WDW Resort Question

[allie5]

I want some opinions please. We are planning a possible on-site stay for the first time next year. I have always fancied staying at the Grand Floridian, but to finance that we would have to stay at a value for the first week!! Not sure whether thats a good plan or to do another combination???

My scenarios are:

7 nights Pop Century 7 nights Grand Floridian

7 nights Coronado Springs 7 nights AKL

7 nights AKL 7 nights Yacht & Beach Club

Any comments or suggestions welcome!!

Allie

 

[Melcatfish]

3

but my opinion isn't that valuable as I've never visited WDW! All three options sound good to me but AKL and T&BC are two that I would REALLY love to stay at.

Just my humble opinion!

Mel
x

 

[Hilary]

Personally, I'd choose one of the second two options. If you can get the AKL / Y&BC combination for the same price as AKL / CSR, definitely go for Y&BC (luxury vs moderate)!

I've only ever eaten at the GF, never stayed there (or any of your other choices, come to that ), but it didn't appeal to me as a 'must do'. Can't really say why, and I know others who have stayed there and loved it. AKL on the other hand is just spectacular!

 

[allie5]

Thanks so far. Just been discussing with hubby and we cant decide whether the GF is worth it or not!! A week at Pop and a week at GF is still pushing £4k and that seems a lot to spend on one week in a very basic resort purely to finance one week of luxury. We are now thinking of 2 weeks at AKL instead as this comes out considerably less and we get 14 nights at a deluxe.

Desicions, desicions!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Or Allie.....try renting DVC points for Beach Club Villas which could save you lots of $$$. Could you then go to GF for a couple of nights at the end? If you can get an AP rate this would also save you lots.

What a great dilemma to have though!

Karen

 

[KayleeUK]

I would choose Option 3

 

[UKDEB]

I'd always wanted to stay at the GF, too, but the more I've visited Orlando, the more the desire has worn off. Ironically, we are staying there for one night this trip because we've booked V&As for my birthday and we figured it would be quite a nice idea.

We've visited GF many times - maybe that's why I no longer feel as desperate to stay there as I once did. Also, each time I consider it, I'm put off by the cost which seems excessive when compared with other WDW deluxe resorts and particularly when compared with other offsite hotels we've stayed at (PBH at Universal and the Ritz Carlton). We've stayed at AKL and it <i>is</i> fabulous, but GF has the undoubted advantage of being on the monorail.

Have you visited any of the resorts? Our first onsite stay was the Beach Club and I wished we'd gone for either the Yacht Club or the BoardWalk. Obviously all three are ideally situated, but the BC was much more kiddie oriented than the YC. Had our girls been younger, that would have been fine, but the YC would suit us better now.

If you do PC followed by GF, will you be wishing the first week away? Of course, you don't have to do a 50/50 split. What about doing 11 nights at AKL and final 3 at GF? Or even do 3 resorts - 5/5/4 nights.

 

[allie5]

Thanks again, some good suggestions...Karen, never thought about renting DVC points, I will look into this!

Deb, I know what you are saying about the GF. I feel I may like the IDEA of staying there more than the actual stay! Its very expensive and maybe a short 1 or 2 day stay for a taster maybe better. We both love the Y&B club and with two small children, its probably the better option really.

We are definately coming round to either AKL or Y&B I think. Im going to get some more quotes tomorrow (need to book soon before hubby comes to his senses...this is very uncharacteristic behaviour, letting me have TWO Florida holidays planned!!!).

 

[GO2209]

I agree with UKDEB - split your stay into three.

The AKL is wonderful, but I think 7 days is too long. It is further out from the other resort which makes it a less suitable 'base' for exploring. I think 4 days is more than enough.

The Boardwalk is my latest favorite - although that might change after a stay in the Poly in September! Yacht/Beach, Boardwalk and the Swolphin are brilliant locations. 7 days would be perfect.

For the last three days? I have never stayed at a monorail resort, so it would have to be Poly/GF/Contemporary.

I would also be tempted to go for Savannah views/concierge floors etc and maybe trim a day here and there. The balance of the holiday could be spent in the 'cheaper' accommodation around Downtown Disney.

 

[allie5]

Thanks again. After careful thought, we are going to go for the whole 14 nights at AKL. The package I was quoted from Virgin comes in so much cheaper than doing split stays, its the best option for us. We may add on a couple of days at the end nearer the time and stay at GF or Y&B (booked ourselves, possibly through DVC rental), but its so far off, I have plenty of time to "tinker" with the details!!

Im still in shock hubby has let me book TWO Florida holidays within a few weeks that I dont care if it was two weeks at Pop Century, All Stars or the Poly to be honest!

IM STAYING ONSITE FOR 14 NIGHTS!!!

 

[chunkster20uk]

I would always try and stay 1 or 2 nights at a Universal Hotel, so you can have the FOL passes.

In November we are staying on site at Disney (hotel to be decided) off on a 4 night cruise and then finishing with 3 nights at the Hard Rock (coz we love it there).

 

[Miffy2003]

Great news Allie!!

Animal Kingdom Lodge looks fantastic, I'm sure you will have a great time there.

Karen