Ok, so my family of 10 just decided to hit WDW for thanksgiving. There's two frames of mind at war. some of us want to stay at saratoga springs and the others want to save the money and stay at POR. putting price aside, is saratoga springs that much nicer than POR?
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- Thread starter dandlewood
- Start date
C&D
Well-Known Member
I think it would depend on how your family is planning to share the quarters. With SSR you have the option of a Studio (this would be somewhat similar to what you are going to get with POR), a one Bedroom (you'd need multiple), a two Bedroom (might be tight for 10 people) and a Grand Villa (which would be plenty of room for ten, I'm thinking). Now the other problem is price. SSR is going to cost a pretty penny (especially as the accommodations are plussed).
Another consideration is availability. It's getting pretty late to be making reservations for Thanksgiving (it is a fairly heavy time). Better get cracking, with whatever you decide.
Another consideration is availability. It's getting pretty late to be making reservations for Thanksgiving (it is a fairly heavy time). Better get cracking, with whatever you decide.
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Everything Chuck said is correct. Also are you looking for more of a resort experience or do you prefer a kitchen to cook some of your meals etc there? That is the appeal of the DVC properties is that it is almost like a small house. Riverside, as gorgeous as it is, is a hotel room. Me personally, I do prefer Riverside but only because I dont tend to use the amenities of a home away from home style resort to it's full advantage. Belle
ThinkTink721
Well-Known Member
I would opt for POR.
We stayed there last summer & it was great!
Scenic, quiet, good service, nice pools, nice souvenir shop, etc.
:wave:
We stayed there last summer & it was great!
Scenic, quiet, good service, nice pools, nice souvenir shop, etc.
:wave:thanks for the advice!
I stayed in POR in June and loved it. Unfortunately, my family is full of GFL snobs, so... bleh. I don't think we'll be cooking tho. BTW, break down is 8 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant
I stayed in POR in June and loved it. Unfortunately, my family is full of GFL snobs, so... bleh. I don't think we'll be cooking tho. BTW, break down is 8 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant
Zummi Gummi
Pioneering the Universe Within!
If you're not going to be cooking, and don't mind being in a regular hotel room (as opposed to the studios and other varied rooms SSR offers), then by all means save the money and stay at POR.
JWG
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind, I haven't stayed at POR since 1998, but my memory is that you'd get a bit more space at SSR and you'd gain a microwave and wet bar (with toaster and disposable dishes/silverware).
It depends on what you'll use the room for. If you want to do any assemblance of in room dining/cooking I think SSR is better.
If you just need a room, and likely 4 people to a room, POR is better as you'll get two beds instead of a bed and a pullout couch.
It depends on what you'll use the room for. If you want to do any assemblance of in room dining/cooking I think SSR is better.
If you just need a room, and likely 4 people to a room, POR is better as you'll get two beds instead of a bed and a pullout couch.
KingStefan
Well-Known Member
One thing you should consider is renting at SSR from a Disney Vacation Club member. It's a bit late - you probably would have had to do this before April for a Thanksgiving trip. If you could do it, however, it is much, much cheaper than staying as a Disney guest (in many cases, like, half the cost), and so wouldn't be that much more expensive than a moderate.
Having said that, hoever, POR is really beautiful, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it there as well. The thing about SSR is the possibility to have a big, common area to share with a family, rather than three or four hotel rooms.
As someone said before, however, you're just a wee bit too large a party for a 2BR - 8 plus an infant would fit, but I'm not sure that Disney will allow more than that. So you'd need a Grand Villa or a 2BR plus a studio, or something like that.
Whatever you choose, have a magical vacation!
Having said that, hoever, POR is really beautiful, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it there as well. The thing about SSR is the possibility to have a big, common area to share with a family, rather than three or four hotel rooms.
As someone said before, however, you're just a wee bit too large a party for a 2BR - 8 plus an infant would fit, but I'm not sure that Disney will allow more than that. So you'd need a Grand Villa or a 2BR plus a studio, or something like that.
Whatever you choose, have a magical vacation!
wickedfan07
Member
Well for ten people, plus an infant, you’d need a Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs, or three rooms at Riverside. So, by the numbers:
1 Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs:
$1265 per night (Regular Season)
$1135 per night (Value Season)
3 Standard Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside:
$165 per night (Regular Season)
$145 per night (Value Season)
In both cases, Regular Season runs until 11/24, and Value Season picks up on 11/25.
In the Regular Season, compare $1265 per night at SSR to $495 at POR.
In the Value Season, compare $1135 per night at SSR to $435 per night at POR.
That’s a BIG difference.
The only Disney resort I’ve ever stayed in was the All Star Music, so I can’t give a personal opinion on either of the resorts you’re considering. But I’d say that $770 difference per night (Regular Season) is a little too much money to just “put aside” for the sake of a few amenities.
The only major difference between the DVC rooms and the regular rooms for you is going to be the kitchen. At POR, your party would be spread between three rooms. That means that there will be the bathrooms, so no major issues there. If you need something like a fridge, that would be standard in a DVC room, just request it when you book. Heck, you could buy a mini-fridge and bring it to WDW with you for the money you’d save by staying in POR. Staying at POR would save you money, and let you use that money to do more fun stuff, buy souveniers, eat at nicer restaurants, etc. Staying at SSR would give you more space and allow everyone in your family to be together, but you need to decide if you'll be spending more time together in the parks, or more time together in the room. Its just a matter your family's preference, but I'd seriously consider POR (unless you have a ton of money to throw around for a vacation, that is.)
