Six in one, half dozen in another?

[tickerbelle]

I was originally planning a trip for myself and my husband, my mother and my young nephew. When my brother and sister-in-law decided my nephew was too young to go, my mother dropped out of the trip as well. Now it is just down to my hubby and I.
Now to my question. Being just the two of us, I was thinking it would be nice to stay at a moderate resort (CB or CS). With the money we have budgeted, we could stay at one of these resorts for four nights and enjoy three full days in the parks (but there are four parks I want to visit as much as I can!). For about $25 less we could stay for five nights in a value resort and enjoy four full days in the parks. Since the prices are pretty much the same, which would you choose. We have been married for two years and this will be our first big vacation together (for our honeymoon we went to Maine). He has never been to WDW and I really want to make sure he gets to see as much and have as much fun as possible.
Would you go for less days at a better resort or more days at a value. Is it six in one and a half dozen in another?
Please help!

 

[unkadug]

I'd go for the cheaper room, if that means more time for the parks.
You still get the Magic of staying on property.
You'll basically only be sleeping in the room anyway !

 

[Kadee]

As most things are usually answered.....It depends on YOUR priorities.
This is how I would look at it:

1. Your not going to be in the room much.....seriously......even if you think you are, you won't. So don't worry too much about the room.
2. Are you going to use the amenities at the resort? The mods have a full service restaurant; the values do not. I find the food court very sufficient and I like the variety and convenience.
3. What are you going to remember about your trip? ....... the parks or the room? Of course, the parks.
4. Can you do the parks in three days? Yes.....BUT do you want to do them in three days? I would say no. You will miss a lot and be very rushed. In my opinion, there is a bigger difference in a 3 day vacation at WDW and a 4 day vacation at WDW than just one day.

So with all those things considered, I would definitely go for the longer vacation. It will be more relaxing and enjoyable without all the rush. What do you miss with a value over a mod? You get one sink instead of two and no sit-down restaurant which you probably won't have time to go to anyway considering your vacation is only 4 days (or 3 if you go that way). With only two of you going, a value resort is sufficient.

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip.:wave:

 

[Moustronaut]

Are you going to WDW just to go to the theme parks from the opening rope drop until they kick you out of the parks at night?

If yes, go for the 5 nights at the value resort. You'll be gone most of the time so you won't really appreciate what the moderate has to offer. The extra day will give you some extra flexiblity and time to deal with crowds. Especially since you are going with a first timer, just take your time to explore the parks.

 

[bullitt05]

Absolutely go for the days...you won't regret it. The parks are truly the highlight. I haven't stayed at a value resort, but I trust that they are just as "magic-filled" as any other place on property.
Also, keep checking mousesavers.com for great deals...you may just be able to swing both.
Have a fantastic time!!

 

[crazydaveh]

I agree with everyone else above me! Go for the value and have more days in the parks!

Trust me, two years ago the entire family came down and we stayed at the Grand Floridian. It was nice, don't get me wrong, but we slept, showered, and went # 1 and #2 there. Nothing else.

Three weeks ago, they came back. They stayed at Pop Century, did the same thing, and saved a ton of money to use in the parks!

Go with the value... have more fun.

 

[tickerbelle]

Thank you so much. That was what my gut was telling me. I know that I don't want to rush the parks as much as possible. We are getting the dining plan regardless and will be able to eat at other resort restaurants, correct? I know my poor feet are going to be KILLING me if we try and take on too much in too short of time. With the extra day, we can spend time in one of the smaller parks and still have time to relax a little and have my hubby rub my feet in the privacy of our hotel room. I can deal with one sink. I can deal with the food court. I think the value is the way to go for us, and from what I have read on the board so far, the Pop Century is the best resort for a couple (less music, sports, highschool and big groups)....Thanks again!

 

[Neverwhere]

Cheaper room, longer time in the parks. And you may be able to save money and time by not getting park hopper tickets. There is plenty in each park to keep you busy.

 

[Monty]

Contact Kingdom Konsultants, tell them your budget and what you want to highlight and see what they can do for you. They might be able to get you to six of one and half a dozen of the other :sohappy:

Worst case, they can't... but it costs you nothing to try.

I would still get hopper tickets, it's nice to be able to leave a park that is not working for you [rides break down, shows get cancelled]. Having options is worthwhile.

 

[Kadee]

Contact Kingdom Konsultants, tell them your budget and what you want to highlight and see what they can do for you. They might be able to get you to six of one and half a dozen of the other :sohappy:

Worst case, they can't... but it costs you nothing to try.

I would still get hopper tickets, it's nice to be able to leave a park that is not working for you [rides break down, shows get cancelled]. Having options is worthwhile.

OH YEAH!! Forgot about Park Hoppers!!! Park Hoppers are a MUST! It is worth the little bit of extra money!

 

[mousermerf]

If you want, you can probably spend part of your travel-home day exploring other resorts. Maybe set up a breakfast at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge, or on a night when AK closes early-ish, do dinner at Boma or Jiko.

Then, if you fall in love with a resort, you can look forward to going there next time

 

[Nemo14]

If you're a AAA member, you might save enough at a mod to do an extra day there, instead of at the values.
Or have you thought of splitting your reservaton to experience both (do the value resort first!)

 

[KaliSplash]

Definitely go with the days over the fancier hotel. The Value hotels will be fine and contain Disney Magic. The more time you have for the parks, the better, especially when one person is making a first-time visit.

Pop Century is newer. If you stay in Values, Movies is newer, however, bus service is better at Sports!

 

[stevedisney]

Agreed, go for the extra days. I went two years ago and stayed at Beach Club, which was great, but you're only at the hotel for such a short time it was hard to take advantage of all it had to offer. I am going back in April and am staying at the Pop Century. Also - if you book with a Disney Visa card now you pay for the basic tickets but get free park hopper options with the water park option, which saves you about $150.

 

[jesserin]

Honestly, after doing each of the moderates - we now prefer the values... not only do you get more for your money - but with the exception of the Maya Grill (at Coronado) I've never been all that thrilled with the sit downs at the moderates anyway... so I think you're making a very wise decision - you'll have a wonderful trip and be really glad you had the extra time to enjoy your vacation... Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Moustronaut]

We are getting the dining plan regardless and will be able to eat at other resort restaurants, correct?

]
Yep. The restaurants at the resorts are open to the general public so you can get at any of them regardless of where you are staying.

 

[jim1051]

moretime

Like everyone else I say take the extra time. An extra day or two is of higher value that a fancier hotel, especially since there are only the 2 of you.

 

[shoppingnut]

Definitely go with more time, you will be happy you did. A short stay seems like you are leaving just as you got there. I have stayed at Pop and liked it very much, would recommend asking for the 50's or 70's sections as they are closer to the main lobby without paying the premium of the 60's section. I have also stayed at All Stars Sports & Music and I have found that they are in the need of a little TLC rehab of the rooms.

I have also stayed at POR which I happen to really like, because they do have a full service restaurant for breakfast and I don't have to deal with the food court in the morning. But given the choice of 3 at POR or 5 at Pop days, I would take the 5 every time.

 

[Dwarful]

Add another vote for more time less money! We pretty much have been hooked on the values, because we hit the parks hard, but do enjoy a dip in the pool now and again, pop is a fun resort, I don't think you'll be happy. Plus think of it this way: With a first timer, he won't have anything to compare it to, if you go up now, its hard to go back down later on!

 

[figmentmom]

Definitely check with Kingdom Konsultants before you make a final decision. If the picture still looks the same, then go for the longer vacation at the less expensive resort.

Have a great time! :wave: