joins us there part way through?
Can I add a person to that reservation part way through the week (so he can get the on site perks?)

WHERE? My son and I did great at Value, we loved Music. It was a super deal and the room was great for two of us. I always wanted to stay somewhere "nicer" (which to me means better park access). But I struggle paying 2 or 4 times the cost! Should I splurge and stay a full week somewhere "nicer"? Should I Value it for a few days with my son and then switch somewhere nicer when hubby arrives? Maybe someplace either on the skyliner (for EP / HS access), or walkable like Boardwalk area?

I am planning SO FAR out, but I know all of you appreciate that! I'm just trying to get an idea of what might work!

 

[StacyStrong]

So you want to go for 7 days with your son and 4 with your husband there?

Have you thought about him coming the whole trip, but just doing room only and buying park tickets separately? It seems like a hassle to come for 3 days less when there is potentially travel involved. Your husband doesn’t need to do parks every day. Does he golf? Disney has golf courses. Does he fish? There’s fishing charters in the area.

 

[fla4fun]

I have added a person to the reservation mid trip by going to the front desk and simply adding them when they arrive. That way I am only paying the extra adult fee for the nights they are actually there, and they get all the perks they are due. We all have APs so tickets were not an issue.

I would stay in one place for the whole trip. Some people like split stays, but I don’t like being without a room on moving day. Would your budget stretch to a moderate resort for the week? There is a noticeable difference in the room size going from a value to a moderate, and there are a few more amenities as well. The deluxe resorts within walking distance to the parks are very convenient, but you will pay a huge premium for that convenience, especially if you are only going to be in the room to sleep. I have stayed at all levels of resort at WDW, but I only stay deluxe when I know I will be spending a few days enjoying the resort instead of the parks.

I would agree with the suggestion that your husband could be with you for the entire trip, but relax in ways he chooses for some of your park days. There are a lot of things to do in Orlando that have nothing to do with Disney. I remember before our first on property stay, my dad kept asking what in the world we were going to do for a whole week at WDW and saying how bored he would be. He was the first one to ask when we were going back when it was time to leave, and he didn’t spend a lot of time in the parks. Just an option to consider.

 

[Jsharp13]

Thanks for these tips so far.
I agree with the point, that for the hassle of traveling, why not have him come the whole time? The reason is, when I say he is not a Disney fan, I MEAN that. I know, what the heck, right??? But really, when my son and I go, there are dozens of times each day when we say to each other - Dad would hate this right now! He's a no crowds / no people /no crying kids / no lines kinda guy...
But, I will certainly ask him to join and say he could hang by the pool (or work remotely for all I care!) and just come into the parks a few days.

And thanks for the ideas about potentially not switching rooms... we travel with friends that do it all the time (sometimes 3 x in a week!). I was with them once when they got a front desk call that they had left things in the safe, forgetting them during a move. They both went white as ghosts and I knew I'd do the same thing! Plus, when we move in, we MOVE IN so I'd hate to have to repack everything again!

I may consider a moderate! I liked Coronado when we visited last time, and I like Caribbean Beach for the skyliner and theming.
I do wish I could get in a Deluxe but wow, you are right. Every time I look I am floored by the cost. I have to remind myself Moderate is great, and if we are indeed totally exhausted and need the room break, and transportation isn't in our favor, a Minnie Van will still be cheaper than the Deluxe!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Not the best disney theming per se, but also take a look at Swan/Dolphin. They are deluxe classed resorts for disney purposes so you get EEH as other deluxes would and they are walkable/boat ride to DHS/Epcot. Price wise, depending on time of year/discounts, they are close to mod pricing but do keep in mind they charge for parking daily and resort fees which can be a deal breaker for some. They're marriott properties so if you have points, that can offset costs.

 

[R&RsMom]

I get it; my husband is not Disney, but the rest of the family is. I go without him, and we do a separate trip somewhere just he and I. (My kids are grown)

I will second booking room only. if your son is under 18 at time of trip, you can put your husband on the room from the start with no extra adult fee. Then buy appropriate tickets for each of you. Your husband‘s tickets can just start later if he comes later.

i would also second doing a moderate for more space. Our go-to is Coronado, but it would be Caribbean Beach if you want Skyliner. I will say my daughter just stayed at Caribbean in December, and said is was “meh”. We just book standard at Coronado and have been pleased with our rooms.

 

[Jsharp13]

Super, thank you so much for these great ideas and tips so far!

 

[Skippyboo]

Would your hubby be interested in Universal or Busch Gardens in Tampa if he’s a coaster head. Are you planning on renting a car? This far out you could look into renting DVC maybe Old Key West/Saratoga Springs- access to DS spring area.

