Where to stay?! Help!!

[SwanVT2]

Feb. 2022 7 nights. We have 7 day tickets to Universal, so we don't need to worry about EP and can break up days. It will be me, DD (age 9 at the time) and DH. DD and I are Disney junkies so we will go to MK and/or AK one day, too. We were going to rent points at SSR, but we also want to go to Germany summer of 2022 to see family, so have decided we should be more economical (although, we can do SSR if feedback is go with what we know and love).
We plan to Uber to parks. This is my list so far with pros and cons. We do like Disney Springs for dinner. We like pool days with evening dining at places like DS. On park days, we will get up earlier and go, then come back by mid to late afternoon to rest and have dinner. Here is the list with my notes for DH
Disney Springs Holiday Inn: 2 Queen beds, microwave, fridge, balcony, breakfast buffet (kids eat free) 5-20 minute walk to Disney Springs 1317.45 (standard room facing the highway); 1531.93 (room facing Disney Springs to see fireworks)

Disney All Star Movies: On Disney property, has a fun Murphy bed (daughter likes the idea of) and recently-renovated rooms, food court (limited dining), big pool and pool does have pool bar, Disney transportation (including bus to Disney Springs). No hot tubs. Exterior entrance so you just walk outside-no elevators and walking through lobby to pool (which we don't enjoy doing). Dalmatian rooms look really cute. We have never stayed value, so will this be a shock to the system? 1520.90

Wyndham Grand Resort:2 Queens with balcony, fridge, main pool with lazy river and pirate ship with slide, several quiet pools, on site sushi restaurant, pool bar, breakfast/lunch casual restaurant and Starbucks. 1923.00

Sapphire Falls at Universal: 2 Queen beds, boat taxi to Universal City Walk to get to parks, pool and several restaurants (mid-range hotel) early entry to Universal parks 2103.00

Disney Coronado Springs: On Disney property, moderate Mexican-themed hotel, two queen beds, very cool on-site pool with slide, largest hot tub at main pool, quiet pools but not hot tubs at quiet pools, Exterior entrance so you just walk outside-no elevators and walking through lobby to pool. 2286.01

Saratoga Springs Resort (we know we will like) 2436.00

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

Of all those, I would personally choose Saratoga. Coronado Springs is beautiful, but has minimal Disney theming. If I'm in Disney, I want to feel like I'm in Disney!

It's a shame that there hasn't been any word on the Port Orleans resorts reopening, because I think those (Riverside, French Quarter) would both be perfect for you.

 

[SwanVT2]

Of all those, I would personally choose Saratoga. Coronado Springs is beautiful, but has minimal Disney theming. If I'm in Disney, I want to feel like I'm in Disney!

It's a shame that there hasn't been any word on the Port Orleans resorts reopening, because I think those (Riverside, French Quarter) would both be perfect for you.

I know!

 

[empedocles]

If you are spending most of your time at Universal, wouldn't it be best to stay closer to there?

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Have you checked into CBBR at US, we thought that was a great resort. Pool was better than most pools at WDW and you have a lot of amenities, like a Starbucks coffee shop, gym, bowling etc. I would not stay at WDW if you are spending most of your time at US, I would just Uber to MK and AK if you do not have a vehicle.

 

[SwanVT2]

Have you checked into CBBR at US, we thought that was a great resort. Pool was better than most pools at WDW and you have a lot of amenities, like a Starbucks coffee shop, gym, bowling etc. I would not stay at WDW if you are spending most of your time at US, I would just Uber to MK and AK if you do not have a vehicle.

I have but many reviews said the walls are thin. Also, we don't like super busy pools..we prefer a more tranquil atmosphere, which deterred me from CBBR.

 

[mousehouse23]

It's always hard for an outsider to evaluate, because I don't know how important budgeting is, with regards to saving for the Germany trip (which sounds amazing!).

