Booking my trip - any tips?

[jaelae]

I've been to WDW a few times in the past and usually did the same thing. Stay at an off-site resort, rent a car, and bounce between Disney and Universal parks. I've always found it to be a bit of a hassle and wanted to splurge and stay in a resort on-site that is a bit nicer then the budget ones.

I'm looking to book a quick 4 night stay in late October at Disney's Beach Club in a standard room. I through in the 4-Day Park Hopper Pass with Water Park access (I believe Blizzard Beach is due to be closed the day we fly back). Along with that, I added the Dining Plus package that includes 1 table meal, 1 quick bar meal, and 1 snack per person per day.

In total it comes to $2750 which is definitely a bit steep, but seems like it maybe worth paying for the experience.

What we would like to do is have time to visit the the 4 parks (and squeeze in a water park somewhere) in this short time frame. We are young and athletic and would like a resort with a good fitness center (though we will also take advantage of the jogging trail but not sure how realistic it is for exercise).

Are there any other similarly recommended resorts? I am planning to propose prior to this trip so it will be sort of a celebration getaway (hopefully she doesn't find this post though). I wouldn't say I am looking for something completely romantic to do - not that Disney isn't romantic - but a nicer resort seemed to be a smart idea.

 

[Mukta]

Beach Club is my favorite resort. It is a 7 minute walk from the World Showcase in Epcot. I think that strolling around the WS at night is very romantic. It has a fitness center and jogging trail, but 4 parks in 4 days might be enough exercise for you.

The Beach Club also has the nicest pool on property. You might not need to visit a water park since your trip is so short.

Make reservations now for sit down places. Since you only have 4 nights of dining points, your days can look something like this:

Day 1 MK
Lunch at a counter service place like Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbour House
Dinner at Kona Cafe and then watch the fireworks from the Beach or Dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe and fireworks from the GF

Day 2 Epcot
Lunch at a counter service place like Tangierine or Sunshine Seasons
Dinner at La Hacienda or Rose&Crown. You can watch fireworks from either restaurant

Day 3 DHS
Eat lunch at Sci Fi
Pick up a quick dinner at any of the QS places
Watch Fantasmic!

Day 4 AK
Eat lunch at Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
When the park closes at 5, take the bus to AKL and have dinner at Boma or Sanaa
Go to Downtown Disney from there and see La Nouba.

 

[mickeysshoes]

To lower the cost some how about looking into the Wilderness Lodge. They are the cheapest of the deluxe resorts and the Villa is right there and they have a fittness center.

 

[611williamsj]

Old Key West has similar external looks with a more Florida keys look it has a full gym with tennis courts and a jogging trail that goes a round the resort it is a big resort so the trail is long and it is close to Epcot

 

[DizneyPryncess]

If you're going as a couple, without children, consider the Boardwalk Resort. I stayed there for my first anniversary. It'll be the same cost as The Beach Club, and is basically the same location. I just stayed at the Beach Club last month and found it to be loud & crowded at all times because of the pool (great pool, but packed). At times it got annoying. If I had children with me, it would have been a much better experience, but I was looking for more peace & quiet. So if that's more of the direction you're looking - consider the boardwalk resort. I also found the rooms to be nicer there as well, but we stayed at Villas at both places so I am not certain about the standard rooms and how they compare. I just found the Boardwalk to be more romantic, and the Beach Club to be more energetic - I guess that's a good way to put it. Both are beautiful places.

The whole loop of the Boardwalk/Beach Club is a great place to run, especially in the morning when it's not crowded. My dad & husband ran it every morning. It's roughly a mile long, so it's easy to keep track of exactly how much you ran. Then you get stop at the bakery after & grab some fruit. That became our morning tradition. Both resorts also have gym facilities.

Any Disney Resort is a special experience, and it's a great idea to stay there for a celebration get away. If you want to add on a meal somewhere that's a bit of a magical experience, try to get a reservation at the California Grille on the rooftop of the Contemporary. We loved that experience, especially during fireworks. For our anniversary, they gave us a window seat during Wishes & decorated our table - it's wonderful.

 

[disneygirl76]

I've been to WDW a few times in the past and usually did the same thing. Stay at an off-site resort, rent a car, and bounce between Disney and Universal parks. I've always found it to be a bit of a hassle and wanted to splurge and stay in a resort on-site that is a bit nicer then the budget ones.

I'm looking to book a quick 4 night stay in late October at Disney's Beach Club in a standard room. I through in the 4-Day Park Hopper Pass with Water Park access (I believe Blizzard Beach is due to be closed the day we fly back). Along with that, I added the Dining Plus package that includes 1 table meal, 1 quick bar meal, and 1 snack per person per day.

In total it comes to $2750 which is definitely a bit steep, but seems like it maybe worth paying for the experience.

What we would like to do is have time to visit the the 4 parks (and squeeze in a water park somewhere) in this short time frame. We are young and athletic and would like a resort with a good fitness center (though we will also take advantage of the jogging trail but not sure how realistic it is for exercise).

Are there any other similarly recommended resorts? I am planning to propose prior to this trip so it will be sort of a celebration getaway (hopefully she doesn't find this post though). I wouldn't say I am looking for something completely romantic to do - not that Disney isn't romantic - but a nicer resort seemed to be a smart idea.

Hey there,

One way to save money is to drop the Water Park and More on your tickets. With being there for 5 days and 4 nights, you might not have time to go and take advantage of it. Also, staying at the Beach Club, you get the great pool. It's got a small lazy river and a sandy bottom pool. When we stayed there, we didn't feel like we needed to get to a water park. As for more romantic - I like the theme and think the Yacht Club is more romantic then the Beach Club.

Depending on what you like to do, you can also save money by dropping the Park Hopper. This is something that my DH and I always purchase though. We love to go to one resort in the a.m. and take a break in the afternoon and then back in the evening - usually to Epcot for dining. But you can save money by dropping it if this isn't something that you like to do.

Make sure to make ADR's for your dining. You can make it for romantic places like Le Cellier (FYI it will be 2 TS for dinner though), Les Chefs de France, or Cali Grill. There are all sorts of romantic places to dine!!

 

[Kirk88]

We just got back from the Wilderness Lodge and it was great! Highly suggest the Dining Plan. Staying on property is the best move you can make. If you find youselves in Downtown Disney, The Earl of Sandwich is a great stop for lunch or dinner (only costs you a quick service meal on the Dining Plan)! Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios is and excellent buffet. Probably one of the best I've eaten at ANYWHERE! We dropped about $1,400 for 3 nights and the Dining Plan (5 of us).

 

[timeman]

Like a previous poster said you should drop the Water Park & More option. The reason I say this is unless you are planning on hitting the water parks multiple days you are paying more than you should. It is cheaper to just buy a ticket to the water park if you are planning on only going once.