Will I ever get to try a deluxe resort?

[*Fantasia*]

My flight is already booked for Feb to Orlando, so what do I do? I called Disney to take advantage of their special promo. I thought maybe try AKL, the CM quoted me $1,055 for 7 nights for std view. Then I asked for CSR and they are solid booked, no std room with 2 double. Then I asked for POFQ and they have a std room for $663 for 7 nights which is $94 a night with tax. Of course the price is sounding good so I booked it. That would be a good savings of $392! So I decided to just not do deluxe. As much as I want to try deluxe, I just can't do it.

Anyways... My date is Feb 12-19, is this value season? My rate seems kind of low for this time of year, isn't it? Did the CM quote me the wrong price? I already put my depost already. I used the code that is good for everyone to use.

 

[F1Julie]

Value season ends Feb 16. I am lucking out since that is the day I'm checking in, therefore, I get value season rates for all of my stay. I think $94 a night for a moderate is a great rate.

 

[swilphil]

POFQ is the nicest of the moderates, so I don't think you'll be disappointed. You could keep trying back and see if something opens up for your dates. Since you'll be there 7 nights, you could split your stay and do the last 3 nights at a deluxe.

 

[disneyagain]

Yes, you'll get to a deluxe...But, be prepared, once you go deluxe you don't like to go back!

We started at AS sports, then moved onto POR ...LOVED IT!...then we really lucked out and got the Polynesion for $130 AP rate in November 2001. I'm sure it was because it was of 9/11 that year and travel was down...We originally had reservations at POR again, but when I found that rate the end of September we grabbed it....LOVED IT! Since then, we've stayed at HRH and RPH at Universal on club level. And the last time we did strictly disney, we stayed at the Dolphin...LOVED IT!...This December is to the Swan....Can't wait....Now I want club level when ever I travel....

What have I done to my children...I camped as a kid, it was the only way the 6 of us could go to disney and on a vacation every year....Now my DS(11) adn DD(9) wants club level where ever we go! YIKES!

Keep watching the rates....you never know!

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree with Disney again. We have not tried the moderates or values, but love the deluxes. Before I found this board I was used to paying rack rate unless I received the ever elusive post card from Disney with the code or got a code from the newspaper. We stayed offsite in April because I booked late and was upset about ~$200 a night rack rate for CBR so I cancelled and we stayed at a HI on Irlo Bronson. OMG! Never again. Remember now, the last places we had stayed down there were CR, GF, and Swan. Quite a change. Luckily we stayed at the park all day so we didn't mind that much. That was for DD7's birthday. When late May came around DD9 says I want to go back for MY birthday. I lucked up and got a GA resident rate of $149 for the CR. Heaven! Then I found this board in August when we decided to go back for DH's BD in October. Booked, then found a code that was coming out, saved over 200 a night for WL. Of course I put that money to use and booked a few nights at the Poly too . Now I'm secretly planning a spring break trip for April. I already got a rate of $198 for WL CV, three days after they quoted me rack rate of almost $400 a night for the same room! . This board is a lifesaver. Unfrtunatel it ust makes you plan more trips buy an AP to save even more money on rooms and think about Disney 24/7

 

[lmhall2000]

It's funny how money rules a large portion of our decisions...I don't pay for cable/satellite (and actually like only having 5 channels to choose from) I don't have call waiting or other special features on my phone (monthly bill is $22), I own 4 pairs of shoes....mostly only wear one..my New Balance walkers..., we always keep a car over 10 years...etc. etc....so I figure with the cuts I'm making in our family budget...at vacation time I'm gonna go nuts. Most of my family would SQUEAL if they knew I was willing to pay $250 a night for the Grand Floridian...but I see how much they blow on sodas...I don't buy cokes...we drink milk, water and juice and when we eat out our family always orders water instead of tea/sodas....if you add up all those savings above v. my family members who go over on the cell phones monthly...spend $100 a month on sodas....and all the rest...who's the crazy one?

I say a vacation is a VACATION...make it the best you can and in your daily life don't put as high a value on the small stuff...all that adds up, but vacations are always remembered...my kids won't thank me 20 years from now for having 350 channels to choose from or driving in a new car every 3-5 years...but they will remember the fun we had on vacation...I'm not saying you can't have fun unless you're at a Deluxe...I'm just saying that if it's something you want to do...you can find a way!

And be thankful you can stay at a moderate...we have five in our family and only POR has room for five but those rooms are always sold out...so early on I figured I had to find a way to afford a deluxe! And it's really not THAT much better as far as rooms go...it's more of the location (monorail & such) and ambience you're paying for...having three young kids...the monorail makes all the difference! You'll get there...gives you another trip to plan!
Tara

 

[BambiTamby]

Yes, you will, my dear!!!!

Keep checking on the rates and codes!
AKL can sometimes come up with rates of $109 pn.!!!

I remember 13 years ago, when I was a single parent, looking at the WDWTC brochures at my cousin's travel agency.
she told me to "stop dreaming, you'll NEVER be able to afford to go to Disney!"

