which resort for 10th anniversary trip?

[lovemy3girls]

My husband an I are thinking about going to Disney without the kids in August. We didn't have a honeymoon (dh was in the military), and now 10 years and 3 kids later we'd like to take a short trip alone. We were just there a few weeks ago (CR 8 nights with the kids), so I don't feel too guilty going without them for a few days. My question is, where do we stay? We are trying not to use too much of our Disney savings, because we take the kids every 2 years, and need the money for that. We want to keep it simple, but we are used to staying at CR. Do you think we could handle Pop Century? Would it be a shock going from deluxe to value? Should we try a moderate? If so, which one......we've never stayed at either a value or a moderate, so not sure what to expect. We thought it would be neat to stay near Epcot, since we always stay near MK, and never get to really enjoy Epcot with the kids. Are there any moderates, or cheaper deluxes, in the Epcot area? We are thinking about staying 4 nights....Sorry so many questions...hope someone can help steer me in the right direction! Thanks!

 

[disneyholic family]

the cheapest deluxe in my experience is the WL....but it's not an epcot resort....but it is very nice...

supposedly the swan and dolphin have very good rates (and special discounts, for example for teachers).....and there are people who absolutely adore them....and they're near epcot....so maybe that would work..

i think that the BC, YC and BWI tend to be pretty pricey..

instead of staying at the Pop, you might look into the hotels that are on disney property near DTD.....sometimes they have very good rates and have more to offer than Pop...unless it really has to be a disney resort....then i'd look at All Star Music as an alternative value to Pop...
and for moderates, i'd look at the Carribean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside, or Port Orleans French Quarter...
we've stayed at POR several times and adored it there...it has a feeling of seclusion that i love...if you go to POR, you have the choice of the bayou section or the mansions section....it's really a lovely resort and sometimes you can get a very good rate there...

 

[AJKMOM]

Of the moderates, I think PO Fench quarter has a romantic feel to it. It's smaller, cozier.

 

[HANDYMOM]

I would go with Port Orleans Riverside. It's lush and has a sit down restaurant, Boatwrights, that can't be beat!

 

[cobbler]

You probably will have a shock going from deluxe to value. Esp from the Contemporary.

I would go with a moderate and I agree about going to French Qtr. Its wonderful!

 

[lovemy3girls]

Thanks everyone! We are getting excited just thinking about another trip! About the hotels near DTD, is the transportation to the parks as reliable as the Disney buses? I may have to look into that idea. Thanks again!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I would do the Dolphin or Swan. Actually, that's what we did! My husband and I had our first ever adult, without our 3 kids trip, this past May. We always stay at a Disney deluxe resort with our kids, so we absolutely didn't want to go to a mod or value. We didn't want to "waste" the money a Disney deluxe costs on our own little trip, so we tried the Swan and really had a great time.

The beds are awesome - better than any Disney deluxe, the location is lots of fun for adults (we kept saying "Disney is for adults" ), and the resort is deluxe but has an adult feel, so it was not one that my kids would miss not staying at. We thought about the GF, but my girls enjoy that resort so I would have been thinking of them and what they were missing the whole trip. The Swan was perfect for my husband and myself. It was a great little getaway.

I would do Swan/Dolphin again if my husband and I are lucky enough to get another adult trip.

Congratulations on your 10 yrs, and happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Have you thought about renting DVC points? If your stay is not over a weekend, renting DVC points to get into the Beach Club Villas or the Boardwalk Villas would get you an Epcot resort for about the cost of a moderate. The weekend DVC rates are much higher than during the week, so if your stay includes a weekend, then a king room at a moderate would be better. We have stayed at POR and CBR and would recommend them both. We have stayed at CSR as well and would be a good alternative. Have never stayed at POFQ but it would be a nice resort for an adult trip too.

 

[lovemy3girls]

Lives4Disney - I like the idea of the Swan or Dolphin, mostly because we'd be able to walk to Epcot. Can you give me an idea of the price at these resorts? Are they more than a moderate would cost? Also, can you do the meal plan with these resorts? We aren't sure whether we're gonna get the meal plan, I guess it depends on where we end up staying. Do the Swan and Dolphin share a pool, and do they have a hottub on either property? Thanks!

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would go for a moderate like either POFQ or even CBR. IT is in the middle of everything and not a far bus ride anywhere. If you are a nurse or teacher you can sometimes get special rates at the Swan and Dolphin

 

[disnut8]

Lives4Disney - I like the idea of the Swan or Dolphin, mostly because we'd be able to walk to Epcot. Can you give me an idea of the price at these resorts? Are they more than a moderate would cost? Also, can you do the meal plan with these resorts? We aren't sure whether we're gonna get the meal plan, I guess it depends on where we end up staying. Do the Swan and Dolphin share a pool, and do they have a hottub on either property? Thanks!

Haven't checked on the prices lately but I think these would run about the same or a little more than a moderate. For your questions about the Swan/Dolphin. I prefer the Swan because it's smaller. We stayed here a couple of nights to get away from the family when we renewed our vows for our 20th wedding anniversary. The Swan and Dolphin share a pool and it's a very nice one. There are lots of hot tubs in the pool area. The Dolphin and the Swan each have their own lap pool as well. The Swan has hammocks to swing in. There's a beach there too. You can rent Swan boats.

