Trip for 3 College Students

[DisneyGal358]

Hey guys... I'm planning a trip for May 2004 (hehe ) for myself, my boyfriend and my bestfriend. We are planning on being in Disney 7 nights and 8 days. I was planning on staying at All Stars (which is good - i've been before) the entire time to save money. I now have a new plan. I'd like to stay 5 nights at AS and 2 nights at one of the really nice places. My problem? SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!!! Like I said we are all going to be 21/22 at the time of the trip. Where would you guys suggest. Money isn't really an object - I want to go somewhere really awesome that is going to be just as cool as everything we see in the parks. Keep our ages in mind also...

THANK YOU!!!

 

[becka]

Hi!

I am just guessing here but I would think you would want to stay at a resort with fewer kids, correct?

For an All Star resort I would pick Music...for some reason this resort is not quite as overrun with kids as Movies and Sports.

For a moderate resort I would probably pick Coronado Springs. CSR is a convention resort and I think that scares some families away from staying there although I don't understand it. DH and I stayed there in January 2001 and we thought it was very romantic and quiet.

I don't really have too much of an opinion about the deluxes. If you really want to splurge you could always try the GF. I never seem to see as many kids when we visit the resort but then again I have never stayed there either.

Good Luck!

 

[Grumpy92]

Suggestions:
YC/BC has the best pool and location.

WL- coolest resort, great lake activities.

Monorail Hotels - Poly would be my choice, and the transportation is the convenience.

Moderate - definitely CSR, big, great pools and fun food court.

Dont forget to plan a few evenings at PI and Citywalk you will have a great time there.

 

[disnurse]

i would go for an epcot resort, lots of activities along the boardwalk with dance clubs, espn and lots of other things to do

 

[JamesM897]

Hi

I am a college student who has been to Disney 5 times with my fiance during our college experience. I'd say Beach Club or Yacht CLub for the clubs on the Boardwalk or AKL for the awesome experience. I personally would go woth AKL, but you can't go wrong either way.

Jaimie

 

[opal]

Go for one of the Epcot resorts! Boardwalk Inn or Yacht & Beach or the Swan or Dolphin. There's so much to do on the Boardwalk after the Parks close.

 

[Calcio]

If you want to avoid lots of little kids avoid the Grand Floridian at all costs. The place is crawling with kids (pardon the bad pun). I suppose that shouldn't be surprising given its location on the monorail next to the Magic Kingdom, but I was surprised at the number of youngsters. About 1/2 were great, having lots of fun yet still in control, but the other 1/2 were not.

I'd stay in the EPCOT area (BWI, YC, BC) as others have recommended. It's my favorite area to stay by far, with access to MGM and EPCOT, plus the restaurants and entertainment are aimed at young (and older) adults. It's great fun and relaxing to just hang around the Boardwalk and people watch.

I hope you have a really great trip. I can't believe my wife and I were in your same situation 23 years ago. Of course at that time the only on site hotes were the Contemporary and Polynesian. We stayed at a glorious Holiday Inn on 192 in Kissemmee. When I tell a story like this to my 18 year old daughter, she looks at me, smiles and says, "you mean you were 22 years old once?"

 

[MOQ3424]

Hey,
A good resort is CR its right on the monirail and is a great place. Plus its got a restarunt ( California Grill ) at the top. But if you stay there stay in the tower!

 

[DisneyGal358]

so many ideas and tips!! thank you!! i looked at some info on csr and it looks really nice... thanks guys! is it hard to move between the hotels? we aren't going to have a car so we will be relying on disney transportation. are we going to have to carry our things on the bus?! i sure hope not. also we are planning on spending the beginning of our trip in the parks and by the time we switch hotels we'll probably be spending the day in the room/pool and just relaxing... is csr a good atmosphere for young adults... are their bars by the pool? also if we brought liquor in our room (from an off site store) would we be able to make drinks in our room and sit out by the pool? is this going to be a problem?

 

[becka]

Originally posted by DisneyGal358
so many ideas and tips!! thank you!! i looked at some info on csr and it looks really nice... thanks guys! is it hard to move between the hotels? we aren't going to have a car so we will be relying on disney transportation. are we going to have to carry our things on the bus?! i sure hope not. also we are planning on spending the beginning of our trip in the parks and by the time we switch hotels we'll probably be spending the day in the room/pool and just relaxing... is csr a good atmosphere for young adults... are their bars by the pool? also if we brought liquor in our room (from an off site store) would we be able to make drinks in our room and sit out by the pool? is this going to be a problem?

No need to worry about moving. If you are moving between resorts Disney will take care of the luggage while you are off enjoying yourselves at the parks. A great perk if you ask me!

DH and I stayed at CSR back in 2001 (I think we were young adults? - 25 & 26 - maybe that is just wishful thinking ) and we loved CSR. It was too cold for swimming during our trip but I believe they do have a pool bar (I think all of the resorts do). I am sure you can also make your own drinks at the resort.

