Trying to plan a Vacation (Staycation) in September-October

[Lightsoutx12]

Hello everyone So I was thinking about planning a staycation around Sept-Oct for my birthday. I've lived here in Orlando all my life and I have an annual pass. I have stayed at the Contemporary when I was little but I haven't stayed at a WDW resort in a very long time. I went to MNSSHP this year for the first time and absolutely loved it. My idea was to spend one day at MNSSHP and Epcot for F&W then one day for the other two parks or something along those lines. Ideally I would want to stay for about 3 nights, 4 days (i.e 10/12-10/16) Any recommendations for dates where hotel rates would be the least expensive? I realize it's Disney so I'm not looking for rates at $100 a night but something less than what I am seeing ($650 not including tax) Any recommendations or tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[sharonabe]

Any recommendations for dates where hotel rates would be the least expensive? I realize it's Disney so I'm not looking for rates at $100 a night but something less than what I am seeing ($650 not including tax) Any recommendations or tips would be greatly appreciated

Deluxe Resorts lowest rates are the weeks of Aug 26, Sept 2, and 9.
Values and Moderates have low rates those same weeks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

August 25-September 21 are Value season for rates. After that, it's all Regular 2, Fall and various holiday rates. October is a very busy season and the rates reflect that. Aside from the hurricane, there were multiple days last October that Touring Plans ended up rating a 10 at different parks.

 

[fla4fun]

The last couple years they haven't been discounting October much. You may want to consider late September instead. The party and festival will both be in full swing in September. I am also a local and I have stayed at all levels of resort. Since you plan to visit all the parks pretty equally, I would base you resort decision more on price and amenities than location. A value resort can work well for a solo trip (I just spent ten nights at Pop earlier this month and had the best trip I have had for a while), but can be small for more than two. I booked Pop at just over $100 per night including tax for next September on a bounce back, but you should be able to find similar discounts closer to the date. Moderates will run you about $75-$100 more per night, but the room is larger so it's better if you are traveling with others. Sometimes you can get the Swan or Dolphin for similar rates to the moderates, and they have amenities more in line with a deluxe (but remember to add in the resort fee and parking fee when comparing rates). Deluxes are the best as far as location and amenities, but will be the most expensive. Usually they offer about 30% off rack rates in September, so that $650 rate you mentioned would drop to around $455 or so.

Subscribe to the DIS thread for discounts during the month you want to travel, so you will hear right away when they are released. I usually find out here before I do anywhere else.

 

[Lightsoutx12]

That sounds like a really good idea! I actually work at the Swan and Dolphin so unfortunately I am unable to stay there due to their policies I definitely will subscribe to the thread so that way I am up to date to what would be available. Is the pop century a good hotel? I never stayed there before but people have told me that it's just an average hotel. Then again I am just looking somewhere to stay the night rather than drive home so I will need to look into that as well.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

We are DVC owners and our last stay was at POP since we did not have any more points. Surprisingly we LOVED POP! The biggest difference to us was the busses. At a deluxe you share a bus but at POP it had a dedicated bus which was so nice and saved time. During peak times they had the double length bus which was a life saver. The rooms are more simple but the beds were comfy, the showers had great water pressure and hot water. The pools were basic pools. It do the job for a swim. The staff was amazing and always willing to help. Mousekeeping was very detailed and would always have something fun going on in the room when we came back.
The food court can get a bit crazy but with the amount of people it was to be expected. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. Honestly I would stay there before AKL or VWL!

 

[Lightsoutx12]

Wow that sounds amazing! I have always wanted to stay at AKL but if you're saying that you would stay at POP before. I guess the reason why the other properties are so much is the location. But I feel like it really isn't THAT far from MK and the other parks. I really have to check the rates for that resort, I feel like I heavily underestimated that.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

The last trip I did it alone with 2 girls (elementary school/middle school) who love MK. The ride was not bad at all. The only bad spot was DS where the stop is on the other side of the bus area which was a crazy long walk with a tired kid! Yep POP is amazing!
AKL seems not very personable. The staff was not great and the amount of walking to find your room was over the top! Plus if you want to see the animals there are plenty of windows on your way. I would not say the cost is worth it. I could be a little one sided saying we stayed when we had a stroller trying to push it on carpet to the far ends of hotel.

 

[fla4fun]

It's all about mindset. Like I said, I had a great trip to Pop earlier this month. It was my first stay there (although I have stayed value before). I knew the room would be smaller, but it was a solo trip so I didn't think that would be a concern. It wasn't. Do I like staying deluxe? Sure. But it gets expensive staying deluxe a lot, so I mix it up. So far, for next year, I have a trip with family booked at BWV in a one bedroom, two weeks (one in January and one in May) at POFQ and a week at Pop in September. I haven't decided where to stay for my December trip yet. I will enjoy them all, keeping in mind that they will be different experiences. I don't go to a value and expect a deluxe experience.