WWYD? Family Trip Planning

[sponica]

My daughter was about the same age when we went, she was easy. The key thing is if she needs dark to sleep, you'll be sticking the Pack & Play in the sink part of the bathroom. It works (or did) at POFQ.

My sister swears by CSR and she is an anti smoking zealot oncology nurse. If it was really that bad, she wouldn't rave about the hotel as much as she does. She prefers it because of the convention vibe, she thinks it scares all the families away.

 

[verleniahall]

In the end - do what works for you - I have read (between here and other groups) that you can gift something to the TA for her/his time since they DID do some work for you - that way it will help with any guilt you feel for taking the reservation away

 

[MommaBerd]

DVC Point Renting
Ugh... this one is smart, and I should just do it but my conscience is messing with me. We have two rooms booked with a TA. If I cancel, she did all that work for me for nothing. Feels like a jerk move. I know all is fair in getting the best deal but... the ability to modify and control our own reservation is pretty nice, and while I am not adverse to renting points, I need to think critically on how this changes our trip... it is a HUGE difference though... very difficult.

I *totally* get this. Unfortunately, I think it is not-so-fun part of their job. I can’t imagine any TA who would fault you for saving $1000+ if you decide to change plans and stay at SSR. And, place the blame on your mom!

 

[saraheliz]

I totally get trying to figure out the *best* solution- it can be so tough!

Personally, I'd ditch the Deluxe Dining. That is a LOT of time in sit down meals if you go to everything you listed, and a lot of places you *have* to be over the course of the week. I've travelled with kids and never really wanted to do more than 1 table service a day, personally. I just can't imagine you'll get your money's worth out of the upgrade- I have very flexible travellers but sometimes we would be seriously regretting a dinner reservation if we were all beat, or annoyed that we had a 10:30 breakfast ressie when we were in a good touring groove. Stick with the regular DDP and then I'd probably lean toward the 2-bedroom villa, personally. You can always pay OOP for a couple of extra meals if there a a couple you really just can't give up, but you'll still probably make out ahead.

 

[AllyReggie]

Okay, here is the breakdowns...
(I am taking the insurance out since we are pretty much solid on that and since it is the same for any room configuration, I just removed it from the equation)

All Star Sports 8d/7n w 6d PHPTix:
Room Only Promo: $1951.02
Free QS Dining: $2167.12 (Additional 216.10)
Upgrade to DxDDP: $3059.64 (Additional 892.52 over FD QS)

Cost of Dining: $1108.62 - $112 (Estimated value of 28 snack credits) = $996.62 value of 42 dining credits.

$996.62 /42 = $23.72 per credit (or $71.16 on food per person per day not including tip)

Since we have 5 signature meals that are basically must dos, you can see how the DxDDP is appealing.
Those 5 meals could easily cost each of us $75 per person and we'd be trying to be careful with our choices.
If we estimated low and say each person only spent $60 at each of those SD locations, that is still $600 which
is nearly 2/3 of the cost of the plan... for FIVE meals we intend to have regardless of dining plan. If we say we will
ONLY spend $30/per day per person on the rest of our meals (a low estimate I think because we have a few buffets in there!)
that would be about $1132 for food per couple if you include snacks.


So, ASports is $3059.64 with DxDDP (This is our baseline)


8d/7n w 6d PHPTix:

CSR FD Upgrade to DDP: $3207.24 (Additional $147.60)

CSR Rm Discount: $3567.76 (Additional $508.12)

CSR FD Upgrade to DxDDP: $3778.00 (Additional $718.36)

PORRIV Royal Guest FD Upgrade to DDP: $3878.86 ($819.22)

PORFQ No Promo w/ OOP Food: $4158.10 (Additional $1098.46)

PORRIV Royal Guest Rm Discount w/ OOP Food: $4401.58 (Additional $1341.94)

PORRIV Royal Guest FD Upgrade to DxDDP: $4449.62 (Additional $1389.98)

---------------------------

To me it looks like the CSR room with our DxDDP is the best value. If we pretend that the $718.36 cost is an additional food cost (it isn't) and put it into the FD cost, that brings the DxDDP to $1826.98 per couple (minus $112 for snacks) or $40.84 per credit. That does make it harder to break even, we'd need to be spending about $122/per day on food but with how many Signatures and things we want to go to I think that actually sounds fairly possible.

