Value resort, Grosvenor, or other offsite?

[mike&amy1508]

We will be going on our honeymoon to Disney next January. We are on a tight budget since we will be purchasing a new house around that time, also. So, we can only afford prices around the Value range. It's kind of bummed me out because the Value resorts just don't seem "honeymoonish" to me, and I have not heard too many great things about them: noisy, crowded (especially since the marathon will be going on), small/motel-like rooms, etc. I guess we won't be in our room that much, since we'll be at the parks, but it's our honeymoon, ya know? So, it's either a value resort, Grosvenor in DTD using magicard rate (which I've also heard bad things about), or another offsite hotel (without a rental car). Which would you do?
Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

offsite hotel without a rental car. not a good deal.

the offsite transportation is not great - generally 3 or 4 times in the morning - same in the evening.

the morning time you can only go to the parks, evening you can leave the parks.

not alot of flexibility.

I would go with the value.

plus you would have to add the cost of getting back and forth from the airport if you stay offsite.

DME is only for WDW resort guests.

When are you going? would you consider going only Sun-thurs (leaving on Friday).

 

[spiceycat]

boy that was stupid - you say next January.

well how do you feel about a DVC resort?

OKW
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=545

BWV -
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=543

you can get OKW - anywhere from $80 to $120 per night, BWV (standard room only) $90 to $140 per night - but only Sun-thurs (leaving on Friday).

go see for yourself on the DVC rental/trade board
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

ask questions on the DVC planning board
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=89

these are both WDW resorts - so everything staying on site implies.

instead of renting from Disney (CRO) you are renting from a person.

NO HOUSEKEEPING.

but even the studio have a kitchennett - mircowave and under the counter refrigerator.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree with Pat (Spicey). If you're not going to have a rental car, I'd go with onsite. Maybe POP would be best suited for you. You can ask for a lake view room---maybe a top floor---might be more quiet/private for you ?
We stayed in the 70's section in Feb '05 and had a view of the lake. It was quiet over there....I believe part of the 70's as well as part of the 50's and 60's have some rooms that overlook the lake. Request this and let them know it's your honeymoon.
Here's a pic I snapped of the lake area from the 70's room we had :

Happy upcoming wedding !

 

[MiaSRN62]

Great suggestions about DVC accomodations Pat

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I agree with Spiceycat! If you stay offsite, a rental car is a must do!! Our first trip in June of '05 we stayed at an offsite hotel (Fairfield Inn Marriott Village LBV-Loved the hotel btw!) but the shuttle service only left three times in the morning and three times at night. One day at Mk, it was down pours, lightning and no way to get back to the hotel unless we wanted to pay for a cab.
One day at AK, we missed the parade because our last shuttle back was before the parade even started!!
Take it from me, you really need a rental car if your offsite. We only could eat at just a few restaurants that were within walking distance. We really felt limited to as what we were doing on our vacation.
Now for staying onsite, the wdw transportation was great.....and no rental car needed

 

[HopperFan]

Ditto. Off-site = rental car for us ! Grosvenor = never again for us !
I also think POP would be a great place to stay. Request a lake view room (tell them it's your honeymoon ) and enjoy the view, sit on the bridge, walk along the lake....here are a few of my photos....I think honeymoon worthy !

 

[sammielynn]

Listen to Spiceycat she knows things the rest of us only dream about.