Why is picking a resort so hard....

[Lynzer4]

It shouldn't be this hard... Lol

I think I might have over researched as now I can't pick a resort. Seems when I think I've decided I add another resort in the mix. At first it was easy as FD and rooms options only gave me CBR. Then a preferred came up at POR.

But I've always wanted to stay at WL and doing research I can stay there for $2300 (room and tickets) with food it would be around $2800 (that's budgeting $500 in food)

So the difference from a Mod to Dex is really what I would spend on food. I just don't know if I can justify the difference.

Why is it so hard! Lol

 

[vanyel]

I really tried hard to convince myself to upgrade to a deluxe but after looking at all the numbers, even having options to include possible discounts and I just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra money. Then came free dining and I ended up moving from POR to CBR to get the package and that made it even better. We're staying two days longer for less money and while I could have managed the deluxe, I would have been thinking about the extra money. So it's CBR and free dining and after having done lots of research and reading lots of threads, it's a decision I'm happy with.

I'm sure what ever you decide will work for you!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I have the same issue - every time I plan a vacation to WDW. I spend hours on the website comparing prices and reading about resorts.


For this summer, I finally decided on AK standard since it was actually less than most of the moderates. But when it comes to FD, as much as I try, I can never get away from the moderates. I have run the numbers so many different ways, but with values and deluxes, I cant' even get close to the value I get at the moderates. They are just too good a value for the FD promotion.

 

[Babsy]

Yep, it's a tragedy! You can only stay in one resort at a time! LOL This is part of why we like split stays a lot. It seems we can usually get it narrowed down to two.......and then we get stuck!

Sometimes, We want the savings of a value and the amenities of a mod or deluxe - so we do a bit of both!!

 

[Masonmj84]

In my mind, the biggest advantage of deluxe over moderate is location (as opposed to the resort itself) and if you can get a moderate with free dining, that is awfully good bang for the buck (our first vacation staying on property was CSR with free dining). You really can't get that kind of bang for the buck staying deluxe under any scenario.

And if you do a mod with free dining, you can still experience deluxe resorts by making ADRs there (the best food at WDW is at the deluxe resorts). So, in some ways, you get the best of WDW at a much more reasonable price than staying deluxe (the only disadvantage is that you may have to work harder to get to your ADRs).

Even when free dining is not being offered, we think staying deluxe is worth it only IF: (1) we're staying in the off-season with a room discount; and (2) we do a split stay.

The second point is not for everyone (as you have to pack in the middle of your vacation) but splitting allows you to experience different resorts and maximize the deluxe resort location advantage (particularly nice for not only going to/from the parks but also to/from ADRs). This, to us, helps offset a lot of the cost of staying deluxe (my ideal WDW vacation is a 4 way split at WL-Poly-BC-AKL to give you an idea of how much I love split stays).

Bottom line: if we can get free dining at a moderate, we do that. Otherwise, we look to get room discounts for at least two deluxe resorts and do a split stay.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

It's so hard, because they all offer such wonderful amenities and accommodations.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

It's never been about price with me. I return to POR because I love it. I love the grounds, the pools, the ambience, the lounge, the buses, the rooms and most of all the way I feel when I'm there. One day I will return to a deluxe having stayed with friends for celebrations and booked myself. Now POR is my happy place. And I got FD this year.

 

[AllyinWonderland]

I go back and forth deciding on resorts every single trip. This year we have decided to split our stay. We are spending 4 nights at Pop and 5 at BWI. The days and Pop will be busy park days with free dining and a cheap room. The days at BWI we will take advantage of the atmosphere, location and amenities that you expect from a deluxe.

 

[Pesky]

I feel your pain. Every time I think I have one picked, I change my mind. We're already doing a split stay with the Hilton LBV (best price -- FREE!) and a trip to US/IOA at Hard Rock, so I really get only one true Disney resort. First I was positive we'd go WL -- close to MK, boat to CR for everything else -- IDEAL! But then I realized it is very similar to the Grand Californian where we stayed for the kids' DLR trip and I'd like WDW to be different. So then it was BC! Super awesome pool, walking distance to Epcot, YAY! But then I heard about the transportation issues and how it can be hard getting a bus or boat at the end of the night, especially from MK. POLY! We'll splurge, it's close to everything -- but no option if we really wanted to go all out and have the kids in another room. Fine, save money with POR. Same problem. Face it, it's like a dog chasing its tail. I figure at some point I'll throw a dart at a map of the resort and find a hotel that way.

 

[OThopeful35]

The struggle is real!! I have already switched resorts 3 times for our upcoming trip My DS12 told me to tell him what resort we are staying at the week of our trip We've already done a split-stay and I was not a fan.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Yep, I'm right there with you. I really wanted to stay at POR after doing research. Booked rooms and had a RO discount. I was happy. FD came along and with all the problems everyone was having booking, I continued to be happy. Then more rooms opened up and I was able to get FD at CBR. I crunched the numbers and it just seemed like the better cost option. I have stayed at CBR and like it, but I was looking forward to staying at a resort I'd never stayed at. The bottom line is we've got a great vacation planned so I'm happy!

 

[Belleandtinker]

We've always wanted to stay at the POLY, but the rates always scare us. We've done AKL for a few nights on a split stay, but the Deluxe Resorts with a decent room are too pricey. We would rather stay longer than in a more expensive room.

One day we will stay at the POLY, but for now we'll stick with mostly moderates.

 

[Lynzer4]

So the final decision was Perferred room at POR. Just can't justify the $500 more for a room when I have FD and I'll be back and try WL (hopefully when I run the princess half marathon)

Thanks everyone for your input. It was very helpful! I know that we will have a great trip regardless of where we sleep!