I know a lot of people don't think the DxDDP is worth it for them, and that is 100% fine. I am not digging my heels in because I am just plain stubborn, I ran the numbers and the averages on what people wanted to eat, how often we wanted to eat and what we wanted to do. We wanted Character experiences so we didn't have to wait in a line for pictures with Princesses and Winifred - eating while we do that saves time. We wanted fancier meals than what we can have here in Portland (we have LOTS of awesome options for food in our area, so it can be hard to impress!) and we wanted to try things and see things that really just WOW regardless of price. Because of all of that, getting the DxDDP saves about $450 off the cost of food per person for us when I price out what people are most likely to eat versus what the DxDDP gives us. Its a lot of time spent in restaurants, but that is fine for us.

 

[starry_solo]

Skip DVC points renting because you won't get any free dining plan with that. You may have savings on the room but you will have to pay full price of the DxDP which is $116.25/pp so $465/night (not adding young baby since under 3) so it may even out at the end if you book through Disney.

Booking through Disney will give you flexibility to change your resort, etc.

Staying in the same room (one bedroom or two bedroom DVC villa) will give you space to stretch out. A two bedroom would give you two real beds so unless you and your husband want to sleep on a pull out sofa bed, its probably a better idea for a 2 bedroom villa. Again, pricey

 

[Anchored]

We love Coronado. I also like Sports and don't think it is rundown at all. It is just noisy and has a motel "vibe" but my kids and I like it.
Coronado is beautiful since they updated it. The TV in the room is HUGE! (the guys in your party might appreciate that)

I would keep what I have or move to Coronado

 

[BLAZEY]

Has your toddler met characters before? Is she OK with them? I wouldn't plan on so many TS meals with a child that young, especially if I didn't know how they would react to characters. We usually plan 1 or 2 TS or buffet meals during a stay, even now that DD is older. She likes it once in a while but would not like it 2 times a day or even daily.

 

[TwinkleKS]

Just chiming in to say that I'd keep the DxDP. We do it ever trip, using two meals per day, some of the meals signatures, and occasionally having an extra meal or two left at the end. On longer trips when you know you have time to see most things, it is a nice break to go into the AC and spend an hour or so sitting down - and a great break for multi generational trips without having to go back to the room.

 

[AllyReggie]

Has your toddler met characters before? Is she OK with them? I wouldn't plan on so many TS meals with a child that young, especially if I didn't know how they would react to characters. We usually plan 1 or 2 TS or buffet meals during a stay, even now that DD is older. She likes it once in a while but would not like it 2 times a day or even daily.

This is a good point!

Does meeting and loving Krampus count? She got photos with 3 different Santa's her dad likes to wear silly masks (Dota2 Juggernaut mostly but there are others) and she did a photoshoot sitting on Krampus' lap that went really well. She is a strange one, she is typically un-phased by strange people in costumes. So far, here is my rough draft:

Day 1 - EPCOT
Teppan Edo
Biergarten

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Breakfast (Donald's Safari)
Flame Tree BBQ
Jiko's or HDDR

Day 3 - DHS
Sci Fi Dine In
Hollywood Brown Derby

Day 4 - Shopping & MNSSHP
QS in Disney Springs or a Food Court
Ragland Road Irish Pub
Be Our Guest Dinner

Day 5 - Shopping & Water Park
Kona Cafe
QS at Water Park
Morimoto Asia

Day 6 - IFWF @EPCOT
Akershus Breakfast
Snack Credits Used her for IFWF foods!
Le Cellier

Day 7 - Universal
Food outside of Disney (Three Broomsticks, Margaritaville are the main choices)

Day 8 - Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace Breakfast

That is 21 credits, all used and happy. Maybe it seems like a lot of food but, with the age of our group and how often we return, people want to try more fun food options than they want to stand in line for rides, so I plan the meals to sort of guide the amount of tired feet!

