Trying to choose resort

[beautybelle]

Here I am again trying to choose whether to stay offsite or on and if onsite which one, etc. etc. etc., geez it feels like I just got finished doing this and here I go again. But anyway here is the dilema. Last time we went my mom went and we stayed offsite (HIFS and loved it too) because of the extra room. Well this time its just gonna be us (me, DH, DS) and although I would LOVE to stay onsite no matter how bad I cant justify spending the extra money and you dont even get a refrigerator. Would some kind Disney soul give me some advice on how to choose. Here are my choices OFFSITE: HIFS ONSITE: WILDERNESS LODGE, AKL, BEACH CLUB, AS MOVIES. So what do you think?

 

[Hannahan]

AKL would be my first choice. It is awesome. If you really want the extra room, you could get a villa at the beach club. They can be quite expensive if you rent thru Disney. However, we rented from a Disney vacation club owner and got a much better deal. The DVC rent/trade forum on this site should have some info. We found ours on e-bay. Good luck!

 

[MELSMICE]

There is no question in my mind that I would stay onsite. Obviously, the deluxe resorts are top notch, but there is no reason you can't stay at a value or moderate & get the same Disney magic.

Have you looked into renting a studio from a DVC owner. As the above posted mentioned, try going on the Rent/Trade Board for more information about this. Depending on what time of year you'll be going the point value is different.

Although the HIFS has different rooms in it (I've stayed there also), the DVC studios are quite roomy. We just returned from one at the Boardwalk. They all have a kitchenette area, which contains a small fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee pot & sink. With the exception of the studios at OKW, I am told they all have sofa bed pullouts for the 2nd bed, which leaves more space in the room to move around.

As far as cost, like I said, it all depends on when you go & what you could rent the points for. We are DVC members so we didn't pay for rented points, but the average rate rental is $10. Here's an example:

DH & I went at the beginning of October:

--72 points for 4 nights (we had preferred Boardwalk view-2 weekend nights)
--$720 divided by 4 is $180 per night (there is no tax when you rent from a DVC owner)

Obviously, it is more than a value resort but less than a deluxe & like I said, it all depends on what time of year you go. We didn't go at the lowest point time & we used 2 weekend nights, which have the highest point value.

You would also have to take into consideration the fact that you would have a kitchenette so you could have breakfast & lunch in the room if you wanted.

Anyway, I think that's one avenue you should at least look into. Good luck!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Definitley onsite and I would choose, AKL,WL,BC, never-ever an all stars. Good luck on your decision!

 

[FloridaCat]

There are many reasons for choosing one resort or another. I choose WL because it is smaller. The last thing I want after a day at the parks is more long lines and crowds at the food counter. Also have to walk a mile to get to the room.
WL is compact and easy access to everthing.

 

[Kimberle]

We, too, stayed off site many times, not wanting to pay the price of on-site. When our dd was 2.5, we were finally able to take our very first vacation with her.

We choose to stay onsite at CR. We did not want to be putting her in/out of a hot car (Aug). We wanted something easy to get to, not knowing how she would react.

Well, once staying onsite, there is just no going back. I can't even tell you the difference in the feeling of "belonging" to/at Disney. You just do not "capture" that majic staying off site.

The following year, we stayed off site. Had a wonderful suite, fridge, microwave, 2 tv's, living room, king bed, view of the 3 pools, zero entry pool, free b/fast, for only $60/night. We were doing a "non-Disney" trip.

This year, back to Disney & WL. I just can't tell you how relaxing this vacation was. No rental cars to worry abt, transportation to take us around Disney. Special pampering by the CM's. The most difficult "thing" we had to worry abt was where to make our PS's for dinner...... It was also nice that we did not have to be together 24/7. We'd start out together in a park, then after a few hours, dh would go back to the hotel. DD & I would continue to putter around. We could ALL do what we wanted to do.

I will gladly pay 4x the price for 1/2 the space to stay on site.

But, to each his own. Maybe you should try staying on site for just 2 nights, stay the rest off site.

 

[SamanthaL]

We are renting points again for our Oct 2004 trip. We will be staying in a BWV studio. The total for 5 nights is $450. That is $90 a night. We get a queen bed, a pull out sofa and a kitchenette ( small fridge, toaster, microwave and coffee maker). Can't beat the price and location.

 

[Grumpy92]

You will find most of us on this board pretty biased towards the Disney resorts. I have done both and just feel the Disney resorts are a step above most of the offsite motels, not to mention the driving. Saying that You might want to check out mousesavers.com and see if any of the discounts would be applicable for you.
Are you going during a holiday. If so definite benefit to staying on property.

