Vacation on a budget...HELP

[RLMickey]

Hey Guys! I am new to the board. I have been reading the messages for months and finally decided to join.

Ok so here is my problem...

I have been to Disney World 3 times. I always want to stay at a different hotel every time. I am a college student now to pretty much value and downtown disney resorts are in my budget for next summer. I have stayed at All Star Movies, and if I had to would again. But I would like to know if the Downtown Disney Resorts are affordable and worth it? If so which one(s) are better? I am planning on going next summer, probably August. Thanks, I look forward to everyones help. :wave:

 

[Atlaslaw]

So, basically you're illegally using Disney Transportation which is meant for paying guests of WDW Resorts? What about the poor little old grandmother and her five grandchildren who are being displaced because you are taking her place on the bus:animwink:

Seriously though, if you're comfortable with doing that fine, but I don't agree with it because you are possibly displacing a guest who has actually paid a premium price for a WDW resort which includes that transportation. Just be ready if you are questioned about ID and are asked to leave the bus.

 

[DDPGambit]

Actually anyone who is a Disney "day guest" is now allowed to use Disney transport. This includes monorails, boats and busses.

 

[cymbaldiva]

While I'm happy for the day guests (really, I am!) , it is starting to feel like there are less and less perks for actually being a Disney resort guest....any thoughts on this?

 

[mikebrakes]

While I'm happy for the day guests (really, I am!) , it is starting to feel like there are less and less perks for actually being a Disney resort guest....any thoughts on this?

In my opinion, the best perk was early entry. But since they did away with that...

 

[mickeyfanatics]

The onsite hotels do cost a lot more, but in many cases, they are worth it for the service and theming you get. Nobody does a hotel like Disney (don't count the Swan and Dolphin). They really know how to extend the theme to all aspects. I personally love DVC. It is the greatest. I just booked my spring break at the new Beach Club Villas and got the studio room I asked for (no, I own at Vero Beach and am going there this weekend). With DVC, you can get any room you want (just about) as long as you plan ahead and call when your window opens.

The All Star Music was nice, it had a cool pool, but the room was very small. The one Moderate I loved was Coronado Springs. I also like Dixie Landings (or whatever they try to call it now to be PC).

The Wilderness Lodge is also fantastic and with DVC, you can stay there without paying the heft room price. Same goes for Boardwalk where half of that resort belongs to DVC. Has anyone noticed how slow the regular resort building is going, but DVC is still building more and more resorts. I know it ends in 2042, but by then, I will be in my 60's and have had 42 years of awesome vacations!

 

[Married@WDW]

Originally posted by mickeyfanatics
Has anyone noticed how slow the regular resort building is going, but DVC is still building more and more resorts. I know it ends in 2042, but by then, I will be in my 60's and have had 42 years of awesome vacations!

We were just talking about this on our last trip a week ago. We bought into Old Key West just before they announced Wilderness Lodge Villas -- prices were much cheaper, my husband was a CM so we got a discount, and they gave us the buyback option for half our points, too! We financed part of it but we even got a great deal on the financing from Disney(5%!). I think we got the best bargain in the world! We can now stay at our two favorite resorts -- Wilderness and Beach Club -- and it costs us next to nothing compared to the cash rate AND we only have to pay Old Key West dues, which have, so far, been the cheapest. We always go on the off season anyway, so we've really never had a problem getting a room at Wilderness (haven't tried Beach Club yet -- next year for sure). And we'll be 70 when it runs out -- hopefully by then, we'll be retired to the Disney area and won't need DVC anymore!

 

[figmentmom]

I've had nothing but good experiences at the Grosvenor Resort, and we've stayed there several times using our AAA discount. They also periodically run specials, so if you call them, be sure to ASK.:animwink: