The struggle is REAL

[CdnKayDee]

My DW and I are in the same predicament. Do we stay at bonnet creek or Shertan Vistana villages or a Disney resort . The one thing we struggle with is staying at a value. At this point I think we have ruled staying at a value out. However staying at a moderate is still in the running, but currently in the lead is a 1bedroom offsite.

 

[AliceandAriel]

OP here. I have to admit I'm quite surprised so many of you would choose POP over bonnet creek. California King bed, two full sinks, and all that space! We much prefer to eat breakfast in the room. The two of us aren't going to be "cooking" but we like having a microwave and full size fridge. I think what we will do is stay at the POP for our first night, just to see how it is. I just remembered there are not hot tubs at value resorts... and that's a bummer.

Now if we could get Coronado Springs or even Port Orleans for the duration for our trip that would be awesome but right now they are booked solid. We are traveling May 3-10th. My dream place to stay would be Bay Lake Tower... we've stayed at the grand floridian, animal kingdom kidani, wilderness lodge, boardwalk inn, bonnet creek, and wyndham star island. So yeah, never experienced a value let alone a moderate.

See, now if I had read this before my other post, I would know better what to say to you.

It's obvious you like breakfast in the room, but I'm not sure if that means you cook your own breakfast, or buy breakfast and take it upstairs to eat. If it's the former, BC is going to be your best choice right there.

All rooms in WDW now have fridges, albeit mini-fridges unless you're renting Villas. So depending on what you buy/stash in the fridge, there's that. But only suites and villas typically have microwaves.

Again, I'd look into DVC rentals based on what you're suggesting, or just go with BC. The price won't be that big of a difference between the two, and you'll get about the same between them, too.

 

[Brian Noble]

What would you do?

Given that you'd get a car either way, I'd go with Bonnet. I've not done a Value yet, but I have stayed at Bonnet and several DVC properties. We thought our Bonnet 2BR stay was comparable to our OKW 2BR stay---each had some advantages over the other, but they were quite similar in terms of the overall enjoyment of our vacation.

I'm one who really enjoys the comfort and convenience of a villa on vacation, and put a lot of value on that. I'd be hard pressed to get a regular hotel room for the two of us; our last no-kids stay was in a 1BR at BCV for Food & Wine in 2012, and it was great.

You can have the best of both worlds by booking a single night onsite for your first night in Orlando---you don't even need to stay there, but you'll get Magic Bands, the ability to book FP+ in advance, etc. It also sounds like they are testing the ability to do advance FP+ for select offsite guests, so you might not even need to do that.

If I could book FP+ early, I wouldn't care so much about the bands vs. cards issue.

 

[HereForMinnie]

I'm glad to know to know people on trip advisor agreed with me because I got flamed on these boards for hating pop. I honestly think people get to wrapped up in the Disney bubble thing and lose their sensibilities on what a good hotel is.

Pop is a place people talk themselves into liking. Hard beds, paper thin walls, crowded pools and food courts: sounds like paradise!

you will lose out on magic bands, early access FP+, free parking at the parks, room charging capabilities, extra magic hours, and the Disney theme, dining, and shopping, for a room, that is far , and deal with traffic

Just the thought of me cooking when I am on vacations, no way......


But if you are going to stay in the bonnet creek room 80 % of your time, then maybe is worth it.

Anyway, you are going to Disneyworld !!!!!

Why do people say this? There's no rule that says you must use the stove or oven in a villa. People book them mostly for the space and privacy.

OP here. I have to admit I'm quite surprised so many of you would choose POP over bonnet creek. California King bed, two full sinks, and all that space! We much prefer to eat breakfast in the room. The two of us aren't going to be "cooking" but we like having a microwave and full size fridge. I think what we will do is stay at the POP for our first night, just to see how it is. I just remembered there are not hot tubs at value resorts... and that's a bummer.

Now if we could get Coronado Springs or even Port Orleans for the duration for our trip that would be awesome but right now they are booked solid. We are traveling May 3-10th. My dream place to stay would be Bay Lake Tower... we've stayed at the grand floridian, animal kingdom kidani, wilderness lodge, boardwalk inn, bonnet creek, and wyndham star island. So yeah, never experienced a value let alone a moderate.

