Could use some feedback on our plans and the holes still in them... About This Page:

[coastgirl]

We keep changing things.

We have 9 nts in Orlando the end of May/first of June. It's our first trip to Disney, our 3rd to Fl. We have travelled fairly extensively in the US (we're Canadian) and are used to a certain set of accommodation standards, i.e., we usually get a small "suite", e.g., a la Country Inn and Suites or Extended Stay or something like that, with limited kitchen facilities--micro, fridge, coffee/tea. This helps us feed the kids some easy familiar food, and saves restaurant dollars also. Limited resort-style amenities but relatively large personal space for, oh, ballpark $80-120/nt. Well, Disney isn't that at all, so we're a bit lost!


Dh bought an AP, which has totally paid for itself already, and we haven't even gotten any of the "small" benefits like free parking yet. Our plan is to spend part of the time on site and part off.

First night we've booked at Pop, got I think a good rate of $83 incl. taxes for a standard room. This allows us to use DME. But the idea of all four of us in a tiny room with reportedly thin walls and cheap mattresses (all this I've heard here)--well, it's not thrilling me. So then we have this big 4-night hole in our schedule.

Tuesday we book in to AKL for two nights standard room, savannah-view. Our last two nights are standard garden view at the Poly. That's the most I've ever paid for a hotel in my LIFE, and I think I got a good rate ($300/nt including taxes.) We were only planning those two nights at AKL and after adding the Poly, I cannot justify any further deluxe nights. Though I intend to enjoy the experience of the two deluxes fully! We booked them for the latter part of our stay so we'll be over the initial park frenzy and in a better position to relax and enjoy the resorts.

Beginning to feel like, if I can't do the time I shouldn't do the crime--i.e., Disney resorts can't be done without spending a bundle or holing up in a tiny room. Plus, while the EMH sounds like such a good idea, it seems many of the guidebooks say to stay away from those parks, b/c it contributes to much higher crowd levels. Also the on-site food at teh resorts (and the parks) seems pretty pricey for what you get, which adds to the overall cost.

We did have ressies at CS for three nights but cancelled them when we booked the extra deluxe nights. There didn't seem to be a lot available at the AP rates for that time at the mods; we wanted standard at CBR and the closest we could get was an upgraded view at CS.

So dh has spent the past several evenings looking at stuff off-site. Looks like a deal until you see the rates don't include taxes, or in some cases a "resort fee", or maybe a time share hard sell...Maybe we're better off settlign in to the Pop for a few extra nights, or looking again among the moderates.

So that's my sad story. Why am I telling you? Well, please tell me about maybe "hidden benefits" of staying with Disney we might not have calculated in, or ways to increase the value, or your own off-site experiences.

We are all terribly excited about this trip! I can't wait to check in to the AKL and the Poly, but am getting a little concerned about the as-yet unplanned 4 nights. It's also across the Memorial Day w/e, so this may be contributing to the higher rates AND my panic!



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[jimmymac]

If you stay at Wilderness Lodge instead of Poly, you could use the savings to upgrade your stay to a moderate like POFQ instead of Pop.

[HiddenMickey]

Will the All Star Music family suites be available yet when you go (I'm not sure of the starting dates)? Maybe that extra space at a relatively inexpensive rate will be a good filler for the 4 other nights?

[jacquipals]

I don't think any non-Disney hotel could compare to a Disney one. Once you arrive on Disney property you feel like you are in another world- regardless of the type of property. When we stay on-property we feel more relaxed. You feel completely removed from the regular hustle and bustle of life.

My only caution with your plans is switching resorts three times, especially with young children. I couldn't imagine doing that with all our luggage and kid-gear.

Whatever you decide, you'll have a great time!

[Tink and co.]

It's funny, I had the paper thin walls and uncomfortable bed stay at the Poly, and our stay at Pop was awesome. Comfy beds and super quiet, even in the middle of July. The room is small, but 4 of us were fine for 10 days. Just because someone here had a bad experience at a resort doesn't mean you will. Pop has a fun Disney feel and your kids will love it! And then upgrading to the deluxes, just the icing on the cake...Just my two cents.

[KandJluvdisney]

we had no problems at pop either - I heard no noise at all and we were around the corner from the hipp dippy pool - I would also reccomend the WL unless you are completely set on the Poly.
good luck

[DVC_Increda_Man]

There are a bunch of Passporter people at Disney World at the end of May, first of June. Stop by and say Hello.