I looked down at my little baby boy and whispered to him,
"Someday, I'm going to take you to Disney!"
(well, we all know the rest of the story.... )

Don't ever say NEVER!

You'll get to stay deluxe! Just wait and see!
Pixie Dust for you and your sweet children!

 

[GApeach]

Another thought......being there 7 nights, a lot of people will do a split stay....maybe 2 or 3 nights in a deluxe at the end of the stay. That way it is not too expensive, but you at least get to try it. Disney makes the switch as easy as pie.....you just pack your bags and head to the park....they move your luggage.....and you return to your new home after you are done at the parks. But I think you will love POFQ....it is my favorite moderate!

 

[KevinFSU]

Your best bets are at AKL and WL, since those are the cheaper deluxe resorts.

I honestly don't think it matters which resort you stay in if you don't plan on spending much time there. You can still get a taste and feel for any resort by just scheduling a PS at one of the resort restaurants, or just scheduling some time to go by and walk around.

 

[DisOrBust]

Wait, don't tell me you moved back to Michigan !! I have been lurking on your move since its my secret dream to leave this frzen tundra of a state..WHAT HAPPENED!!!!

 

[Mortlives]

Fantasia - When you say you can't do it, do you mean you can't afford it, or you can't bring yourself to spend the extra money? If the former, things generally improve over time, and it will happen. If the latter, I know exactly what you mean. February 2003, I budgeted for AKL, I could afford AKL, I was going to AKL. Then, unfortunately, I figured out how much I would save staying at a moderate instead. Guess where we stayed. Mind you, POFQ was very nice.

However, this time, I have the perfect excuse. I can even justify it to myself. I'm turning --gasp-- 40, and needed a strategy to cope, and decided the only thing that would work would be to plan something so cool for my birthday, I would actually look forward to it. So, naturally, only a trip to WDW, staying at AKL would do.

If you can't bring yourself to spend the money for a normal trip, pick a really special occasion, that way it's easier to part with the extra.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[opal]

Our first trip to Disney was in 1990. We stayed at CBR (that was the least expensive on-site at the time). Needless to say we had a wonderful time. I remember thinking on the trip home, I hope we can go back some day.........

Well, we have gone at least once a year since. Up until four years ago, always at a moderate.

Then we tried the BWI, then Y&B, then Swan, we are hooked! I want to try all the deluxes!

DD (now 22) and I will do a girl's trip in January (Swan again!)

But someday, I hope to try GF, Poly, AKL and the Contemporary!

But the point of my rambling was I wasn't sure I would ever be able to go back, much less stay at a Deluxe!

 

[*Fantasia*]

When you say you can't do it, do you mean you can't afford it, or you can't bring yourself to spend the extra money?

I guess I can't bring myself to spend more money on deluxe resort. I guess I'd rather use the extra money elsewere, such as an extra day in the park or another character meal, or use it to buy more souviniers or maybe even save it for next time's vacation. $663 does sound better than $1,055, I guess I will stick with moderate and value resorts for now. I am happy just to be going to Disney.

 

[Magic2000]

I know what you mean about looking at the final cost!! This past July, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge (about $130/night). My DD absolutely LOVED the slide at the pool! When we talked about going back for a quick trip at Christmas, we all thought about staying at WL again! When I booked the room, no codes were out so I paid my deposit of $221.00 (per night)! I was hoping for a code though! Well, I got the great e-mail postcard and called to apply to my room. There were no rooms available for the code (only concierge). I got Pop Century ($49/night) for FOUR nights for the same price I was going to pay for ONE night at WL. I just couldn't do it - so we're staying at Pop Century!!!!! This is our second stay at Pop Century and we had a great stay before!!! (Our trips for Christmas are just "quick" trips to see the decorations!!)

Have a great time!!! We've stayed at Port Orleans twice and really like it!!!

 

[Sandi]

I'm the same way. I just don't like paying that much more when I'm perfectly happy staying at the Moderates.

However, with the code rates, we are splurging a little for our February trip. We are splitting our stay -- first 3 nights at POR; last 3 at Polynesian. I'm pretty sure I'll always be a moderate girl, but we've longed for the Poly for ages and this is a great treat for us.

Maybe consider a split stay? We Michiganders deserve a little pampering in February! (We'll also arrive on 2/12, but leave on 2/18.)

 

[cathy59]

I know what you mean, Fantasia! I have a hard time justifying the extra $$$ for a deluxe. But when the Fall codes came out, I just couldn't resist! Decided to split our stay 3 nights each at Pop and WL ... I keep telling myself it's only about $200 more. That's easier to swallow than to think it's twice as much, even at a great code rate!

My rationalization is that we will actually have time this trip to enjoy the resort. Our last 2 trips were just a few days each, and we spent most of our time trying to do everything! We only needed a bed to sleep in. But THIS time, I swear we will actually RELAX on our vacation!