Just got back...stayed at AOA...where to stay next year?

[PurplePizza1]

Just got back from our first-ever trip to WDW. Loved it! Loved everything about it! Our 6-year-old was in Heaven in our Cars-themed family suite. Loved our resort (Art of Animation). We're eagerly planning our next trip for summer 2014. We want to stay somewhere different every time we go to WDW, so we're looking for suggestions. We will be most likely eating breakfast in our room every day (driving, so we can bring food), but will be eating 90% of our other meals in the parks. We're not into formal dining or anything that requires dressing up more than shorts and a t-shirt. We're a very relaxed family.

I'm reading lots of other posts and responses on here, and they're just making me more confused as to where to look. Yikes. How do you make this decision? Location doesn't matter. Price is somewhat important, but value is most important -- getting the most for our money.

We're looking for something that has some kind of food that doesn't require formal dining. Quiet rooms but a nicely themed resort. We will be driving again, so where the resort is does not matter so much.

Is there a good place to start looking for a resort? I saw the resorts thread on here, but it is very difficult to try to make an informed decision when everything looks incredible.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where we should start? We spent $300 a room last time, and am looking for something around $200 or less this time so that we can have a few more days in the parks. Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

 

[Hot Lava]

Did WDW offer you a "bounce-back" offer before you left? I have seen may references to deals WDW offers to you, but you must book it before you check out.

 

[bsiev1977]

Just got back from our first-ever trip to WDW. Loved it! Loved everything about it! Our 6-year-old was in Heaven in our Cars-themed family suite. Loved our resort (Art of Animation). We're eagerly planning our next trip for summer 2014. We want to stay somewhere different every time we go to WDW, so we're looking for suggestions. We will be most likely eating breakfast in our room every day (driving, so we can bring food), but will be eating 90% of our other meals in the parks. We're not into formal dining or anything that requires dressing up more than shorts and a t-shirt. We're a very relaxed family.

I'm reading lots of other posts and responses on here, and they're just making me more confused as to where to look. Yikes. How do you make this decision? Location doesn't matter. Price is somewhat important, but value is most important -- getting the most for our money.

We're looking for something that has some kind of food that doesn't require formal dining. Quiet rooms but a nicely themed resort. We will be driving again, so where the resort is does not matter so much.

Is there a good place to start looking for a resort? I saw the resorts thread on here, but it is very difficult to try to make an informed decision when everything looks incredible.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where we should start? We spent $300 a room last time, and am looking for something around $200 or less this time so that we can have a few more days in the parks. Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

If you want to stay onsite for $200 or less, your choices are very limited. Only the Value Resorts would even come close to that rate.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Just got back from our first-ever trip to WDW. Loved it! Loved everything about it! Our 6-year-old was in Heaven in our Cars-themed family suite. Loved our resort (Art of Animation). We're eagerly planning our next trip for summer 2014. We want to stay somewhere different every time we go to WDW, so we're looking for suggestions. We will be most likely eating breakfast in our room every day (driving, so we can bring food), but will be eating 90% of our other meals in the parks. We're not into formal dining or anything that requires dressing up more than shorts and a t-shirt. We're a very relaxed family.

I'm reading lots of other posts and responses on here, and they're just making me more confused as to where to look. Yikes. How do you make this decision? Location doesn't matter. Price is somewhat important, but value is most important -- getting the most for our money.

We're looking for something that has some kind of food that doesn't require formal dining. Quiet rooms but a nicely themed resort. We will be driving again, so where the resort is does not matter so much.

Is there a good place to start looking for a resort? I saw the resorts thread on here, but it is very difficult to try to make an informed decision when everything looks incredible.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where we should start? We spent $300 a room last time, and am looking for something around $200 or less this time so that we can have a few more days in the parks. Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

Bounce-back offers are now in your welcome package at AOA. We didn't see ours until we got home.
I think you were saying 200 or less per night. If so, then you should be able to get a discounted room at any moderate for that price--depending on the time of year. We've gotten PORS for less than 200 a night, many times.
We've gotten CBR for 139.00 a night etc. Just watch for discounts on the Disney World website.
We paid 360.00 plus tax for Cars in April. So, you got a good price for your room.

 

[PurplePizza1]

DIdn't get a bounce-back offer that I'm aware of. We're looking around $200 a night just so that we can have a few more days in the parks. We're going in the summer. Unfortunately, that's the only time I can take off (teacher). So we'll always be hot and in crowded parks. No worries. It worked out well this time, and I'm sure it will again next year. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[PurplePizza1]

If you want to stay onsite for $200 or less, your choices are very limited. Only the Value Resorts would even come close to that rate.

Doesn't matter so much where we stay as long as it's worth the money. I'm a teacher, and as such, we are on a tight vacation budget. We're driving to save $1200 on airfare, and trying to get the most days and nights we can get on our limited funds. Wish we could do a very nice place, but we will be happy to get anywhere on property!

