The Walt Disney World Resort Thread: Splashed for the Last Time

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by CF3234, Feb 26, 2020.

  1. zeberdee

    zeberdee wheel snipe celly boys
    Donor TMB OG
    Penn State Nittany LionsPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia 76'ersPhiladelphia EaglesPhiladelphia FlyersArsenalPhiladelphia UnionUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    we already booked the studio, I was just curious. the kids will probably sleep with my wife and I'll sleep on the pull out. youngest in a pack-n-play.

    we've been in tighter situations, my kids are good sleepers and I can sleep anywhere. the full kitchen would be nice, but I'm hoping to make the most of meals in the parks.
     
  2. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    You will be more than happy. Though Disney’s pull out is not really adult friendly. If you can get the kids to sleep on it, you are good to go. disney provides a pack and play btw. What hotel?
     
    Dump and zeberdee like this.
  3. zeberdee

    zeberdee wheel snipe celly boys
    Donor TMB OG
    Penn State Nittany LionsPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia 76'ersPhiladelphia EaglesPhiladelphia FlyersArsenalPhiladelphia UnionUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Grand Floridian
     
    Dump, IrishLAX2 and Ray McKigney like this.
  4. lazy bum

    lazy bum active consumer
    Donor TMB OG

    We’re doing DVC the week after Thanksgiving for my family of 4 (will be 11 mo and 4 yo), my parents, and mother in law plus 3 other family members are staying 1-2 nights with us. Got a 2 bedroom at Boulder Ridge through David’s and it made a ton of sense for us.

    Kind of a trial to see if we want to buy a resale for the future but I’m still not sure if it makes more sense to just keep renting points.
     
  5. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    Excellent. Spend a day just at the hotel. Plenty to see and do. Wonderful hotel. The dvc rooms are really nice. The mirror in the bathroom has a built in TV
     
    zeberdee likes this.
  6. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    Unless you can commit to going every year, keep renting. It’s almost impossible to get your money back by renting out unused points.
     
  7. lazy bum

    lazy bum active consumer
    Donor TMB OG

    Yeah, we’re thinking it will be yearly at least. It has been with my family forever for Christmas stuff. This is the first trip for the kids and wife, though, so we need to see how they take to it.
     
  8. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    kid's taking to disney will be a no doubter. You will start to have some issues in the teenage years though.
     
  9. lazy bum

    lazy bum active consumer
    Donor TMB OG

    Oh, I’m pretty sure the kids will love it. My daughter is already obsessed. It’s my wife I’m in wait and see mode on. She’s excited, though.

    Thought about the teenage years, but you can always just sell the contract. The 2042 stuff will complicate that, though.
     
  10. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    Just got back this week from staying 7 days at the GF DVC side. We had a 1bedroom. Great space. We still had housekeeping change the trash everyday which wasn't necessary but nice. Concierge/room service was great. Only the old NBA bubble resorts are doing room service right now and GF is one of them. Convenience to MK can't be stressed enough. We never expected to go to MK as much as we did, but it was so easy to hop on the monorail and be there in 5 minutes. We'd end up closing out almost every night at MK. Never waited more than 20 minutes for a bus to Epcot, HS, AK. New walkway from GF to MK is a plus too, though we seemed to be the only people using it last week. They still don't have signs up for it yet.

    Wish we would have set aside a non park day to explore more. Narccoossee, GF Cafe, Gasprilla Grill, Enchanted Rose all open for dining and quick service. Room Service is GF Cafe menu. Just saw today The Wave is closing for refurb, but really enjoyed our meal there at the Contemporary. Went to Kona Cafe as a walk up and it was alright.

    I really missed not having the epcot monorail running. Buses were fine, but would have preferred taking the train after eating around Epcot.

    Maybe a hot take, but I thought Gideon's was largely the AJ Disneyfoodblog hype machine. Peanut butter cold brew was great, but the cookies were way too sweet. Think we ate a half of one and were done.

    Boathouse was a great meal we enjoyed. Wine Bar George was good.
     
  11. afb

    afb Spoiler Alert: Pawnee, IN may not be on a map.
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesBig Ten Conference

    Gideon’s has been around for 5 years now. Ain’t nothing to do with dfb nonsense
     
    Dr. Mantis Toboggan likes this.
  12. MrOutlaw

    MrOutlaw Director corp medical
    Pittsburgh SteelersPenn State Nittany LionsPittsburgh Penguins

    This is the longest stretch our fam has been between Disney trips since my first daughter was born. Still have unactivated season passes sitting there paid for. Probably not gonna head down there until the kids are vaccinated, so we're looking at next winter I would guess.

