it's probably really hard to go from polynesian to moderate. hopefully i'll find out one day!
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 03:11
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 12:55
bali wrote:
That's just shocking! $6K for 6 people? (Then again, we're only two people and it often costs us $2K plus, with airfare and rental car.)Creative budgeting to the rescue! Maybe you get the counter service dining plan (if it's cheaper) and no water park passes...? I think I'd rather cut out some of the extras than head to a moderate, just because it sounds like your family really enjoys the deluxe amenities.
Well, we REALLY enjoy the table service meals and could do without the counter service and snacks, LOL Not sure how it would work out to go without the dining plan? Maybe we could pick the paces we want to eat, look them up to see the menu and get an estimate of the cost for each meal - then save for it? Fewer meals at nicer places or more meals at moderate places. Definitely ditch the water parks, we have never been and probably never will go.
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 12:55
greebil wrote:
it's probably really hard to go from polynesian to moderate. hopefully i'll find out one day!
Yea, the Poly is so wonderful 
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 13:29
We could stay in a suite at All Star Music, wit dining package and par hoppers, for $2,899.74
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 13:34
UnbalancedLibra wrote:
We could stay in a suite at All Star Music, wit dining package and par hoppers, for $2,899.74
That's intriguing. Do the suites have a kitchenette type of thing?
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 13:44
SpaceAce wrote:
UnbalancedLibra wrote:We could stay in a suite at All Star Music, wit dining package and par hoppers, for $2,899.74
That's intriguing. Do the suites have a kitchenette type of thing?
From the site:
All suites have one queen-size bed, a living room with a double-size
sleeper sofa, and 2 twin-size sleeper chairs, 2 bathrooms, a
mini-kitchen, vanity area with sink, and table and chairs. All rooms
are non-smoking. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, data
port, microwave, iron and ironing board. A hairdryer and Pack 'n Play®
playard are available upon request. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are
available. Located close to the Main Building, these rooms offer views
of the parking lot, courtyard or pool.
The twin-size sleeper chairs don't sound great but for the kids, I'm sure it'd be fine.
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 13:54
I'm sure it'd be fine, too, and that's a HUGE savings.
Plus, anywhere you'd stay except for monorail resorts are going to cause you to need to use Disney Transport/rental car to get everywhere, so that's not that big a drawback to staying at ASMu. The kitchen and 2 bathrooms would be great, too...
What's the cost on 2 rooms at a mod?
Also, have you considered getting one annual pass for one of the adults? That could bring the cost of a deluxe down considerably if there are AP discounts available. They're never guaranteed, but they usually do have them in May. If you wanted to experiment, you could get a room-only booking (which requires only a one-night deposit and can be cancelled up to 5 days before you go) for 2 deluxe rooms, then when AP discounts are made available, see if you can get the discount. If you can, and if the math works out, then you buy the AP. It's a lot of planning, but maybe worth a try.
Here's a chart of when discounts have come out in the past: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends
You can use this to determine whether your "experiment," if it doesn't work, would allow you enough time to book another package.
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 14:04
SpaceAce wrote:
I'm sure it'd be fine, too, and that's a HUGE savings.Plus, anywhere you'd stay except for monorail resorts are going to cause you to need to use Disney Transport/rental car to get everywhere, so that's not that big a drawback to staying at ASMu. The kitchen and 2 bathrooms would be great, too...
What's the cost on 2 rooms at a mod?
Also, have you considered getting one annual pass for one of the adults? That could bring the cost of a deluxe down considerably if there are AP discounts available. They're never guaranteed, but they usually do have them in May. If you wanted to experiment, you could get a room-only booking (which requires only a one-night deposit and can be cancelled up to 5 days before you go) for 2 deluxe rooms, then when AP discounts are made available, see if you can get the discount. If you can, and if the math works out, then you buy the AP. It's a lot of planning, but maybe worth a try.
Here's a chart of when discounts have come out in the past: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends
You can use this to determine whether your "experiment," if it doesn't work, would allow you enough time to book another package.
You are making my head hurt 
It is a huge savings and you're right, we'd have to use Disney transportation - however, I know plenty of people who have stayed at the value resorts to know that I wouldn't like it. The value resorts are used heavily by touring groups and school outings, cheerleading camps, etc... One of the reasons love going to Disney is because it's relaxing, the resort makes the stay in my opinion, especially with small kids, since we spend more tine at the resort relaxing and such. I want a vacation. So, even tough the price is good, I'd probably look into 2 rooms at a moderate or just ditch my ML next year
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 14:17
Here I checked Moderate resorts for 2 rooms with park hopper passes (no water parks) and basic dining plan.
Coronado Springs:
2 adults and 2 children:
$2,107.28
1 adult 1 child:
$1,669.49
That makes the total:$3,776.77
Port Orleans, FQ:
2 adults and 2 children:
$2,276.12
1 adult 1 child:
$1,725.28
Makes that total: $4,001.40
Now, I guess this sounds reasonable ( 
) The trip for the 5 of us (I say 5 because Wyatt s only 2 so no charge for him and a pack play to sleep in) this year was a grand total of $4,438.41
This is for 7 nights - but we took advantage of the book 4 nights get 3 free deal.
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 15:11
That's reasonable, and I think you'd really enjoy Coronado Springs (it has the most deluxe amenties of any of the mods--also, queen beds!!).
