What's a better value?

[CerysG]

Getting a family suite (thinking AOA) or two standard rooms in a mod resort (we are thinking of going next Aug. 2013), espeically if there is free dinning. We would have to upgrade to one quick service and one table (don't know how much that would be). Oh and there are 5 of us that's a factor as we stayed in POR last time and just found we needed more room.

 

[Zim]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I read on another thread that Family Suites don't get free dining availability?

Even if they do, I'd be surprised if it was offered in AoA in 2013, because they won't have any trouble filling those rooms.

 

[buy24me]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I read on another thread that Family Suites don't get free dining availability?

Even if they do, I'd be surprised if it was offered in AoA in 2013, because they won't have any trouble filling those rooms.

Yes, family suites and deluxe villas are excluded from free dining.

 

[momto2inKC]

Getting a family suite (thinking AOA) or two standard rooms in a mod resort (we are thinking of going next Aug. 2013), espeically if there is free dinning. We would have to upgrade to one quick service and one table (don't know how much that would be). Oh and there are 5 of us that's a factor as we stayed in POR last time and just found we needed more room.

Family suites are excluded from free dining. I would personally go for 2 rooms at a Value.

 

[dancin Disney style]

As the PP mentioned often FD does not apply to family suites. The value resorts are getting the QSDP and the mods are getting the DDP....since you know you will upgrade to the DDP your best option is POR. Even though you feel that it's cramped it's your best bet. Really, how much time do you spend in the room anyway.

If budget is of no concern then get 1 room at a deluxe....some accomodate 5 in a room. This will also get you the DDP.

 

[CerysG]

Well that's kind of unfair considering what your paying for a family suite! You can be paying less for a standard room...don't get it! Oh well I'd rather have the free DDP and put the money into another room...not sure how the rest of them will feel though as I've been telling them about the family suite...guess I'm of two minds about it. Are the rooms at Coronado spring the same price as POR? We liked POR (besides feeling crowded) but it might be nice to try somewhere different. If you had a frige in the room you could still do breakfast in the room before hitting the parks. Boy it's a good thing I started this way early because there is so much to consider! Part of the problem is once you've been you know so much more and it kind of complicates things! Sometimes ingnorance is bliss!

 

[Marionnette]

Getting a family suite (thinking AOA) or two standard rooms in a mod resort (we are thinking of going next Aug. 2013), espeically if there is free dinning. We would have to upgrade to one quick service and one table (don't know how much that would be). Oh and there are 5 of us that's a factor as we stayed in POR last time and just found we needed more room.

It's a little premature to make a judgement on this.

1. First of all, 2013 rates are not out yet and the difference in price between values and moderates could be outrageous or miniscule.
2. Secondly, there are no guarantees that free dining will be offered next year.
3. Thirdly, if it is offered, there is no guarantee that any suites will participate or that moderates and values will have different complimentary dining plans.

Based just on this year's offer, I would say that the 2 value rooms would be a better value for a family of 5 that wants the DDP and additional space to spread out.

The cost to upgrade an adult to the DDP from the QSDP is $16.55 per night but the cost for a "child" is only a few dollars per night. Add it up and a family of 5 Disney "adults" is going to spend $82.75/night to upgrade to the DDP. But the price difference between two value rooms vs. two moderate rooms during the free dining dates is $154/night ($77/night x 2). If any of the 5 people in your family is still a Disney child, the switch from value to moderate is even more expensive.

All bets are off for next year.

 

[CerysG]

So is there generally that big of a difference in room prices from year to year? I do suppose I'm jumping the gun a bit but I'm just trying to get an idea of price so I make sure I put enough money away for everything we want to do. So then my next question is what makes a value, value and a moderate moderat and is it worth the money? When do the rates go up for the year? As for who's adults and not I'm not sure what ages Disney considers as an adult, my three dd will be 9, 12 and 16 at time of travel.

 

[Marionnette]

So is there generally that big of a difference in room prices from year to year? I do suppose I'm jumping the gun a bit but I'm just trying to get an idea of price so I make sure I put enough money away for everything we want to do. So then my next question is what makes a value, value and a moderate moderat and is it worth the money? When do the rates go up for the year? As for who's adults and not I'm not sure what ages Disney considers as an adult, my three dd will be 9, 12 and 16 at time of travel.

Disney changes their "seasons" almost every year. It used to be that there were only 4 seasons - value, regular, summer and holiday. Now, every time you turn around, there's a new "season" - weekend rates, President's weekend rates, Thanksgiving week rates, spring breaks rates, marathon weekend rates and so on. If Disney sees the opportunity to charge more for a room because the time period has become popular, they will create a "season" for it and they will charge more.

Now Disney is adding refrigerators to all of the value resorts and free wi-fi to the deluxes. And then there is the NextGen XPass that might or might not be complimentary to their deluxe guests or might or might not be available to other guests for an added price. Does anyone really believe that these perks come for free?

So in answer to your question, yes, there can be a be a big difference in the rack rate from one year to the next.

As far as what separates the values from the moderates:

• Moderates have queen-size beds. Values have full-size beds.
• Moderates have a divider that separates the sinks from the room. Value rooms don't have a divider.
• Value rooms are smaller than moderate rooms.
• Moderate resorts have coffee makers. Values don't.
• Moderate pools are more elaborately themed and include a water slide.
• Moderate resorts (with the exception of POFQ) have table service restaurants.

Everyone has their priorities and price point. I feel that it is worth it to spend the money to move up to a moderate from a value resort. But others don't think the same way. It all depends on what your expectations are from a vacation and where you prefer to spend your money.

ETA - Disney charges children age 10 and up the adult price for the dining plan and tickets.

 

[CerysG]

I have to say this BB is great and I love getting all sort of points of veiws on things as it gives me things to think about and loads of information I didn't have.
When does Disney usualy put up there next year prices?
Oh and thanks everyone for all your help!