The price we pay spontaneity

[leanneintexas]

This is more of a vent than anything else. Our friends called and asked if my husband and I want to join them for Food and Wine Festival next month. I checked airfare and got great deal and booked it.

The frustrating part was the hotel. This would be our second trip to DW without the kids. The first time was right after we were married and were poor. We always stay moderate (CB, POR) or Value (POP) but the kids love POP and we keep going back. This past summer we went for daughter's 16th birthday and I said I would never stay value again. The buses were horrible. So I decided we were going to splurge a little and stay Deluxe this time.

First I tried DVC rental I know it was a long shot but first went for BC or BWV because we wanted to be close to World Showcase. Nothing available, and then nothing available at any DVC...

Then I went to Swan and Dolphin - Nothing totally booked.

Then went to 30% off deal. Only Deluxe I could find is GF at $400 night with discount. I wanted to splurge but OMG I could not pull the trigger on that even though we can afford it. All other Deluxes were $400+ night without the discount.

I settled on CSR. I wanted to try something new, but I can't help but feel disappointed :-( I should be happy we are going to DW

Our friends are from Cali and never been to DW, they are staying at All Star Movies. They are total Disney fanatics and can't wait to stay there. Part of me thinks we should go ahead and stay there too, but AS does not get me excited either even less so than CSR.

I'm being a spoiled brat

 

[mm1971]

This is more of a vent than anything else. Our friends called and asked if my husband and I want to join them for Food and Wine Festival next month. I checked airfare and got great deal and booked it.

The frustrating part was the hotel. This would be our second trip to DW without the kids. The first time was right after we were married and were poor. We always stay moderate (CB, POR) or Value (POP) but the kids love POP and we keep going back. This past summer we went for daughter's 16th birthday and I said I would never stay value again. The buses were horrible. So I decided we were going to splurge a little and stay Deluxe this time.

First I tried DVC rental I know it was a long shot but first went for BC or BWV because we wanted to be close to World Showcase. Nothing available, and then nothing available at any DVC...

Then I went to Swan and Dolphin - Nothing totally booked.

Then went to 30% off deal. Only Deluxe I could find is GF at $400 night with discount. I wanted to splurge but OMG I could not pull the trigger on that even though we can afford it. All other Deluxes were $400+ night without the discount.

I settled on CSR. I wanted to try something new, but I can't help but feel disappointed :-( I should be happy we are going to DW

Our friends are from Cali and never been to DW, they are staying at All Star Movies. They are total Disney fanatics and can't wait to stay there. Part of me thinks we should go ahead and stay there too, but AS does not get me excited either even less so than CSR.

I'm being a spoiled brat

We always stay moderate when on vacation as a family as well. Did you try CR? They are usually a little less $$ and fill up later than some others. With that said, even with the discount I cannot pull the trigger on staying deluxe when for a third of the cost we can stay in a moderate that we enjoy. It is F&W and the hotels fill up quickly. I think Swan and Dolphin also have special events which is why they are full.

As far as traveling with friends, we would either have them transfer their ressie over to CSR or would move to AS. It's a lot more fun to be with friends if that is the purpose of the trip. Nothing like taking a bus to meet up. lol. My preference would be they move to CSR due to the extra space, queen beds and better pool. Have fun.

 

[eliza61]

Not to me your not. I don't do values. Period, end of conversation. I hate them and I refuse to pay money on some place I know I'm going to hate. what's the point?

Personally I'd move off site but I don't have any issues with that. I got a room at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando for the week of 10/14-10/18 with my triple aaa card for 252.00 per night for a 2 queen bed room. A king deluxe with disney view was only $275.00 and a deluxe king suite with balcony was $377 a night. LOL that's including taxes and the resort fee. And believe me it's a way better hotel than any of the disney deluxes. Once again that's a personal choice, I've been to disney many times so I don't have the disney "bubble" issues.

but no I do not think you are being a snob. IMO vacations are for rest, relaxation and fun. I simply can't have fun if I'm uncomfortable.

 

[OhMari]

You will love CSR.
We stayed last April and I would really compare it to a Deluxe and even better since it has the PepperMarket as a C.S.
I loved the quiet pool and the larger pool.
We had a rental car and we didn't have to deal with the busses.
I think I got our rental car down to $15 a day, worth every penny to me, when we got to the parks within 5 minutes.

 

[HM]

CSR is great. The most Deluxe of the Moderates. Three trips there myself.

I'd still be tempted to stay at Movies with my friends though, especially if you don't see them much. You'd get more time together on buses as well as at the parks. And you'd save money.