If you want a moderate, I would have to speak up about the French Quarter. THE most romantic moderate. I hadn't stayed here until a recent trip and it's one of the last ones I tried. If it had been the first one, I wouldn't have stayed anywhere else. For romance, it's great. The hot tub is much removed from the pool area which makes it more adult.

I would not go to a value if you are used to deluxes. It's like you have to be weaned off deluxes.

 

[laura12581]

I don't know if you thought of it or if you are even interested, but I just wanted to share my experience with you, we just did the Disney Cruise (4nights) for our first anniversary and I think that it was better than our HM at WDW. There was a lot of adult stuff only to do and it was a fun vacation but not as rushed as I feel in DW. My DH and I enjoyed our time together relaxing and having fun at the same time. I just loved it so much and I really didn't think that I could love anything as much as I love WDW. I hope that whatever you do that you have a great time and a nice anniversary!
Laura

 

[3princesses4us]

Boy do we have similar lives! We too just celebrated our 10th anniversary at WDW without our 3 daughters! We decided to stay at POR- Alligator Bayou section. It was so wonderful and romantic. Two nights we took the boat to DT Disney. The resort was quiet and secluded. My DH wants to go back there next year with the girls. I'm leaning towards trying the WL next time.
Although I love the location, I would NOT stay at the Swan or Dolphin if you're thinking at all of getting the dining plan (our new love). You will be unable to get the dining plan if you stay at one of these places just so you know...
I'd at least go moderate for this grand occassion...

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Of the moderates, I'd go with PO-Riverside. The grounds are beautiful (go with mansion side!), and I think it has the most romance of the mods.

I second the earlier poster's vote for Disney Cruise Line, though!!

 

[3princesses4us]

Or better yet, you can do a 7 day land/sea. That's what we originally planned to do but the 4 days at POR were much more affordable.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney - I like the idea of the Swan or Dolphin, mostly because we'd be able to walk to Epcot. Can you give me an idea of the price at these resorts? Are they more than a moderate would cost? Also, can you do the meal plan with these resorts? We aren't sure whether we're gonna get the meal plan, I guess it depends on where we end up staying. Do the Swan and Dolphin share a pool, and do they have a hottub on either property? Thanks!

Hi! Go to the Starwood website and check out the prices for your dates. You can join SPG (starwood preferred guest) program thru the site for free and they are usually running specials on the S/D.

I have stayed club level twice at the Swan and once at the Dolphin. The rate was about $170/night, I think. That included a very nice continental bfast, evening appetizers, water, soda, coffee/tea when the lounge was open. We had evening turn down service w/chocolates on the pillows, too. It was nice, but I know that you can get standard rooms for about $139/nt often.

I also agree the Swan is a bit nicer for adults, it is smaller & quieter and just easier to navigate. I stayed at the Dolphin for a few nights this summer with my kids (no husband). I would stay Dolphin w/kids again, but prefer the Swan for an adults only trip.

You cannot do the dining plan with these resorts as they are not Disney owned. No ME, either, but I would definitely consider them instead of a value or moderate. You will get a more adult resort, but still a deluxe and at a better price than the Disney deluxes.

By the way, the pool is great. They share the Grotto pool and it is more of a pool complex. There is a free form pool with a waterfall and slide and there are several other pools in that same area. There is a white sand beach, too. It is very lush and pretty. My kids and I really enjoyed that pool in August! I believe there are hot tubs - I recall my 5 year old wanted to sit in one (NO WAY in August!!!) I really think you and your husband would be very happy at either the Swan or Dolphin.

Happy planning!!

Lives4Disney

 

[lovemy3girls]

Thanks so much everyone! We actually have been talking about a Disney Cruise as one of our options. Our trip has to me 5 days max because I can't leave the kids any longer than that! I guess we could do a 4 day cruise, but I am worried about doing a cruise during hurricane season. Also, I want to be kept busy, busy, busy, because I know if I am not occupied I will think about my kids too much. Will I be busy enough on a cruise? What is there for adults to do besides swim? We have never been on a cruise, so I am clueless. We know we will be kept busy at WDW....we are not the types of people who can just lay around and relax all day. I guess that's because we are so busy at home always going! I don't know how to relax! Anyway, keep the ideas and opinions coming....you truly are helping us make our decision! One more question about the cruise....how far in advance should we book it? do cruises fill up quickly? Thanks!

 

[Lilolvr]

For the mods, I would go with CSR all the way. They have a spa, hair salon and gym. Guests can use the gym at no charge. No other mod has these. Also, CSR has a full room service menu. My DH and I used it on a few occasions. You can even get alcohol and special desserts and fancy chocolates.

The pool bar is great, try the margaritas and nachos. The main pool area usually has available lounge chairs because many of the guests are at conventions. The buses stay less crowded for the same reasons.

I think you will really enjoy yourselves at CSR.

 

[Buzz2001]

Definitely CSR for the mods. My DW and I love this resort. You'll have a great time!

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[laura12581]

We went in hurricane season- Sept and we were very lucky. You can get insurance, which I would recommend in the case that you might not be able to go because of a hurricane. We booked in may for our Sept cruise. I feel that they really tried to cater to adults. There were a lot of activites every day. At the different ports you can do excursions like snorkeling or parasailing, but these are noit included in the price. If you are realy interested, check out the cruise line board for more info. Let me know if I can be of any more help. By the way, I would also agree that Coronado Springs or POFQ would be good choices too.
Laura