Deluxe hotel or home-away-from-home??

[Claire Ellis]

Well, we've booked our flight tickets for next year, so we know we're definitely going back!! Only thing now is accommodation. We want to stay at Disney for the first week, then a villa during the second week. Only thing is, I'm sooooo confused about which hotel to choose. There are 6 of us in total. I had thought the 'Contemporary', but have heard several negative reviews about the place being shabby and in need of an upgrade. Then I thought, well what about one of the DVD villas........??

Any thoughts or advice?? There is me, DH, DD16, DS12, 12 and 8. We don't mind about location. Just somewhere with a lot of Disney magic.

[Slowhand]

I`m not sure how the cost compares between a DVC villa and several rooms at a de-luxe resort, but you will have a lot more space in one of the villas....after all they do sleep 12!
We have stayed at a grand villa at OKW on a couple of occasions when we had some friends with us and used our DVC points to fund the accommodation, and we had a fantastic time.

If there is little cost difference between a DVC villa and the number of rooms you need at a hotel type resort, I`d say go for one of the DVC villas every time.

[Huntermom]

We need two rooms when we go as a family. I've looked into a two bdrm villa on site and it's almost twice the price of 2 rooms at either AKL or the WL. We paid around $300-350. night for both rooms at an AP rate under the old system. I was getting prices of around $540. a night for a two bedroom at OKW, booked through Disney. I don't beleive they had AP rates.

We have always been able to get connecting rooms.

Diane

[triciacarole]

I am getting rates of $425 for OKW value season 2006, whereas AKL is $348 for 2 rooms, both sleep 8 but you get a lot more room and a kitchen at OKW, so are able to save on some meals :) (These are AAA rates).

[psdjmem]

Ever think about the Fort Wilderness Cabins, we have 5 kids so for us they are perfect! They have a full kitchen, seperate bedroom with bunk beds and a queen and in the living room a sofa and a double bed that pulls out of the wall (not the most comfy but our kids love it). We love Fort Wilderness there is tons to do there!! If you want more info I would be glad to post it for you :)

[Huntermom]

I much prefer staying in a villa accomodation than a hotel room-my kids like to eat and snack " home cooked" food. I never thought of asking about AAA rates, I had an AP so I just figured those would be the best rates. I'll have to check AAA rates next time, although I don't think we've ever gone during value season, perhaps the reason for the big difference in rates. We actually only paid $154./night for a pool view at AKL, but that was before taxes in June.

Diane

[triciacarole]

I do believe the AP rates are usually better than the AAA rates, perhaps they are not yet released for the time you are going.

[Scoootch]

If there is little cost difference between a DVC villa and the number of rooms you need at a hotel type resort, I`d say go for one of the DVC villas every time.
I agree ;)

You may want to look into renting the points also....it often can cost dramatically less. But if you can book directly for almost the same or better price, definetly choose DVC:)

[PaulaK]

....and the Contemporary is being refurbed right now so if the shabby rooms are putting you off, they'll be fixed by next year. The new rooms will be very smart with flatscreen tv's etc :thumbs: I go for location everytime.

[triciacarole]

If you go for the villas you will have a washing machine, useful as there are a lot of you. I stayed in the Swan this year and they only had about 8 washers for a resort that large :(

[Claire Ellis]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Price-wise, for the time of year we're going (last 2 weeks in August), the prices I've been quoted show that the villas are much cheaper, although I have been quoted for a suite and not 2 interconnecting rooms - could this be why they are more expensive??

Paula - will all the work be done by next year at the 'Contemporary'? The kids would really like to stay here, but I hear you have to book a 'Tower' room to get a decent view? The kids want one of the rooms near where the monorail goes through!!

[triciacarole]

The prices I gave earlier are for that time Claire, thats when we want to go :D

[PaulaK]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Paula - will all the work be done by next year at the 'Contemporary'? The kids would really like to stay here, but I hear you have to book a 'Tower' room to get a decent view? The kids want one of the rooms near where the monorail goes through!!

Tower rooms are meant to be done by Feb 19th '06. South garden wing is supposed to be done by end October/beginning November this year if all goes to schedule. :thumbs:

[Claire Ellis]

triciacarole, is that booking direct with Disney? Excuse me being dim, but what are AAA rates?? Thanks.

[triciacarole]

triciacarole, is that booking direct with Disney? Excuse me being dim, but what are AAA rates?? Thanks.

Claire AAA is the same as AA in the UK, you will need to join but the cheapest they do is £40 so its worth it even if you do not use it, the AAA (http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp)membership can also be used at Universal and Seaworld for discounts. MickeyMac and Cinderella are both travel agents on this forum who can book these rates for you :wink: .

[south_tx]

were a family of 6 and were on a budget of 1000 bucks i know its not enough money but we still want to go...and were from tx so we have to go on a plane....whats the cheapest and comfortable hotel on site or off site for us... plz email back Email link removed by admin, email not allowed in posts.