AS- good price
AKL & WL- Beautiful resorts, can get with full kitchen if you rent the DVC points.
Have you thought about the Wilderness cabins at FW. They come with a full kitchen, LR & Bdrm.

 

[FloridaCat]

I think you should try onsite, even if its in a Value Resort. I feel it makes the Disney Magic complete. I live less then an hour from WDW, so there was never a real reason for me to stay on site, although we had stayed off site.. This year my DD suggested we stay at WDW instead of going back home up North this year.
We choose WL and felt for us it was the perfect fit. We loved it so much that in September we booked a weekend getaway. We may try another resort next year, but I am betting it will be WL.

Lets face it, rhey could put most of us in a broom closet and we would be happy if it is in Disney.

 

[MarkLem]

On site for sure. It's worth the extra, for the extras

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by FloridaCat
Lets face it, rhey could put most of us in a broom closet and we would be happy if it is in Disney.

Wow - how sad - but ultimately true!!!!! I'd go for a Disney broom closet before an off-site also!!

 

[disneyatl]

I've never stayed off site before and probably never will. I'm just like so many others on this board. To me, going to Disney is staying onsite and get the entire atmosphere. I've stayed at a moderate, a value and next year will stay at a deluxe. I had a great experience at both the value and the moderate resorts.

Here's my two cents. Try to decide which is more important to you. If you really want the space than off site might be better for you and your family. Unless you get a suite or reserve a villa, which can be costly, you are only getting a typical basic hotel room. At least you know how staying off site can be. It might be worth it to at least try an onsite resort.

Good Luck!

 

[GeorgeG]

The choice to stay onsite is the easy part. Which resort is quite another matter.

If cost isn't an issue, the moderate or deluxe with the theme closest to your taste. If you still can't choose, try a coin toss or something. They're all pretty good.

As for the All-Stars, we tried the All-Star Movies several years back and wished (and tried) we had gone for the CBR or one our other favorites.

The All-Stars are still better than off-site and are still very Disney. They are an excellent choice for anyone on a tight budget and/or with small children. We had just gotten used to the moderate and deluxe resorts and missed them.

 

[beautybelle]

Sorry its took me so long to get back with you all. I read all the posts and it seems that I really should try onsite. I believe I will this year. I wanted to anyway so it didnt take much to pust me over to that side. LOL Now I think I will let my son pick the resort. Im betting he will pick WL but then again if I show him a good pic of the ASMo he will fall for the big icons. LOL Oh well thanks guy so much.

 

[dizkidz2]

I would split my stay between the 2 if your really finding it hard to choose. I would stay at the AllStars 1st and switch to WL. Disney will transfer your luggage from 1 resort to another with no big deal.

 

[yecats]

Since you have decided to stay onsite, I would definately choose the Wilderness Lodge over the AS. WL is beautiful and is the one true resort which makes me feel like I have left Disney and went West to Yosemite. I know kids love the AS and the theming is cute, but the rooms are small, bus service can be really crowded at times and the resort can be crowded to (even in the offseason as they are the cheapest). I would definately stay at the WL or as suggested above, split your stay between the two.

 

[eeyore0062]

How about looking into renting DVC points from a member? It is a much cheaper alternative, it gives you more room, a kitchen, and all of the wonderful perks that go along with staying at WDW!

Having stayed onsite and off, I can tell you, the convenience, especially during a busier season far outweighs any benefits of staying offsite.

 

[pstepka]

I agree about onsite and about renting points from a DVC member and staying at a deluxe. We rented point for an August stay at Beach Club Villas (a studio with a fridge and microwave) and it was AWSOME! We stayed two nights at Caribbean Beach and, while it was also nice, it did not even compare to BCV. AND, when you rent points, you end up paying very close to what you would have for a moderate so I don't see why anyone would NOT rent points and stay at a deluxe studio. (Except for the obvious that you have too many people and can't FIT in a studio, but then you wouldnt' fit in a moderate room either!)

After our stay at BCV, we will never stay anywhere else...the pool (Stormalong Bay) is awsome, also. Definitely worth staying at BCV just for the pool!

Feel free to email me if you'd like more info on renting points. I love to help people enjoy Disney.

Pam

 

[Vlahakis2001]

Definetly on-site, I would probably go with the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[PamNC]

because my favorite resort is Beach Club - or Yacht Club. So my answer is obviously BEACH CLUB.

Can't beat the Epcot Resort area with all the dining and shopping and activities at the boardwalk. Not to mention Stormalong Bay. We love the CM's at BC - never had a less than perfect experience there. We also thoroughly love walking to Epcot and even MGM. Or, there's a boat.

We've tried other deluxe resorts (WL, GF, CR) and we also come back to YC/BC so we've decided to stop trying. I think you'll like it - I can't imagine anyone not liking it.

PamNC