Help on dining plan and hotels

[BOOMitsGeorgia]

Hi, I am going for 2 weeks at end of november - beginning of december (after thanksgiving) with my best friend (both females, will be ages 21 & 22)
We are stuck on which resort to go to! We have narrowed it down to All Star Music, All Star Movies, Art of Animation and Carribean Beach resort. Which one would people recommend?

Also with the dining plan, the main one boosts up the price a lot so is it worth paying more for the main one or would quick service be fine?

thanks

 

[Mukta]

I haven't stayed at any of those hotels, so I can't help you there.

The quick service plan is not worth prepaying. You are better off paying out of pocket. If you are on a budget, you two could split some of the larger meals like Plaza Inn, Cosmic Rays, Tangierine cafe etc to save money.

 

[BigTxEars]

I agree, the Quick Service (QS) I would pay out of pocket per meal. I do like the Table Service (TS) plan and we get it every time. Some (many really) will disagree with this and say its still cheaper to pay out of pocket either way. Who knows the truth, I just like the freedom from worry the TS plan give me.

As for resorts I would swing the Caribbean Beach (CBR) if possible, then Art of Animation (AoA) and then one of the All Stars. But it's 100% personal preference really. The CBR is a moderate rated resort so its a bit larger plus has a TS restaurant (Shutters) which is nice.

Plus the rooms are bigger, 340 sq feet at the CBR, 277 sq feet at AoA and 260 sq feet at the All Stars.

http://www.disneypix.com/Resorts/ResortFFSize.htm

Hope you have a great trip

 

[lilclerk]

If you're on a budget, I would do either Pop Century or AoA over the All Stars. The biggest reason is they don't share buses, while the three All Star resorts do share buses at some points during the day. Not a huge deal, but it can be a pain. Also at that time of year, the three All Star resorts will see LOTS of high school aged cheerleaders and football players. I suppose at your age, it may not bother you too much, but I was about 23 on my first trip and couldn't stand all the tour groups in the food court at ASMovies. But I've always been a grump like that, even when I was in school I can sleep through anything, but the groups also make the All Stars very loud at night.

And I would also just pay for quick service meals out of pocket (maybe plan 2-3 sit down meals throughout the trip... you may get sick of all QS meals over two weeks.) There are some fairly cheap (and tasty) sit down meals, too, like Beaches and Cream, The Plaza, and 50s Prime Time.

 

[jlsHouston]

I would do POP unless the price for CBR was the same as the Values. I have stayed at CBR and it was okay but compared to CSR another moderate....it did not feel like I got much more than what I got the time I stayed at POP. Love POP and the 60's area. I would do the regulare DDP unless you are not planing on an nice TS meals, then just pay out of pocket.

Have a great trip and enjoy the parks and resort at the Holidays!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Myself and my two best friends (all 22 yes olds) went this past September. It was awesome. I would pick Caribbean Beach out of your choices but I would personally recommend Coronado Springs, it has a much more adult feeling. The values will save money but they tend to be packed with families and small children. Also if you will be there for two weeks, I would pay out of pocket or go for the Disney Dining Plan because quick service meals can get old quickly.

Also take note, discounts are always offered so your price could change. In 2013, free dining plans and resort discounts were offered in November.

 

[BOOMitsGeorgia]

Thank you all for your input, its helped a lot