First timer looking at booking July or Aug next year. Just some qs and something that may help you

[FAcup14]

Hi All

LTL FTP.

I've been looking at booking a Florida holiday for about 18 months now. I'm yet to actually book something. Im mainly waiting for my son to get a little taller so we can go on more things. It will be me the Mrs and a really headstrong and excitable boy(Just turned 4). Im looking at 14 nights right now. But I suspect that might change to 9 or so nights at Disney then 4 nights somewhere a little cheaper to do Universal and anything else we fancy. It would absolutely have to be in the UK school holidays(The Mrs is a teacher)

The last time I went was in the mid nineties and I was 8(i think). I don't remember much. The Summit Plummet, Muppets 3D and Splash Mountain i definitely have vivid memories of. I stayed at All Star Music(ASMu) and remember the bus service being so easy and convenient, there is no way we aren't staying on site. That and things like the refillable drinks make it a no brainer for me.

For this trip I was looking at All Star Movies(ASMo) or Art Of Animation(AoA).

ASMo because of the Toy Story and 101 Dalmatians theming(a couple of his favourite films right now). The distance from things does worry me a little(though I don't remember ASMu being that bad for waiting around on transport)

AoA had the same appeal(though mum has tried to get him into the little mermaid but he doesn't like it). We would of course prefer differently themed room, but its not a deal breaker. The sky-liner is a massive bonus. We go skiing quite frequently so we are all very much used to using them.

I picked these two mainly for the magic(and the price) of them. But seeing the price of Caribbean beach right now im thinking about boking that.

I've done a fair amount of research(shout out to DFBGuide, TheTimTracker and you guys). So I feel like I'm quite clued up on lots of things.

I do have some things you guys could help with though.

A lot of these wont be an exact science so I'm happy with others experiences.



The offers that are currently on. How good are they relative to what is usually offered at the same time in previous years? DDP is the obvious drawback here. We aren't massive eaters so I'm not sure if the DDP would be a good thing for us.

Is Caribbean beach a good choice for the three of us?

I've heard that the last two weeks in August are some of the best times to go. The US kids have gone back to school but Brits are still off. Is it true its a good time to go?

What resort would be best for a group of 2x2 parents and 2 kids(2x2+2)? AoA seems the obvious choice. But maybe im missing something.

How is it best to book something 2x2+2. Im hoping for some left field suggestions like two separate bookings with a 2 person booking here and a 4 person booking here.

A final musing, What are peoples thoughts on what impact covid would have at around the time I plan to go. I know this is massively speculative at the moment and I don't want to start a riot with my first post. Maybe a score out of 10 is a good indicator of peoples thoughts on the subject.

I've only been using the official Disney booking page to get prices. I did check places like Virgin and BA but they seemed to be exactly the same prices. Is there another place anyone recommends?

Thanks in advance!

FAcup

[FAcup14]

I like to give back so hopefully this helps some others out. I build websites for a living so i wrote a little application that goes to disneyholidays.co.uk and checks the cheapest prices at all resorts for each two week period between the 18th July and the 15th of August.

Here it is the output. The price is the cheapest price if you book your stay from the date given. The prices are all the same for two weeks starting on the dates listed.

price(£)              Dates - Resort
1967 		 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - All-Star Movies Resort
2243 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Pop Century Resort
2339 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Art of Animation Resort
3008 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Caribbean Beach Resort
2179 		 15/8 - Coronado Springs Resort
4428 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins
3898 		 15/8 - Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
4508 		 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8 - Yacht Club Resort
5027 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8 - Contemporary Resort
5197 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Old Key West Resort
5347 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Boardwalk Villas
6457 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Riviera Resort
6537 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
8986 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8 - Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
9464 		 18/7, 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
7746 		 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8 - Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
5987 		 19/7, 20/7, 21/7, 22/7, 23/7, 24/7, 25/7, 26/7, 27/7, 28/7, 29/7, 30/7, 31/7, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8 - Polynesian Village Resort

As I said, hopefully this helps someone out. Even if its just not checking all the dates for the cheapest.

Edit:
I have updated this list: https://DIBB.in/14696641

[bouncybeth79]

Evening,

Can recommend the last 2 weeks of August, as you say most of the American kids are back at school then so the park are less busy and they tend to be cheaper. It does fall into Hurricane Season but that's all part of the adventure as far as I am concerned. We have only stayed at Animal Kingdom so cant speak for any of the resorts you mention but I can honestly say it was the best holiday we have EVER had. We have since stayed in a Villa and a hotel on International drive, my kids are grown up now so not too bothered about that "magic" that comes from staying onsite.
I work in the NHS and if I'm honest I've stopped listening to all of the rumours of how this Pandemic will pan out because it seems to change daily, we have lost 5 holidays in total now over the last 2 years due to Covid and TC going bust and have now rebooked again for November next year, so I pray that something gets sorted soon so we can go with some sense of normality!
We have used Ocean Florida for this holiday, the whole thing felt much more personal and they really went out of their way to get the holiday we wanted. I hope you get that first magical experience with the kids that we all have when we first go as a family - Its always fun but nothing beats that first experience of taking the kids to the most amazing place on Earth.

Good luck x

[KarenG]

Hi and welcome

I would be a bit worried that things like parades, shows, fireworks and so on are not guaranteed to be back to normal. I would also wonder whether masks may still be a thing.