 

[AllyReggie]

Just chiming in to say that I'd keep the DxDP. We do it ever trip, using two meals per day, some of the meals signatures, and occasionally having an extra meal or two left at the end. On longer trips when you know you have time to see most things, it is a nice break to go into the AC and spend an hour or so sitting down - and a great break for multi generational trips without having to go back to the room.

Pretty much exactly this.

My daughter isn't a "napper" and if we took her back to the hotel room for an hour all we'd accomplish is... getting to ride a bus for 2+ hours so she could see the hotel room for awhile?

I've budgeted in downtime into my mock itinerary just in case it is necessary (you never know) but honestly at Rodeos and Carnivals and Hockey games or other big events (Cider festivals, Beer Festivals, Ren Faires) she tends to prefer to just cat nap in her stroller for awhile while we eat and then get right back to the playing, people watching and having fun.

But really, everyone agrees that the relaxation you get from being in an AC filled restaurant is just fine for us.

 

[rlk]

If you decide on two rooms either with free dining, you can upgrade to DxDDP for just one room. Or, if you decide to book two rooms without free dining, you can add DxDDP for one room and then share the credits among the four adults.

 

[AllyReggie]

If you decide on two rooms either with free dining, you can upgrade to DxDDP for just one room. Or, if you decide to book two rooms without free dining, you can add DxDDP for one room and then share the credits among the four adults.

Honestly, the difference in the dinning plan for us doesn't make sense. And I don't know if you have heard but recently there has been some kerfluffle about whether or not you are allowed to/can share between rooms.

We plan to use all 21 credits per person and all 14 snacks. We like trying new food, experiencing new restaurants and relaxing at nice eateries. The Dining plan for us is going to cost $23 a credit. It is worth it to us, while I understand that other peoples trips may not value the Dining plan, I have already mathed it out to work well for us, AFTER finding out where people want to eat.

I really don't see a better way to go to all those restaurants and still come out cheaper than the DxDDP. That would require me to spend less than $69 a day before tip on food. And some of those meals are already $50 flat... for one meal! Things like Jiko, Le Cellier, HBD are going to bite into that pretty hard.

 

[rlk]

Honestly, the difference in the dinning plan for us doesn't make sense. And I don't know if you have heard but recently there has been some kerfluffle about whether or not you are allowed to/can share between rooms.

We plan to use all 21 credits per person and all 14 snacks. We like trying new food, experiencing new restaurants and relaxing at nice eateries. The Dining plan for us is going to cost $23 a credit. It is worth it to us, while I understand that other peoples trips may not value the Dining plan, I have already mathed it out to work well for us, AFTER finding out where people want to eat.

I really don't see a better way to go to all those restaurants and still come out cheaper than the DxDDP. That would require me to spend less than $69 a day before tip on food. And some of those meals are already $50 flat... for one meal! Things like Jiko, Le Cellier, HBD are going to bite into that pretty hard.

I get it. You are going to be enjoying some really great meals!

 

[3gr8boys]

Just in case you weren't already reassured- you won't have any trouble fitting a pack n play at CSR. We had a rollaway open in our room all week last trip!

 

[Nancyg56]

I understand why you want the DxDDP and since your parents are onboard I would keep it. Just remember the time it takes to travel, and when you have three different meals in three different areas of WDW you will be spending a lot of time consumed with dining. We will on occasion, but I do nto wnat your family blindsided by how much time you are dedicating to meals.

I also think you are best served by moving to CSR. You might want to consider a meal there. The past time I stayed dining was pretty good.

 

[a1tinkfans]

You know ur family best and definitely sounds like this is a food geared trip versus a ride trip.
After your further clarifications, value room is out of the equation.
CSR for you seems to be best choice of what you listed.
Enjoy, wherever u end up and Happy Eating!

