WWYD - SoG or RCI Gold Crown?

[weregoingtodw]

We're in the beginning planning stages of a 7 day trip - my 9yo DD, my mom and me. My husband is military, so we have the option of either staying in Shades of Green ($72/night) or a our choice of several RCI resorts - including Gold Crown Resorts such as Vacation Village at Parkway and Celebration World Resort ($264 total for 7 nights).

We're planning probably 3 park days, and a day of hotel hopping. Also planning Sea World (one complimentary visit to military to this year - Anheuser Busch really supports our military!).

Where would you stay? SoG is really nice, we stayed there last year, but I'm drawn to the idea of staying in a full condo as opposed to a hotel room. Of course, there's the price difference as well, but that's not really my deciding factor. Of course, we'd have to factor in parking prices, etc.

I'm reasonably sure we'd decide to rent a car either way, so not counting that in the equation.

Where would you stay, and why? Thanks!

 

[akrake]

$264 is a great price for a week (via that miliatary vacation site?). as long as you have a rental car & don't mind driving...i say try the condo. if you don't like it, next year stay at sog again.
amie

 

[weregoingtodw]

$264 is a great price for a week (via that miliatary vacation site?).

Yup, through AFVC!

 

[weregoingtodw]

UGH... I hate decisions! Now I'm wondering what the difference in convenience, paying for parking, etc. would be, and how it would offset the experience. Since we'd be staying at SoG if we stayed onsite, it's not like we'd be missing the Disney theming in the hotel. The room to 'spread out' would be so great too (not to mention that we were planning on staying six nights, but since the AFVC vacations include 7 nights, we'd get in an extra day as well).

Decisions, decisions!!!

 

[aec]

We just stayed at SOG in January (5 nights - 6 days at WDW parks) and had a great stay. Our previous trip was a full week staying at the HGVC near seaworld. The extra space and full kitchen was great.

One benefit to SOG is we could make a stop by the room in the afternoon to take break. When we stayed offsite we did not go back during the day. I guess it depends on when you are going and if you'll want to take a break during the day. Since you are planning only 3 WDW park days, maybe the breaks won't be so much of an issue.

Would you take advantage of the morning or evening EMH? SOG guests can participate.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

 

[Straitlover]

Before booking Celebration, do soem checking. I believe last year people were talking about how most of the "amenities" were not complete or hadn't even been built. So even though they were calling it a Gold Crown resort, it really wasn't because it was not complete.

As far as parking, if you're only doing WDW 3 days, only count taht parking because you'd have to pay the Sea World/etc parking either way. So, that is the $264 plus $24.

Vacation Village at Parkway is not far at all from the parks. The entrance is on 192 either right next to I4 or the toll road, can't remember which. All you'd have to do is leave the resort, take a right on 192 and go maybe a mile to World Drive. I beleive PhotoBearSam has stayed here and liked it. Search on the Orlando Resorts board for the review.

 

[Fourfigg]

Something to think about. If SOG is booked up you can ask to be overflowed into another Disney Resort. The rate is slightly higher than SOG but you still get a substantial discount. We have done this and stayed at Dixie Landings and are staying Animal Kingdom Lodge this March.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Something to think about. If SOG is booked up you can ask to be overflowed into another Disney Resort. The rate is slightly higher than SOG but you still get a substantial discount. We have done this and stayed at Dixie Landings and are staying Animal Kingdom Lodge this March.

I've requested an overflow rate for some dates but was told they didn't have any...

Do you mind if I ask what the overflow rate was for AK? Thanks!

 

[madge]

We're in the beginning planning stages of a 7 day trip - my 9yo DD, my mom and me. My husband is military, so we have the option of either staying in Shades of Green ($72/night) or a our choice of several RCI resorts - including Gold Crown Resorts such as Vacation Village at Parkway and Celebration World Resort ($264 total for 7 nights).

