Help me justify an extra $3000

[megs1313]

If anyone can do it, it's you guys!!!

I'm currently booked at POR with some discount or another (it wasn't great...saved us like $50.) My nightly total is in the $231 range for a garden view in AB. I've got 3 rooms booked to accommodate my 15 guests.

BUT

They announced dogs will be allowed at POR. I'm not into this.

Furthermore, I've ALWAYS wanted to stay at BWI. it's almost $3000 for me to do this. Do I dare? What are some selling points I might not be thinking of? TIA!

 

[Allison]

Sorry, can't help you justify that one though I do understand about the dogs. Good luck deciding.

 

[VillainFavs]

That's too big a jump for me! I think of how far $3000 would go towards the next vacation or for extras on this one. Don't spend enough time at the resort to justify it.

The dog thing wouldn't make me happy, but I'm guessing since it was just announced it won't be a huge factor for now...if ever.

 

[Violet Parr]

Do it. We fell in love with the Boardwalk area last trip. For a group of 15, BWI will feel way less crowded. Looking at your kids' ages, I'd say yours are at the age where POR gets outgrown. Mine three were similar ages when we last stayed at POR and we were sad by how cramped we felt. If it is a long trip, the extra square footage makes all the difference, and walking to Epcot and Hollywood studios is magical. Go for it.

 

[anneboleyn]

As of now, allowing dogs is just in the test trial phase. So there is a chance that by the time your trip actually happens, Disney will pull the plug on allowing dogs.

So I wouldn't plunk down $3000. At least not yet.

 

[gingerfeathers]

I wouldn't do it. I can't justify $3,000 like that. I highly doubt the resort will be crawling with dogs. As much as I love dogs, I wouldn't want to bring mine on a WDW trip and have to regularly stop back at the hotel to let him outside.

Edit to add: I'm also that person who would bring my dog everywhere if I could. But I wouldn't bring him to WDW. That wouldn't be fair to him or me.

 

[kitkat4622]

no way $3000 for us almost pays for another trip to POP Century...so nope, wouldn't do it

 

[dansdad]

As of now, allowing dogs is just in the test trial phase. So there is a chance that by the time your trip actually happens, Disney will pull the plug on allowing dogs.

The test is scheduled to go until October 15th, 2018. I don't see them pulling it before then due to guests making reservations expecting to be able to bring their dogs.

 

[anneboleyn]

The test is scheduled to go until October 15th, 2018. I don't see them pulling it before then due to guests making reservations expecting to be able to bring their dogs.

Are you sure? All I am seeing is that the trial starts on October 15, 2017...

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I can't help you justify it. And I'm totally against the dog thing.

If it were just me and my family unit upgrading I would probably do it. Staying at the BC before was awesome so being at an Epcot resort would be great for me. I couldn't justify if I was paying for 3 rooms for 3 separate families.

 

[SaintsManiac]

$3000 is another trip for us, so no.

 

[Cthulolz]

Is it you + 15 guests? If so, that's only $187.50 extra per person. $200 extra per person if the 15 includes you. If you're staying more than one night you could break it down to a "per person, per night" increase. When you look at it that way, it doesn't seem too bad. And think of the convenience of being within walking and boating distance of Epcot AND DHS!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I love BWI, but not for $3000.

 

[megs1313]

Is it you + 15 guests? If so, that's only $187.50 extra per person. $200 extra per person if the 15 includes you. If you're staying more than one night you could break it down to a "per person, per night" increase. When you look at it that way, it doesn't seem too bad. And think of the convenience of being within walking and boating distance of Epcot AND DHS!

It's me + 14 guests. So, if I look at it that way it's a little less than $26/per night per person, which sounds totally reasonable! The issue is that we're helping pay for some friends so they can bring their foster kids to Disney. They can't afford to do it alone, so we're paying for the foster kids' park tickets and for the extra room and the anything over $150/night for the 3rd room. If it was just my family we'd be staying at BWI already, but we're trying to help out....maybe I can have a garage sale or something...

 

[KalamityJane]

Have you looked into renting DVC points? That would probably be around the same budget for POR. Look into getting a 2 bedroom plus single or 3 singles. BWI has lower points cost so it's a decent way to save.

ETA: I looked at second week in Sept 2018 for a week in a studio, it's 76 points. If you pay $15 per point, that is $1140 for the week, or ~162/night. September is low period so this may change depending on when you go, but wanted to give you some numbers.

 

[DLgal]

I suspect since you are footing the bill for 15 people, money is hardly an object. So you are talking an extra $1000/room to upgrade? I'd be all over that. I have a harder time justifying $231/night for a moderate resort (which, to me, is way too much for those). I find the moderates to be the overall worst value at WDW. So yeah, I'd upgrade.

 

[Violet Parr]

I suspect since you are footing the bill for 15 people, money is hardly an object. So you are talking an extra $1000/room to upgrade? I'd be all over that. I have a harder time justifying $231/night for a moderate resort (which, to me, is way too much for those). I find the moderates to be the overall worst value at WDW. So yeah, I'd upgrade.

YES. We have come to agree completely. $231 is a NICE hotel anywhere else. POR is great but the value difference between a mod and a deluxe is just really crazy. It's not that much more for SO much more.

 

[megs1313]

Have you looked into renting DVC points? That would probably be around the same budget for POR. Look into getting a 2 bedroom plus single or 3 singles. BWI has lower points cost so it's a decent way to save.

My trip is in january, so i was under the impression that it's way too late to rent points...

 

[KalamityJane]

My trip is in january, so i was under the impression that it's way too late to rent points...

YOu actually may be okay since it is January. Not sure if you would get into BWI though. Saratoga and Animal Kingdom Lodge both generally fill up last. I would definitely look into it just in case you get lucky!

 

[Violet Parr]

There is very, very little availability left at DVC for January. Definitely not enough for 15 people.