Where to stay after BWV....

[vascubaguy]

Ok, as some of you know... March/April 2006 we'll be heading to WDW. First week BWV, 2nd week (somewhere else at WDW for a conference). Initially we were told that during that 2nd week we'd probably be put up at either the Dolphin or the YC. However, the controller at the university told us that the state wouldn't pay that high of a nightly rate for us to stay at either of these 2 resorts (the conference rate is $209 plus tax). So, we were given some options. We can book the resort we want, but the state will only pay up to the max (approx. $147/night) and we would have to pay the difference.

In essence, we could stay at the YC for about $62/night. OR, since I ordered an AP I can check the best rates and can maybe get a good deal somewhere else. I think the BRP for AKL was about $160/night so that would only be $13/night out-of-pocket, or could do one of the mods for around 110-120? and not have to pay anything out-of-pocket. This would be for 6 nights, and the conference is at the Dolphin and YC so I'd have to get up pretty earlier at any of the "non-conference hotels" to make my way over there each morning.

The question:

What would you do? Or better yet, where would you stay?

POR, POFQ, CSR, CBR, or one of the "cheaper" deluxes (AKL, WL)?

I'm kinda leaning toward AKL if we can get a good rate with AP... but it will be a shame to book such a nice resort and not have time actually stay there and enjoy it!

Thoughts appreciated!

Thanks!

[cobbler]

Personally since I think you would want to be close I would check the BRP for the YC and only pay that little bit of difference out of pocket.

Since you will be at the conference I don't think I would do AKL because you won't get to enjoy it as much and that would be a waste. If I am going to stay there I want to hang out there for a while and enjoy the scenery.

But if you do decide that you just want to save the $$ and go for a moderate I would go FQ or Coronado. Both are awesome.

But my first choice would be AP rate at YC.

[DSNY FN]

CSR would be my choice of the resorts listed it is an amazing resort great pool and hot tub nice rooms and theme and the pepper market is awesome to. Plus it isn't all that far from YC or the Dolphin.

[vascubaguy]

CSR would be my choice of the resorts listed it is an amazing resort great pool and hot tub nice rooms and theme and the pepper market is awesome to. Plus it isn't all that far from YC or the Dolphin.

I was thinking that too. CSR is also one of the conference resorts so they will be providing direct shuttles to the other conference locations, as opposed to using Disney transport. It also wouldn't cost me anything out-of-pocket to stay there.

I do really like AKL though....... decisions decisions! :faint:

[Leftcoaster]

I've been through this same exact scenario, just at Disneyland.
My best friend was going to be in anaheim for a conference and the university was going to pay up to XXX per night for a room. So, using an AP rate, I booked the Grand Californian for her and her girlfriend and they only paid less than $50 a night out of pocket.
In the March / April timeframe, it will be getting darker a little later so you can enjoy some of the scenery more. You may also be able to have a day where you can play hooky from the conference and leave early.
That part also happened with my friend. A couple of the seminars were so bad, she walked out. We hung out by the pool while her girlfriend was getting a massage.
I would pay the out of pocket for the deluxe resort. You will have more "options" while staying there and how often can you get a deluxe resort for $15-$60 a night?

[DSNY FN]

I was thinking that too. CSR is also one of the conference resorts so they will be providing direct shuttles to the other conference locations, as opposed to using Disney transport. It also wouldn't cost me anything out-of-pocket to stay there.

I do really like AKL though....... decisions decisions! :faint:


Well then it is a no brainer CSR is it IMHO free shuttles to teh other resort for the day and no out of pocket expense that is pretty tough to argue with even with wanting to stay at AKL. Save the money you would have spent at AKL and sock it away for a non working trip and enjoy all that AKL has to offer then.

[vascubaguy]

Ok, I got my AP info today so I could access the member website.

I think I've checked most every hotel now.

My Out-of-pocket for 6 nights would be:
AKL (Std View) $283.73
POR/POFQ/CSR $149.42

hrmm... just $134 more to get AKL.... grrr...

Tough choice!
Oh, the no cost to me out-of-pocket is only for 5 nights, I have to pay for all of 1 night.

I gotta decide by tomorrow... :hammer:

[DSNY FN]

Tough choice but I would still be inclined to stay at CSR if for no other reason than the direct shuttle to where you need to be.

[vascubaguy]

Well, after much deliberation, pondering... we'll be staying at POR.

The commute from AKL and the additional trouble of a rental car, gas, parking, etc seemed like too much of a pain (especially since I wouldn't enjoy it).

CSR was considered, but we sort of gravitated to POR because I could only get king rooms at CSR. I was able to get POR with water view and my boss said they'd cover that first day as well, so I'll have $0 out-of-pocket! (She agreed to pay it because I'm saving them almost $800 by being a presenter at the conference).

Ok, so now I just gotta work on the ADRs! Whew... 12 days/11 nights worth of planning ahead of me...

[DSNY FN]

Well, after much deliberation, pondering... we'll be staying at POR.

The commute from AKL and the additional trouble of a rental car, gas, parking, etc seemed like too much of a pain (especially since I wouldn't enjoy it).

CSR was considered, but we sort of gravitated to POR because I could only get king rooms at CSR. I was able to get POR with water view and my boss said they'd cover that first day as well, so I'll have $0 out-of-pocket! (She agreed to pay it because I'm saving them almost $800 by being a presenter at the conference).

Ok, so now I just gotta work on the ADRs! Whew... 12 days/11 nights worth of planning ahead of me...


