As I wait patiently for Disney to release the 2021 packages (look at me, just sitting here, so patiently!), I’m starting to think about resorts.
Specifically, resorts I will stay in during my 2021 trip.
One of the biggest upsides of moving our trip to 2021 is having the time to save extra money. Extra money that I will directly funnel into my dream of staying at a Deluxe Resort.
The only Deluxe resort I have stayed in was the Polynesian, on a trip when I was a teenager. Otherwise it’s been an assortment of Moderates and off-site locations. Now listen, I love a good Moderate. I love a great Moderate (hi, Coronado Springs!). This is not a knock on moderates (or Values! Love the Values!)
But after having so many character meals in gorgeously themed, perfectly situated Deluxes, I started to wonder: what would it be like to stay in one of these?
And it’s nice to have a dream, right? A dream is a wish your heart makes. And I know that visions are seldom all they seem but I just want to see the floating lanterns gleam. I want to be where the people are. I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I’m almost there. A whole new world!
But to get to the Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World, hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work I go. Where I will be whistling.
But while I’m working and whistling, I’ll be thinking about which resort I want to stay in.
I gave Elizabeth, my helpful and articulate travel agent, some ideas about what I was looking for. She gave me a few suggestions of Deluxes that might fit my needs, and then of course I did my own research because ya girl loves research. I then took these options to Mr. B. Between all these great minds, we’ve narrowed it down to four options based on our family’s criteria. Each family member got to list the one thing that was most important to them in a hotel. Our criteria is as follows:
- Easy transportation. Specifically for the person responsible for the stroller.-Mr.B, the person who tends to be in charge of the stroller when it comes to buses, etc.
- A big pool with a big waterslide.-The Glass Slipper.
- Somewhere I can meet a princess.-The Frying Pan.
- A deluxe.-The Teacup, who cannot talk, but has very expensive tastes.
- An amazing theme, with perfect Disney details and delicious on-site restaurants.-Me, who is paying for this and so gets two picks.
Here are the four we’ve narrowed it down to and how well they meet our criteria.
The Grand Floridian: Okay, this was my very first choice. Because let’s be real, when we think of luxury at the Disney World Resort, don’t we think the Grand Floridian? It’s the flagship, the one in all the commercials, the OG. It checked a lot of boxes: great restaurants and character meals (including one with Cinderella, a princess!), lots of Disney theming (the penguin fountain!), and monorail transportation to the two parks where we would be spending most of our time, Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
The only downside: the pool is a little…uninspiring? Don’t get me wrong, I love the splash area with the Alice in Wonderland theme. But the main pool is just kinda okay, right? I mean, that’s how it looks from pictures. Tell me if I’m wrong.
This is also the priciest choice. So that’s something to consider, too. I know we’re paying for proximity and amenities, but I do want to make sure we’re getting the most of what WE want for whatever we end up paying.
Yacht or Beach Club: These seem interchangeable? But do tell me if you like one more than the other. The big draw here is the pool. The pool looks amazing. The pool looks like all the Glass Slipper’s dreams. The Frying Pan’s criteria would be met, too, because we would be in walking distance of the Bon Voyage Breakfast over on the Boardwalk. Lots of great food options, so I’m happy on that. But let me ask you, how’s the Disney aspect of theming at the Yacht and Beach Clubs? It’s not a deal breaker for me, but I really do love a theme.
Besides theme issues, the big detractor for the Yacht and/or Beach Club is transportation. While we’ll be in walking or boating distance of Epcot, we’re solidly stuck on the buses for Magic Kingdom. What’s the bus ride like to MK from Yachty Beachy Town? We are no stranger to a Disney bus, but give me your bus tips specific to this resort. I need ‘em!
Wilderness Lodge: The wild card! Okay, so the Frying Pan gets her Princess meal, I get my good food and my theme perfection. We’re off to a good start. The pool looks pretty good? Better than Grand Floridian but not quite as good as the Clubs of Yacht and Beach? Again, transportation is a toss up. We could boat it to MK, but then we’re busing it to Epcot. This is another one I would love resort specific transpo tips for.
A big deciding factor for us will be price. Wilderness Lodge is traditionally the most cost effective of the Deluxes, but with the rumpus happening and so. many. people rescheduling their trips for 2021, it’s kind of anyone’s game. Plus, resort prices vary wildly between dates. In doing my research, I ran some numbers for imaginary 2020 dates, just to get an idea of the price range. For some dates, Yacht Club was as expensive as the Grand Floridian. Some dates Yacht and Beach Club were within dollars of each other. Other dates, there was more than $70 dollars a night difference. Wilderness Lodge was all over the place: sometimes the most affordable by far, sometimes the same price as Yacht Club.
So given that price will play a big part, we’d like to have a ranking before packages actually release (any day now!) How would you rank if you were us?
2021 Family Trip
Goal: $8000
After Last Deposit: $6106.70
Total Deposit: $128
$100 PayPal Deposit from Swagbucks
$10 Amazon Giftcard from Swagbacks
$10 Amazon Giftcard from Pinecone Research
$5 PayPal Deposit from Independent Study
$3 Amazon Giftcard from Pinecone Research
Still Need: $5978.70
Wooohooo, I’m officially 25% done! And as soon as we get package information we’ll have more exact goals to be working towards. Oh, I am so excited.
Which of our final four suggestions are you most into? I need your advice! Drop it in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!