Thoughts on Moderate/Value Resorts

Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips

Tasha...parking at DW is nothing like parking at DL

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

We did it last year and it was free because we had premier passes, with the price hikes that will never happen again. We liked having a car so we could leave the crowds and have a quiet meal somewhere else.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>...they've finally gone with the food court format like the other moderates.<

Nope. The Pepper Market has gone back to having several different food stations, and you get your ticket stamped at each station. They have made two great modifications, though - they now take your payment from the table, and they've STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY ADDING THE 10% TIP!

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I showed my daughter Little Mermaid Art of Animation hotel online last night, she couldn't understand why I was conflicted.

"It's decorated with Little Mermaid, AND it's cheaper, no brainer!"

lol

It'll just come down to best deals/and if free dining is offered.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

"Does WDW offer a Magic Morning like Disneyland with the purchase of Theme park tickets?"

I think there magic mornings and evenings are for resort guests only, can anyone confirm this?

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Yes, WDW's "Extra Magic Hours", both in the morning and in the evening, are for guests at Disney Hotels ONLY. Not every park has EMH every day... be sure to check the schedule for when you plan to visit before making plans to visit the parks. Many people like to do EMH and then hop to another park for the day (if they have hopper passes) to avoid the larger number of people visiting the park during an EMH day.

 

Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips

Love the extra hours at evening time....being from the west coast and the 3 hour time difference

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I think staying at a Disney Resort is well worth it at WDW (unlike DL). Between access to EMH and avoiding the daily $15 parking charge at the parks, I think the small amount extra you would pay to stay at a WDW Value Resort over staying at a cheapo hotel on Hwy 192 is money well spent.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>Love the extra hours at evening time....<

Keep in mind that folks will be streaming in to the evening EMH park all afternoon, so right at the start of evening EMH it tends to be wall to wall. Most folks don't stay till the bitter end, though, so the last hour or so you should have the place to yourself!

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

"I think staying at a Disney Resort is well worth it at WDW (unlike DL). Between access to EMH and avoiding the daily $15 parking charge at the parks, I think the small amount extra you would pay to stay at a WDW Value Resort over staying at a cheapo hotel on Hwy 192 is money well spent."

I definitely agree.

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

The last time I was at WDW for Christ as EMH was offered everyday at one of the parks. I think this
May be worth it this time. We are only going to do 4 maybe 5 days this time, so I guess we should make the most of it and stop being cheap lol.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

Too bad you couldn't play facebook games to win free hotels at WDW, right Tash?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>The last time I was at WDW for Christ as EMH was offered everyday at one of the parks.<<

This is standard throughout the year. While not every park as EMH every day, at least one park will have it, either in the morning or at night, every day. Some days, one park will have it in the morning and another will have it in the evening.

As has already been pointed out, crowds in the EMH park do tend to be worse during the rest of the day, so if you're not planning on attending EMH, you might want to avoid that park that day.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

One great thing about the Port Orleans resort is that it gives you easy access to Yee Ha Bob. One of the most fun I had on my last trip.

 

Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795

We absolutely fell in love with Port Orleans Riverside, and are going back for our next trip in June. It feels like more than a moderate resort, and everything s just done beautifully. The food court is great, and the main pool area is really awesome.

I haven't stayed at any of the resorts, so I don't know how they compare, but unless I can afford a deluxe resort in the future, I will be sticking with Port Orleans,

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

Right now you can't book for any reservations into 2013, I wonder when that will start opening up?

 

Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795

2014? Probably by summer.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I just asked a Disney chat representative from the website, she said probably by July you can book online, otherwise you could call and book over phone for room only.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I'm really leary on booking a room only room for next year, and then trusting them to offer discounts if they become available later on.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

From what I've read on several WDW planning sites, if you book in advance, they won't automatically apply any discounts that come up later. However, if there is eventually a discount for your stay, they will happily apply it if you call and ask for it.

If you're going during a busy period, and you know exactly where you want to stay, it might be worth booking early to ensure you get what you want. But if you're a little flexible and/or going during a less busy time (when discounts are more likely anyway), I think it's probably worth waiting a little longer. It sounds like you'll be there in the quiet winter months, so there's no real rush to make a reservation