 

[sponica]

Pretty much exactly this.

My daughter isn't a "napper" and if we took her back to the hotel room for an hour all we'd accomplish is... getting to ride a bus for 2+ hours so she could see the hotel room for awhile?

I've budgeted in downtime into my mock itinerary just in case it is necessary (you never know) but honestly at Rodeos and Carnivals and Hockey games or other big events (Cider festivals, Beer Festivals, Ren Faires) she tends to prefer to just cat nap in her stroller for awhile while we eat and then get right back to the playing, people watching and having fun.

But really, everyone agrees that the relaxation you get from being in an AC filled restaurant is just fine for us.

We did two TS a day without a problem. And 2 character meals, she preferred fur characters (which worked well because we did Ohana and Garden Grill breakfast)

My daughter is a napper and as long as the stroller was reclined, she'd nap in the stroller. Actually she napped through our entire lunch at Tiffins....

ETA: We almost did DxDDP but it didn't totally make sense for us as we'd have a gazillion snack credits unused.

 

[YesterDark]

Forget the drama for a second, nice planning by you. Looks like a fun trip regardless where you stay. Ignore the haters (I use this term with love), if the money is good for you the deluxe dining plan is a great fit to experience some of the great restaurants that can be just an amazing experience as 2 hours in the park.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't hate this option, but Mom has pretty much all but nixxed this idea. She doesn't want to stay anywhere that looks run down, and all the videos I have found of the Sports complex is that it is beaten to hell, faded grimy carpet, dirty fixtures, peeling wall paper and all that. Maybe it isn't as bad as the Youtubes say, but my mom has pretty much put her foot down and said, if she is paying this much to do Disney, she wants something better than a motel 6 (why oh why didn't she have this opinion 3 weeks ago!) I think today is my do or die day, so I will present the pros and cons of this to her tonight.

You may already be aware but they are renovating the Values. I'm not up and up on exactly where they are at with them but I know POP was the first started on the Values.

BUT I will say relying on videos..it's not the best idea only because it's not necessarily representative of every single room out there. IF the style of the resort and room configuration is not to your (general your) liking totally understandable. Otherwise it's like setting your mind up for failure. That's not to say you wouldn't get a room that needs some lovin' just that your (general your) mind can start to focus on that and only think about that.

I also wouldn't consider them motel 6 but that's just my opinion.

Now my photo isn't exactly the best in terms of seeing all the details but this is from Sep 2017. I fully admit enough time has gone by, wear and tear has obviously happened since then. My photo is of the old layout of the rooms. They will no longer look like this when completed



Sure it's not fancy and may not be someone's cup of tea in terms of the looks but I can't say I truly focused on every little detail.

We stayed at a Sleep Inn (which isn't a high level) last August in Missouri. It was so bad my husband reported them to the state's health department. Not only were the rooms being renovated but they were putting people up in rooms that were still not done. The paint wasn't fully done, there was mildew and black mold in the room and stuck to lampshades, etc. I was in the room for 10mins and felt terrible. We moved rooms and while it didn't have the mildew and mold the shower door had been improperly installed, there was missing paint on the wall like they had just stopped for the day in renovating lol. I've never stayed in a place so bad. So faded carpet and whatnot wouldn't faze me compared to what I saw and experienced. But that is just me. I've stayed in a variety of levels and the cheaper style ones aren't the ones necessarily prone to issues IMO.

All that being said it's totally understandable to stay where you've stayed before and to stay at a place that held such memories for you. There is obviously a line of saving money and the place being comfortable for you and in your style so I truly understand the desire to not really stay at All-Stars. I would have suggested splitting up but your subsequent comments made it clear it's not an option for you. Sounds like it was a misunderstanding of accommodations when the packages were initially presented (and I'm not saying that it was on your end). Looks like it's all going to work out in the end. Hope you have a fun, good food filled trip with your family