    :feelsbadman:
     
  13. Jack Parkman

    Jack Parkman Endorsed by Fred McGriff
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Florida GatorsMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersMiami Heat

  14. afb

    afb Spoiler Alert: Pawnee, IN may not be on a map.
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesBig Ten Conference

  15. afb

    afb Spoiler Alert: Pawnee, IN may not be on a map.
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesBig Ten Conference

    and now disney world

     
  16. DUCKMOUTH

    DUCKMOUTH People don’t you know, don’t you know
    Donor
    Southern Mississippi Golden EaglesNew Orleans SaintsGrateful DeadPoker

    Staying at The Riviera in October. Pumped
     
    Modsquader and CoastalOrange like this.
  17. lazy bum

    lazy bum active consumer
    Donor TMB OG

    I’m honestly in an odd spot with it mentally. We’re going the week after thanksgiving and at this rate things might be “normal”. But it’s also enough time for it stupidity to allow this virus to surge back.
     
  18. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    Hope for the best. Prepare for wearing a mask the whole time.
     
  19. Kylebw1

    Kylebw1 UNC ACC Champs
    Donor

    Gf’s best friend is wanting to celebrate her 30th at Disney in November (friend is obsessed with Disney and hoping to be proposed to on the trip). I haven’t been since I was fifteen or so. For five days at Disney in November what’s the ballpark I’m going to waste for the gf and I with good accommodations?

    the friend that’s obsessed worked at Disney and claimed the work conditions and hours were so rough it put her in the hospital but somehow she still has to go three or four times a year
     
  20. Doug

    Doug Skeptical Doug-o
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans SaintsLouisiana Ragin' CajunsPoker

    Completely depends on where you’re staying but a few grand
     
    Kylebw1 likes this.
  21. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    I always hate to give the lawyer answer but it really depends on what they are looking for in the trip. Could run the Gambit from a couple hundred to a couple thousand.
     
    Kylebw1 likes this.
  22. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Gamut*

    #Lawyered
     
  23. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    How do dining reservations work?

    I’m trying to book anything for Saturday and it seems like nothing resort wide is available.
     
  24. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    You try both your phone and computer? I’m showing availability at some Disney springs spots, MK restaurants minus BOG, and BlueZoo at The Dolphin.
     
  25. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    I’m on my phone. I’ll try regular website.
     
  26. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    Saw less. Took a terralina reservation just to have something but was hoping for boathouse. Time to look 24/7. Things are back to normal
     
    Modsquader likes this.
  27. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    Try open table too. There’s Ragland Road, Jaleo, Maria&Enzos available.
     
    CF3234 likes this.
  28. afb

    afb Spoiler Alert: Pawnee, IN may not be on a map.
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesBig Ten Conference

    Pretty sure weekend nights are taken off for boathouse and homecoming. You can try and call but they know it’ll be packed regardless so they get blocked out. Open table usually doesn’t have boathouse til like 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights
     
    CF3234 likes this.
  29. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    So just have to put your name down and wait? Fair enough.
     
  30. afb

    afb Spoiler Alert: Pawnee, IN may not be on a map.
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesBig Ten Conference

    Yup, it sucks but I would call just to see
     
    CF3234 likes this.
  31. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    We aren't planning on doing a park. So the plan is to just walk disney springs with the kid and eat dinner. so putting our name down isn't the end of the world.
     
    Modsquader and afb like this.
  32. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

  33. FrankReynolds

    FrankReynolds Go Blue
    Donor TMB OG
    Penn State Nittany LionsLiverpool

    No more ohana noodles
     
    CF3234 likes this.
  34. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    This is fucking bull shit
     
    lazy bum likes this.
  35. Doug

    Doug Skeptical Doug-o
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans SaintsLouisiana Ragin' CajunsPoker

    Just wrapped up Universal trip.
    Did the Velocicoaster which was awesome, only took about 10 mins in the single rider line.

    but holy fuck those parks were absolutely packed, it was hot, and Universal was completely understaffed. Well over half the snack and drink stations closed- the ones that were open had one person with a 30 person line. The drink refill stations were almost all down. We found one that had ice then the next batch of them were able to find one that had drinks.

    if you have the option of waiting to go- they need a little more time to get staffed up but still a pretty good trip.
     
  36. Jack Parkman

    Jack Parkman Endorsed by Fred McGriff
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Florida GatorsMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersMiami Heat

    those parks in the summer + the florida heat/humidity + the giant South American student groups hogging up the lines= the closest thing to hell on earth
     
  37. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

     
  38. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

     
    Modsquader likes this.
  39. fucktx

    fucktx ruthkanda forever
    Donor
    Texas RangersDallas Stars

    No chance I’d want to go to Disney or universal during the summer

    too god damn hot and too many people
     
    chasenwilliam and lazy bum like this.
  40. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    If I go to either its for the Water Parks and pools
     
    dtx likes this.
  41. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    Anyone on the board own DVC? Been looking at it for the past 18 months and think we could pull the trigger on something this year. Most likely Saratoga.
     
