WDW Package Sept. 2011 w/40% off room, Good Deal? Thank you to all :)

[peloha86]

First time in Florida, and WDW! We are pressed for time, so we only have one day for a park, we chose EPCOT, we love to eat, and don't mind renting a car. (Not included in the grand total below)

Travel Dates
Check In
September 22, 2011
Check Out
September 24, 2011

Travel Party
3 Adults
1 Child (Age 14)

Resort Choice
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Studio

Dining and Entertainment Choice
Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining

Park Ticket Choice
1 Day Magic Your Way Ticket

BLT GRAND TOTAL:
$1559.62

Or

BWV GRAND TOTAL (studio):
$1451.62

Is this a good deal? ANY comments welcome, thanks!


WDW 40% off selected hotels/dates for 2011 link:

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....motionCode=fy11q2q4roomB&market=fy11q2q4roomB

 

[KibbyCat]

If you stay at the Boardwalk, you wouldn't even need to rent a car, because it's close enough to Epcot to walk. Personally, I'd pick BWV over BLT any day, just because the theming is more appealing.

 

[cvjw]

If I were only going to visit EPCOT, I would stay at the Boardwalk. It is much easier walking to EPCOT then taking the monorail from BLT. I personally haven't stayed in a BLT studio, only a 2 bedroom, but others think the studio is only large enough for 2 adults, not the 4 that you mentioned. As far as a good deal, the tickets should be around $80 X 4 = $320. Deluxe dining is around $80 per person, per night, or around $900. I don't know how much the CRO rates for the studios are.

 

[woodkins]

Can I ask why you are looking at DVC rooms rather than standard resort type rooms? A resort room would give you 2 queen beds at a Dx level while the DVC rooms people would need to sleep on a pull out sofa. I think you would probably do better cost wise by staying in a resort room rather than studio or villa.

 

[kellydizfan]

Yikes $1,500 for 2 nights? To me no it isn't a good deal.

 

[pigletof4]

Remember that you need to figure an adult ticket for the 14yo as in Disney's eyes they are considered an adult at 10.

 

[snowy76]

Yikes $1,500 for 2 nights? To me no it isn't a good deal.

For DVC for two nights (one being a Friday when the prices spike) plus dining and tix that is... just okay.

I'd actually scrap both DVC options and look for a regular room or, if you're considering the BW area anyway, look for rooms at the Swan. Large rooms, queen beds, proximity to Epcot. I put in OP's dates and rooms are around $250-$300 per night. Some of the sites (like DIS or Allears) probably have some discounts too.

 

[peloha86]

If you stay at the Boardwalk, you wouldn't even need to rent a car, because it's close enough to Epcot to walk. Personally, I'd pick BWV over BLT any day, just because the theming is more appealing.

Thank you, this is actually a post cruise stay, renting a car for the week is cheaper than Disney transportation and limo/taxi service. We also like the freedom, we're trying to make the most of our stay. Once we get to know the area, then using Disney transit won't be such a big deal. And I do think we are leaning toward BWV.

If I were only going to visit EPCOT, I would stay at the Boardwalk. It is much easier walking to EPCOT then taking the monorail from BLT. I personally haven't stayed in a BLT studio, only a 2 bedroom, but others think the studio is only large enough for 2 adults, not the 4 that you mentioned. As far as a good deal, the tickets should be around $80 X 4 = $320. Deluxe dining is around $80 per person, per night, or around $900. I don't know how much the CRO rates for the studios are.

We do like our space, distance is a factor vs. time crunch. The ticket price and DDP is right on the mark, we will be staying for 2 nights. The CRO rates for a studio with the 40% off is around $207/night, the Swan w/o any discount is $219/night.

 

[moopdog]

All I know is that that is a little less than what we spent for 10 days at WDW when we went on free dining in Sept of 2008. And that included airfare for four of us, so....good deal? Not in my opinion, but we're not comparing apples to apples, so it's tough to say for sure. Have fun though!

 

[peloha86]

Can I ask why you are looking at DVC rooms rather than standard resort type rooms? A resort room would give you 2 queen beds at a Dx level while the DVC rooms people would need to sleep on a pull out sofa. I think you would probably do better cost wise by staying in a resort room rather than studio or villa.

The closet hotel to Epcot within walking distance is BWV/BCV, the kids can sleep on the pull out sofa. The resort rooms ie: Floridian/Polynesian start at $300+/per night, compared to Pop Century $100+/per night. And, the prices can change daily. Crazy huh?

 

[peloha86]

Yikes $1,500 for 2 nights? To me no it isn't a good deal.

I know there are many variables, ours is time and location. I've looked at hotels outside of WDW, it just seems so far! I'm used to DL, walking out of VGC straight into DCA. Once we get to WDW, I'll have a better feel for the size.

Remember that you need to figure an adult ticket for the 14yo as in Disney's eyes they are considered an adult at 10.

"Disney Adult" They grow up way too fast.

 

[peloha86]

All I know is that that is a little less than what we spent for 10 days at WDW when we went on free dining in Sept of 2008. And that included airfare for four of us, so....good deal? Not in my opinion, but we're not comparing apples to apples, so it's tough to say for sure. Have fun though!

Thank you! Can you share which hotel you stayed in? We're flying in from the west coast.

 

[vicki_c]

I also wouldn't bother with either a DVC studio OR any room in the MK area for 1 day @ Epcot.