You've stayed at some of the nicest resorts on property. I don't think you're going to like Pop. At all. I would personally wait, save more and go deluxe. But if your only choices are Pop or Bonnet, go with Bonnet for your own sanity.

 

[Radiorox]

I called values glorified motels once and got flamed, but you can put as much paint and giant characters on it as they want, but it is a motel(IMO) Doesn't mean it is bad, but that is what it is.

While I do agree on this and depending when you go you're basically paying double to stay at a Glorified Super 8, You can't get me to stay off property when going to Dis. Heck, we've gone up during early summer (blocked out from the parks) and STILL stayed on property just because of the Disney vibe.

I live in Miami and drive up. I have a car and one of the main draws is that I can give him a hug and a kiss and not see him until I leave. I like the busses, it's part of my Disney experience. I work with the crowds and either stay later or leave earlier to avoid craziness. Being dropped off at MK's front door... LOVE it!

I really wish that Dis would stick some sort of Kitchenette in the Values or at least a coffee machine. ;-)

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

We did that once, stayed at Bonnet Creek instead of the bubble. I truly wished we had stayed on-site. I really missed the bubble!!! I never thought I would say that. Did it ruin my vacation? No! Would I stay off site again? No! I was the only one in our family that felt this way though. Both our kids and DH loved Bonnet Creek.

 

[bumbershoot]

I really wish that Dis would stick some sort of Kitchenette in the Values or at least a coffee machine. ;-)

AOA suites or AS Music Family Suites.

Pop is a place people talk themselves into liking. Hard beds, paper thin walls, crowded pools and food courts: sounds like paradise!

I actually really liked the bed at Pop.

And when it's 40 degrees the pools aren't crowded, LOL. Of course, they are closed, but oh well.

 

[WDWOswald]

Yeah... So I couldn't pass up an eBay auction for 6 nights at bonnet creek for $599. We will add our first night at a value so we can check it out and also get extra magic hours at the MK until 1 AM =).

Caribbean Beach sould cost basically double for the week. Would rather spend $600 on dining! Bonnet Creek was where we spent our honeymoon back in 2010 so we have great memories there. I'll always be jealous of people staying on the monorail loop but we just can't stomach $450 a night when for $100 you can stay on property at bonnet.

 

[WDWOswald]

We did that once, stayed at Bonnet Creek instead of the bubble. I truly wished we had stayed on-site. I really missed the bubble!!! I never thought I would say that. Did it ruin my vacation? No! Would I stay off site again? No! I was the only one in our family that felt this way though. Both our kids and DH loved Bonnet Creek.

Where do you usually stay when you are on site?

 

[Minnesota!]

I would pick Pop in a heartbeat! I have no use for most of the stuff you listed while on a WDW vacation. I don't cook on vacation, no need for the extra room, etc.

We do not...will not...rent a car on a WDW vacation, so we would pick Pop solely on DME and the busses.

For US, a WDW vacation is not a vacation if we are driving anywhere. So, we go with whatever option allows us the best "public' transportation!

 

[TDC Nala]

OP here. I have to admit I'm quite surprised so many of you would choose POP over bonnet creek. California King bed, two full sinks, and all that space! We much prefer to eat breakfast in the room. The two of us aren't going to be "cooking" but we like having a microwave and full size fridge. I think what we will do is stay at the POP for our first night, just to see how it is. I just remembered there are not hot tubs at value resorts... and that's a bummer.

Now if we could get Coronado Springs or even Port Orleans for the duration for our trip that would be awesome but right now they are booked solid. We are traveling May 3-10th. My dream place to stay would be Bay Lake Tower... we've stayed at the grand floridian, animal kingdom kidani, wilderness lodge, boardwalk inn, bonnet creek, and wyndham star island. So yeah, never experienced a value let alone a moderate.

If the space is important to you (it sounds as though you are very interested in the idea of more space), you're find with paying for parking, and you will have a car, go to Bonnet Creek.

I wouldn't, but I would not have a car either.

 

[Missyrose]

Yeah... So I couldn't pass up an eBay auction for 6 nights at bonnet creek for $599. We will add our first night at a value so we can check it out and also get extra magic hours at the MK until 1 AM =).

