Which resort?

[Native NYer]

We have 10 nights booked at BLT in August and plan on arriving the day before our BLT (or whatever resort we change to at the 7 month mark ) stay begins.

Our plans are to pay cash for our 1 night reservation. There are 3 adults and 2 children (ages 7 &3), so our options are limited if we want 1 room.

Some of the resorts we've been considering are:

1. A room at the CR. It would make the transfer to our 1 br villa easy.

2. A room at the GF. We've never stayed there and would eventually like to try it.

3. A room at BWI, BC, or YC. Their garden view rooms are the same price. And location is similar.

4. 2 rooms at Pop. Inexpensive!

5. 2 rooms at POFQ, CSR, or CBR.

6. 1 suite at Buena Vista Suites. This includes complimentary breakfast and is the lease expensive option ($89/night if I prepay).

7. 2 rooms at WL or AKL.

If we pick the offsite option, we can't have Disney transfer our luggage. But, we will have a rental car. We have an APs and AAA, so should be able to get a discount at one of the Disney resorts.

What do you suggest?

 

[CarolMN]

Have you considered paying cash for the first night at BLT (or whatever DVC resort you switch to)? Then you wouldn't have to move. If you are lucky, you may even be able to get a 25% DVC member cash discount. Sometimes, there are even larger discounts available through CRO - for example, you may be able to get a 40% discount if you have an AP. You may have to move if you book through CRO, but they do try to keep you in the same room if the rooms booked are exactly the same.

Failing that, have you considered POR - they have a few rooms that officially sleep 5 - two double beds and a trundle. Not my idea of a good time, but it's only for one night and may not matter if you won't be in the room much.

Other options include the Swan & Dolphin Resorts. Not sure if they hve rooms that sleep 5, but it's worth checking, especially if you can snag a discount. However, they charge their guests for parking, so be sure to consider that.

In your place, if I didn't want to pay cash for the same villa type at the chosen DVC resort and wanted to stay on site at WDW, I'd pick the deluxe that is closest to that resort (assuming prices are close) and I would transfer my own luggage - i.e., leave it in the car until the room was ready.

Are you planning to visit anything (Sea World, Universal, the new Legoland, Celebration, etc.) off site? If so, I'd stay near that location for the first night, especially if you are trying to get by with a low cash price for the night.

 

[Native NYer]

Have you considered paying cash for the first night at BLT (or whatever DVC resort you switch to)? Then you wouldn't have to move. If you are lucky, you may even be able to get a 25% DVC member cash discount. Sometimes, there are even larger discounts available through CRO - for example, you may be able to get a 40% discount if you have an AP. You may have to move if you book through CRO, but they do try to keep you in the same room if the rooms booked are exactly the same.

Failing that, have you considered POR - they have a few rooms that officially sleep 5 - two double beds and a trundle. Not my idea of a good time, but it's only for one night and may not matter if you won't be in the room much.

Other options include the Swan & Dolphin Resorts. Not sure if they hve rooms that sleep 5, but it's worth checking, especially if you can snag a discount. However, they charge their guests for parking, so be sure to consider that.

In your place, if I didn't want to pay cash for the same villa type at the chosen DVC resort and wanted to stay on site at WDW, I'd pick the deluxe that is closest to that resort (assuming prices are close) and I would transfer my own luggage - i.e., leave it in the car until the room was ready.

Are you planning to visit anything (Sea World, Universal, the new Legoland, Celebration, etc.) off site? If so, I'd stay near that location for the first night, especially if you are trying to get by with a low cash price for the night.

Thank you for your suggestions

I tried to book a 1 br lakeview at BLT with cash for our arrival night, but nothing is available. According to the Disney website, only standard and MK views are open.

I haven't looked into the Swan or Dolphin, but definitely will.
Since we're not planning on visiting Seaworld or Universal. I'd love to take the boys to Legoland, but I read it won't open until October 2011

I'm considering just staying at the CR to make the switch easier. Pop looks like fun, but not sure about room size. We don't have plans to visit a park that day, just relax after getting in sometime in the late afternoon.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Usually when we're adding a night on as a travel rest stop before our "real" check in, we've done values. That said - I don't care for the values, but kids don't mind them and it saves some cash with onsite perks (early entry the next morning before checking into the other resort), luggage transfer, etc...

It kind of depends on what you want to pay and how tired you'll be or what you want to do at the resort. CBR has a great pool, as does YC/BC. If can be a tough choice! Good luck!

 

[Native NYer]

Usually when we're adding a night on as a travel rest stop before our "real" check in, we've done values. That said - I don't care for the values, but kids don't mind them and it saves some cash with onsite perks (early entry the next morning before checking into the other resort), luggage transfer, etc...

It kind of depends on what you want to pay and how tired you'll be or what you want to do at the resort. CBR has a great pool, as does YC/BC. If can be a tough choice! Good luck!

Thanks!
Right now, the CR, YC/BC, BWI, and the mods look the most appealing.
Luckily, I have lots of time to decide

 

[Sammie]

I would go with two rooms at the moderate or two rooms at Pop. No reason to start off crowded. If staying in one room then I would pick CR as their rooms are the largest and moving will be easier.

 

[Native NYer]

I would go with two rooms at the moderate or two rooms at Pop. No reason to start off crowded. If staying in one room then I would pick CR as their rooms are the largest and moving will be easier.

Excellent point. The extra space would be great.

 

[ba60515]

I agree with the above

 

[jnsolomon]

When you checked at BLT for the cash night, did you call member services or just check online? Usually lakeview rooms are the last to go, so I would be surprised if theme park view and standard view are available, but lakeview is not.

 

[MerriH807]

Are you flying in? Have you considered staying at the hotel at MCO? That;s what we almost did last year.......

 

[Native NYer]

When you checked at BLT for the cash night, did you call member services or just check online? Usually lakeview rooms are the last to go, so I would be surprised if theme park view and standard view are available, but lakeview is not.

I just checked online. I thought it was odd that standard and MK views were available, but not LV. I'll call MS tomorrow. Hopefully, they have something.

Are you flying in? Have you considered staying at the hotel at MCO? That;s what we almost did last year.......

We are flying in. If we arrive late, I think we'd consider staying at the Hyatt at MCO.