Should I upgrade DCL stateroom or WDW resort room?

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

We are going on the Sept. 5, 2004 4 nighter the 3 days at WDW All Star Movies. I booked a Cat. 12. Wanted to surprise husband with an upgrade either with a better stateroom or a better WDW resort hotel. I am kind of thinking of waiting utill we get our documents and seeing if we got an upgrade. What should I do???

 

[webray]

AS movies is fine..get the better stateroom for sure!

Have fun!

 

[drdelsol]

This is just my opinion, but I think the lower category cabin is plenty big for two. The rest of the ship amenities are the same.
I personally think that there is a bigger difference between a value and moderate or even lower deluxe hotels then there is between cabins unless you jump up in price quite a bit.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This is just my opinion, but I would opt for a higher Category...preferably one on a higher deck -- maybe with a view if I had the budget for it.

Why don't you call your TA or DCL and see what stateroom number you are -- then you'll be able to tell if you were upgraded or not.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[figment52]

If you don't usually spend much time in the room because you are out and about and very active how about leaving the reservation as it is and spending the extra on a spa visit or another shore excursion....

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I agree with Figment. I would spend the money upgrading my time at the spa or excursions.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

I think that is a good idea to save the money and use it toward a spa treatment.

 

[westjones]

I would switch to Pop Century (Disney's newest value resort--it is really cute). We stayed there in December and really enjoyed it (and everything is VERY new).

I would keep the stateroom and use the extra money you save to do some special things at WDW or on the cruise.

Of course, I watch our money very closely. Do a 'cost/benefit' analysis. In other words, is the extra enjoyment you will get worth the extra money you spend.

Only you can answer that question. Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

DJ

 

[bigsky]

Seems like you're getting lots of advice on this one. There is not a right or wrong answer.
We wanted a balcony for sure!! I didn't book it that way though. Then I decided to wait before we boarded. They had rooms available, and we paid to upgrade. It was 1/2 the cost this way. But you're also taking a chance of it being sold out.

We always spend time in our room after the evening show. Just relaxing on the balcony. When you pull into port you can watch from your room. Have breakfast on your balcony. Lots to do there!

A balcony all the way for me!

 

[MrsPete]

First, I'd need some information: At which WDW park do you plan to spend most of your time? If you say Magic Kingdom, I'd suggest upgrading to Wilderness Lodge. If you say Epcot/MGM, I'd suggest upgrading to the Dolphin, Swan, or Beach Club. These places will be much closer, the rooms will be much bigger and nicer, and you'll have nicer amenities. Additionally, you'll have better dining choices.

The cruise, on the other hand, will give the same meals and amenities to all passengers regardless of their cabin level.

Another poster suggested staying in the cheap-o rooms in BOTH places and using the money for souveniers or fun excursions. There's some logic there! How much do you expect to use your rooms?

I also agree with the person who says she analyzes things using a cost/benefit ratio. Will the added cost give you that much added "wow factor"? Personally, we could afford the Walt Disney Suite on DCL, but we'll be staying in a Category 6 instead (lowest priced verandah cabin that'll hold four people). Why? It's half the price, and we wouldn't get twice the cruise from a nicer room! Just because we HAVE the money doesn't mean we should spend it.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

I called DCL to ask them my cabin number and they told me they don't assign them until 60 days before the cruise with GTY. They also told me that I would be getting a Cat. 10 or 11. Sounds pretty good to me since I booked a Cat. 12 in hopes of getting an upgrade.

As for WDW...we are only going to go to Magic Kingdom as we will have our 5 year old with us. He has never been to WDW and is looking forward to the MK. Still wondering if staying closer to MK would be better than All-Star. I am doing well with my budget at this point so an upgrade may be in the works. I like the idea of the cost/benefit ratio. I will work on that. Thanks for the great info!!!

 

[MrsPete]

With a five-year old and Magic Kingdom plans, I would definately consider upgrading to a Magic Kingdom resort. The Polynesian or the Contemporary would be perfect since they're on the monorail. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and it could be a destination unto itself. On the other hand, at All Stars, you'll have a lengthy bus ride to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by WisconsinDisneyGirl
I called DCL to ask them my cabin number and they told me they don't assign them until 60 days before the cruise with GTY. They also told me that I would be getting a Cat. 10 or 11. Sounds pretty good to me since I booked a Cat. 12 in hopes of getting an upgrade.