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 15:13
admin wrote:
That's reasonable, and I think you'd really enjoy Coronado Springs (it has the most deluxe amenties of any of the mods--also, queen beds!!).
Well, my BFF is going to WDW with er family around the same time we are and staying at Coronado Springs. Her kids are 6 and almost 1 year so I am sure she'll give me the 'scoop'
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 20:25
Have you looked into the cabins at Fort Wilderness?
They sleep 6- they have a set of bunks and a full size bed in the bedroom and another full size murphy bed in e living room. Plus a kitchen...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 20:26
Dawn wrote:
Have you looked into the cabins at Fort Wilderness?
They sleep 6- they have a set of bunks and a full size bed in the bedroom and another full size murphy bed in e living room. Plus a kitchen...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/
Interesting idea Dawn. Plus they're very close to the MK. It would be quite a bit different from the Polynesian, but that might be a plus. It could be sort of a "different kind" of experience. Plus I've been dying to get a first hand review, so you can be my guinea pig!
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 23:47
Dawn wrote:
Have you looked into the cabins at Fort Wilderness?
They sleep 6- they have a set of bunks and a full size bed in the bedroom and another full size murphy bed in e living room. Plus a kitchen...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/
Heheheee, yes. I am so not the camping type though
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Sat, 04/11/2009 - 23:48
dsoup wrote:
Dawn wrote:Have you looked into the cabins at Fort Wilderness?
They sleep 6- they have a set of bunks and a full size bed in the bedroom and another full size murphy bed in e living room. Plus a kitchen...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/Interesting idea Dawn. Plus they're very close to the MK. It would be quite a bit different from the Polynesian, but that might be a plus. It could be sort of a "different kind" of experience. Plus I've been dying to get a first hand review, so you can be my guinea pig!
hahaha - no camping for me, not even faux camping!
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Sun, 04/12/2009 - 01:13
I feel the same way about camping, but these are pretty much suites-in-a-cabin--really nice looking. My only worry about these is the loooong walk/ride to the boat dock.
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Sun, 04/12/2009 - 12:12
bali wrote:
I feel the same way about camping, but these are pretty much suites-in-a-cabin--really nice looking. My only worry about these is the loooong walk/ride to the boat dock.
Yes, I was looking into that. My biggest priority is convenience, since my kids ae only 2, 3 and 6 - it's best for easy and quick transportation! Although, in a few years these might be a consideration
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Sun, 04/12/2009 - 16:44
UnbalancedLibra wrote:
bali wrote:I feel the same way about camping, but these are pretty much suites-in-a-cabin--really nice looking. My only worry about these is the loooong walk/ride to the boat dock.
Yes, I was looking into that. My biggest priority is convenience, since my kids ae only 2, 3 and 6 - it's best for easy and quick transportation! Although, in a few years these might be a consideration
What's interesting is at Fort Wilderness you can rent a golf cart to get around. If it had a monorail stop it would be a REALLY interesting option. I'd still like to try it sometime.
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 22:46
I was just about to suggest renting the golf cart. I have booked a lot of families with 5 or 6 people into the cabins and they LOVE it. There is so much to do right in the resort- plus you are close to MK.
I have never done it- but I haven't ruled it out either (we are a family of 5, but my youngest isn't 2 years old yet). And I certainly don't camp 
Not that there is anything wrong with it- it just isn't me
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 00:35
We stayed at the FW Cabins the first 3 times we went to WDW as a family. They were wonderful! We didn't mind the transportation at all, even tho Max was 3.5, 7 & 10 for those trips (with major health issues - he was in a stroller until he was 9)
We loved the room. We stayed there with 4 adults and 1 child. We also did a big family reunion stay for Max's 10th B-Day & had 21 of us in various cabins ranging in ages from 10 - 70.
DH who is vehemently opposed to anything resembling camping, loved them - Full Bath, Full Kitchen, Deck with a grill, 2 TVs,AC/Heat, Maid Service, tons of stuff to do in the resort, peace & quiet, cool shade which is great after being in the hot & crowded Parks, boat ride to MK... really can't beat it for larger families or families needing extra space. Transpo to other parks is kind of a pain once you are used to other resorts, but we never minded. It gave us a chance to put our feet up & relax.
Also, we stayed at Coronado Springs for 4 nights at the tail end of a trip that started with 7 nights Poly concierge. I thought it'd be miserable going form Poly concierge to a moderate, but CSR was great. The pool is fantastic. It's my 3rd favorite WDW pool (SAB, Grotto, Dig Site) If I ran into a time where I couldn't get a great rate at the Swan/Dolphin, my next choice would be CSR because you get alot of bang for your buck there.
I agree with you. I stayed at a value once (All Star Sports) Never again. It was a good trip, nothing kills WDW for me, but it wasn't relaxing at all.
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Wed, 04/15/2009 - 02:47
Leota wrote:
Full Bath, Full Kitchen, Deck with a grill, 2 TVs,AC/Heat, Maid Service, tons of stuff to do in the resort, peace & quiet, cool shade which is great after being in the hot & crowded Parks, boat ride to MK...
That's what I'm talkin' about!
I also think CSR is great, by the way--wonderful value for the price. And now all queen beds. Plus the salon, massage, and fitness services are great.
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 00:36
I really would like to try the FW cabins sometimes. It seems like it could be a really interesting and different way to do WDW.