Where to stay?

[foodiemom]

Planning trip for 2017 for 5 of us. We have been a few times but always stay at a great off property resort and want to try staying on property for the first time ever and get the meal plan.

Our normal vacations are at Hilton or Marriott vacation club style places with multiple pools, activities for kids etc. In looking at pricing online, it does not look like we can swing a Disney luxury property. I was looking at the Caribbean Beach Resort property as rates seem reasonable, but people have told me the bus system can be a nightmare, which seems to defeat staying 'on property' right? The New Orleans one is also seemingly reasonably priced. Any suggestions? Or is it worth it to splurge on a more expensive resort? We do spend a lot of time at our resort and maybe 4-5 hours a day at a park. We also tend to take a day or more 'off' from parks. We mix relaxing with park stuff.

I tried to look into DVC rental but that seemed overwhelming and confusing to me, though maybe I am not doing it right.

Help! Between that and not knowing whether to book the 2/day meal plan or the 3 I'm lost!

[Amy]

If the Beach Club is in your budget, I'd go with that. You can have bus issues anywhere (although I find the issues to be really over-exaggerated). The pool and location is perfect there if you tend to want more resort time than most.

I love the Port Orleans resorts as well, you'll hear about bus issues there too but we've never had an issue.

[was5]

There was a very long post at the beginning of August that went into a lot of detail about the various properties. I bookmarked it for myself because it had so much helpful information.

For some reason I can't figure out how to post a link to that thread, but it the subject was "Where Did you stay and a quick review."

[foodiemom]

Aug 30, 2016 14:39:06 GMT -5 Amy said:

If the Beach Club is in your budget, I'd go with that. You can have bus issues anywhere (although I find the issues to be really over-exaggerated). The pool and location is perfect there if you tend to want more resort time than most.

I love the Port Orleans resorts as well, you'll hear about bus issues there too but we've never had an issue.

Sorry, it's the Caribbean Beach Resort not beach club. I'm getting names all confused as they are all new to me. Beach and Yacht club are twice as expensive it looks like. I edited above to prevent confusion.

[foodiemom]

Aug 30, 2016 14:42:40 GMT -5 was5 said:

There was a very long post at the beginning of August that went into a lot of detail about the various properties. I bookmarked it for myself because it had so much helpful information.

For some reason I can't figure out how to post a link to that thread, but it the subject was "Where Did you stay and a quick review."

Thanks, I found it and am reading now.

[ribollita]

What are your kids' ages and what time of year?

[foodiemom]

Aug 30, 2016 14:55:07 GMT -5 ribollita said:

What are your kids' ages and what time of year?

We are deciding between April and October. Most likely October. Kids will be 5, 9 and 11.

[ribollita]

Aug 30, 2016 15:02:09 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Aug 30, 2016 14:55:07 GMT -5 ribollita said:

What are your kids' ages and what time of year?

We are deciding between April and October. Most likely October. Kids will be 5, 9 and 11.

I have stayed at POFQ and would choose CBR over it for kids that age. You may also check prices at Wilderness Lodge?

[revolution]

You might be able to get a good deal on a treehouse villa in Saratoga Springs. It's a 3BR and we did that with a group of 7 and had a blast.

My kids love Port Orleans Riverside.

Our next trip we will be at the CBR. I've read the reviews on the buses, but I've also heard they aren't a big deal. I'm voting with us, they won't be a big deal.

As far as the dining plan - don't do the 3 meals! That is A LOT OF FOOD.

We do the Disney dining plan (1 snack, 1 quick service, 1 table service a day) and it is the perfect amount for us.

[curbsideprophet]

Have you considered an Art of Animation suite? They sleep six and have two bathrooms. They have a dedicated bus service.

We have never done the dining plan since it has always seemed more expensive so I don't have much input in that. There is a calculator that will show if the plan seems like a deal for you. I would plug the restaurants you plan to go to and see how it compares.
www.distripplanner.com

[Amy]

Aug 30, 2016 14:51:53 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Aug 30, 2016 14:39:06 GMT -5 Amy said:

If the Beach Club is in your budget, I'd go with that. You can have bus issues anywhere (although I find the issues to be really over-exaggerated). The pool and location is perfect there if you tend to want more resort time than most.

