To Split Stay and lose some free dining? That is the question!

[pmama]

I currently have two different resort options booked and can't decide. We have never stayed at any of the 3 resorts in question. Prior we've done ASM, and POP 3 times.

#1 - Caribbean Beach Resort 11 nights free dining! Plus (3 nights St. Pete beach)

#2 - AoA LM 5 nights no free dining, plus CSR 6 nights with free dining. CSR is booked for a convention the first part of our trip. (I'd even be willing to give up our 3 day beach retreat planned for after to make 9 nights CSR)


Pros I see for CBR:

Wine and Dine half marathon host resort ( I will be running).
11 nights free dining

Pros I see with AoA/CSR:

We REALLY wanted to see AoA. We originally booked it the first day it became available and the girls were so excited!
CSR has a gym. DH is an avid lifter (I also use gym on regular basis). We'd have to go visit other gyms if staying elsewhere. Excited to see CSR!

Cons for CBR:

No gym, double beds, not very excited for some reason.

Cons for AoA/CSR:

No free dining first five days, have to taxi to race events, dreaded pick up tickets 3 days early debate, moving luggage plus food.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What would you do? Are split stays worth it? Is it not worth giving up some free dining and the hastle of moving?

 

[Sue M]

Icahn see the benefit of staying at CBR for the marathon part of stay as it would make your life a lot easier. We stayed at CBR for10 nights. And enjoyed it. I like the beachy theme and those hammocks on the beach are heaven, if you can get the kids away from them just using them to play with.

However going to another resort to use a gym will be a hassle, and people not staying at that resort will have to pay a fee.

For us, free dining isn't the deal it once was, so I could (and have)go without ddp, still eat 1 cs & 1 Ts daily and come out paying less then what the cost of ddp is.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[KatieKat]

I would do a split stay! I think 11 days of eating at TS once a day would be to much personally. Plus, you said the kids are really excited to stay at AoA.

 

[jcemom]

I would stick with CBR. We stayed there last year and loved it. It was only DD and I though, so the double beds weren't really an issue. Don't the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA have double beds too? I'm not sure.

Would AoA come before CSR? What would you do about the tickets? Can you pick them up so far before your free dining package starts? I'm not sure about that either, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I currently have two different resort options booked and can't decide. We have never stayed at any of the 3 resorts in question. Prior we've done ASM, and POP 3 times.

#1 - Caribbean Beach Resort 11 nights free dining! Plus (3 nights St. Pete beach)

#2 - AoA LM 5 nights no free dining, plus CSR 6 nights with free dining. CSR is booked for a convention the first part of our trip. (I'd even be willing to give up our 3 day beach retreat planned for after to make 9 nights CSR)


Pros I see for CBR:

Wine and Dine half marathon host resort ( I will be running).
11 nights free dining

Pros I see with AoA/CSR:

We REALLY wanted to see AoA. We originally booked it the first day it became available and the girls were so excited!
CSR has a gym. DH is an avid lifter (I also use gym on regular basis). We'd have to go visit other gyms if staying elsewhere. Excited to see CSR!

Cons for CBR:

No gym, double beds, not very excited for some reason.

Cons for AoA/CSR:

No free dining first five days, have to taxi to race events, dreaded pick up tickets 3 days early debate, moving luggage plus food.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What would you do? Are split stays worth it? Is it not worth giving up some free dining and the hastle of moving?

I would skip the beach and stay 5 nights at AoA and 9 nights at CSR with free dining! That sounds like such an AWESOME trip to me!

 

[nolanboys]

Just wanted to add that DH and I ran the F&W half 2 years ago and did not stay at a host hotel. It wasn't a big deal. The cab ride was inexpensive to ESPN for race packet pick up. We took a bus to Epcot where they had busses to take you to the start of the race. After the race, we enjoyed the after party and the walked to BC and caught a taxi - that was money well spent because we didn't have to walk to the front of Epcot.

I would go for the split stay - especially if your kids really want to try AoA. We had FD once and were sick of it after 6 days. Just too much food and we felt too scheduled. Just my opinion. I know many others love it.

 

[pmama]

I would stick with CBR. We stayed there last year and loved it. It was only DD and I though, so the double beds weren't really an issue. Don't the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA have double beds too? I'm not sure.

Would AoA come before CSR? What would you do about the tickets? Can you pick them up so far before your free dining package starts? I'm not sure about that either, but it's something to keep in mind.

Yes, you're right AoA has double beds in LM section but If I paid more for a moderate, CBR is the only mod that does not. Tickets are an issue. I don't need tickets until 3 days prior since I'm attending Epcot's Finish Line Party. Everyone on the DIS insists you can pick up tickets 3 days early but the CM on phone say you cannot. DIS experts say they are told to say that on phone but that is not true. still makes me a bit nervous.

I would skip the beach and stay 5 nights at AoA and 9 nights at CSR with free dining! That sounds like such an AWESOME trip to me!

Agreed, sounds great! But now am afraid I will regret not seeing he each since we are landlocked. May stay 2 nights at beach instead of 3.

Just wanted to add that DH and I ran the F&W half 2 years ago and did not stay at a host hotel. It wasn't a big deal. The cab ride was inexpensive to ESPN for race packet pick up. We took a bus to Epcot where they had busses to take you to the start of the race. After the race, we enjoyed the after party and the walked to BC and caught a taxi - that was money well spent because we didn't have to walk to the front of Epcot.

I would go for the split stay - especially if your kids really want to try AoA. We had FD once and were sick of it after 6 days. Just too much food and we felt too scheduled. Just my opinion. I know many others love it.

Thanks, glad to know a non host resort is not too much of a hastle.

I would do a split stay! I think 11 days of eating at TS once a day would be to much personally. Plus, you said the kids are really excited to stay at AoA.

I agree with you on the food, a lot will go to waste. My DH on the other hand is having trouble letting go of one day of the inning plan. He loves it! (and is very fit, must need to feed the muscles).

Icahn see the benefit of staying at CBR for the marathon part of stay as it would make your life a lot easier. We stayed at CBR for10 nights. And enjoyed it. I like the beachy theme and those hammocks on the beach are heaven, if you can get the kids away from them just using them to play with.

However going to another resort to use a gym will be a hassle, and people not staying at that resort will have to pay a fee.

For us, free dining isn't the deal it once was, so I could (and have)go without ddp, still eat 1 cs & 1 Ts daily and come out paying less then what the cost of ddp is.

Good luck with your planning.

Thanks, I'll play with the numbers. Really would love to see AoA and Coronado but wish we could get the free dining plan the whole time.