Where should I stay in December?

[Sphyrna]

Trying to get things moving on my December trip and am debating on which resort to stay at. This trip will be all about the holidays and seeing the parks and resorts decorated. I'm having a hard time coming up with a place I haven't already stayed at that fits the theme. I've already stayed at CR, WL, BC, Poly, AKL, POFQ, and will stay Pop next month. What would you guys recommend?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'll always go with my first love, the Beach Club (not the villas section, the resort proper). I love the decor, the CMs, Cape May, the pool and the location.

It's beautiful at Christmas too!

If you don't want to go that pricey, then POR is the place. We've not stayed there, but have spent a Christmas or two there with friends (dining, enjoying Piano Bob, ect.). Lovely place and they do Christmas beautifully.

For DVC I'll send you to my home, OKW. It's a fun place to enjoy Christmas! They infuse the holiday overtop the Key West feel and it's laid back fun!

 

[sirJeffrey90]

Grand Floridian at Christmas is unbeatable. The decor and gingerbread house are SO cool! I read they're having deals right now, you might be able to get a break!

 

[Sphyrna]

How is YC at the holidays compared to BC? I've already stayed at BC and it was just "ok".

I was considering OKW, but didn't think it'd fit the theme. But you say they do a good job? I also like it b/c it will feel like a real getaway going from the cold north to some place like OKW or CBR.

GF, even with good deals, is probably going to be too much for me. I'd like to keep it to about $1500 for the week.

I started thinking about it last night and I might just go with what I think is the best value and not worry too much about theme. I'll probably take a day to go around to resorts and see how they're decorated, so that should be fine. I figure I'll do a loop around the monorail then head over to the Epcot resorts. If time permits I'll check out the other resorts too.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Grand Floridian at Christmas is unbeatable. The decor and gingerbread house are SO cool! I read they're having deals right now, you might be able to get a break!

Christmas time is the only time I like the GF. I hate Victorian decor, and the rooms there make me nauseous.

Boardwalk is also nice for the holidays. I love the gingerbread carousel, and it puts you right near Epcot for HATW!

 

[Sphyrna]

Christmas time is the only time I like the GF. I hate Victorian decor, and the rooms there make me nauseous.

Boardwalk is also nice for the holidays. I love the gingerbread carousel, and it puts you right near Epcot for HATW!

I'm not a fan of Victorian decor either. That's part of why I'm not sure if it'd be worth the $$ to stay there. I can just go resort hopping and see it all decorated and then go back to a resort more my style.

 

[sirJeffrey90]

what kind of gays are you?!?! Can you imagine the interior designer who decorated GF...we're talking ottomans EVERYWHERE!

I'm only kidding, partly, but I was just saying if you had the means. Anyway, Boardwalk is awesome, and I've seen pics of the Christmas decor and was pleased.

 

[chwgmjay]

Trying to get things moving on my December trip and am debating on which resort to stay at. This trip will be all about the holidays and seeing the parks and resorts decorated. I'm having a hard time coming up with a place I haven't already stayed at that fits the theme. I've already stayed at CR, WL, BC, Poly, AKL, POFQ, and will stay Pop next month. What would you guys recommend?

Stay at POP Tha's where I'll be.

LOL

 

[OrlandoMike]

How is YC at the holidays compared to BC? I've already stayed at BC and it was just "ok".

The two resorts are very different, the BC is the girl, and the YC is the boy.

I prefer the YC, the dark wood, the nautical theme....the BC is more pastels and shells....

One thing about them is you cant beat the location! You can walk to EPCOT, take a boat to the Studios, and walk the entire boardwalk!

 

[Sphyrna]

The price for the GF isn't too bad. I was starting to consider it. Then I was looking at pictures. The pictures of the resort look great! The pictures of the rooms are a different story! Blah, not my style at all! It'd feel like I'm staying in some grandma's room (no offense to those who like the Victorian style). I was talking to my mom last night and she said it sounds like she'd love it. The other thing I'm thinking is GF is not good for a solo trip. Staying at the GF is big and would rather wait until I can share it with someone. Maybe I'll bring my mom down with me since she likes that style!

Mike, I agree on the location of the Epcot resorts. I wasn't too impressed with the BC when I stayed there a few years ago. But I LOVED the location!! Being able to walk or take the boat to Epcot and DHS was great! At night I'd just go walk around the boardwalk. And Stormalong Bay is great! It definitely is my favorite area.

Jay, I'm staying at Pop next month. Want to try somewhere else (especially since I haven't stayed Pop or value before).