 

[leanneintexas]

CR is completely sold out with or without discount :-(

I've mentioned to them about moving. Since they have never been to DW, I don't think they realize the enormity of the resort and all the options. They are are used to DL and they have their hearts set on All Stars.

DH and I have a couple days before they arrive to ourselves and they have a day after we leave as well.

I am going to keep trying Swan/Dolphin. It's only Friday night that is not available so maybe something will open up. I'm also thinking about split stay. We are going

 

[mm1971]

CR is completely sold out with or without discount :-(

I've mentioned to them about moving. Since they have never been to DW, I don't think they realize the enormity of the resort and all the options. They are are used to DL and they have their hearts set on All Stars.

DH and I have a couple days before they arrive to ourselves and they have a day after we leave as well.

I am going to keep trying Swan/Dolphin. It's only Friday night that is not available so maybe something will open up. I'm also thinking about split stay. We are going

If Swan or Dolphin are available for the rest and the rates are good, I would do a split stay. We have not stayed there yet, but it is on our list. We have visited and the hotels look awesome!

 

[beansmom]

you must be going during the conventions--my dh is going to the FMDA convention in the CR and I am sure it's booked up. Sadly, the Gartner IT convention is usually the same weekend.

We have stayed value to deluxe and while deluxe is nice, we like CBR the very best.

 

[nalajms]

We just booked a list minute trip last night! The debate over hotel last 3 days and prices went up a little over $100 total

We have only stayed in the villas. DH was afraid to try anything else, but I just couldn't stomach that much money per night for a deluxe room, especially since I can get it cheaper through DVC and we're going in Nov!

I was pushing for ASMo or Pop - my son would have loved the decor. At the end we compromised on CBR. We picked that over CSR because of the pirate ship water play area for the kids. But the pictures looked great! I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Did you try various sites for Swan/Dolphin? We booked a package through JetBlue and they had both available. Maybe you can find something with a car +hotel package.

 

[la79al]

Move to ASMo to be with them, use the money from your downgrade to pay for a rental car. More time with friends and more freedom if you want to do something non-Disney.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I, too, would move to be with my friends. How much time are you seriously going to be in your room? Both couples will want to hang by the pool even if you're not swimming. It will be so much easier to meet up if you are on the same resort. Use the extra money and rent a nice car.

 

[bumbershoot]

Move to ASMo to be with them, use the money from your downgrade to pay for a rental car. More time with friends and more freedom if you want to do something non-Disney.

I like it.

I was going to say that CSR will be perfectly lovely, but then again I quite enjoyed Sports when we stayed there, and the All Stars are so similar apart from theming.

Enjoy the enjoyment of your friends (not sure that's an English sentence but hopefully the meaning comes across, LOL) and, well, enjoy yourselves!

 

[dsneprincess]

Move to ASMo to be with them, use the money from your downgrade to pay for a rental car. More time with friends and more freedom if you want to do something non-Disney.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!

Best of both worlds, more time with your friends, pool time with your friends if you want it and No bus travel required. What could be better?

 

[leanneintexas]

Thanks everybody! I think I have them convinced to move to CSR with us! There is not a huge difference in price for them, and it has a bar/lounge onsite I think that won them over along with the fact that it may not be as overrun with kids as ASM. I'm feeling a little better now and going to embrace CSR, I'll save Deluxe for another trip!

 

[QVCshopper]

CSR is a gorgeous resort. It's the only moderate we've stayed in; we are usually deluxe people. Go read a CSR thread and look at pictures. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Planogirl]

It depends on when you're going and how much you want to spend. I saw the Polynesian Resort on sale on Expedia just today. It's still too much for me but the price was lower.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We love CSR. We have stayed many different resorts from value to deluxe and we found that CSR just is the perfect place for us.
I think you will all be very happy there.

 

[mb_uh]

We popped over to CSR to eat one night when on CS dining plan. It was veery nice. We have stayed at Pop once- I would rather stay off property and CBR, and then only DVC but I would be happy to stay at CSR. You will enjoy it.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

Deluxe or Mod does not guarantee better bus service than a value, so be prepared!

We've stayed value several times because it was what the rest of our travel party could afford. I'd rather be with my friends / family regardless of resort, but I admit to having a little disappointment at times. The only value I'm interested in staying at at this point is AoA - just to try it.

I'm happy for you that your friends decided to switch to CSR!. We finally talked our inlaws into POR this next trip and I can't wait. I think they're going to love it!

Have a nice trip!