Have a great trip, wherever you decide to stay!
1 Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs:
$1265 per night (Regular Season)
$1135 per night (Value Season)
3 Standard Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside:
$165 per night (Regular Season)
$145 per night (Value Season)
In both cases, Regular Season runs until 11/24, and Value Season picks up on 11/25.
In the Regular Season, compare $1265 per night at SSR to $495 at POR.
In the Value Season, compare $1135 per night at SSR to $435 per night at POR.
That’s a BIG difference.
The only Disney resort I’ve ever stayed in was the All Star Music, so I can’t give a personal opinion on either of the resorts you’re considering. But I’d say that $770 difference per night (Regular Season) is a little too much money to just “put aside” for the sake of a few amenities.
The only major difference between the DVC rooms and the regular rooms for you is going to be the kitchen. At POR, your party would be spread between three rooms. That means that there will be the bathrooms, so no major issues there. If you need something like a fridge, that would be standard in a DVC room, just request it when you book. Heck, you could buy a mini-fridge and bring it to WDW with you for the money you’d save by staying in POR. Staying at POR would save you money, and let you use that money to do more fun stuff, buy souveniers, eat at nicer restaurants, etc. Staying at SSR would give you more space and allow everyone in your family to be together, but you need to decide if you'll be spending more time together in the parks, or more time together in the room. Its just a matter your family's preference, but I'd seriously consider POR (unless you have a ton of money to throw around for a vacation, that is.)
Have a great trip, wherever you decide to stay!
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
PO-R is better themed, but during Thanksgiving, is bound to be busier. You're probably best off trying to get into SSR or OKW.
elabron
New Member
As far as cost efficiency, it looks like the breakdown by wickedfan07 points favorably to POR.
However, if cost is no option , then keep in mind that SSR will offer more room for the kiddies to run/play and also offer more privacy for the adults.
If you guys intend on purchasing the Magic Your Way Plus Dining, then having the kitchen is really of no benefit, except for breakfast. I guess you could retreat there for a few days to eat and save up your credits for Signature Dining, though.
However, if cost is no option , then keep in mind that SSR will offer more room for the kiddies to run/play and also offer more privacy for the adults.
If you guys intend on purchasing the Magic Your Way Plus Dining, then having the kitchen is really of no benefit, except for breakfast. I guess you could retreat there for a few days to eat and save up your credits for Signature Dining, though.
craziness, thanks for the continued posts. My family has gone above my head and booked saratoga springs, but they got a pretty crazy rate. For 8 adults, 2 children, 1 infant in 3 studios, $7,000. This is with the Magic your way + dining package and magical express. (we're getting plane tickets off of credit card points). When I went to the disney online site and configured POR the same way I came up with around the same number, so I guess it's a wash as far as money is concerned.
I'm going to be one of the adults in the 4 adult room, so I'm not looking forward to that.
I'm going to be one of the adults in the 4 adult room, so I'm not looking forward to that.
DisneyPirate85
New Member
POR is really nice, stayed there last summer and the CM's were great!:lol:
fleh. fleh fleh fleh.
ok... so my family discluded me and my significant other from the hotel reservations. even though we have flight tickets. So everything is messed up now.
we have 3 studios for SSR which means for an additional 800 bucks we can room with our parents or my brother. I wouldn't care about rooming with my brother, but he wants his personal space, and I respect that.
so... if we got 4 rooms at POR, it would be 7500 as opposed to 8000 to stay in SSR in 3 rooms. The only issue is my parents are a bit...luxury minded... and I'm afraid POR might leave them a little disappointed in that respect. I loved it when I stayed there, but I don't care much about luxury, just about cleanliness and enough room to do what I have to do. Any thoughts? I'm starting to get a little down about this whole vacation and I know that's the opposite of what this is all about.
ok... so my family discluded me and my significant other from the hotel reservations. even though we have flight tickets. So everything is messed up now.
we have 3 studios for SSR which means for an additional 800 bucks we can room with our parents or my brother. I wouldn't care about rooming with my brother, but he wants his personal space, and I respect that.
so... if we got 4 rooms at POR, it would be 7500 as opposed to 8000 to stay in SSR in 3 rooms. The only issue is my parents are a bit...luxury minded... and I'm afraid POR might leave them a little disappointed in that respect. I loved it when I stayed there, but I don't care much about luxury, just about cleanliness and enough room to do what I have to do. Any thoughts? I'm starting to get a little down about this whole vacation and I know that's the opposite of what this is all about.
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Dandle, If your family didnt include you in the plans I wouldnt worry about it. Go for the resort you and the SO(Significant other) want and make your own plans. Where do you want to stay?? What do you want to do?? Also I would say with the new package that has been released, give our office a call at 1866-566-7858 and let's see what kind of deal we can put together for just you!!! Belle
C&D
Well-Known Member
Oooo, good answer...................good answer.
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Thanks!!! I like it. If my family excluded me from a trip that I was supposed to be going on and didnt tell me till the last minute..........well this is a family board, but let us just say I wouldnt be a happy camper!!! Belle
shoppingnut
Active Member
I would definitely go ahead and do your own thing, the heck with them if they want to be that way. Suffice it to say my family is afraid of me as I don't hold back anything I have to say and wouldn't do something like that because my wrath would be swift and unprecedented. As well, I would not be speaking to any of them either for a very very long time.