 

[Jsharp13]

We did Universal several years ago. I know he would like Velocicoaster. I may consider that. I had also considered Busch Gardens. But, for this trip we may stay in Orlando. (We have a few other things we may like in the Tampa area so may save all that for another trip soon!).
Yes, I was looking at renting DVC. Those two resorts sound great for DS area. But I'm leaning more towards renting in the Boardwalk area for convenience to parks? But thanks for the ideas as I'm considering lots of options now!

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

I will second the suggestion to rent points. Planning this far out actually works in your favor with point rentals and those 11 and 7 month booking windows! While it will still cost more than a value resort, it can bring deluxe MUCH closer to the price of a moderate.

 

[tofubeast]

Definitely do not do a package (hotel + tickets) because everyone has to get tix and they are rigid about that. Doing a room only will allow you the freedom to pick and choose the "who what and whens" pertaining to park tickets.

I second the idea of renting a DVC room. Check out the rental board on the DVC section of these forums.

 

[RoseGold]

Here's an idea. Split stay. Rent DVC for the late access, right now that's Monday and Weds. Then move to value, or vice versa. Then your husband can just come for the Boardwalk leg with the awesome late night access, and you'll be fine at Pop (or Universal) for the rest of the trip.

If you do DVC, there is no package. There's just tickets. You can also buy the tickets without doing the package -- or upgrade to package -- a couple months out. I wouldn't sweat that and feel like you need tickets this far out.

And don't count out Swolphin. Can't beat the location, they qualify for late hours, and their pricing swings wildly, like $150 to $800. Set a Google alert maybe?

 

[Jsharp13]

Thanks all, so many great tips and ideas here already. I am seriously considering the DVC rental. I am going to look into that. The cost seems great.
@RoseGold - you made a great point, that I was going to try to ask in another thread!! No one has a crystal ball to predict the future, but I am trying to check out the schedule for this Memorial Week 2023, in hopes that Memorial Week 2024 may model that. As you said, it looks like this year has:
Epcot, extended evening hours Monday 5/29.
MK, extended evening hours Wednesday 5/31.
Also on Wednesday, Disney After hours event at HS 5/31.
Epcot, Disney after hours Thursday 6/1

I wonder how much of that could translate to the following year? With HS being a priority, I would love to hit the After Hours event. But, if I stay in a deluxe, I can get the extended evening hours for no charge? Are all DVC rentals considered deluxe?
Thank you again everyone!

 

[kylenne]

Thanks all, so many great tips and ideas here already. I am seriously considering the DVC rental. I am going to look into that. The cost seems great.
@RoseGold - you made a great point, that I was going to try to ask in another thread!! No one has a crystal ball to predict the future, but I am trying to check out the schedule for this Memorial Week 2023, in hopes that Memorial Week 2024 may model that. As you said, it looks like this year has:
Epcot, extended evening hours Monday 5/29.
MK, extended evening hours Wednesday 5/31.
Also on Wednesday, Disney After hours event at HS 5/31.
Epcot, Disney after hours Thursday 6/1

I wonder how much of that could translate to the following year? With HS being a priority, I would love to hit the After Hours event. But, if I stay in a deluxe, I can get the extended evening hours for no charge? Are all DVC rentals considered deluxe?
Thank you again everyone!

We’re going that week this year.

Trying to figure out what will happen next year schedule wise based on this year is a fool’s errand tbqh. Extended Evening Hours have only been confirmed through the end of 2023, Disney has not said yet whether or not they’ll continue next year. After Hours events are a crapshoot and only get announced for batches of time, this year we’re getting Epcot ones for the first time ever in June and no MK ones at all past April. Certain things are predictable but these are the least.

 

[Jsharp13]

Thank you, this is good insight. I'm sure I can consider them and hope, but completely understand it could vary wildly by this time next year. I should just plan to have fun no matter what, and if there are any evening hours (huge for my night owl family vs. rope drop), then we'll take advantage!

 

[RoseGold]

If Extended Hours exist, they would have to be M-Thu. If you stayed DVC three nights, M-W, you would qualify for any of them, because the day you check out counts. You'd just have to take a Lyft back to your value hotel.

The late hours are really the only perk left for deluxe, $800+/night on a Monday rooms. Disney has made a lot of bad decisions, but getting rid of that seems like a particularly bad one.

I think the paid late events are definitely happening, I'm surprised there aren't more. They print money. Those could be on weekends though. HS is particularly hard to plan for. It's so small, and the schedule has been all over the place. The free late event was on Thurs. The paid ones were Thurs and Sat, I think.

And price out Swolphin. Pricing it out this far can work in your favor.