Calling all early June WDW travellers

Definites for June 1st Illuminations Meet............

[mattnkatsmum]

Mmm. I went to Orlando three times before I finally decided to stay at a WDW resort. Like you I was worried about sacrificing comfort for location. But Disney isn't necessarily about the most comfortable beds or chocolates on the pillow. It's about the whole magical experience, something that's difficult to articulate until you've experienced it. Now, I would rather stay at the Pop Century than at the most luxurious resort outside WDW.

I do agree with the earlier poster about the aggravation factor of changing resorts. On my last trip I spent 5 days at POR and 2 days at AKL. I loved both resorts and it was great to stay at the AKL, but at the time we regretted having to switch. Having to pack up, check out - check in again at the AKL (our room wasn't ready ) messed with our plans for half a day or so. I wouldn't switch resorts again.

If I really did want to switch resorts I'd try to do a moderate and a deluxe (any deluxe - they're all fantastic!) and just switch the once. I haven't stayed at a value, but found the rooms at POR a tiny bit cosy for my family of 4, so imagine the value rooms might be a bit too small.

Good luck whatever you decide! I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip.

[vsonnier]

I would also suggest not switching resorts as much. Once would be my max with kids. You will just end up waisting too much time.

I've stayed both off property and on and I can honestly say that I would NEVER stay off property again. For our honeymoon we stayed at a DTD resort. The hotel was very nice and the room was larger than what we have stayed in at the values, but you totally miss out on the whole encompasing experience. Disney is such a magical place to be and that includes the hotels. Thats just my opinion though!

[CindyD]

As frustrating as choosing which resort to stay at is, I wouldn't recommend staying off site. It's the ambience of each resort and the fact that you forget the real world is there that is part of the magic. The use of disney transportation and EMH are some of the benefits to staying on site. Remember that if you stay offsite you can't participate in EMH. When we last went, we chose to park hop and use the EMH, so we would stay at the park most of the day, try to ride the more popular rides when it's less busy and try for the less popular rides during the busier time. This seemed to work out well for us. You kind of need to paly it by ear. Anyway I would opt for any resort on site, depending on what kind of ambience you want. I do have to agree that resort hopping does not sound like it's easy, since you have to pack and unpack. I like unpacking 1 time and that's it till I leave. That's just me!! Good Luck in your choice!!

[Stripes]

If you can stay onsite and use ME, you can get by without a rental car and use that money towards one of the resorts.

Other than that, I agree with everyone else....too much moving around for my tastes, especially with kids. Have you thought about splitting the difference and staying in a moderate resort the entire time? The Boardwalk resorts are beautiful!

[DogLady]

How about WL instead of Poly? But the Poly is awesome, close to GF and right on the monorail, nothing like it.
You could stay at POFQ, so many people rave about that one.
noreen

[krisk11]

I have never stayed at Pop so I don't know about the paper thin walls and horrible beds (although I too have heard that here) but we stayed at both All Star Sports and All Star Movies and loved them both. Maybe you could switch your Pop to one of the All Stars and stay until it's time to move to AKL.

[Joanne929]

I think the whole Disney experience is what I really enjoyed on our last trip. Having stayed both off and on property, I would do my best to always stay on property from now on! Staying on Disney property is not always the cheapest route, but, I'd rather pay a little more for the experience.

I've never heard of paper thin walls or mattresses at ANY of the Value resorts (or any other Disney resorts). Maybe that was an isolated incident? Not everyone is always happy with what they get.

I think Coronado Springs offers jr. suites, (not sure of the cost) and one of the value resorts offers family suites now as well. Hope you find a combination that works for you!

[tinkercubfan]

We stayed at POP for 3 nights in Feb on our spur of the moment trip (thanks to my first but not last AP). We were pleasently surprised how much we enjoyed it. But we all agreed that it's a bit small for more than a short trip. I will agree with everyone that you must stay on property. I also agree that moving more than once is alot. If it were me I would think about splitting your trip between two resorts. I would think about Carribean Beach for 4 nights and then moving to AKL for the remainder. If you switch resorts always move up in class never down. But know whatever you choose you will have a great time.