 

[ead79]

I went to WDW quite a few times in college with friends of mine and had a blast! I would recommend the AKL, YC/BC, or the Poly for the second part of your trip. The AKL isn't as convenient as the YC/BC or the monorail resorts, but the theming is incredible. The savannah view rooms are so neat--it's amazing to see animals right outside your balcony. The YC/BC is so convenient to Epcot (and is also about a 20 min. walk to MGM) and has an incredible pool area. The Poly has the convenience of the monorail (what a fun way to travel!) and great restaurants. It is also a very relaxing resort. Hope this helps!

 

[opal]

I think all of the resorts have a bar area by their main pool, but not by the "quiet pools". The resort is quite spread out, so depending where your room is located, mixing drinks in the room and taking them to the pool area could be a pain. CSR has a lot of convention guests, so there are fewer small children there.

 

[EltonJohn]

I would advise college students to stay near Pleasure Island. From what I hear it has some good nightclubs

diane

 

[DisneyGal358]

Thanks guys!! Also - another question - Would you recomend we start or end our trip with the better hotel? I'm really liking CSR.I had never thought of staying there. I'll have to let my boyfriend and best friend look at it and see what their thoughts are.

 

[disneyberry]

just wanted to chime in and vote for CSR as well. my bf and i are in our mid 20s, and CSR was our first on-site WDW resort.

i think it's the best Moderate for younger adults... the landscaping is gorgeous and the pool theming is amazing.
because CSR is a convention resort, you get some great "Deluxe" amenities that aren't available at other Moderates.

now, if you want to pay even more money for a Deluxe, that's a whole other story... i would actually pick Boardwalk (having a Boardwalk view room + proximity to ESPN Club + Atlantic Dance Hall) or the Dolphin (for an awe-inspring resort w/ rooms w/ incredible views).

as for the order of your stay, DEFINITELY do All Stars first, then spend the last nights at the better resort!!!

you will be so disappointed moving to the All Stars right after staying at the higher level resort. believe me, i moved from BWV to CSR on one of my trips, and was miserable at CSR 'cause BWV was just soooo much nicer. now that wouldn't stop me from starting a trip at CSR in the future, but as long as i knew that i was going to be treating myself and moving over to a Deluxe at least for the last nights of my trip.

 

[DisneyGal358]

bump

 

[NancyIL]

My onsite experience is limited to All-Star Movies and the Swan & Dolphin. You can't go wrong with any of the Epcot resorts. Definitely save the deluxe resort for the end of your trip.

 

[disneyberry]

hi DisneyGal358, did you already talk things over w/ your bf and friend? did you guys narrow down your choices? you bumped your post, but did you have any additional questions?

since when i first answered your post, dbf and i went on another trip to Orlando, and now i have another suggestion for you guys.

i know, it's not Disney, BUT, if you want to stay at a resort that will absolutely blow you away, you could head over to Universal, and stay at the Portofino Bay Hotel.
it's a gorgeous resort, one of the top-rated resorts in Florida.
absolutely first-class service. and amazing pool!
plus, nothing can beat the Front-of-the-line pass you get in the parks.
also, i would say, for the college-age crowd, Universal Studios will appeal to you guys more.
for a cheaper resort, you could try the Royal Pacific as an alternative. it looks just as beautiful as PBH. (HRH didn't really appeal to me and dbf)

so, if you spent 4-5 days in Disney at the All-Stars, and then head over to PBH for your last 2-3 days. it's just an idea.

good luck w/ your plans. and feel free to PM me if you have questions.

 

[Alice42]

I am a young 26 years old and went to WDW many times when I was in college (a few years back ). My suggestions if you want to stay somewhere real nice for a few days would be either the BC/YC *or* the BWI. I personally have never stayed at the BWI, but they have awesome restaurants and nightlife.
However, if you stay at the BC/YC, you can just walk right over to the BWI. I personally LOVE the BC. It has a mini-beach, unique pool and mini-water park, and a very relaxing ambience.

PLUS, you get to walk to Epcot if you stay at either of these resorts!
IMO, the Epcot resort area is the place to be.
Hope this helps!!

 

[DisneyGal358]

Ok guys... this is it... I think I am set -- CSR!! I think I have fallen in love with this resort! I spoke to both my best friend and my boyfriend... they have the same attitiude "I don't care - you pick". Ahh!! they have both never been so I want to pick somewhere great - but we also have a budget so I'm thinking AllStar Music or maybe PopCentury (since it's new - I've been to Music and loved it). What do you think? We'd do 5nights at the all star and then 2 nights at CSR. What do you think??
Like I've said before we'll all be 21/22yrs old and we're going then end of May-- June 2004 (7nights 8days). We want to do everything... all 4 parks, water parks, pleasure island, mini golf, disney quest. Any tips can help!!! Can't wait to hear them... fire away!!!!