Advice for 2 almost 30s

[nimbusteach]

My best friend and I both turn 30 this summer and we have decided to go to WDW!! :sohappy: This we be our first adult trip to WDW. We will be going somewhere between august 16-28 (still working that part out) for 7 days/6 nights. We were thinking about staying at Pop, but after reading many of the boards not sure if we should stay there or at a moderate instead. If moderate. then which one? We plan on going to the parks in the morning then head back to hotel for swim/nap then back to the parks again.

With pleasure island closed are there any dance clubs still open?

We also are thinking about one of the meal plans--is the deluxe really a better deal (although it seems like way to much food). Has any one added the wine package to their trip, how much does it cost?

Neither of us have been in 10 years so any advice would be welcomed! Thanks! :animwink:

 

[DznyGrlSD]

:wave: from a fellow almost-30-year-old

IMHO Pop Century is just as good as the Moderates - it comes down to all you're going to do is sleep there - is it really worth the difference in price? If you can afford a moderate I suggest Port Orleans French Quarter.

There are other 'clubs' still open: Jellyrolls is my recommendation but you can still get a drink/hang out at Pleasure Island outside which can be fun while you're people-watching.

How much food can you eat? I thought the regular DDP was MORE than enough food, it comes down to how much are you going to eat and where do you want to eat?

I go to Disney 3-4x a year so feel free to ask away!

 

[Disneylover1302]

I would say to stay at one of the Port Orleans.

 

[slappy magoo]

Welcome to the boards. Not sure if you're a he or a she, so I'll have to keep this formal

If you're thinking about upgrading to a moderate (I would; I often spend time at my resort beyond just sleeping and eating), Coronado Springs has a dance club, and Port Orleans Riverside has a lounge-y low-key piano bar most nights of the week. If you have your own car, you'll find it easier to get to the Boardwalk district; otherwise you could either take a bus to DTD or to a park then transfer over, and if you bus to the DIsney Studios you can walk or ferry over from there. But depending on how long you stay, getting back to your room could be a problem.

 

[surfsupdon]

Here is my suggestion as a 20something....

The Values are very childish, and offer very few frills and extras. During your time period of travel, the price is around 100/night.


I say upgrade and go Deluxe to the WDW Dolphin/Swan. Discounts are offered to the general public at a price starting at 129/night during August. This gives you a much larger room, dozens of restaurants in walking distance, recreation at your Resort, themed pools with slides, and the ability to walk into MGM and Epcot, not to mention walking distance to the BoardWalk nightclubs---> ESPN Club, JellyRolls, and Atlantic Dance. Additionally, the Swan has a kareoke bar that gets lively at night.

The location can really not be beat and it is only a small upcharge in price from the Value Price (100 compared to 129/night). The reasoning behind the cheap price is that the Swan/Dolphin are not owned and operated by Disney (so they can give HUGE discounts), but are in an excellent location. You will still get Disney Transportation, package delivery to room, and excellent Disney Resort amenities. You just must take a cab from the airport. Call the Resort directly 1800 227 1500 to book.

My family has stayed here a few times when the Disney Resort prices were too high. Our preference is to stay at Yacht Club or BoardWalk, but when the rooms at Dolphin are 129/night and the cheapest at BoardWalk is 274/night with an AP pass,money talks and we will stay at Dolphin for the DELUXE experience but for the VALUE price tag.

I think you will be happy there. It's just a thought. But gives you way more bang for your buck in a fantastic location in walking distance to the Disney nightlife.


So my pick is for Swan/Dolphin, absolutely NO to a Value, but a YES to a Moderate if the Swan/Dolphin isn't for you. My Moderate pick is always Caribbean Beach, Aruba Village.

Let us know which you select!

 

[Jones611]

I wanted to say welcome to the boards!!

In my opinion the deluxe dining plan is just too much food. My husband and I tried it on our last visit and couldn't eat it all. If you would like any recommendations for restaurants I would be glad to help! Ohana is one of my favorite restaurants!!!

As for staying at POP or one of the moderates, I would recommend staying at a moderate. You said that you would like to go back to the room for swimming. IMO, the moderate resorts have better pools and not nearly as many kids. The moderate resorts have a much more relaxing atmosphere. I recommend Port Orleans French Quarter. I believe it’s the smallest of the Disney resorts and the theme is great! Let me know if I can help in any other way!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I just wanted to add, that if you could adjust your trip and go a few days earlier, you could get the buy 4 get 3 deal (or buy 4 get 2 if you only go for six nights). That could easily make up the difference in cost between a value and a moderate!

 

[durangojim]

Depends on the type of vacation that you're looking for. If you're the type that stays in the parks from open to close, then I would say go for a value resort. If you're more like me, who likes to hit the parks for a couple hours in the morning, come back, go for a swim, get a drink, and then return for the evening, I'd go for a moderate or even better, a deluxe. I've only stayed at one moderate (Dixie Landings), which is now part of Port Orleans which was nice, but that was 16 years ago for my senior trip in high school so I can't say what it would be like as an adult. The idea of staying at the swan or dolphin is an attractive one as well. Just figure out what kind of vacation you want to take and make the appropriate adjustmens. Have a great time!

 

[bgraham34]

My advice since its your first trip in 10 years is to go with a moderate. Spend a little less so you can enjoy yourself more. Port Orleans would be a good option for you. But if you want to spend more hit the Epcot resorts that way there is some nightlife available for you.

 

[slappy magoo]

We also are thinking about one of the meal plans--is the deluxe really a better deal (although it seems like way to much food). Has any one added the wine package to their trip, how much does it cost?

My wife and I have never used the Deluxe Dining Plan. It's a different mindset, in that, yeah, as expensive as it is, you will certainly be able to "save" money, but you do run the risk of becoming more cost-conscious. In other words, you may start choosing restaurants based on how expensive meals are for the illusion of saving money, you choose more expensive items, you order more than you need because hey, you did pay for it. All of it understandable. But as good a value as it might be when you think of it that way, will you eat that much food? Is that more food than you normally eat, and even though it's not as much of a PERCEIVED value, would you save a few more dollars by not having 3 ginormous meals a day, plus 2 snacks?

I don't know if this is possible, if you're taking advantage of a promotion, but it's something to consider. If you were to break your trip up between 2 resorts, it's technically 2 trips. You could opt for a Deluxe plan at one resort, and a regular or QSR/snack plan at the other. This way, you're only really chowing down for half of your trip.

I'd consider doing the Deluxe plan, mainly because my wife and I do prefer sit-down meals as much as possible, and we also like to have meals at some of the "Signature" restaurants. To have a sit-down breakfast, use the snacks for a light lunch and then double up the credits for a signature dining dinner, we'd still save money compared to eating at those same places out of pocket, though we'd spend more than if we ate elsewhere.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

As for "Dance Clubs"
You have 2 options Atlantic Dance Hall and Rix Lounge.

If you would like more options of places to go out a night check out my Posts in the Thread named First Trip Since 21