As for WDW...we are only going to go to Magic Kingdom as we will have our 5 year old with us. He has never been to WDW and is looking forward to the MK. Still wondering if staying closer to MK would be better than All-Star. I am doing well with my budget at this point so an upgrade may be in the works. I like the idea of the cost/benefit ratio. I will work on that. Thanks for the great info!!!

I'm very curious to see what you decided on....keep us informed if you don't mind.

 

[westjones]

I do want to recommend the new Pop Century Resort to you one more time as a 'value choice'. It is one of Disney's value resorts but is it SO cute!

Here is a link to some information on it:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/popcentury.htm

and pictures:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Pop_Century/index.htm

We are going in September, and I called to make a reservation WITH my AAA card and got a rate of $69 a night! This is for a Saturday night even (we can only stay one night after our Disney Cruise before we have to fly back). On their website you can not get a quote with the AAA card, but you can if you call them. I was thrilled with this rate! And this is such a wonderful value resort!

One of the CMs that works at Pop Century has been wonderful about answering our questions on the resort list! Here is the thread he started (it is long but very informative):

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=475933

and if you just go to the resort board, you will find lots of wonderful reviews for recent guests of this resort:

http://130.94.75.33/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12


So, OK, I will end my rave on Pop Century. We stayed there in December and my kids are still talking about it! When we stayed at the All Star Music resort, they liked it, but it really didn't leave much of an impression for them. But I am sure there are some that really love the All Star Resorts. I am currently saving my Kelloggs Kash certificates to try to get a free room there in December before our holiday cruise (so maybe this time my kids will be more impressed).

Hope you have a great trip! The DCL is wonderful no matter what you room assignment!

DJ

 

[shelly3girls]

Maybe stay with both your current choices and take this approach. Wait for codes to come out for the hotels, you may be able to get WL for a great rate and not much more than you are currently paying. Also as another post mentioned try to upgrade your cabin at the port for 1/2 the cost of upgrading now. I thought that Sept was a low season for cruising so I would think that cash upgrades would be available for you cruise.
Since you would be happy with what you have now, I think this would be a great approach. If you ended up not having the option to upgrade the room or cabin you could just use the money at the spa!

 

[wildcatwmn]

If your son is 5, you might want to plan one of the three days at the Animal Kingdom. I took my son there when he was 5 (the first season it was open) and with only half the attractions it was his favorite. We have been back there twice since!

 

[jrabbit]

THe last several trips to WDW we have stayed in the All Star resorts (Sports and Movies). Your 5yo will really enjoy All Star movies - especially if you can get into the Toy Story section. It's Andy's room and really cute.

Upgrading to one of the Magic Kingdom resorts will probably double the cost of your land portion of the trip.

I would save the money and splurge on some nicer meals. The food costs at WDW are outrageous.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

What are these codes that you are talking about? I would be very interested in looking at them.

I still have not made a decision. I have been reading and putting lists together to help with my decision. The funny thing is that we are really campers at heart! We have a camper that we use 6-8 times a summer (less this year because of the DCL/WDW trip) and really enjoy the heck out of it. So, what I am getting at is that this is a very big vacation for us. I just want to do something nice for my hubby because I am proud that he has gotten through grad school, travels about 75% of the time and still has alittle time for the family (hey, I deserve it too for putting up with all of that ). I think I am going to order a nice basket from The Perfect Gift for him too. He would just die too if we were driving to Disney and I told the driver that we were going to WL, CR or the Poly! I am almost at my budget goal already too! Not to bad for a stay at home mom (okay, I do work on the weekend and tracy 2-4 classes at the YMCA a week to keep me from going crazy here with all the snow!).

Thank you so much for your wonderful input. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and have taken them to heart!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by WisconsinDisneyGirl
What are these codes that you are talking about? I would be very interested in looking at them.

One place to look for codes is www.mousesavers.com.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I think I'd flip a coin!

We did five days at ASMo followed by a 3-Day Wonder cruise.

We probably averaged at least a couple waking hours per day in room at ASMo and about two minutes in our stateroom on the ship. We had a SPH room and the window was very cool, but we didn't spend a lot of time staring out of it.

BUT, if you're going with a 5yo, they might think that "Andy's Room" at ASMo makes it the coolest resort on WDW property. I know a couple of our kids think it is! And, our younger kids actually enjoy riding the bus. I don't think our bus trip to or from MK from ASMo was ever more than 15 - 20 minutes.

You can't go wrong either way!