If you’re the sort of person who goes every year this might not worry you, but if you won’t visit so often it may be worth hanging on for more certainty before booking.

At that age my kids loved AsMo and Pop. Do also have a look at CSR which had prices very similar to the value resorts for some dates when I last checked.

[FAcup14]

Thanks for your reply!

Originally Posted by bouncybeth79

Evening,
It does fall into Hurricane Season but that's all part of the adventure as far as I am concerned.

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When we went when in the 90s Hurricane Alice came to my dads birthday. It was the 4th of June and the sea was lapping at the front door of the villa we had for the second half. It was on Anna-maria island between that and the huge pelicans using our pool. That week was a little insane.

[FAcup14]

Originally Posted by KarenG

I would be a bit worried that things like parades, shows, fireworks and so on are not guaranteed to be back to normal. I would also wonder whether masks may still be a thing.

If you’re the sort of person who goes every year this might not worry you, but if you won’t visit so often it may be worth hanging on for more certainty before booking.

See more...

Yeah this sort of thing does worry me. It's one of the reasons i've just just thrown caution into the wind and booked it. There is one part of me that thinks ignorance is bliss and i wont miss what I don't know about.

The flip side for this for me is, its not going anywhere and you never get to do it all at anyway. Just an excuse to go back.

[Rebecca_]

I've never stayed at All Star Movies but have stayed at All Star Sports & Art of Animation - would happily stay at both again but AoA with the Skyliner is worth the extra money in my opinion.
We didn't really have any issues with the buses at All Stars. Nowhere felt too far away and we weren't ever waiting too long. One thing to consider is that all 3 of the All Stars resorts sometimes share buses - Sports is the first pick up, then Music and lastly Movies. So if the bus gets filled up at the first stop it will just skip the other hotels. Just something to keep in mind!

[DisneyDaft88]

We have stayed in ASMo once but that was in November, we are more "regular" visitors to CBR and i'd say both are a great experience but for different reasons!

ASMo is SO immersive, good proximity to AK, BB and HS, other parks take a little longer, we stayed in a refurbished preferred room (Toy Story) which was 2 mins from the pool and the dining hall and had zero complaints, buses were never a problem as we visited at a quieter time.

CBR, having stayed here as a little kid and then through my 20s and 30s I love it! Doesn't have the immersive Disney vibe of ASMo but love the relaxed island feel. We really make use of our village pool in the afternoons, never tends to be busy but even as 2 adults we also enjoy the main pool vibe! CBR is BIG, that being the downside for some people but it doesn't bother us and the skyliner is now definitely a plus. CBR has pretty good proximity to most things, nothing ever seems to take very long on the bus but MK is the furthest away.

I noticed you mentioned the refillable mugs so might be worth mentioning that at ASMo you have to go back to the main dining hall to fill these up but at CBR, due to its size, each village has a room with an ice machine and Coke Freestyle machine

Like others I would say to definitely consider if the possible lack of meet & greet and fireworks is going to take away some of the magic and also that all children age 2 and up have to wear a mask at all times apart from when eating or drinking, I know this can be a challenge for some, especially when it's not something they are used to from day to day life in the UK

[FAcup14]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaft88

CBR, having stayed here as a little kid and then through my 20s and 30s I love it! Doesn't have the immersive Disney vibe of ASMo but love the relaxed island feel.

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Im in two minds about whether to have a nicer(higher priced(well usually)) resort or a more immersive.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaft88

We really make use of our village pool in the afternoons, never tends to be busy but even as 2 adults we also enjoy the main pool vibe! CBR is BIG, that being the downside for some people but it doesn't bother us and the skyliner is now definitely a plus. CBR has pretty good proximity to most things, nothing ever seems to take very long on the bus but MK is the furthest away.

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This is something I hadn't really thought about. I guess you could be a 15 minute walk from the bus stop. I guess you have to weigh that against the extra 15 minutes another trip might take.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaft88

I noticed you mentioned the refillable mugs so might be worth mentioning that at ASMo you have to go back to the main dining hall to fill these up but at CBR, due to its size, each village has a room with an ice machine and Coke Freestyle machine

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HA! You brought back memories of my dad getting up super early to go get minute maid from the drinks fountains. Thank you for that.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaft88

Like others I would say to definitely consider if the possible lack of meet & greet and fireworks is going to take away some of the magic

See more...

This is playing on my mind. But I'm happy to go again a couple of years later and see what happens.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaft88

all children age 2 and up have to wear a mask at all times apart from when eating or drinking, I know this can be a challenge for some, especially when it's not something they are used to from day to day life in the UK

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I have trained my little one to like his mask. Buying a spiderman or dinosaur mask really helped with this one.

[FAcup14]

Originally Posted by Rebecca_

I've never stayed at All Star Movies but have stayed at All Star Sports & Art of Animation - would happily stay at both again but AoA with the Skyliner is worth the extra money in my opinion.
We didn't really have any issues with the buses at All Stars. Nowhere felt too far away and we weren't ever waiting too long. One thing to consider is that all 3 of the All Stars resorts sometimes share buses - Sports is the first pick up, then Music and lastly Movies. So if the bus gets filled up at the first stop it will just skip the other hotels. Just something to keep in mind!

See more...

That is frustrating. You bought back a memory of passing ASS every time we got on the bus back from somewhere. Wondering what that hotel is like.