Caribbean Beach sould cost basically double for the week. Would rather spend $600 on dining! Bonnet Creek was where we spent our honeymoon back in 2010 so we have great memories there. I'll always be jealous of people staying on the monorail loop but we just can't stomach $450 a night when for $100 you can stay on property at bonnet.

Very nice deal

 

[WDWOswald]

Booked our first night at art of animation little mermaid section. Our flight doesn't arrive at MCO until 8:00 pm that evening, but we will have a chance to spend a little time at the resort before switching the next day. Just rented a midsize car for the week for $130. I think this will be a great trip at a great price:

AOA for one night: $170 (steep, but Disney is not offering discounts for one night at a value resort).

Bonnet Creek 6 nights: $599

Rental Car: $130

Two 6 Day tickets from undercover tourist: $613

Total: $1,512

Short of staying at a standard room in a value resort the entire week and only using bus transportation, that's as cheap of at 7 night vacation at Disney World I think you can get short of camping at fort wilderness =).

 

[The V Gang]

Booked our first night at art of animation little mermaid section. Our flight doesn't arrive at MCO until 8:00 pm that evening, but we will have a chance to spend a little time at the resort before switching the next day. Just rented a midsize car for the week for $130. I think this will be a great trip at a great price:

AOA for one night: $170 (steep, but Disney is not offering discounts for one night at a value resort).

Bonnet Creek 6 nights: $599

Rental Car: $130

Two 6 Day tickets from undercover tourist: $613

Total: $1,512

Short of staying at a standard room in a value resort the entire week and only using bus transportation, that's as cheap of at 7 night vacation at Disney World I think you can get short of camping at fort wilderness =).

That's an awesome vacation! This years trip is booked already but definitely looking at Universal for next year. I keep hearing great things about Bonnet Creek. Good option for us.

 

[1234lucky]

What is an eBay auction? Can you explain how it works?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I love to drive while at WDW, but not all the time. Sometimes it is very handy, especially when we want to hit a movie at the AMC in DTD, or drive to an ADR at a resort, we do that all the time. But typically we bus to the parks, especially Epcot because we like to have a couple of drinks (grey goose slushies!!!) and there's no way I would drive back after drinking. I don't drive my kids even if I have one drink. So buses are important to us. I agree Pop isn't right for everyone, yes it is a motel and yes the walls are thin, I have stayed there many times. But it does offer incredible convenience when it comes to getting to the parks fast. I think their buses are the best on property. They don't share with any other resorts and they come frequently. I can't remember a time I waited longer than 5-10 minutes max at a Pop bus stop. Even during popular times of the year. However, it is a no frills resort, personally I only stay there when I'm either alone, or we just need a place to stay for a short time, or when money is tight. We definitely don't spend "resort time" at Pop like we do if we're at a deluxe. It feels more like a place just to sleep and shower. And that's fine for what it is.

I wouldn't choose Pop for a week's vacation with my kids if we only went to WDW once a year or less and this was our main vacation. I am definitely a deluxe resort person, and when saving up for a special trip I like a special resort. But if it came down to going to WDW or staying home I would definitely stay at Pop. I bring a high velocity fan I got at walmart for $10 that drowns out any possible noise coming from the rooms around me.

I've never stayed at WBC but I've driven back there to check it out and it is a great location. (right next to CBR) It seems to have beautiful surroundings, pools, etc. The OP has stayed there before and likes it so that's great.

All stays at WDW are awesome!

 

[wyurm]

For me it isn't about just price, but space and luxury when I am on vacation. I wouldn't stay at a value if it was cheaper than BC, but they don't meet our needs. If it was one or two days...maybe, but a week no. Read the reviews on trip advisor of the values, the common theme is uncomfortable beds, loud and pools are not good. Those are all deal breakers for a week long vacation.

That's all subjective. We stayed at AoA in the Little Mermaid rooms and absolutely loved the pool, did not find the beds to be uncomfortable, and did not find the resort to be loud. I have also learned to take Trip Advisor reviews with a grain of salt.

Now space is a different story. The rooms weren't spacious so if that's important then I wouldn't stay value.