Last night I went through all the resorts for the times I'm looking to go. I think I have it narrowed down to between CBR, Dolphin, OKW, BW, or YC. Decisions, decisions. I also made the mistake of pricing a value resort (ASMo). Wow, that difference in price is hard to swallow. It's twice as much for CBR and three times more for a deluxe. I'll think about it over the weekend.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The price for the GF isn't too bad. I was starting to consider it. Then I was looking at pictures. The pictures of the resort look great! The pictures of the rooms are a different story! Blah, not my style at all! It'd feel like I'm staying in some grandma's room (no offense to those who like the Victorian style). I was talking to my mom last night and she said it sounds like she'd love it. The other thing I'm thinking is GF is not good for a solo trip. Staying at the GF is big and would rather wait until I can share it with someone. Maybe I'll bring my mom down with me since she likes that style!

Mike, I agree on the location of the Epcot resorts. I wasn't too impressed with the BC when I stayed there a few years ago. But I LOVED the location!! Being able to walk or take the boat to Epcot and DHS was great! At night I'd just go walk around the boardwalk. And Stormalong Bay is great! It definitely is my favorite area.

Jay, I'm staying at Pop next month. Want to try somewhere else (especially since I haven't stayed Pop or value before).

Last night I went through all the resorts for the times I'm looking to go. I think I have it narrowed down to between CBR, Dolphin, OKW, BW, or YC. Decisions, decisions. I also made the mistake of pricing a value resort (ASMo). Wow, that difference in price is hard to swallow. It's twice as much for CBR and three times more for a deluxe. I'll think about it over the weekend.

WAIT!! DO NOT book All Stars if you are going during Pop Warner! What are your dates?

 

[Sphyrna]

WAIT!! DO NOT book All Stars if you are going during Pop Warner! What are your dates?

I'm thinking the trip is going to be Dec 10 - 17. That should be the week after pop warner, I believe. I was checking out posts on the resorts board today and someone mentioned pop. Guess that's why resort availability wasn't that good the week before.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm thinking the trip is going to be Dec 10 - 17. That should be the week after pop warner, I believe. I was checking out posts on the resorts board today and someone mentioned pop. Guess that's why resort availability wasn't that good the week before.

The 10th could be harrowing, but hopefully they will be LEAVING on the 10th so that would be your only scary day.

Of course my recommendation is AKL. Always, ONLY AKL.

 

[Sphyrna]

I'm not worried about the 10th, since I won't get in until late at night. Hopefully they'll be cleared out after that. I'm having a hard time deciding on which resort. OKW is very appealing. Problem is I was looking at pictures of the 1 BR and that looks sooo nice. I really want to book it. I can just imagine relaxing in the whirlpool tub after a long day in the parks. It just seems to be too much for just me. I was talking with my mom about her coming down with me. If she does then no problem. I'm trying to justify the cost by saying that with a full kitchen I can get food and cook at the villa, which would save $. Something around the boardwalk is appealing too, since I love that area so much.

 

[OrlandoMike]

The big downfall for OKW for me is it's a long bus ride away from EVERYTHING!

But it is a nice resort....

 

[tatianasfc]

big bear or mammoth is amazing to go in the winter because it snows and u can ski and snowboard and in the late night u can drink a cup of hot chocolate and sit by the fireplace in a cabin and relax from a long day of sliding down the slopes =]

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm not worried about the 10th, since I won't get in until late at night. Hopefully they'll be cleared out after that. I'm having a hard time deciding on which resort. OKW is very appealing. Problem is I was looking at pictures of the 1 BR and that looks sooo nice. I really want to book it. I can just imagine relaxing in the whirlpool tub after a long day in the parks. It just seems to be too much for just me. I was talking with my mom about her coming down with me. If she does then no problem. I'm trying to justify the cost by saying that with a full kitchen I can get food and cook at the villa, which would save $. Something around the boardwalk is appealing too, since I love that area so much.

Our jacuzzi tub at AKL was never clean enough for me to SIT in it. People say to fill the tub with enough hot water to cover the jets, throw in a dishwasher tab, and run it for about 20 minutes. Then drain, refill with plain water, run again to rinse the jets. We did that, but there was still gunk in the jets/tubes. I gave up and just took showers! I noticed a couple days later there was some sort of stuff that had dripped/oozed out of the jets and left streaks down the tub, so that sealed the deal. I am skittish about hotel rooms, so the time and effort it would have required to get it clean enough to use just wasn't worth it.

If you do book a one bedroom, be sure to bring a couple of dishwasher tabs.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Our jacuzzi tub at AKL was never clean enough for me to SIT in it. People say to fill the tub with enough hot water to cover the jets, throw in a dishwasher tab.

Grab a housekeeper and ask for a packet or two of "Triplet" next time!

Works like a charm!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Grab a housekeeper and ask for a packet or two of "Triplet" next time!

Works like a charm!

What is that?

We're in a studio next year because we're doing concierge/club level/whatever. I would rather have less space, double sheeted beds and clean towels EVERY DAY! I LOVE my clean towels!

I can't see us booking a one bedroom again unless we can't get concierge. The one bedroom model at BWV almost got me, but it doesn't beat daily housekeeping and turn-down service.

 

[Sphyrna]

Can't you just ask for clean towels??