  42. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    Me and rulethirty have it. May be one or two more owners as well.


    I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else that asks about it.

    DVC is great as long as you are committed to using it. The savings on the hotels are excellent and you get nice big rooms for the price of a value resort.

    However, it's not a good investment. Yes you can rent points out, but you will rarely if ever make a profit on those points. At best you pay you maintenance fees for the year plus some money towards the mortgage (assuming you finance the purchase which I strongly recommend against)

    I don't know your financial situation, but if your plan is to do DVC, I strongly encourage buying into one of the Deluxe Resorts and paying in full up front if you want to have any hope of renting your points at a profit and/or staying at a higher end resort is extremely important for each of your stays. That extra 6 month booking window comes in handy if you try to visit during peak seasons.
     
    Modsquader likes this.
  43. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    My wife grew up going every few years. We went every 4 years starting in the early 90s. Wife and I have gone together every year we've been together. Potential plan would be to get more points at a SSR or AKL for family to come with us. My brother and his wife have 3 kids under 4 and we will have our first next year. Expecting to trip with them and both grandparents so the points I think or more important than the location. We'd only travel within the first 4 travel seasons and have zero interest in spring break, dead of summer, Christmas. We think we would use every other year for the next 15 years at least.

    Looking around 220-250pts if we do SSR or AKL. We had a much smaller wedding because of covid so I was planning on using those funds for the DVC. About $25,000 set aside.

    Bay Lake has a number of 160pt contracts that aren't moving which I've considered scooping up. Would have 320pts every other year which could cover us through first 4 travel season in a 2 bed. Also could add more points on if we're enjoying it. Think I could get a 160pt BLT for 26,000 (155/pt) looking at what disney is scooping up in ROFR. Just tough to look at 160pts for 26K or 230pts for 28K at SSR.

    Big question I have is what will happen with Grand Flo rates in the next 12 months. They haven't sold Alunai or Riviera yet and will have 200 new rooms there which is going to be 5-6 million more points to sell. Probably hoping to sell with people in coming in for the 50th over the next 18 months.

    What is the 7 month window like for 2 bedrooms? I know studios and 1 bedrooms go first, but not sure if Grand Flo and Bay Lake are open at 7 months off season (1-4 travel season). We did Grand Flo for the honeymoon and felt a bit spoiled by the location. It was just so easy to pop over to MK after dinner and walk around.
     
  44. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    If that's your situation, I say go for it. I would strongly encourage you to buy into a monorail resort/ WL, AKL, then the Epcot resorts, in that order. Don't buy into SSR or OKW.

    Are you buying off the secondary market? Because I know my wife looked recently and only saw them selling Riviera.
     
  45. Modsquader

    Modsquader Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    Resale. We live OOS and the blue card doesn't really do much for me. I'm sure in the next 20 years they will make it so resale is home resort only at this rate, but not interested in APO discount, merch, APO special events, etc. In the event once every 5 years or so we plan on having a large groups go and dinning will be expensive I'll just buy tables in wonderland for the year and use that. I wonder if they ever loosen the reigns on Rivieria and allow resale to book there.
     
  46. CF3234

    CF3234 Fan of: Bandwagons
    Donor TMB OG
    Miami HurricanesMiami MarlinsMiami DolphinsFlorida PanthersTiger WoodsInter Miami CFGame of ThronesMiami Heat

    I have only walked it, not stayed there. To me it felt like a middle ground between deluxe and moderate. A nice hotel sure, but nowhere near worth the prices they are charging.
     
    Modsquader likes this.
  47. killrbee7

    killrbee7 EMAGin' and Swaggin'
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina GamecocksAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersJacksonville JaguarsLiverpool

    Did not get a boarding group for rise of the resistance despite joining the second it turned 7:00. Any tips for getting a group at 1:00?
     
  48. killrbee7

    killrbee7 EMAGin' and Swaggin'
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina GamecocksAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersJacksonville JaguarsLiverpool

    Update: didn’t get in at 1:00 either. Fuck this system. I literally clicked everything the instant it turned 1:00 and didn’t get a group. Got to the final group screen each time and then full…bullshit to spend this much money to not be able to go on the only ride you want.
     
  49. fucktx

    fucktx ruthkanda forever
    Donor
    Texas RangersDallas Stars

    Sorry dude that blows. Idk how they’re doing it now but I went to both parks right after it opened at each and the only way I knew for sure to get on it was get there early as fuck. They were letting people in early then and you could join a boarding group as soon as you were in the park. Not sure how they do it now
     
  50. Codename Duchess

    Codename Duchess Well-Known Member

    Yeah that sucks. I hate the virtual queue lottery system so much.