should I trade BB Courtyard view for parkhoppers?

[jeweleebee]

We got a great rate on 3 nights at WL in August with a 40% off code. Have never stayed at a deluxe before (and may never again!). We have an 11 year old boy and a 7 year old girl, and the bunkbeds sounded like a good plan for us. We have the courtyard view. Why not? It's 40% off. Also have dining plan and 4 day tickets. Our total is just under $2000. Now I am figuring that if I downgrade to a standard room (saving $192) I can pay for parkhoppers, which we have never done. Our other 2 trips (Nov. and Feb.) we went ALL day in one park. We figure that in August we will want to go back to the WL for a swim before heading out. Is the view that much better in a courtyard room? Would we rather park hop after our break? Or should I split the difference and downgrade to a woods view BB room, and just add in what I figure to be about $90 more dollars for parkhoppers?

I have decided to stay at WL for sure, though I considered a moderate or even 2 value rooms. I've always wanted to try a deluxe, and won't without this discount.

 

[jcb]

The great thing about being at the WL is the resort itself. If it were my choice in your situation, I'd go with the Park Hoppers and the woods (or even a standard) view. From the description of what you want to do (and your children's ages), you seem more interested in being at the resort than in the room itself. The pool is fantastic and if you are going to hang out there (and who wouldn't in August!) when you are not at the Parks, then the room view is not going to make as much of a difference.

You'll see quite a bit of discussion on the board about the inconsistent views at the WL. It is a huge hotel so not every view is magnificient. Don't let that put you off. The common areas of WL are the reason to stay there, the rooms themselves are nice but nothing ornate.

The other consideration for you is how important is it to have the Park Hopper option. I wouldn't go without it because it gives you a lot more flexibility (my family wants to do EPCOT some part of every day we are there). PH lets you bail on a crowded park and jump to a park just to see the evening fireworks show. On the other hand, if your kids are going to want to be at MK all the time, you may not maximize the tickets.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Clare]

It's just me, but I would ALWAYS choose park hoppers over a view. We usually take a short break mid-day & we almost always go to a different park in the evening than the one we were at in the morning.

I would make the switch. An upgrade is never a sure-thing, but both times we stayed at the WL, we were upgraded to a courtyard view. Once we had a standard view booked, once a woods view. So, you never know.......

 

[jeweleebee]

Thanks for the replies. I am leaning towards switching to a woods view and adding the hoppers. I think we will like the flexibility. But I want to keep those bunk beds! I also think we won't be spending a lot of time looking at the view, and might even enjoy a quieter room that doesn't overlook the pool area. The pictures I was able to find do seem sort of varied in what kind of view you have anyway, no matter what you pay for. Doing it this way will put me just over $2000, and while it was my goal to stay under.....it's Disney....right?

 

[pixie2416]

Another vote for the hoppers!