I love the Port Orleans resorts as well, you'll hear about bus issues there too but we've never had an issue.

Sorry, it's the Caribbean Beach Resort not beach club. I'm getting names all confused as they are all new to me. Beach and Yacht club are twice as expensive it looks like. I edited above to prevent confusion.

Ok, makes more sense - id do POFQ over CBR

[foodiemom]

Aug 30, 2016 21:06:39 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Have you considered an Art of Animation suite? They sleep six and have two bathrooms. They have a dedicated bus service.

We have never done the dining plan since it has always seemed more expensive so I don't have much input in that. There is a calculator that will show if the plan seems like a deal for you. I would plug the restaurants you plan to go to and see how it compares.
www.distripplanner.com

I have considered Art of Animation, but it seems to price out higher than the other two and is a lower 'level' hotel so I wasn't sure the point. I suppose more space would be nice. I'll look into it

[foodiemom]

Aug 30, 2016 15:38:03 GMT -5 revolution said:

You might be able to get a good deal on a treehouse villa in Saratoga Springs. It's a 3BR and we did that with a group of 7 and had a blast.

My kids love Port Orleans Riverside.

Our next trip we will be at the CBR. I've read the reviews on the buses, but I've also heard they aren't a big deal. I'm voting with us, they won't be a big deal.

As far as the dining plan - don't do the 3 meals! That is A LOT OF FOOD.

We do the Disney dining plan (1 snack, 1 quick service, 1 table service a day) and it is the perfect amount for us.

Thanks for the advice!
Saratoga Springs comes up for one week I am planning but not the later one. It's much more expensive at about 7500 for the 8-9 nights vs 4500. At least for the week in April, maybe I'll adjust weeks and see what happens.

[Deleted]

i would go POR with a party of 5. You can use the pools & amenities at both POR & POFQ

[L From The D]

It's not that the CBR buses are "a nightmare," it's just that it's a VERY large resort and has seven bus stops. It can feel like you are spending a lot of time waiting for a bus or waiting to get off the bus. On the plus side, it's a very fun, beachy resort with a great pool and splash pad. It's also one of the more recently remodeled and has upgraded mattresses.

POR is the second biggest moderate. It only has four stops, but sometimes shares buses with POFQ. The advantages here are the boat to DSp, the Yeehaw Bob show, and the ability to use the amenities at "sister" resort POFQ (which has a new splash pad).

[foodiemom]

Thanks all! I'm watching and thinking we may book Yacht Club, which is cheaper than Beach Club but seems to have the same amenities. I'm doing more research but I want comfortable beds, good service, and an upscale feeling. My husband is going to research a bit himself but Epcot is our favorite area and we like proximity to that.

[L From The D]

foodiemom - if you don't care about DME or the DDP, consider the Swan/Dolphin.

[lala]

Sept 4, 2016 7:10:43 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Thanks all! I'm watching and thinking we may book Yacht Club, which is cheaper than Beach Club but seems to have the same amenities. I'm doing more research but I want comfortable beds, good service, and an upscale feeling. My husband is going to research a bit himself but Epcot is our favorite area and we like proximity to that.

They do share amenities and are very similar. You will get a better price renting BC through a dvc rental place, but I know that you said it seemed overwhelming. I use David's at dvc request dot com. There is a pretty good FAQ and I've never had an issue - we've used it 4 times now. 

Like L From The D said, Swan & Dolphin are an option, too. We've stayed at the Swan and liked it. I think the rooms themselves are slightly more comfy (bed, linens) but overall the theming & feel lacks compared to disney. SaveSave

[foodiemom]

Sept 4, 2016 7:14:30 GMT -5 L From The D said:

foodiemom - if you don't care about DME or the DDP, consider the Swan/Dolphin.

I don't know what DME/DDP is. Husband has stayed at the Swan for conferences but the rooms that show up don't accommodate 5 people so it's not a option.

[lala]

Sept 4, 2016 7:29:09 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Sept 4, 2016 7:14:30 GMT -5 L From The D said:

foodiemom - if you don't care about DME or the DDP, consider the Swan/Dolphin.

I don't know what DME/DDP is. Husband has stayed at the Swan for conferences but the rooms that show up don't accommodate 5 people so it's not a option.

Disney Magical Express ( the transportation to & from the airport) and the Dining Plan. They have the other disney resort perks. 

We stayed at the Swan w/ 5 - but one kid was still under 3, so that might be why. I think you'd have better luck if you called. We had an alcove room at the swan and it was HUGE. L shaped - lots of windows & a balcony. A king bed & a sofa bed. Plenty of room for a rollaway or cot if it's allowed. SaveSave

[foodiemom]

Sept 4, 2016 7:34:47 GMT -5 lala said:

Sept 4, 2016 7:29:09 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

I don't know what DME/DDP is. Husband has stayed at the Swan for conferences but the rooms that show up don't accommodate 5 people so it's not a option.

Disney Magical Express ( the transportation to & from the airport) and the Dining Plan. They have the other disney resort perks. 

We stayed at the Swan w/ 5 - but one kid was still under 3, so that might be why. I think you'd have better luck if you called. We had an alcove room at the swan and it was HUGE. L shaped - lots of windows & a balcony. A king bed & a sofa bed. Plenty of room for a rollaway or cot if it's allowed. SaveSave

Thanks! We are doing the dining plan and planned on DME, but I'll look into this and call to see if they can accommodate 5 of us.

[L From The D]

foodiemom - According to WDWprepschool, the Dolphin has some rooms that accomodate 5

If you have a Costco membership, you might be able to get a package that includes breakfast/limited meals.

[lala]

Sept 4, 2016 7:42:55 GMT -5 L From The D said:

foodiemom - According to WDWprepschool, the Dolphin has some rooms that accomodate 5

If you have a Costco membership, you might be able to get a package that includes breakfast/limited meals.

Wouldn't that just be S&D meals, though? SaveSave

[L From The D]

lala - yes...perhaps not what OP originally wanted, but something to consider (if staying in the Epcot area and saving some money over deluxe prices is important)

[Amy]

Sept 4, 2016 7:10:43 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Thanks all! I'm watching and thinking we may book Yacht Club, which is cheaper than Beach Club but seems to have the same amenities. I'm doing more research but I want comfortable beds, good service, and an upscale feeling. My husband is going to research a bit himself but Epcot is our favorite area and we like proximity to that.

I like this plan

[TamiTaylor]

Amy, which would you pick? We're going in June and it will be Eric, myself, J, and my mom. A poly studio or a lake view studio at BLT. I'm leaning towards Poly but the appeal of walking to MK is very very strong.

How bad is the pool at BLT? Food options?

ilikedonuts countthestars minniemouse

[Amy]

Sept 4, 2016 15:21:01 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Amy, which would you pick? We're going in June and it will be Eric, myself, J, and my mom. A poly studio or a lake view studio at BLT. I'm leaning towards Poly but the appeal of walking to MK is very very strong.

How bad is the pool at BLT? Food options?

ilikedonuts countthestars minniemouse

I'd pick the Poly over BLT, at the end of the day I don't want any additional walking anyways lol.

[TamiTaylor]

Sept 4, 2016 15:37:10 GMT -5 Amy said:

Sept 4, 2016 15:21:01 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Amy, which would you pick? We're going in June and it will be Eric, myself, J, and my mom. A poly studio or a lake view studio at BLT. I'm leaning towards Poly but the appeal of walking to MK is very very strong.

How bad is the pool at BLT? Food options?

ilikedonuts countthestars minniemouse

I'd pick the Poly over BLT, at the end of the day I don't want any additional walking anyways lol.

I've read that the bus and monorail at the Poly is hit or miss and leans towards bad. How true is that?

[TamiTaylor]

Also we will be spending most of our time at MK ( J will be 4) and at the end of the night I want to get back quickly and don't wait to have to wait too long.

[Amy]

Sept 4, 2016 15:44:12 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Sept 4, 2016 15:37:10 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'd pick the Poly over BLT, at the end of the day I don't want any additional walking anyways lol.

I've read that the bus and monorail at the Poly is hit or miss and leans towards bad. How true is that?

I mean, in general the busses and monorail are fine but if it goes down or you kiss a bus by a few min it can slow you down. I've heard people complain about busses everywhere and I've never found them to be a problem. If you are up for walking at the end of the day BLY will get you home quicker though. I just like the poly. It sounds like BLT might be better for you on this trip though (cuts out the worries of transportation. Honestly you'll be happy with either, great choices.