I would look for a room at Boardwalk Inn or Beach Club or Yacht Club. Overall, that doesn't seem like a great deal for 2 nights. Or maybe it's an okay deal for what you are purchasing, but I don't think you are purchasing the right thing.

A studio does not give you any more space than a resort room, except for the fact that you can close up the couch bed during the day.

If you were talking about getting a 1 BR vs. a studio, then I would have a different opinion on the room, but not on the location.

Edited: I just checked and you could get a standard room @ Beach Club using the 40% off offer for $610 for those 2 nights. Add 4 adult tickets for 1 days @ is about $350 and some change. That's under $1000. Then pay for your meals with cash - will you spend more than $500 or $600 to eat? Maybe. Just make sure you have enough reservations to use up all your deluxe credits or else you are leaving money on the table (the deluxe plan for 4 of you for 2 nights is $640).

So I guess you could base it on that. If you would spend more than that on food, then I would pick the Boardwalk offer, it's cheaper and closer to Epcot. Also I priced out a Beach Club Villa studio with the same things - prices are identical $1451.

Overall I wouldn't pay an extra $100 to be at BLT when you are spending only 1 day and it's in Epcot.

 

[peloha86]

I also wouldn't bother with either a DVC studio OR any room in the MK area for 1 day @ Epcot.

I would look for a room at Boardwalk Inn or Beach Club or Yacht Club. Overall, that doesn't seem like a great deal for 2 nights. Or maybe it's an okay deal for what you are purchasing, but I don't think you are purchasing the right thing.

A studio does not give you any more space than a resort room, except for the fact that you can close up the couch bed during the day.

If you were talking about getting a 1 BR vs. a studio, then I would have a different opinion on the room, but not on the location.

Edited: I just checked and you could get a standard room @ Beach Club using the 40% off offer for $610 for those 2 nights. Add 4 adult tickets for 1 days @ is about $350 and some change. That's under $1000. Then pay for your meals with cash - will you spend more than $500 or $600 to eat? Maybe. Just make sure you have enough reservations to use up all your deluxe credits or else you are leaving money on the table.

So I guess you could base it on that. If you would spend more than that on food, then I would pick the Boardwalk offer, it's cheaper and closer to Epcot. Also I priced out a Beach Club Villa studio with the same things - prices are identical $1451.

Overall I wouldn't pay an extra $100 to be at BLT when you are spending only 1 day and it's in Epcot.

Thank you Vicki! I'll definately think about the OOP vs. DDP. It's just that we don't know which places we should eat at! You are right, I can always add the DDP, if we choose, later. Minus the DDP now (about $600) then the total would be $851.00. Much better! BWV studio only is $207/ per night with the 40% off. If we were staying longer, then we would probably stay offsite.

 

[snowy76]

The closet hotel to Epcot within walking distance is BWV/BCV, the kids can sleep on the pull out sofa.

I think what the PP meant was why you're not looking at regular rooms at BC or BWI instead of the villas side. BC and BW both have two "sides": those resorts have both "regular" hotel rooms with 2 queen beds, unlike the DVC rooms with one queen and one pullout.

We stayed at a BWV studio with the pullout for a 12-year old and 10-year old. That was pushing it. It is not built for two adults (or teens) IMO.

The room-only discount for that period is 35%.

 

[chubenthal]

What time of year can you get the best deal?

 

[woodkins]

The closet hotel to Epcot within walking distance is BWV/BCV, the kids can sleep on the pull out sofa. The resort rooms ie: Floridian/Polynesian start at $300+/per night, compared to Pop Century $100+/per night. And, the prices can change daily. Crazy huh?

BWV and BCV are disney vacation clubs that are also located on the same location at the Boardwalk resort and the Beach Club resort. You can get a regular resort room at both the Boardwalk and the Beach Club without getting a Studio or Villa and be in the same location.

Rack rate (prior to your discount)
BWV studio: $345 per night
Boardwalk Std room: $345 per night (and you would have 2 queen beds)

Beach Club Resort:$335 & $345 per nt (2 queen beds)
Beach Club Villa Studio: $345 per night

 

[peloha86]

I think what the PP meant was why you're not looking at regular rooms at BC or BWI instead of the villas side. BC and BW both have two "sides": those resorts have both "regular" hotel rooms with 2 queen beds, unlike the DVC rooms with one queen and one pullout.
We stayed at a BWV studio with the pullout for a 12-year old and 10-year old. That was pushing it. It is not built for two adults (or teens) IMO.
The room-only discount for that period is 35%.

I'll look into that. thanks!

 

[peloha86]

What time of year can you get the best deal?

WDW 40% off selected hotels/dates for 2011 link:

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....motionCode=fy11q2q4roomB&market=fy11q2q4roomB

BWV and BCV are disney vacation clubs that are also located on the same location at the Boardwalk resort and the Beach Club resort. You can get a regular resort room at both the Boardwalk and the Beach Club without getting a Studio or Villa and be in the same location.

Rack rate (prior to your discount)
BWV studio: $345 per night
Boardwalk Std room: $345 per night (and you would have 2 queen beds)

Beach Club Resort:$335 & $345 per nt (2 queen beds)
Beach Club Villa Studio: $345 per night

I know it's a little pricey, but it would be worth it. I do have DVC, it would be a risk for me to try to book at the 7 month mark. I don't know if I would try to chance it. The WDW package comes with some perks, at least it'll give us an idea what WDW is like if we decide to go for it. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[peloha86]

In regards to distance, how far is Pop Century to Epcot/MK? Walk, bus, boat, drive?