To bad about the rooms not being available at CSR have you stayed at Dixie before? Well Le Cellier gets my vote and it is also revered as the best steak house at WDW and this is by the chefs from all the restaraunts LOL. I am thinking the Flying Fish for another meal and maybe the Yachtsmen. How are those for starters?

[Colorado Belle]

I happen to like the POFQ rooms..especially those with a water view even more than AKL. So I think you chose well!

I wonder tho....how much would it be to 'rent points' to stay at BWV then?
Even at $10 per point rental, you might come out ahead and end up being right next door to the conferance. Also, the conferance rate at the Dolphin is often much higher than what you could get at a discount or AAA rate.

Hope you have a BLAST!

[vascubaguy]

I happen to like the POFQ rooms..especially those with a water view even more than AKL. So I think you chose well!

I wonder tho....how much would it be to 'rent points' to stay at BWV then?
Even at $10 per point rental, you might come out ahead and end up being right next door to the conferance. Also, the conferance rate at the Dolphin is often much higher than what you could get at a discount or AAA rate.

Hope you have a BLAST!

I thought about using points to just stay at a DVC, but the state can't reimburse me based on the point system.

We will enjoy the trip regardless. :goodvibes

[vascubaguy]

To bad about the rooms not being available at CSR have you stayed at Dixie before? Well Le Cellier gets my vote and it is also revered as the best steak house at WDW and this is by the chefs from all the restaraunts LOL. I am thinking the Flying Fish for another meal and maybe the Yachtsmen. How are those for starters?

We ate a bunch of places in May on the dining plan, including Le Cellier. I'm not sure it will make the list for this trip, but ya never know. One that is definately on there though is Boma.

I'll have to get the DDE card before I go too. So much to do in 140ish days!

[jaysue]

Good choice - POR is a nice resort - are you going into the Mansions or Alligator Bayou?

cheers
jaysue

[vascubaguy]

Good choice - POR is a nice resort - are you going into the Mansions or Alligator Bayou?

cheers
jaysue

I have no idea. It just said... "Water View", "Standard View", "King Bed" and I picked water view, but requested 2nd floor, non-smoking, with a river view (rather than pool view). Is there a "better" section? and do they have more than 2 floors?

[cobbler]

We like Riverside. Its nice.

I like FQ just a bit better though but Riverside is nice. AB bldg 15 is close to the main lobby, foodcourt and south depot.

[jaysue]

From http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dxl.htm

"What are the differences between Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou?

Magnolia Bend is themed as four 2- and 3-story mansion homes, reflecting the large plantation residences in Mississippi many decades ago. Here you'll find well kept lawns, wrought iron railings and trellises, crawling roses and an elegant motif. At any time you'd expect to see the Colonel and his wife greet you on the main lawn waiting to invite you in.

Another important feature to note about the mansions is the fact that you must cross the Sassagoula River bridges to get to the food court, gift shop and other main building features.

Alligator Bayou lodges are a more rustic, backwoods cottage setting, featuring 16 smaller two-story Cajun-style buildings with charmingly rustic wooden furniture and settings. In addition, the rooms in Alligator Bayou contain a trundle bed that will sleep a child bringing the room occupancy total to 5. The Trundle Bed is intended to accommodate children under 9; or persons under 5 feet tall. They are narrower than a conventional bed.

An important difference to note between the two sections are the lack of elevators in Alligator Bayou. If you are unwilling or unable to negotiate stairs but still prefer Alligator Bayou, be sure to inform the front desk at check-in, and they will do their best to accommodate you.

Though it rarely happens, it is suggested that if you find any aspect of your room to be inadequate, you contact the front desk and request nicely to be moved to a room that is what you wanted/expected. Disney is in the business of satisfying their guests, and they will almost always do everything in their power to make you happy."

"Which are the most convenient buildings to the Resort center, pools, and bus stops?

In Magnolia Bend, Oak Manor is nearest to the Resort center, and is adjacent to one of the "quiet" pools. Magnolia Terrace is mentioned by many to be an ideal location, while others find Oak Manor to be a better choice. A recent guest at Riverside reminds us that Oak Manor is a smoking building and Magnolia Terrace is a nonsmoking building.

In Alligator Bayou, buildings 14, 15 and 18 are closest to the resort center and are a short distance from a "quiet" pool. No room is more than a 4 minute walk from a bus stop [see below]. The main themed swimming area, Ol' Man Island, is located in the middle of the Resort. The closest buildings are Magnolia Terrace in Magnolia Bend and lodges 27 and 38 in Alligator Bayou. Unless you plan on spending a lot of time on Ol' Man Island, you are probably better off requesting a room closer to the Resort center/food court.
"

Here is a link to many photos

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm

Resort map - large buildings on the upper right are the mansions, upper left are the bayous - the bottom part of the map is POFQ

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/pomap1.jpg


cheers
jaysue

[DSNY FN]

We stayed in Magnolia Bend on our honeymoon in 98 we didn't really care for the resort it was beautiful just not our cup of tea.

The pic in this link is the building we stayed in we were right behind the stairs on the right hand side if you stood looking at the building.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/dxl10.jpg

[WDWSTAR]

vascubaguy I am glad you finally decided where you wanted to stay, personally i would have booked the YC. closer to your conf. and no need for a shuttles, plus the SAB is the best pool . I also like the YC steak House & Beaches & Cream. Enjoy Port Olreans you will like it there, just a short boat ride to Market place...