We're planning probably 3 park days, and a day of hotel hopping. Also planning Sea World (one complimentary visit to military to this year - Anheuser Busch really supports our military!).

Where would you stay? SoG is really nice, we stayed there last year, but I'm drawn to the idea of staying in a full condo as opposed to a hotel room. Of course, there's the price difference as well, but that's not really my deciding factor. Of course, we'd have to factor in parking prices, etc.

I'm reasonably sure we'd decide to rent a car either way, so not counting that in the equation.

Where would you stay, and why? Thanks!

Here's what I would do--I would go ahead and book a room at SoG. I would continue to check www.afvclub.com for the condos. You've got time, and sometimes the better resorts show up closer to your dates of travel. I know you've got that 30-day window with cancelling at SoG, but this way you've got time to make some choices. We have stayed offsite and LOVED it, the extra room was wonderful! But we also enjoy SoG as well. It's a tough choice!
you do have to factor parking into the equation, too.

good luck!!

 

[weregoingtodw]

If we reserve at SoG, we also have to pay a non-refundable one-night deposit, right? I don't really want to do that if I'm going to change my mind and stay at the AFVC condo.

ETA: just re-read your post - does that mean we can get the deposit refunded 30 days out, if we find something else?

Also, you mentioned the 'good' condos being added. Which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Bon Bon]

The deposit is refundable up to 30 days prior to arrival.

 

[esk]

We stayed at Vacation Village at Parkway in Dec 93 through AFVC (it was $250 a week then!) and loved it. Looked just like the photo, was very clean, and slightly bigger than Wilderness Lodge Villas. Pool was OK, although no theming, but it was very close --- faster, I think, then OKW was, to get to the parks.

We figured for the HUGE amount of money we saved (6 day trip) we could afford the $7 a day parking fee.

Haven't stayed at SOG so can't say anythign there, but the whole AFVC experience was a great one.

 

[weregoingtodw]

We stayed at Vacation Village at Parkway in Dec 93 through AFVC (it was $250 a week then!) and loved it. Looked just like the photo, was very clean, and slightly bigger than Wilderness Lodge Villas. Pool was OK, although no theming, but it was very close --- faster, I think, then OKW was, to get to the parks.

We figured for the HUGE amount of money we saved (6 day trip) we could afford the $7 a day parking fee.

Haven't stayed at SOG so can't say anythign there, but the whole AFVC experience was a great one.

Thanks! In December, we stayed at an AFVC condo at Massanutten Ski Resort and had a great time! I'm really impressed with that benefit - we deserve it .

 

[madge]

If we reserve at SoG, we also have to pay a non-refundable one-night deposit, right? I don't really want to do that if I'm going to change my mind and stay at the AFVC condo.

ETA: just re-read your post - does that mean we can get the deposit refunded 30 days out, if we find something else?

Also, you mentioned the 'good' condos being added. Which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

"good" is quite subjective, I have learned over the years reading these boards, LOLOL....we have stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation CLub (near Sea World) and the Silver Lake resort through AFVC. I seldom see the HGVC anymore, though. Silver Lake is literally in the back of the Animal Kingdom, we really liked our condo there. Cypress Point is another favorite of the boards, and I think Summer Bay is also popular, but not really in the area you want to be for touring other theme parks. Check out the Orlando area boards on this site and you'll find lots of information about the local timeshares.

you can get a refund through SoG up to 30 days before arrival.

 

[Junebugwv]

We're retired military and have stayed at a variety of RCI gold crown condos near WDW and liked them all. However, when I go with my married daughter and my younger sons, I like staying on site (SOG was great) because of security reasons. We always return to the room mid-evening or later and I don't think twice about parking when I'm on site. I suggest asking people who have stayed at Vacation Village what they thought of the security in the area.
The condo price is incredible and you would definitely have more room, but $72 for a nice room at SOG is a really special rate for military.

 

[vcunning]

I have an idea . . . make it a 14 day trip . . . staying 1 week at each place!