But of those selections, I'd be inclined to go with Sapphire Falls, simply because of its convenience factor. You'd save a lot of Ubering by using their water taxi service, and could hit up City Walk the way you'd normally frequent DS from SSR. Plus, you'd save a bit of money and have the opportunity to enjoy a new resort. It looks gorgeous and seems to get wonderful reviews.

If you're really looking more for Disney theming, though, I can see making ASMovies work for your family. I'd worry about the noise factor, though, and a more crowded main pool.

 

[SwanVT2]

It's always hard for an outsider to evaluate, because I don't know how important budgeting is, with regards to saving for the Germany trip (which sounds amazing!).

But of those selections, I'd be inclined to go with Sapphire Falls, simply because of its convenience factor. You'd save a lot of Ubering by using their water taxi service, and could hit up City Walk the way you'd normally frequent DS from SSR. Plus, you'd save a bit of money and have the opportunity to enjoy a new resort. It looks gorgeous and seems to get wonderful reviews.

If you're really looking more for Disney theming, though, I can see making ASMovies work for your family. I'd worry about the noise factor, though, and a more crowded main pool.

Thank you. This is helpful!

 

[MinnieMouse3]

I would also agree with Sapphire Falls because of your proximity to universal where you will spend the majority of your time. The last time I was there (2 years ago) they allowed pool hopping and we really enjoyed checking out the pools and dining at each resort. They are all so close together it is easy to walk and they offered us complementary car service back to our hotel a couple of times when dining at a different universal hotel restaurant.

 

[SwanVT2]

I would also agree with Sapphire Falls because of your proximity to universal where you will spend the majority of your time. The last time I was there (2 years ago) they allowed pool hopping and we really enjoyed checking out the pools and dining at each resort. They are all so close together it is easy to walk and they offered us complementary car service back to our hotel a couple of times when dining at a different universal hotel restaurant.

Will I miss Disney though? wahhh!! Disney!! First time to Universal, can you tell? We really don't want to spend more than 3 days there...we got the 7 day tickets as a gift years ago and now that DD will be 9 we should use them.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you are spending most of your time at Universal, wouldn't it be best to stay closer to there?

Yes. The hotels have better service and are, IMHO, nicer. Usually cost less too. If we're going to both places we split the stay between them. Nothing beats the free Express Pass at Universal.

 

[SwanVT2]

Yes. The hotels have better service and are, IMHO, nicer. Usually cost less too. If we're going to both places we split the stay between them. Nothing beats the free Express Pass at Universal.

Just found out we have some credit card rewards that would cover cost of one night at sapphire or two at Royal pacific. Besides EP what does Royal Pacific has that Sapphire doesn't? Thank you!

 

[MinnieMouse3]

Honestly if it were me I would miss Disney. Would you consider a split stay? I would personally find it hard to fill 7 days at Universal. Could you do four days at Universal and then switch to a Disney hotel and just enjoy the resort/ property outside your one theme park day at Disney?

 

[SwanVT2]

Honestly if it were me I would miss Disney. Would you consider a split stay? I would personally find it hard to fill 7 days at Universal. Could you do four days at Universal and then switch to a Disney hotel and just enjoy the resort/ property outside your one theme park day at Disney?

DH doesn't want to deal with a split stay. I agree from what I have heard we don't need that many days at Universal. Plus I just love balconies to get fresh air..a big reason we go is to get a break from the New England weather. SSR has everything we want and we can just Uber to Universal for 3 days or so

 

[mousehouse23]

DH doesn't want to deal with a split stay. I agree from what I have heard we don't need that many days at Universal. Plus I just love balconies to get fresh air..a big reason we go is to get a break from the New England weather. SSR has everything we want and we can just Uber to Universal for 3 days or so

Aw, it sounds like you really want to stay at SSR. I say just go for it, then.

Is Saratoga's your happy place, be happy!

 

[SwanVT2]

I thin

Aw, it sounds like you really want to stay at SSR. I say just go for it, then.

Is Saratoga's your happy place, be happy!

I think you are right.

 

[chasgeese]

Will I miss Disney though? wahhh!! Disney!! First time to Universal, can you tell? We really don't want to spend more than 3 days there...we got the 7 day tickets as a gift years ago and now that DD will be 9 we should use them.