 

[littleroo]

Port Orleans French Quarter for sure! Moderate hotel! Around 200 a night! Boat to DTD! Amazing staff!! Great pool!!

 

[bsiev1977]

Doesn't matter so much where we stay as long as it's worth the money. I'm a teacher, and as such, we are on a tight vacation budget. We're driving to save $1200 on airfare, and trying to get the most days and nights we can get on our limited funds. Wish we could do a very nice place, but we will be happy to get anywhere on property!

I understand. Just saying that on the budget you mentioned, you don't have that many choices to puzzle over.

 

[PurplePizza1]

Bounce-back offers are now in your welcome package at AOA. We didn't see ours until we got home.
I think you were saying 200 or less per night. If so, then you should be able to get a discounted room at any moderate for that price--depending on the time of year. We've gotten PORS for less than 200 a night, many times.
We've gotten CBR for 139.00 a night etc. Just watch for discounts on the Disney World website.
We paid 360.00 plus tax for Cars in April. So, you got a good price for you room.

I just went through all of our paperwork and am not seeing a bounceback offer. What does it look like?

 

[PurplePizza1]

I understand. Just saying that on the budget you mentioned, you don't have that many choices to puzzle over.

Saying this, is there somewhere I can see what choices I am left with to decide between?

 

[Nemo14]

Is off-site a possibility?

 

[PurplePizza1]

Sure. Just wanted to save on the $15 parking since we will be driving. Do you pay again for parking if you leave the park and come back? Or is it a one time a day fee?

 

[Nemo14]

Sure. Just wanted to save on the $15 parking since we will be driving. Do you pay again for parking if you leave the park and come back? Or is it a one time a day fee?

You only pay once a day for parking. There are lots of affordable condos within a 10 - 15 ride from Disney that you can save plenty on.

 

[bsiev1977]

Saying this, is there somewhere I can see what choices I am left with to decide between?

Sure. Just wanted to save on the $15 parking since we will be driving. Do you pay again for parking if you leave the park and come back? Or is it a one time a day fee?

Use the Disneyworld website, search Values first. It'll show you rates.

You only pay once a day for parking. Just keep your receipt.

 

[popcenturylover]

Sure. Just wanted to save on the $15 parking since we will be driving. Do you pay again for parking if you leave the park and come back? Or is it a one time a day fee?

You just pay once a day. We usually stay values because we look at it as we only sleep & shower in our rooms & the rest of the time we are at the parks but, we have ressies for POR this December. We are bringing our older daughter & grandson this time & have 5 people so, we thought it would be cheaper to stay in one room at POR than to stay at 2 rooms in a value.

 

[PurplePizza1]

You only pay once a day for parking. There are lots of affordable condos within a 10 - 15 ride from Disney that you can save plenty on.

Is there somewhere I can find these condos?

 

[Nemo14]

Is there somewhere I can find these condos?

Check your inbox

 

[juniorthomas]

Just got back from our first-ever trip to WDW. Loved it! Loved everything about it! Our 6-year-old was in Heaven in our Cars-themed family suite. Loved our resort (Art of Animation). We're eagerly planning our next trip for summer 2014. We want to stay somewhere different every time we go to WDW, so we're looking for suggestions. We will be most likely eating breakfast in our room every day (driving, so we can bring food), but will be eating 90% of our other meals in the parks. We're not into formal dining or anything that requires dressing up more than shorts and a t-shirt. We're a very relaxed family.

I'm reading lots of other posts and responses on here, and they're just making me more confused as to where to look. Yikes. How do you make this decision? Location doesn't matter. Price is somewhat important, but value is most important -- getting the most for our money.

We're looking for something that has some kind of food that doesn't require formal dining. Quiet rooms but a nicely themed resort. We will be driving again, so where the resort is does not matter so much.

Is there a good place to start looking for a resort? I saw the resorts thread on here, but it is very difficult to try to make an informed decision when everything looks incredible.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where we should start? We spent $300 a room last time, and am looking for something around $200 or less this time so that we can have a few more days in the parks. Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

I'll be at AOA in August. Have you set up a AOA review thread yet? Love to hear your thoughts

 

[luv]

For $200/night, you'll be in a Value or Moderate at Disney. These are motel-style places.

Or you can go offsite and get a big condo or house.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ooooor, you could look into renting DVC points from DVC owners who aren't using their points this year. I'm paying $175/night in a studio at Animal Kingdom Villas/Kidani. You need to google DVC rentals or go to the DVC board here. I think I recently saw a thread where people were naming reputable rental brokers. Seriously. You could end up in a deluxe resort with a kitchenette or kitchen, possibly in-unit washer & dryer, and plenty of space to feel at home for as much or less than a mod or value resort. You're guaranteed to beat Disney's rates on those same villas by a long shot.