If you don’t want to spend more than 3 days at Universal, DON’T. I didn’t even know UO sold tickets that long and I bet the person who gave them to you didn’t realize that 7 days is way too much time to spend there (also if you were given the tickets several years ago, they probably don’t include access to the water park, which is a relatively new addition). I wouldn’t feel guilty about using the gift in the way that best suits you. If you can use points to stay at RP for two nights, you get the EP and won’t have any problem doing everything you want to do multiple times (especially since there are a decent number of attractions that your 9 yo might want/have to skip due to intensity/height restrictions). The point of a vacation is to have fun, and 7 days at UO sounds like it would get miserable. Better to use your tickets in a way that fits you and spend the rest of the time at Disney for as long as your budget allows.

Regardless, I would recommend staying near UO for as long as you plan on going. The main perk of Disney resorts has always been their proximity to Disney, but they are wildly overpriced if you are going to be schlepping over to UO every day. Even the most expensive UO resort, Portofino Bay, tends to be cheaper than moderates and can even be cheaper than Pop depending on when you go and what discounts are available.

Tl;dr: Gifts are gifts. Don’t feel forced to use all of the tickets because you feel guilty. UO is great and you will have a great time, but 7 days, especially if driving back and forth to WDW, will take the fun right out of it and I’m sure whoever gave you the tickets would rather you enjoy your experience than not. Use your 2 points nights at RP (which gives you EP on both arrival and departure days) where you should have plenty of time to enjoy UO at a leisurely pace. Then spend the rest of your time at Disney on-site for whatever combination of time/resort that works best.

ETA: Didn’t see the part about your husband not wanting a split stay/also that you were planning on using Uber/Lyft to shuttle between WDW and UO each day. I am not a fan of a split stay once I’m at WDW, so I get where your husband is coming from, but, including the wait time for the Uber, you are looking at 30 minutes and $15-20 each way commuting between the two at a minimum (not to mention the journey from the ride share drop off to the actual parks at UO and the difficulty of getting an Uber to come directly to your location at a sprawling property like SSR or CSR). As someone who gets your husband on the split stay concept, I would still much rather stay at UO when I’m going to UO and then stay at Disney when I do Disney. If I were just doing a day at UO, I could see just sucking up the commute, but any more and it would become more stressful than just switching hotels.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you don’t want to spend more than 3 days at Universal, DON’T. I didn’t even know UO sold tickets that long and I bet the person who gave them to you didn’t realize that 7 days is way too much time to spend there (also if you were given the tickets several years ago, they probably don’t include access to the water park, which is a relatively new addition). I wouldn’t feel guilty about using the gift in the way that best suits you. If you can use points to stay at RP for two nights, you get the EP and won’t have any problem doing everything you want to do multiple times (especially since there are a decent number of attractions that your 9 yo might want/have to skip due to intensity/height restrictions). The point of a vacation is to have fun, and 7 days at UO sounds like it would get miserable. Better to use your tickets in a way that fits you and spend the rest of the time at Disney for as long as your budget allows.

Regardless, I would recommend staying near UO for as long as you plan on going. The main perk of Disney resorts has always been their proximity to Disney, but they are wildly overpriced if you are going to be schlepping over to UO every day. Even the most expensive UO resort, Portofino Bay, tends to be cheaper than moderates and can even be cheaper than Pop depending on when you go and what discounts are available.

Tl;dr: Gifts are gifts. Don’t feel forced to use all of the tickets because you feel guilty. UO is great and you will have a great time, but 7 days, especially if driving back and forth to WDW, will take the fun right out of it and I’m sure whoever gave you the tickets would rather you enjoy your experience than not. Use your 2 points nights at RP (which gives you EP on both arrival and departure days) where you should have plenty of time to enjoy UO at a leisurely pace. Then spend the rest of your time at Disney on-site for whatever combination of time/resort that works best.

Agreed, with Express Passes you can do UO in 2 days.